Chapter 2.
“Get up! Right this instant, before I kick you!”
A condescending glare and a spiteful expression—how could I ever forget that face? She was Belladonna, the maid who had tormented me relentlessly in my previous life.
“If you kiss my foot, I might overlook the fact that you accidentally wandered into the young master’s room.”
“Are you saying I should tell him that I got thrashed with a riding whip? Why would I do something that gets me beaten in the first place? If you’re born of humble origins, you should behave accordingly.”
What a pushover I used to be.
Outside, I was treated like a villainess, but at home, I’d be made a fool of even by a mere maid.
Whenever I resisted, I’d end up with water-drenched rags in my cup or spikes in my shoes that left holes in my feet.
But all that was in the past. After surviving death, what did I have to fear? Belladonna, who screamed and stomped like a banshee, no longer frightened me.
“Not only does your appearance look ragged, but are your ears blocked too? Maybe you need to get thrown into a dung cart before you understand!”
Having lived multiple lives, it was almost amusing to see Belladonna’s face covered with her usual spite. Before meeting ‘that girl,’ this would be just a light warm-up.
Though her glare was sharp, instead of hastily getting up from the sofa, I crossed my legs the other way.
“Is this how Grimlawers treat their guests?”
“What…?”
The aristocratic, overbearing tone made the maid shrink. Belladonna’s shoulders twitched as if she wanted to bow at my feet right then and there.
No wonder.
The most elegant noblewoman Belladonna had ever met was Himena Grimlawer, and I had received lessons directly from her.
Even a brief encounter with a ragged nine-year-old girl conveying Himena’s authority left Belladonna blinking rapidly to mask her confusion.
“A guest, you say?”
A guest—not a hostage sold off to repay a debt.
I looked too shabby to be called a lady, yet there was an air about me that made it impossible to dismiss me as a mere hostage.
Belladonna’s limited imagination never let her dream that I might be a time-reincarnated Grimlawer.
“I… I haven’t heard anything like that before…”
The sight of her flustered face—fearing she had made a mistake with a noble—made the effort of all those past beatings feel worthwhile.
Those who’ve been beaten know exactly where to hit for maximum pain. For a coward like Belladonna, asserting authority was the most effective method.
I lifted my chin and looked down at the maid with an imperious gaze.
“I’ve come on an official invitation from Mr. Gilbert.”
Calling a summons an invitation was audacious, almost brazen.
Belladonna’s face paled more and more with every second of my confident demeanor. In a noticeably more polite tone, she spoke.
“Excuse me, may I ask the family name of your ladyship?”
Even if young, a noble is a noble.
If my identity was truly a guest of the Grimlawers, Belladonna had just committed a serious offense and would need to apologize for her earlier rudeness.
Satisfied that she was ready to bow at any moment, I spoke in a strong voice:
“I am the sole daughter of the distinguished Hendanol family. No rude maid has the right to treat me carelessly.”
In my previous life, I had been sacrificed to seal the Grand Sorcerer.
If shared death could be called fate, then I had no qualms about exploiting the sorcerer’s family name now.
With no family fame to speak of and his ducal-level surname enough to intimidate Belladonna, it was perfect.
“For your information, my father, the Duke of Hendanol, dotes on his daughter.”
As I spoke effortlessly, a mysterious mark, not present in my past life, appeared faintly glowing on the back of my hand.
It seemed to contradict my words entirely, but I ignored it, focusing on intimidating Belladonna.
She trembled like a condemned criminal, her small eyes darkened with fear.
“I’m sorry, but I’ve never heard of such a noble family…”
“It doesn’t matter whether you’ve heard of it or not.”
A mere maid couldn’t insult a noble and get away with it. Depending on the case, disrespect toward a noble could be severely punished.
Looking at her, I wondered why I had put up with such nonsense in the past. Letting go of my obsession with becoming ‘that girl’s’ sister simplified everything.
Bored with dealing with Belladonna, I decided to deliver the finishing blow.
“Judging by your attitude, this cannot be overlooked. What’s your name?”
“I-I’m sorry!”
Unable to withstand the pressure, Belladonna flattened herself to the floor. She only pretended to apologize, showing no real remorse.
“I didn’t know! Anyone would’ve acted like me seeing your ragged appearance!”
“Didn’t know?”
“You’re a kind lady. You’re still young and may not know, but punishing me over something like this would be excessive. Please be lenient.”
Kind Levieta? She’s dead.
“Seems the only thing that hasn’t changed is your impudence.”
“Huh?”
“You’re noisy. Bring your face here.”
At the motion, Belladonna stuck her face out like a mesmerized child. I raised my arm and struck her cheek with ruthless precision.
Smack!
The slap packed a punch so potent it drew tears, impossible to believe it came from such a small hand.
Oh. What to do? I don’t feel sorry at all.
Without emotion, I gestured with my hand.
“Come here.”
“I-I won’t climb up again. Please forgive me, lady!”
“Quiet. Come here. And think about why you got hit.”
Moments later, Belladonna clutched her reddened cheek and dashed out into the hallway. If she brought Gilbert Grimlawer, all truths would be revealed.
Good. I didn’t mind at all.
“Papa… Father… hmm… doesn’t roll off the tongue well.”
With my newfound youth, maybe it’s time for a cute debut in parenting roles?
One little act of charm, and power is in my hands.
“Papa… let’s stop.”
Cute or not, I just wanted a slice of pizza.
Flirting wasn’t my style, and I didn’t have the confidence to out-cute ‘that girl.’ I shook my head. Just then, footsteps approached from beyond the door.
With leisurely steps, the door opened, and finally, Gilbert Grimlawer appeared.
“Huh? A child?”
His blue eyes squinted skeptically beneath black hair.
A high, sharp nose, a firm jawline, and a tall, well-built body radiated masculine charm.
Wild yet cool, and somehow thrillingly dangerous—he had the aura of an untamed wolf.
“Why is a girl here? Did I come to the wrong room?”
Gilbert, expecting to meet a horse, was puzzled by my appearance.
“You came to the right place, Young Master Gilbert. This is the daughter of the Hendanol family.”
Belladonna pointed politely toward me. But contrary to her expectations, Gilbert reacted mildly, as if he had heard something trivial.
“Hendanol family? Where’s that? I didn’t come to drink tea with a lady, but to collect debts from a gambling house.”
“Uh? But from what I heard…”
As Belladonna panicked, Gilbert snapped his fingers, realization dawning.
“Ah, now I get it. That wretched abuser sold his daughter instead of the horse, right?”
“Yes. My horrible stepfather sold me instead of the horse.”
“Ah, what a pretty horse.”
I smiled shyly. Belladonna, shocked, glared at me demanding an explanation, but my smile remained intact.
What can you do if I get angry? Will you scream in front of Gilbert?
While Gilbert rummaged in his pockets, I stuck my tongue out teasingly. Belladonna, knowing exactly what it meant, nearly went mad.
“Want some candy?”
“I’ll take just the thought.”
“You haven’t given me the thought.”
Gilbert awkwardly put candy in his mouth; he didn’t seem to care about me pretending to be a noble. He would probably just scold a child for playing tricks.
But if I exposed her, Belladonna would be in serious trouble. Grimlawer didn’t have the patience to keep a maid incapable of even basic hospitality.
Belladonna bowed to Gilbert and gritted her teeth, exiting the room. She would have plenty of chances to adore me as a novice maid in the future.
But that was only if Gilbert let me act as his errand girl. Reality was harsher.
“Little one.”
“…”
“Circumstances are tight, but it’s time for you to leave.”
