Chapter 2
The Mean Coachman and the Head Maid
Safinia, escorted by the head maid, arrived in front of the carriage parked at the front of the church. A man with a hooked nose and sharp eyes sat on the driver’s bench.
“You kept us waiting, Gale.”
The coachman called Gale looked down at Safinia. His gaze was so frightening that Safinia’s shoulders gave a small twitch.
“Hannah, is that the child Safinia? Hmph. She’s quite short — and dressed so shabby.”
At that, the head maid — Hannah — reproved Gale.
“Hey, Gale. Even so, that child is the duke’s own child. Don’t say careless things. What if she tattles on you?”
“Hmph, I don’t care. That brat’s mother was a low-ranking maid, you know? When you think about that, don’t you reckon people like me, the coachman, or you, the head maid, are in a higher position? After all, the mother was practically thrown away by the master.”
“Well, if you put it that way, I suppose that is true.”
To make matters worse, Gale and Hannah began badmouthing Rose right in front of Safinia, who had just lost her mother. Naturally, the small child’s heart was deeply wounded… and tears welled up in her eyes.
She fought hard to hold back the urge to cry out.
(I mustn’t cry…! If I cry, Mama will worry and won’t be able to go to God…)
Believing the priest’s words from earlier, Safinia endured as best she could while the adults wounded her with their heartless remarks.
“Hm? That brat looks like she’s about to cry.”
Gale noticed Safinia’s condition.
“That’s because you said such strange things. Anyway, we must hurry back to the manor or the master will scold us. Now, get in.”
Hannah opened the door and ordered Safinia brusquely.
“O-okay.”
When Safinia climbed into the carriage, Hannah followed and shut the door; the carriage rattled and began to move.
“Well then, Lady Safinia?”
Hannah addressed her.
“W-what…?”
“Listen carefully. Whatever we were talking about earlier… you absolutely must not tell anyone, understand? If you speak out… you won’t be able to stay at the manor. Is that clear?”
“Y-yes…”
Under Hannah’s sharp glare, Safinia trembled as she nodded.
“No — it’s not ‘yes.’ The proper answer is ‘hai.’ Say it.”
“Hai…”
She answered in a voice that seemed about to disappear.
(This woman is frightening… The man driving the carriage is scary too… b-but I must obey the priest. He said if I do, a wonderful path will open…)
Frightened of Hannah, Safinia hugged her stuffed toy tightly. Since the funeral, she had always carried a rabbit plush with her. It was a handmade toy Rose had made — the girl’s most treasured possession.
Hannah furrowed her brow and pointed at the plush.
“What is that filthy toy? You’re not planning to bring that to the duke’s mansion, are you?”
“But… this plush is a treasure Mama made for me…”
Remembering her mother, tears again gathered in Safinia’s eyes.
“Ugh, enough! You’ve been sniffling and moaning this whole time, it’s so dreary. Listen: no matter how much you cry, the dead won’t come back. Stop crying already. For a lowly maid’s daughter, you were granted permission to live in the duke’s mansion, weren’t you? So stop bawling! And bringing that filthy rag of a toy will lower the mansion’s dignity. I, the head maid, will not allow it. Hand it over! I’ll burn it in the furnace.”
Hannah reached out to snatch the toy.
“No! You can’t take this one!”
Safinia hugged the plush tightly and shrank back.
“W-what an impertinent child… Just hand it over.”
“No! Don’t take my treasure!”
“Do as I say! Give it here!”
As Hannah grabbed Safinia’s small shoulder—
“What is all this commotion?”
The carriage door suddenly opened and an elderly man appeared—
