Chapter 20
Come to think of it, the reason I’d become so accustomed to this kind of training course was thanks to a guy named Tim, who had been in charge of our organization’s training program back in Otern. Tim had been a commoner who entered the knight academy but eventually dropped out without permission after suffering bullying from the noble students. Afterward, he became a gambler in the back alleys. When he started hanging out with us, he often taught us the training routines from the academy.
…Wait. What is he doing now, I wonder? That was ten years ago. Maybe he hasn’t even entered the academy yet?
If possible, I wish I could gather my old comrades from back then. I know it won’t be easy…
“Lady Verdette?”
“Ah, yes.”
I snapped back to my senses at Ove’s voice calling me. It seemed he had said something to me.
“Today’s the day, isn’t it? The young lady you were waiting for is coming?”
“Oh, right.”
I nodded with a bright smile—not a forced one to get through the situation, but a genuine smile from deep in my heart.
“Yes. Mayra… I think her last name was Wintel. She said she’d be coming today.”
“That’s truly wonderful. Please tell me about it after you meet her.”
“I will. If she needs training, I’ll definitely bring her here… Oh, there’s Hebe.”
As I was replying, I easily spotted Hebe behind Ove. Ever since we rescued her from the underground prison, Hebe had quickly returned to her role as my nanny. She practically lived by my side, taking care of me as if I were her own. It looked like she had come all the way to the training ground to fetch me herself. She was carrying a water bottle and a white, soft-looking towel. I was being pampered.
“Well then, I’ll head in first, Sir Ove.”
I bowed politely to Ove, then ran toward Hebe.
“Hebe!”
“Oh, my lady. You worked hard again today. Here, have some water.”
Hebe wiped the sweat from my forehead with the towel and handed me the water bottle. Inside, thinly sliced lemon and cucumber floated. Hebe always prepared water with lemon and cucumber for me after training. The moisture and nutrients from the fruits and vegetables seeped into the water, making it fragrant and refreshing to drink. Even plain clean water would have felt like a luxury, but adding fruits and vegetables to it—this was the pinnacle of extravagance.
Back in the alley days, we’d struggled so much just trying to filter rainwater to drink. What did we need again? Sand, charcoal, and cotton… I remember experimenting with those one by one.
“My lady, please hurry your steps. Today’s especially busy. Isn’t the young lady from the Count’s house coming?”
Hebe hurried me along. Right, today was the day Mayra would finally, finally come to the ducal house. Jindel had agreed to my request to meet Mayra, and with Count Wintel’s approval, we invited her to our home. Normally, having your beloved daughter kidnapped would make any parent terrified to let her out of the house, but apparently Count Wintel made an exception just this once.
In any case, I would finally meet Mayra today. I was practically giddy with excitement.
“By the way, why were you so eager to meet the young lady from the Count’s house?”
Hebe asked while walking briskly behind me.
“Well, we all survived that day together. How much stronger could a bond be than that? I heard we’re only a year apart in age, too. I just wanted to become friends.”
I gave an answer that was half true and half made up, walking quickly into the main building. Hebe followed behind, calling out, “I’ve prepared bath water, my lady.” I nodded big in acknowledgment and headed to my room. There were unfamiliar maids around. As I undressed and slipped into the tub, I whispered to Hebe.
“There are some maids I’ve never seen before.”
“Yes, I heard they arrived recently. General Horne personally verified their identities, thoroughly.”
“Hm. Is that so?”
“You still don’t trust them?”
“I have to see for myself. Documents can always be forged. Since Mother is busy, I’ll keep watch and make sure to report back.”
It’s been two weeks since I returned to the past in this younger body, realized the secret of my identity that I hadn’t known, and vowed revenge. Since then, I’ve been trying my hardest to adapt. After training with Ove, I made time to thoroughly explore the mansion and study both its layout and the people within—especially the new ones.
That day, the adults had grilled meat and pointedly told me and Saldir that from now on, the adults would take care of everything related to Nad, and we needn’t worry. I think it’s because Saldir and I are still minors.
But there’s no way I’d just give up. I nodded meekly in front of them, but in my free time, I snooped around the mansion, searching for clues. I figured there had to be things only a child like me could notice. People always tend to let their guard down around children.
“If you say so, then I believe you.”
Hebe replied gently and carefully washed me.
“This Hebe will always believe in you, my lady. Your words are more trustworthy than anyone else here. I believe you’ll be right this time, too.”
“Thank you, Hebe.”
Every time Hebe pledged unconditional loyalty like that, I was surprised and deeply moved. I never imagined I would be on the receiving end of such unwavering support. I’d been lucky… It felt like I had found the perfect right-hand woman in no time.
At my thanks, Hebe gave a small smile and added,
“I’ll make you especially pretty today, so be sure to make a new friend.”
“Okay.”
I nodded and clenched my small fist. Hebe chuckled quietly, as if finding my gesture cute.
A few hours later…
“…She’s really late.”
“….”
In the empty room, Hebe glanced at me. The tea had gone cold, and the treats had long since lost their freshness. I had asked for only the best to be served—sandwiches and cakes. But so much time had passed that the sandwiches were now dry, and the cakes’ cream had started to collapse.
Why hasn’t she come?
Did something happen?
Could she really just not show up without a word? Could something be wrong?
It was then that the door opened, and a maid came in and bowed her head to Hebe and me.
“We received word from House Wintel. It seems Lady Mayra was too frightened to go outside alone, so her elder brother is accompanying her. We were told they’ll arrive shortly.”
“Really?”
Phew, thank goodness. My expression relaxed immediately, and I smiled brightly at the maids.
“Thanks for letting me know!”
I ran to the window. My room was on the third floor, right in the center of the main mansion. From there, I had a perfect view of the driveway where carriages came and went. As I pressed my forehead to the window, I saw it—a carriage marked with the soft gray crest of House Wintel had just entered the ducal estate.
It’s Mayra!
“Mayra! I—I’m going to the front gate to greet her!”
“Huh? My lady—!”
Ignoring Hebe calling after me, I threw open the door and sprinted out. It usually takes about ten minutes for a carriage to arrive at the entrance of the main mansion from the gate. If I ran now, I’d meet them right at the entrance.
But something felt strange. No matter how far I ran, I didn’t see the carriage. I clearly saw it entering the estate…
Then I spotted it—the pale gray carriage body I’d seen earlier. It was parked just off the main path leading to the mansion, partially obscured by the trees lining the road.
What’s this? Why did it stop there?
Then I noticed the coachman sitting awkwardly at the front of the carriage. That meant the carriage’s owner had ordered it to stop there.
…Did Mayra tell them to stop here?
Something felt… off.
