Chapter 4

***

There was nothing in the capital that didn’t sparkle. It was like a whole new world that has a little bit of exaggeration. I opened my eyes wide. I heard the knight holding back his laughter again.

But this time I didn’t look at him. This is because all my nerves were focused on looking out the window.

From fancy buildings to straightened stone paths, many people passing by, to occasionally dressed nobles. The scene that I had only seen in the movie actually unfolded right in front of me, so I couldn’t stop admiring it.

In the meantime, the wagon ran swiftly.

Passing through the busy street, I thought we were going a little outside, but we arrived in front of a large house.

“This is…”

“Finally you are back.”

I almost glued myself into the window and blinked.

The house has a blue roof and white wall that is so vibrant and dazzling.

There were white marble decorations, garden-filled flowers and trees, and a huge fountain.

It was too bright and beautiful to call the villainous duke’s mansion.

Confused, I noticed that I had come to the right place when I saw the entrance pattern.

An eagle spreading its big wings. It was the symbol of the Duchy of Cedrick.

No, what a beautiful villain’s house.

Thinking of it, Duke Cedrick was not a villain from the beginning.

This is because their bond was unique thanks to the fact that he had maintained a strong relationship with the imperial family since his founding.

Perhaps that’s why the duke’s children have often been childhood friends of imperial successors.

Bastian, who had grown into a villain, is also associated with the current emperor when he was young.

Maybe they’d have a good relationship if he weren’t crazy enough.

Well, it’s a catastrophic ending, but…

“We’re finally here, Ms. Amel… Ms. Sophie.”

The carriage came to a complete stop and the driver’s voice was heard.

He seemed to be holding back when he wanted to call me Ms. Amelia. At this point, it’s pitiful enough.

“From now on, the annex staff would help you.”

“Hmm.Okay.”

“We have to finish the rest of the procession, so please rest comfortably.”

The rest of the process is then reported to Bastian.

Seeing that they brought me to the mansion at once, it is no use pretending now.

This meeting is ruined from the very beginning.

I just smiled at her forcibly.

“Good job.”

I went down on the street.

Outside, another knight pulled the doorknob.

There was a fresh chilly air rushed into the carriage.

The view of the tranquil mansion evoked a strange sense of security and warmth.

Seeing my body responding like this, I thought Amelia was really cold, but I was surprised that I am basked in warm sunshine.

Well, I am going off without a hitch anyway.

“Please get off.”

The knight went up to me politely and reached out his hand.

I wonder if I’ll get catched if I stick out my hand.

Though it was an obvious answer, thus I just politely accepted the escort.

At the time I took a cautious step out of the wagon,

“Ms. Amelia!”

“My Lady!!!”

With a loud noise, something huge hit me.

I then stepped back under pressure in an instant.

I almost fell down.

I managed to take the center stage and check the identity of those who attacked me.

There were a bunch of women hugging me.

The problem is that the state of these people…

“Wow, it’s really Ms. Amelia!”

“Where have you been? Finally you’re here now! Whoo, whoo.”

“Oh, I thought you were dead…”

My clothes were covered with tears and runny noses and then I started to cry.

Wow, you’re giving me a hard time from the very beginning huh?

A short distance away, people who are dressed similar to women who stood right in front of me were also tilting and rubbing the tip of their reddened noses.

From old men in neat suits to middle-aged women.

…what’s going on.

“Wah, wah. My Lady, you really are.”

Hey, don’t blow your nose on my clothes.

I’ve lost my mind. Of all things, I wore my favorite clothes today, so I was shocked twice.

Unable to endure, I turned to ask for help from the redhead knight standing next to me.

“Keuk.”

Why are you crying with them?

Eventually, I sighed and looked at the women around me.

“…umm.”

“Haaa, what is it?”

Some women raised their heads due to my voice.

Every single one of them who had cried looked like their faces looked bigger.

Mind if I bother you in a bit.

I had an awkward smile.

“Let go of me for now please.”

They then sneak themselves out and fall in line unexpectedly mildly.

Rolling my eyes quietly, I drew a conclusion.

These are the staff of the Duchy of Cedrick, given the title and attire of a lady. Which means they’re the people who would serve me.

Then what do one usually have to say at times like this?

I’ve never had such a quick decision in my life, so it took me a long time to choose a response.

After a short thought, I decided to bring up the most casual greeting.

“Hmm.”

“….”

“How are you?”

The air got cold in a moment.

The woman holding the hem of my clothes dropped her hand, and the old man, who was wiping away tears from the distance, suddenly hardened.

Everyone looked at me with an incredible look on their faces. Even the knight standing next to me.

“…my lady?”

Why do they all look like beavers who lost their homes?

* * *

“I mean, you don’t remember anything?”

“Yes, no, yes.”

I answered exactly the same answer 36 times and adjusted my posture. The chair full of soft cushions felt like a thorny cushion.

The honorifics of ‘Hello?’ were the problem.

I forgot that it was impossible for a nobleman to speak formally to a maid in this world.

Of course the result is rather disastrous.

The staff, who were stunned by my answer, rushed me into the mansion.

Put me in a white, fluffy chair, prepare a steaming sweet tea, sit around me, and ask the same question 36 times so far.

“…no way.”

The maid, who murmured incredibly, opened her mouth again.

“I mean, there’s no…”

“I don’t remember anything.”

I quickly intercepted her speech and replied.

I’m going to stay up all night I guess. At the same time, the staffs’ faces turned white.

“No, you’re kidding, aren’t you?”

“No.”

I shook my head firmly at the maid who was about to deny reality again.

Amelia was an extra who only had a few lines in the novel. There was no detail about her, not even a single description was thoroughly described.

Everyone looked at me in vain with their mouths open to my confirmation shot.

After a while, a maid sitting close to my lap twisted her face and buried her head in both hands.

“How can it be like this? Our Goddess is indifferent, too!”

“Hey, watch your language!”

“Do be careful with your words from now on okay?”

“However, did you pick up a goddess then?”

No, why are you guys fighting. I am distraught to see the scene as chaotic as a fire pit.

There was a roar that rang way to my bones. It was like coming to a room where dozens of Maltese barked.

It is clear that everyone boiled some kind of train burners there.

To make matters worse, the knights who stood by me from the east had long disappeared and quietly discipatated after noticing the seriousness of the situation.

“Then we’ll call it a day.”

“See you soon, Ms. Amel… no, Ms. Sophie.”

I remembered the back of the Knights, who were leaving me alone and turning back without regret.

In the meantime, you should call me Sophie.

But we’ve been together for hours, you cowardly people.

“Guys, stop it. You’re giving me a hard time.”

Then, someone dissuaded everyone.

He held his head with his voice like a savior and raised his head. A woman who had been standing quietly on one side since earlier made herself visible.

Her brown hair was tied neatly, eyes down, and dark green eyes. She had an ordinary but likable appearance.

The surroundings became quiet in an instant.

I couldn’t help but be surprised.

I can’t believe I’m witnessing this ridiculous situation in one word.

The woman who looked around everyone greeted me somewhat gently.

“Madam, I’m Monica Miller, the chief maid of the annex.”

You said you had plenty of time, but you are the chief maid. Aren’t you a commoner when you see a castle?

[t/n: In this part, she described her as someone who oggles like a commoner when she sees a castle]

Now it turns out she was the only woman wearing a neat dress, not a maid’s uniform.

“May I ask you to give us separate instructions?”

For some reason, I nodded my head off when she said those words that have a hint of responsibility.

Everything was fine if they let me get out of this situation.

When I voiced out my permission, Monica clapped her hands and made a noise and told the surrounding maids.

“It won’t bring back her memory right away. So let’s do what we can now. Chef makes warm food and wives rearrange her bedroom. And the remaining maids help me.”

She’s so fast. I really admire her competence and skillful treatment.

People were scattered and only twenty or so maids remained in the drawing room.

Soon Monica turned to me and asked politely.

“Madam, if you don’t mind, can we help you with your bath?”

“Uh, will you?”

With what Monica had suggested, the maids dragged me into the bathroom as if they were waiting.

All the twenty-plus maids couldn’t wait for the bath, so they drew lots fairly.

The scene where they cried out to me as a goddess, saying she should definitely go in, is truly a scene I never want to see again.

And after a fierce competition, the maids who served my bath,

“Done! Thank you, goddess!”

“Mr. Ow.”

He made a fuss as if he had won the lottery.

“Madam, is the temperature okay?”

“Yes, that’s good.”

“Oh, my God! She said yes!”

When I answered the maid roughly while pouring the bath water, I rolled my redden feet.

At this point, it is hard to tell whether I am the owner of the mansion or an idol.

Maybe they’ll be happy even if I am just breathing later. While doing a baby breath,

“She just looked at me!”

Looking at them, it looked like there is a possibility of eternity.

I quietly dipped my mouth in the water, leaving my body to them.

“Oh, my pretty girl. How did your fine hands get so rough…”

“Everyone, stop crying. I’m tearing up, too.”

This is a lot of ridiculous.

***