Chapter 22

Every day had been a challenge since I arrived in this castle.

I had a feeling that it would be even harder in the future. I couldn't help but sigh nervously.

The scary thing was, I was getting used to it all.

For the first year after I arrived in this world, I had no time to think. I spent all my time and energy learning the new language.

Luckily, I used to live in Germany for a few years when I was younger due to my father's job. The language in this world was more similar to German than Korean.

Even so, it was not easy learning an entirely new language and customs. I was proud of myself at how far I came.

I think my desperation helped me the most. It made me stronger and worked harder.

The continent where I lived currently was called Gardenbrook. It had the look and the feel of the 19th century Europe on earth.

It resembled what I remembered of the princess storybooks I used to read in elementary school. Everything here, food, language, buildings, and even the air differed vastly from Korea.

I had to admit the Aeal family did do their best to make me fit in. I hated them with all my heart, but it was the truth.

They spent a lot of time and effort to teach me everything about this world. They must have been very desperate. As they saw me progress quickly, they couldn't hide their delight.

I gritted my teeth just thinking about it.

What were they thinking when they saw me try my best to learn? Did they laugh at me behind my back? Were they relieved? Maybe both?

Either way, I would never forgive them.

It was true I did owe them initially. No matter what their intention was, they did help me survive in this world. Objectively speaking, this was the truth.

Did I owe them anything now though?

No.

I was indebted to them at the beginning, but I paid them back in full when they tricked me and sent me to this place.

In fact, I would say they owed me now. They helped me only for a year, while I was paying back with my whole life in this place instead of Lisbeth.

Even if my position had improved since I became the first wife of the new emperor, they couldn't take credit for it.

The emperor asked me once if I could forgive those who harmed me. I already answered him.

That's right. I was not a kind-hearted soul. I was a selfish and evil person.

That was why Orlean was mistaken. She was crying in front of me, but I had no sympathy for her.

She protested loudly, "How could you do this to me?"

Samantha frowned as Orlean continued, "You may be the emperor's first wife, but this won't do! Have you forgotten how the duke, his wife, and his daughter saved you and helped you? If you haven't, you would never treat me this way!"

I didn't reply to her and continued to enjoy my tea quietly.

Unlike Orlean, Samantha learned my taste quickly. I realized the reason why I didn't like black tea in Korea was that it was of poor quality. Samantha managed to make beautiful tea that suited my taste. She also used the highest quality tea leaves. I loved black tea now.

I continued to ignore Orlean.

"Your Highness! I have been ordered by the duke to take care of you! No lady would treat her own maidservant this way! Especially someone who followed you from your homeland!"

I ate my third cookie, which was baked this morning. My taste had been upgraded since I got here. The snacks I used to buy from convenient stores couldn't compare to what I ate here. Food was made from the highest quality ingredients. Also, the fact that it was freshly baked made a huge difference. The warm cookie smelled heavenly and buttery.

I knew ignoring her would goad her more than anything. When I didn't show any reaction to her tears, Orlean finally exploded.

"What an ungrateful lowly girl…!"

Crack!

I have been waiting for her to forget herself. When she finally did, I put down my teacup loudly on the table. I nodded to Samantha, who quickly understood what I wanted. Samantha approached Orlean menacingly.

"W, what?"

Orlean finally realized her mistake. She paled and stepped back. The maids grabbed both of her arms to hold her down. Samantha stood in front of her and raised her hand.

Slap! Slap!

What a beautiful sound.

After slapping Orlean with all her strength, Samantha yelled at her, "How dare you, Dame Cloyne!"

"Oh, oh…!"

"How could you call yourself her maid when you act unforgivably towards her highness!? She is the emperor's first wife!"

"B, but I…! The duke…!"

"How long are you going to bring up Duke Aeal? This is Cransia empire!"

I loved this situation, but I also couldn't help but fear Samantha.

I knew it. Samantha was not just a soft-spoken lady. The way she slapped Orlean! It would be very hard to have her as an enemy.

I didn't have to do or say anything. Samantha took care of Orlean perfectly.

I was purposely letting Orlean stay instead of kicking her out of the castle days ago. She was like a zit. You have to wait until it is nice and ripe before you pop it. This stupid woman has been acting just as I predicted. I was told that she had been using my new status to treat everyone horribly.

What an idiot.

Samantha announced firmly, "Dame Cloyne is no longer her highness's maid in waiting. Without solid proof, we cannot accept her word that she is from a noble family. Especially without her highness vouching for her."

"What…! Your Highness!"

I smiled at her coldly. I, of course, had no intention of vouching for her nobility. Why would I?

Samantha continued, "But it would be too cruel for us to send you back to Aeal colony, so we will allow you to stay here in the castle as a servant."

"You can't!"

Samantha asked for my opinion. I paused on purpose to give Orlean a false hope. After a few seconds, I nodded.

Orlean screamed, but no one cared. The maids dragged her down to the servant's quarter. I smiled at her. Orlean looked devastated.

Bye, bye~ Orlean. Thanks for giving me a reason to kick you out. Goodbye. I hope to never see you again.

I felt light-hearted. If I let her go back to Aeal colony, I knew she would have a comfortable life serving Lisbeth. I wouldn't let her have that.

Samantha explained to me that Orlean will, from now on, do the lowliest and the hardest work, such as cleaning the floor or doing laundries. I nodded in satisfaction.

Hmm. Samantha was great.

She was a good person in my book.