Episode 2
Chapter 1 Returning Again
I opened my eyes to the pouring sunlight. The canopy bed’s curtains were fluttering, disrupting my vision.
I moistened my slightly dry and sticky lips with my tongue and stretched. Then, I raised my body, leaned back against the bed, and blankly stared straight ahead.
Only with the silk pajamas softly clinging to my skin and the fluffy texture of the pillow felt behind my back did I realize that this was reality.
This morning is comparable to the past days when I couldn’t sleep properly due to excitement in my first room.
At that moment, there was a knock, knock, someone knocking on the door. And before I could even react, the door opened and someone entered.
It was ‘Marie,’ assigned as my personal maid. This woman with freckles dotted on both cheeks didn’t even greet me when our eyes met. She just scurried to the window and flung open the curtains.
The past ‘Marie’ was like that too. She was always haughty and prim. She never offered a single affectionate word while serving me as her master.
That said, she didn’t fulfill her duties by taking good care of me either. She just acted indifferently as if she were there or not, showing reluctance when ordered.
In fact, the reason I was severely compared to Roena was due to her improper behavior in not serving me properly.
Because she practically left me alone until I formally learned about the lives of noble ladies. Even though she was the maid assigned to help me.
But due to ignorance, I didn’t feel that unfairness. It was impossible for me, living in a noble’s mansion for the first time in my life, to notice such differences.
Rather, I thought ‘So this is how a noble family’s young lady lives’ and tolerated their arrogant behavior. Now, I see through their true intentions, though.
I called Marie in a quiet voice.
“Did you say your name is Marie?”
Then she turned her head to look at me.
“Yes, miss.”
The voice mumbled with protruding lips was extremely stiff. The dissatisfaction and contempt in her eyes were so blatant that it made me want to laugh. To the point where it’s amazing that the me before returning didn’t notice such impurity. When it’s such a vivid emotion.
“You look unwell.”
At my words, Marie tilted her head as if puzzled.
“Yes? No, I don’t have any painful spots?”
“Your neck looks very uncomfortable.”
“No. Not at all.”
“Really?”
I smiled faintly and beckoned Marie with a hand gesture. Then, I grabbed the hair of her who approached me with a bewildered expression and brought her face close.
“I thought you didn’t greet because your neck hurt. But looking like this, you’re perfectly fine. Yes, you should bow your head more like this.”
“Ah, miss, it hurts. Please let go.”
“I will. Instead, from next time, greet properly when you enter. Understand? Now, hurry out and bring the wash water.”
At my words, Marie jumped up and ran out almost running to bring the wash water. Perhaps intending to torment me today, the wash water she prepared in the brass basin was cold. There were no flower petals that should have been scattered on top either.
So I turned the brass basin upside down toward the floor.
Splash.
Marie looked at me with an astonished expression. Her eyes said she didn’t know what she did wrong.
“Miss?”
“Bring it again.”
Marie, who was looking at the floor as if dumbfounded, hurried out at my urging. But the water in the brass basin she brought was the same as before. So I turned it upside down toward the floor again. And said to Marie in a gentle tone.
“You’ll have to bring it again.”
“Miss, if there’s something angering you, please tell me. Why are you doing this?”
“You know that well, don’t you?”
The past Marie tormented me by preparing wash water unsuitable for a noble lady and a dress unfit for etiquette. Even though it was a very important day as the first breakfast together after becoming a member of the count’s family.
I still remember it vividly. The expression of my adoptive father who couldn’t continue speaking upon seeing me enter the dining room. He distorted his face terribly as if seeing something he shouldn’t, and cleared his throat.
Startled by that, I stood there frozen in fear.
And how about the mother who bowed her head as if embarrassed? The highlight was Roena’s innocent question asking if dressing was difficult.
Somehow, many people burst into laughter seeing me heading to the dining room.
The me at that time, not even knowing it was mockery, thought it was a welcome for the new young lady and smiled brightly. Thinking people are so kind, in a foolish misconception.
Anyway, was it from this day? When the workers in the mansion started comparing me and Roena. Denying and despising me as a foolish young lady who doesn’t even know how to dress properly.
So it wouldn’t have been difficult to curse me as the daughter of a whore-like woman who relied on her body to approach the adoptive father. It must have been irritating that an ignorant person who knows nothing of etiquette acts as the eldest daughter just because she’s one year older.
But unlike before, what if I appear properly dressed?
“Oh dear. At this rate, I’ll be late for breakfast. Then, who should I blame for this? And what would father say if he finds out about this situation? So prepare properly. This is the last chance I’m giving you. Do you understand what I mean?”
Marie nodded with a pale expression and started moving quickly. The threat of reporting all this to the adoptive father seemed to work properly.
Not long after, Marie, who brought proper ‘preparation,’ glanced at me and spoke politely.
“Miss, I’ll present the wash water.”
A proper morning that the past Sise had never experienced was beginning.
***
Coming out fully adorned with Marie’s help, I felt the gazes of the maids whispering upon seeing me.
Lest they find any fault, I slightly lifted my chin and walked as arrogantly as possible. I’ve long mastered the etiquette of noble families in that life.
I’m not as elegant and beautiful as Roena, but not so messy as to be criticized anywhere. So they won’t find a single flaw in my steps.
“Come this way.”
The steward, who came to escort me on the adoptive father’s order, spoke in a polite tone. Perhaps because he works closely serving him, he’s exceptionally polite compared to others. This must stem from the adoptive father’s extremely devoted attitude toward mother.
Following his guidance, while walking to the wide hall where the dining room is located, I coincidentally encountered a knight. A man with light silver-tinged hair and eyes emitting a green hue reminiscent of verdure, quite impressive.
I knew him. Though he doesn’t know me yet. Ah, my heart is pounding. I pressed down hard on my chest that was beating fiercely as if meeting its owner.
Foolish Sise, haven’t you come to your senses yet?
The servant stopped walking and looked at me puzzled, who was staring at the knight.
“Is there any problem?”
I shook my head. Then, after a short bow toward the knight, I passed him with nonchalant steps. His cool eyes that showed no emotion briefly gleamed and then faded again.
Probably, he found my unfamiliar existence curious. Because there’s another woman in the mansion besides Roena.
However, that thought is only momentary; he’ll forget my existence as if it never was. Because at the end of his gaze is ‘Roena.’
Yes, let’s be honest. I, the me of the past life, liked that knight.
Rustein Halberd.
The knight of clear sound, more noble than anyone. Unlike his flashy appearance, he was so rigid that he looked only at one person, that foolish man. To the point of ruining himself in a terrible unrequited love that couldn’t be rewarded.
But now it’s just an emotion from the past. Since I learned that no matter how hard I try to death, I can’t reach him, there’s no need to have lingering attachments. So I passed him easily. No, I tried to.
As we approached the dining room, the servant escorting me announced my arrival in a loud voice. At the same time, the large door decorated with beautiful patterns opened, revealing a wide space adorned with splendid furniture and jewels.
Inside, the adoptive father, mother, and Roena were sitting. Upon seeing mother, I smiled brightly and scurried to kiss her fair cheek.
“Did you sleep well?”
Mother also kissed my cheek and sent a smile.
“Did you sleep well, my lovely lark?”
I shyly bowed my head at her whisper.
After exchanging affectionate greetings with mother, I turned my eyes to look at the adoptive father. His stiff lips, perhaps tense, were trembling thinly due to spasms.
Intending to observe etiquette toward his adoptive daughter in his own way, his rigidly straightened back was as intimidating as his large body.
The past me was oppressed by the aura emanating from his large body and couldn’t even greet properly, hiding behind mother’s back trembling.
Putting aside the frown due to improper attire, not knowing that he too was tense because of me. I just misunderstood him as a ‘scary person’ seeing only the coldly closed lips and eyes.
So when the adoptive father, unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, barely smiled, I let out a unladylike scream like ‘eek.’ Very foolishly.
I greeted with the most elegant gesture I could and smiled brightly toward him.
“Did you sleep well, father?”
I saw him flinch at the word father, but as if nothing happened, I scurried to him and kissed his rough, bearded cheek.
Since Roena, who was praised as an angel with her cute speech and kind behavior in the past, there’s no rule saying I can’t be like that too, right?
“Yes. Did you sleep well too? Was there anything uncomfortable?”
“Not at all. It was so comfortable.”
Only then did the adoptive father smile faintly as if relieved. I lightly greeted again by lifting the hem of my dress and returned to my seat. Pretending not to see Roena who was eagerly waiting to greet me.
With the servant’s help, as I sat in the chair, I spoke in a calm voice as if just discovering Roena who had become somewhat sullen.
“So…….”
“I’m Roena, sister.”
“Sister, what a stiff title…….”
I folded the corners of my eyes and smiled sweetly.
“Call me Sise.”
At the same time, I swallowed the following words that rose to my throat.
Because I have no intention of being your sister even if I die soon. Wouldn’t it be better to call by name as if strangers?
“Sise, how could I dare call sister’s name?”
“No. I don’t want to interact with you using stiff titles like sister or younger sibling. It feels too distant. Moreover, we’re only one year apart.”
Roena’s fair cheeks flushed red. With a face filled with emotion—even with tears in the corners of her eyes—she said toward me.
“Okay. I’ll do that.”
Smiles appeared on everyone’s lips at this heartwarming scene. Even mother was looking at her and me with sparkling eyes.
I covered both cheeks with my hands as if excited with the joy of gaining an adoptive father and a close younger sibling-like friend.
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By Anna 💓
