Chapter 07: A Ruined Possession Requires a Swift Return
Is he a wizard?
No, even wizards couldn’t turn back time. And if it were truly magic, why would he need to sneak into the palace during his confinement?
“Why, you ask? Why do you think, kid? Don’t you get what’s going on?”
A large hand struck the back of his head with a resounding thwack. Adrian’s small body pitched forward, collapsing to the ground. A mocking, cackling voice echoed above him.
“Stop thinking useless thoughts and stay put, got it? Try to run, and I’ll start by chopping off those little fingers!”
Adrian slowly raised his head. The man loomed over him, brandishing a knife with a menacing glare. A five-year-old boy against a group of grown men—what chance did he have? With his hands and feet bound, escape was impossible.
…Damn it.
Of all moments, he’d returned to this—the absolute worst point in his life.
How dare…
Adrian gritted his teeth, the name Leticia—Leticia Blandot—burning in his mind as he repeated it over and over.
The next morning, I was stunned to hear that Father had delayed his departure for the campaign. For someone like me, who hadn’t done anything to influence this, it was utterly bewildering.
“Really?”
“Absolutely,” Marianne replied.
“Really, really?”
“Really, really.”
“You’re not lying, are you?”
“Never.”
Despite my repeated questions, Marianne answered with a gentle smile, her patience unwavering.
“I told you, didn’t I? The count loves you so much. He was supposed to leave immediately, but he’s staying at the estate until you’re fully recovered.”
What in the world had happened? All I’d done was beg Father not to send Marianne away.
“Did you ask him to stay?” I asked cautiously.
Marianne, tying a ribbon into my braided hair, gave a warm smile. “He must have been very worried about you.”
She didn’t deny it, so it seemed she had spoken to him. Just yesterday, she’d been slumped over, looking like the world had defeated her, but now she seemed invigorated, almost cheerful.
“So, my lady, no matter how much of a hurry you’re in, you mustn’t run on the stairs. You could’ve been seriously hurt.”
“Mm-hmm,” I mumbled.
“Let’s make a promise.”
Marianne extended her pinky. I quickly hooked mine around hers. The marks from the switch had faded overnight, and the bandages that had been wrapped tightly around my hand were gone. Seeing my tiny hand next to hers, the reality of being a child again hit me anew.
“We’ve made a pinky promise and sealed it,” Marianne said, pressing her thumb against mine before tickling my palm. I giggled, squirming at the sensation, and she lifted me from the chair, setting me gently on the floor.
“The count said he’d like to have dinner with you tonight. What do you think?”
“Great!” I nodded eagerly.
Dinner with Father? That hadn’t happened once since Marianne left the estate. Smiling as brightly as I did, she took my hand firmly.
“Shall we go, my lady?”
“Yes!”
I hurried along beside her, my heart light. Today was the day to start undoing the sins of the villainess Leticia.
“I’m sorry for yelling at you back then.”
With Marianne by my side, I went around the estate, apologizing to the servants I’d wronged with my childish cruelty. I’d only planned to apologize to Lucia, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to mend things with the others too.
Fortunately, the misdeeds of a young Leticia weren’t too severe. Shouting, throwing dishes, teasing someone about their baldness, throwing tantrums, being stubborn—that was about the extent of it. And since Leticia had been fairly docile before Branda’s arrival, it seemed no one held any real grudges against me yet.
“It’s alright, my lady.”
“Well, maybe a hug from you would make it all better.”
Some of the servants, especially those who’d been with the estate since I was a baby, opened their arms with warm smiles. In the original story, many of them were dismissed shortly after Marianne and Lucia left, and they’d pitied Leticia as she changed under Branda’s influence. I happily threw myself into their embraces.
“What’s all this nonsense?”
One person, however, was distinctly displeased.
“Aunt Branda,” I greeted as she stormed into the kitchen. The maids and cooks froze, their faces paling. Marianne stepped in front of me protectively.
“Yesterday, the count advised the young lady to apologize to Lucia,” she explained calmly. “But Lady Leticia also felt she owed apologies to the other servants.”
“What? The count’s daughter apologizing to servants? If the count knew—”
“The count has also instructed that all the estate’s staff receive a small compensation and gifts,” Marianne interjected, her tone steady and polite despite Branda’s reddening face.
Branda shot a venomous look at the kitchen staff, then at Marianne, before turning on her heel with a scoff, as if the situation was beneath her.
That’s right—Father approved, so what could she do? Of course, things might change once he left, but for now…
I squeezed Marianne’s hand, the sturdy wall that stood between me and Branda. As Branda stormed out, Marianne turned to me with a look of quiet relief.
“Shall we go see Lucia now, my lady?”
“Yes!”
I beamed up at my steadfast nursemaid, feeling more secure than ever.
The annex of the estate served as quarters for the servants. Since those who married or had children could continue living there, the Blandot family had many servants who worked for the estate across generations. Had Marianne stayed on, Lucia would likely have grown up to serve in the Blandot household as well.
If her holy power manifests, though, she’ll go to the temple.
I headed toward the annex playground with Nurse Marianne. At six years old, Lucia didn’t yet help with the estate’s chores.
“Lucia,” Marianne called.
A silver-haired girl playing with other children turned her head. Her delicate face lit up with a radiant smile.
“Mom!”
Lucia ran toward us, beaming, clearly eager to throw herself into her mother’s arms. But the moment she spotted me, her steps faltered.
“Uh… my lady?”
Her large eyes darted around, assessing the situation. The other children behind her seemed to tense up as well.
“Hello, my lady.”
“Hello…”
The children bowed politely, but except for one or two, they couldn’t hide their unease, a clear sign of their wariness. I must’ve been a real terror.
“Lucia, the young lady has something to say to you,” Marianne said, her voice softening the tense atmosphere as always. She stepped aside, allowing Lucia and me to face each other.
She hit a child like this?
Up close, Lucia was small, her cheeks plump but her limbs slender. To think I’d struck such a tiny, fragile, kind-hearted girl? I was momentarily speechless, but I knew I had to make things right.
“…I’m sorry for hitting you yesterday, Lucia,” I said quietly.
Lucia’s eyes widened. The other children looked surprised too.
“Wow, the young lady never apologizes…” someone muttered under their breath before catching my glance and quickly covering their mouth with a gasp. No, don’t be scared. I didn’t hear anything…
“Lucia, the young lady feels very sorry,” Marianne added.
“…”
“When someone apologizes, what should you say?” Marianne prompted.
Isn’t that kind of forcing her to accept the apology? I felt a bit uneasy, but Lucia broke into a shy smile and stepped closer to me.
“It’s okay.”
Oh, this soft-hearted kid. She was just as sweet back then, wasn’t she? How was someone this kind supposed to survive in this harsh world? Still, Marianne nodded with a warm, satisfied smile.
“Then how about a hug to make up?”
A hug? I was fine with it, but what about her?
My worries were unfounded. Lucia opened her arms and came toward me first. It had only been a day since my return, and after being enveloped in the arms of adults, holding a child smaller than me felt strangely unfamiliar.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ✧: *. ꕥ .* :✧ﾟ. ───
