Chapter 4 - Humiliation Only Lasts for a Moment (1/2)

Chapter 4 – Humiliation Only Lasts for a Moment

Ronée could not ignore the Countess’ summons. If she did not respond when called upon, the Countess would probably even fetch the knights just to drag her out.

Ronée felt like she already knew why the Countess was calling her. It was always the same. The only difference was that this time, she had Nabel following behind her. Although she told him not to come, he was adamant.

On their way to meet the Countess, Nabel passed her a handkerchief. It was one from her room.

Or rather, it seemed more like he was clasping her hand through the handkerchief. Only then did Ronée realize, she was trembling.

“Thank you,” Ronée said quietly.

She always put up a front, but she was actually afraid. Her unpredictable stepmother was quite capable of hurting her. It was only natural that she was scared of her.

Yet for some reason, she was not as afraid as before. She was not sure if it was because Nabel was holding her hand or if it was just because she was not alone this time.

Even though she knew it would not change anything.

“Again! It’s because of you again!”

Even before they reached the Countess’ chambers, they could hear her loud, hysterical voice. Somewhere in the distance, three bracelets dangled on her wrist.

That showed that she was a mage of the third rank, the third level of nine steps that leads up to the gods. It was a relatively low position — but still, she was a mage.

The mages were absolute believers of the gods. They performed strange acts by borrowing the gods’ power.

“You harbinger of misfortune! This happens every time I speak to you! I cannot reach the gods!”

In other words, her magic was not working. Her voice that was reverberating through the entire hallway caused the servants to emerge from every corner. They were muttering.

“It’s starting again.”

“So it is. With that cursed body, why did she even…”

All of their blame was directed at Ronée. Nabel’s gaze skimmed over them.

“Who’s that boy?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you?”

“I don’t know either.”

The servants did not care if Nabel and Ronée could hear them. Passing between them, Ronée gradually quickened her steps.