Chapter 4 (2/2)

It was true. I couldn’t believe he had been away from the mansion for days without any word. Did something urgent happen? I felt uneasy even though I knew it was useless.

I wanted to see him soon, but on the other hand I didn’t want to see him at all. Rashid Fenvernon would be the ultimate proof that I was trapped in the world of the novel.

So whenever I thought of him, I’d inevitably get confused. I decided to think about something else for a change.

“I have to go out on the town tomorrow. It’s frustrating to stay inside the mansion.”

“No, Madam. Please listen to me.”

“It’s okay, it’s frustrating.”

“I’ll get in deep trouble if anything else happens, Madam.”

“Then I’ll defend you.”

“Madam?”

Louise, who had been firmly dissuading me, laughed as if I was telling nonsense this time. She didn’t seem too keen on being criticized for failing to stop me.

‘You’re looking down on me.’

She wasn’t worried about me. Rather, she was more worried about what the Duke might say.

This was all because Alyssa had a low position within the Ducal House of Fenvernon. The Duchess was a woman whom the duke was forced to marry.  Although it wasn’t too obvious, it was a fact, so her situation was embarrassing.

It would be nice to have a more comfortable child as a personal maid. However, in the first place, there weren’t many employees in this mansion.

Furthermore, Louise Garnett was a maid who had worked in the palace before, so I couldn’t just deal with her however I wanted.  The Emperor had personally presented Louise to the Duchess as a wedding gift. Even though she was quick-witted and disregarded my opinion, she took care of me.

For example, she would put a shawl around me without my asking, check my body’s condition and automatically serve suitable tea, open invitations and decide where to sort them before I could, or choose a dress to wear for a banquet without consulting me even once. As if they were self-prepared in advance, schedules and tasks to be done were decided without considering my wishes.

‘Maybe she’s just being presumptuous rather than caring.’

I took a moment to sift through Alyssa’s memories. I was a little worried that Louise would sometimes act in that manner.

However, the original Alyssa was pleased with Louise’s presence.