Chapter 11
✦ ✦ ✦
As soon as I entered the mansion, I had to part ways with Zigfried.
Since the head of the Duke’s family had been away for such a long time, there were mountains of work waiting for him.
“I’m sorry. I brought you to the townhouse, only to leave you alone right away.”
Zigfried looked genuinely apologetic.
“It’s okay! You don’t have to worry about me!”
I quickly shook my head.
After all…
I can’t become a troublesome child.
The three Heroes had already said they would be my guardians for the time being.
I didn’t have to worry about being kicked out immediately, but…
If I want them to keep protecting me, I have to work hard too.
I clenched my little fists.
I only had one goal.
To become a child who wasn’t troublesome, who was kind, obedient, and useful.
That way, the Heroes won’t hate me, and I can safely grow up under their protection.
Alright.
I’ll build a good relationship with the Heroes, enjoy all the benefits until I become an adult… and then quietly leave.
As I strengthened my resolve, my thoughts drifted to the middle-aged lady I had met earlier.
But… why does that lady hate me so much?
The cold way she looked me up and down…
The deep disgust that flashed across her face…
Today was the first time we met. Why would she dislike me already?
The biggest problem was that she seemed to have a very high position among the servants.
If someone like that hates me, my peaceful life here could become difficult…
Just as I was lost in thought—
“Hello, Miss.”
A voice as soft as cotton called out to me.
“Hm?”
Startled, I quickly turned around.
A young maid in a neat uniform was smiling warmly at me.
“My name is Nora. We met briefly earlier, remember?”
Ah, that’s right.
I had seen her among the servants.
Back then, I had been too distracted by the middle-aged lady glaring at me to notice her properly.
I quickly bowed.
“Nice to meet you! I’m Tatiana!”
“You don’t have to speak so formally.”
Nora shook her head gently.
“I’ve prepared a bath for you. After you’re finished, I’ll show you to your room.”
“Thank you! …I mean, thanks!”
We had stayed at inns during our journey through the Empire, so I had been able to wash myself.
But after spending so much time riding in the carriage…
I was still quite dirty.
If I clean myself up and look neat, the people in the townhouse will probably like me more.
That was my plan.
Apparently, Nora misunderstood the sparkle in my eyes.
She smiled softly.
“Shall we go to the bathroom, then?”
“Yes! I mean… yeah!”
I hurried after Nora.
When we reached the bathroom…
Wow… it smells so nice.
The bathroom was covered with spotless white tiles.
The scent of roses filled the air.
The smell seemed to be coming from the large bathtub nearby.
As I sniffed the air…
Nora gently placed a hand on my shoulder.
“I’ll help you take off your clothes.”
“Huh? Why?”
I looked up at her in confusion.
Instead, Nora looked even more confused.
“What do you mean? I have to help you bathe.”
“You don’t have to. I can wash myself.”
For a moment, Nora looked completely caught off guard.
Huh?
Why is she making that face?
Thinking she hadn’t understood me, I explained further.
“You’re busy, Nora. I don’t want to bother you.”
“…”
As I carefully watched her expression…
I suddenly froze.
If I’m a child who doesn’t cause trouble…
If I don’t make adults do extra work…
She should be happy…
That’s what I thought.
But instead…
Nora’s face became gloomy, like a cloudy sky.
Huh? Why does she look like that?!
Cold sweat ran down my back.
Did I say something wrong?
But…
I had always bathed by myself.
So I really didn’t mind.
“Miss.”
Nora slowly crouched down until we were at eye level.
Then she asked gently,
“May I ask how old you are this year?”
“I’m four.”
“Four years old…”
She repeated my answer quietly.
Then she smiled brightly.
“So you’re only four years old, and you still wanted to wash yourself?”
“That’s very admirable.”
“But…”
Her shoulders drooped slightly.
“If you don’t let me help you with your bath…”
“I won’t have anything to do.”
“H-Huh?”
“Of course, I won’t force you if you don’t want me to…”
Nora lowered her eyes with a sad expression.
Oh… is that how it is?
I secretly glanced at her before reluctantly nodding.
“T-Then… you can help me a little…”
“Thank you, Miss!”
Nora smiled brightly again.
Hmm…
I feel like I just got tricked…
Probably not.
Still feeling a little suspicious, I let Nora help me take off my clothes.
Then—
“Oh my…”
She stared at me in shock.
A moment later, she quickly fixed her expression and stood up.
“L-Let’s get into the bath first.”
“You’ll feel much better after soaking in the warm water.”
Yeah… I guess my body really doesn’t look very nice.
I looked down at myself.
My ribs stuck out sharply.
My arms were as thin as dry branches.
Well…
I was definitely skinnier than other children.
Even though I had gained some weight while traveling with the Heroes…
“May I wash your hair?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded.
After that…
Nora carefully washed me.
She poured warm water over me.
Rubbed soap all over my body.
Then gently rinsed it away.
Every touch was careful and kind.
For some reason…
My chest felt warm.
This is… really my first time.
I quietly fidgeted with my fingers.
The Heroes had cared about me in their own ways.
But since they were men…
They couldn’t help with small things like bathing.
So…
This was the first time someone had taken care of me like this.
“All done.”
After drying me with a towel…
Nora helped me into a bathrobe.
She picked me up in her arms and carried me into the powder room beside the bathroom.
“If your hair stays wet for too long, you’ll catch a cold.”
“So we need to dry it as quickly as possible.”
She wrapped a towel around my head while speaking worriedly.
Her hands gently dried my hair.
But then—
“Oh…”
Nora looked troubled as she stared at my hair.
It was understandable.
Since no one had ever properly taken care of it before…
My hair had grown however it wanted.
Just drying it with a towel had turned it into a tangled mess.
“…Your hair is badly damaged.”
Without realizing it, Nora looked at me with pity.
When our eyes met in the mirror…
She quickly smiled again.
“Don’t worry.”
“I’ll brush it carefully so it won’t get tangled.”
“Okay!”
Nora gently brushed my wet hair.
While all her attention was focused on my hair…
I casually asked about the middle-aged lady from earlier.
“By the way, Nora.”
“Yes?”
“The lady who greeted Zigfried earlier…”
“Who is she?”
Nora’s hand slowed slightly.
“Ah… you mean Countess Giberti?”
“Countess Giberti?”
I perked up.
“Yes.”
“She’s Duke Zigfried’s aunt.”
“After her husband, the former Count, passed away, she became the chief manager of this townhouse.”
Hmm…
I rolled my eyes thoughtfully.
The original story went something like this.
After the three Heroes died while attacking the Demon King’s Castle…
Zigfried’s title was inherited by one of his cousins.
But this time, Zigfried came back alive.
That meant his return couldn’t possibly be good news for the cousins who wanted the Dukedom.
“So… Countess Giberti doesn’t have any family?”
“Oh, she does.”
“She has a son.”
“He inherited the title of Count Giberti.”
“Then why doesn’t she live with her son?”
“Why is she working here instead?”
“Well…”
“The Duke left for a long campaign to defeat the Demon King, didn’t he?”
As she carefully untangled the ends of my hair…
Nora continued in a gentle voice.
“Since the head of the family would be away for such a long time…”
“She volunteered to manage the townhouse.”
Hmm…
That’s still a little strange, isn’t it?
I tilted my head.
According to the original story…
Zigfried’s father was still alive.
Although the two of them had an awful relationship.
Still…
My point was—
There was no need to bring his aunt here just to manage the Orleans townhouse.
The former Duke could have simply sent someone himself.
Yet Countess Giberti had volunteered for the position.
Almost as if…
She didn’t want to miss the chance to involve herself in the Duke’s family.
Am I just overthinking this?
Just then—
Bang!
The door flew open without so much as a knock.
“What is taking so long?!”
Countess Giberti stormed into the powder room.
Her irritated eyes moved back and forth between Nora and me.
