ITGS 04

Chapter 04

Ordelphia took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, shaking her head.

There was nothing she could do at this moment anyway.

Although it was a marquis’ estate, the hotel was located on the outskirts, so even if she reported it, the guards would have a hard time getting there.

Besides, if the person involved wasn’t a criminal but someone who, like her, had pure intentions and was concerned about the child, getting authorities involved might only create unnecessary trouble.

Since her face was memorably distinct, she could just create a composite sketch and quietly inform the hotel.

Ordelphia decided not to overthink things any further.

She had learned from experience that overthinking only led to emotions taking over, ending in self-blame and frustration.

And after experiencing the most shocking incident since arriving at the hotel—the fire alarm—she could let even the imaginary presence of an uncle slide.

Thus, Ordelphia successfully pushed all the fear, unease, and terror from her mind deep down.

Nothing could stop her from entering the hotel.

As long as there was hope that she might find clues about her father here, she would not leave the hotel, no matter what “strange events” she encountered, until she found something.

〈Kyaaah!〉

〈M-Mother?〉

〈Wh-What is this! What just happened!〉

When her stepmother, who had entered into a political marriage, first hugged her after her father disappeared and she felt lonely, Ordelphia was pushed away and screamed at.

〈You! Were you happy just now?〉

It was true. Her mother, who had hardly spoken to her when her father was around and had always been indifferent, had hugged her for the first time.

〈Uh? Yes. I’m happy. You hugged me, didn’t you, Mother?〉

Seeing young Ordelphia’s innocent eyes as if she knew nothing, her mother grabbed her shoulder with trembling hands, screamed again, and shoved her away.

〈Now you’re startled— startled! What is this? You… everything you feel when I touch you is poured onto me! I’m not happy! I’m not happy at all! I hate you! If it weren’t for you, the head of the family wouldn’t have disappeared like that! And now… what is this? My feelings are being swept away!〉

Ordelphia, thrown to the floor almost rolling, stared blankly at her mother before bursting into tears.

But her mother never touched her again.

It was the day Ordelphia first discovered her abilities.

Ding!

She rang the bell at the reception desk, and a nearby staff member quickly approached.

“Welcome. This is the Hilgrace Hotel.”

The voice greeting her at the reception was clear and pleasant.

The receptionist exuded a calm and composed demeanor. Her soft brown hair was neatly styled, her matching eyes looked steadily ahead, and the faint smile on her lips was as comforting as her voice.

The good first impression of the receptionist, the face of the hotel, softened Ordelphia’s stern expression slightly.

Though the hotel’s size, facilities, and location were somewhat lacking for a luxury hotel, first impressions mattered even more.

The receptionist asked politely, making eye contact without being intrusive:

“Do you have a reservation?”

“No. Um… Sebastian?”

Ordelphia read the name tag on his chest.

“Yes, ma’am. How can I help you?”

“May I see the manager?”

Despite the sudden request, the receptionist didn’t lose his smile.

But his next question made Ordelphia pause.

“Have you experienced any inconvenience?”

Her good impression quickly faltered. A staff member responding to a customer’s request with a question was neither commendable nor egregious—it could easily irritate a customer already upset by some misfortune.

Even a small mistake could lower a sensitive guest’s impression of the hotel.

She now noticed that the receptionist’s youthful, cute face seemed too inexperienced for handling customers.

“No. I just have some business. Could you call him for me?”

At her firm reply, he bowed slightly.

“I apologize if I caused any discomfort.”

“Hmm. Yes. It’s fine.”

Receiving a polite apology, Ordelphia exhaled lightly. No need to retrain all the staff. A fast, courteous apology could calm even the angriest guest.

While she organized these thoughts, Sebastian disappeared behind the reception desk into the staff room.

Shortly after, a middle-aged man with graying hair appeared.

“I heard you were looking for me. I’m Sebastian, the manager of Hilgrace Hotel.”

Ordelphia gave him a skeptical look.

The young receptionist seemed no older than his mid-20s. This manager looked like an older version of him, though slightly more mature—perhaps the receptionist had simply inherited his name and demeanor.

“Were you with Sebastian just now…? No, never mind.”

She swallowed the words that came reflexively; even as the hotel’s owner, it would be inappropriate to ask about the staff member’s personal family at their first meeting.

Reading the manager’s subtle smile and tone, she handed over several documents.

“I am Ordelphia Gruy, owner of this hotel.”

“Ah!”

The manager’s eyes lit up.

“You are the granddaughter of Mr. Adel Gruy, the former owner?”

“Yes. His granddaughter.”

“I see. Please come in. There is space where the former owner stayed, so we can go there.”

“No. Let’s go to the study first.”

Ordelphia and the manager sat facing each other in the compact study filled with the smell of books and ink.

The thick documents she handed over contained proof of inheritance and her status, but the manager didn’t immediately open them.

After skillfully serving tea, he looked at her and spoke.

“You resemble him a lot.”

“Do I?”

His gaze, filled with reverence, felt overwhelming. She had only met her grandmother a few times, with little memory or attachment.

“Shall we check the documents first?”

“Yes. Have some tea. I didn’t bring any snacks for myself… Wait a moment.”

“Ah, no need…”

Before she could stop him, Sebastian returned faster than he had left, holding a pie.

“Please try this. It pairs well with a tea that has a slightly astringent finish, as ours does.”

The manager naturally attended to her, sitting only after she had finished her tea.

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure. It is my duty as the hotel manager to serve the owner well.”

Ordelphia slid the documents toward him.

“Please confirm that I am the legitimate heir.”

The manager put on his monocle and carefully examined the papers, quickly reviewing the substantial stack with skill.

“All verified, Ordelphia Gruy. No, ma’am—the owner. Welcome to Hilgrace Hotel.”

Removing his glasses, he smiled warmly.

“I’d like to meet the staff tomorrow. To understand hotel operations, their input is most accurate.”

“Of course, as you wish, ma’am.”

“I heard this position has been vacant since my grandmother passed.”

“Yes. We’ve been operating according to the rules established by the previous owner.”

“Ah, those rules…”