HTDD 10

Chapter 10

That night, I collapsed into sleep.

At Mina’s loud call, not only the servants but also Father and Mother came rushing from the manor to meet me. So late at night—where had they been? I was nearly buried under a flood of questions and worries, but with one firm word from Mother—“She must be tired”—I was released for the night.

“W-well, Father still thinks it’s too early for Natalie to marry! No, Father thinks she should remain single forever—”
“Yes yes, dear… let’s go.”

That was one little scene, and before bed I asked Mina to take care of the tear-dew herb and the soiled cloak. The pendant the prince had given me, I placed carefully in a drawer so it wouldn’t break.

“Understood!”

From the sparkle in her eyes, I could tell she was suppressing an almost painful desire to ask questions. But exhaustion won over, and I sank into the fluffy bed.

When I woke again, it hadn’t all been just a dream. The day I awoke after death had truly moved forward. The pendant was still in the drawer, and Mina reported with great emphasis:

“I cleaned ‘someone’s’ clothes perfectly for you!”
“R-really… thank you.”
“Yes! When Milady suddenly wanted to go out, I thought it was strange, but it’s fine! Mina is cheering for you!”
“A-ahaha…”
“I thought if I told Master, it would be terrible, so I cleverly disguised the matter!”

Mina truly was a capable maid. She not only did what she was asked, but often anticipated what I needed. Though… I wished she would hide her curiosity better—about the drawer, about the cloak.

(Well… Mina seems happy enough, so maybe it’s fine.)

Natalie, unwilling to explain, decided she would resolve this someday when her headache lessened.

To Father, I explained I was late because “kind knights escorted me home.” If I said anything about bandits, that overprotective man would lose control—I knew it.

“…W-well, I’m grateful for their kindness, but… surely some of them had wicked eyes for Natalie! I should have gouged their eyes out!”
“Good grief… Natalie is already eighteen. She’s bound to fall in love once or twice…”
“Once or twice!? Nooo—Father can’t bear it—”

Mother let out a long sigh. I considered correcting the misunderstanding, but… it wasn’t entirely wrong. Like that deputy commander with his wicked gaze. If I said too much, it would only stir up more snakes from the bushes. So instead I smiled at Father’s wailing and let it pass.

The next morning, the Petigrew household spent until noon in heated debate over the “Natalie incident.”

“Tear-dew grass is easy to recognize—it has white blossoms. Please make sure this field guide is handed to the gathering party.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Thank you for always taking on these tasks. And… do you remember what to do after it’s harvested?”
“Of course! I’ll deliver it to the doctor living out in the remote region marked on the map, right?”

That afternoon, after the fuss settled, Natalie planned the herb gathering with Mina. Father had been reluctant to let her go until the sun nearly set. The process was simple:

The Petigrew mountain workers would collect the tear-dew grass, fill a basket, then meet Mina. Mina, acting in Natalie’s place, would deliver it to Franz.

“Still, it’s rare for tear-dew grass to be needed.”
“Yes… but it’s important for Mother’s medicine. I’m counting on you.”
“Yes!”

They exchanged bright smiles. Now, all that was left was to await the medicine. Glancing at the calendar, Natalie noticed the royal ball was drawing near—next month. She had attended that same ball before her death. This time, perhaps it would look different.

Life in the Petigrew household brought Natalie peace of mind. After marriage, she had done all the cleaning and laundry herself, and remembered the frantic exhaustion.

But by working, she had come to know the weight of those chores, and to appreciate the value of the servants. For giving her the chance to truly say thank you, perhaps she owed that household some gratitude after all.

“Well then… how about this?”
“Excellent, Milady! Your turns and steps are perfect!”

Now that she had time for herself, she hired a tutor and resumed practicing for the ball. Nobles from her own country as well as high-ranking guests from abroad would attend. She remembered Prince Edward would be there, and Duke Julius too. To avoid standing out badly, she needed to review everything.

She had never thought herself impolite, but she hated the thought of being seen as “a woman who only clings to men.” Remembering her stepmother’s words, she turned anger into fuel and studied dance and etiquette with renewed spirit.

The pendant and cloak remained stored away in the Petigrew home. Without another ball or diplomatic trip, she could not return them. She wished she could do so soon, but kept it tucked away in her mind.

“Today, we have cake made with oranges. The chef put in his utmost effort!”
“Oh… I look forward to it.”
“Heh! I already tasted it myself!”

It was a peaceful afternoon. Nothing troubling had happened. They had already harvested tear-dew grass, and Mina even volunteered:

“I’ll deliver it myself—even if it means missing the ball!”

Encouraging her to enjoy the rare chance for good food and maybe a romance at the ball, Natalie was met with:

“That’s a completely different matter!”

Understanding Mina’s maiden’s heart was perhaps the hardest task of all.

And so, with less than a week left before the ball, Natalie enjoyed a leisurely tea time on the terrace.

“Ah! We’ve run out of tea—I’ll fetch more!”
“Thank you. When you come back, why don’t you sit with me and have cake too?”
“Eh? Truly? Thank you, Milady!”

Mina hurried happily to the kitchen. She really did love cake. Yes, today seemed like it would remain peaceful…

“Miladyyyy!”

(…Perhaps not.)

“What is it, Mina? You’re back so quickly.”
“Ah! I haven’t brewed the tea yet—more importantly! Master—! The dresses—!”
“What? Did Father make me a dress?”
“No… it’s faster if you see. Let’s go to the entrance!”
“Really?”

Forgetting even the empty teapot, Mina guided Natalie to the front hall. There, they found Father trembling, Mother looking on with regret… and—

Two dresses, richly decorated, displayed on mannequins. Each of a different color.

“My, my… who could Natalie have captured, I wonder? Two unknown dresses, arriving without sender’s name.”

Mother laughed with amusement. But while she enjoyed herself, Natalie, staring at the troublesome gifts, felt the urge to run away from reality.