Chapter 4
Episode 4
My brain refused to function, leaving me stammering, when the man presumed to be Arjen narrowed his brows.
"Why did you stop talking midway?"
He seemed like Arjen—should I change how I address him now?
However, due to the slim possibility that this man wasn't Arjen, it was hard to switch titles easily.
"......I think you need to check the chain."
In the end, I opted not to use any title.
Unlike me, who was wracking my brain over the title, the man smiled pleasantly, as if unconcerned with such trivia.
"The maids so far have been incompetent, but this one seems useful."
"No. I dropped the food bowl and was so clumsy—I'm useless."
"......"
Fearing the man before me might appoint me as Rihart's exclusive maid, I immediately drew a line.
In the original story, one of the maids became the exclusive maid, but I couldn't recall who.
'As long as it's not me.'
"You're a peculiar one. Alright. I'll verify what you saw and report it to the Marquis."
......He seems like Arjen.
But I couldn't confidently assume so. Thinking about it, there was no reason for him to deceive me.
Even so, he didn't seem like the butler.
"Yes, I hope everything resolves well."
As long as it's not Arjen.
I bowed to the man and turned away.
"You there, maid."
"Yes?"
Why was he stopping me so anxiously?
"What's your name?"
"......I think they call me Rosie around here."
"You're giving your name in a strange way. I'll remember it."
Why me?
Blinking puzzled, the man laughed amusedly.
......Weird person.
Instinctively not wanting to get involved with him, I subtly stepped back.
"......Then I'll be going."
I quickly vanished from the man's sight.
It had been an exhausting day.
My mind was filled with thoughts of collapsing into bed and rolling around.
As I trudged toward my room, I spotted maids gathered nearby, chatting closely.
"Hello there."
I approached them with a bright smile.
Before resting in my room, it seemed wise to learn more about the body I'd possessed.
* * *
Who am I?
It sounded like a philosophical question, but it was a genuine curiosity.
Pink hair waving softly like cherry blossoms in bloom, pink eyes.
Unlike the lovely appearance, haughty upturned eyes and plump red lips slightly curled at the ends.
A strikingly pretty look reminiscent of a pink cat.
Come to think of it, the original story mentioned that Arjen loved beautiful things so much he selected mansion servants based on their looks.
I sighed, gazing at my faint reflection in the window.
How on earth had I ended up possessing this body?
After reporting Rihart's escape attempt last evening, I'd casually asked the other maids about this body, but learned nothing.
All they knew was the name Rosie.
'It's subtly mysterious, huh?'
My only close acquaintance was Emily, the maid who'd looked after me yesterday, so everyone seemed intrigued when I approached them.
Maybe that was fortunate. No one would notice if I acted differently from Rosie.
"Here."
The Head Chef set a food bowl down before me.
While lost in thought, I'd arrived at the kitchen unnoticed.
Today, as expected, it was a dog bowl.
Suddenly, the brutal scene from the original where Rihart slaughtered the Head Chef flashed in my mind.
"What's wrong?"
"No, it's nothing, but look—there's a huge pile of dishes there."
"So?"
"Dealing with all those piled-up dishes seems really tough."
"It's not me doing it anyway."
His response came curtly, as if annoyed.
"Shall I help?"
"Why bother? Leave it. A maid will handle it soon."
The Head Chef eyed me like I was odd, but I smiled like a good Samaritan.
"When will the maid come?"
The Head Chef propped his chin, muttering as if recalling, then answered my question.
"Why are you asking?"
"Just curious."
The Head Chef looked at me strangely again before shooing me away.
I greeted him sociably and left the kitchen.
After learning of Rihart's escape attempt yesterday, I'd pondered deeply.
How to spend the remaining nine days.
During this time, staying close to Rihart as much as possible seemed best.
Monitoring him would help ensure my survival.
If I caught him attempting escape, I could report it as a bonus.
* * *
As I entered, Rihart, who had been leaning against the wall, looked up at me.
His blue eyes curved prettily.
"You've arrived, miss maid."
"Yes, your meal......"
As I replied to Rihart, I noticed bluish bruises and severe scars on Rihart's ankle.
......Definitely Arjen's handiwork.
He must have twisted it in anger upon learning Rihart tried to flee.
"It's just a minor injury."
Rihart, realizing where my gaze had gone, smiled poignantly.
"......It's not minor."
"Are you worried about me?"
More guilt than worry surged forward.
This had happened because I'd reported Rihart.
But if he tried to escape again, I couldn't pretend not to see.
Then I'd die.
'I want to live.'
Clinging to life was human instinct.
"......Doesn't the Marquis treat it?"
"He said since I recover quickly, this much is fine."
Those with mana suffered lifelong agony, but their regenerative abilities were exceptional in return.
"......Please eat."
I set the dog bowl before him.
Avoiding his gaze, I bowed my head. It felt like my fault, stinging my conscience.
"Aren't you curious why that person suddenly treated me this way?"
He spoke in a deliberately wounded tone. Seeing his lips quirked up in amusement, I smiled awkwardly.
He was definitely trying to charm me for his escape.
Who knew I'd fall victim to the very tactics Rihart used in the original story.
"Shall I ask for you?"
"Yes, please do."
"Why did he hit you?"
"Beats me. I don't know either."
"......"
Was he trying to banter with me now?
Not knowing how to respond, I stared stiffly at him, and Rihart let out a soft chuckle.
Then, tap, he poked between my brows with his pretty finger.
"Miss maid, your face is all scrunched up."
"It'll stay that way, so don't touch."
"Because of me? What to do, I'm sorry."
"If you're sorry, then shut up and eat."
"You're so cold-hearted."
Rihart began eating. I quietly waited by his side until he finished.
Once done, I silently placed the empty bowl on the tray and stood.
"See you again, miss maid."
Rihart bid me farewell in a gentle voice.
I left without responding.
As I headed off to my tasks, Rihart's injured ankle nagged at me.
Guilt as if I'd broken his leg. I pressed my throbbing temples.
"Um, Emily, do you know where I can get ice for an ice pack?"
She'd never tell me if it was for Rihart, so I poured all my effort into acting like my ankle was injured.
Emily immediately told me where the ice was, eyes full of concern.
She even kindly advised wrapping it in a thin towel before applying.
With the ice in hand, I turned toward my next destination.
"Rosie, you said you were hurt! Where are you going?!"
"To steal!"
"Don't run—be careful!"
Under Emily's persistent gaze, I limped as if in pain while dashing off.
Glancing around and timing it right near the kitchen, I spotted a young-looking girl.
A kitchen maid?
I tried to pass her by. If only that one part of the original story hadn't come to mind then.
I subtly tripped the girl as she hurried somewhere.
