Chapter 13.1

“Let’s go.”

Cecilia looked at me like that and took the lead.

I didn’t forget to go to my mother and bid her farewell before I left.

“Mom, I’ll be right back.”

Now I miss my mother a little.

I missed my mother who looked at me every evening and whispered stories, and my mother who told me she loved me.

But knowing nothing would change if I stayed next to my mother, I turned around and came out with Cecilia.

It’s a big job for me to create a situation where my mom could stay safe. Because of that, our walk was more vigorous than ever.

“I’m sure you’ll love the garden.”

“Don’t say it conclusively already. I might not like it.”

Despite grumbling for no reason, Cecilia only smiled.

I should not just go and like it. Thinking that, I walked a long way behind Cecilia.

Then there was a murmur of someone not far away.

It was a sound from the hallway we just passed by.

Three maids bowed their heads when I passed by. But as soon as I walked by, they all spoke up.

“That must be the new Lady.”

“I guess so. I heard she looks different, but she really is.”

“Look, I’ve heard she looks different, but she really is different.”

“Don’t talk like that. She’s so different… isn’t she a fake then?”

“She’s rather different, but seeing her in real life…”

“Be quiet! It’s just a rumor.”

“Be quiet, Anas.”

The voices of those who whispered something about me grew louder and louder.

I would have said less openly, but the whispering voice scratched my nerves even more.

Cecilia couldn’t hear it either, so her steps stopped and stood up.

But before she could say anything, I first turned and approached the three women who had talked.

As soon as I approached them, they hastily shut up, as if nothing had happened.

“Say that again.”

“What?”

“Say what you just said earlier.”

Again, their response did not diverge one bit from my expectations.

“W-We didn’t say anything.”

“Then are you saying that there’s something wrong with my ears?”

When a mere five-year-old girl was annoyed with them, the three women mumbled and showed signs of discomfort.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding.”

“What do you mean by ‘misunderstanding’? It’s not that there’s something wrong with my ears. I’m sure I heard it. Don’t tell me you’re the servants of a noble family and you insist that there’s something wrong with me.”

“…”

“Still not saying anything?”

“…”

“You guys, if you can’t say something to the person’s face, don’t say it out loud.”

I didn’t want to give the impression that I was just someone they could be rude to when I’m alone. In the past, because I was weak and always begged for help, they hit me.

‘I shouldn’t look weak anymore.’

I’ve heard from somewhere that when you are threatened by your opponent, one has to build up their body as much as possible. Because of this, I straightened my shoulders and puffed up my cheeks.

“Animals threaten their opponents this way, so humans would be the same! People are animals after all!”

That’s why I’m tougher than ever.

“Why? Are you going to keep swearing at me afterwards? Is that why you don’t want to answer me?”

“…No.”

“If you want to say something, say it yourself and ask. Don’t go around cursing people behind their backs.”

Meanwhile, Cecilia, who came next to me, put her hand on my shoulder.

“The maidens of the Grand Duchy have such a big mouth. I guess you’re under-educated.”

“Miss C-Cecilia, I’m s-sorry.”

Those who kept their mouths shut like honey turned to Cecilia at the same time.

They even lowered their heads to her in a hurry.

“Apologize to her, not me.”

“Why are you not answering? You’re not even responding? Or maybe you’re not ready yet? If that’s the case, feel free to tell me. There are plenty of people who can replace you. There are a lot of people out there who want to be maids of the Grand Duchy.”

“Oh, no. We weren’t cursing… so we didn’t have anything to say.”

Still, they were wary of Cecilia.

“That’s enough, You don’t need to say more.”

I didn’t want to see it.

Especially the way people try to pass their mistakes on to someone else. It’s not just an excuse, it’s a sincere apology. They didn’t want to bow to me because of their pride.

Because of that, I took Cecilia’s hand, acting like I was about to do something.