In place of my deceased sister, I bring you my younger sister—Father handed over that letter on the very day we were to set off.
Even if we were on a fast horse, it’s only a four-day journey by carriage. There shouldn’t be much of a difference.
Because of this, there was a commotion at the Granado family’s gate.
"Didn't the fast horse arrive the day before yesterday? It was a bit sudden, but we didn’t just show up unannounced!"
Father shouted,
"But the master was out at the time, and he only saw the letter this morning. His state of mind is still unsettled."
The gatekeeper tried to calm him down.
"So please, for today, find lodging in the capital..."
"Can you guarantee that we will be allowed into the castle tomorrow? Can you promise that?"
"N-no, I’m just a humble gatekeeper. Please, just give us a little time..."
"What if we end up being turned away at the gate? Will you pay for our travel expenses and lodging here?"
"Me!? Why!?"
The back-and-forth I could hear through the window was utterly embarrassing. For various reasons, I couldn’t get out of the carriage. But I understood why Father was pushing so hard. If they were given time to thoroughly inspect, the chances of being turned away would only increase. He had to leave his daughter behind without giving them time to think, without letting them see her face clearly. It was pitiful to be cast out by the roadside, but he intended to at least get her a place to stay for the night.
Still, this gatekeeper was in a difficult position. I wanted to help him somehow. It was all because I wasn’t cute enough... I had to calm Father down and find a place to stay in the city...
Just as I was timing my move, a woman’s voice rang out.
"What’s all the commotion, Thomas?"
"Oh, Mio-sama! Welcome back!"
The gatekeeper bowed. I peeked out the window. I thought it might be the family of the earl, but she was dressed in a black dress with a white apron, a typical maid’s outfit. Her chestnut hair was in a braid. She looked to be around twenty years old. Just as the gatekeeper was about to explain, Father loudly announced himself. Upon hearing the name Chaderan, the maid—Mio?—furrowed her brow.
"Oh... Baron Chaderan. The engagement has been dissolved, and ties with your family have been severed. Is there something you need?"
"I’ve brought my second daughter, Marie, to meet the earl."
"...To replace your deceased daughter?"
She looked at Father with disdain. I felt embarrassed. I wanted to pull Father away and leave the capital immediately. But I couldn’t, and I huddled in the carriage.
In contrast, the earl’s maid was remarkably composed. She stood tall and confident in front of Father.
"Indeed, the master confirmed the letter this morning. He immediately wrote a refusal and entrusted it to me. I just sent it to the messenger. It seems we missed each other, but the answer remains the same."
"But we’ve come a long way. We need to rest. At least let us into the castle."
"We will cover the cost of lodging in the city. Please leave, Baron Chaderan."
"That won’t do. At least for one night—this is ridiculous, bring out the earl!"
"Please leave."
"Shut up, you servant! How dare you!"
Father growled and lunged at the maid’s shoulder. What is he doing! I panicked and jumped out of the carriage. I had to stop Father!
However, the maid dodged, deflected Father’s arm, and before I knew it, she had him pinned to the ground. Father’s face was pressed against the cobblestones, and he groaned.
"Please leave, Baron Chaderan. I will call the guards if necessary."
"Grr... You, you wench, you’ll pay for this..."
"You can insult me as much as you like, but you will not be allowed into the castle. Please be quiet. The master is grieving..."
"Ah, I’m so sorry!"
I prostrated myself on the ground, kneeling beside Father and looking up at the earl’s maid.
"I’m very sorry. Father was rude. Please forgive us."
There was nothing else to do but apologize. I bowed my head to the ground and kept apologizing. The maid released Father. When I stood in front of Father to stop him from complaining, I realized I was taller than him. I stood between the maid and Father and apologized again.
"I’m really sorry."
I bowed deeply, and when I raised my head, the maid was staring at me with wide, blue eyes, examining me from head to toe.
...Huh?
"Y-you are... You are Marie-sama?"
"Yes, that’s right. I’m the second daughter of the Chaderan family."
"Second daughter... the younger sister of the late Anastasia-sama...?"
"Yes, I’m sorry. I don’t look anything like my sister..."
The maid let out a cry. She ordered the gatekeeper to fetch the master and hurried into the castle. She returned quickly, lifted the hem of her skirt, and bowed to me.
"Welcome, Marie-sama. Please come in... The master is waiting for you."