While the Duke de Walte watched his daughter care for the wounded commoner, his face remained gloomy. By nature, Camilla had a rather kind-hearted disposition.
Since no one paid attention to her in childhood, and her father and brother ignored her, the girl found solace in domestic animals. When she was little, Camilla often brought some kind of game into the house.
Sometimes it was a beetle, sometimes a rabbit, and sometimes a cat. The Duke almost always turned a blind eye to this, as it didn't cause him much trouble. These little animals that Camilla kept in her room made her less lonely. True, they didn't stay in the estate for long.
Yufil couldn't stand animals, let alone insects, as they were carriers of diseases.
Therefore, he ordered the servants to get rid of these "creeping creatures." Thus, the girl was left alone again.
Resigned, this gradually passed, and with age, Camilla stopped being interested in such things. Only, the Duke didn't expect that this habit would return to her after so many years.
But this time, his daughter had dragged home not a squirrel, not a ferret, and not even a rabbit. But... A person!
The Duke couldn't fathom under what circumstances this had happened. But the fact remained a fact. The wounded commoner that Camilla had brought home now lay on her bed. About five minutes ago, she had suddenly lost consciousness.
His daughter fussed around her, checking her pulse and temperature. Yufil and the Duke stood in the corner of the room. The latter didn't even know when he should intervene.
Finally, when Camilla made sure that nothing serious had happened to the girl and she had simply overexerted herself, the Duke found a pause to speak:
"How much longer will she stay here? I demand that this person leave my house immediately."
Camilla, stepping away from her charge, hesitantly approached him. It seemed she understood that now was not the time for bold speeches.
"Ten days."
"What?"
The Duke's pupils dilated.
"She'll leave as soon as she recovers, in ten days."
The man frowned.
"I don't agree. That's too long."
"But, father, if she leaves right now, she won't last a day...! Her bandage needs changing every few hours. Besides, she's still too weak."
"Do you really think I care about the well-being of some girl?" he chuckled coldly, "You know, I don't intend to feed every freeloader you drag into the house."
Camilla pursed her lips.
As expected, persuading the Duke wouldn't be so easy. Perhaps, for the first time in her life, she would have to resort to a clever trick.
"In my place... I'm sure mother would have done exactly the same."
"What?"
Victor's eyes widened in surprise.
"Mother would never abandon a person in trouble," Camilla declared confidently.
"....."
For the first time in her life, the girl dared to openly mention her mother. That's why the Duke was so surprised. Especially since it happened in such a situation.
The Duke couldn't believe that for the sake of some stranger, his daughter would risk throwing around such words.
"How dare you..." the man hissed, "How dare you speak of her now?!"
But not a muscle on the girl's face twitched.
Camilla knew that during her life, her mother was a very good person. Annette de Walte never flaunted her position as the Duke's wife and always helped those in need. In particular, it was on her initiative that Victor founded several charitable foundations, which he supported to this day.
And now, Camilla used her mother's name to mitigate the Duke's anger. Perhaps, at least for a while, the man might see in his daughter the intentions of his late wife...
At least, the girl hoped so. It could have gone the other way.
When the daughter he couldn't stand spoke of the woman Victor loved most in the world, anger boiled in his veins. His fists shook, and although the Duke had never raised a hand to her, at that moment he wanted to go to extreme measures.
The only thing that stopped him then was her eyes.
They weren't as blue as hers. But her gaze... It was exactly the same. When Camilla looked at him resolutely, not even afraid, the Duke involuntarily hesitated.
For a while, he silently peered into her face.
And then...
A heavy exhale.
"...If something happens, it will be only on your conscience. Be assured that I will not spare you."
Having said this, Victor swiftly turned and left the room. Camilla felt incredible relief.
"Father, I promise I will take full responsibility!" she shouted after him.
Fortunately, everything worked out.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Although I had to resort to a little manipulation, the result was worth it. The Duke allowed the commoner to stay in our estate for another ten days. That was more than enough.
When the time comes, I will help her leave here. Then we will never meet again.
For now, the girl temporarily settled in my room.
According to Xavier, in ten days she would recover enough to be able to take care of herself. I was just waiting for that moment.
Ten days... It wouldn't be that hard to endure, right?
I took a deep breath, settling into my now habitual spot on the summer veranda. It was hot again today. Elisha had stepped away briefly to bring us cold drinks.
Since yesterday, the commoner had been feeling much better. Today, with my help, she had even managed to go outside. And now we were enjoying the fresh air and good weather together.
"Wait a little longer, okay?" I smiled, "Soon you'll be able to leave here."
The commoner looked at me strangely.
"Listen."
"Yes?"
"If you know who I am, why do you continue to address me informally?" there was quite noticeable irritation in her voice.
I looked at her in surprise.
"Oh, she means she doesn't deserve such treatment from me?"
After all, even if she lost her memory, there's nothing to be done about innate selfperception. The commoner must have felt awkward when I, a lady from a noble family, treated her in such a "familiar" manner. However, I wasn't one to worry about such things. So, to calm her down, I said:
"I thought we became friends, so I decided to drop the formalities."
"Friends...?"
"Yes, I'm not one to make friends with people based on their status. The main thing is to be a good person."
The princess stared at her with a frozen face.
"Good? She thinks I'm a good person?"
Kaena decided this woman must be joking.
"So, in your eyes, I'm a good person?" as soon as these words left the Crown Princess's lips, she had such a cold expression that could frighten anyone.
But the duke's youngest daughter interpreted this deadly expression as something else.
"Could it be that because of her low status, she considers herself unworthy of friendship with someone like me?"
Feeling a surge of pity for her, I resolutely took her hand and said:
"Yes, I consider you a good person. And you should never doubt that!"
"..."
"Promise?"
Kaena tensely furrowed her brows. Then, after hesitating, she replied:
"...Alright."
Smiling brightly, I let go of her hand.
"I hope in the future she can become more confident in herself."
Actually, I really had done everything I could for a stranger. From now on, my conscience was clear.
I sighed, looking at the girl I had sheltered completely by chance. After all, life really is sometimes unpredictable.
Not long ago, I was enjoying these views alone. But today, the commoner sat next to me, admiring the beautiful cherry blossoms in our garden. I smiled as I watched her delighted expression. This commoner must be seeing such a beautiful view for the first time in her life.
"This cherry tree is called Malta. It usually blooms once every three years. So we're lucky to catch it right now."
"Malta," she nodded thoughtfully, "I'll remember that."
I chuckled.
Soon, Elisha returned and brought me a fresh newspaper along with cold drinks. Lately, I had been getting more and more interested in the news. After all, I needed to stay informed to fully settle into this world.
Opening the front page, I didn't immediately notice that there was something else on the tray.
"What is this...?"
I saw a snow-white envelope with a dragon seal.
"My Lady, this sealed letter was sent from a noble house. I didn't dare open it, so..."
"I understand," I nodded briefly, "Then I'll look at it myself."
At first, I was a little excited, opening the envelope from a previously unknown sender.
Since my rebirth in this world, I hadn't often received correspondence addressed to me. So I mentally tried to guess who it could be.
But...
When I opened the envelope, my face lit up with surprise. All because I immediately recognized the familiar intricate handwriting. This writing style undoubtedly belonged to my only pen pal. Ever since I met Jeremy Seybel, we occasionally exchanged messages, telling each other about the latest news in each other's lives.
True, lately he had disappeared somewhere, and I hadn't received any news from him for over a week. And today, the guy finally sent me a letter, though in an envelope with someone else's seal.
Since I was used to receiving letters with the Seybel family crest, seeing the envelope surprised me considerably. And even more so when I read its contents. Honestly, I was simply stunned.
It was an invitation. An invitation to the wedding of my recently acquired friend.
When I saw this, I almost choked on my lemonade.
"My Lady, are you alright?" the maid addressed me worriedly.
"Yes... Yes..." I waved my hand unconvincingly, "Just the lemonade is too cold..."
Although I tried not to show it, this news truly shocked me.
Jeremy is really getting married!
And not to just anyone, but to the most powerful witch on the continent.
The name of the northern princess, Selina de Lun, was mentioned only once in the novel. Despite all the influence of this character, she herself did not participate in the plot. Readers were only provided with basic information: Selina rules the north and is the last sorceress of the Ruwens Empire.
Perhaps not introducing such a character into the plot was the author's biggest oversight. She had amazing looks and money. With such data, the northern princess could easily have overshadowed even the main characters.
Thus, what shocked me wasn't so much the fact of the wedding itself, but its participants... Next to the refined and majestic Selina, I could least imagine my acquaintance.
How could this union even be real...?!
Was the duchess in her right mind when she accepted such a proposal?
I didn't want to admit it, but I felt white envy.
That guy must be in seventh heaven now that his life has turned out so well.
Sigh...
"I wonder if I'll ever be so lucky?"
Actually, I wasn't as "independent" and "strong-willed" as I tried to appear. Remembering my past life, when I worked hard just to provide myself with minimal living conditions, I would now gladly give that up.
Who wouldn't want to enjoy a luxurious life and do nothing?
After all, I was even lucky enough to be reborn an aristocrat. Only...
Only because I ended up in the wrong family, I couldn't just live off my wealthy relatives. Sooner or later, they would kick me out of the house, or I would have to leave myself...
Thus, I already had to think about my future now. Just the thought of how I would earn a living brought me torment.
How wonderful it would be if someone just came and solved my problems...
Although I had given up on the idea of any romantic relationships in my life, sometimes I thought that a marriage of convenience wouldn't be so bad. If some wealthy person loved me, and showered me with gifts on top of that, I wouldn't mind at all...
The problem was that there were simply no suitable candidates on the horizon.
The people my father was trying to marry me off to were rich, but also disgusting. At seventeen, I definitely didn't want to marry some old man or a spoiled brat. And that's exactly what most of the nobles who accepted the Duke's offer were like.
Of course, with the main heroine, Jerica, I had no chance at all. Where was she, and where was I...? As it turned out, the ice witch, my second "chance," was now also taken. It seemed all that was left for me was to overcome my laziness and arrange my life on my own.
I sighed sadly, thinking that I would rather spend my whole life on this veranda doing nothing.
"Lord, send me someone rich and generous! And also... Preferably handsome!"
While Camilla called out to the gods and lamented her unfortunate fate, the person next to her didn't take her eyes off her.
"Did she really call me a good person?" — continuing to replay this thought in her head, the Crown Princess couldn't help but smirk ironically.
It had been two days now that they had been near each other, and Kaena couldn't believe that this woman really cared about her. She had even dared to go against her father's will and openly defend her.
This only fueled the princess's interest further.
The Duchy de Walte... Honestly, the girl had never even heard of this family before. An insignificant noble house, of which there were many in the empire. But now the Crown Princess involuntarily became interested in it. Specifically, in one of its members.
This time, Kaena chose the duke's youngest daughter as her new plaything.
"Before killing her, I'll have a little fun with this little bird." — she smirked inwardly.