Chapter 2

After hearing the story from Marie, I wanted some time to think, so I asked to be left alone. Marie didn’t make a single unpleasant face; instead, she said, "I'll prepare some drinks for you," placed what seemed to be a drink, and left the room. It seems there’s a maid’s waiting room in the next room, and Marie is there.

...What a good girl.

This room is apparently assigned to me, and I’m told I can use anything in here as I please. I lay down on the queen-sized bed. It was surprisingly soft. I absentmindedly searched the pocket of my skirt and was disappointed to find my smartphone wasn’t there. I remembered I had left it on the desk. I can’t even see the photos of my family and friends. Tears welled up, and I wiped them with the back of my hand. But more tears kept flowing.

Even though I haven’t fully realized the situation, the thought of not being able to see them made me suddenly feel lonely. I want to go home if I’m not the Holy Maiden. Kozuki-san feels the same way. Being suddenly kidnapped and asked to work for the people of this country is more like a threat than a polite request. If we refuse, we probably won’t be able to survive. Even if we were suddenly thrown out, I don’t think we could manage in this world where we don’t know left from right.

...This is really malicious...

I stared intently at the overly luxurious canopy. ...It’s really annoying...

Crying won’t change the current situation, so I wiped my tears with my sleeve. I wonder why I was judged not to be the Holy Maiden. Everyone in that room was looking at Kozuki-san. I sat up to think. ...Is there something visible?

I looked at my palm. Magic apparently exists in this world. How do you use magic? I tried focusing my mind on my palm, but nothing happened.

"There’s no way it would work that easily."

Anyway, I need to gather information and knowledge. I don’t know how long I can stay here, especially thinking about the cold gaze of that prince. I might be kicked out suddenly. First, I need to learn about this world, this country, and the common sense here. I’ll ask Marie about these things. If possible, I’d like to read some books, but I don’t know if I can read the language of this world, so I might need to learn it.

"I’ll do what I can."

I don’t have time to mope. I got up from the bed, fixed my hair with a hand mirror, and knocked on the door to the room where Marie was. She came out immediately.

"Did you call, Saya-sama?"

I nodded.

"Marie, can you teach me about the common sense of this world, the language, and other things starting tomorrow?"

Marie looked surprised.

"Me? I can do it...? I think you could get a proper teacher if you ask..."

"I want you, Marie. It’s hard to start learning from a stranger, and I’d feel more comfortable starting with you."

Marie was hesitant, but she nodded when I asked again. As we talked, it got dark outside, and Marie lit the lanterns in the room. It seemed to be magic; when she chanted "Flame, light up," a small flame appeared in her hand.

"Wow, it’s magic..."

Marie turned to me, surprised.

"Is this the first time you’ve seen magic, Saya-sama...!?"

I nodded.

"Yeah, it’s interesting. Can I use magic too?"

"Well, I don’t think Saya-sama can use it..."

"Why not?"

If Kozuki-san is the Holy Maiden, meaning she has holy magical power, then as a person from the same world, I should have some kind of magical power, right? But Marie frowned.

"I don’t sense any magical power from Saya-sama... So, I think Saya-sama doesn’t have magical power..."

"Huh..."

...I can’t use magic?

Am I really just a nuisance?

Feeling a bit down, Marie tried to reassure me.

"But there are more people without magical power or with very little! Most people with magical power are royalty, nobility, or wealthy merchants!"

So, I’m in the commoner category.

...Well, that’s true, isn’t it?

"Alright, it’s fine. There’s no magic in my world anyway, so it’s okay if I can’t use it here."

It’s a bit disappointing, but if I don’t have magical power, there’s nothing I can do.

"Ah, by the way, how about dinner? And you can take a bath too."

I sensed she was trying to change the subject, so I went along with it.

"Can I take a bath? I’m not hungry, so I don’t need dinner tonight."

"Understood, I’ll prepare it right away!"

Marie prepared the bath for me. She offered to help me bathe, but I politely declined. It would be too embarrassing to have someone else wash my body. There was no shower, so I washed my body and hair with special soaps and rinsed off with water from the bathtub. Then I soaked in the bath.

...It’s good to be able to take a bath in a different world.

My mood lifted a little. After getting out of the bath, I dried my hair and body with a towel, put on a bathrobe, and returned to my room. I decided to wash my underwear and have it cleaned, even if I didn’t leave the room. I’d feel more comfortable with at least a bathrobe.

"Ah, I’ll dry your hair..."

I sat in a chair, and Marie stood behind me, chanting a spell that produced warm air from her hand to dry my hair. ...It’s like a hairdryer. She then carefully brushed my hair. It had been a long time since someone had taken care of me like this, and I felt a bit nostalgic.

"Here, I’m done."

"Thank you, Marie."

"No, it’s nothing. Ah, should I leave the lights on?"

"No, you can turn them off."

Marie prepared a new drink, turned off the lights, and bowed before retreating to the waiting room. I waved goodbye as she left, then got up and went to the bed. I flopped onto the bed.

...Ah, my head is a mess...

I took off my shoes and slipped under the sheets. I have a lot to think about, and I’m worried about what will happen next, but at least I have a place to sleep. I thought I might not be able to sleep, but I felt sleepy as soon as I lay down, so I closed my eyes.

...I’m so tired...

* * * * *

The next morning, I was gently woken by a tap on my shoulder. I was dazed for a moment, not knowing where I was, but I remembered when Marie called out to me.

"Good morning, Saya-sama."

...Ah, right, I’m in a different world.

"Good morning, Marie."

I got out of bed and sat on the edge. Marie pushed a service cart in front of me. There was a ceramic basin on it with water in it.

"Please wash your face with this."

While saying this, Marie gently gathered my hair, and I gratefully washed my face. I thought it was water, but it was warm, which felt nice. After splashing my face, Marie gently dried it with a towel.

"I’m sorry... Normally, I would apply toner and makeup, but I don’t have them..."

I smiled at the dejected Marie.

"Toners would be nice, but I don’t need makeup. I don’t usually wear it anyway. ...By the way, do you have any clothes for me to change into...?"

"Well, they can’t be prepared immediately, but... I have some clothes that I don’t wear anymore..."

Marie handed me some clothes. I took them without thinking.

"Is it okay? Is it alright to borrow your clothes?"

Marie nodded several times.

"Yes, they’re clothes I don’t wear because they don’t fit. But they’re from the year before last, so they’re out of fashion. And they’re plain..."

I unfolded the clothes to find a cute dress. It was a soft moss green with a large white collar and sleeves, and a yellow line. It was cinched at the waist and went down to just below the knee. There was a row of yellow ribbons from the chest to the hem, and it was generally very cute.

...Is this considered plain?

There was also a white skirt to wear underneath, with a zigzag lace hem.

"I’ve prepared new undergarments for you!"

The undergarments she handed me were white, with a gathered hem, like half-pants. ...There’s something about them that’s a bit tacky. There was also a long, thin tank top with thick padding in the chest area and a thick band around the chest, with a string. It looked like a corset.

Holding these, I was a bit at a loss, but Marie placed the clothes on the bed.

"Can I help you change...?"

She asked hesitantly, and I nodded.

"Yes, can you explain each piece while helping me?"

"Of course, I understand!"

The half-pants were actually underpants, called drawers. The tank top was also an undergarment, and the thick band around the chest was indeed a corset. Marie tightened the strings mercilessly.

"A slim waist is considered beautiful...! Saya-sama, you have a slim figure, which is enviable...!"

...If that’s the case, please don’t tighten it so much.

After being tightly bound, I put on the white skirt, which flared out when I wore it. Then I put on the moss green dress. The corset was a bit uncomfortable, but I thought it was cute.

"I’ll go get breakfast."

Marie asked if I wanted my hair styled, but I said it was fine as it was, and she left with the service cart. I checked my appearance in the mirror on the wall.

...This might be a bit too cute for me?

But since this is considered plain, more elaborate clothes must be popular in this world. However, I don’t like overly decorated clothes, so this feels just right.

I left the mirror and sat at the vanity, brushing my hair. ...What should I do today?

There’s no point in staying in my room, so I’d like to go outside if possible. After finishing my hair, I went to the window. There was a balcony outside, so I opened the lock and stepped out. I looked back at the building I was in.

...It’s a castle, after all.

I could see the town below and the outer walls, so I had suspected it was a castle, but now I was sure. Curiosity welled up inside me.

...Okay, if I can go out, I’ll explore the castle and gather information.

As I was thinking this, I heard my name being called from the room. It was Marie’s voice. When I went back inside, Marie looked relieved to see me but then looked dejected.

"Saya-sama, I’m sorry..."

I tilted my head in confusion.

"What for? What’s wrong?"

"It’s about the breakfast... I couldn’t get proper food prepared..."

She looked apologetic, and I looked at the service cart. There was only bread, soup, a small salad, and a bit of meat.

"It’s terrible! Even though Saya-sama was summoned, to be given something like leftovers from the servants...!!"

I tried to calm the angry Marie.

"At least it’s something. I’m not the Holy Maiden, so I understand they don’t want to spend money on me."

I think they should take responsibility for summoning me, but it’s not right to blame Marie. Marie looked at me with teary eyes.

"Saya-sama..."

"Let’s eat. And can I go out?"

"Yes, you can. There are some restricted areas in the castle, but otherwise, it’s fine!"

"Can you show me around the castle? I’ve never been in one before, so I’d like to see it."

Marie nodded enthusiastically.

"If you don’t mind, I’ll show you around!"

I said, "Yes, please," to Marie. The breakfast was cold, but it tasted fine.