Chapter 7

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"---No. Perhaps I've been replaced by a stray dog."

Sophia Alcott, also known as Violet, woke up on the floor of a cluttered, small storage room and frowned as she looked around.

"How different from the rumors."

This room, filled with broken furniture and junk, was hardly a place for a human to live. However, it was clear that this girl had indeed been living here.

Horribly, there was a dirty, thin blanket with holes that had been wrapped around her while she slept, and numerous books stuffed into a bookshelf. There were also various herbs and strange tools occupying the bed, and liquids contained in glass bottles, all of which showed signs of her daily life.

"---It looks like medicine. To be doing this alone, without a teacher, in such an environment. Hmm, truly a daughter of the Arbusnot family. Just as I expected, a freak. You pass."

The Arbusnot family, a noble house that has produced generations of royal pharmacists. Even though the current head has retired from his position as the royal pharmacist and is now secluded in a distant territory, he continues to develop new medicines.

A family that loves compounding more than meals or jewels, with no interest in status or honor. Violet truly thinks they are foolish.

(Do they think there are creatures that would leave a weak and tasty creature alone?)

That's why she ended up in this situation—looking down at Sophia's appearance, she frowned at the severity of it.

Even if we concede that it's a hand-me-down dress, not a lady's dress.

In the middle of winter, it's a thin spring dress, and it's worn out with frayed edges and small holes all over. The size doesn't fit, and her ankles are showing. She can't bear to be in this state for even a second.

(First, a bath. Then, I'll have light refreshments prepared, and the room changed. I need to restore the luster to my hair and skin, and I want at least a hundred dresses—really, it seems I'll spend the whole day just on the basics.)

Violet walked out of the room with a graceful, silent step.

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Maria, a maid who has served the Alcott family for three years, was heading to the eldest daughter's room with a heavy heart today. The meal she carried was a small, moldy black bread and a soup with no ingredients.

Even Maria, who comes from a commoner's family, has never eaten such things.

(Still, Lady Sophia doesn't complain.)

On days when there's little to eat, she looks very sad, but that's all. When Maria secretly brings her food, she smiles happily and says "thank you" with shining eyes.

Despite the pain in her heart, a mere maid cannot defy her mistress. Even the current head, who is her biological father, turns a blind eye.

Sighing softly and looking down, she heard a cool, stern voice from ahead.

"You there."

She looked up, gasping in surprise. There stood Sophia, who was about to deliver the meal.

(But, what...? Something seems different.)

With her beautiful purple hair and eyes, and her small frame, she looked exactly like the pitiful eldest daughter, Sophia, of this house.

However, instead of the usual gentle smile, she was looking at Maria with a face devoid of emotion.

She had never seen such an expression before. The cold, authoritative gaze made Maria's body freeze.

"I'm talking to you. Can't you hear me?"

"! Y-Yes!"

As she hurriedly replied, Sophia raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, so you can hear. ...Well, never mind. I want to take a bath immediately. You can help me."

"What...?"

What did she just say? Confused, Maria saw Sophia frown and say, "You're slow."

"I told you to prepare the bath."

"Y-Yes, but, Lady Sophia, it's mealtime now."

If she doesn't eat quickly, even this meager meal will be taken away—she should know that. However, the girl in front of her looked at the food in Maria's hands, and after a moment of silence, directed a cold gaze at her.

"Is this garbage your meal?"

"Wh-What...?"

At Maria's reaction, Sophia smiled coldly, sending a chill down her spine.

"Then, I'll hand it over to you. Eat it right here."

"Wh-What...?"

"I'm offering this to you, a loyal servant. Surely you didn't bring something you can't eat yourself to me, did you?"

Her tone was elegant, like a song. Yet, Maria felt her hands and feet turn cold with fear. Sophia's voice was so cold that Maria feared she might be killed if she said the wrong thing.

"---But, I don't have time today. If you say you were on your way to throw this garbage into the trash, I'll forget what you just said. Remember what I said just now? Prepare everything immediately."

"Y-Yes, I understand. I'm very sorry."

Bowing her head, she saw her trembling, frightened hands and feet. The person in front of her was not the usual Sophia. She seemed like a different person, as if she had lost her mind from some kind of drug.

"But... Lady Isabella's permission is needed before I can prepare the bath."

"What are you saying?"

Sophia said, sounding genuinely displeased.

"The approval of a former viscount's daughter is irrelevant. I want to take a bath. You are my hands and feet. The only acceptable response is 'yes.'"