Chapter 33

As I handed over the frozen Roiamoodler meat to the keeper (while still keeping the best parts for myself), I was led by His Grace into the castle. Upon closer inspection, His Grace's mansion turned out to be an incredibly large building. As a fortress, the windows and entrances were built narrow. The outer walls were devoid of any unnecessary decorations and had lookout windows like those of the Littlewood fort.

On our way to the main entrance, we passed a water channel, and out of curiosity, I peered into it. There, I saw the fish called Bakta swimming leisurely. Though not a magical fish like the Zanas, Bakta are omnivores. The Marshall Raid family also raised these fish, which ate the leftovers from the kitchen. I had never eaten them before, but I wondered if they were delicious.

(Huh, the water surface is red?)

Then, I suddenly noticed that the water surface was reflecting a red color. More accurately, only the area around me was colored. When I touched my head to check, I found that my hair was fluffy, puffed out, and a bit rough.

(Oh no, my hair! I can't possibly greet everyone in this state... It's impossible.)

We had come around to the back, so we would enter the castle formally from the front. Surely, the entrance would be lined with knights and servants waiting to welcome us. Since His Grace had returned with his fiancée, they must be eagerly awaiting our arrival. However, I couldn't imagine presenting myself in such a disheveled state. The thought of His Grace introducing me, with my messy hair and worn-out travel clothes, was absolutely unacceptable. As a daughter of the Marshall Raid family, it felt wrong on many levels.

(What should I do? I don't think I can fix this with just a hand comb.)

I tried to comb my hair with my fingers, but the tangled state was beyond repair. However, I hadn't brought any servants from the Marshall Raid family. Not knowing what to do, I decided to consult His Grace.

"Um, His Grace, I have a request."

"What is it? Is something bothering you?"

It was bothering me. But if His Grace didn't mind, maybe it was fine... No, that wouldn't do. As His Grace's fiancée, first impressions were important. His Grace peered into the water channel I had been looking at.

"Bakta. They're quite tasty when stewed."

"Oh, so Bakta is best served stewed! We raised them at the Marshall Raid estate, but I've never eaten them."

"They are valued as emergency rations. Would you like to try them?"

"Perhaps someday... But, um, His Grace, before I greet everyone, I'd like to tidy up a bit. I don't want to be impolite."

I noticed that the hairpin I had put in this morning was caught in my hair, so I quickly hid it in my hand. My hair, which I had tied up loosely, had come undone when I used 'Acceleration' to escape from the Bergnion swarm. My clothes were the same travel outfit from yesterday (though I had changed my undergarments).

I didn't want the knights and servants, who admired His Grace, to think I was unsuitable. His Grace's intense gaze made me feel a bit embarrassed.

"Is there a place where I can change?"

When I asked in a small voice, His Grace looked shocked.

"I'm sorry, Melfi!"

"It's not your fault, His Grace."

"I should have been more considerate. Even Chaos pointed that out."

His Grace rubbed his forehead and looked around. Spotting Mullan, who was following us, he called out, "Mullan, it's an emergency!"

There was no need to panic, but I felt bad for Mullan and the other knights, who rushed over with tense faces.

"Sir, what's the matter!?"

"Is Chaos here yet?"

"He's at the Flame Eagle stables, so it might take a while."

"Then you'll do. Mullan, get a lady's maid... Oh, right, there are no lady's maids! Call someone from the Blanche squad!"

"The Blanche squad? Should I call Lillian or Sabrina?"

"Lillian, Sabrina, Natalie, or even Blanche—any woman will do."

"Blanche, the captain... Understood!"

It seemed the 'Blanche squad' was a unit of female knights. As Mullan rushed off, His Grace looked at me with a worried expression and approached me, grabbing my shoulders.

"Melfi, I'm sorry for being inconsiderate."

"It's not your fault."

"In fact, this mansion has no lady's maids to attend to a noblewoman. It's been a long time since there were any women here."

The absence of lady's maids suggested that the previous Duchess of Galbreath might not have been around. I realized I hadn't even asked if the previous Duke had a wife or children.

(I'm such an idiot. I should have asked about these basic things!)

I had been so focused on the monsters of Galbreath that I hadn't considered such matters. If I made a bad first impression, I might be seen as unsuitable for the role of Duchess. It was entirely my fault. His Grace looked just as anxious as I felt.

"Melfi, I'm truly sorry. I didn't mean to be inconsiderate. I had made arrangements, but the situation changed due to those stupid birds. I'm sorry. It's been a long time since the Galbreath family had a proper Duchess... Probably not in four generations. So, unlike your family, there are no considerate lady's maids here."

"The welcome by the monsters wasn't your fault, so please don't worry..."

"No, it's not acceptable. I'm the one who wanted you. Don't worry, Chaos made the arrangements. The Blanche squad is reliable."

"Are all the members of the Blanche squad women?"

"Yes, they are a unit of female knights led by Blanche Lusseau. They are all strong and composed."

"That sounds like a wonderful unit!"

The Marshall Raid estate had no female knights, but I had seen the Queen's guard knights in the capital. They were all sharp and impressive, and I found them admirable. I wondered what the female knights of Galbreath were like.

After a while, I heard a scraping sound, like something rubbing against stone. Looking around, I saw only a wall. Suddenly, a part of the wall indented, forming a square hole large enough for a person to pass through. Startled, I hid behind His Grace.

"What is that!?"

"Don't worry. It's a magic door that opens from the inside."

"A magic door..."

Sure enough, Mullan's face appeared from inside.

"Sir, everything is ready. The room is in the south wing, the Sier room."

"Understood. We'll go in... clear the area."

"Understood."

I was led by His Grace to the magic door. The thick outer wall had a passage, and as we passed through, His Grace muttered a spell, and the passage closed with a thud.

"Surprised? The mansion has hidden doors like this throughout."

"Is this ancient magic?"

"Yes, the magic used for these hidden doors is ancient magic. Not everyone can use it, but you will be able to. I'll teach you the spell later."

"Can I use the hidden doors?"

"They are quite convenient."

We walked down a narrow passage and emerged into a wide corridor. There was no carpet, just a polished stone floor. The ceiling was high, and the room was softly lit by magical light.

The interior of the mansion was more elaborate than its exterior. The stone floor echoed my footsteps, so I tried to walk quietly.

"This is the south wing. The mansion is divided into east, west, south, and north wings. The south wing has the best sunlight, and my room is here. The Sier room, where we are going, will be your room from now on."

"Thank you."

Honestly, any room would be fine, but a sunny one was appreciated. The Marshall Raid estate was in a cold region, so I felt it even more. Galbreath was further south, and the current climate here was very comfortable for me.

We passed several rooms and climbed to the third floor, where two rooms were side by side. One was empty, but the other had Mullan and three knights waiting at the door.

"Sir, Lady Melfiela, please come in."

"Before that, this is Lady Melfiela, the daughter of the Earl of Marshall Raid. Her words are my words. Everyone, take note."

The three knights, who had aligned their heels with a click, placed their hands on their chests and saluted. One of them stepped forward and introduced herself with a clear voice. She was a tall, sharp-featured, and impressive knight.

"My name is Blanche Lusseau. Please remember me, Lady."

She must be the captain of the Blanche squad. I was surprised to find such an impressive female knight. She was even more stunning than I had imagined, and I was a bit (no, probably very) smitten. Blanche was even more impressive than the Queen's guard knights.

"Wait, Captain, we agreed to call her 'Lady.'"

"But it feels old-fashioned to call such a young, beautiful, and lovely princess 'Lady.'"

"I understand. 'Princess' is definitely better."

The three knights, it seemed, were all female. They were all sharp and impressive, and the atmosphere made me feel like I could get along with them. However, I wondered why Mullan was covering her face with her hands, and why His Grace looked so conflicted.

"Please call me Melfiela. I will study hard to be of service to His Grace. I would appreciate it if you could teach me the customs and lifestyle here."

When I (with my messy hair and worn-out travel clothes) performed a lady's bow, the three knights responded in unison, "Understood, Princess Melfiela!"