Chapter 9

However, how could she help Pamela?

Once again, Ortancia lay on her bed, pondering.

(The stolen household items were found in Pamela’s belongings... Was she framed by someone else?)

Someone had deliberately planted the stolen items in Pamela’s personal belongings to frame her.

If she could prove it was a false accusation, the false charge against Pamela could be cleared...

“What should I do!?”

Hugging her pillow tightly, Ortancia groaned, kicking her small feet restlessly.

No matter how much she wanted to find the culprit, she couldn’t keep a constant watch on the servants’ quarters where Pamela was staying.

What else could Ortancia do...?

“Oh, right!”

(I... I received new blessings from the goddess!)

Finally remembering this, Ortancia hurriedly pulled out the naming certificate from the shelf.

The naming certificate should have detailed the new name given during the baptism and the specifics of the blessings.

She hadn’t had the time to check it thoroughly on the day of the baptism, but confirming the certificate would reveal the details of the blessings.

Tentatively opening the document, Ortancia was astonished.

“So many blessings!”

There was a long list of the blessings (apparently) given to Ortancia.

(Do I really have this many blessings!? I didn’t notice at all...)

“But, if I use this...!”

It might help clear Pamela’s false accusation.

Ortancia swallowed hard and began to formulate a plan.

---

“Miss Ortancia, I’m here!”

The next day, Pamela came to Ortancia’s room with a cheerful greeting.

Responding with a smile, Ortancia nervously picked up a small potted plant.

“Hey, Pamela. When I went to the garden yesterday, I found a really beautiful flower, so I thought I’d give it to you...”

(Is this okay!? Is it too unnatural!? Is this how a 7-year-old would act!?)

Trying to appear as innocent and pure as a 7-year-old girl, Ortancia repeated the lines she had practiced.

“Pamela always takes care of the flowers in my room. I feel a bit lonely in this big house, but I get strength from the flowers you take care of! So... I want to give you a beautiful flower too! I hope you’ll treasure it as if it were me!”

With her best adorable smile, Ortancia offered the potted plant she had found in the garden the previous day.

Pamela looked at her in surprise.

(Uh... Was I weird!? Maybe this dirty potted plant was a bad idea!?)

It was a potted plant she had dug up from the garden, planted with a random wildflower, and it was honestly a bit of a poor choice as an interior decoration.

She should have made it more elaborate... Just as Ortancia started to regret it—

“To hear that from you, Miss...”

Pamela suddenly burst into tears.

(What!? Why is she crying!?)

“I... I’m from the countryside, I’m not very considerate, and I make mistakes all the time. I’ve thought about quitting this job many times... Thank you, Miss!”

Despite her tears, Pamela took the potted plant with a smile.

Her overwhelming joy made Ortancia feel a twinge of guilt.

(Uh... If she’s this happy, I should have given her something better... But, this might be the key to clearing Pamela’s false accusation...!)

Nodding at the delighted Pamela, who said, “I’ll take good care of it!”, Ortancia watched her back with a calculating gaze as she hummed a tune and continued cleaning.