Chapter 3

"Alright, just half left."

In a room separated from the main house of the mansion.

Following her sister Lily's request, Chloe was diligently embroidering a dress.

It was already past three in the morning.

She had been so busy with the laundry for the entire family and preparations for the next day's chores that it had gotten quite late.

She needed to finish the embroidery soon because she had to start preparing breakfast early the next day (or rather, today), but more than anything else...

"It's so cold..."

The cold was so intense that it was significantly slowing down her work.

This detached room had originally been used as a warehouse, but after Chloe was declared an outcast, it became her living quarters.

A shabby bed, a broken table and chair.

Walls and windows that let in drafts freely.

It could be described as a dilapidated shack.

Of course, there were no renovations for insulation, and every year as winter approached, she was plagued by bone-chilling cold.

There was a makeshift fireplace, and firewood was provided, but the amount was so meager that it seemed designed to keep her just barely alive, so she had to use it very carefully.

The real challenge was when her consciousness started to blur.

It wasn't time to use the firewood yet.

Wrapping herself in a somewhat better blanket, Chloe focused.

"Phew..."

She couldn't tell if the yawn that escaped her was from sleepiness or because the cold was making her lose consciousness.

If it was the latter, it was definitely not good, so Chloe pricked her thumb with a needle to stay awake.

If she didn't concentrate, the embroidery of the flowers her sister had specified would be ruined, and she would be scolded again.

Straining her remaining energy, she continued to stitch carefully.

"It's done..."

Finally, just as the sun was about to rise, the embroidery was completed.

She checked it several times and thought it turned out well.

Chloe could finally take a break.

Her hands were in bad shape from the needle pricks to keep her awake, but compared to the treatment from her sister, it was a small price to pay.

"How long... will this continue?"

She muttered suddenly.

Occasionally, she thought about it.

Living in a remote village, in the same place, repeating the same daily routine.

If it were peaceful days, it might be fine.

But being oppressed by her family and even the servants, days filled with nothing but pain, a deep resentment welled up inside her.

– Is this really okay?

If Chloe had known nothing else, she might not have had such thoughts.

But Chloe had learned.

The only one who had ever been on Chloe's side was the maid, Shirley.

Shirley, who was from the capital, had taught Chloe many things.

– Do you understand, Miss? The world is much, much bigger than you think. In the capital, there are so many buildings that you can't see the mountains or rivers, and there are so many more people than in this town. There are so many delicious things, beautiful things, really, really a lot. For example...

To Chloe, who only knew this town, Shirley's stories were alluring and enjoyable.

It didn't take long for her to develop a longing for the capital.

"Maybe... I'll go to the capital someday."

Even if it was probably an unfulfilled wish, she couldn't help but think it.

Honestly, if she wanted to run away, she could have.

Even though she was forbidden to go out, there were no soldiers guarding the mansion tightly, and Shirley had taught her the route to the capital.

But the distance was enormous.

Even with the physical strength she had built up from walking around the vast grounds of the mansion since childhood, it seemed too much.

So she had resigned herself to the fact that "I can't reach the capital alone."

Additionally, the guilt instilled in her by being repeatedly told "You are an outcast" kept her bound to this remote village.

The unseen world.

Her longing for the big city, the capital, remained just a longing, only making Chloe sigh.

...

......

...... I must have fallen asleep while thinking.

"Damn it!"

Chloe jumped up.

"What time is it...!?"

Judging by the sunrise, it was likely that she had overslept.

This was bad; if she was late with breakfast preparations, she would be scolded again.

After quickly getting ready, Chloe rushed to the main house.

She reached the main house in a few minutes and was about to head to the kitchen when—

"Mother...?"

Her mother, Isabella, stood in front of her.

Just her presence made Chloe's shoulders tremble.

"Um...?"

"Didn't I tell you to leave not a single drop of that dirty blood?"

Her voice was icy cold.

The atmosphere was clearly different from usual.

Chloe instantly understood Isabella's words and immediately knelt on the floor.

"I am terribly sorry...!! I checked multiple times and thought I had cleaned it thoroughly, but I must have missed a spot..."

Smack.

"Ah..."

Her head was struck hard to the side, and Chloe's body fell.

Her vision blurred, and a burning pain throbbed in her head.

Struggling to sit up, she looked up at Isabella in fear.

"Why are you always like this?"

The emotion in Isabella's eyes as she looked down at Chloe was... murderous intent.

And—Isabella's trembling right hand held a gleaming silver knife.