Chapter 40

The next day.

Amelia woke up earlier than usual and left the room before Sylphie arrived.

Since she left a note in the room, it wouldn't lead to a situation where "Lady Amelia is missing!"

"Yawn..."

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Amelia made her way to the place Carol had designated.

The place she arrived at after walking out of the mansion and trudging along was a certain corner of a vast garden.

It was a large pond surrounded by tall trees.

Amelia wondered for a moment why this place was chosen, but the moment she saw the pond in front of her, all thoughts flew out of her mind.

Her drowsiness also vanished.

"Sometimes it's good to wake up early."

Amelia said with a lively voice.

The pond, which seemed to be fed by a rich water source, was crystal clear, and several beautiful koi fish could be seen swimming in it.

"Beautiful..."

This was not a comment on the sparkling water surface reflecting the pleasant morning sunlight.

Amelia's gaze was fixed on the floating plants on the water's surface.

Even in a noble family, a pond was something she didn't have at home.

So seeing the floating plants was a first for Amelia.

Since it was her first time, it looked like a rare treat to her.

Amelia's plant fetish was still very much alive today.

"If I stretch my hand, I might be able to reach them..."

Amelia's eyes sparkled as she murmured.

Her focus was entirely on the floating plants, and the sounds around her were blocked out.

Like a firefly drawn to light, she wobbled over to the edge of the pond and squatted down, reaching out her hand...

Chirin.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Ah!"

The sound of a bell and someone else's voice simultaneously hit her eardrums, making Amelia jump.

"Ah...!!"

As she jumped, her balance shifted, and her upper body was pulled toward the pond.

(I'm going to fall...!!)

Bracing herself for the impending impact and the cold water –

Gash!

A strong sensation on her wrist.

Before she could react to the force pulling her wrist back, her body was brought back to its original position.

"Ha... ha..."

Her breathing became shallow.

As she calmed her rapidly beating heart and looked up –

"Taking a morning bath wasn't enough, so now you're taking a morning pond dip? You have quite the refined taste, don't you?"

The lady from yesterday... Carol, was holding Amelia's arm with an expression that suggested she was looking at something interesting.