Chapter 9

"What is this...?"

The moment Amelia was shown into the room by the maid, she let out a single exclamation.

"It's the lady's room, of course."

The maid with short black hair informed her with a face devoid of emotion.

Amelia was taken aback.

Clearly, it was a room far superior to the best room in her own home.

First, it was spacious.

So spacious that it almost felt oppressive.

The walls were adorned with a pattern of blueberry flowers.

A chandelier with numerous candles hung from the ceiling.

The large windows let in a pleasant stream of sunlight.

The canopy bed was king-sized, visibly soft and clean, and the dressing table was large and convenient.

"Is this a royal room?"

"No, it's a middle-class room in the master's mansion."

"Middle class...!!"

This time, Amelia's eyes nearly popped out. She didn't notice the maid's sarcastic remark about her being given a middle-class room despite being the wife of a duke.

She couldn't have noticed.

After all, the cottage where Amelia had lived before was in a state similar to a doghouse.

Amelia's eyes sparkled as if stars were falling, and the maid cleared her throat.

"Ah, I'm sorry. Um..."

"I'm Sylph. I'll help you unpack right away."

"Help me...?"

"...? Is there a problem?"

In her old home, maids were people who brought leftover food on dirty plates, forced you to eat everything, and found fault with everything from your eyes to your attitude, often hitting you.

So, she couldn't grasp the reality of Sylph's offer to help her.

...Maidens were supposed to be treated that way, but Amelia, who had been treated completely differently, couldn't understand.

(If I trouble her, I might inconvenience Lord Logan...)

With such misguided thoughts, Amelia carefully chose her words to avoid angering the other.

"Sylph, don't worry about it. I can manage on my own with just this much luggage."

However, contrary to Amelia's intentions, Sylph frowned suspiciously.

"Is there something you don't want to show me?"

"Eh? No, that's not it, but..."

As a lady, it was a bit awkward to have certain items in her luggage.

From embarrassment, Amelia stood in front of the trunk as if to protect it.

This was a mistake.

"May I check the contents, just to be safe?"

Sylph's eyes showed a hint of suspicion.

Having heard many bad rumors from other maids, she was determined to uncover what Amelia was hiding.

(Knives... or explosives...?)

Various possibilities ran through her mind, and Sylph's suspicion grew rapidly.

(This woman might be a villain trying to bring down the Hernberg family by ingratiating herself with the master...)

I must protect this mansion!

The excellent maid Sylph was burning with a sense of mission.

"Really, it's fine, really..."

"It's not a matter of whether it's fine or not; I need to check for dangerous items."

"Dangerous items!? Well, some things can be dangerous if misused..."

"!! So you do have them!"

Sylph nimbly moved behind Amelia.

"If there's anything that could endanger the master, it's too late to act!"

"Ah, wait...!"

Ignoring Amelia's protests, Sylph forcefully opened the trunk—

She froze.

So did Amelia and time.

"What is this?"

The trunk, large enough to carry, was filled with many drawstring bags and small bottles.

Each container had various things scribbled on it.

"Um... herbs, medicinal herbs, medicines... that sort of thing, yes."

Sylph was speechless.

"I'm sorry... It's embarrassing for a lady to have so many plants and medicines in her luggage..."

Amelia blushed and looked down.

Sylph's gaze shifted to the other trunk.

"And in that one?"

"Um, mainly books, yes... Ah, they could be used as blunt weapons, but with my small arms, it's impossible..."

Sylph sighed, deflated by Amelia's serious tone.

Then, she knelt and bowed deeply.

"I am truly sorry. My hasty judgment has caused you embarrassment, and I deeply apologize."

She had committed a grave impoliteness to the future wife of the duke and embarrassed her.

Even now, an apology wouldn't be enough, but she offered it with all her sincerity.

She expected at best a suspension, at worst a dismissal.

But then—

"Please, raise your head."

Surprisingly, Amelia knelt and said this.

"I'm the one who should apologize for my ambiguous words. Sylph, you did nothing wrong, so please don't worry."

Sylph raised her face.

Amelia's smile, like one that reassures a child, made Sylph catch her breath.

"On the contrary, I am deeply impressed by how much you care for the master. I don't think your actions were wrong at all."

Sylph was stunned by these words.

Amelia's behavior was so different from the rumors she had heard that her mind couldn't keep up.

But one thing was clear.

"...You are very kind, my lady."

"No, not at all..."

Amelia shook her head slightly, looking a bit embarrassed, like a child praised by her mother.

Sylph sighed again, feeling deflated.

"Well, then..."

Sylph stood up.

"Since I know the contents of your luggage, let me help you as a form of compensation."

"Y-Yes... Thank you, Sylph."

"Please call me Sylph, and let's drop the formalities."

For the first time, Sylph smiled at Amelia.

Amelia hesitated for a moment but then turned to Sylph with determination.

"Alright, Sylph. I'll count on you."

"Of course."

Sylph still didn't fully trust Amelia.

There wasn't enough time to verify the rumors.

But...

(Without even looking closely, she has quite a nice face... with proper nutrition and care, she will surely shine...)

At the very least, she no longer believed the rumors about Amelia being a vulgar lady.