Episode 67

"Who, who are you to keep calling me young lady?"

Her pupils visibly quivered.

The woman, who had pulled the blanket up to her neck, frantically scanned her surroundings, unable to gather her thoughts.

"Lady, what's wrong?"

"I'm saying I'm not a lady..."

It was astonishing how such a fierce face could contort in that manner.

Her gestures, as she incessantly touched her face, were erratic.

"Uh, h-hey, a mirror! Can you get me a mirror!"

"Yes, Young Lady."

I always kept a hand mirror ready for situations like this.

As I handed over the small mirror, it was fascinating to watch her expressions change rapidly.

'This is really happening.'

It was exactly as Ute had summarized in the past.

First, she looks for a mirror and exhibits unusual behavior.

"Hey, you, do you know my name?"

She asks for her own name.

"Of course, I am well aware of the name of the person I serve."

"What, what is it? Tell me."

"You are the only lady of the Marquis Zephyrite, Lady Ruby."

"What did you say I am...?"

She still seemed unable to fully grasp the situation.

'According to Ute, some realize it immediately, while others take time.'

I had no intention of dragging this out. I continued naturally.

"Young Lady, how much did you drink at the banquet last night... Did you enjoy your time?"

If I had said this to the original Ruby Zephyrite, I might have been struck again.

'She would've thrown a fit, saying I was being cheeky despite having a headache.'

However, the 'changed' lady simply nodded dazedly with vacant eyes.

"Huh? Yeah, that's right... So my head feels a bit, out of sorts?"

"That can happen. How was the birthday banquet?"

"Huh? Birthday banquet?"

"Yes. It was Lady Regita's birthday banquet. I heard even Princess Royal attended..."

"Princess Royal, huh? What Princess Royal?"

"Of course, Princess Louise. You said she even gave her flowers at the title conferment ceremony."

Although the lady had never personally told me this, it wasn't a crucial detail for either side.

'I guess that's enough.'

Name, country, and recent events.

The lady's face contorted moment after moment as she processed the information.

"I, I am..."

"..."

"I am, Ruby Zeph—"

Thud.

Her fine golden hair spread out in all directions.

I took a deep breath and raised my voice.

"Oh my! The young lady suddenly fainted! Doctor! Someone get a doctor!"

---

"Do you know who you are, young lady?"

"Of course. I am Ruby Zephyrite. My mother passed away early, and I have an older brother and a younger brother, as well as a father. Correct?"

Ute's gaze fell minutely from the top of the woman's head to her feet.

His lips curved into a gentle smile.

"You don't need to be so formal with me."

"Oh, um. It's just, it's a bit... unfamiliar."

"Are you in any pain?"

"My head feels like it's going to explode..."

"It's because you drank too much the previous day. It would be better to reduce your alcohol intake."

"And, um! I remember who I am, but I can't quite recall people's names... or what I did yesterday..."

"Young Lady, are you serious?"

The butler, who had been standing a step back, approached quickly. His blue eyes darkened with concern.

"I feel like I remember bits and pieces, but for now..."

The woman, who had been hesitating, dropped her head.

"I'm sorry..."

"The lady apologizing..."

He hadn't even made such a face when his grown daughter appeared.

But the butler was relatively fine. Lapis, who had been reluctantly dragged in, was...

"Sonnet, I'm scared."

Hmm, he seems okay.

The way he clung to my arm was no different from usual.

The butler frowned and urged Ute.

"Do you know the cause? Is there a problem with the lady?"

"It seems frequent drinking is the cause."

"Does that make sense?"

"Alcohol generally causes side effects such as increased aggression and cognitive decline."

His hand pointing to the test results was dry.

"The numbers don't show any major abnormalities."

"It is truly because of the alcohol...?"

"Yes. She needs to stay away from stimulating factors and rest for a while."

"So, really..."

Lapis, holding his forehead, couldn't speak for a long time.

He resembled the woman in bed, who disliked him but rolled her eyes similarly.

"I must inform the master..."

"I will take care of the lady, so don't worry too much."

"You?"

"Sonnet?"

"Sonnet?"

What, what?

All eyes, which had been looking in different directions, suddenly focused on me.

"I am the young lady's dedicated maid."

"But you just returned today."

"Yes. So I have to work."

"Are you okay... No, you'll do it, right?"

"Yes."

"Sonnet, are you serious? Leaving such a woman alone..."

"Please go, young master."

Despite the need for rest, the bedroom was anything but peaceful.

All three seemed dissatisfied, but what could I do? I had to do my job.

I probably wouldn't get hit again... I hoped.

I clasped my left hand with my right and tightened my lips.

---

"Do you need anything?"

"Uh, no!"

"If anything comes to mind, please let me know anytime."

Unlike before, the bedroom was now eerily quiet.

The maid, with her hands neatly folded, stood calmly.

'This is it! Just like the romance novels I read before!'

The term 'Young Lady', the sparkling room, words like royal and banquet.

The woman, who was an avid reader of romance novels, quickly grasped the situation.

'To be possessed, and in such a minor villain's role!'

Bright blonde hair, sharp golden eyes, and a fierce look resembling a leopard.

Contrary to her appearance, 'Ruby Zephyrite' was a petty villain.

One who quickly fell from grace for dramatic effect.

'She causes trouble in the early to mid-stages, then gets kicked out of the family.'

After that, all her past misdeeds are exposed like a string of fish, leading to prison...

'That can't happen!'

She had finally become the daughter of a wealthy family!

With the perfect conditions to plan a peaceful and comfortable old age, she couldn't become a prisoner.

'Yes, I can change from now on.'

From what she heard, it seemed the original plot hadn't fully progressed yet...

Resolving her determination, Ruby turned her gaze to the maid.

Although her presence wasn't loud, she had been subtly bothersome for a while.

'It feels like she should be in bed instead of me.'

With her head wrapped in bandages and gauze on her hand...

Had she fallen down the stairs or something?

Glancing at the maid sideways, Ruby softly opened her lips.

"Um, excuse me..."

"Yes, young lady."

"Uh, ahem. What's your name?"

"Sonnet Posa."

A clear and calm voice.

There was no particular hostility within her blue eyes.

"How long have you been attending me?"

"Just under a fortnight."

If so...!

The likelihood of her having bad ties with 'Ruby Zephyrite' was relatively low.

'I need to start by changing my ruined reputation.'

Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

If she took good care of the person beside her, she would gradually move away from prison.

With renewed vigor, Ruby spoke again in a more friendly tone.

"What's wrong with your head? It looks very painful."

"Please don't worry about it."

"How did you get hurt?"

"Well..."

A slight hesitation.

Ruby felt an inexplicable chill.

"The young lady..."

"What?"

"You did it while drunk, so please don't be too concerned."

The inside of her mouth felt dry.

Cold sweat ran down her pale temples.

"Well, um, that... your hand?"

"..."

Ruby felt a mild dizziness at the unresponsive smile.

'What kind of life has this crazy Ruby Zephyrite lived?'

How could someone come to serve her with bandages on their head!

Ruby held back the rising tears.

"Hey, can you tell me... what I did... exactly?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"Why?"

"H-huh?"

"No, I mean, if the lady insists, I will tell you."

"It's not a demand. If it's too painful to recall, you don't have to..."

"It's okay."

The maid smiled lightly and pointed to her own head.

"You hit me three times with a decorative candle holder."

"..."

"You also scratched my hand with your nails."

"..."

"Are there any further questions?"

---

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