Chapter 2

After spending about a week in bed, the maids took great care of me, and I was very satisfied with the clean environment. Since I couldn't eat solid food, my meals were mainly soup and juice, and they changed the flavors every time. There were also doctor's examinations, so I could rest assured and sleep soundly. It was the first happy days of my life, and I really thank you, Lord Margrave.

Finally, I was able to get up, and a knight explained what had happened. The person who came to greet me was Freya, the captain of the Third Knight Regiment of the Armulks Margrave, who was in charge of the security of the roads around the capital.

The carriage I was riding in was prepared by the viscount's family, and there were an elderly coachman and two elderly knights. My father had said, "Since she is a young lady, we cannot assign young men," but it was undoubtedly a matter of wages. It would cost a lot of money to send active young knights on a round trip that would take two months. To save money, they gave travel expenses to three elderly people who had no family and sent them on a one-way trip, telling them to try their best to survive after arriving in the Armulks Margrave.

Even a demon would be a bit more kind. When we were near the Armulks Margrave, we were attacked by bandits, and the knights came to our rescue while we were fighting back. When they saw a young woman wrapped in a blanket come out of a cheap carriage, they were surprised and thought it might be a kidnapping. But one of the knights had a letter from the viscount, and the situation became a big fuss for a different reason. The viscount's daughter, who was to be the margrave's bride, was almost dead in the carriage. Oh, that must have been a shock, I'm sorry.

The elderly coachman and the two elderly knights are not bad people. They had lived for a long time, leaving everything to their wives and families. Now that they were living alone, they had just learned how to live on their own, and they couldn't possibly take care of a noble lady. "Don't go outside, it's dangerous," they said, but it wasn't because they were lazy. They probably didn't know what to do.

The one to blame is my father, who was stingy with the wages. Since it was a long journey, he should have assigned young knights and maids with stamina. "So, are the coachmen safe?" "Yes, fortunately, we arrived in time, and they only have minor injuries. They asked to be hired, so all three are now working in our regiment's stables." One is a coachman, and the two knights are also familiar with horses. The pay may not be high, but as long as they have a place to live and food to eat, it should be fine. "Thank you. I'm sure they are happy." "I don't think we will have many opportunities to meet the viscount's daughter, as our regiment is in charge of road security..." "Oh, don't say that. Actually, I want to see the area around the capital." "There's nothing there, you know?" "If there's nothing, I want to confirm that there's nothing. I haven't fully recovered, so I would like you to show me around in about a month." I have to go out to find a way to earn money, even if it's troublesome. I need to walk around the capital and check the surrounding environment to find a clue to work.

At first, my stomach was very weak, but thanks to Kati and Meryl, I can now eat regular meals. I can't eat greasy food, but I'm trying to eat breakfast and lunch as much as possible. I haven't gone out of the room because it's forbidden, but the room is very spacious and has a nice view, so I don't feel stressed. The room is four times larger than the one I used at the viscount's house, so I spend my time walking around, skipping, and jumping on the bed, treating the bed and chairs as obstacles. It's quite fun. Oh, it's really fun, I didn't know beds could bounce like this. I fell off the bed while jumping and had a hard time convincing Kati and the others who were surprised by the noise. I thought the room at the viscount's house was quite large, but this place is on a different scale. The castle is magnificent because the territory is well-managed... I wonder if it should be called a fortress? The view from the window is also beautiful. It seems to be on a small hill, and you can see the town below. There is a balcony, but it is on the fifth floor, so it is locked. The large windows don't open, but the small ones do. When I listen to the sound of the wind, the chirping of birds, and the sound of insects... I get sleepy. When I feel sleepy, I try not to push myself and go to sleep. The doctor also said it's better to do so. I like the large bed in the bedroom, but I also love taking naps on the sofa in the living room. Ah, I'm so happy. Today, I enjoyed a nap while being left alone, and I'm grateful to Lord Margrave.

Perhaps because I've been eating well and sleeping a lot, my body, which was so thin it seemed like it would break, has gained a little weight, and I feel my stamina is coming back. From now on, I need to become a strong woman. After spending about a month in the room, I thought it was time to go out for a day, so I asked Kati and Meryl for permission to go out. "There's no need for permission." "No matter what Lord Margrave says, we, the servants, are on your side! We will help you." "Yes, to scold and leave a young lady who has suffered... That's not the behavior of a gentleman." I haven't really suffered, and I wasn't that troubled because I had doctor's examinations and delicious meals even while being left alone. It was more like heaven. If I could get a fake marriage, I could continue this life, but Lord Margrave seems to dislike me, so it's difficult.

For a month, I hadn't seen anyone except Kati and Meryl, but since the day of the outing was decided, I had a meeting with the butler, housekeeper, and other senior servants. When I first arrived, I was in a terrible state, but now, thanks to Kati and the others, my hair is shiny and my skin is smooth. I finally look presentable enough to go out in public. After taking a bath, I get a massage, which is gradually relieving my shoulder stiffness, which was so bad that I was told I had a steel plate on my back. The first time I got a massage, the masseuse was surprised, saying, "It's so hard," "What, a steel plate?" "What did you do to get such a hard body?" It was the result of years of desk work and a long journey, and I was surprised myself. Speaking of surprises, the clothes. I brought about five simple, easy-to-wear dresses from the viscount's territory, but they were all disposed of. When I was asked what to do with them, I didn't have any attachment to them, and they were quite worn out from the long journey. I had washed them myself when I stayed at an inn, so they had strange wrinkles. When I said this, my undergarments and tops were also disposed of, and new ones were provided. By the way, when I first arrived, I was wearing a nightgown borrowed from Noe, the margrave's sister, who is currently living in the capital with the former margrave and his wife. If I have the opportunity to meet them, I would like to thank them, but I might not meet the family. I haven't even met Lord Margrave himself. I need to find a job and earn money soon, or I won't even be able to buy a single piece of underwear... Before I knew it, half of the closet was filled. I'm worried about the payment, but I can leave them when I leave the castle. I didn't ask for them to be bought for me, so I can't take everything. The amount makes me nervous, but I can't walk around naked. I am a viscount's daughter and a potential fiancée. If I don't look presentable, it will be a disgrace to Lord Margrave. "Oh, Lord Margrave, you don't like women, so you brought such a dull country girl..." "Because you can't marry a beautiful young man, there are better girls out there..." This is what they would say, just because I'm a noble. If I were a commoner, no one would complain about wearing the same clothes every day. I could even cut my hair short. I want to live a mentally comfortable life as a commoner.

"Miss Hadley, you look very beautiful." "When you go out, please use this parasol." I was wearing a light green dress with a white lace cardigan. My hair was tied up in several places with thin green ribbons, and white flowers were also placed in several spots. I was wearing white laced-up boots. Since the color is one that shows dirt easily, I have to be careful. "I'll go with you." Kati was wearing a dress that was easier to move in, not her usual maid's uniform, and instead of a frilly petticoat under the skirt, she was wearing pants like a man. I left the room with Meryl's farewell. I was a bit nervous about going down the stairs and walking outside, but Kati escorted me. Oh, she looks so cool... The servants at the viscount's house also worked hard, but the estate was managed by those parents, and there was a limit to what individuals could do. If the lord is no good, no good servants will come. Thanks to the butler, Evans, the appearance was maintained, but it would probably deteriorate quickly after he retired. In that sense, the margrave's family is wonderful. Even outside the room, the cleaning is thorough, and the garden visible from the window is beautiful. The furniture is also well-arranged. It would be fun to work in such a castle. I might ask to be hired as a maid. The survival rate would be higher than working outside. And then, marry someone from the knight regiment...? Is there anyone who would marry me?

I'm not in a position to be weak, as I've overcome many difficulties before. I will work hard to overcome this and achieve a peaceful old age.

When I went to the training ground of the Third Knight Regiment, the three people who came from the viscount's territory were working with the other servants. They seemed more energetic than I thought. I felt bad for interrupting their work, but when I called out to them, they all apologized and cried. "It's okay, don't apologize. I'm sorry, too. How are your injuries? Does anything hurt?" "No, it doesn't..." "Miss, I'm really, really sorry..." "You three... Men don't usually cry like that. It's really okay. I'm doing well now. If anyone should be blamed, it's my father, the Viscount Rence." I calmed them down and sent them back to work. When I turned around, I saw Captain Freya and a young knight with a very handsome face. "Today's outing was supposed to be guarded by the Third Knight Regiment alone... This is Captain Tanga of the First Knight Regiment. He will also be on guard duty." I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, Captain Freya, you don't have to go to such lengths." "No, no, that's..." His voice was flustered, and I thought, "As I thought..." "Did you call someone you thought I would be happy to see because I'm a young lady? But I'm not interested in young, handsome men. Unlike Lord Margrave." A wrinkle appeared between Captain Tanga's eyebrows. "What do you mean by that?" His voice was low, and his expression and tone clearly showed anger. Well... Is this a hit? Is it a bullseye? I want to ask if he is Lord Margrave's lover, but I shouldn't, right? "When I was told I was a potential fiancée, the viscount's family explained that Lord Margrave dislikes marriage and might be a homosexual. After I arrived, I was told not to show my face. So, I thought it was really true... You see, if a woman gets close, he gets hives or feels sick. It's a physical condition, so there's nothing he can do about it." It might be a matter of preference rather than a physical condition, but why? It feels like something I can't do anything about if it's a physical condition, but if it's a preference, it feels like I've heard something I shouldn't have. It's a harsh comment from a tutor hired by the viscount, but I'm so angry at my father that I'll blame