Chapter 4

The First Step

The next morning sun spilled across Seraphina's bedroom as Lily carefully pulled opened the curtains.

"Young Lady..."

She spoke softly, almost as if afraid to wake a dangerous beast.

"It's time for breakfast. Young Lady"

Seraphina blinked awake.

For a brief moment, she expected to see the familiar white ceiling of her apartment.

Instead...

Golden drapes.

Silk sheets.

A room fit for a noble lady.

"Ahh Right."

"I'm still here."

She let out a small sigh before climbing out of bed.

Lily immediately stepped forward with a basin of warm water.

Her movements were practiced.

Quiet.

Almost mechanical.

She never once looked Seraphina in the eye.

"Ow!! You don't have to be so nervous."

Lily's shoulders instantly stiffened as if its not the simple words… As if it contains some motive…

"I-I apologize, Young Lady."

Seraphina smiled helplessly.

That's not what I meant...

While another maid brushed her silver hair, Seraphina glanced at the reflection in the mirror.

"...Tell me."

The maids froze.

"How many servants work in the Ardent estate?"

The women exchanged uncertain looks.

"...Thirty-two, Young Lady."

"Umhmm… Thirty-Two"

"And... do all of you have breakfast before beginning work?"

Silence.

"..."

Finally, Lily answered in a whisper.

"Usually..."

"...after everyone else has finished."

Seraphina frowned."Whaaat!?"

"So you haven't eaten yet?"

The maids lowered their heads.

"N-No, Young Lady."

She looked at the untouched breakfast spread before her.

Fresh bread. Fruit. Soup.

Enough food for three people.

Without thinking, she pushed the tray toward them.

"Then let's eat together."

Crash!

A spoon fell to the floor.

One maid's face turned pale.

Another immediately dropped to her knees.

"Y-Young Lady!"

"We're sorry!

"We're sorry!"

"We're sorry!"

"P-Please don't test us..."

Seraphina blinked.

"Ahhh!!?...Test you!?"

The head maid swallowed nervously.

"The l-l-last time..."

"...y-you invited the kitchen staff to e-eat with you..."

Her voice trembled.

"...y-you accused them of stealing your meal."

"A-And t-they were whipped."Its like she is saving all the maids together closing her eyes explaining everything reluctantly… Afraid but a little brave…

The room fell silent.

Seraphina slowly looked down at the breakfast.

Her appetite vanished.

"Ohh!!(Smirk)...I see now."

No wonder they were afraid.

The original Seraphina hadn't merely been strict.

She had become the very thing she hated.

Someone who hurt people weaker than herself because she couldn't hurt the ones who truly caused her pain.

How lonely...

How pathetic. Clenching her fist. Gritting her teeth…

Taking a quiet breath, Seraphina picked up a piece of bread.

She tore it in half.

Then placed one piece in Lily's trembling hands.

"I'm not testing you."

Lily stared at the bread.

"I..."

"I can't..."

"You can."

The room remained silent.

No one moved.

Seraphina laughed softly.

"I promise."

"I'm not angry."

Lily hesitated for a long moment.

Finally...

She took the tiniest bite.

Nothing happened.

Seraphina smiled.

"There."

"See?"

One by one...

The other maids slowly relaxed.

Not completely.

But enough to breathe again.

For the first time that morning...

The dining room felt warm.

After breakfast, Seraphina wandered into the estate's vast library.

Dust danced through the sunlight as rows upon rows of books stretched before her.

"Amazing.. Beautiful.. That's what I wanted..."

She ran her fingers along the shelves.

Politics. History. Magic. Economics. The orphaned girl who wasn't able to buy books to read but borrowed it the whole time her previous life…. Have a big library of her own…

The original Seraphina had read almost none of them.

She had spent most of her time trying to gain the Crown Prince's attention.

"But I..."

She smiled.

"...have two months."

Two months before the Imperial Spring Ball.

Two months before the story truly began.

If she wanted to survive...

She needed knowledge.

Not affection.

She reached for a thick book titled,

『The Noble Houses of the Empire』

Just as she opened it...

A folded invitation slipped from between the pages.

She caught it before it touched the floor.

"...?"

The elegant gold seal had already been broken."What is this!? A letter!!!"

Her eyes widened as she read the first line.

To Lady Seraphina Ardent...

It was addressed to the original Seraphina.

Dated...

One month ago.

She frowned.

"...Why was this hidden inside a book?"

Slowly...

She unfolded the letter.

The smile on her face disappeared.

Someone...

Had been secretly inviting Lady Seraphina to meet them.

And judging by the elegant handwriting...

It wasn't a friend.

It wasn't family.

It was someone who knew far more about her than they should.

At the very bottom of the page...

Only one sentence had been written.

"If you wish to know the truth about your family... come alone.""The TRUTH!!...? "