Chapter 4 - Bright Future

Marie shifted around in front of the bronze mirror, very satisfied with her current appearance.

Now, there was only one thing left to do, a soft smile appeared on Marie's face.

She happily approached the only door of the chambers with skipping steps.

Luckily, the door had to be pushed inside to open, so Marie began to drag and push all the furniture she could in front of the door, finishing the pile with the feather-filled quilt on top.

She examined the pile for a bit, making some adjustments here and there, before taking out a few jars she found in the room and dumping their contents on top the quilt.

After her make-shift barricade was mostly covered, she started spreading the liquid around the entire chamber, not sparing even one spot.

She had no idea about the substance's original purpose but it was very oily and gave her the impression of also being highly flammable.

Having completed this final step, Marie packed up a few make-up articles that she would need to maintain her disguise.

"Dear System, can you use the energy you have left to open a gap for me on that window?"

She pointed at the only window in the chambers, but didn't expect a positive answer from the System, as it had mostly proven useless until now, except for that time at the river where it still had energy left.

'Yes, just barely enough for you to squeeze through.'

Pleasantly surprised, Marie praised the System.

"That's fine, this will spare me some effort! Good job!"

'...'

So, it had become her pet now?

Marie looked out the window which was covered by a decorative wooden frame. The sun was still shining brightly in the sky, but from its position it could be inferred that it would set soon.

That would also be her time to strike.

But this meant that she still had about an hour left before she would finally launch her plan.

She didn't just sit around while twirling her thumbs though. The entire hour, she stood before the mirror, changing her expressions, tone of voice, speech patterns, even her walk and mannerism until she found the ones she liked.

Time passed quickly, after one last affirming glance, Marie walked to the fireplace and transfered some of the fire on to a longer piece of firewood. With this torch in hand, Marie stepped in front of the pile at the door.

There was not a hint of hesitation in her actions as she threw the torch on top of the feather quilt and watched the whole thing burst into flames.

Only the sparkle of having tasted the forbidden fruit flashed through her eyes, but she quickly buried it.

...she really shouldn't develop such a dangerous and expensive hobby.

...even if the fire she set was so beautiful...

A sigh of regret escaped Marie's lips, but she soon turned around to grab her make-up bundle and the big feather pillow that was still left on the bed.

She stood in front of the window, the fire gradually spreading behind her, but she wasn't nervous in the slightest.

"Now it's your turn, dear System!"

The System shuddered at this form of adress, but obediently used up even the last drop of energy to open a gap in the wooden frame for her.

Before Marie's eyes the wooden twisted, leaving a hole just big enough for her to pass through. She quickly jumped out and ducked down. Finally outside the chambers, while croutching behind some bushes, Marie took out her last jug of oil, drenching the wooden windowsill and pillow, before taking out a match.

A smile, that didn't fit her innocent teenager look at all, appeared on Marie's face.

Kindest regards, 'Lord' Agnis.

She flicked the match onto the oil, flames instantly emerged and began devouring everything around them.

Marie turned around, no longer sparing the growing fire even half a glance.

Now her entire focus lied on remaining hidden among the bushes and other plants, while servants hurriedly rushed by her, towards the burning chambers.

More and more servants passed her by as the fire burnt brighter and brighter, but there was no way for them to put it out with only a few measily buckets of water.

Meanwhile, Marie smoothly reached the wall that seperated the estate from the rest of the town. But even this couldn't delay her for more than half a minute.

She took a few steps back before running towards the around 2m high wall. She jumped and quickly grabbed the wall's edge. The sharp edge dug itself into her hand, but Marie didn't care, pulling herself up swiftly before dropping down the other side.

Escape, successful!

Marie calmly patted off the dust on her clothes.

The System was once again left speechless.

'...'

So they got away just like this?

Where was the intrigue it had heard so much about? The hidden conspiracies they had to uncover and/or create?

Having patted off all the dirt, Marie began strolling down the dark streets.

"This was actually much easier than I expected."

She joked to the System.

'...'

Forget it, there was nothing he could do about such a host.

'Where are we going now?'

Marie pondered for a moment.

"Hmm, I haven't really thought about it yet, I planned to look around for some intel first. But if you have any suggestions, let's hear them."

The System fell quiet again.

'...no suggestions.'

Marie just laughed again at its response.

Now that she wasn't being abducted or locked up, she found the System's personality to actually be quite cute. At least she had something to lighten her mood with in this foreign world.

After Marie left the estate's vicinity, life returned to the previously quiet streets. Marie's demeanor also changed from leisurely strolling to the slightly insecure mannerisms of a teenager, who had entered a town for the first time in his life. There was even a hint of worry on her face.

She walked aimlessly for a while before catching sight of a familiar face.

An idea formed insde her mind, pleasing her so much that a foxy smile almost climbed onto her lips. She quickly began closing the distance between them.

'Stop, host! That's one of the guards at the gate earlier today!'

But instead of stopping in her tracks as the System had hoped, Marie only replied.

Exactly.

She soon reached the oblivious guard.

Small theater:

Marie: Kindest regards, Lord Agnis.

Lord Agnis: Why is there a fire in my estate?!