Chapter 3 – Part 6

“It… It would have been fine, I guess?”

‘Don’t stutter! No, why am I even answering so readily in the first place?’

“Well, you can have a bit of pride, I suppose. Though you’re not really my type.”

Olivia responded bluntly, turning her head sharply. But he must have noticed, because Marsden’s smile only deepened in her peripheral vision.

“Even so, your answer still fills me with emotion.”

The low voice caused a prickly heat to rise. Instinctively looking straight ahead, Olivia sharply inhaled.

The dark eyes captured her within an inch of distance. Her throat swallowed convulsively.

“I didn’t used to care about dressing up, but I’ll have to make an effort now. Just tell me your preferences and I’ll match them all, Buddy. Tell me what kind of man you like.”

‘Don’t ask me that up close, in this position!’ Olivia was inwardly overwhelmed with despair.

She wished she had lost her memories and her feelings along with them. It was so difficult to suppress her surging emotions in front of this man, like trying to forcibly plug a leak.

Did she really love him that much? How deeply must she have loved him that even without her memories, her body still remembers the feelings?

Olivia’s fingertips hovered just shy of touching Marsden’s cheek.

“I’m not sure what type of man I like, but one thing I do know is that you’re the man who troubles me the most in this world.”

“…!”

“You’ve probably learned a lot chasing after those curse-wielding people, haven’t you?”

Even without physically touching, it felt like they could hear each other’s heartbeats. Marsden took Olivia’s hand and placed a light kiss on her palm.

“Yes.”

Marsden’ gaze remained fixed on Olivia, as if it were eternally bound to her.

“Alright, then. Let’s figure this out together. No going to jail, no disguising yourself as some weird servant. Come as Troy Marsden.”

Marsden closed his eyes, as if he could feel Olivia’s warmth. His eyelids trembled slightly.

“Magic… As I said before, ordinary people can’t do it. You need a certain amount of magical power. And for a curse, you need a tool. That’s what I found out half a year ago.”

Marsden’ brow furrowed slightly, as if the memory was terrible.

“There’s a stone from the Kettlelin Forest. Someone using that stone is likely connected to Harry Palmer.”

* * *

Flatd Fortress was the center of the border, becoming the center of the Charbert family during the war. The main supplies were stored here and quickly distributed to the soldiers when conflicts arose.

At the same time, it was also a place where the lord, knights, and soldiers stayed when the war was in a lull. Even in peaceful times, apprentice knights and page servants were busy cleaning and organizing every day.

“Lizzy!”

“Yes!!”

“Have you cleaned the chimney?”

The young servant, Lizzy, looked up at Kellic. Kellic, the apprentice knight of Flatd Castle, was a man who was more arrogant and authoritative than the head of the servants in the castle.

“Not yet. I was too busy cleaning the front yard. I’ll do it right away.”

“Tsk! How long can that front yard take? You were allowed to stay here because you said you could do it faster than the men, didn’t you?”

Kellic shouted at the small Lizzy, who was barely up to his waist. Lizzy couldn’t argue. It was true that she had begged and pleaded with the servants in order to stay here.

“I’ll go do it now.”

“Tsk tsk. That’s why I said to kick you out. What’s so pitiful about that thing.”

Kellic shook his head and disappeared down the hall. Lizzy swallowed her sorrow and prepared the rag to clean the chimney.

At twelve years old, she was the age at which noble girls might prepare for their debut into society, but Lizzy was small for her age. Ironically, this allowed her to perform the chimney cleaning jobs everyone else avoided.

She was a worthless and poor girl. That’s how people saw her, but even she had a proper name – Elizabeth Klein. This name was the only link connecting her to her late father, who had been a knight of the Charbert family and received the title of knight.

Sadly, he had died on the battlefield, leaving behind his young daughter. Flatd Castle had no use for a young girl. They needed strong servants, knights, apprentice knights, pages, or soldiers. There seemed to be nothing Lizzy could do.

“I’ll do the bathroom, chimney cleaning, and everything! Please let me stay here.”

Just having a title didn’t mean money came pouring in. Lizzy had nowhere else to go, so she begged and pleaded to stay here. She couldn’t just run away, even if it made her feel miserable.

Lizzy finished the dangerous chimney cleaning as usual. As she walked back to her room, she suddenly thought that, at this rate, she didn’t know when she might die.

That’s why, when she went to the kitchen to get some cool water, it was unusual. The young, penniless girl was not allowed in the kitchen except at night.

‘Huh? Sir Kellic?’

To get to the kitchen, she had to pass through a small storage room. The door was slightly ajar. Kellic was stuffing something into a small cart, like a thief.

It was clearly… a war explosive.

Lizzy didn’t know much about war, but she knew what a true knight was like, because that’s what her father had been – excellent in swordsmanship, kind in character, and considerate. Even though he had died early, she couldn’t resent him.

In that sense, Kellic was quite lacking. He was a typical knight who had entered Flatd Castle through connections. He ignored those of lower status and was also lacking in swordsmanship.

‘He didn’t even notice my presence.’

Lizzy was very frustrated by his incompetence. If she had a little training, she could easily defeat Kellic. If only she had the chance…

She felt gloomy. Lizzy quickly left the area, taking only a container of clean water. It looked like he was stealing the explosive, but she alone couldn’t possibly confront Kellic. And even if she didn’t have any guilt, the world would side with the knight rather than her.

* * *

A peaceful day at the Marchioness’s residence. Melanie observed her mistress, Olivia, resting in the garden.

Olivia, her employer, was sitting on a noble chair, staring at the flowers, and her every movement captivated the servants’ attention.

“Miss Melanie, is the Marchioness doing alright…?”

The maid fretted, holding a tray.

“Yes, she’s fine.”

Swish swish.

“She seems to be in a good mood.”

It was understandable to be frightened. Olivia was not just sitting but spinning a dagger, displaying her impressive skills that had taken down 10 knights.

‘No, this lady was a swordsman from the start.’

Melanie quietly observed Olivia. Everyone had expected Olivia to be nervous before the trial, but she wasn’t. Olivia seemed to be in a very good mood, almost excited.

Melanie, fortunately, was not particularly oblivious. The maid Ella, mistakenly thinking Olivia was the same as before, overstepped her bounds and was dismissed. Ella believed her connection, Mr. Palmer, would help her, but he was in no position to aid anyone, being physically incapacitated.

“I’ll take it to her.”

“R-really!?”

‘I’m not going to die.’

Melanie simply smiled at the relieved maid and took the tray. Olivia Charbert was a woman one could spend a lifetime trying to understand, but Melanie was beginning to grasp her moods.

Olivia Charbert. She no longer feared Harry Palmer.

“My Lady, I’ve brought wine and cheese.”

“Hm? Melanie? Where’s Xenia?”

“She seems unable to adapt to your… changes.”

Melanie confessed honestly. Olivia seemed indifferent.

“Hmm, I’m not scary.”

“Then maybe put down the knife…”

Melanie glanced at the dagger while uncorking the wine. Olivia, ignoring the wine, turned to where the maid, Xenia,

had disappeared.

“Then could you please put down the dagger…?”

Melanie nearly dropped the wine glass. Olivia, her arms draped over the chair back, remained nonchalant.

“I like cute creatures too. Don’t be scared, my little bird…”

Melanie felt an urge to drink. Still, she handed Olivia the glass. Olivia took it without expression and downed it in one gulp. Melanie was astonished, but Olivia remained composed, spinning the dagger in her other hand.

“Even kids know I’m scary. Why don’t grown-ups get it?”

It wasn’t a question; it was a sharp critique. She, too, had entered the Marchioness’s house through Harry Palmer.

Melanie’s father was a renowned baron’s butler, and thanks to her father, she had received an education befitting a noble family. That time had laid the foundation for her to become a maid in a prestigious noble family.

However, no matter how noble one may be, they cannot go beyond the rank of count. Melanie had gathered all her savings and handed them over to Harry Farmer.

Harry Palmer was a businessman. He told her to keep quiet about buying her maid position if she didn’t want it known.

Man or woman, child or adult, Harry Palmer controlled and manipulated people. Even Olivia wasn’t exempt. So, Melanie became smaller in his presence.

“This world is so devoid of human rights that it’s convenient. I could cut off those bastards’ hands and tongues right now and only get a warning.”

Melanie held her breath, listening quietly to Olivia. The subtle anger she exuded was more frightening than outright hostility.

“But that’s too merciful. I’m going to kill that bastard Harry Palmer after listing every one of his crimes. That way, even if I suddenly die one day, no one else will dare try the same thing. At least not in the Charbert family.”

Olivia picked up the wine bottle and poured herself another glass.

“Melanie Corbert?”

“Yes?”

Melanie was startled by the sudden mention of her full name.

“Your father worked as a butler for Baron William’s family, right?”

“Yes… that’s correct.”

Mentioning her family made Melanie tense. Olivia swirled the glass.

“So you know high society well, right?”

“Yes, I helped prepare tea parties.”

Olivia’s sunset-colored eyes moved smoothly. Despite their calm gaze, Melanie’s body tensed involuntarily.

“Melanie, listen carefully. I chose you because you seem quick-witted.”

“Yes.”

Melanie clasped her hands, sensing Olivia’s change in tone.

She was different from Ella. She wouldn’t stay on a sinking ship when the tides were turning.

“I’ve thought about it, and there’s no need for a complete overhaul. Assist me well in this upcoming trial. Then all social events in the Charbert house will be under Melanie Corbert’s jurisdiction.”

Melanie’s heart raced for a different reason now. Olivia seemed to think it was just because of the offer.

But it was a bit different. Deep down, Melanie genuinely felt that something was changing.

It was the pride her father had so emphasized—the pride of a butler and an aide.