I’m Reincarnated In Otome Game?

Randy realized that the woman he saved was Elizabeth. Even if he'd wanted to abandon the trouble, he couldn't just leave her in the Demon Forest — especially not two women alone. So he ended up bringing both of them back to town in his carriage.

They encountered no monster attacks on the way, arriving smoothly by early afternoon in the capital of Victor's Territory. Their destination was a small, old mansion on a hill above the small town.

Randy literally tumbled out of the carriage in front of the mansion as it raced down the deserted main streers.

Randy glanced at Elizabeth, who was still unconscious. He hesitated to carry her.

"You've already carried her through the forest anyway" Harrison pointed out.

"Yeah, yeah," Randy muttered, grimacing, then whispered to Elizabeth, "Emergencies don't count," and hoisted her onto his shoulder.

"Why on your shoulder?" Harrison asked.

"Carrying her like a princess would be… problematic."

"Honestly, this seems worse."

Ignoring Harrison's disapproval, Randy carried Elizabeth to the mansion.

"Its Randolph Victor, I'm home." he announced.

The sight of him with a young lady slung over his shoulder sent the entire mansion into an uproar — he practically looked like a kidnapper. 

Leaving Harrison to handle the panicking maids, Randy strode through inside, assuring people along the way that everything was fine, and quickly reached the more luxurious of the two guests room.

"I'd like to let her rest… uh…"

"Rita, at your service."

He asked Rita, a brown-haired maid, to prepare a bed, and with the help of other maids, Elizabeth was soon settled in. 

Watching her slow, steady breathing, Randy felt sure she was only asleep.

"Now then… still so much thing I don't understand…"

Why had she been in that state? What was Elizabeth's transformation in the forest?

Wanting to get some clarity, Randy sat in a chair beside the bed. 

Elizabeth lay there, breathing softly, showing no signs of being possessed or affected by anything.

If only I could get some answers…

He thought of asking Rita but noticed the maids watching him from the doorway, staring intently. Randy frowned and asked, "What Is It?"

"…Young Master. We'd like to change the young lady's clothes now."

Seeing their suspicious looks, Randy gave a sheepish smile and got up. 

Elizabeth's dress was torn, revealing patches of pale, porcelain-like skin. It was indeed not suitable for her to remain like that.

"I'll leave it to you."

With that, he left the room, stepping out just as the maids entered.

"Young Master…"

"Keith?" Randy greeted the old steward of the Victor family, which was easily recognizable by his distinguished beard and monocle. 

Though frail-looking, his demeanor was sharp, with the bearing of a seasoned master.

"That young lady…?"

"Elizabeth von Blauvelt… A Marquis' daughter from Alexandria," Randy replied with a shrug. "So the rumors are true…" Keith mused, stroking his chin. Evidently, news of her exile had reached even here.

"She brought almost nothing with her, no retainer except for one maid, no proper escort… unless you count those rogue 'guards,'" Randy said, leaning against the wall with a sigh. Keith silently regarded the door, his gaze sharp.

"They intended for her to die… or even planned to kill her," he observed. Randy scowled, feeling disgusted.

A marquis' daughter should have had guards or at least proper retainers for a journey like this. Instead, she had only one maid with no prior warning given to their territory. Even if exiled, procedures should have been followed. Her being sent this way suggested the kingdom had no intention of her safe return.

"How troublesome does this go, do you think?"

"…I'm not sure. We should consult the Viscount," Keith replied.

Randy nodded just as the door to the guest room opened, and a maid inside gave him an "all clear" sign. Parting ways with Keith, Randy entered the room to find Elizabeth, now dressed in a nightgown, peacefully asleep. Rita and several maids stood by her side. Randy gave a slight nod to the mansion's maids.

"Thanks for your hard work."

"Not at all. We were glad for something to do."

"Good. I appreciate it; you're dismissed for now."

With a polite bow, the maids exited, leaving Rita staring at him, wide-eyed.

"What? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Uh, it's just… unusual to hear someone thank a maid."

Then a soft, bell-like voice spoke from the bed.

"My lady!"

"Don't worry," Elizabeth said, lifting a hand to calm her worried maid before sitting up slowly.

"First, let me thank you…"

"Randolph. Randolph Victor. This is the Highland Duchy, in the Victor Viscountcy… and I am, technically, the heir."

　Randy, using his formal words and gestures, bowed deeply, to which Elizabeth responded with a graceful bow of her own.

"Lord Randolph. You are the savior of both my life and my dignity."

"Please, raise your head."

Randolph knelt to be lower than Elizabeth, realizing that this level of formality might be uncomfortable for her. Seeing his gesture, Elizabeth looked up with a slightly troubled expression, and asked if he would sit instead. Though somewhat reluctant, Randy saw that they couldn't have a conversation this way, so he begrudgingly took a seat.

(Well, this is a bit of a predicament…)

As their gazes met, Randy forced a polite smile and a slight nod.

Taking a seat was fine, but there wasn't really anything he could directly ask Elizabeth. He couldn't very well inquire, "What were you doing in a place like that?" to a highborn lady. 

This was why he'd wanted to question Rita before Elizabeth woke up… but now that she was awake, that chance was gone.

Since he couldn't ask directly, and Elizabeth wasn't likely to offer up information on her own, Randy finally stood from his chair, concluding there was nothing he could do for the moment.

"At any rate, I'm glad to see you've regained consciousness. I'll arrange a bath for you right away—"

Just as he reached for the door, Elizabeth's curious voice stopped him. "Aren't you going to ask me anything?"

Randy paused with his hand on the door, turning back with a practiced smile. "About what, exactly?"

She was likely referring to her exile, but Randy wasn't dense enough to press on such a delicate matter.

"I'm afraid I'm not very good with questions when it comes to ladies," he said with a charming smile. Strangely, Rita seemed to wince slightly at this, but Randy ignored it and turned back to the door.

"Then, may I ask you something?"

He turned once more, shrugging as he returned to his seat. "Ask away."

Elizabeth, for the first time, gave a small smile.

"Why do you thank your maids?"

"Oh, is that all?"

Thinking he'd be hearing something more substantial, Randy let his shoulders drop noticeably. Although to him it might seem like a minor matter, in this world it wasn't something trivial. 

Nobles were expected to maintain clear hierarchies, to ensure that commoners respected them and that relationships between employers and servants remained well-defined.

In noble society, it was unusual—and even considered improper—to thank maids or other servants.

But for Randy, who had lived a previous life, this custom meant little. There was a saying in his former world: "The fuller the rice, the lower they bow."

Though Randy's manner was rough around the edges, he believed that expressing gratitude was essential.

After carefully explaining this philosophy to Elizabeth in even more courteous terms, Randy felt exhausted.

(Honestly, I'd rather be fighting a monster in the forest.)

Yet, he couldn't help but be slightly impressed as he watched Elizabeth's thoughtful expression. Though he'd initially assumed she was a typical aristocrat, she seemed willing to listen to others.

Indeed, she turned to Rita and…

"Rita, thank you for everything you've done."

…bowed deeply to her maid. Rita, taken aback, fumbled in response, while Randy found himself feeling a slight interest in this woman named Elizabeth. Only a little, though.

Feeling his role was complete, Randy stood once more and reached for the door.

"You're really not going to ask, are you?"

Elizabeth's words stopped him again, and he turned back with a cheerful smile. 

"No."

"Even if I told you that I am no longer part of the marquis' family… that there's no need to hold back or speak so formally?"

Elizabeth looked at him without a change in expression, her icy poise earning her the title of "Ice Princess." Wanting to see her expression break just a little, Randy flashed a mischievous grin.

"Not to be insistent, but the only thing I'd be interested in asking you about is your measurements."

As Elizabeth and Rita stared at him in surprise, Randy grinned slyly.

"If you'd tell me that, I'd be all ears."

Elizabeth's face flushed, and Randy, enjoying her reaction, returned to his formal demeanor and bowed deeply.

"My sincerest apologies. Please, forget my jest."

Leaving the guest room, Randy exhaled and gestured to the door behind him.

"If you would, please help the young lady with her bath."

"Leave it to us! We'll make sure she's spotless!"

The two maids flexed their arms and hurried down the hall to gather supplies, while Randy watched them go, sighing.

"Young Master… The Viscount is requesting your presence."

"Oh, right. That too."