Volume 2 Chapter 36
“In here…”
When I opened my eyes again, the scenery had changed to a luxurious hall, large enough to host a high-society ball, with exquisite goblets that only nobles would possess scattered throughout the room.
“I’ve dirtied the carpet, sorry.”
“…No matter, I’ll clean it later. Don’t worry about it.”
Our muddy footprints stained the red carpet laid on the floor, but the scythe-wielding maid gestured that it was not a big deal.
Undoubtedly, this place belonged to nobility.
Nobility… I hardly knew any, but if I had to guess…
A possibility flashed through my mind.
“My lady.”
The maid set down her scythe and respectfully bowed towards someone.
Descending from the villa-style double staircase was a chestnut-haired girl, undoubtedly one of the few nobles I had met.
“…Lady Christiana.”
Christiana Montefeltro.
“Anna~~~”
“Eh…”
She suddenly rushed over, and though I could have dodged, my fatigued state slowed my reaction. Despite my best efforts to avoid this calamity, I was gracefully knocked down.
“I’ve told you to call me Chris.”
“Lady Christiana, please don’t do this…”
“Anna’s scent…! Ah~ Ah~”
Ugh… she’s sniffing at my chest…
“This is… not okay! I haven’t had the chance to bathe today…”
“That’s even better… Wait!” Chris suddenly raised her head, her wine-red eyes sparkling, “Isn’t this the perfect opportunity to get the legendary, unwashed stockings Anna has been wearing all day?”
“Lady Christiana—”
“Call me Chris, maybe then I’ll reconsider my bad intentions.”
I was on the verge of tears. Higdelytha was utterly stunned, unable to keep up with the conversation.
Reluctantly, I complied with Chris’s request.
“…Understood, Lady Chris.”
“Say it again~”
“Lady Chris…”
“More affectionately~”
“Ugh… Lady Chris~”
Chris was thoroughly indulged, almost demanding the heavens to take her life away.
I seized the opportunity to escape from Chris’s clutches and straightened my disheveled clothes.
The maid named Nora stepped forward, expressionless, and wiped the drool from Chris’s mouth. Chris unabashedly laughed lecherously, devoid of any noble grace. Seeing Chris, I knew we were truly safe, but I felt my virtue was under greater threat.
And Nora, the scythe-wielding maid, she was definitely glaring at me…
“Anna… I’m a bit confused…”
It took Higdelytha a while to finally squeeze out a sentence.
“Ah, sorry about that. I’m Christiana Montefeltro. Nice to meet you. Since you’re a cute girl, you can call me Chris.”
“Chris… I’m Higdelytha, a Moon Elf from Midgard. Thank you for saving us.”
“You’re welcome. Saving Anna is like saving my wife~”
“Lady Chris, you sound like an uncle…”
By the way, Nora, the maid, looked like she was about to pounce on me. Was Chris really oblivious to this?
“Do you know her, Anna?”
“Yes… Lady Chris is the daughter of the Count of Montefeltro. I didn’t expect… that you would defy the Duke’s arrest warrant…”
As the Count’s daughter, Christiana had little chance of inheriting the title. However, as a direct vassal of the Duke of Borghese, the Count was obligated to assist when needed. By harboring Lily, it was akin to betraying the Duke.
I did know Chris, but seeking refuge with her meant bringing trouble to her doorstep. That’s why I never considered fleeing to her domain. Surprisingly, Chris had taken the initiative to shelter us.
This place must be the Barony of End, Chris’s only domain. Although she technically didn’t hold the baron title, as she was a daughter, her father gave little expectation of her managing a domain. Still, as a count, he had the authority to handle his territories. The Barony of End was a vacation spot for the Count, and he handed it over to his whimsical daughter.
Officially, the barony was still in the Count’s hands, but Chris was the actual manager.
“If Anna is in danger, how can I just stand by? Forget the Duke, even if the King orders me…”
“My lady, please mind your words.”
“Cough cough… You get the idea! Well done, Nora, you’ll get a reward tonight~”
Nora, who had been stern with me, blushed shyly in front of Chris, like a girl in love.
Wait… wasn’t Chris the only daughter of the Count? Who’s this sister she mentioned?
“Right, this is Nora, my head maid. Cute, isn’t she?”
Nora curtsied slightly, “Pleased to meet
you.”
But when greeting me, she immediately stiffened, seemingly deliberately unfriendly.
“Indeed… just the outfit is a bit…”
As a fellow maid, commenting on her risqué maid outfit was somewhat embarrassing.
I then learned a valuable lesson: some things are better left unsaid.
Chris glanced at Nora’s outfit, more decorative than practical, then at my more conservative maid attire, and suddenly smirked wickedly.
I had a very bad feeling about this.