Chapter 147
“Heueaam-“
Erika stretched and yawned. It had been quite a while since she became Veronica’s close attendant, and she had grown accustomed to it. Veronica still didn’t remember her promise or show her former self. But after just one disappointment, Erika was now completely a maid who followed Veronica’s every word.
Erika tapped her shoulder and approached Veronica’s bedroom as usual. Strangely, Veronica wanted Erika to come alone in the morning to wake her up. Though puzzled, Erika followed her wishes, and soon got used to it.
Click, Veronica’s door opened smoothly. The guest room, not far from the Crown Prince’s Palace, wasn’t as fancy or large as those used by the imperial family, but it was spacious and beautiful enough.
Erika familiarly placed the washing water on the table and approached her lady, who was asleep under the white covers on the bed.
“Veronica, it’s time to wake up- Kyaa!”
“Erikaa-“
The moment Erika placed her hand on Veronica’s shoulder, Veronica grabbed her hand and pulled her in. Caught off guard, Erika quickly ended up lying on the bed next to Veronica. She panicked and struggled, then froze. Her lady had simply raised her straight, white hand and embraced Erika.
She felt the warmth and softness of Veronica’s body. She heard Veronica’s languid voice, still soaked in sleep, sweetly in her ear. Erika felt her heart pound heavily.
“Wh-wh-why. W-why are you like this, my lady…….”
She stammered and finally whispered in a faint voice. Erika’s breath hitched slightly. She couldn’t stop trembling from the too-close contact.
“Hoo~”
“Hieeek! M-my lady!!”
Kihikihik. Veronica, who had just blown air into Erika’s ear, laughed playfully. Erika covered her ears and looked at Veronica with a tearful face. She is so beautiful today, without exception. That thought was a bonus.
“You, you granted my request before, right?”
“Yes? Yes, yes. Didn’t I?”
From her time as a maid in the Crown Prince’s Palace, Erika had unquestioningly done whatever Veronica asked. She had personally done the things Veronica found difficult to do openly. Even though Veronica didn’t usually associate with her, it was still good. As long as it was Veronica.
‘Still, she remembers this kind of thing. That’s a relief.’
Knowing that Veronica knew and remembered what she had done, Erika felt a surge of emotion.
“Yes, you wrote those people’s reports for them, right? To ruin that slave.”
“Ah.”
That matter. The heart that had been swelling in Erika’s chest cooled down again. That matter was, in Erika’s opinion, a failure.
She had used two clumsy servants to break the pride of that slave-born maid, but they had botched the job and even caught Marquis Amastos’ eye. It was something she wanted to hide. Of the countless things Erika had done, Veronica had picked out the one failure to ask about. Her mouth felt bitter.
“Yes. ……It was my doing.”
Erika stared blankly at Veronica, who had said that Erika had acted on her behalf. Veronica had never explicitly said so, and Erika had merely hovered around her, inferring her wishes and acting accordingly. Veronica had never said that it was her will. It was simply Erika’s own initiative, and Erika herself thought so too. It was her own initiative to somehow reach her again.
But now, Veronica was just smiling innocently, gently stroking Erika. As if praising her for a job well done. It was the touch of someone petting a well-behaved dog.
“Yes. You are devoted to ‘Veronica.’ Aren’t you? That’s why I called you.”
“…….”
This was a very strange thing to say. Erika just cautiously nodded. Even though Veronica was reaching out to her like this and acknowledging her achievements, she couldn’t shake off an awkward feeling in a corner of her heart.
‘Was Veronica-nim originally the kind of person who spoke like this?’
She couldn’t tell. No matter how much she thought about it, it didn’t feel right.
It was as if some other being had put on Veronica’s guise and was pretending to be her. Erika momentarily thought so and shook her head. That couldn’t be the case.
“Now, there’s another task for you.”
Veronica said this and placed a letter in Erika’s hand.
“Take this to the place I mentioned and bring back some things.”
“……Yes.”
I understand. Erika nodded, slightly dazed. Then, Veronica’s soft lips touched Erika’s cheek and parted. A fragrant rose scent lingered in the air.
‘Was Veronica the kind of person who would do this kind of thing?’
Erika asked herself. She couldn’t come up with an answer. If she wasn’t Veronica, then where was the real Veronica? So, that person had to be the real one.
Erika spent her time in a daze, not remembering how she answered or what kind of care she provided.
Only when she came to the waiting area after finishing all her duties did she regain her senses. She said she wasn’t feeling well and briefly returned to her room.
Once alone, Erika took out the letter she had put in her skirt pocket.
{ Go inside Herick Street and find someone. If you keep going, you’ll see a blind beggar begging. If you throw this coin there, they will guide you. Give this letter to the person you meet there. Can you do it? }
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.