Chapter 40 - 39 - Estelle Von Roseline History
Inside Duchess Adelheid Von Blutfeld’s master bedroom, I gazed at the walls filled with championship trophies from the Belfast Royal Tournament.
As I gazed at the trophies, I only saw one thing... Which is Duchess Adelheid Von Blutfeld, never lost in honorable duel.
I didn’t want to believe it, but that’s what happened.
The honorable duel between Master Reina and Duchess Adelheid Von Blutfeld ended in a satisfying victory, without any remorse after defeating her own daughter.
And why am I in the master bedroom of Duchess Adelheid Von Blutfeld?
That’s because I was brought into her room as a "reward".
My self-respect as a maid has been reduced to a mere object that can be used and discarded at any time; it’s truly disgusting.
To alleviate my boredom and wait for Duchess Adelheid Von Blutfeld to finish changing, I picked up one of the trophies engraved with the Duchess’s real name. The name she used before marrying Duke Adelheid Von Blutfeld and joining the Duke’s family.
"Estelle Von Roseline..."
"A name sounds beautiful as a elegant and deadly rose; it is no wonder that Duchess Adelheid Von Blutfeld can win hands down in every Belfast Kingdom sword tournament."
"She comes from one of the powerful military aristocratic families, huh?"
"The Duke’s taste in finding a wife is truly unique. Of the many elegant and graceful noble families, the Duke prefers a noble military family as a Duchess."
While observing the trophies neatly arranged on the wall, I noticed the year number engraved on the trophy.
From the smallest year to the largest year, it was a winning streak ever achieved by a young girl who was not a "Duchess", in that’s time.
"Is that unquestionable skill or the ability to protect herself so well what made the Duke interested in marrying... this noble girl?" I asked in a low voice and wiped the carved name before I saw a black shadow walking towards me from behind.
From the angle of the tall shadow and the heavy, trembling footsteps on the floor, it was footsteps coming from an adult.
Tap...
Tap...
"You have unusual thoughts for a little girl. Most people would think I’m crazy for marrying a noble girl who likes sword fighting, Liliana."
My questioning voice seemed to have reached the figure who had just entered Duchess Adelheid Von Blutfeld’s master bedroom. The deep, warm voice belonged to Duke Adelheid Von Blutfeld. I then placed the championship trophy on the wall and prepared to welcome the Duke who came to visit the master bedroom of Duchess Adelheid Von Blutfeld with graceful bow.
Since they are both nobles who respect each other’s privacy, they have a separated master bedroom containing their personal belongings.
Their main bedroom as husband and wife is elsewhere.
"Good afternoon, Duke Adelheid Von Blutfeld!" I said, bowing my head forward.
"Good afternoon too, Liliana. You don’t need to be so formal when it’s just the two of us. Seeing a little girl the same age as my daughter bowing to me... it feels strange to my heart. I won’t punish you for being so informal," said Duke Adelheid Von Blutfeld, which made me pull myself up to stand straight.
"Thank you, Duke. You are too kind to me, who is still an apprentice maid."
"A-Apprentice maid? Oh, yes, that’s right... I read the proposal about you wanting to work as apprentice maid to get a bedroom with your mother."
"Sorry for troubling Duke Adelheid Von Blutfeld with my troublesome request."
"It’s not a big deal for me. In fact, I should be the one apologizing because Reina always bothers you every day. As a parent who tries hard to raise her well, I always fail to control Reina, who is always... wild and out of control."
From the Duke’s tone, I could hear his fatigue and worry.
Taking care of a little girl who does not fully understand her nature and behavior is a big challenge for parents.
I, who had lived for quite a long time before possessing Liliana’s body, also felt that sense of worry.
"Uhm, I can’t comment much on that, Duke Adelheid Von Blutfeld."
"Recently... Master Reina did something disrespectful to Master Amagi. As a maid serving under the honor of the esteemed Duke Adelheid Von Blutfeld, that particular matter was resolved peacefully. Even though it happened because of Duchess Adelheid Von Blutfeld’s intervention..." I continued in a low voice.
The Duke just smiled a little after hearing my frank explanation.
"Well, that’s quite a good fate for Reina to only get a light punishment of an Honorary Duel. What do you think about that honorable duel, Liliana?"
A heavy question suddenly sounded in my ears; it was like a question that was testing me about something, but I didn’t know the context.
"If I may speak honestly, it was a pretty bad honorable duel for Master Reina," I replied, keeping my tone so as not to be rude to my Master.
"With Master Reina’s abilities still not fully developed, facing a tournament champion with a championship trophy like this... of course, it would be a one-sided match," I said while making a gesture that showed Duchess Adelheid Von Blutfeld’s championship trophy on the wall of her master bedroom.
Srreettt...
I vaguely saw the Duke’s uniform pulled back as if someone were pulling it from behind. My eyes immediately scanned the Duke’s strange folds and saw a pair of tiny hands pulling at his waist from behind.
Without moving to turn around and see the person hiding behind the Duke’s body, I could already guess that the small hand, that was Master Reina.
Even if it was a small hand that can be her younger brother, she would not be wearing a long-sleeved dress with ribbon lace like a noblewoman and standing beside the Duke.
My overly honest words may have hurt Master Reina’s feelings, who was hiding behind the Duke’s body.
The feeling of regret after losing to her own mother and losing the chance to have me completely... It seems, it has hurt Master Reina’s heart, and she took defensive mode behind her father’s body.
Similar to a little girl who is afraid of being scolded by her own mother after making a mistake.
"If only Master Reina had trained hard, I’m sure there would have been a chance to flip the outcome of that honorable duel."
"The problem is... Master Reina doesn’t like physical training, and it will dull Master Reina’s talents."
A faint smile etched on my face.
"I can accompany Master Reina to train in between my busy schedule as an apprentice maid."
"Uhh, which means... I will work even harder to receive training from the other maids."
"If only there was a training schedule that didn’t interfere with my apprentice maid’s training schedule, I would gladly accompany Master Reina to train."
The Duke understood my words well and nodded his head.
I spoke in an innocent tone and as much as possible "unaware" of the presence of Master Reina, who was hiding behind the Duke’s body.
"That’s a good idea," the Duke said, looking to his side.
"You will train well so you don’t lose to Mama again, right?"
"Reinaaa..."
With those gentle words, the Duke pulled Master Reina’s small hand that was attached to his waist.
The small, frowning face was visible.
Her red eyes looked listless.
The bruise on her cheek felt cute to the touch...
And it will eliciting a sweet squeal from her, cheeky and embarrassed smile...
"Pffftt!! So cute!"
Unconsciously, I smiled and laughed at seeing Master Reina’s messy appearance.
