Chapter 4: Familiar Hell
Nobody came to see her off. Only Vira, perhaps out of a sense of duty from the time spent together, or maybe she was simply ordered to do so, stood solemnly in front of the manor’s door. She clutched her old black cloak in front of her chest, trembling slightly as the raindrops touched the exposed skin of her hands whenever the occasional gust of wind would blow in her direction.
’She arrived alone, and she departs alone. Poor little princess. Perhaps it would have been more merciful to drown you right after your birth, just like a kitten.’
The maid observed Aideen attempting to ascend the carriage steps, akin to a deer observing its fawn struggling to walk for the first time. Nobody attempted to assist her, not even the knights dispatched by the royal family to escort her to the Temple. When the princess’ foot finally slipped on the wet wooden surface of the second step, Vira rushed just in time to provide the pitiful woman with her support.
Skillfully wrapping her sturdy arms around Aideen’s thin waist, Vira prevented her from tumbling into the puddle of dirty rainwater.
"Oh! Thank you!"
The princess promptly identified the person hugging her waist – Vira’s distinct scent, or rather her perfume, the one she had purchased during their last visit to the Capital’s shopping district, permeated through her cloak and mingled with her own scent and the refreshing aroma of the falling rain.
Vira initially contemplated issuing another reprimanding remark toward Aideen but swiftly changed her mind. After all, these were perhaps the last minutes, or even seconds, she would spend in her company, and scolding no longer seemed so crucial.
"Lady Aideen... Ugh, never mind! In the Temple, there will be no one to look after you the way I do, so please... Just try to look after yourself instead. Be careful."
Though she acknowledged that her lady would not witness it, Vira reluctantly curved her plump lips into a faint smile and gently patted Aideen on the back, offering a final display of genuine care before her departure.