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Lily’s expression seemed more serious than usual. She kept opening her mouth and then closing it, repeating the action.

Whenever study time came, Lily pretended to listen, but I could feel her eyes on me. All her focus seemed to be directed towards me, even if I didn’t look.

What was even more intriguing was that whenever she asked a question, she would provide all the correct answers. After this happened several times, I subtly tested her by asking about something I hadn’t taught her, but she still gave a perfect response.

She was a genius. Lily truly was a genius.

Perhaps she had gone through all the books here because there wasn’t much else to do before I arrived.

It was possible. She quickly mastered the initial games we played together, defeating me. Moreover, despite my confidence in chess, I had never won against her. And she was only 8 years old!

From the beginning, it was explained that magical talent in games was unparalleled in history.

So, without much thought, I spoke, but Lily seemed shocked by my words and remained in that state.

It might have been because of the word “lie.” Lily had asked me not to lie to her.

However, Lily hadn’t revealed much to me until now. I knew that. The Lily before me was different from the one in the game. No, she was special. But that was to be expected.

Games and reality were clearly different. Games followed given commands, but reality was distinct.

The Lily in front of me was undeniably real. She had experienced things beyond what the game showed, and her emotional wounds were likely deeper than I could imagine.

That’s why.

Reaching out my hand, I embraced Lily, who was pondering how to speak.

Even though games and reality were different, she was still Lily. Both worlds offered comfort in similar ways.

I held Lily close to my, or rather Amelia’s, broad chest. Lily’s stiff body had softened without us realizing.

As I caressed Lily, an important piece of information suddenly came to mind. Lily was 8 years old now, and she would awaken to magic at the age of 10, meeting her magic mentor, Camilla.

I distinctly recalled her saying, “I wish I had met you earlier. It’s a shame.”

I felt like I should set aside time to go out with Lily. Whether she was in this city right now, I wasn’t sure.

While contemplating how to meet Camilla, Lily broke the silence and said, “Later.”

“Yes…?”

“I’ll tell you everything later.”

Gently embracing me with her small hands, Lily spoke in a soft, adorable voice.

Her gesture felt incredibly lonely.

“Alright. Please make sure to tell me later. Okay?”

No more words were necessary. I carefully suggested we stop studying, stood up while still holding Lily, knowing it was a bit early but preparing for a bath.

Although I bathed every day, I never quite got used to it. Lily had shed her previous gloominess and was now looking at me as she swiftly removed her clothes.

Taking off the maid attire was always a bit challenging, whether putting it on or taking it off, due to its complexity. However, attire was crucial in this era, so it was worth the effort.

First, I untied the hairnet holding her hair. As her long blonde hair cascaded down to her waist, I felt a sense of liberation for some reason.

After tidying up the hairnet and placing it in the basket, I started arranging her hair when Lily scrutinized my hair intently.

“Amelia.”

“Yes?”

“Do I have to wear the hairnet?”

“If not, won’t your hair fall on the floor?”

“It’s fine.”

“Should I clean it up then?”

“It’s fine.”

“Okay, I understand.”

I shouldn’t indulge her every time, but looking into those large, pleading eyes of Lily, how could I refuse?

With those big, pleading eyes fixed on me, how could I possibly say no?

Should I add frills like a maid outfit?

First, let’s start with a bath. After removing the towel on my arm and taking off the apron and long skirt, I undressed my shirt, feeling the cool breeze all over my body.

I want to bathe quickly.

Normally, I should remove my stockings first, but I decided to take off this darn corset first. As I untied the knots, my chest, which had been tightly bound, relaxed.

After untying all the laces and removing the corset, I took off my underwear as well, stripping down completely.

Everything else is fine, but the corset is definitely uncomfortable. Although I’ve gotten somewhat used to it now, the feeling of constriction is still unpleasant.

Even if I don’t want to wear it, Amelia insists that I must wear it without fail, so I continue to do so.

Still, wearing the corset has its advantages. It does make my shoulders feel a bit more comfortable.

Right now, my chest is large. Very large. In reality, it’s probably at least a G cup size, making my shoulders quite sore. The corset does help alleviate it somewhat.

After undressing completely, I entered the bathhouse with Lily.

Although Lily initially said she didn’t need help with her bath, she now helps me with mine. It seems like there’s some ulterior motive, but as she’s just a child, I don’t question it and let her attend to my body.

She diligently washes me with her small hands, which is incredibly cute to watch.

Once my body is clean, we both get into the tub together. The hot water soothes my entire body.

Lily uses my chest as a pillow and relaxes against it. After a while, she starts touching my body affectionately.

Is it because she grew up without a mother? She seems to be quite fixated on bodies.

After bathing, it’s time to sleep.

We lie down on the large bed. Perhaps not satisfied with just touching me in the bathroom, Lily starts snuggling up to me on the bed.

Eventually, she climbs onto my body, sometimes mistaking me for part of the bed as she tries to get comfortable.

– Jumul.

It seems like she’ll have a hard time falling asleep today.

==

“Yes?”

“You’re not allowed to bring meat today.”

“Why? Why can’t I suddenly bring meat?”

“Madam Helena has given orders not to offer meat in the annex.”

Since it was the day to go to the main house, I woke Lily up early in the morning and helped her change into her maid attire before coming to my room where my belongings were stored. I covered Lily with the nightgown she was wearing while sleeping.

Then, pondering what ingredients to bring today, I went to the main kitchen and heard something unexpected.

Meat was prohibited from being brought.

Helena. The wife of Estelle’s Lord Essex, Lily’s father. The foolish Essex is like a scarecrow lord being led around by Helena. It’s unbelievable that Lily’s father is such a fool.

Helena never liked Lily from the beginning. She thinks it’s inevitable. Lily is the child born from her husband having an affair with another woman.

But Helena’s actions towards Lily clearly crossed the line.

Essex took pity and took Lily in when her birth mother died, but that was about it. Despite knowing that Lily was being tormented by Helena, he just turned a blind eye.

I didn’t know when I first started playing. I just thought the Estelle family was poor, going through tough times. That’s what I thought.

But it was all because Helena cut off their support forcibly.

Thus, Helena carried out bold actions, using the foolish Essex as her pawn.

She isolated Lily thoroughly, covering up all her actions towards Lily, ultimately leading to Lily’s execution.

I can’t figure out what to do with that woman. For now, since Lily and I have no power, we have to endure with tears in our eyes.

I looked at the head chef with the most sympathetic expression I could muster.

A strategy to evoke as much sympathy as possible from the burly, muscular head chef.

However, it was impossible. Without any response, he just reached out towards the warehouse where the vegetables were.

“Damn bastard.”

I knew since the last time he called Lily that way. I won’t talk to that guy again.

Muttering to himself, he entered the warehouse where the vegetables were. Still, it was fortunate that he could eat something like this.

As soon as he entered the warehouse, a refreshing coolness greeted him. The sweat shed on the way to the main building quickly disappeared. As expected, there was a large wooden box next to the entrance of the warehouse today as well.

They always prepared a large wooden box for me to take. It’s not bad when you see things like this, but still.

“Huh? What’s this cloth?”

Today, strangely, a new white cloth was placed inside the wooden box. Looking up, something was under the cloth.

He listened carefully.

There were meats. And even a small note.

Opening the note to check, it was a note from the head chef.

[Sorry. There are many eyes watching, so I had no choice but to do this. I will try to prepare the meat as much as possible, but I don’t think I can give it to you every time you come.]

I should give T some time. Thank you, Head Chef. Sorry for doubting.

Indeed, the head chef of the Estelle family.

Quickly filling the box with vegetables to make it look like no one saw, I carried the box out and bowed my head in gratitude to the head chef.

Then the head chef’s face blushed slightly.

“Oh…”

Honestly, it gave me chills.

Could it be because he provided the meat… I shivered for a moment and hurried to the detached house where Lily was.

We need Lily’s power.

But what if the meat supply becomes difficult…