Chapter 47: From Essil to Emilia (2)

“Return to Emilia… prepare? W-wait a second. The brief freedom Duvell left behind…? What do you mean by that…?”

At Emilia’s anxious gaze, Rosel let out a quiet sigh before speaking.

He hoped that she wouldn’t be greatly shocked. He hoped that the wound, now scabbing over, wouldn’t reopen.

“…Duvell died after attacking Brikal. Brikal is now in critical condition, having lost one eye, ear, and arm. The High Priest couldn’t guarantee when he would wake up.”

“…What?”

Emilia clamped her mouth shut in disbelief at Duvell’s unexpected end, freezing in place.

The ominous feeling she had sensed from Duvell’s back had turned out to be true. That forlorn and subdued figure had bid its final farewell.

“Ah… how… could he…?”

“It wasn’t for you. It was simply the result of his hatred for Brikal and his contempt for himself. Don’t be too disheartened.”

Rosel spoke gently to calm Emilia down.

It was the truth, and though that truth likely carried some form of atonement for Emilia, Rosel framed it as Duvell’s self-imposed punishment.

This was to prevent Emilia from feeling any futile sense of guilt about Duvell’s death.

He himself would bear the guilt of Duvell’s end.

“Duvell met his end following his beliefs as a knight. His end was of little consequence to you, so don’t be too saddened. After all, he betrayed you as well, didn’t he?”

Emilia silently walked over to the window and looked up at the clear sky.

She felt sad.

Though he had pointed a sword at her, she knew it was something he couldn’t disobey as a royal guard bound by the king’s orders.

Though it had pained her at the time, she now understood. After all, her master Rosel was here, helping her heal.

Had he left in such an empty way because of the atonement for that day’s choice?

She felt resentment toward him for suddenly leaving behind just a diary.

He should have at least said a proper farewell.

Though she didn’t blame him for the sword that day, the end he had chosen was something she resented today.

What remains when one dies? She thought it would have been better had Duvell lived and sought atonement.

She resented the man who had left without a trace.

Yet, despite her sadness, no tears came.

The ominous feeling she had already sensed had made the shock somewhat easier to bear.

And she knew her master would not want her to cry over his end.

If it had been a final choice made out of atonement, offering a prayer for his soul was the most respectful way to say goodbye.

Emilia clasped her hands together and closed her eyes.

“Please… go to a good place, Master.”

With that, Emilia closed the chapter on her bond with Duvell through her silent prayer.

Though he had been one of the people who had helped her become a hero over several months of close companionship, it saddened her to mark the end.

But once a carriage leaves, one doesn’t look back.

And as her master had said, if Duvell had left her with freedom, it would be more respectful to move forward, rather than mourning that freedom.

Above all, since her master did not want sorrow, Emilia simply gazed at the distant horizon with a heavy heart.

“…Are you okay, Emilia?”

Rosel asked worriedly from behind her.

But after a moment, Emilia turned around and smiled, easing his concerns.

And he thought.

The scab on a wound protected the new skin growing beneath it like a solid shield.

And he was truly relieved.

“…I’m fine, Master.”

At Emilia’s smile, Rosel couldn’t help but return a warm smile.

Knock knock knock.

“Oh, it seems someone’s here.”

Someone knocked at Emilia’s door, and when Rosel opened it, Zicel entered with a neatly folded dress and a vest in her hands.

She also held several hairpins.

“Master, as you ordered, everything is prepared.”

“Well done, Zicel.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Then please take good care of Emilia. I need to step out for a moment to fetch something.”

“Yes, Master.”

Emilia, having put aside her resentment toward Duvell and holding onto her longing, gazed blankly at Rosel.

“Master…?”

“Didn’t I say? It’s time for you to prepare to return to Emilia. Zicel will restore you to the Emilia of that day.”

“Master…”

The mention of returning to the Emilia of that day caused Emilia to make a complex expression.

It felt awkward and unfamiliar.

To return to that time.

It had been so long that she had almost erased the memories of that day.

Now it felt strange.

It didn’t feel real.

She hadn’t imagined it.

She had thought her life would forever be dim after the horrors of the underground prison.

She had never dared to dream of returning as the Hero Emilia.

Her dream had been too great for a s*ave to ever hope for.

But now, that dream was about to come true.

Of course, removing her s*ave clothes and changing her hairstyle didn’t mean she would immediately become Hero Emilia again, but the process was about to begin.

That thought made Emilia feel a little fearful.

She had felt deeply how hope could turn to despair, and now she feared that the growing hope with Rosel might once again become despair.

Fearing that it might all fall apart.

The higher the hope, the deeper the despair becomes.

Rosel, sensing that fear, approached and took Emilia’s hand.

“Master…”

“Do not fear. I have sworn an oath. I will protect you with my life.”

“Y-You swore an oath…? To whom…?”

Like a knight swears to their lord, an oath is a promise made to someone, so Emilia asked curiously.

“I swore it to Roden. He asked me to protect you at all costs.”

“Ah… Roden…?”

It might sound absurd that a duke swore an oath to a commoner named Roden, but Emilia knew Rosel was not someone who would make light of such matters.

And knowing that Roden was an extraordinary man, she could sense the genuine warmth in his words.

With that, Emilia decided to gather her courage.

“…I’ll try, Master.”

“Let’s take it step by step, like climbing a staircase. As you climb, you’ll eventually reach the real you.”

Yes.

Climbing the staircase on her own would be best, but since she was already broken to the point of having her legs amputated, Rosel intended to carry her if needed, climbing alongside her.

And together, they would reach the destination of salvation.

“Then, I’ll head out now.”

“Yes, Master.”

Rosel gently stroked Emilia’s hand with his thumb before letting go and leaving the room.

He had something to retrieve. After all, Duvell had left more than just a diary.

“Then, let’s begin. Emilia.”

“…Please, just call me casually, Zicel.”

There had never been a command to call her “Emilia” from Essil before. However, Zicel addressed her that way.

She would call her Essil when leaving the mansion, but inside the house, she wanted to show respect by using a more formal title.

It was simply a gesture to support her respected lord’s desire for Emilia’s recovery.

There was no other meaning behind it.

Well… Emilia did feel somewhat like a daughter to her.

Zicel neatly laid the dress out on the table and spoke.

“It’s fine. This is more comfortable.”

Though the name and title had been familiar before she was betrayed, for some reason, Emilia now felt burdened by them.

But she didn’t refuse again.

She would have to get used to this burden and awkwardness from now on.

“Shall we take your clothes off now?”

“…Y-Yes, yes. I’m nervous…”

“Don’t worry. It’s a comfortable dress.”

Emilia had undressed several times before, preparing for a shower.

But this time was different.

It wasn’t just a simple change of clothes; it felt like a shedding of old skin, like a snake shedding its old shell.

She was casting off the old s*ave garments and about to wear new ones, as though a new life was beginning.

With that, Emilia felt a nervous, unfamiliar excitement mixed with fear.

She slowly removed her top and then her lower garments.

Zicel, somewhat surprised, glanced at her upper body and quickly looked away.

“W-What’s wrong?”

Emilia lowered her head, wondering if something was wrong, but saw nothing.

“Ah… I-I didn’t know… you are quite well-endowed, Emilia.”

“A-Ah… no, it’s nothing.”

“You’re as beautiful as your figure. I thought a more dazzling dress would suit you, but Master Rosel mentioned you might not be ready for something too extravagant, so I prepared this simple one instead.”

Zicel didn’t hold back her praise.

As they say, praise can make even a whale dance.

And there was no denying that Emilia truly had a remarkable figure.

Long, slender legs, a toned abdomen, a narrow waist, delicate shoulders and neck, and slender wrists and ankles—her body seemed sculpted by a master craftsman.

Zicel couldn’t help but stare in awe.

“I-I’m… embarrassed…”

“I-I’m sorry. I’ve never seen such a beautiful figure before, so I was taken aback. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“Rudeness? No… it’s fine. W-Should I put it on now?”

Regaining her composure, Zicel helped Emilia into the white dress.

It was a simple dress commonly worn by commoners, with a vest over it.

Unlike the ostentatious dresses of nobles, it was a more practical choice, complete with pockets in the vest.

“Ugh…!”

“Huff…!”

Because of Emilia’s well-developed chest, the vest’s top wouldn’t close.

She tried holding her breath, but the more she did, the more her chest swelled, and eventually, Zicel, sweating profusely, declared defeat.

It was the first time in 30 years of service that she had given up.

She hadn’t properly estimated the chest size when measuring the clothes for the s*ave garments.

Moreover, during the previous bath with Lady Celia, she hadn’t been able to see it.

“Ha… This type of vest won’t work. Just a moment, Emilia.”

“Ah, yes, yes…”

Emilia lowered her head in guilt, feeling as though her chest was making things harder for Zicel.

However, as Zicel briefly left the room, Emilia raised her head upon seeing her reflection in the full-length mirror that suddenly appeared.

“Y-You’re beautiful…”

It was just an ordinary dress, without any patterns or lace, but it was incredibly beautiful.

And she felt overwhelmed with emotion.

She never imagined she would wear such a dress again.

Not as a sexual s*ave for her master’s pleasure, but as a human being, she was wearing a dress again. Even this simple dress was deeply moving for her.

She was so grateful.

For her master, who had given her this happiness.

“Thank you… Master… truly.”

Emilia spun around slightly, making the hem of the dress flutter.

Zicel, who had entered the room, watched her with a pleased smile.

“Your figure and beauty are so remarkable that even such an ordinary dress looks more beautiful than any high-end dress.”

“Ah…!”

Not realizing Zicel was watching, Emilia was swaying in the dress, and she gasped, her face turning bright red with embarrassment.

She felt shy.

It felt like she had done something wrong.

“Ah, th-that is…”

“As a woman…?”

Liking dresses is natural for a woman, right?”

It was fine.

Her face, bright red like a tomato, Emilia repeated Zicel’s words.

As a woman, that natural statement felt strangely unfamiliar.

She had momentarily forgotten that she was a ‘woman.’

In her life as a s*ave, the word “woman” didn’t fit her identity.

In other words, she had forgotten that she was a person too.

“…Why are you like this?”

Emilia, with a slightly moved expression, was fidgeting with the neck part of the dress when Zicel, holding the vest, asked.

“No… It’s just awkward because I’m wearing a dress…”

“Oh, I see.”

Zicel smiled lightly.

For her entire life as a servant, Zicel had always worked hard to hide her emotions.

The noble household was more like a battlefield than a home.

Everything there was a matter of survival, so Zicel had lived with controlled emotions. That was how she met the nobleman Rosel.

And until Emilia arrived, she had faithfully carried out her duties with a cold, cynical face. But now, she was smiling.

She had realized that in Rosel’s mansion, which felt more like a home than a battlefield, she no longer needed to think about ‘surviving.’

No, in truth, she had already been feeling this way, but she had stubbornly clung to her old habits.

“Even if it feels awkward, you’re still very beautiful. I can’t wait to dress you in even more beautiful clothes.”

“Thank you…”

“Now, shall we try on the vest?”

“Yes.”

Emilia opened her arms, and Zicel helped her into the vest.

Due to Emilia’s generous chest, the vest Zicel brought was designed with a deep cut in the chest area and could be fastened by just a bottom button.

“Hm, this one is perfect.”

“Ah, um… Isn’t it a bit too revealing?”

Emilia, feeling shy, glanced down at her chest, her head tilted back as she adjusted her hair behind her ear.

Zicel tightened the waist strap of the vest and said,

“Not at all. Thanks to your pure beauty, it doesn’t look revealing. It suits you perfectly.”

“R-Really…?”

“Of course. Now, please sit in the chair. I’ll trim your messy hair and tie it up nicely.”

With her lovely commoner attire now complete, Emilia smiled softly and sat in the chair.

Zicel, standing behind her, used the grooming techniques she had honed as a servant to refine Emilia’s lost appearance.

“…You’re truly beautiful. The title of ‘peerless beauty’ truly suits you, Emilia.”

After trimming her messy hair, smoothing it out, and doing her basic makeup, Zicel couldn’t help but admire Emilia.

The beauty Emilia displayed now was incomparable to any noblewoman she had ever groomed before. Her face once again bloomed with radiance.

“Ah, you’re too kind…”

Emilia, feeling awkward, couldn’t help but glance at her reflection in the mirror, unsure of what to do.

And so, that day, the true Emilia came alive once again in the mirror.