episode_0145

With one hand placed on her chest, Ms. Veleren elegantly and politely gestured before leaning back on the single-seater sofa across from us.

The mansion’s servant, Mari, naturally brought another teacup and set it in front of her, pouring tea for her.

“Thank you for your hard work, Mari. I will take care of the remaining tasks, so please rest for today.”

Ms. Veleren issued her dismissal to Mari.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Dinner is still pending… ”

Mari hesitated slightly in her response. Her eyes seemed to question whether she could eat properly without her presence.

“I will handle it. Please don’t worry and go rest.”

“…If you insist. Yes, then I will take my leave now. Lady Esther.”

However, an employee cannot refuse their employer’s command.

As Veleren firmly issued her dismissal once again, Mari, seemingly resigned, bowed slightly in acknowledgment before retreating outside the reception room.

Not long after, the mansion’s main door creaked open with a noise echoing down the corridor.

It seemed Mari’s residence was not within this mansion.

It appeared she employed a local resident as a commuting housekeeper for money.

– Click.

“…Let me introduce myself again. Nice to meet you for the first time. Sir Sigfried of Line. And… Mr. Brünhilde, correct?”

After the entrance that had quietly opened shut again, Veleren, who had just sipped her tea, looked at me and initiated conversation.

“Yes. Knight of Line, Brünhilde.”

“I have heard everything about you from him. You wish to borrow my daughter’s name for a temporary undercover identity.”

Her tone was stern.

The initial smile during our first greeting was nowhere to be found; instead, there was an undertone of hostility and reluctance in her voice. Even her blue gaze felt cold and detached.

“Well, um… yes.”

I nodded hesitantly.

Well, thinking about it, it would be a natural reaction. After all, declaring your intention to use the identity of someone’s missing daughter suddenly.

Which parent would readily accept that?

Honestly, the fact that I didn’t receive a straightforward dismissal alone was commendable, given how polite and gentle her response was.

“If I may clarify, it wasn’t me who chose your daughter for the undercover identity, but Lord Argantir…”

“I am aware. It was written in his letter of introduction.”

A sharp reply. I was left speechless, unable to respond. Her manner did not allow for further discussion.

“You had no choice. I understand. So, you don’t need to worry about it.”

Well, even if she says that…

“…Yes.”

I replied quietly, bowing my head, indicating my understanding but showing reluctance to fully accept it.

…No, honestly, how can I not worry when I’m blatantly expressing discomfort? Is it even possible not to be concerned?

Both conscience and anxiety were pressing heavily, making it impossible to calm down.

“…Sigh.”

Watching me in such a state for a while, Veleren shook her head and let out a deep sigh.

It was a sigh akin to a lament.

“…Please raise your head. I realize I haven’t been very mature. Let me apologize for my rudeness.”

Then, lowering her face again, Veleren looked straight at me. There was no trace of the previous hostility in her eyes.

Rather than erasing the animosity completely, it was more like she had suppressed it perfectly, but even that alone improved the atmosphere significantly.

“No, I should be the one apologizing. My request was undoubtedly impolite, so it’s only natural for you to feel uncomfortable.”

Mixed with humility, her apology was sincere enough to offer a handshake.

“…The contents written in the introduction letter seem a bit different.”

Veleren murmured, looking down at the hand I extended.

“Why are you saying that based on what was written in the introduction…?”

I asked, tilting my head. I wondered what kind of evaluation Argantir had given me to elicit such a response.

“…It’s better not to know.”

This time, Veleren avoided my gaze. It was an attitude that he simply couldn’t reveal due to conscience.

What’s going on?

Why would Argantir react like this based on whatever he wrote about me…?

The doubt deepened further. In the end, I couldn’t hear the answer until the end.

◆◆

“For now, I understand what you and His Excellency desire from me. To be honest, it’s a demand that is truly hard to accept…”

Veleren, back to the point, tapped the armrest of the sofa with his fingertips and sighed.

“Ah… It’s really a difficult situation. Even if I hadn’t owed His Excellency a great debt, I would have firmly refused… but I can’t do that.”

Come to think of it, Argantir had said something like that. Veleren Estelle must have owed him a significant debt, so he couldn’t refuse his request.

I don’t know what debt she owed, but judging by the reaction, it seemed like it wasn’t just a minor issue.

“I never thought that the debt from back then would come back like this…”

Veleren let out another light sigh, speaking under his breath.

“Indeed, His Excellency Argantir surely knows nothing about human emotions.”

Indeed. I also think so.

If Argantir had even an ounce of compassion, he wouldn’t have even considered creating a fake daughter for Ms. Veleren.

It’s akin to shouting at parents who lost a child to just have another one.

Only a heartless psychopath without blood or tears could come up with and carry out such an idea.

“Ah…”

Veleren sighed for a while, sipping his tea. Whether his head hurt or not, he held his forehead with one hand as if to support it.

Feeling a slight sense of guilt and burden in my heart, I drank only tea without any purpose.

During this time, Freide, without touching the teacup, just leaned against my left arm as if marking her territory.

Of course, it was a meaningless gesture. Veleren seemed too preoccupied to even notice Freide’s actions.

Time passed as we finished our cups of tea.

And finally, after much contemplation, Veleren spoke again.

“If you happen to meet His Excellency later, please convey this message. Consider the debt fully repaid with this.”

“If that’s the case…”

The debt has been fully repaid. Though he said it politely, the meaning was clear. He would allow me to impersonate his daughter.

“…Yes. I agree. There are a few conditions, though.”

Veleren furrowed his eyebrows slightly, nodded his head, and then presented me with several conditions.

Avoid contact with the villagers as much as possible.

I will not tolerate any actions that tarnish the reputation and honor of the Estelle family.

If Argantir ever finds the ‘real Fernehilde,’ change your disguise immediately.

While it’s fine outside, please refrain from calling me ‘Mother’ inside the house.

These were conditions worth mentioning as the mother of Fernehilde, so I pledged to accept them without any objections.

…Oh, no. There was one thing I needed to ask.

“It’s a bit of an impolite question, but how should I address you inside the mansion? Should I call you Madam Veleren…?”

“…Madam?”

For a moment, Lady Veleren’s eyebrows twitched slightly, and she gave me a sharp look.

What’s wrong? Is there an issue with the title ‘Madam’? I thought it was a respectful term used for a married middle-aged woman…?

“Call me Lady Veleren.”

Lady Beloren commanded firmly, instructing to simply call her ‘Kyung’ without any further ado.

It was a tone that exuded an immense intangible pressure.

“……”

Frida mumbled quietly, her lips barely parting.

– The lady’s trying hard.

Her tiny mouth moved so quickly that it was hard to make out what she was saying, but it seemed like some sort of rough comment at first glance.

…No way. Our Frida wouldn’t utter such rude words. It must be a ridiculous misconception.

Frida wasn’t the type to be so impolite as to hurl such insults at someone who, despite being an enemy, had reluctantly accepted a perplexing request from her benefactor.

…Right?

◆◆

Anyway, I acquired a new alias, Perehilde Esther, in Fernehilde.

I am 18 years old.

With black hair inherited from my mother and blue eyes, I rebelled against a strict upbringing and ran away, only to return after several years as a naive girl.

That was my new status.

“Your bedroom is here; please use this room. It’s not a daughter’s room… but I hope it’s comfortable enough for you to stay.”

After finishing her story, Lady Beloren handed me a room. A personal bedroom with a fireplace, bed, table, single sofa, wardrobe, and dresser—everything one could need.

It wasn’t Perehilde’s room; it was said to be the newly refurbished private room of her divorced ex-husband.

She occasionally let her temporary employee, Mari, sleep in this mansion, so she had removed the original furniture and brought in new pieces.

“Yes. Thank you, Lady Beloren.”

Well, it was a decent room. Just looking at the quality of the bed and sofa, it was incomparable to a cheap inn room.

Honestly, if she had given me her real daughter’s room, I would have felt too burdened and probably wouldn’t have been able to sleep.

“…I asked you not to call me ‘mother,’ but I don’t expect you to be so formal.”

Standing beside the door, Lady Beloren glanced at me briefly and spoke.

“Regardless, we are staying in the same house now. So, there’s no need to be overly polite.”

You don’t have to act so stiffly; don’t be too cautious.

“Oh, really?”

“…Don’t get too comfortable with your words.”

Lady Beloren looked puzzled for a moment, staring at me as if in disbelief, then sighed lightly and shook her head.

“Oh, yes. I’m sorry.”

I slightly bowed my head and cleared my throat in awkwardness.

She told me to speak comfortably, and when I did, she immediately corrected me. Stay in the middle. In fact, that’s the most challenging part.

She seemed like a grateful person, but difficult to accommodate in many ways.