Chapter 4: 4

Episode 4: Ellenia van Omerta

“I told them to prepare a light meal because I was afraid that you were still not feeling well.”

“No, everything suited my palate. I must have been really nervous. Thank you for your concern.”

Was there anything that did not suit my taste?

The flavor of thin bread with cherry jam, onion soup, and fish meat mixed with an unknown sauce is absolutely mouth-watering.

My body was always in constant state of hunger.[1]

I would not have eaten at all if the situation allowed, but when the situation didn’t allow it, I would force myself to eat but I still ended up vomiting.

A ball-like event was more comfortable than this for my situation.

Because no one cares about who eats what.

The only thing I could control was myself.

Ellenia, who had been staring at me, who was smiling like a child, then served the servant came in to prepare the tea.

After a while, the meal was cleared and fragrant tea with simple desserts were served.

“As you may know, here in Earendil, Arachne is crowded every summer, so I asked for your understanding in advance that my big brother may arrive a little late. My father is not due back to the capital until the end of the month due to the territorial issue. I am sorry for the modest hospitality.”

“Oh… It’s okay, please don’t worry.”

“Since my mother’s death, I have been in charge of managing the residence, but if you want, I can hand the responsibility to you as the wife. If you don’t like anything or feel uncomfortable, you can order any changes through the maid.”

W-Wife. That’s a very strange and awkward title..

I lowered my gaze down and pretended to fiddle with the teacup.

“Thank you for your consideration, but for the time being, I think it is better to stay as it is. I’m not familiar with the customs here yet and lack experience in many ways, so I’m worried that I’ll overstep the boundaries and cause problems.”

Ellenia, who still had that expresionless face, put down her tea cup and stared directly at me.

“What’s there to worry about? No one would dare to think like that toward the mistress of the house.”

A quick reply.. A very confident reaction.

It was a little unexpected but there was a hint of questioning in her words.

I pretended not to know anything, smiled innocently and changed the subject instead.

“Regardless, there is something I want to ask the lady specifically.”

“Please feel free to ask anything.”

“Is it possible to address me as Ruby for the time being?”

Ellenia did not answer immediately.

I carefully looked at her perfectly poker face and pretended to swallow dry saliva.

“As you know, I don’t know anyone here and you might think it is unbecoming of me, but in all honesty, I’m at a loss and not sure how to adjust in this new situation.   Even if you don’t like it, if you treat it a little friendly, it will give me great courage….”

“I will do it.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, thank you!”

As I leaned forward, grabbed her hands with a big smile, I felt her flinching slightly at the touch.

I quickly let go of her hand and leaned back right away, stuttering in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry. It’s just my personality…….”

“It’s okay.”

“Then, is it okay for me to call you Ellen?”

“It would be good to be comfortable with each other.”

A cold beauty whom I couldn’t imagine treating someone else with familiarity, calmly lowered her gaze.

Then she suddenly added as if she was sighing.

“It’s not good to be too intimidated. Excessive humility can lead to misunderstandings.”

She wasn’t saying this out of concern for me.

It was an implicit suggestion that if I’m hiding my true colors, I should reveal them quickly and comfortably, as vain tricks would not work.

I also didn’t expect her to loosen her guard around me already, but seeing her now, I seem to have succeeded in giving her an unexpected impression.

I didn’t need the people here, including Ellenia, to like me.

My purpose was to be seen as harmless as possible.

A gentle fool who was different from rumors circulating around and unlike the rest of the Borgia family.

“I’m used to being misunderstood. I’ll work hard so that I don’t be bothersome for others.”

Once again, Ellenia looked at me silently.

Suddenly the image of my sister came to my mind. To be exact, the last time I saw her.

Blood clots wrapped around her skinny wrists.

“I’ll show you where you’ll be staying from now on.”

* * *

The sea could be seen through the window when the curtains pulled back.

The sunset that dyed the entire horizon red filled the plade, turning the all-white room warmth.

Ellenia came up behind me who was enamored by the sight of the boat moving slightly.

“I tried my best to decorate it, but I don’t know if it is up to your liking.”

“I really like it.”

“I’ll show you around the estate tomorrow morning, so if you find another room to your liking, feel free to…….”

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“No, this room is right up to my liking. I like the view, too. I’ve always wanted a room with a view of the sea.”

Ellenia didn’t flinch this time when I held her hand.

Instead, she lowered her eyes as if she was catching something and glanced down at her hand, and spoke in a slightly subdued tone.

“You must be tired today, so it is better to rest early. It seems my brother is later than scheduled……”

“Don’t worry, Ellen. I also want to rest for the day.”

Of course, I knew it would be a challenge from the first day, so there was no reason to be upset.

No, I was rather relieved.

After all, my goal isn’t to gain his love. Although, I’m not sure if I’m looking for compassion from him either.

Over Ellenia’s shoulder, I saw a tall maid who silently looked at me smiling. To be exact, her expression.

It was a mixture of ridicule and contempt, but it didn’t matter.

It was a familiar expression, being looked down and perceived as insignificant.

* * *

It’s cold.

I woke up with a feeling that my teeth were chattering on their own.

I heard that it could be a bit cold in the morning even in summer, but it didn’t seem like it’s just a little cold.

I grabbed the blanket tightly around myself and got up, shivering. I found that the fire on the other side of the room was put out.

The green flames lit up every night in aristocratic houses in the northern region of the country, where monsters were concentrated, it was not only for warming.

It was a precious torch for fortification that could only be made by an official monk or higher.

After the sun went down, everything was covered with shadow, and I guess the fire was used to get rid of monsters and undead.

I was well aware that the fire could not extinguish on its own unless someone intentionally turns it off.

Who the hell did such a childish thing?

Perhaps that maid?

“Achoo!”

Even if I tried to sleep again, it was too cold that I couldn’t stand it.

I shuddered and came down from bed and staggered towards the fireplace. It was because there might be some embers left.

It’s childish to bully me like this…….

Sudden sound from behind caused goosebumps on my neck.

At first, I thought it was just the sound of the wind knocking on the window.

But as I slowly turned my head, half-frozen in front of the fireplace, it wasn’t the wind that caught my eye.

In Romagna, there were not many opportunities to see monsters.

Not only me, but any noble aristocrats in the South would never have to face it for the rest of their life.

Except for the Shrieking Forest and a small number of outskirt areas, the Papal States was considered to be a ‘clean’ area, and there was no reason for monsters to be there.

The first and last time I encountered the existence of a monster was one day in the late winter, the year my first marriage was annulled.

At that time, Cesare took me to the basement of the art gallery, saying he wanted to show me something.

I don’t remember what bothered him back then.

Anyway, in that cellar I was locked up all night with a gargoyle that seemed about to break its chains at any moment and tear me apart.

At that time, I think I was losing my mind with fear.

After all, the gargoyle, which had glowing green-eyed and howling horribly, looked less disgusting than a turtle.

I was uselessly spouting scream of ‘go away’ or ‘don’t move’.

It must have been a hallucination that I had created in dread that the monster at some point stopped convulsing, squatting quietly and staring at me all night long.

Or it was just a coincidence.

“D–Don’t come…….”

The black wings, which flowed like shadows through the closed window frame— shaking the air while staring at me menacingly.

Assuming that the green embers between the wings, which resembles giant bats, were their eyes.

If I screamed or moved my feet and started running away, it would come over me in an instant.

Although my knees seemed to be locked in place, my mouth moved on its own.

“Don’t come close.”

The northern monster seemed to appreciate my efforts.

It was quite bizarre to see both wings drooping while floating and only stared at me.

Is that the attack position? The demon didn’t look that confident.

“Go away…”

“Madam, you have to wake up……Kyaaa!”

At that time, the maid, who was just pushing through the door, screamed loudly.

She screamed louder and louder.

It was such a magnificent and long echo that I covered my ears with both hands.

It was the moment when the dark wings that had been drooping and spread out again rushed toward the screaming maid.

“Ruby!”

Ellenia’s voice was heard. And at the same time as the roar, which was similar to the bursting sound, echoed in my ears, my vision flashed as if lightning had struck.

***

[1] Her body feels hungry all the time but due to her psychological problems she avoids eating food

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