.-.-.-.-.
Three days prior after the attack, my neck was recovering as well as my legs.
"Ughhh... I can't believe he also forbade me from going out for a week just because I talked back to him." I complained to Elise while I sat down in a secluded greenhouse with new guards as companies who wouldn't even talk no matter what I did.
They're probably paid to not talk anyways.
There were also new hired servants accompanied by Elise in serving tea for me. "U-Um... Here is your tea." (Olivia)
This maid was Elise's niece whom she had to take care of while she was in the mansion. Apparently she got assigned to be my other maid- how awkwardly wonderful.
Her hands were shaking when she placed the tea in the table, the saucer plate clunked as it was placed down on the table.
I smiled gratefully at her service wanting to befriend the girl, "Thank you." I told her softly.
Her eyes widened for a brief moment before calming down and going back to Elise's side standing in the heat of the greenhouse. I wanted to offer them a chair to sit on but if anyone sees me treating my servants well they will surely ridicule me for keeping biased and they might get bullied by the other servants.
So... troublesome.
'I can just punish them if they hurt these two anyways. Execution would be the best punishment for anyone who dares...'
I almost choked on my tea.
What?
I looked around in a panic as laughter echoed in my head.
Original Scarlett is playing around with me! Ugh! I just wish I never took her body!
Crash!
I placed the glass saucer into the table too hard that it broke in half... Oh dear.
Everyone was now looking at me, mostly in fear and expecting my next move. I awkwardly tried moving the broken glass on my own but a hand stopped me from doing so.
"M-Milady please let me. You might get hurt so... you can just leave it to me." (Elise) held my wrist gently before letting it go.
Such actions would suffer heavy consequences but... I just felt horrible for letting her clean it for me.
I opened my mouth with a guilty expression and said, "I apologize, my anger got the better of me. Thank you for your service as always."
I looked away not wanting to meet her eyes. It was a good thing I did because I heard her giggle and she's probably making a satisfied face right about now. "Well then I'll go and pick these up now."
She takes the saucer plate that I've broken and heads out of the greenhouse with the other guards and Olivia as my new company. It seems that they were affected by the new personality, everyone wearing shocked faces but quickly dismissed it before I could even call them out on it.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Oh my... what a lovely greenhouse you have here."
My ears perked up at a familiar scary voice that came uninvited at the greenhouse door. "Wouldn't you agree, darling?" her red hair swayed behind her back as she entered.
I was not expecting to see this... Knife obsessed lady so soon.
"Lady Clarisse, to what I owe the pleasure of such a visit?" I asked her to stand up from my seat, wanting to get this woman the hell out of my territory.
She stops and puts a worried expression on her face. It was the first time I've seen her make such a face since she was always either smiling- "I've heard of what had happened a few days ago with your attacker."
Lady Clarisse walks forward and stares at my neck that left a scar around it. I felt her piercing gaze of worry as her ruby red eyes stared at mine. I couldn't help but cover the unsightly scars with my hand as she stared.
My insecurity worsened. I didn't have this kind of feeling before- back then I didn't even mind having scars so is this the original Scarlett's true feelings?
I wanted to run because I was afraid that the woman in front of me would push on further or laugh about how I looked now.
"Are you alright?" she asks.
I was taken aback. Has the rumor spread around that fast already?
And... she... came here to check up on me?
For what?
"I'm sorry Lady Clarisse but it's hard to believe you to just come here to check how I'm doing. Which I am absolutely well and alive-"
"I thought you would want some company." She stops my words and coyly wraps her arms around mine, dragging me back into the table and letting me sit down on my chair. "And good company is hard to find."
"I think my maids might be even better company than yours." I insult her and she laughs covering her face with one hand before smiling.
"I beg to differ." She takes a seat next to me and places her chin in her palm. Lady Clarisse smiles happily showing me the engraved dagger I gave her. "I loved the dagger you gave me so much I thought of bringing with me everywhere I go now."
Wow... I guess that gift really went a long way for her.
"I never got to give something back in return." she holds the dagger in her arms inspecting it carefully before asking, "So tell me what things do you like, darling?"
"Are you here to get information out of me?"
She shakes her head, finding my reply amusing, "Oh? With that one question alone I suppose you're into information yourself."
"What of it?" I crossed my arms not wanting to deal with this woman any longer.
"You could say I have a background check on every noble in the circle in very detailed notes. If you want it, I can give it to you." she offers such a generous deal that even I could help but felt my mouth drooling at the thought.
Information on everyone?!
Wait, did she just say everyone? Including me. Then why did she-
"If you had background checks on everyone- that means I'm included right?" I ask.
"Why, of course. I wouldn't left out the most curious person in the noble circle after all. You're different from them." She smiles widely, her cheeks forming a faint blush but I just roll my eyes. She seemed to be even proud that she has one of me but I wasn't happy.
"Then you didn't need to ask me what things I like. Just check your background check on me and then be done with it." I told her, feeling a headache coming.
I know she's being nice and all but... I just can't help but push her away.
She frowns, pursing her lips in my direction leaning closer- her cleavage was really exposed and I get distracted every time I see it. I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and decided to diminish the thought!
S-She needs better clothes.
"But I wanted to ask you! Hearing yourself that you want it is more assuring than some background check! I... just... want to make sure it's a gift that you'd like." her face burns even brighter.
I would think she's gotten a cold but maybe it's just because of the heat but with the expression she made it was like a young maiden in love.
I sighed admitting defeat.
"What I would really like right now is someone putting my brother in his place and letting me learn how to fight properly." I told her my honest wish. I doubt she can do that though-
"Oh is that all? Your brother will be easy to convince." (Lady Clarisse) smiles widely etching back from her seat. "If you need a sparring partner to wrestle with~ I'm also free."
Oh no... I don't think I like the tone that she used in that sentence. The others around me even felt the suggestiveness of that tone and I coughed, "N-No thanks I think I need someone who can help me with close combat using no weapons- and form the looks of it you're a dagger lover type."
"Oh... What a shame but you're quite right, I love anything sharp but I know a place where I can find you a proper mentor to the fighting style that you'd like." she leans in closer and I scoot back. The moment that I moved away her face became even more happy-
"Would you like to go shopping?"
Pardon?
Shopping for mentors?
The confused expression I made gave it all away. Where could there be a place where you can shop for mentors? "Oh darling, I forget how innocent you are despite your horrible personality from before. I'm glad you've changed." She took out an invitation paper from her pockets and gave it to me.
It had an address and dress code.
It seemed that the paper looked quite expensive- with the golden details carved out. It even had a VIP guest on the side. "What's this?" I asked the red haired girl who tilted her head at me.
Lady Clarisse holds one of her fingers to her pink lips, giving me a shush, "Our next date, of course. Trust me you wouldn't want to miss it."
I just held the invitation in my hand and decided to keep it. We had a pleasant conversation after mostly Lady Clarisse gushing out how many other daggers she had but complimenting mine on how it became her favorite.
By the end of the day I started missing her presence and even Elise noticed my happy demeanor.
I guess the crazy knife woman wasn't that bad after all.
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Platymage
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