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Chapter 02
It was strange.
Amelie was a noble of the Empire, and it was only proper etiquette that the mistress of a household would also come out to greet noble guests.
Yet the beautiful woman from Amelie’s memory was nowhere to be seen.
‘Is she waiting inside the castle?’
While Amelie was looking around for the Grand Duchess, Kristan, who had been observing something intently, spoke.
“By the way, Lady Winterpool…”
“Yes?”
Amelie, who had been distracted while standing in front of Kristan, quickly lifted her head at his voice. Somehow, his face had moved closer without her noticing.
The handsome face she had once seen only from afar a year ago was even more heavenly up close.
He looked like he had lost a bit of weight, and dark circles lay under his eyes. Yet rather than diminishing his appearance, it only made him look like a man with a beautifully worn, exhausted charm.
Amelie, despite having no idea about self-care (presumably), sincerely admired his ivory-carved beauty.
Kristan gestured toward the large broom Nina was holding.
“The Grand Duke’s mansion already has cleaning tools. Why did you bring a broom?”
“….”
“….”
“…?”
A brief silence fell.
Nina glanced nervously at her mistress. Referring to a witch’s flying tool as a “cleaning implement” was one of the subtle forms of discrimination against witches that was widely—though quietly—spread.
‘What if the young lady gets upset…’
However, contrary to Nina’s worry, Amelie simply lifted her chin proudly and replied.
“I can fly with this broom.”
“I see. That’s impressive.”
Kristan nodded with an expressionless face.
To that, she added deliberately,
“This isn’t just any broom. My father had it specially made by the finest carpenter in our family’s employ.”
“I see. That’s quite impressive.”
Again, Kristan simply nodded without any particular reaction. He clearly did not realize it was even a discriminatory remark. The atmosphere became slightly awkward.
At that moment, the neatly dressed man standing behind Kristan stepped forward and spoke.
“Your Highness, let’s escort the witch lady to the castle and continue the conversation inside.”
“Ah, yes. I nearly kept our guest standing here. Lady, this way.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Because the estate was large, the distance from the gate to the main building was not short, though still walkable.
The suited man led the way, and Amelie walked beside Kristan. She muttered as if speaking for him to hear.
“You’re being rude.”
“What do you mean?”
“You made it sound like my broom is just a cleaning tool. I don’t mind, but it would be disrespectful to other witches if you speak like that in front of them.”
Kristan’s half-closed eyes widened.
After saying that, Amelie tried to walk ahead as if escaping the situation.
“Wait…”
“…?”
At his call, she stopped in place.
Curious about what he would say, she turned her head slightly and looked up at him.
Kristan spoke with a troubled expression.
“I… didn’t know that. I didn’t mean it in a discriminatory way. I apologize.”
Amelie blinked her red eyes a few times.
After a moment of thought, she looked away and replied as if granting forgiveness.
“It’s fine. I can tell you didn’t know…”
She hadn’t expected an apology at all. Her cheeks turned red, and she covered them with her hands before quickly trotting forward.
She caught up with the man in the suit walking ahead and fanned her face as she spoke.
“Um, I actually have something to ask.”
“My name is Gerard Siad, Witch Lady.”
“Oh, I’m Amelie Winterpool. Sir Siad, it’s just…”
As Amelie hesitated, Gerard let out a soft chuckle. When she looked at him blankly, he leaned closer and whispered into her ear.
“Aren’t you going to ask about His Highness’s ideal type?”
“What?!”
Amelie nearly jumped in shock.
It was already embarrassing enough to say something like that out loud—but more importantly, wasn’t the Grand Duke already married?
‘This guy is crazy! If the Duchess had been here, this would’ve been a disaster!’
Flustered, Amelie quickly said,
“What are you talking about, Sir Siad! Please don’t make me sound like someone who would commit adultery!”
“Hm? Adultery?”
Gerard looked confused.
Frustrated, Amelie clarified firmly.
“The Grand Duke is already a married man!”
“…Ah.”
A brief silence fell.
Then Gerard suddenly lowered his head.
“Sir Siad…?”
“What’s wrong? Why are you standing there like that?”
Kristan, who had come up behind them, asked.
Amelie stiffened, worried he might have overheard everything.
“I-I don’t know. Sir Siad just suddenly…”
“Pfft! Ah, it’s nothing, Your Highness. Let’s go inside first.”
Gerard barely held back his laughter, shaking slightly as he spoke.
Kristan raised an eyebrow.
“What’s with him? Did he eat something strange?”
“….”
Amelie was dying to know what was so funny, but decided to forget it in case he said something even more dangerous in front of Kristan.
Soon, they reached the entrance. The guards opened the doors wide.
Before the doors even fully opened, Amelie stared straight ahead.
As the doors revealed the interior, she couldn’t look away.
‘So this is the Grand Duke’s home…!’
The first thing she saw was a grand central staircase of polished marble, and in front of it, dozens of servants stood in perfectly aligned formation wearing matching uniforms.
Amelie searched everywhere for the Grand Duchess—but again, found nothing.
‘She’s not even here either… what is going on?’
Of course, if she were ill or otherwise unable to appear, she might not be able to greet guests in person—but that possibility never even crossed Amelie’s mind.
‘Could it be… they’re treating me coldly because I’m a witch? No… surely not.’
She shook her head vigorously to push away the thought.
At that moment, a butler with a stylish mustache approached and bowed politely.
“Welcome to the manor, my lady. I am Adolf, the butler of the Grand Duke’s estate.”
“Oh, hello. I’m Amelie Winterpool.”
Amelie returned the greeting properly. Adolf smiled warmly.
“Yes, I am aware. You are a most honored guest who has come all the way here for Bellerophon Territory. I hope you will feel comfortable during your stay.”
“Thank you!”
Smiling brightly, Amelie followed Adolf’s guidance.
Kristan dismissed the servants and followed behind.
“Be careful on the stairs. They are slippery.”
Amelie’s room was on the second floor.
She entered with sparkling eyes.
“Wow…”
The room was neither too large nor too small, but neat and comfortable. Sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, which she loved.
Kristan, standing outside with folded arms, commented.
“I hope the room is to your liking.”
“I love it! It’s warm and really nice!”
Amelie had already forgotten about the Grand Duchess and began exploring the room.
“If you need anything, just call for us,” Adolf said with a bow.
Kristan added,
“The subjugation will begin in two days. Until then, feel free to rest. If you need anything, tell the butler or Gerard.”
“Yes!”
Meanwhile, Nina and the servants brought in the luggage and bowed.
Kristan acknowledged them with a glance and stepped out.
“Where are you going?” Gerard asked.
“To my office.”
“Shouldn’t you take better care of your guest?”
“Aren’t you and Adolf here to handle my duties?”
At Kristan’s answer, Gerard shook his head and said with a meaningful tone,
“Lady Witch… should really see this side of Your Highness.”
“…?”
Kristan slowly turned his head.
