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Chapter: 18
Seria flung the door open herself and greeted the sisters with a bright smile.
Having changed their clothes, the two of them looked noticeably better.
“Welcome!”
“W-Wait a moment…”
“Uh… uh…”
As Seria grabbed their hands and shook them energetically, the sisters didn’t know how to react, their faces turning red.
This kind of treatment was new to them, and they seemed unsure how to respond.
“So you two are Seria’s personal maids?”
Theodore turned his head from where he was seated to look at Erica and Amy.
Caught by his gaze, the sisters froze in place.
They looked clearly intimidated but couldn’t tear their eyes away from Theodore.
“You seem to be around the same age as Seria. That’s good.”
After silently observing them, Theodore eventually looked away.
Had he already read their thoughts?
The fact that Theodore said nothing suspicious likely meant he saw nothing unusual.
If that was the case, Seria could now focus on fully bringing the sisters onto her side.
“Theo, I want to have a conversation with Erica and Amy.”
“Go ahead.”
Theodore replied with a look that said, What’s the problem?
Did he genuinely not understand, or was he pretending?
With Theodore—one of the people generally avoided in this mansion—present, the Bel sisters wouldn’t have been able to speak properly.
So what you’re really saying is that it’s inconvenient for you if I’m here, so go away, Seria thought, staring intently into Theodore’s eyes instead of speaking. She wanted him to understand her intentions.
Of course, there was no way Theodore could read her thoughts directly.
Instead, he carefully studied her expression and then, as if understanding, got up from where he was seated.
Seeing him, Seria’s face silently communicated Please, just leave, so he couldn’t have missed it.
“I’ll be going now, Seria. You’ll be better off with people your own age anyway.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
Finally understanding, Theodore acted accordingly, and Seria nodded brightly in response.
Seeing this, Theodore smiled and leaned close to Seria, whispering:
“Moderation is always best. You know that too, right, Seria?”
Was he warning her not to fully trust the Bel sisters?
It was typical Theodore logic—but it made sense.
For now, the help of the Bel sisters was essential, but ultimately, they were outsiders to the crown prince assassination plot.
There was no reason to reveal too much, and if she overshared, someone within the Belbart mansion could catch them.
Seria gave a small nod.
After sending Theodore out of the room, Seria turned back to the sisters with a friendly expression.
Let’s start with some light conversation first.
She gestured for the two of them to sit on the sofa.
Erica and Amy still looked uneasy, nervously sweating and hesitating.
Seria took each of their hands, guiding them to sit down.
“You don’t need to be so tense. There’s no one here to trouble you.”
“Y-Yes…”
Erica nodded but kept holding Amy’s hand tightly, constantly watching Seria.
Seria spoke in as calm a voice as possible so as not to startle them.
“So… how old are you two?”
“I’m seventeen, and Amy is fifteen.”
“Older than I expected…”
Seria had thought they’d be younger because of their small frames. Had they not been properly cared for?
Seeing her expression darken, the sisters shivered reflexively.
It was painful to watch them flinch at even small things.
At this point, Seria decided she had to be mindful of her every action.
Her gaze softened.
“How long have you worked in the mansion?”
“About five years…”
“Five years… so you’ve been here since you were very young…”
If Erica’s words were accurate, they had been mistreated at the Belbart mansion since they were only twelve and ten years old.
Where were their parents?
Seria hesitated to ask such a sensitive question.
“Do you have any other family?”
“My mother… she passed away last year.”
“I see…”
Erica spoke calmly, but Seria could tell her composure was deliberate—she was hiding her grief.
Seria understood all too well what it was like to feel sadness you could only hold inside.
The atmosphere became somber, and Seria found it difficult to continue speaking.
“Um… you came from Ajenta, right, Princess?”
Erica asked cautiously.
Seria hadn’t expected the first question to come from them. Perhaps some of their guard had been lowered?
Her face brightened.
“Yes. That’s right.”
“I thought so…”
“Did you come from Taras?”
The sisters exchanged a brief look, then nodded simultaneously.
As expected.
Taras, an island nation in the southern sea, was known for its high-quality pearls and was sometimes called the Treasure Island.
Ten years ago, before being destroyed by Antithesia, it had long maintained relations with Ajenta.
To an Antithesian, Ajentans and Tarasians were likely equally detestable, explaining their treatment.
A faint sigh escaped Seria’s lips.
“Although it’s a bit late, thank you for helping us earlier. I really thought I’d be kicked out this time… Amy, you should thank them too.”
“Th-Thank you, Princess.”
The more Seria looked at the sisters, the more she sensed their kindness.
Despite being in similar circumstances, they didn’t resent Seria’s privileged position at all.
Seria shook her head reassuringly.
“It’s a bit late to say this, but I’m really glad you two became my maids. I look forward to working with you.”
“W-We’ll do our best too…”
Amy, who had been quiet until Erica spoke first, finally answered.
She blushed. Seeing Amy reminded Seria of Daisy back at the convent, who had also blushed when first meeting her.
Seria couldn’t help but laugh aloud.
“Erica is lucky to have such a cute little sister like Amy.”
“…Sometimes she’s not cute, though.”
“Sis!”
Amy’s voice rose, her face red, in response to Erica’s honest remark.
Watching the two sisters interact, Seria laughed again, and her laughter spread to fill the room.
Now, Erica and Amy bickered lightly in front of Seria, a far cry from their earlier anxious behavior.
The atmosphere had relaxed, and Seria’s face showed satisfaction.
“Erica, Amy, I’m curious about something.”
Seria broke her silence, and the sisters looked at her with wide eyes.
“Where in the mansion do the most people gather? Or is there a specific time when many gather?”
“Hmm… I think it’s when we clear the snow in the morning. Most of the mansion’s staff are there then.”
“I see. Anywhere else? Another time?”
Erica thought carefully.
“I know! The laundry room and the glass garden! There are usually a lot of people there.”
“Yes, especially the glass garden. The Duke cherishes that place, so the gardeners are always around.”
Erica nodded in agreement with Amy.
Seria quietly nodded and smiled.
Her plan to draw out Duke Belbart wasn’t complicated. She just needed to use her abilities where many people could see.
Surely, one of them would be a close subordinate of the Duke who would report what they saw.
The important thing was not to reveal that Seria was using her powers.
The Duke tolerated Seria’s presence because her abilities might be of use to the Emperor.
If her powers became publicly known, it could offend the Duke.
That was why Erica and Amy were necessary.
“Erica, Amy, do you go out to clear the snow every morning?”
“Yes.”
Erica answered with a slightly uncertain expression.
That simplified things. With just a little help from them, Seria could proceed quite smoothly.
“Then, could you do me one favor?”
“Of course.”
“Absolutely!”
The sisters readily agreed, and Seria’s eyes sparkled as she lowered her voice.
“Tomorrow morning, could you start clearing the snow from the side where my room is?”
