Chapitre 8: Maid's Mysterious Act
THEN, THE heroine chooses to go with the Crown Prince instead of the Duke, and that's where the chapter ends.
'Done!'
I grinned to myself as I stack the papers that I wrote the whole novel off, a total of 10, to each other starting from the prologue up to the latest chapter that I know in my past life.
As a fan, I knew the important details and I also added a ton more information about the side characters who appeared on the novel, even those extras who appeared for merely half a second.
'I couldn't afford to leave anything behind, even the smallest details!'
However, sadly, I died even before knowing the ending of the novel.
'Though it is only one chapter, there is no use crying over it.'
I just have to be ready when that time comes.
I scanned over my writings and I have written most of the things that will happen in the novel; so, if the time has come for the ending then I will worry about it then.
'For now, I am be satisfied with just this.'
"You wrote a whole novel, My Lady."
"Ack!"
I jumped slightly in my seat when I heard her voice and turned to her immediately. I hid the papers on the drawer and hissed at her like a cat, my heart pounding on my chest as I did so.
'She didn't see what the contents are, did she?'
'If she did...'
Avril looked surprised at my sudden actions and she mistook it as embarrassment when it is not.
"Ah, apologies. I must've surprised you." She said as she slowly steps away from me.
'I am more than surprised, Avril.'
I heaved out a sigh of relief when I heard that but I still glared at her for invading my personal space AND my privacy.
'I mean, make your presence known first, Avril!'
"But, I must say," She interrupted again making me pause, "that novel is quite intriguing."
My eyes widened at her comment.
"You saw it?!"
"Only a glance."
'Shit!'
"Erase it from your memory!"
She bowed her head at me immediately and apologized in a polite tone, probably thinking I'm throwing a tantrum.
To which, I am, but Avril is smart and hard to read. Even if I get along with her, I don't trust her just yet.
Besides, she, just like me, is one of the extras that do not physically appeared in the novel nor were we even part of it.
I, for one, am just a stepping stone for a pitiful background for Elishia and Ekrisilia.
Also, what would happen to me if they noticed that the real Eris died? I might be bullied even more or worse, exiled!
'Wait, not that worse but it is similsr to being disowned!'.
Though, that doesn't sound bad since I don't wamt to interrupt the main plot.
"I apologize, My Lady. I didn't mean to offend you."
I wave my hand dismissively, "I know, I am just embarrassed that you'll see something like that."
Avril nodded nonetheless and bowed once again.
"Thank you, My Lady."
I avoided my gaze from her and looked at the window. I didn't even notice that the sky has already turned a warm orange as the red and pink hues collided, creating a beautiful mixture of colors.
'The whole day passes just like that?! How immerse was I on writing?!'
Nevermind. As if I could even go outside.
"Ah, it's dusk." I commented as I sighed.
Avril looked at the window too, her eyes still cold and emotionless as she nodded at my words.
"Yes, I believe dinner will be served in a couple of minutes."
I turned to her, "Will I be eating here again?"
She looked back at me, "Per orders of the Countess, I'm afraid so."
'If Mother did order it, then I will eat again in this room.'
I hate eating alone, to be honest. It makes me feel lonely and sad, added to this is the silence of the room that rings in my ear every time.
I vaguely remember something like this in my past life.
The cold walls surrounding me, barely even protecting me from the harsh wind. The broken bed that will never be repaired, the dirty sheets that I can't replace because there isn't any, and the rotten food that expires months ago just so my stomach wouldn't hurt…
'Ahhh!!! Why am I so sentimental today?!'
"My Lady, if you give me permission, I will tell the Countess to let you eat with them from here on."
I looked at Avril, wide-eyed staring, as she suggested that.
'I do appreciate the offer but, why take the initiative?'
Does she want something?
"Why?" I muttered lowly.
Avril sighed at this and stepped forward towards me until she is in front of me, while I'm still sitting on the chair I sat on yesterday.
You know, the place where I have tea.
After that, she lowered herself, almost kneeling, and took both of my hands in hers.
"I could see that you are lonely here."
'…What? Who says I'm...'
I almost facepalmed.
'Do I look lonely?!'
I raised an eyebrow at her, her expression is still cold and stoic but her eyes are soft and warm. It was very different from what her face shows.
"The young mistress is still, well, young." She carefully said, her hands softly caressing mine.
I didn't even notice that she was holding my hand.
"I am certain that you still want to be around people and be in the presence of your parents. I can sense that you are growing sadder seeing that you are locked in this room."
My eyes slightly widened as she accurately depicted my emotions, except for the parents' part.
'How did she…'
I looked at her eyes and saw a purple light swirling around her red irises. It seems like it was dancing, the way it tangles with the natural color of her eye and the way it shines brightly every now and then…
'Wait, that is an indication that she is using her mana!'
I remember once in the novel, it was stated that those who can control their mana can possess powers that depend on their soul as the mana is connected to it.
There was also a chapter wherein the heroine uses her holy powers to heal the duke after the attempted assassination for him, which was ordered by the crown prince.
Then, looking at Avril's eyes right now, does that mean that she…is using it?
'On me?'
"Even if it is a small thing, I want to be of use to the young mistress."
I snapped out of my thoughts upon hearing that. I slightly tilted my head to the side and furrow my eyebrows confusingly.
'We only just met 3 days ago but, why is she so devoted?'
"Why would you do that for me?" I asked, unable to hold it in.
Avril looked at me, her eyes still the same, and I don't know if I would be unnerved by the light or be curious.
She slowly opened her mouth, as if she is trying to speak slowly to me, choosing her words carefully.
"I know that you acknowledged me as your personal maid because the Countess said so, but I know you haven't trusted me yet."
'Huh? How did she know? Was my act towards her that noticeable?!'
Did my face display that kind of thoughts?
I made sure to act like a noble, or at least what a noble would do towards their maids.
"You are quite the transparent person, My Lady. I could see that you doubt my actions towards you." She answered, her eyes gleaming.
It seemd like I carried my past self here.
"Then, what do you want me to do?" I asked as the hold on my hand tightened, I saw the clear conviction in her eyes.
"Give me your consent. Other than that, let me prove to you that you can trust me."
She shook her head at this as I continue to stare at her with great curiosity.
I don't have any intention to get to know her as she is just a personal maid, and she is never even mentioned in the novel because she doesn't have anything to do with the plot.
However, with me occupying Eris's body and living, the origin story for Eris, changes.
This gives me an odd feeling of excitement, the way that I could change the story for the pitiful character is…
'Satisfying.'
"You might not understand why I am doing this now but, I have a debt to pay."
I shook those thoughts away and focused on Avril as she spoke again.
'Debt? Does Avril have debt?'
Does she have trouble with money?
"It is not about money, My Lady."
'It's not?'
I puckered my lips slightly and hummed, "Then, is it related to Mother?"
I saw the corner of her lips raise only for a moment before shaking her head.
"Yes and no."
She sighed after speaking and removed her hands on mine, stood up, and tidied up her skirt, indicating that this is the end of the conversation.
"I only ask of you that you can trust me, My Lady. I vowed to serve and protect you from the moment we met."
Even if don't know why she is devoted and committed to me, I can feel her sincerity towards me, there wasn't even malice as she met my eyes bravely.
'I do not trust her fully, but…'
Whatever her intentions are, I will find out about it sooner or later.
'I might as well try to depend on her, just a little.'
She went to the light switch as the sky gets darker and the room gets dim. She switches the lights on and turned to me once again.
"Well then, I shall leave you for now. You seem to want to be alone." She stated before turning her heels and walking to the door.
As I watched her, her words earlier rang inside my head like an annoying alarm and I can't help but think about it.
I thinned my lips and gritted my teeth slightly.
My mind is telling me to do something, to agree with what she said before I, later on, regret it. The other is still suspicious of her but…
"Avril."
She turned to me after I called her, her hand on the door handle.
"Yes, My Lady?"
I sighed in annoyance with my emotions, my heart beating fast as my mouth slowly opens to speak.
'I hope I won't regret this decision.'
"Tell Mother that I am well*, I give you my consent."
Just then, the cold eyes that always looked after me burned with great determination and delight.
She suddenly turned towards me and even before I could react, she kneeled like a knight vowing her oath to her chosen master.
'What the heck…!'
"Avril, what are you--"
"I swear by my name and the gods watching," she cut me off, her voice ringing loud and clear across the room.
I closed my mouth, staring at her with a panicked look plastered on my face.
'Avril…!'
"I will heed My Lady's first order."
Oh boy... Why does the situation became more complicated?
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone