Haunted Duke’s Daughter Chapter 9

 

“Yes… Please. You don’t have to hold back.”

“Well then,” said Alisa as she cleared her throat,

“To be frank, you were a very selfish person. Furthermore, with that short temper you were also quick to be violent. One could only be amazed at how unreasonable you could be. I also felt that doing whatever it took to get your hands on the things you wanted was horrible. If nothing else because you would use the Master’s own name without reservation. Honestly, it was to the point that I had regretted coming to work here in the first place.
…What’s the matter?”

Upon noticing Lilia’s expression turn pale Alisa inquired tilting her head slightly to one side. Lilia’s face was cramped as she shook her head.

“It’s nothing… Go on…”

Saying so Alisa continued her critical criticism combo. It went to the point where rather than anger Lilia felt more like she would simply start crying. She had received similar scoldings from Sakura before, but once again, and having it said straight to her face, it was certainly something hard to endure.

“However.”

Alisa paused her words there. Looking at Lilia’s lifeless eyes, for some reason Alisa smiled.

“I know that Mistress Lilia is really a kind person. This I believe.”

“Ha…?”

Kind. Who’s kind. Even Lilia herself was of a different opinion. To Lilia, something like kindness was only seen as a tool in getting people to lower their guard. Such thinking hasn’t changed even now, so if Alisa’s words were regarding the current Lilia, that was simply a result of following Sakura’s instructions.
Thinking it couldn’t be helped, she felt just a little despondent. However, Lilia tilted her head upon hearing Alisa’s next words.

“When I was little, I was saved by Mistress Lilia.”

When Alisa saw Lilia frown dubiously, she explained with a wry smile.

“When I was still very young, I went on a trip to the Royal Capital with my family, and it was then that I had gotten separated from my parents… Losing my way, before I realised I had happened upon a large estate.”

“Is that so… Which family’s estate was it.”

—Uh, Lilia, how could any name other than “Aldis” come up here…

—Really?

—Really. Please expect such things.

Though not quite satisfied with the explanation, Lilia continued to listen to Alisa’s story.

“I don’t know what was going through my mind back then, but I ended up entering that estate… And of course, I was immediately caught.”

“That’s… You weren’t executed?”

—Uh, Lilia. Her being executed there would be ridiculous right?

—Really?

—Is the one in front of you right now a ghost or something? Is this nice story really a horror?

—Ahh…

Perhaps finally comprehending what Sakura was trying to say, Lilia went ‘I see’ and nodded in understanding. Sakura wondered if it was really okay and was worrying about something, but for now Lilia turned her attention towards Alisa.

“By all rights, even being a child it wouldn’t have been strange for me to be killed there but, it was right then that I was saved by Mistress Lilia.”

“I did? How?”

“Well you see… ‘To be wary of such a child to the point of ending her life, are you trying to stain the Aldis name’ was what you said.”

—That’s, less about kindness and more to do with your pride isn’t it…

“After that, so that I wouldn’t get killed in some alley Mistress Lilia accompanied me with an escort to help look for my family. And though I say escort, it was really the Master who came along as well.”

Alisa narrowed her eyes as if recollecting some nostalgic memories, and then let out a giggle.

“The reaction my parents had back then was quite amusing.”

—Lilia, you don’t remember?

—I’m not quite sure if I have such memories or not… Though at least, I don’t think my feelings back then were of pure good will.

—Well… Alisa probably knows that by now as well. That’s why, earlier, I think she was trying to convey that she believes in you despite that. Besides.

Sakura stopped her words. It felt like she was somehow looking at Alisa. Alisa was gazing over with an earnest expression, seemingly waiting for Lilia to speak.

—To Alisa, the fact that she was saved won’t change, so isn’t it fine regardless. That way it’s a convenient interpretation for everyone, right?

—Is that how it is?

“Alisa. To tell you the truth, I don’t quite remember what happened back then. Just, I think that at least my feelings back then were not out of simple good will.”

“Yes. I understand that now as well. However, to me the fact that I was saved will not change. That is why, if it is for my grat.i.tude towards Mistress Lilia, I would happily give my humble a.s.sistance.”

Alisa confidently declared so. Lilia was dumbfounded for a while, but before long, without quite noticing it herself her expression turned into a smile.

“Take good care of me, Alisa.”

“Yes. Please allow me to be of a.s.sistance.”

Alisa bowed deeply, and Lilia nodded in satisfaction.

The dormitory was the largest building on the academy grounds. Since all the students in the school lived there, you could say it was a matter of course. The dormitory stood three stories tall, with the first housing things like the cafeteria and shops, with all the common necessities prepared. Upon entering the grand entrance hall, tables, chairs and such are prepared all around as well, creating an oasis for the students.
Lined up on the second level were the rooms for commoners, merchants, and lower ranking n.o.bles, and the upper n.o.bles had their rooms on the third floor.
Lilia and Alisa entered the dorms through the great entryway. There would be a ma.s.s of students bustling around the building before and after cla.s.s time, but right now as lunch had just gone by and the afternoon cla.s.ses had already begun it was quiet and empty. The entrance was devoid of people, and only the sound of Lilia and Alisa’s footsteps resounded through the building.
At the very back of the entrance hall was a spiral staircase, and as Lilia took her first step up Alisa opened her mouth.

“Ummm… Mistress Lilia…”

“What is it?”

“Am I really… also going to be in Mistress Lilia’s room?”

‘To ask again now,’ thought Lilia as she looked back at the maid. Alisa’s eyes were wavering uneasily.

“Is there a problem with that?”

“A problem so to speak… That is, such a thing is unheard of right? For a lowly maid to stay beside n.o.bility in the same room…”