The morning at the Roam residence was the same as always.
Though weary from lack of sleep, I rose earlier than ever. Having dealt with the Rusalka, I intended to visit the imperial palace.
I prepared to go out while listening to the Dullahans' reports. Since I was the only one who could hear their voices anyway, there was no need for discretion.
By the time Tristan, who had been relaying the news that Lilia had filled her notebook to the brim last night in an effort to somehow oppose me, was finishing his report, my own preparations were also complete.
After dismissing the attending maids and gathering the Dullahans, I finally put on my coat.
A knock sounded from outside the door. When I permitted entry, my personal maid cautiously opened the door and entered.
Though called a personal maid, since I did not keep her by my side separately, she was no different from the other maids.
She must have sensed my indifference herself. One could tell by how, after being extremely attentive for the first week, she now did not stay by my side unless absolutely necessary.
She was a maid who would quickly say only what she had to say and then hurry away. So now, seeing her standing so demurely by the door, waiting for my word, seemed rather novel.
"Speak."
When I ordered, half-expecting something, the maid finally parted her lips.
"The carriage is ready, Lady Anelli."
Glancing at the maid who bowed her head respectfully, I looked at my reflection in the mirror with a sullen expression and parted my lips.
"I don't recall granting you permission to use my name."
"S-sorry. ……Resurrected One."
I, who had been adjusting my collar through the mirror, stopped. I fell silent for a moment, touching the soft cloth tied around my neck.
The maid seemed at a loss, seeing me like that.
"……."
Until now, the servants' address for me had been consistently 'the Second Young Lady.'
Through that, they had indirectly revealed that they did not consider me the heir, nor did they regard me as the noble proxy of the goddess spoken of in society.
It was a title that had been tacitly accepted since no one had pointed it out separately.
'But why now?'
I stretched the corners of my mouth wide.
No wonder the maids who attended me earlier were also sparing with their words and busy gauging the atmosphere.
"Did Mother tell you to call me that?"
"Pardon?"
"Did she order you to show all due respect as if to an exiled minor duke?"
Confirming the maid, who had rolled her eyes and looked up in surprise, I saw her face flush as if flustered.
"Th-that is……."
"Just call me as usual. 'The Second Young Lady.'"
The maid bowed her head with a troubled expression. It seemed she judged it better to keep her mouth shut altogether.
How insolent.
"Are you deaf? I told you to call me that."
"B-but……."
She probably wanted to make a good impression on me. This maid, having heard Mother's warning, must have guessed that she intended to truly accept me as the heir of this house.
The ridiculous titles 'Lady Anelli' or 'Resurrected One' were the result of her racking her brains to position herself as my subordinate.
There is no better means to prove a close relationship than a title.
'But what a pity. I have no need for subordinates in this mansion.'
"Um……."
After hesitating several times with an awkward voice, the maid reluctantly parted her lips.
"……The carriage is ready, Second Young Lady."
It was a thin, trembling voice as if being strangled. Sneering as I looked at the maid, I moved my steps with a sarcastic tone.
"It seems you thought changing a few speech habits would make your attitude appear different. Truly foolish beyond measure."
As I left the room, the maid quickly followed behind, repeatedly apologizing. Having no intention of accepting it at all, I pretended not to hear and quickened my pace.
'It was just last night that I told Father about the attitude of this house's servants. How swift.'
Did Mother also hear the recording I gave Father? Seeing such a quick reaction, they must have had a conversation last night.
And surely, all the servants in the mansion were cautioned about their speech habits early this morning.
That she is now, belatedly, paying attention to that detail means Mother has no intention of immediately causing a dispute with Father.
I thought she had firmly made up her mind since she introduced Sayri to Maxel, but perhaps not?
Just then.
"Lady Anelli!"
Pallides, who had gone out ahead and was personally inspecting the carriage, beamed upon seeing me and greeted me. I saw the maid, who had been following me and trying to appease my mood, glance at Pallides.
Pallides had just uttered the very title I had criticized moments ago without any hesitation.
'Of course, it wouldn't look good to her.'
To me, who actively engages in needling the servants, it was rather a welcome reaction.
I had ordered him to discreetly change his address to my name in front of people, thinking it would seem odd if he called me 'Captain,' but to have such an unexpected bonus.
I accepted Pallides's greeting with a pleased look. The maid, glancing alternately between me and Pallides, cautiously moved toward the carriage.
"I shall accompany you to the imperial pala……"
"Enough. I don't need an attendant. Pallides, will you assist me?"
"Yes!"
Having coldly refused the maid's accompaniment, I stepped onto the footboard with Pallides's escort.
The interior of the carriage was spacious enough to seat three or four servants. However, I only took Pallides and closed the carriage door.
I was not curious what expressions the servants, who had reluctantly lined up to see me off, were making.
Without a doubt, they would be shriveled like rotten apples.
'Forcing them to cater to my whims will only make the servants' resentment fiercer. Why insist on observing such a troublesome process?'
Leaning back comfortably in the seat, I pressed my temples and muttered.
"Is it because Sayri is young?"
Fifteen is rather late to start heir preparation, isn't it? Or is she planning to prop me up externally to buy time for heir education?
"Huh?"
Pallides looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"It seems it's about time to leave the Roam residence soon."
I waved my hand at her, indicating not to mind.
The carriage sped swiftly, cutting through the wind. The destination was the imperial palace.
* * *
The Duchess of Roam, who had gone to bed late after a long conversation with her husband last night, opened her eyes only when the sun was high in the sky.
It was a later awakening than usual. Because of this, she only now learned that Anelli had headed to the imperial palace from morning without any report.
"No matter that child is the one to inherit Roam, there are procedures and rules in the Roam residence."
"My apologies, Your Grace. I thought it had been reported, of course……"
"……Very well. From now on, if that child requests anything, report it directly to me."
Irritably dismissing the butler, the Duchess of Roam held her throbbing forehead. The conversation from last night revived in her mind.
「It was you who said it would be good to bring Anelli to the residence. So what is this?」
Her husband had never dared to raise his voice before her.
Until now, he had always respected and accepted her will. Of course, the Duchess of Roam had also strived not to overstep her bounds.
In that sense, last night's Duke Roam seemed to think the Duchess of Roam had overstepped.
「Must I oversee every single internal discipline of the residence as well?」
「You didn't seat Anelli as the minor duke immediately upon bringing her here. Aren't you also troubled?」
「The situation has changed!」
「Yes, the situation has changed. So I am observing, adapting to the changed circumstances.」
「And this is the result?」
Duke Roam produced the recording containing vulgar insults. It was the loose tongues of servants gossiping about how unsuitable Anelli was as the Roam minor duke.
Though she knew of the servants' antipathy, hearing such a blatant evaluation was surprising.
Even though it was her own fault for not disciplining them immediately, she was a little angry at the insolent antics of the foolish servants who didn't know their place.
「I was busy with Phrygian matters. You know talk is circulating in social circles about what that child did.」
Feeling that even to her own ears this recording was excessive, the Duchess of Roam decided to take a step back first.
However, Duke Roam's heart was not easily soothed.
「What use is controlling outside talk when the household is in this state!」
「Since we're on the subject, what do you think about Anelli being chosen by the goddess?」
At the Duchess of Roam's sudden question, Duke Roam frowned.
「The imperial palace confirmed that matter.」
「I know. I'm not trying to deny that she is the goddess's Resurrected One. The goddess must have revived her. However……」
The Duchess of Roam tried to calm her sharply heightened nerves. But it was not easy.
Her naturally emerging voice was colder and more frigid than usual.
「There is no guarantee that what she does is for our sake. Human desires do not always follow divine teachings.」
Duke Roam, sensing the significant implication her words carried, narrowed his brow.
「……What have you found out?」
Should she say she found out? It was closer to speculation.
The Duchess of Roam continued.
「You know Sayri is very interested in animals? That he's been happy lately saying he can find various animals around the residence.」
Sayri was the innocent and delicate youngest son. Having grown up wary of his fierce older sisters since childhood, he was timid and spineless.
Since Duke Roam had intended to pass the family to the Phrygian anyway, he did not try to correct his youngest son's personality. He judged a quiet disposition better than having him roam outside causing trouble.
Thus, Sayri had been able to live comfortably and freely under the Duchess of Roam's skirts.
Until now.
「It seems Sayri has witnessed animals gathering in Anelli's room several times.」
「Is animals gathering a problem?」
「If the same animals enter and leave that room repeatedly?」
Duke Roam tightly closed his lips. The Duchess of Roam easily noticed her husband's anger gradually subsiding.
From the start, Duke Roam could not be truly angry with her.
Wasn't it natural? Duke Roam was the man who had seated her in this residence with all sorts of sweet talk and schemes.
A man who had strived his whole life to win a piece of his wife's heart—how could he dare be angry? It was impossible.