Haunted Duke’s Daughter

Yes, of course. More carriages, more servants, more of the same wherever they go. Thats the way it is with all the high-ranking nobles I know.

Aldis too?

Ray asked.

No, Aldis is an exception. They often travel far and wide, but its always like this. Sometimes they dont even have an escort. Well, Kelvin-sama and Cross-sama are both very strong.

But its still a problem for me as their subordinate. Ive been in a constant state of anxiety. Well, they are much easier to get along with than the other nobles.

Yeah, I can understand that. Im also learning from the Aldis family.

Hmm? What do you mean?

Its nothing.

Lilia quietly walked back inside and tilted her head.

LIs this travel strange?

SIts strange for a senior noble. But its not a bad thing, so I think its fine. You dont have to worry about it.

Yes, Lilia said, trying to get back under the blanket.

By the way, youre looking at Lady Lillian, is something wrong?

I stopped in my tracks when I heard that.

Well, its not really anything, but.

Maybe youre.Youre in love with her, arent you?

Ray was at a loss for words, and there was silence. After a while, two of the guards blurted out, Really?

Its a bit of a tall order, isnt it?

No, thats true.

There was an awkward silence but eventually, Dios voice rang out,

Ill tell you my best pick-up line!

Dont worry, Ray! Were here to support your fruitless love affair!

Really? Thank you!

Hearing Rays happy voice, Lilia quietly went back to her blanket. She lay down again and closed her eyes.

S He said it was a fruitless love.

LOh, my. Thats for sure.

SHa-ha-ha.

Lilias eyebrows twitched. She smiled thinly, and thought.

SOh, no! No green pepper!

LThe villages specialty is green peppers, I think.

SNo!

Lilia let out a creepy laugh and Sakura complained sulkily. After a round of laughter, they took a breath.

LGood night then, Sakura. See you tomorrow.

SYeah. Good night, Lilia.

Just as she was about to slowly fall asleep for some reason, the image of Sakura holding her knees in the dark appeared in her eyes. Without having time to think about its meaning, Lilia fell asleep.

The rest of the journey was smooth. We entered the village on schedule and spent the night at a small inn. We left the village without anything of note and entered the town where the villa was located at noon that day.

Aldis villa is located in the northeast of the town. When Tina saw the building, she was dumbfounded, her mouth half open.

Im sorry. Its a small building.

Lilia said with a chuckle, and then, Tina turned around.

Small?

Yes. Its small, isnt it? Compared to the main residence.

That may betrue, but

Tina looks at the villa and the surrounding buildings. Indeed, this villa is almost as big as the surrounding buildings. However, its surroundings are also a problem. If you go further out, you will see a row of ordinary small houses. Its completely different from this neighborhood.

Could it be that the buildings around here are?

Most of the buildings around here are probably the villa of some nobleman.

I see.

Tina gave a drawn-out smile, followed by a sigh. In a small voice, she muttered, After all, we live in a different world.

SHey, Lilia. There are other villas, arent there?

Lilia raised her eyebrows and waited for her to continue.

SAre the other ones this big too?

LNo, theyre not.

SGood, thats a bit of a relief.

LTheyre not this small.

SThats not fair!

Whats so unfair about it? While Lilia was nodding her head, the carriage entered the grounds.

The grounds of the villa were reasonably large, and there was a large garden in front of the building. Unlike the one at the main residence, it was planted with a variety of plants in a pleasing manner.

At the back of the garden, in front of the building, there was a line of servants working here. There were only five of them, but it was less than half the size of the main residence, and considering the fact that no one usually lived here, it was probably not too bad.

When Lilia and the others got off the carriage, the servants bowed their heads in unison.

Welcome home, Miss Liliane.

Lilias cheeks tugged at the greeting, which was not a minute out of place. Upon closer inspection, the servants seemed to be somewhat tense.

As the two guards began to unload the luggage, two of the servants ran to help. They carefully carried the luggage into the room as if they were handling valuables. I wondered what was wrong with them, since I hadnt put anything that important in there.

Thinking about it, I immediately had an idea. The cause of the problem was none other than me.

SI told you Lilia.

LYes, you did.

The people of this town did not know that Lilia was trying to change. Even if they had known, it would have only been from reports from her father and brother, and not something they would have believed so easily.

LSakura. If you need anything, just let me know.

SAye.

Smiling at Sakuras cheerful voice, Lilia stepped into the building.