…..

“Oh come on, that can’t be.”

This is now the ‘Age of Glory’ where magic, dragons, and fairies have disappeared.

Covering up such horrible things won’t bring curses from monsters that vanished a thousand years ago. That’s the thinking of a sensible person.

“Well then, well then.”

Trying hard to ignore her fear, she once again looked with satisfaction at her newly decorated room…..

“Oh my, you startled me!”

For a moment she thought her heart had stopped. That’s because Lady Euphemina was suddenly standing in front of the door, having arrived at some point.

Wearing clothes so bright they appeared white, the girl staring at the Baroness Baden with her usual blank expression was truly ghost-like. She could have at least made some noise.

“If you’ve come, don’t just stand there, come in, Lady.”

She seemed to have come to see the newly decorated room. Her eyes sparkled as she looked around the interior from the doorway.

It was thanks to Euphemina that she was able to change the interior decoration like this. It was she who had told her that what was originally used in this room was still in good condition.

“The green curtains and bedding are really pretty, Baroness.”

“Hoho. I’m very pleased with them too. This is all thanks to you, Lady.”

Baroness Baden’s room was filled with green everywhere.

Vivid green curtains with elegant vines and floral patterns, green bedding and carpet.

If there had been more time, she would have wanted to change the wallpaper to green as well – the green here was so dazzlingly beautiful.

It was as if it had been dyed with finely ground emeralds.

Who would have thought that finding a green ribbon sticking out from under the bed while giving Euphemina etiquette lessons would turn out to be such good fortune!

Baroness Baden fell completely in love with that clear color at first sight.

With her eyes wide open, she asked Euphemina where she had gotten this green ribbon.

She answered with a broad smile, as if boasting.

As it turned out, the room Baroness Baden was now using had been a space personally used by the previous Duchess Daiern.

At the time, it was said to be a beautiful room filled with her favorite colors.

For reference, the Duchess Daiern mentioned here refers to Lady Euphemina’s birth mother.

“By the way, are you really alright with this, Lady? If it belonged to the previous Duchess, it’s no different from your mother’s keepsakes.”

“But it’s so pretty, it would be a shame to just leave it unused.”

That statement was certainly worth nodding to.

Although it was 10 years old, the vivid green was so beautiful that it was too elegant to even mention fashion.

This was enough. Even if she had new curtains and bedding made, it would be difficult to find something this satisfying.

Baroness Baden was so pleased that she resolved to decorate her own residence in green sometime soon.

“But Lady, why have you been standing at the entrance all this time?”

Are you not coming in?

When asked like that, Euphemina slowly shook her head.

Not only that, she even took one step back. As if she was averse to this room…..

‘Ah, mysophobia!’

Euphemina’s behavior was almost eerie, but Baroness Baden quickly found a reasonable explanation.

Because of her cleanliness disorder, she probably wouldn’t be keen on entering someone else’s room.

‘Still, to let me use even her birth mother’s keepsakes.’

It seems they’ve become quite close, even though only a few days have passed.

“Baroness Baden. You look quite unwell.”

It was one morning a few days after I had gone out with Lord Joseph.

Baroness Baden’s face was particularly pale as she entered the dining room. Thinking she might not have slept well, I said.

“…I’m not feeling too well.”

“You should have said something earlier. I’ll send a messenger to the Baden barony right away. It would be better to call for your personal physician.”

When I spoke worriedly, she waved her hand.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to go that far. Although I did have some trouble sleeping.”

“That’s even more of a problem. I’ve heard that sleep quality is closely related to health.”

At that, Lord Joseph quickly supported my words.

“The Duchess is right, Baroness Baden. Have your personal physician called from your residence, and it would be good for you to rest in your room from today until tomorrow. Tomorrow is a holiday anyway. I’ll take care of Lady Euphemina for today.”

“Hmm….”

Sensing this was her chance, Baroness Baden finally began to talk about a few other symptoms she was experiencing.

“Actually, I haven’t been feeling well for the past few days. It’s somewhat embarrassing to mention this in front of gentlemen, but I’ve also been losing a lot of hair recently.”

“It’s probably because your sleeping place has changed, Baroness Baden. Insomnia is quite common when one’s sleep location suddenly changes.”

“Well….”

However, Baroness Baden seemed somewhat disgruntled even at Lord Joseph’s words.

I asked.

“If not that, is there anything else you suspect might be the cause?”

“…Well.”

As if my guess was correct, she furrowed her brow and began to speak in a very cautious tone.

“I recently covered the face of the gargoyle statue, and I was wondering if that might be why I’ve fallen ill like this….”

“Pardon?”

“You know, wasn’t there talk of curses and such? This mansion is so bizarre after all. There are even some unpleasant rules and such.”

I had no idea what she was talking about.

I thought she would give a more realistic excuse. Not babble about some ridiculous superstition.

Moreover, what connection could there be between covering a statue and insomnia?

And what unpleasant rules?

Of course, I had already received a report a few days ago that she had the servants cover up the gargoyle decorations.

Come to think of it, she said she had brought out and used the bedding and curtains that were stored in the warehouse.

I thought it was clever how they found and took out what had been deliberately put away because it was cherished by the previous Duchess.

Since Euphemina gave permission, I have nothing more to say about it.

Anyway, yes. Shouldn’t she sleep more comfortably after covering up the statue she was so afraid of?

Unless she really has been cursed by the gargoyle as she said, there seems to be no reason for her health to deteriorate.

“Oh, no. That’s right, how could there be such a thing as a curse, hoho. I seem to have said something quite unnecessary.”

For a moment, I thought my look of disdain might have shown on my face.

Anyway, seeing me just blinking silently, Baroness Baden quickly changed the subject.

“So, I was thinking, rather than necessarily calling for a personal physician, how about taking a leave until tomorrow? As Lord Alperon said, there’s no lesson tomorrow anyway. I thought it might be good to stop by my residence and get some rest on this occasion.”

“Ah, your residence…?”

I deliberately furrowed my brow as if reluctant.

But I’m sorry to say this, honestly, Baroness Baden didn’t seem to be in a state of illness severe enough to warrant returning to her residence for two days of recuperation.

Just look at how she’s enjoying her breakfast right now.

Of course, I’m not denying that her complexion doesn’t look good.

However, as the one who hired her as my daughter’s chaperone, I should express displeasure in this situation, even if I have to act.

‘Even though I’ve been waiting for this situation.’

Indeed, seeing my displeased expression, Baroness Baden began to stammer and make other excuses.

“I came in such a hurry that I brought too little luggage, and I forgot to pack winter clothes. I think my poor health might be partly due to catching a cold… So I was thinking of stopping by my residence briefly and getting winter clothes fitted at the boutique street for a day or so.”

“Ah. I did think that Baroness Baden’s luggage was extremely light.”

Lord Joseph’s support is also appropriate.

Haah.

My timing of sighing was also just right. I should give permission soon at this rate.

“…If that’s the case, I suppose it can’t be helped.”

In fact.

Today and tomorrow, when she would be completely absent, were the most appropriate days to turn Teacher Ernestine’s heart.

“Do go, Baroness Baden. I hope to see you in good health in three days.”

First, I should talk about what happened early this morning.

Loretta woke me up at the usual time.

She opened the windows that had been tightly shut all night, and I enjoyed the soft natural light of the morning spreading through the large bay window facing the bed.

This was how my fixed morning routine began – looking at the scenery outside the window as soon as I woke up, gradually coming out of sleep.

But today’s start was a little different.

“Lord Joseph is outside?”

To be honest, I’m quite groggy in the morning. That’s why I deliberately wake up a little earlier to have time to fully wake up.