“Miss! Are you okay?”

Under Giben’s watchful eye, after having a hearty meal and returning to the mansion, the mansion was in a state of chaos. In particular, the face of Rachel, Riley’s personal maid, was so pale that she seemed to collapse at any moment.

“You fainted!”

“Oh? Yeah… has that news already spread here?”

Rachel examined Riley’s body with concern.

“Yes! A reprimand was issued for not properly taking care of Miss Riley, saying… ”

“Oh, sorry… I caused trouble for you again.”

“Is your body okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Her thoughts were short. Despite having let loose her composure, causing worry for everyone like this.

Feeling sorry, Riley avoided the gazes of the servants. She had been neglectful of her body care for no reason, creating a situation where they would be scolded.

“I’m sorry. Because of me, everyone got in trouble…”

As Riley muttered in a flat voice, Lady Sophia, the housekeeper, smiled kindly and said,

“Have the worries that have been troubling you in your heart been somewhat resolved?”

“…How did you know?”

“I couldn’t not know. You’ve been lifeless all this time. The doctor said there’s nothing wrong with your body, and you’ve been saying you have no appetite all day, so I thought it might be a problem of the heart.”

“…I see. I’m fine now. The worries have been resolved.”

“Then I’m relieved. I’ve prepared a warm bath. Will you take a bath right away?”

As Riley nodded, Sophia ordered Rachel,

“Take the children and prepare Miss Riley’s bath.”

“Yes, Milady.”

After Sophia left and Riley undressed, getting ready for a bath, there was a knock on the door. As the door opened with an invitation to come in, Liz, looking tense, approached holding something in her hand.

“What’s going on?”

“This is… herbal tea good for energy recovery and insomnia.”

“…Did you prepare this?”

Liz nodded, glancing at Riley. Then, in a subdued voice, she said,

“You haven’t been sleeping properly for a few days and looked tired…”

“…Did you prepare this because you were worried about me?”

“…Yes.”

Since Riley brought Liz into this mansion, she hadn’t properly taken care of her. She entrusted all the care for her to Rachel. So, Liz’s kindness was unexpected. Suspicion briefly arose, but Riley quickly dismissed it and accepted the tea she offered.

“Thank you, I’ll drink it well.”

“Yes, Miss. Then I’ll leave now.”

She probably didn’t do anything to the tea. Unless she wanted to fall into a big dilemma if there was a problem with the tea she made herself.

The tea had a very pleasant fragrance. A tea made with great care and effort emitted a rich aroma.
While savoring the tea, Riley called Rachel.

“Don’t call the other children; let her take a bath alone.”

“Okay, will you go in now?”

“Yeah.”

Rachel helped Riley undress and poured fragrant oil into the warm water. Riley, wrapped in a thin towel, entered the bathtub.

“Is Liz adapting well?”

“Yes, she works hard… she used to be a maid for a long time, so she’s quick and clever.”

“I see.”

“Everyone takes good care of her, but sometimes I hear her crying in her room.”

“…”

“But lately, she cries much less. She works earnestly and quietly… She seems to be aware of Miss’s gaze a lot. Recently, she’s been worrying a lot about Miss.”

“Has she gone outside separately or anything?”

“No, even if I suggest going out together, she says she’s a stranger here, there’s no one to meet, and she doesn’t know the way, so she stays in her room. I’m worried she might get sick if she keeps staying like this.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, there doesn’t seem to be anything suspicious.”

“Okay… I’ve been neglecting Liz too much. Now that she’s adapted here, it’s time to check her usefulness.”

At Riley’s words, Rachel chuckled. Riley didn’t say anything more, and Rachel, thinking that she might have different thoughts, washed her body.

After bathing, when Riley returned to her room, she said to Rachel.

“Bring Liz here right away.”

Accepting Riley’s order, Rachel soon brought Liz.

When Liz met Riley’s gaze, she hurriedly lowered her head, trembling.

“Sit there.”

She wasn’t as scared as she was when she first came here, but she was still afraid. She couldn’t meet Riley’s eyes properly and seemed very nervous.

Did she do something wrong? Her thoughts were clearly visible as she rolled her head. It was pitiful, like a wet puppy.

“Don’t be scared. I didn’t call you to scold you.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“How is life here?”

“I really like it. Everyone is kind, the work isn’t hard… The food is abundant, and the salary is given in advance…”

“Is there anything uncomfortable?”

“…There’s nothing.”

“But why did you look so lifeless?”

At Riley’s question, Liz raised her head, looked at Riley, and tightly grasped the edge of her skirt. Tears welled up in her eyes again.

“I wondered if I could enjoy such a good life here. I’m so sorry to you, Miss…”

Was she sincerely repenting? Tears fell incessantly, like raindrops. She repeatedly murmured apologies as if reciting a magic spell. In her trembling voice and anxious eyes, sincerity could be felt.