The Return of Lilietta - Chapter 5

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 5

Leonhardt gazed at his sister’s resolute face with complicated feelings before opening his mouth.

“If you want to return to your original state, I’ll actively cooperate with that goal as well.”

“You’ll help me find a way to go back?”

“We also want to get the real Lillieta back. I think it’s a beneficial proposal for you too.”

Rita’s brow furrowed. She rested her chin on her hand and fell into thought.

Leonhardt maintained as calm a state as possible while recalling last night’s discussion.

He had insisted she was the real Lillieta, and Richard didn’t believe it.

The Duke trusted his eldest son but also thought Richard’s opinion had merit. There were too many strange points to purely rejoice in his daughter’s return.

They concluded to observe Lillieta more for now. After all, her body was definitely that of the Raskails’ Lillieta.

Moreover, though she herself denied it, if she truly was the real Lillieta down to her soul… they couldn’t lose her again. Absolutely not.

However, they couldn’t reveal such matters to the Duchess, who had become frail after losing her daughter, so they decided to keep Lillieta’s existence secret from her for the time being.

“Brother, I don’t believe excuses like she doesn’t know how this happened either. If that woman stole Lili’s body through black magic or something, I’ll do whatever it takes to get it back.”

Unlike his cautious father who hadn’t met Lillieta directly yet, or his suspicious and grinding brother, Leonhardt was actually almost certain.

‘Father will soon notice too if he observes. Because we’re family. Richard will definitely realize it too.’

Since she absolutely insisted she wasn’t, he couldn’t force her by saying she was Lillieta, so he had no intention of showing it immediately.

‘Until Lili realizes it herself… let’s just treat her as Rita Pascal.’

Lillieta pondered for a long time. Leonhardt waited quietly.

Following the rising sun, light gradually filled in and slowly pushed away the shadows indoors. In the full morning sunlight, she finally nodded.

“Alright, I’ll accept that proposal.”

* * *

After eating a simple breakfast in her room and having the wound on her hand treated by the physician Leonhardt sent, Rita followed the maid’s guidance.

Though she had accepted to play ‘Lillieta’s role,’ when she said she wasn’t sure what specifically she should do, Leonhardt carefully instructed her.

“For now, just think of this manor as your home and live here. I’ve told the servants you returned having lost your memory, so treat them comfortably. If you get questions like where you’ve been, just say you don’t remember.”

“Father and my brother know you’re ‘Rita Pascal.’ But we haven’t told Mother anything. Do you understand what I mean?”

“When you can properly play Lillieta’s role, we plan to tell Mother you’ve returned. So until then, be careful not to encounter Mother.”

“Over there, see the annex behind the garden? Mother stays there. She couldn’t bear it in the main building because memories with Lillieta kept coming back. She rarely comes out of the annex, so just don’t go near the garden area.”

“I’ve instructed the servants to keep quiet. You’re also in a confused state and need to adapt, and Mother needs to find stability too, so we’re keeping it secret for now. Everyone saw her nearly collapse at the funeral, so they’ll all be careful with their words.”

“Other than that, yes, just live and adapt as the Duke’s youngest daughter ‘Lillieta.’ Live with the mindset that you’ve truly become Lillieta.”

Until she could properly play the ‘Lillieta’ role in front of the Duchess, live as ‘Lillieta’ in the manor and adapt to a noble lady’s life.

Rita accepted Leonhardt’s proposal like a mission objective.

‘I’m terrible at disguising or acting as a civilian. That was Senior Iss’s specialty.’

Not even an ordinary civilian, but playing a noble lady when she didn’t even know what nobility was. Her head throbbed.

The instruction to think of it as home and live comfortably was also difficult.

Rita Pascal had never had a home. She had lived wandering battlefields and ruins with her squad members. You couldn’t call a temporary campsite home.

‘So… if I’m not sure, today I should just put on a dress and tour the manor, right? He’ll invite an etiquette teacher soon, so until then just…’

Understanding the structure and terrain of where you’re staying was basic for camping.

Rita decided today’s goal would be understanding and memorizing the structure of this manor called ‘Birch Tree Castle,’ and felt somewhat more at ease.

“Um… Oh, Miss. We, we’ve arrived. H-h-here it is.”

The trembling maid’s voice awakened her from pondering tools to draw a manor map.

Rita only then noticed that Hanna, the maid serving her, was still in a frightened state.

“Excuse me…”

“Y-y-yes!”

When she called out carefully, Hanna answered as if startled. Rita swallowed a sigh and spoke as gently as possible.

“You were startled earlier, weren’t you? I’m sorry. I… lost my memory. I thought this was an unfamiliar place and was overly cautious. I’m sorry for scaring—”

“I-it’s fine! For Miss to apologize to s-s-someone like me!”

The maid, who jumped as if startled, hastily changed the subject.

“L-look! T-t-this is the dressroom where Madam collected the dresses made for Miss!”

Hanna pointed to an antique wooden door, then suddenly looked wistful.

“Madam… said there should always be clothes for Miss to wear when you returned, so she had a dress made every year on Miss’s birthday…”

Rita, who had only heard from Leonhardt to follow the maid and change into a dress, flinched in surprise.

‘Is it really okay for me to wear such clothes when I’m not even the real Lillieta?’

As she swallowed the question she couldn’t voice, Hanna wiped her eyes and murmured.

“She had them made to fit the average build of girls your age each year… *sob*, Madam said that while Miss in the photos doesn’t grow, only Miss’s dresses keep growing, that you were so small but are already all grown up… *sniff*.”

“…”

Rita’s heart grew heavier and she couldn’t say anything. Hanna, who had been sniffling, turned to her and clasped her hands together.

“Miss’s return is truly a great miracle! Every time I cleaned this room and saw the ownerless dresses, my heart ached. Oh, how happy Madam will be… I wish we could tell Madam about Miss’s return as soon as possible.”

“…”

“So you don’t need to apologize to me for making a mistake because it felt unfamiliar, really! Just Miss’s very existence is so grateful!”

She couldn’t bear to look directly at the maid who was thanking her with teary eyes. Rita subtly averted her gaze and barely managed to reply.

“No… Still, threatening a civil— I mean, um, threatening you was definitely wrong…”

“I’m really fine! I was a little surprised earlier, but I’m not scared at all now! Miss Lillieta is our Madam’s daughter, so there’s no reason to be afraid! I was so excited to hear I’d be serving Miss!”

Hanna, who seemed overwhelmed by something and poured out words passionately, pressed both hands to her chest and her eyes shone.

“I hope Miss will treat me comfortably! I’ll serve you with all my heart as your personal maid, so please think of this Hanna as Miss’s hands and feet from now on!”

“Y-yes… Th-thank you.”

When Rita, overwhelmed by the momentum, barely managed to nod, Hanna, completely recovered, opened the dressroom door with a bright smile.

“Then Miss, let’s get you a dress…”

The moment the door opened, Rita caught a scent.

The fishy smell of earth after rain, or the scent like charred wood pieces. A sharp and bitter feeling that stung the nose.

A familiar and ominous smell.

The aura emitted when a demon beast that had just devoured a person was digesting human flesh.

That the aura was strong enough for human noses to smell meant the presence of a powerful Named demon beast worthy of its own title.

The finale of countless tragedies and disasters, and the prelude to desperate battles.

She instinctively reacted to the nightmare’s fragrance carved into her bones.

She pulled the civilian in front behind her and crouched low, holding her breath. At the same time, her hand reached for a weapon but grasped at air.

‘I don’t have a gun, damn it.’

There was a way to shoot magic bullets barehanded, but that required being able to handle Od.

Moreover, this was a solo combat situation with no comrades to fight alongside, and she even had a helpless civilian with her.

‘This is the worst.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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