Memory Loss and Peppermint Tea

Maria, previously known as Eunwool Kim began life as a bodyguard for an idol. She, just like anyone else, couldn't comprehend transmigrating into a novel. But the silver eyes and black hair staring back at her told her a different story. "I...honestly have no idea what the hell I'm supposed to do..." She bit her lip, mind running with many ideas as to what she must do here as Maria. Clenching her hand, she hated feeling abandoned. As if there's a doom awaiting her no matter what she does. Run away? The demon king in the third book would kill her. Although she may not exactly know the events to come, she knew well if it's anything like the previous attack by the Demon king, then she'll more than likely end up in her grave. Fake being Maria? She couldn't deliberately be mean to people who did nothing to her. It's not her character at all. The best she could do now is live as if she never existed in the first place. Even that seemed impossible to her though. If this is anything like the novel, wherever Maria goes, so do the prying eyes of the people around. Then, an idea popped in her head. What if she quit? Maria was nothing but a rotten character who became nothing but a nuisance to everyone besides being eye candy. They'll more than likely allow her to leave even if it meant breaking the contract.

"Let's try that" She decided, gulping as her sliver eyes gazed at the door slightly open after Marias mother, Estria informed her of breakfast. Another thing to add about Maria is her mother, Estria. She is a warm, kind, and quite possibly the best character in all of "The Journey to Redamancy". Although her daughter remained the villainous of the story, her mother was like the saint to the saintess. Despite their paths being completely different, whenever Anakin or Yulia were down in the dumps and couldn't comfort each other due to their positions, Estria was there. Like a warm blanket and comforting tea, she sat there listening to their troubles. In the end, she brings the two together despite knowing her daughters intentions of splitting them up. Even then, she tried to bring her daughter to a different path. Before she turned into someone horrible. That's one the main reasons the main characters had helped Estria escape from execution.

There has always been another fact in the story that was never answered nor emphasized. The Duke in which Estria and Maria work for. Arch Duke Murphy Arka Delmondo and his relationship with Estria. Many theorized he loves her but couldn't do anything about it because of his status and Estria being a commoner. Also because of his wife, Duchess Eli Arka Delmondo, the other evil villainous. Although she more hated Estria and her daughter but she never did anything to them because Murphy wouldn't forgive her if she did. So she rather directed her atrocious actions to Maxwell, the eldest son of Duke Arka. Then there's other theories like Estria was his first love, savior, or perhaps just someone he looked up to. After all, they are about the same age if remembered correctly, Estris basically grew up with Duke Murphy.

Maria hummed, trying to remember as much as she could from the story. So many events, characters, as well as upcoming struggles started to give her a headache. If anything, she's glad she became Maria rather than some noble woman. She can't possibly learn how to become some proper lady or deal with all those politics. Let alone power struggles. Hell, she hardly understood the government of the 21st century's structure so how the hell would she understand aristocratic politics? Plus, she usually worked out to vent. Very unlike Maria who usually enjoyed strolling around and buying random items just to show off her looks.

"Hmmmm" Maria thought, sighing as she came to a halt when she felt her stomach growl. She'll eat first then think later. "There you are. I was just about to fetch you again" She grimaced hearing Estria's sweet voice. Maria treated this lovely women so horribly, it angered her just thinking about it. Even with that, Estria never stopped loving her dear daughter. "Hm" Maria hummed, not sure how the actual Maria would've responded as she sat down, looking at the rather big breakfast cooked by Estria. Weren't they commoners? How do they have so much food? She wondered until Maria remembered, Estria is Duke Murphys most treasured maid. It makes sense if he gives her a bigger salary than others.

"You must be hungry, you don't usually eat what I cook" She flinched. Already having scooped a spoon full of eggs into her mouth by the time Estria commented, pleasantly surprised by her daughter. "I...thought it's about time I eat your food. Nothing special" Maria said, not making eye contact with Estria as she did so. Taking another spoon full, remembering her grandmother back in Seoul. How is she? Is Deoksu taking care of her? What about her meals? Maria couldn't help but bombard herself with countless questions regarding her grandmother she left behind because she died. Whether she was still healthy or if she's wondering what happened with her. Perhaps heart broken at the news of her death.

"Honey? Wh-What's wrong?" Maria sniffled, wiping away lingering tears ready to fall before Estria could confirm her daughter crying. "It's nothing" Maria's whispery tone left her mother concerned but knowing her short fuse, stayed quiet. She didn't want to further sour Maria's mood. "I'll get ready for work. Take your time eating" Estria smiled lightly, patting Maria's trembling hand holding the fork as she stared down at the eggs on her plate. Flinching when she felt the physical contact, Maria looked up, watching this body mother disappear into a room. Taking a shaky breath, Maria finished up her food and put away the food and plates. Walking into her own room once her mother came back out, scanning the maid outfit to see what clothes she has to wear.

A few minutes later, Maria came back out after doing her hair and fumbling around with the maid clothes. It was stuffy for her who usually wore t-shirts or pants. Wearing a dress with useless decor annoyed her. How can she fight in these clothes? If she so much as ran, the skirt would rip. If she threw a punch, the puff like sleeves would pop off. It wasn't tactical. But, she's supposed to be a maid, not some knight. So she let it go for now. "Oh my..." But as soon as Maria walked out of the room, the tie behind her was loose, the straps to her apron remained slipped off her shoulder, the pin with the Ducal Delmondo symbol holding her collar closed looked ready to fall off, she was a mess. "Come here" Estria giggled, walking over and fixing up Marias uniform.

She had no objections as Estria tightening her apron, sucking in a breath when her waist was squeezed together. These people work in such harsh conditions?! She thought to herself, feeling like she couldn't breathe. "There" Estria smiled, backing up as she looked to see her beautiful daughter letting out a long sigh then tucking a strand of black hair behind her ear. The silver eyes she inherited from her fluttering, as if trying to cope with something. Still, Estria always wondered how she gave birth to the most beautiful girl ever. "Mom?" Maria asked, noticing her stare when she was startled out of her admiration from the word mom. When was the last time Maria called her mom?

"I'm sorry. Let's get going now" Maria nodded her head, following Estria out of the house, mesmerizing the home she lives in and the way to the Ducal Mansion. Surprisingly, they live about 5 minutes away, making it quite easy to get to and from their work place. "Welcome" The guards all nodded to Estria but ignored Maria's existence. Estria greeted them back as they allowed the two through the huge gate. While Maria simply stared up at the steel built gate almost 4 times her height. Then only gasped when they walked through to see at least 2 miles worth of land in sight. Turning back, she examined the hugely built knights guarding the gate. It intimidated her and she had yet to even truly admire the main Ducal mansion.

Turning around after one of the knight caught her staring and glaring back, Maria's mouth fell open seeing a castle like mansion. Its huge!! She thought. Although she's been surrounded by skyscrapers her whole life so it didn't take long to become used to it but the fact this belonged to one family is what got to her. Following Estria, Maria puckered her lips, recalling the novel. There are a total of 5 members of the Ducal Family. The head, Murphy Arka Delmondo, his wife, Duchess Eli Arka Delmondo then 3 sons. Maxwell, the eldest. Mikhail, the middle child. Then Chase, the youngest. Unfortunately the Duke had no girls, as he's always wanted. It made Maria think maybe that's why the duke allowed the old Maria to do whatever she wanted in his mansion. Viewing Estrias daughter as his own. But then again, that just sent shivers up Maria's spine. Now what in the hell would the duke want that? It's creepy, she thought. Glancing at the beautiful woman, Estria leading her into the mansion.

"I need to go to the masters bedroom and wake him, make your way to young master Mikhail. Be sure to prepare his usual tea, okay?" Estria spoke, walking up the stairs as Maria followed closely behind. "Yes" Was her automatic response while the woman turned to the right of the forked stair case while Maria turned left. Once she arrived at the top, she paused. Where would Mikhails room be in this labyrinth like mansion? Spinning around on her cheap leather shoes, Maria dashed to the other side of the stairs, almost tripping on her way up as she yelled out, "Mother!". Estria came to a halt, turning to see her daughter rushing right at her. At first, she thought Maria was hurt or had something urgent to say as worry began to grow in her heart, beating a hundred times a minute.

"Uhm, wh-where is young master Mikhails room? And what's his favorite tea?" Estria blinked listening to Marias obvious questions. She must be joking. The girl worked for the young masters since her teenage years and she doesn't know? "Honey, are you sick?" Since this morning, Estria had felt something change about her daughter. Yet no matter how much she tried to pin point it, nothing came to mind. Perhaps her daughter just felt like acting different today, was what she thought. Now, after such questions, this could make her pass out.

"I'm perfectly healthy...oh! Where's the kitchen? I need to know since I'll prepare his tea..." A silence befell the mother-daughter duo. The worry leveled up to terror for Estria. Has...has her daughter lost it?! "I-I'll get the doctor! N-no- oh my- Do you know me? What's my name?" Out of panic, Estria stumbled to the side, caught by Maria whose eyes widened from her mother's weak knees. When Estria shot out question after question, Maria only groaned. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to ask Maria's mom. Then again, she'd rather ask her than anyone here who, more than likely, has a grudge against the girl and may lead her somewhere else compeltely. Since she read many web novels to know the cliches.

"You're my mother, Estria and Duke Murphy Arka Delmondo's personal maid" Maria said, stabling Estria who slightly calmed knowing her daughter still knows she's her mother. "Then...why are you asking me something you already know?" Estria had to ask.

Maria, also known as Seowool, knew of an excuse but has no idea whether Estria would buy it. After all, Maria has basically been in the Dukes mansion since infancy. It'd be weird to suddenly forget it all but since it's a world of magic, she could easily say something like a mage wiped her memories. Or changed her personality? Either way, for now, she decided to go without the usual.

"Actually, I kind of lost a lot of my memories. I remember a little bit here and there but a majority is...missing. I think it's amnesia" What a lame excuse, Maria thought as she scratched the back of her head. She lived in the 21st century for gods sake, she has no idea how this world runs at all. "A-A-A-A-Amnesia?!' Once again, Estria almost fell over when Maria caught her, steadying the woman to her feet.

"Mother, I don't know how I acted before, but please understand I'm trying my best right now. We can talk about this later. For now, answer my questions" Estria, fanning her reddened face glanced at her unusually calm child. She stood there, blank faced and poised. Awaiting an answer from her. Seeing how calm she is, Estria also calmed.

Letting out a sigh, she nodded her head. "Very well" She then gave instructions on how to find Mikhail's bedroom as well as the location of the kitchen. How exactly to prepare his tea and so forth. Maria internally thanked Estria from the bottom of her heart as she dashed back to the other side, remembering maids don't usually run then tried to correct herself into gracefully walking only to trip over her own feet.

Her mother worriedly watched from the other side of the stairs, gasping when she witnessed Maria almost falling then catching herself. Rubbing her clasped hands together, Estria prayed to the gods to watch over her frail daughter. After a moment, she took a deep breath, going straight back into her duties to serve the master of this mansion. Although the thought of her child continued to remain in the back of her head.

Meanwhile, Maria followed everything Estria told her in detail. First, go to the kitchen, taking a right, the second left, another right, go straight until you see a door leading down. There, you will find the kitchen, she heard her voice say. Once Maria arrived, staring down at the doorknob she prayed no one to be inside. Entering the kitchen, her prayers shattered. Two other maids stood in the middle of the kitchen with a young chef, giggling away until all noticed her enter, the mood dulling immediately. "What's she doing here?' "How unsightly" The maids whispered to each other, avoiding eye contact with Maria.

Of course, the usual Maria would've thrown a fit hearing so-called lowly maids speak behind her back but as Seowool, she simply bypassed them, heading straight to the cupboard. "Huh?" "Oh?" The trio all seemed a bit shocked. Seowool hardly cared. For the longest time, she only ever heard mockery since high school. Living in poverty, working extra to make money, mocked as a working ant, lower than an insect, just so she could survive and help her grandmother live.

But rather than telling them to fuck off or smartly remark something worse about their life just to get them off her back, she remained quiet, truly not caring. In fact, it was her arguments with Deoksu that made her grimace. He was the only person that broke her. Made her argue back just as much as he did her. Then a wave of sadness struck her as the tips of her fingers grazed the tea leaves in a jar. She can't believe it, of all things she could miss right now, she missed cussing out that basterd.

"She's trying so hard" "Hehe, of course" "She'll cry to her mother and have us punished" The maids and chef apprentice once again started giggling, noticing Maria's eyes gloss over with tears. Thinking they won.

Letting out a short breath, Maria turned her back to them, grabbing a kettle. Filling it with water from the sink then placing it atop the stove, staring it with fire. At first, she hardly processed the easiness of boiling water for the young masters tea until she realized there's a sink and stove. Both worked a lot like modern technology. Curiously, she glanced under the metal rings. Clicking the stove on, she noticed a magic circle glow bright red before fire emerged.

"Whoa-" She flinched back, amazed. For a moment, Seowool had forgotten. This place, this world, it has magic. "Haha" Of course as someone who never seen magic before, this was amazing. Endless questions and thoughts raced through her head while the trio behind her made fun of her for acting like a child. If they could apply magic like this, why aren't they using it for other advancements? She glanced around the kitchen. Besides some tools, everything else looked very old. Making her frown.

Well, it's not like she can up and tell them since she really doesn't know how to apply magic to something. Especially since she doesn't know how to use magic herself.

Right, she brought herself back to her original goal, make Mikhail his morning tea. Very unenthusiasticly, she placed a cup on the counter, grabbing a mini strainer and adding some of the tea leaves into it. Picking up the whistling kettle, she poured the water through the leaves. Allowing some of the leaves to soak in the steaming water while she explored the rest of the cup boards, amazed by the amount of food, seasoning, and sugar based products like syrup, jam, brown sugar, etc.

Once enough time went by, she took out the strainer and placed it carefully in the sink after dumping the used leaves in the trash. She whipped out a metal tray, easily balancing the cup of scorching tea as she walked out of the kitchen, bypassing the group again without acknowledging their existence the entire time. For some reason, they felt like they had lost somehow. But at the same time, they all wondered if that really was Maria or someone who looked exactly like her.

Since when has she ever been able to move around the kitchen and prepare tea without breaking a single thing? This very fact, sent shivers down their spines. Maria is actually working.

"Whew~" Yet, this Maria who's very much Maria, just with another soul let out a shaking sigh. She felt tense and nervous the entire time, thankful that none of them tried talking to her. Although she felt maybe she was acting a little too suspicious since the girl explored the kitchen as if it was her first time. "Still, I made it" She smiled to herself, feeling somewhat accomplished.

Walking through the corridor of the Ducal mansion, her silver eyes filled with innocent curiosity scanned each picture as she made her way to the 2nd young master's room. A few of them looked to be paintings from long ago, probably the legacy of the Ducal house Arka. Many had hair a light blonde, almost white. Wielding a sword during battle. That reminded her, the Ducal house was known for its military power as well as the birth place of sword masters. Winning many wars and becoming the main protector of the Empire, Arka then gained the title of Duke for their many accomplishments. Saving many. Even now, they continue to take pride in being both a weapon and shield for the empire.

"Ah- I almost missed it-" Seowool ended up wandering past young master Mikhails door after thinking about the Ducal house, back tracking to the entrance. She paused, furrowing her brows. Does she knock on the door? Replaying many scenes in webnovels and manwhas she's read, she used that as an example. Straightening up her stance, holding the tray at a steady 180 then made two firm knocks. "Your tea is here, young master" She said in the most deadpanned tone she could muster, trying to keep the trembling to a minimum.

There was no answer. Making Seowool nervous. Wondering if renouncing her arrival would be too much or placing the tea on the ground would suffice. "Come in" Unfortunately for her, the young master was indeed in the room. Darn! "Excuse me" She said, lightly opening the door, entering into what she thought was a kings chamber. A spotless room filled with gold treasures greeted her sparkling sliver eyes. Scanning the room as fast as she could while walking up to the presumed young master sitting at a desk, writing with a textbook open on the side.

"Your tea" Maria placed the cup a bit away from his work, gulping as Mikhail didn't spare her a glance at all. No thank you or you can go. Since he didn't say a single thing, Seowool assumed she had other duties to do in the room. Looking around, she tried to figure it out until she saw the messy bed. Of course. She forgot they it's a world where maid practically do everything for nobles. Without another word, Seowool strutted her way to the bed, glancing at the huge sheets and blankets. Fixing it up.

Yet the urge to jump on the massive mattress full of the softest and best smelling covers ever made her pout.

"What's that face?" She flinched, fixing her face. "Pardon?" She asked, putting on her best customer service smile. This made the young master Mikhail raise a brow. Since Maria didn't allow her curiosity to get the best of her before, she didn't try and sneak a peek at Mikhails face but now that the boy turned to her completely, she could shamelessly check him out. Having no regrets as he looked absolutely stunning. His hair was that of the Duke's, blonde hair so light, it almost looked white as well as his light golden eyes examining Maria. Still, she could tell the boy was at least around 15 or 16.

"Tch, stop smiling. It's disgusting" Followed as told, Maria immediately stopped smiling. This left Mikhail utterly speechless. "Shall I remain neutral in your presence, young master?" She asked, truly out of the sake for him when he clenched his teeth, taking it differently. "Are you mocking me?!" He yelled, Maria's serious face relaxing into slight shock. Right, Maria is a hated character. Of course she might've done something to the young masters although it was never mentioned in the novel.

"No, young master. I apologize if it seems I did" She bowed, a perfect bow she had learned through many part time jobs she's taken.

Mikhails eye twitched.

"Get out" He demanded.

"Eh?" Seowool was confused.

"I said get out!! Take your filthy hands off my bed and get out!!" Seowool jumped hearing his yell at the top of his lungs, making her furrow her brows, both offended and shocked. "Yes, young master" She said anyway, making her way to the door and shutting it closed. Suppressing herself from slamming it closed.

"Did I say something wrong? I just followed their example..." She mumbled to herself as she let go of the doorknob. "Their" being the maids from web novels and manwhas she's read. A little sad that such a cute boy just shouted in her face like that. She took note, Mikhail hates Maria. Why? Well, she can investigate that later.

So, she turned around, walking back to the kitchen for now.

Mikhail, although, clenching his hands into fists, annoyed with his interaction with Maria. The girl only ever kmew how to get on his nerves with her two-faced personality. Fuming, he grabbed the cup Maria brought in, taking a long sip when a pleasant aroma as well as taste covered his tongue. Moving the cup away, he stared down into the dark water. It's different. Very different.

He wanted to be angry about it. How dare that maid change his tea without permission?! Yet, after drinking some of it, he couldn't. It was perfect. Not only did it taste good but it felt like he could focus a little more.

Not knowing that Maria had added peppermint out of habit.