Old Knowns

POV Ellen:

After a pleasant bath and an uncomfortable inspection by the maid...

*Steps *Steps

I walked slowly towards the living room, observing the place that had been my home for months...

First... why do I need to be particularly meticulous about hygiene today?

Well, it turns out that my mistress, Duchess Stromcrest, is expecting our arrival with a tailor who will adjust a dress specially designed for this day.

Design, color, or additions?

All unknown to me.

(Given that this is nobility...)

Something ridiculously luxurious and impractical awaits me.

And second...

What makes today special enough to need all this?

Kylo Stromcrest's birthday, my soon-to-be new master.

I've thought of many ways to handle this event and came to a simple but effective conclusion.

(Don't appear weak, but not intimidating either.)

Children generally care a lot about appearances, so if I look too weak, this boy might torment me for fun; on the other hand, if I seem too intimidating, he could develop a dislike for me, which would lead to him attacking me to "defend himself."

For this, I've developed a respectful neutral tone, very different from my strong-willed character from my past life, along with a nearly perfect poker face.

(Ready...) My maid uniform, my appearance, and my future demeanor; now all I had to do was meet my current mistress and, consequently, greet my new master.

*Sit down

With nothing to do but wait, I sat on a sofa and focused on a rather large portrait in front of me.

An extremely beautiful woman.

Dark hair, crimson eyes, a flirtatious look, and an exquisite face.

A woman capable of sparking envy in even the most beautiful princess.

(Even just seeing her portrait overwhelms me...) That's how beautiful she was.

Whenever I saw her, my eyes couldn't tear away from hers, and before I knew it...

"Eh? Again...?"

I was standing in front of the painting.

It's a very curious phenomenon, but not as curious as the items on a small table in front of the painting.

Two medium candles and a pale green flower.

(Emeraldia... a tradition from the Eldoria Empire... in Celestia...) I remember this tradition, as the fat bastard used to do this whenever one of his relatives passed away.

If I'm not mistaken...

This flower was offered as a token to the goddess of death, so she would care for the soul of the deceased and guide it to a prosperous new life.

The flower was placed in front of a portrait of the deceased, and candles were lit for a month, since the flower takes a month to wilt once cut.

"She is Lilith Rose von Blackthorn, Kylo Stromcrest's biological mother," at some point, Vivianne came to stand beside me and said this while looking at the portrait.

!!!

(When?!)

"Ma'am!" I exclaimed with surprise and an apologetic tone.

"It's fine, it's normal to be mesmerized by the beauty of the late mistress," she said nostalgically.

"So... this is Kylo's mother... wait a moment, but Kylo isn't..." I noticed an obvious inconsistency, but when I was about to point it out...

"Kylo is the son of the late Duke and concubine Lilith, but the Duchess loves him as if he were her own flesh and blood. So mind your words," Vivianne said, in an informative yet somewhat strict tone.

"Yes."

"Don't think about unnecessary things. It's time to go. Are you ready?"

(It's time, huh...)

"Yes, thank you for your care," I said humbly, bowing my head.

No matter how they treat me in the future, the fact is that the maid in front of me did care about my well-being and treated me very kindly for someone who serves high nobility in this kingdom.

That's why I give her my most sincere thanks.

"Let's go."

And with those words, I left this grand house, which I wouldn't see again for a long time.

--

(Ridiculous! Ridiculous!!)

I shouted internally as I looked at the dress I had to wear.

"It's perfect! Just tighten the waist a little, just a little," Duchess Stromcrest said, with the tailor at her side.

The once fierce eyes I remembered from the Duchess now sparkled like stars as she gave increasingly horrendous instructions to the tailor.

(Why so many ribbons?! This is ridiculous... huh? Now in my hair? Do you know how ridiculous I look? Please!)

Sadly, I could only complain in my mind and close my eyes as they made the adjustments.

Once finished, I didn't bother to look at my outfit. With my ears drooping, I followed their instructions and sat on a kind of blanket whose design matched the dress.

"Hehe." Someone's laughter was heard beside me.

*Giggle *Giggle

It was obviously mocking, and surely directed at me.

*Giggle *Giggle

(Who?!). I turned my head slightly and looked at the owner of that annoying smile.

Blond hair, blue eyes?, a chubby face.

A girl no older than 6 was looking at me, laughing.

*Turned my head away.

I had no choice but to avoid looking at her, as it could get me into trouble.

*Giggle *Giggle

(...)

Patience...

*Door opening

The door opened, and someone entered.

"Mother, according to the knights, Kylo will arrive soon," a young female voice said.

"Perfect, decorations... food... gift..." replied the Duchess.

I felt a gaze but kept my eyes on the floor.

"Great! Everything's ready!"

That monster of combat and fashion seemed genuinely concerned that this party be perfect.

"But mother... are you sure? I mean, gifting a little one..." at that moment, the young voice said something that from my perspective sounded racist.

"Yes, don't worry, your mother has a good eye," said the Duchess, without showing the slightest concern.

But I did care, so I quickly raised my head and looked at the owner of the young voice.

*Eyes opening *Pupils dilating

(She is...)

Someone I knew.

*Clank *Clank

"Your Excellency! We've been informed that young Kylo's carriage has arrived," said a knight, interrupting to report.

"Perfect, everyone get ready!" shouted the Duchess.

*Steps *Steps

And everyone began to move.

--

"So, Kylo? Did you like the gift? Her name is Ellen, and I think I made a good choice. After all, she seems skilled in spiritual arts and will surely be a good companion for you," after a surprising greeting, the Duchess introduced me to my new master.

I didn't look at him and simply kept my neutral expression while looking ahead.

*Circling.

The boy analyzed me in detail, circling around me until he stood in front of me.

We made eye contact.

(I see... so it's you...), I recognized him immediately.

I didn't remember his name, but seeing his appearance, and especially those purple eyes, I remembered.

Probably the most disappointing man I've ever met.

So much so that at one point, I tried to manipulate him using my charms, but failed.

(The White Witch is behind this boy... this just became problematic.)

The boy, oblivious to my thoughts, continued staring at me while a strange smile appeared on his face.

*Shiver.

*Frown.

My instincts alerted me for a moment.

"I really like her, mom! Can I play with her?"

*Hug.

Suddenly, he hugged me, and I don't know why, but I reciprocated his hug somehow.

(What? Why did I do that?)

*Pat on the head.

*Pat on the head.

After those pats on the head from my new master, the Duchess, for some reason, told everyone to leave.

"You stay, I have something to discuss with you."

Except for me and the maid who came with the master.

"Yes," a sweet voice replied.

*Ears perking up.

??

(...It's familiar.)

That's when I lifted my head and saw her.

Pink hair, blue eyes... a silly smile.

"Hello, companion!" she said in a condescending tone.

"YOU!!!"

// Merry Christmas! //