Published: July 28, 2025
"I will send my younger sister in place of my deceased elder sister"—the letter from Father arrived on the very day we were to set out.
Though the message was sent by a fast courier, the journey by carriage took only four days. There couldn’t be such a big difference in timing.
Because of this, there was a commotion at the gate of the Granado Family’s estate.
"The courier must have arrived the day before yesterday, right? It was a bit sudden, but we didn’t just barge in without permission!" Father shouted.
"However, the master was away at that time, and only just this morning saw the letter. His feelings on the matter are still unsettled," the gatekeeper tried to calm him.
"So please, for today, stay at an inn in the royal capital..."
"Will you promise that we will be allowed into the castle tomorrow? Can you guarantee that?"
"I-I'm just a lowly gatekeeper. Please, just a little time..."
"And if we’re sent away from the gate, who will pay for the travel expenses and lodging we’ve already spent getting here?"
"W-What?! Me?! Why?!"
The exchange carried through the window—so utterly disgraceful.
For many reasons, I couldn’t step out of the carriage.
But I understood why Father was so persistent. If we allowed a thorough inspection, the chance of being turned away would only increase. We had to leave my daughter behind without giving them time to consider. It felt cruel to cast us out by the roadside before they even got to look closely at my face. So, for now, just one night—we aimed to be let inside to rest.
Still, the gatekeeper looked troubled.
I wanted to help him somehow. And all because I wasn’t pretty... I had to find a way to calm Father and accept the inn in the city for today...
Just as I was timing my move, a woman’s voice spoke.
"What’s all the commotion, Thomas?"
"Ah, Lady Mio! Welcome back!" The gatekeeper straightened up.
I peeked out the window.
I thought it might be the count’s family arriving, but instead it was a maid dressed in a typical black one-piece dress with a white apron. Her chestnut hair was braided. She looked about twenty years old. Just as the gatekeeper tried to explain, Father boldly introduced himself. Upon hearing the name Shadelan, the maid—Mio?—knitted her brows.
"Ah... Baron Shadelan. The engagement has been broken off, and ties with your household should have been severed. Is there a problem?"
"I’ve brought the second daughter, Marie. We request an audience with the count."
"...In place of your deceased daughter?"
She looked at Father with disdain. I felt embarrassed. I wanted to drag Father away and leave the royal capital immediately. But I couldn’t, so I shrank inside the carriage.
In contrast, the count’s maid was resolute. She stood firm before Father, shoulders back, unflinching.
"Indeed, the master only confirmed the letter this morning. Upon reading it, he immediately wrote a refusal and entrusted it to me to deliver. It was just sent by courier. It seems there was a misunderstanding, but our answer remains unchanged."
"But we've been on a long journey. We ask to rest. Please allow us into the castle."
"We will pay for your lodging in the city. Please leave, Baron Shadelan."
"T-That won’t do. At least for one night—enough of this, bring out the count!"
"Please leave."
"Silence, you mere servant!"
Father roared and tried to grab the maid’s shoulder.
What was he doing?! I panicked and leapt out of the carriage. I had to stop Father!
But the maid dodged, shrugged off Father’s arm, and before I could react, Father was pinned to the ground. His face pressed against the cobblestones, he groaned in pain.
The maid spoke coldly and firmly.
"Please leave, Baron Shadelan. If this continues, I will call the guards."
"Ugh... Grr... T-this woman! Doing this to me and thinking she’ll get away with it..."
"You may curse me all you want, but entry to the castle is forbidden. Please remain quiet. The master is currently in distress..."
"Ah, um! I’m sorry!"
I dropped to the ground, bowing deeply to be on Father’s level, and looked up at the count’s maid.