Chapter 1 part 3

After I woke up as Silla Epheria, I spent two days focusing on nursing my body. Silla's body wasn't healthy to begin with; additionally, this body was lying sick for a whole week, so it staggered easily like a wilted decorative plant. It would take at least a month to recover vitality with balanced nutrition, but wasn't holy power the best and quickest way to restore a body's condition? Thankfully due to my holy power, I was able to get a doctor's diagnosis stating that I'm already healthy, so I could go outside two days later.

"Second Miss took almost all the dresses from Miss' dressing room, so there are only a few left…" said Sofia with gloomy expression.

The place where I live is a small pavilion in the most desolate area of Count Epheria's residence. Although I call it a small pavilion, this ia a two-story building with a few rooms. The problem is what's inside it. Based on the standard of a young noble woman's residence, this place is too empty and looks like it has been raided by a band of thieves. There's only basic furniture inside the bedroom and the dressing room only has some lonely hangers.

This is much more severe than my previous room where it reflected the humble life and noble character of the clergy. This is simply outrageous. Well, if you see it from a girl's perspective, though, this room is pretty much on par with my room, which was filled with weapons, shields, armors, and holy objects.

"There are only old dresses left. Miss' three new dresses that were made early this year…, all of them have been taken away."

I looked half-heartedly at the dress in Sofia's hand, then said, "You said my little sister is 17 years old, right?"

"Yes. 2 years younger than Miss."

That means the Count remarried one year after Silla was born? It's too soon. Strange things keep piling up.

"Second Miss is really envious of you. She even went so far as to take away all your dresses even though they aren't suitable for her size."

While bad mouthing Roanne, the second daughter of Count Epheria, Sofia brought a dress for me to inspect.

"Anyway, this dress is the newest summer dress. But still, this was made last year. Sigh… this is truly too much! It's not like this household has gone bankrupt. Miss must be the only Lady in any Count's household that only has one dress for each season in a year!"

Well, I didn't even have any dresses before. Uniforms and armors weren't made based on seasons.

After I don the dress that Sofia picked out and put on the shoes, I stand in front of the mirror. Silla Epheria is a really beautiful woman. A young lady with lustrous reddish- brown hair and the glimmer of red highlights, wide faded green eyes, and skin as white as snow; she fulfilled all standard criteria of a pretty lady in the Southern Region. Unfortunately…

She looks really pale and low-spirited.

Her cheeks and lips are too pale, and also her very thin body, clearly shows that the girl doesn't have any will to live. Silla is indeed pretty, but she looks lifeless, like a flower that looks down listlessly from heavy rain in a rainy season. It's not surprising given the life she had been living. Nevertheless, if I look like this even now, how listless must she have been before? Perhaps she almost looked like a ghost.

"The high-quality whalebone corset was stolen by Second Miss. Luckily Miss doesn't have to use corset."

"There's nothing to be tied up on my body anyways."

Silla's body is so thin that she doesn't have to use any corset and its enough just using a decorative flowy skirt- whatever it's called, I forgot- anyways, it's enough.

"I'm not putting on any make up."

"But…"

"It's a grieving period. It'll be disrespectful if I put on any make up."

Well, even though the one who passed away is me. Ermm…nope. It could also be said that this funeral is for Silla Epheria since she is the one who died.

"There must be many ladies who will come…"

Although Sofia grumbled, feeling discontent, she still put down the make-up tools. I don't want to put on any make up even when I don't have a funeral as an excuse. I hate the smell of make-up, especially perfume. I received a lot of handkerchiefs and also love letters from ladies, but because they always scented it with one or two drops of perfume, the smell spread thoroughly inside my room. I couldn't refuse them because I was a knight, so my head ached so much that it felt like it would explode.

After Sofia finished styling up my hair, I turn around in front of the mirror with a smile.

"How about– we ask permission to go outside from my mother now?"

I have to meet my stepmother who is kindly enough not to ask about her daughter's condition after she woke up from a week-long coma, for the past two days.

"The Countess should be in the garden around this time."

The way Sofia spoke changed a bit as soon as we left the pavilion. In front of me, she would insist on calling Silla'a stepmother as 'Madam' not 'Countess', as if she couldn't acknowledge that kind of woman as Countess. However, she addressed her as 'Countess' respectfully when she was outside because there were eyes that could see and ears that could hear everywhere.

"I have conveyed Miss Silla's intention in general so Miss should be able to get the permission quickly… Hah…although an annoying tail will be placed on Miss."

"Do you mean, my fiancé?"

"Yeah."

Sofia pouted until her mouth looked like a duck's beak. Seems like she really hates the man named Viscount Schwart to the bones. I opened the white parasol that Sofia gave and started walking while using it.

Then, I slowly observed the surroundings area.

"This residence is really huge."

"Even though Count Epheria's family aren't some royal aristocrats, but they possess great wealth as a landlord."

In other words that means Count Epheria family didn't have a long history and power, but they're filthy rich. I love money. After I observed for a while, most of the buildings here are still considered new because they're built not long ago and I saw many servants come and go.

"How long has this residence in the capital been built?"

"This residence was built when the Count remarried the current Countess."

"Oh…"

All the information I have gathered until now clearly told me something was amiss. I glanced at the blue sky through the lace fabric.

"A parasol is really a good item, isn't it?"

The parasol I'm using right now blocked the sun's heat really well, though it's still early summer. Please let men use a parasol too! Well, even though I'm a woman.

After passing through the wide stone-layered pathway that have been well polished, I could see the splendid central flower garden. A big water fountain built using marble stone; an artificial pond; rose-covered pergolas that even someone who didn't know anything about flowers would know they're really expensive; and there's also the terrarium inside the flower garden, which was comparable even to the palace. I heard this family has lots of money and it seems like they do indeed have lots of money. Since it has turned out like this, what if I get rid of the Countess and take control of Count Epheria's family then donate the money to the Church? The wealth should be shared.

"That's the Countess." Sofia whispered softly beside me.

I looked at where she pointed. There could be seen a beautiful lady in her thirties sat down under a silk canopy. Shiny blonde hair with her purple eyes made her stunningly beautiful. Hmm… that stunning beauty became a second wife? Woahh this… is truly suspicious!!! Or, could it be that the Count is really good looking too?

As I was approaching the table where the Countess sat, she tilted her head, observing me. Unconsciously, I stretched out my right hand. In an instant, the Countess frowned.

"What's the meaning of this?"

"Ah, no. N-nothing."

As soon as I saw any beautiful noble ladies, my old habits to greet them in a gentlemanly way came out before I realized it. Right, I'm a woman now. Ugh…I have always been one though.

"Ughh…so…"

I stared nervously at the Countess. What kind of conversation occurred between mother and daughter? I obviously have no idea since I never had one before. I didn't even have a chance to wonder what a pair of mother and daughter would talk about in private. I immediately got an honorable position in the Church as soon as they became aware of my holy power, after having previously lived as an orphan. Ermm… should I greet her first? It's noon already, but should I ask if she had a good sleep? I hesitated because I didn't know what to do. Luckily the Countess talked first.

"I heard you wish to go outside?"

"Oh, right," I replied quickly. "I want to see the funeral procession of Sir Roel."

"Okay. I have contacted Viscount Schwart. He should have arrived by now. You should go with him."

"Alright."

The Countess looked surprised upon hearing my docile answer. Maybe I should have pretended unwillingness?

"It's rare to see you this docile."

"It's because the person I adored has passed away."

Well, I also like myself too. The Countess looked at me seriously then nodded.

"Be careful on your way."

"Yes. Erm, I'll be back soon."

This is rather subtle. I glimpsed again at the Countess for a bit then turned away. Sofia who watched anxiously from afar, quickly followed me.

"She's much more beautiful than I expected."

My whisper made Sofia frowned deeply and she replied with a soft voice. "She only has a pretty face. Her heart is as evil as the devil's elders."

"Really?"

"Of course. Actually…"

Sofia spoke in an even softer voice that was hard to hear. "There's some suspicion… the late Countess, Miss' birth mother… was murdered."

"And the perpetrator is the current Countess?"

"Seems likely."

It's highly possible that it's not a baseless rumor. The time of death was too fitting to be classified as a natural death.

I followed Sofia towards the main gate and there was already a horse and carriage waiting for me. And there're two young man standing beside the carriage… Eh?! What's that bastard doing here?