CHAPTER 2 - Let's Fix This Bad Image

That was how the first day of her rebirth. Since then, she got all the exclusive treatment as if she was a Royal Princess. She ate delicious foods and desserts on beautiful plates. She had many kinds of jewels and accessories that she could never afford even with all of her money.

'Althea Ein Harrigan, born as the duke's only daughter, means I have a silver spoon on my hands. Come to think of it, I don't know this body's looks yet. Her father is sooo handsome with his blond hair and violet eyes. I am pretty sure this body possesses that adorable look as well.' She said inwardly with a happy smile on her face.

Arein starred at the maid who stood up quietly near the door. She tried to remember her name since she was Althea's personal maid.

"Zoey?" Althea called.

"Y…yes, My Lady." Zoey responded immediately in surprise.

"Zoey, where is the mirror?"

"The mirrors are in the dressing room, My Lady."

"Would you help me to go there?"

"Of…of course, My Lady. You just need to command me informally. A mere maid like me doesn't deserve your formality." Zoey lowered her head.

"Ah, right. Just show me the way then." Zoey nodded and approached Althea to help her get up.

Zoey led Althea to the left side of the bedroom. There was a door beyond the golden curtain which connected to the dressing room.

CLACK

Once the door opened, Althea's eyes were welcomed by numerous of luxurious dresses that were neatly organized in every open wardrobe. There were also a bunch of heels and boots collections in every corner of the wardrobes.

'What the hell?! Is this a Barbie house for real?! Is all of this mine? Woahh…' Althea's eyes sparkled in excitement.

"Here is the dressing room, My Lady. And the mirrors are over there." Zoey broke Althea's thought.

"Thank you, Zoey."

Althea walked, approaching the mirrors. There were five full-body mirrors organized in a triangle position with one mirror in the center. With these mirrors, she could see all sides of her body. She stepped closer to the mirror.

There was a reflection of a tall woman in a pajama dress. She stepped ahead closer, she clearly saw the blond-haired woman was perfectly beautiful with her clear violet eyes, natural-red lips, white skin with no blemish, perfect sharp nose, and a curve-shaped body.

'Woahh…this isn't just beauty! This is the goddess' beauty! oh my God!' Althea exclaimed inwardly as she touched her face.

"Zoey, am I indeed this beautiful? Or did I happen to have plastic surgery before?" Althea asked Zoey whose mouth opened in agape, she tried to understand her word.

"You've been perfectly beautiful since you were born, My Lady. You are this Empire's beauty. W...what is plastic surgery, My Lady? Pardon me, I don't understand." Zoey answered.

"Ah…no, just forget it. I love that garden by the way". Althea said as she observed the garden through the windowsill.

"It's your favorite garden, My Lady. Do you wish to take a walk?" Zoey asked.

"Can I?"

"Sure, My Lady. I've been informed by the doctors that you are allowed to have a small walk."

"Let's go there with me then" Althea said.

"Ahh…that's…" Zoey's answer stuttered.

"What's the matter? Isn't it something common for a personal maid to accompany their master?"

"That's true, My Lady. But you forbid any servants to step on your favorite garden."

"Why?" Althea asked cluelessly.

"It…it's because My Lady doesn't want any lowly beings stepping on your favorite garden," Zoey answered. Althea stood blankly upon hearing the answer.

'Goshhhh…Althea, you are a beauty with a hideous heart!' Althea rubbed her forehead in disbelief at what she heard about former Altheas doing.

Althea let out a sigh. "Alright, alright. I want to have a walk with you now. Don't you want to?"

"Sure, My Lady!" Zoey answered excitedly.

Althea wore a decent outfit and headed to the garden with Zoey behind her. When she stepped downstairs, many servants gasped in surprise. They immediately lowered their heads, didn't dare to hold their heads in front of her.

This made Althea narrowed her eyebrows. All the way to the garden, every servant who met her would do the same. She felt so much uneasiness in her heart. In fact, that wasn't comfortable at all.

In the garden, Althea let out a big sigh as she rubbed her wrinkled forehead again. She wondered about the servants' attitude whenever they saw her. 'Do I look like a grim reaper?' She tilted her head.

"Zoey, why did all the servants look so terrified whenever they saw me? Even you, my personal maid, your face always looks like you will die at any time if your eyes meet mine." Althea asked desperately.

"I…I beg your pardon, My Lady. I…I don't mean that way. Please give mercy on me!" Zoey fell on her knees and cried. Althea was startled by Zoey's action.

"Hey, hey, Zoey. What's the matter? Let's sit on the bench and tell me anything." Althea said in bewilderment.

"H…How dare I sit in the same place as you, My Lady." Zoey cried.

"That's fine, come sit here."

While sitting on the bench, Zoey told Althea that she despised anyone below her whenever they looked straight at her in the eyes as if they were at the same level.

A year ago, there was a new maid who was too excited and looked straight at Althea in the eyes. The consequences were a big punishment for the maid. She got beaten by the whip and expelled from Harrigan duchy. Since that tragedy, no servants dared to meet Althea in the eyes. They preferred to bow as lower as possible in front of her.

"Did my father do nothing for that?" Althea asked in a disappointed look.

"The duke loves My Lady so much. He never complained about anything you've done, whether it's bad or not, My Lady." Zoey answered carefully.

"Alright, I understand. Now, Zoey. Did I ever lay a hand on you? Please be honest." Althea asked softly.

"I...I never feel offended by your action, My Lady. Even if you slapped me or threw anything on me, I'll always be on your side." Zoey answered sincerely.

Althea stretched her hand to Zoey's. "Zoey, I know what I've done wasn't something worth only an apology. But I am really sorry for the hardships you've got from me. Will you forgive me?"

"My…My Lady, you don't need to apologize. I am only a mere servant, I don't deserve an apology from you, My Lady." Zoey bursts into tears with her trembling body.

"No, you deserved it so much. I ask you again, will you forgive me?" Althea asked in a warm tone.

"Y...yes, My Lady."

Hearing her response, Althea hugged the crying Zoey in her arms. She could feel how trembling Zoey was. She patted Zoey's back to comfort her. They hugged each other for about five minutes until Zoey could calm herself.

"Uhm…Zoey, can you help me gather all the servants and bring them to me in this garden? I have something to tell them." Althea asked.

"Yes, My Lady. I will call them here right away." Zoey answered as she wiped her tears.

"Thank you."

Althea watched Zoey running to the servants' quarters in hurry. While she was alone, she fell into silence contemplating all the bad deeds that former Althea had done. She let out a big sigh.

'Really! I only wish for a peaceful life with this wealth. But it seems like I need to fix many things first before that. What a mess!' She mumbled.