It was at that moment that I was approached by Justaff, who wore a teasing grimace on his face. Upon reaching me, he lightly poked my shoulder. "Who are you, and what did you do with my beloved young mistress?"
"Your Mistress? She is in front of you."
"You're sure? Because I'm pretty sure the young lady I serve would never dress like this."
"Well, I guess your young lady has changed her mind."
Justaff chuckled, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "Changed her mind, huh? Well, I must say, it's a pleasant surprise. You look... different."
I raised an eyebrow at his comment. "Different? Is that your way of saying I look terrible?"
"Just the opposite, actually," he replied with a grin. "You look... elegant."
I couldn't help but smirk at his attempt to flatter me. "Flattery will get you nowhere, old man."
"Ah, but it's worth a try, isn't it?" He laughed, the sound echoing in the courtyard. "But I have to ask, why a black dress?"
He looked half confused, half serious, so I simply replied, "Because I like the color."
"Because you like the color, huh? Makes sense," he mused before sinking into silence.
A moment went by as I watched father, starting to bid his farewell one after another. It was at that moment that he said, "there's something else I want to ask." He leaned in to ask in a low voice, "Did something happen? You look really different today, and I'm not talking about appearance."
I thought internally.
"Nothing happened," I said with a sigh. "If you're talking about how I behaved earlier, I'm just doing what you suggested to me."
He looked confused, so I added, "Weren't you the one who told me to try and get along with my sisters, since apparently, I'm cold with them?"
Justaff's expression softened as he realized what I meant. "Ah, I see," he murmured, nodding slowly. "I did mention that, didn't I?"
"You did," I confirmed, giving him a small smile. "So, I thought I'd give it a try."
"Well, I'm glad you did," he said, casting a glance at one of my sister standing next to me, who looked our way, but the moment my eyes met hers, she turned her gaze toward our approaching father.
Leaning in closer, Justaff whispered in my ears, "Let's just say that I didn't expect you to be so direct about it."
"How else should I've done it?"
He heaved a sigh of resignation and said, a pat on my shoulder, "it was great, well done, this old man is proud of you Milady."
I felt like making a teasing and sarcastic remark about his manner but before I could do so, the man who was giving his farewell, approached, his expression stern yet somehow softened by a hint of amusement. "What's all this banter about?"
"Justaff was expressing his thoughts at my choice of attire, Father," I explained, gesturing to my dress.
Our father's eyes twinkled with amusement as he looked over at Justaff. "Ah, I see. And what did he say?"
"I believe he said that I looked elegant, unless he meant it in another way."
"Milady, I obviously meant it as in radiant, gorgeous and lovely."
"Well, because she really is lovely." Father nodded, satisfied with the answer.
"She's especially lovely in that dress, considering how she usually dresses," Justaff added, a hint of amusement in his tone.
Father nodded in agreement. "Indeed, though I must admit, black isn't really our family's color. Our Wei? family color is white."
"I'll keep that in mind, Father."
He smiled warmly at me. "While we're away in the imperial capital, I'll take the time to properly revamp your wardrobe."
"I would appreciate that, Father," I replied gratefully.
Father then began bidding his farewells. "We'll be back at the end of this moon. It's a long time, but I hope you'll behave well as you always have and get along with your sisters."
"I intend to, Father," I assured him.
He then turned to Justaff. "It's regrettable that I have to tear you away from your trainer, but I need him for this journey."
Justaff nodded in agreement. "But it can’t be helped, my lord."
"No need to feel sorry father, I understand."
"I'm glad that you do," Father said with a smile, then bid his farewell. At first, he leaned in as if to bid his farewell like he did with his other daughter, but ultimately settled on patting my head. "Stay safe," he said.
"You too, Father. Have a safe journey."
He nodded, then walked up to the carriage where his wife was waiting. At that moment, Justaff, who remained nearby, whispered, "Don't forget about what I said."
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"About what?" I said, pretending not to know.
He raised an eyebrow. "About the Dungeon, milady."
I chuckled. "I know. I was just teasing you. I don't plan on going into the Dungeon without you there watching over."
"Milady, you make it sound like I'm forbidding you access to the dungeon, or stopping you from training. I'm not. I'm just asking that you'd be prudent and never go to the dungeon alone, without anyone watching over. That's all I meant."
"Understood," I assure, to which he replied, "Since you do, it's all for me."
On these words, he turned around, but as he did, he added, "I'll miss you, Milady."
"You might have a hard time believing it, but me too."
"I sure do. Farewell, Milady."
"Farewell, Justaff."
As the final preparations were made and goodbyes exchanged, I watched as the carriages pulled away from the courtyard, disappearing down the winding path that led away from the chateau.
The air was tinged with a sense of farewell and anticipation, and I had to admit I wafted of it. Farewell because there simply were farewells bid and anticipation because the farewell I just bid was the first step toward what I’ve been anticipating for 14 years.
Left behind in the quiet aftermath, I lingered in the courtyard, watching the carriages disappear from the horizon. Turning to the girls beside me, I manifested a friendly smile and suggested, "Well, sisters, I guess it’s just us now. Should we get some tea?"
***
Ever since I learned of the summon that "Father" had planned for the imperial capital, I had a clear plan in mind. The first step was to level up and become as strong as possible. I worked hard and reached level 12, not quite hitting my initial goal, but it would suffice. The next step was straightforward: bide my time until they departed for the capital. Now that they were gone, that part of my plan was complete.
However, my waiting wasn't quite over yet. I needed to ensure they were safely settled in the capital before proceeding. So, I resolved to wait an additional twenty days in our old world time. During this period, I followed Justaff's advice and made an effort to bond with my sisters. Whether or not I succeeded in winning them over was inconsequential; it merely helped pass the time and ensure my plan's success.
Thankfully, that waiting period has finally come to an end.
***
"I'm exhausted," I sighed internally. As we walked through the quiet corridors of the chateau, I couldn't help but reflect on the progress I'd made during these past few weeks. Bonding with my sisters had been both challenging and surprisingly rewarding. Despite my initial doubts, I found common ground with them, shared laughter, and even discovered a few shared interests.
Tonight, after a late evening talk with my sisters, a routine we had developed over the past few weeks, I was allegedly feeling particularly drained. Marina, my faithful servant, followed behind me, and Rivald, the guard, walked beside us.
Despite my exhaustion, I couldn't deny the satisfaction of knowing that my plan was proceeding smoothly. With him and Justaff far away in the capital and my relationship with my sisters significantly improved, I'd finally reached that day.
Looking forward to retreating to my room and resting, I faked a sore neck and let out a groan.
"Milady, are you alright?" Marina asked.
"I'm fine," I replied, mustering a small smile. "Just a bit tired, that's all."
"Should I prepare a bath once we reach your room, Milady?"
"A bath? That's a good idea."
As we reached my room, Marina quickly set about preparing a warm bath, while I sank gratefully onto the plush chair by the window. The soft glow of moonlight filtered through the curtains, along with a gentle breeze casting a serene ambiance over the room.
It was there in that serene mood that I, laying back into the cushion, fell into a musing contemplation. It was in the middle of that contemplation that I noticed the emblem on the wall in the corner of my room. It was an emblem that could be found in almost every room of the chateau, it was the sigil of the Wei? family.
Lost in my thoughts, I was interrupted by Marina's voice. "My lady, your bath is ready," she announced, stepping back to allow me access to the bathroom.
"Thank you, Marina," I replied with a nod, pushing myself up from the chair and making my way to the bath. The warm water enveloped me as I sank into its depths, soothing my not-so-tired muscles and calming my mind.
As I relaxed in the bath, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within me. After a blissful soak, I emerged feeling really refreshed and invigorated, but most importantly, resolved to do what ought to be done.
Leaving the bathroom, I found Marina had already prepared my nightclothes, laying them out neatly on the bed. "Thank you, Marina. You may retire for the night," I said, slipping into the comfortable attire.
"Goodnight, my Lady," Marina replied with a bow before making her way out of the room. It was at that moment, as she took her leave, that I stopped.
"Before you go, could you please close the windows? It's getting a little chilly for my taste."
"Of course, my Lady, right aw—" Marina didn't even get the opportunity to finish her sentence. The moment she turned her back toward me, I unleashed my skill, Frostburst Detonation, which I had prepared from behind, sending her slamming head first with a loud thud against the wall.
The impact was swift and brutal, Marina crumpling to the ground in a heap.
My eyes fixed on the door, I moved towards Marina to check the damage I had caused, but before I could do so, I heard a voice from the other side of the door. "What was that noise?" Rivald's voice called out, muffled through the heavy wooden door. "Are you alright in there, Lady Faye? Marina?"
Since he didn't burst into the room first and ask questions later, I replied, "We're fine," checking on Marina, who despite bleeding from the concussion I most likely gave her, was unconscious but alive. "One of us just fell."
"Then—"
"But as I said, we're alright. But I still think Marina needs some help," sensing he was about to barge into the room, I added, "Don't open that door. I just came out of the bath. Let me change into pajamas at least."
"Understood... I apologize for my rudeness, my Lady!"
As I listened to Rivald's footsteps recede a few steps down the corridor, I lowered my hand and walked to my wardrobe, bypassing the clothes Marina had arranged for me and instead skimming through my dresses to choose the one I was most comfortable in: a knight training outfit set. Upon donning the clothes that I had begun to miss, I retrieved my two most valuable items, Wanda my wand and Elspeth my staff, shoving them into a pocket and carrying Elspeth. A smile took shape on my face.
With determination burning in my heart, I took one last look around the room before striding towards the door, from which I could hear Rivald's footsteps pacing around anxiously.
"Rivald," I called.
"Yes, Lady Faye."
"I'm dressed very lightly, so I have to ask, is there someone in the corridor? Because I do not wish to be seen like this."
"There is no one, my Lady, just me."
"Alright, perfect. You can open the door."
No need to be told twice, he opened the door, only to be met with a sight he likely wasn't expecting: an icicle firing from the magic circle I manifested through Elspeth, impaling him straight and pinning him to the adjacent wall like a paper to a pinboard.
While the attack, which landed, wasn't the kind one could recover from, it didn't instantly kill him. As Rivald was pinned to the wall, his eyes widened in shock and pain. I took a step forward, my expression unreadable as I approached him.
"Wh-what... Lady Faye... What... Why?" he stammered, struggling against the ice that pierced his chest and held him in place.
"I wish I had the time to explain why I'm doing this, but I don't," I took a deep breath, then walked up to him, casting [Hexed Frost Sword Conjuration], "But if you want someone to blame, blame yourself for working for this family, blame this family, blame them for hiring and making you my guard," I said before promptly putting an end to his misery.
Standing amidst the macabre sight, with blood staining my hands and squirting onto my clothes, I let out another sigh. "This was smoother in my mind, but well, I guess it'll do just fine," I said to myself, casting a glance at the room where Marina lay unconscious. "Now, time to wrap this up."