Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Fake Lady, Real Lady. (3)
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Menesil Family's true powerholder, Abera de Menesil, had come to visit.
The entire estate buzzed with activity because of her. Tension filled the faces of every servant without exception.
Abera de Menesil.
She was the very embodiment of the "Lady" we all knew so well.
Renowned for her sharp wit and refined elegance, she carried enormous expectations from her parents. Even her excessive strictness could transform into something "admirable" in an instant, as it befitted her status as a Lady.
No, perhaps it truly was admirable. After all, she was faithful to her role.
'Come to think of it, this place is an annex.'
Somewhat curiously, the spot where I now stood was an annex a fair distance from the Menesil Family's main territory. In other words, it wasn't the main estate.
Why? The reason lay with Abera's will.
Abera had dreamed of becoming the Menesil Family's true powerholder since childhood. Wanting to inherit everything and nurture it all, she had needed to prove her talents from a young age.
And so, this annex had been created.
A modest annex. A tiny territory granted around it. It was a small domain in every sense of the word, yet Abera had easily won the trust of everyone there.
Word had spread to other territories, drawing visits from prestigious noble houses and wealthy magnates eager to meet her—no further explanation needed.
Of course, even after gaining her parents' trust, Abera's interest in the annex didn't continue.
She left. For her parents, who were eager to dote on her. There was no reason to stay. And so, Dia had been left here alone.
It was a perfect pretext, a situation that fit flawlessly.
Dia, lost to drugs and unable to even keep her wits about her, was a disgrace to the Menesil Family. From her parents' perspective, this annex made an ideal prison to lock away such a daughter.
The brighter Abera rose like the sun, the longer Dia's shadow grew. It was only natural.
This much was the early part of the game story I'd read. But was Abera truly the Lady as described? Well, I'd meet her soon enough. Time to see for myself.
The personal physician in Lady Overdose had a slightly different image from doctors in other media.
That made sense, since he'd be provided room and board in his assigned Lady's estate.
So, naturally, he'd have to pay his respects. The moment that thought crossed my mind, the maids faced each other, lining up in two rows to form a path.
Where should I stand? As I glanced around uncertainly, it seemed the time allotted to me wasn't long.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all."
"Abera Young Lady!"
Before the servants' voices rang out came a crisp, clear tone. A voice that seemed written to belong to a noble Lady.
My head turned toward it instinctively.
What came into view was a very elongated version of Dia. If Dia was petite with plump breasts and thighs, Abera looked like that stretched out long and sleek.
The biggest difference was her flawless bare skin, without a single blemish. Her face bore an elegant smile.
And finally, her bangs cut perfectly even, as if measured with a ruler.
"And thank you!"
The servants shouted in unison.
Abera merely patted the shoulders of Alfred, who stood rigid as a statue with his head bowed.
"Oh my. Did you arrange this, Alfred? I'm flattered."
"Not at all, Abera Young Lady. We were truly grateful the other day."
"Thank you!"
As Alfred finished speaking, the servants echoed him. It seemed Alfred still had more to say.
"I never dreamed you'd even prepare a wedding gift for my daughter. Both she and I were so overwhelmed we teared up right there. Truly, thank you."
"Tears? Then I should be the one apologizing! I didn't mean to make you cry!"
"Not at all. We're truly grateful!"
"It's only natural. Not just for you, Alfred—for any servant of the Menesil Family, no matter who, I'd want to look after even the smallest things. You are all proper members of the Menesil Family, after all."
With those words, Abera gracefully passed by Alfred, whose eyes still glistened with moisture.
The path formed by the maids lined up in two rows. Abera didn't pass by a single one lightly.
"Ah, Hildia. How are your parents doing since we talked last time? I'm no expert on tonics, so I just packed the most famous ones I could find."
"Karti, your complexion looks a bit darker than last time. Has that cat been causing trouble again?"
"Goodness, Aisum—your skin's even prettier now. Someone might mistake you for a Lady."
Each time Abera glanced at someone and spoke, the servants bowed repeatedly, crying their thanks.
Only then did I understand. The expressions on the servants' faces weren't mere tension, but respect. Joy. Emotions like that.
Abera's greetings continued after that. Chatting with each one individually took considerable time, yet no one complained.
Not a single servant. Not even Abera herself.
"And... this gentleman is?"
Before I knew it, Abera was right in front of me. She blinked her doe-like eyes as she looked me over.
A seductive fragrance only a Lady could wear pierced my nose sharply.
"Ah. This is Young Lady Dia's personal physician."
Alfred stepped in to explain for me.
"I see. Let me guess, then—what's your name..."
"Ganeghan. Pleased to meet you."
I should at least introduce my own name. With that simple thought, I bowed my head.
I'd never formally greeted anyone like this before, yet the motion felt natural, ingrained in the body. This man must have done it countless times.
"Abera de Menesil. Take good care of my little sister."
"Yes. I'll do my utmost."
Apparently satisfied with that, Abera flashed me a bright smile.
It was utterly unlike Dia's expressions. Abera's golden eyes held not a speck of dust. They were almost blindingly pure.
"Let me see... Alfred, I'd like to see Dia."
Abera glanced around. Alfred's face darkened slightly at her words.
"My apologies. Young Lady Dia is sleeping right now."
"At this hour? She hasn't... taken drugs again, has she?"
"Well..."
Alfred glanced subtly my way.
I knew exactly what that look meant. I opened my mouth to explain myself.
"Yes. Not drugs. The Young Lady was exhausted, so I gave her a sleeping pill. She won't wake for at least two more hours."
"Ah. I see."
Abera shrugged slightly, her lips curving into a radiant smile without a word.
Then she stared at me intently.
"Alfred, prepare two cups of coffee, please."
"Yes. Two cups?"
"Yes. One as bitter as possible. And the other..."
She stared at me again. She was asking for my preference.
"...Pardon?"
"How do you like your coffee, Personal Physician? Sweet? Or bitter?"
"Uh, sweet, please."
"Got it, Alfred. Make it that way. Looks like I'll chat with the Personal Physician until Dia wakes up."
Abera relayed the order to Alfred, then grinned at me.
I pointed at myself questioningly, a puzzled look in my eyes.
The room used as Abera's quarters was as radiant as she was.
It gleamed and was impeccably tidy, impossible to believe its owner had been away for so long. In this antique chamber, where merely breathing felt like sullying it, the faint aroma of coffee subtly announced the return of its mistress.
"Help yourself. It's bound to suit your taste. Made from the finest beans sourced from the witches of the western woods."
Just as Abera said. It had no choice but to suit one's taste.
Premium coffee in an ornate, luxurious cup. The visual elegance naturally enhanced the flavor—or at least the drinker's perception of it.
And with the room's Lady-like ambiance, plus Abera's beauty right before my eyes, it created the perfect visual appeal.
Yes, this was the fragrance born of atmosphere.
"Then, if you'll excuse me."
"Of course. There's more if you want seconds. So... Ganeghan, was it?"
"Yes."
Abera sipped her coffee, her smile utterly relaxed.
She set her cup down atop its saucer, then fixed me with a steady gaze.
"So. How's Dia doing?"
Abera stared right through me. Her expression a touch peculiar.