A Bitter Brew
"Why do you live like this?"
Her resigned voice made my brow furrow. She was used to this treatment? A lady of a ducal house, one of the pillars of the Empire?
I barely suppressed the volatile mix of confusion and anger rising within me as I spoke. "I cannot do that."
"Do you intend to disobey your master's order?"
"It is not that, but I cannot tolerate anyone who disrespects you, My Lady."
Franche Decartes shook her head, letting out a soft sigh. "What if this escalates into a massive scene?"
"But..."
"I told you, I am used to this. Stop."
"..."
The more I looked at her, the more I heard her speak, the more deeply unsettled I became. She was someone I only intended to use to escape my slave status, yet learning about the wretched treatment she endured left a foul taste in my mouth. I muttered quietly, "...As you wish, My Lady."
I released my grip on the maid's hair. She collapsed to her knees, frantically wiping away the blood trickling from her nose. Then, she glared up at me with eyes full of venom.
What are you going to do about it? What can a slave like you even do?
Impudent bitch. She didn't even realize what she had done wrong to look at me like that.
The maid muttered under her breath, "How dare a mere slave..."
I pretended not to hear. After all, my current goal was to survive by gaining Franche's trust and favor, not to protect my pride. The maid scrambled to her feet. Giving me one last murderous glare, she stomped toward the door.
I think she's the one who doesn't know her place.
Tsk, what was the point of getting worked up? It only gave me a headache.
The door swung open with a bang. But it wasn't the maid who had opened it from the inside; someone else was standing there.
"I heard a loud crash through the wall the moment I returned to the estate. What happened here?"
It was Eden Descartes. He frowned as he saw the blood dripping from the maid's nose. "Franche Decartes. Are you beating the servants now? Your own personal maid, no less?"
Franche stared out the window in silence. Did she lack the strength to make an excuse? Or did she know that explaining herself wouldn't change the outcome?
Then I have no choice but to speak up.
I opened my mouth on her behalf.
"Young Duke Descartes. May I presume to explain the reason for this situation?"
"Speak."
"That maid insulted my master."
"...What do you mean by that?"
"I believe you will understand immediately if you look at the tea on the table."
Eden Descartes, casting a suspicious glance, took a step forward. Beside him, the maid's hands began to tremble violently. It seemed the servants' harassment didn't originate from him directly.
"...Tea?"
It wasn't just tea. White, viscous fluids floated on the surface—anyone could see someone had spit in it.
"What is the meaning of this..."
I watched Eden Descartes's face. He looked genuinely shocked. Well, of course he would be. That was something that should never be found on a noble lady's table.
"This maid went beyond merely insulting my master; she spit in her tea. I deemed that she had crossed the line and used physical force. If you plan to hand down punishment for this, please let it fall on me alone."
Eden Descartes narrowed his eyes and glared at me. "It is not for you to make requests. Know your place."
"..."
I couldn't say what I wanted, and I couldn't even make a request. What could I even do? ...A slave's life was truly miserable.
Eden Descartes spoke. "Is this the first time?"
"..."
"Will you not answer?"
"If I answer, will you actually listen?"
"...What is that supposed to mean?"
Franche turned her head toward us. Not a shred of expectation could be found on her face. "I have been treated like this since I was eight years old."
"...What?"
"I have lived like this for twelve years."
Twelve years? That meant she had been eating this kind of garbage since she was eight. No wonder her complexion was so pale. It was a miracle she hadn't died yet.
She continued, "When you all began to despise and torment me, the servants treated me the exact same way."
"Why are you only saying this now?"
"If I had told you, would you have listened?"
Franche let out a hollow laugh, forcing a smile. "...I expect nothing from you. Don't start acting concerned now after tormenting me for so long. It's awkward."
Eden Descartes pressed his lips into a thin line. Franche's voice was entirely flat, yet laced with a deep, quiet bitterness. The sorrow that had festered in her heart for over a decade was laid bare.
"Would you please leave my room now? As you can see, I am currently confined."
At Franche's cold tone, Eden Descartes's expression turned icy.
...Piecing together the conversation so far.
Franche Decartes had been tormented by her own flesh and blood since she was a mere child of eight. As a result, even the lowliest servants felt entitled to look down on her.
I think I know the reason.
It was the commoners' jealousy toward the status of a ducal lady. It must have started with the maids. And although the direct, physical torment from her family might have ceased now that she was older, the servants' contempt remained, and the family's systemic neglect was still ongoing. I didn't know the exact reason. Her backstory was never detailed in the game. She was just a villainess. Her fate was destined for death.
So I had tried not to care too much. But the more her past was revealed, the dirtier I felt. It was enough to make me sick to my stomach.
Eden Descartes was lost for words for a moment before he finally spoke. "...I will handle this maid myself. Follow me."
"Yes..."
Leaving only those brief words, he walked out of the room. The maid, looking extremely nervous, quickly scurried after him.
The door clicked shut.
That maid would undoubtedly be dismissed from the estate. A unilateral dismissal meant she wouldn't even receive a letter of recommendation, making it a devastating blow to her livelihood. It was a fitting punishment for her insolence.
But...
"..."
My chest felt tight. A wave of nausea washed over me. What was this twisting sensation in my gut? Was it pity? Anger? I couldn't say those emotions weren't there at all, but it was far more complex, like a tangled ball of yarn.
Franche spoke. "How long do you plan on standing there?"
"...Is remaining by my master's side not the very reason for my existence?"
"You certainly have a way with words."
Franche let out a small chuckle at my response. I watched her smile. She was someone who looked so natural when she smiled like that. Suddenly, I felt a sense of relief that I could see her smile bloom amidst such despair.
...What am I thinking?
I was quite taken aback. I wasn't usually such a sentimental person.
Franche said, "I appreciate you getting angry at the maid on my behalf. But do not act so rashly next time. Keep in mind that depending on how you behave, I could be put in a difficult position."
I nodded and replied, "Yes."
I felt a strange sense of alienation from my own existence. Was I the final boss of this Rofanso, Jin Barenberg, or was I Kim Gongryak, the gaming YouTuber with a million subscribers? The two personalities had merged, creating a persona I didn't even recognize. The emotions I felt were foreign to me. I didn't even know why I was so accustomed to this slave life, considering it hadn't even been a week since I arrived in this world.
Is it related to Player Synchronization?
I had no choice but to think so. After all, even I, the owner of this body, felt a sense of alienation from my current self. But that wasn't a fully satisfying answer.
"Jin."
"Yes."
"There is a place I must go as soon as my confinement is lifted."
A place she must go? Could it be a party? To the place that marked the beginning of all the events in the Rofanso?
"Please continue. I am listening."
"...You probably won't know even if you hear it, but a party is being held at the Marquis Eldas estate. I must attend that party."
The Marquis Eldas estate. The family that produced the Empire's Empress. I remembered it because it was a family that gave out many quests in the game.
"I will probably see my fiancé there. He is the heir to the Persia Duke Estate."
I knew that as well. That scumbag Young Duke, whom I had cursed out without holding back even once while playing the game.
A sudden question arose. How could she be engaged to that scumbag when she was treated like this by her own family? The knights said she had thrown a tantrum to get her way.
...Unlike the others, was Duke Decartes actually favorable toward Franche?
Looking at his attitude, that wasn't it. The Duke didn't show interest in anyone in the game unless they were strong or capable. I didn't know why he had developed such a personality. Perhaps there was some underlying reason, just like Franche's past.
"Are you listening?"
"Yes, My Lady. I am listening." I nodded.
"Anyway, you will accompany me there as my escort knight. Naturally, you must cover the slave choker around your neck."
Do I have to wear something over my neck? It sounded suffocating.
"I have nothing suitable to cover it with."
"I will speak to the Head Butler about that, so you do not need to worry."
The Head Butler seemed to follow Franche's orders, at least. Well, that was probably only on the surface. There was no way he didn't know her maid was doing such terrible things.
"Our conversation is over, so you may leave. And since I am confined, do not come looking for me recklessly. You will only end up facing trouble."
I clasped my hands behind my back and nodded. Then, bowing deeply, I left her room.
When I returned to the training ground, the knights walked on eggshells around me. Since there was nothing much to do here, I just returned to my room.
My meal consisted of boiled potatoes and a bottle of milk. Well, even Franche was eating like that, so I should be grateful for this. I devoured the food. I hadn't eaten anything since yesterday.
However, the room was still piled high with dust. Just breathing in a little made me cough. My eyes stinging was a bonus. They could have given me a better room.
"Now that I've eaten, should I do some cleaning?"
I opened the window. I shook out the blanket and pillow again. Using a duster that had been shoved into a corner, I cleaned everywhere and gathered the items in one place to secure some space. How much time had passed?
"Whew."
Now it finally looked like a room a human could live in. A refreshing feeling. Yes, looking at it this way, this was actually better. It was better to live alone in a warehouse like this than to share a room with the other knights.
I threw myself onto the blanket and lay down.
Once we go to the party...
As far as I knew, she would face an unexpected major event, and her destiny as a villainess would begin there. Even I, who had played the original game, didn't know why that event happened. ...Well, since it was a reverse harem game, wasn't it just a setup for the protagonist, Somire? Only endless, answerless speculations filled my mind.
"What's the point of thinking about this now?"
I would know the truth soon enough anyway. Tsk.
I smacked my lips and fell into meditation. Since Jin Barenberg's memories contained Aura training, I decided to pass the time doing that. There was nothing else to do.
The tedious hours passed as I repeated my meditation. No orders came from Franche. And when over a week had passed, the Head Butler came to find me directly.
"The Lady is calling for you."
The day of the party had finally arrived.