They said some places used magic to maintain the garden even in winter to enjoy its beauty year-round.
But Duke Ego Rodbell, the owner of this house, pursued naturalness, so he left the garden as is, even when the plants withered in winter.
Thanks to that, all the gardener had to do in winter was cut off the dry branches that looked unsightly, dress the trees to prevent them from freezing to death, and protect the plants so that they could recover well in spring.
It was virtually the most leisurely time of the year.
There was no way Ligrin didn't know that.
"I'll tell the head of the family and give you paid leave, so how about taking a break for a while?"
And yet, he says something strange.
'Ah...'
The moment his eyes met the cold, hardened green eyes, the gardener finally realized the true meaning of what Ligrin had said.
In short... it was a roundabout way of saying he would give him money and rest, so keep quiet.
Keep quiet about what?
The gardener's gaze turned to the bird statue that Ligrin had taken.
If there was anything he had to keep quiet about, it was that.
As the gardener looked at the bird statue, Ligrin said, putting it in his pocket.
"I'll throw this bird statue away, so after this, no one will know about it."
"...Yes."
He didn't know what it was that made Ligrin go this far.
"I understand, butler. I'll take a break."
He wasn't interested in what it was at all.
The most important thing was not to get on Ligrin's bad side.
"Good. You should go and prepare for your vacation now."
"Yes, thank you."
After bowing deeply, the gardener quickly left the place.
After looking at the back of the gardener who was walking away, Ligrin took out the broken bird statue he had put in his pocket.
He observed it in detail again.
And he was convinced.
'There's no doubt about it. This is a magical carrier pigeon used for emergencies in Rodbell during combat.'
It was a special magical tool that automatically flew to the person the user wanted to send a message to without having to memorize the location separately.
It was small and inconspicuous, very fast, and never let go of what it was carrying in its mouth until it was delivered directly to the desired recipient.
It even had a function that would explode if someone tried to forcibly take it away.
So, sometimes they would set traps to lure the enemy using this as bait.
Because it was so difficult to make, only a small amount was made, and because it could be abused, it was kept deep in Rodbell's secret warehouse unless there was a war or emergency.
But now this was found outdoors, and in a half-destroyed state.
Ligrin looked closely to see if there was anything left in its beak.
But he couldn't find anything in the beak.
That is to say-
'You could say it's on its way back after delivering it.'
Or the message was taken away and it exploded.
But who on earth would use Rodbell's magical tools without permission?
Approval is required to use Rodbell's magical tools.
And it is Ligrin's job to approve it.
However, Ligrin had not approved the use of magical tools in recent months.
That is to say-
'Something has sneaked into Rodbell.'
Without fear.
Ligrin's expression became extremely cold.
He turned around immediately.
'What happened?'
I think I lost consciousness for a moment.
No... actually, I wanted to lose it.
But damn it, my mental strength was very strong.
I remember everything without forgetting a moment.
'The maids came in droves.'
Saying they received the Duke's order. Saying they would help me get ready to attend the evening banquet.
They brought a lot of accessories, dresses, and shoes and pushed into the room.
I didn't know how to deal with this situation because it was the first time.
I could only stare blankly at the scene of the large room turning into a dressing room in an instant.
After putting down everything they were holding, their eyes immediately turned to me.
It was like a fierce beast finding weak prey.
And then...
'Now, let's get started.'
What someone said was 'start' must have meant the start of torture.
I repeated putting on and taking off more than ten dresses.
Every time I changed a dress, I tried on all five pairs of shoes, and I put on and took off seven kinds of accessories.
'Hmm, this is too plain.'
'Isn't this a bit too flashy?'
'Ah, this suits you well.'
'Okay, put that aside for a moment. Miss, would you like to try this on for a moment?'
In fact, all I did was lift my arms up to make it easier to put on and take off the dress, and lift and lower my feet every time I changed shoes, and stand still so that I could put on the accessories.
But that alone was enough to make me feel like I was going to die!
Naturally, the resentment turned to the Duke.
'Why are you doing something you didn't used to do?'
Since when have I attended an evening banquet?
Since when have you included me in that place?
'When I desperately wanted it, you didn't even pretend to listen.'
Now that I wouldn't take it even if you gave it to me, you're forcing it into my arms.
'But I'm not grateful at all.'
I don't know what made him call me to that place, but it's certain that it won't become anything special to me.
Maybe...
'It could mean that I should re-understand my place in that position.'
Because my appearance, a bastard, taking classes from Aen and Ligrin, may have been offensive.
Even if I pretended to be a member of Rodbell by dressing up on the outside, I would eventually realize my place by seeing myself not fitting in and being separated from them.
A dirty bastard is always a dirty bastard.
Maybe he wants to let me know that.
'Ha,'
A sneer leaked out.
If that's really the meaning...
'You're wasting your time.'
I know my position in this house so well that I'm sick of it without having to do such a troublesome thing.
There's no need to bother to remind me by doing this.
"Miss, there are three dresses left as final candidates, but opinions are divided exactly in half. Would you like to decide, Miss?"
The maid brought three dresses to me.
I looked at them one by one.
A pure white dress with a ribbon.
A purple dress decorated with layers of lace.
And a black dress that was so plain that it was even dull without any decorations.
Of course, the black dress was not suitable for a place like an evening banquet.
There was no way the maids wouldn't have felt what I felt.
But the fact that they brought it up together means...
'The intention is obvious.'
I could see clearly what those three dresses meant.
The beautiful white dress and the gorgeous purple dress are Rodbell.
And next to it, the shabby black dress is the bastard Lucia.
An unspoken message to know your place.
Well, even if the room changes and I become a disciple of Aen and Ligrin, the already established perception will not change completely.
They just won't show it.
Maybe it was a little easier because it was just me here.
'Yeah, it doesn't matter.'
I didn't expect it in the first place.
I couldn't hide the laughter that was coming out.
When I looked at each of their faces, they flinched and avoided my gaze.
But they looked at me with eyes filled with subtle anticipation.
Which dress will I choose?
I raised my hand.
And immediately pointed.
"Please use that one."
"......"
The maids' expressions became blank when they saw the dress I had chosen.
I smiled brightly at them.
Belatedly, the maids begged me to wear another dress.
They never thought that I would really choose this black dress.
'That's what you get for playing tricks.'
I know why the maids are so desperately stopping me.
'Because the Duke ordered it directly.'
The Duke himself ordered me to dress up, no one else.
Therefore, the head maid must have carefully selected and sent the maids to me.
You could say it's a elite unit.
But this is the result.
'I think it's okay.'
It's plain, but I liked it because it was neat.
I chose this dress to screw over the maids, but even if that wasn't the case, I would have chosen this one.
But the maids' position was different.
So they begged me.
They told me to think again. They said that one suits me better.
I smiled innocently at them and said.
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