"Well, it's nice to meet you, Nami," Anastaria said with a genuine smile.
Nami blinked in surprise. She was still young and clearly impressionable. Seeing that the Miss wasn't speaking coldly or standing on ceremony, she let her guard down and offered a small, shy smile of her own.
"It's nice to meet you too!"
Anastaria smiled back, then asked, "What's the schedule for me today?"
She still had Anastaria's memories to fall back on—fragmented as they were. And she knew the original girl had kept a strict regimen. For now, it was probably best to play along. Pretending to fulfill her duties would at least keep suspicions off her back.
"Oh! That's right—Miss, your father requested your presence in his office as soon as you were feeling better!"
Of course he did.
Anastaria groaned inwardly. She really wasn't looking forward to facing anyone, let alone him. She could already imagine the stares—judging, calculating, as if they could see right through her. It made her feel… like a fraud.
Because she wasn't the original Anastaria.
She was just someone who had taken over her body.
"Is there any way I can… not go?" she asked, hopeful.
Nami blinked, surprised. "Why, Miss? Are you not feeling well?"
Her tone was filled with worry and guilt. She was scared the girl would start headbutting the ground again, so instead, she quickly backtracked.
"On second thought, I'll go see him," she said, waving a hand. "Can you help me get changed?"
Truthfully, she had no idea how to put on these fancy gowns.
"Of course, Miss!" Nami chirped, perking up instantly.
Anastaria was led down the hall, looking every bit like a country bumpkin visiting the city for the first time. Her mouth hung agape as she stared at her surroundings in stunned disbelief.
And here she thought her room was lavish.
The rest of the castle was just as extravagant—if not more so. Towering ceilings, gilded walls, ornate tapestries, and decorative pieces that looked like they cost more than her entire old apartment building. At one point, they passed a section of wall embedded with what appeared to be actual jewels.
Anastaria's fingers twitched.
She made a mental note to sneak back out later that night and see if she could pick a few of those shiny things loose. You know… for research.
Walking ahead of her, Nami grew increasingly confused. Every time she glanced back, the Miss's eyes were practically bulging out of her skull, and her mouth was open wide enough to stick an egg in.
But then again… ever since she'd met the Miss, her behavior had been nothing short of strange.
So—for the first time—Nami decided not to pay it any mind.
Finally noticing that the other maids were giving her strange stares, Anastaria gave a light cough and quickly straightened her posture. This wasn't the time or place to gawk. She needed to get a hold of herself.
Her expression settled into something cool and indifferent as she walked forward—unbothered, unreadable. Just like the old Anastaria.
However, the calm didn't last long.
Up ahead, Nami came to a stop and bowed politely. "Good morning, Miss."
Standing before them was none other than Elaira—her younger twin sister.
Despite being twins, they didn't look exactly alike. In fact, they were clearly fraternal, not identical. Elaira had an ethereal beauty about her—long white hair that shimmered like moonlight and soft, light-golden eyes. Today, she wore a pale pink dress that complimented her fair skin perfectly.
But her expression?
Nervous.
Then again… that was normal, considering the circumstances. Anastaria had always treated her coldly. With disdain. Every time they crossed paths, the old Anastaria made her disapproval painfully clear.
However, she was uncomfortable too.
Ah! What should she do?!
Stiff as a board, Anastaria forced herself to speak.
"H-Hello, sister. Fine morning, this is?"
She wanted to give herself two tight slaps. Great. Just great. It so happened to be raining outside the window.
Then again… it wasn't necessarily bad weather. She actually liked the rain.
Yeah. That's right. She comforted herself with that little fact. Rain is good. Rain is peaceful. Rain is fine.
To her surprise, Elaira's eyes widened slightly—and then a soft smile formed on her face.
"Yes, it is!"
She looked… happy.
"Haha, yes!" Anastaria replied, latching onto the moment like a lifeline.
Elaira agreed. That was all she needed.
She inwardly let out a long sigh of relief.
"Well, uh… we'll be going now. Haha."
She wanted to die.
That came out even worse than before. She had no idea how to respond properly, and now the air was thick with awkwardness—so much so that even the maids could feel it.
Still, most of them were far too distracted by the new behavior of Miss Anastaria to care.
Elaira, on the other hand, didn't seem to notice the tension at all.
"Mm! I'll see you at dinner," she said cheerfully.
With that, she walked off—humming.
Her mood, surprisingly, seemed quite good.
They continued down the hall until they reached a massive door—encrusted with gold and studded with diamond bezels that glittered under the light.
Anastaria's hands twitched again.
She would never be broke. Ever.
Even if she had to run away one day, she'd be set for life. A plan was already forming in her head: a discreet side hustle involving sneaking out gems and trinkets from around the Noir estate and selling them off in secret.
The maid stepped forward and knocked gently.
"Master, the young miss has arrived."
From within the room, a deep voice responded.
"Come in."
The door creaked open, and Anastaria felt her stomach drop.
Her nerves flared instantly as the doors parted before her.
Oh no. This was it—the moment she'd been dreading.