Chapter 35
*Self-Introductions and Misunderstandings are All About Timing*
The carriage sped along, smooth and swift as if gliding on ice. The scenery outside the window changed rapidly, and instead of half-alive, moving zombies, only their traces remained, forming a bizarre landscape. They were the remnants of the young master’s wide-area magic.
Judging by Miss Baba’s occasional muttering and her shifting eye color, she seemed to be using magic to speed up our journey.
After traveling for a while, the dense forest began to thin out, revealing a barren field, like the bald spot on a mage’s head. Soon, a tall, slender tower came into view. It was the magic library.
Miss Baba sighed, looking out the window, relieved that we could travel comfortably without encountering zombies. She must have been worried.
“It really is the magic library. Just like the rumors.”
“No one can come here without my permission. It’s been a while since I’ve had guests.”
The young master’s expression remained serious as we got off the carriage and saw off the coachman. I was the one who should be sulking because of heartbreak, yet he was the one setting the gloomy mood. How absurd.
To express my displeasure, I crossed my arms. The remnants of zombie goop on my clothes felt sticky and unpleasant. My dirty maid uniform was as distressing as the heartbreak. Unlike the young master, I didn’t have a change of clothes.
I wanted to explore the magic library, but would I have the time? I imagined myself sitting in a dusty corner, mending my maid uniform. How pathetic.
Estella, with her pretty face, would probably look like a persecuted princess from a fairytale. But appearances were only useful if there was someone to appreciate them.
I glanced at the young master. He was still sulking, so he probably wouldn’t care about my ruined uniform and my even more ruined feelings. His face was so cold it looked frozen. When he became an old man, he would probably have icicles hanging from his chin instead of a beard. Aside from paying my salary and giving me vacations, he was a terrible master.
The three of us walked silently towards the entrance of the magic library. It looked like it could collapse at any moment. Moss grew between the gray bricks, and some bricks were even missing. Stones and mismatched jewels were haphazardly stuck in the gaps, like a poorly assembled puzzle.
Considering the situation, we would have to stay here for a few days. Would it even last that long? If it looked like the tower was about to collapse, I would grab the young master and run, heartless as it may seem.
Despite my sulky mood, my loyal thoughts cheered me up a bit. And the well-maintained garden helped. A blend of different floral scents wafted around us.
Was this Miss Baba’s work?
I turned to her with a slightly improved mood. She was kicking a stone on the path. The stone flew pathetically and landed on a flower in the garden. One flower went straight to the afterlife.
“Miss Baba, you’re not interested in gardens, are you?”
She nodded with an expression as cold as the young master’s.
“What do I care about grass growing?”
“Right…”
The magic library must have a separate gardener. Poor gardener. It must be demotivating to work for such an indifferent master.
Just as we reached the entrance, a door that looked like a rotten wooden plank creaked open. A boy who looked no older than eighteen appeared.
“Master! You’re finally back! I’ve been waiting!”
He ran towards Miss Baba. A few leaves were clinging to his slightly messy blond hair. She raised her hand and stopped him just before he reached her.
“I have guests.”
“Oh…”
The boy’s expression turned cold. He clearly didn’t welcome us. I could almost hear his unspoken words: Who are you? Why don’t you leave? When are you leaving?
We followed the grumpy boy inside. The first-floor hall was surprisingly spacious, unlike its appearance from the outside. The walls seemed miles away. The dilapidated staircase didn’t match the grand hall. It looked like the builder had accidentally installed the wrong staircase, one meant for a nearby shack.
“I’d like to stay here for about three days. Is that alright?”
The young master said, taking off his coat. I hesitantly reached for it with my finger. My body was covered in grime, except for my fingers.
“You can stay for seventy years if you like. I’m not busy.”
Miss Baba’s words made the boy’s face turn pale.
“Master!”
Seeing him clinging to Miss Baba, yet not quite daring to get too close, I had a hunch. Did this boy have a crush on her? My curiosity was piqued.
I wanted to grab him and ask if he liked her, when he started liking her, how much longer until he became an adult, and if he had saved up for a dowry.
I hadn’t removed Miss Baba from the list of Countess candidates yet. Wasn’t this boy, in a way, the young master’s rival in love? If he was insignificant, I would keep an eye on him and keep him in check. But if he had a truly compelling and touching unrequited love, I would cheer him on tearfully.
Three days seemed too short for that.
“I’d like to stay for about a month and slowly explore, I mean, observe, I mean, enjoy the peace and quiet.”
The young master tilted his head and lowered his gaze, his expression resigned.
“Estella. Three days is enough for us. Let’s ask for a bathroom first. I want to clean her up as soon as possible. And if you have any spare clothes, that would be appreciated.”
“Clean her up? Why not just wash her? It would be faster to just toss her in the laundry and give her a good spin. I’m a doll who knows how to bathe, you know. You keep forgetting, but please respect my personality…”
Just as I was about to continue my rambling, Miss Baba suddenly stepped in front of me.
“Right. Those clothes are beyond repair. You’ll need a change of clothes. What would you like? Commoner’s clothes? A maid uniform? A party dress? A wedding dress?”
“Do you have a variety of clothes? What kind of party dresses? Can I choose? Do you have anything in yellow? I like yellow.”
The young master grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back slightly.
“Something ordinary, please. Something ordinary.”
I was the only one feeling frustrated.
“Why! I’ve been wearing ordinary clothes my whole life, can’t I wear an extravagant and impractical dress in a library with narrow, steep staircases for three days?!”
“You’re a maid. How are you going to assist me in a dress?”
“There’s always a way. Finding a way is like seeing a rainbow, it always appears for those who seek it.”
Actually, I didn’t need to look far for a rainbow. The boy’s face was a kaleidoscope of emotions, turning from pale to red. He was the complete opposite of the emotionally detached Miss Baba.
“Such a vulgar argument in the hallowed halls of the magic library, a repository of truth.”
The boy pointed at us, looking at Miss Baba.
“Master, who are these rude people? Why are you calling them guests? Shouldn’t you kick them out?”
He said, his voice laced with suppressed anger. Miss Baba was silent for a moment, then muttered, lost in thought,
“What is truth… I’ve never considered the magic library a repository of truth. It’s just a warehouse of abandoned relics. I promised to protect it, so I will. That’s all.”
Her monotonous voice was devoid of emotion. It was as empty as the mechanical whirring of a machine. I nudged the young master in the ribs with my elbow.
“I don’t think Miss Baba is human. Do you think she’s a doll like me?”
“Estella. Good maids don’t elbow their masters in the ribs.”
“How about a finger then? Index finger? Thumb? Or index finger and thumb?”
“Just don’t poke me.”
Miss Baba stared blankly at the boy. The rainbow boy’s face was now turning pink. She seemed completely oblivious to the dirty, zombie-covered maid doll and the arrogant Count with his piercing blue eyes.
“Oh, right! I remember now!”
She said, smiling brightly like a child.
“I felt like I was forgetting something important. There was something I wanted to say.”
“What is it? Is it about zombies? If you’re planning to reveal that you’re not actually Edna’s friend, I won’t let it go.”
A menacing aura began to emanate from the young master. The swirling magical energy seeped into my joints and clung to my skin like a wet towel. My inorganic doll body resonated with its master.
I felt refreshed, as if I had just stepped out of a sauna. I even felt stronger. I felt like I could lift the young master with one hand and Miss Baba with the other.
“Not only are you being disrespectful, but now you’re threatening us?”
The boy drew the sword from his hip and pointed it at us. I stepped in front of the young master.
“Hey, kid! You’re the young lady’s attendant, aren’t you? How can you act without your master’s permission? Are you even a proper attendant?”
The young master’s magic faltered for a moment. I looked back at him and smiled meaningfully. I’ll protect you! His expression was strange.
“The magic library doesn’t belong solely to the Master. I have rights here too. But I’ll listen to what the Master has to say first. If you continue to be disrespectful, I’ll punish you.”
“You dare challenge the great Estella, who never starts a fight but never backs down from one? You’ll regret this!”
We both turned to Miss Baba.
“Miss! What is it that you wanted to say?”
“Master! What were you about to say?”