I Possessed the Body of a Sickly Princess

Chapter 4: Rumors and Truth (3)

Lying at the edge of the bed, I wiggled my toes.

Lifting my right leg, I rested it atop my left, swaying it absentmindedly as I sank into thought.

Still no word from them.

I had long known they held no interest in me, but this level of neglect was impressive.

Stretching my arms toward the ceiling, I let them fall limply to my sides.

"I'm low on mana."

If I wanted to, I could leave this wretched house behind.

But they wouldn’t just sit back and let me.

It might be more efficient to simply take what I needed indiscriminately.

The only problem was that I had no way of knowing how Duke Leonhardt and his brood would react.

I had already drawn attention by taking mana from a single maid.

There was no need to add fuel to the fire with reckless behavior.

Knock, knock.

"My lady, may I enter?"

"Come in."

A lazy voice answered the soft knock.

A different voice than yesterday’s.

And as the door opened, a different presence as well.

Golden hair cascading near her shoulders, jade-green eyes, and a small frame.

The way she faced me without a single hint of fear was rather to my liking.

"Your name."

"M-My name is Mana."

"I like you."

"...Pardon?"

"I said, I like you."

Lying on my stomach, I lazily curled a finger.

She approached cautiously, resembling a small animal creeping forward.

The pet-like impression wasn’t bad.

Reaching out, I brushed my fingers over the maid’s face.

Her warmth, much higher than my own, lingered at my fingertips—not unpleasant at all.

"So, why are you here?"

"I... I have been appointed as your personal maid, my lady! I look forward to serving you!"

She bowed so deeply I could almost hear the thud.

I watched her trembling form in silence before tapping my fingers lightly.

Hesitantly, she lifted her head.

Different from the others.

Neither insolent nor trembling in fear.

I smiled faintly, and her round eyes widened.

"You seem useful."

"Y-Yes, my lady."

"I look forward to working with you, Mana."

"I look forward to serving you, my lady!"

Unlike those insubordinate wretches, unlike those constantly cowering before me.

She was different.

And that alone was enough to satisfy me.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

I began calculating.

What could I gain through this small maid?

How much should I invest to maximize my returns?

Would there be any risks? If so, how much was acceptable?

Curling my fingers, I drummed a light rhythm against the bedsheets.

Inhaling softly, I let out a quiet breath.

A week at the earliest, a month at the latest.

Perhaps even longer.

But patience was key to acquiring what I wanted.

After all, amassing great wealth required even greater patience.

"Now then, there’s something I need you to do for me."

"...Right now?"

"Yes, immediately."

The reflection of my smiling face shimmered in Mana’s eyes.

She nodded as if entranced.

Gently, I stroked her hair before sending her off.

At just the right moment, the perfect piece had landed in my hand.

Was this a gift from the gods? Or a test?

For someone labeled a demon, this was a rather generous favor.

"Be careful."

"Yes, my lady!"

***

"...Does my lady like cats?"

Mana mumbled as she gazed at the feline nestled in her arms.

"Go to town and buy a cat."

That had been her lady’s only request.

Preferably a black one, though it didn’t seem like she particularly cared about the color.

The money? All provided by her lady.

Mana had no idea where it came from, but for a duke’s child, it likely wasn’t much.

"People do tend to like animals that resemble them..."

She had heard plenty of rumors about her lady.

That she had the form of a demon. That a demon had possessed her. That she had devoured Sophia’s soul.

At first, Mana had been a little scared.

But she was not one to believe in things she hadn’t seen for herself.

It was something her late mother had always taught her.

And when she finally met her lady in person—

She was nothing like the image Mana had in her mind.

She recalled their first meeting.

Her lady, sprawled at the edge of her bed, looking for all the world like a curled-up cat.

The bed was vast, yet she had chosen to cling precariously to the very edge.

Rather than fearsome, it had been... peculiar.

And—adorable.

White hair, skin pale to the point of illness, eyes like rubies.

Only a short time had passed since their first encounter, yet Mana was certain—

She would never forget that moment for the rest of her life.

"Mana!"

"Hm? Diana?"

As she walked, a familiar voice called out to her.

Looking up, she saw Diana—a maid she was acquainted with.

So she had returned to serving Lord David?

Mana hadn’t expected her to look this relieved after only a day.

Had she not gotten along with their lady?

Puzzled, she greeted Diana cheerfully.

"How was it? Are you okay?"

"Hmm? I was fine."

They exchanged a few words about her lady.

When Mana said she seemed like a good person and wasn’t scary at all, Diana’s expression darkened slightly.

She must have imagined it.

Mana was certain—if Diana actually met her lady, she wouldn’t dislike her.

The way she was being unilaterally antagonized didn’t make sense.

Though Diana’s gaze, as if she were observing some bizarre creature, was a little unsettling, Mana understood.

Her lady was always surrounded by bad rumors.

It was natural for people to be wary of her.

Those misunderstandings could be cleared up over time.

"More importantly, what’s with the cat?"

"Oh, my lady wanted one."

"...Really?"

Diana’s eyes darkened.

The look was so threatening that Mana instinctively tightened her grip on the kitten.

An oppressive atmosphere suddenly settled over them.

The little ball of fur whined in discomfort.

"Shh, shh, calm down, it’s okay."

Soothing the wriggling cat, Mana carefully stepped away.

Diana must not like cats.

"I should go, Diana."

"Alright, take care."

"See you later."

"Yeah."

Her dry response made Mana pause.

She glanced at Diana’s face, only to see her smiling faintly.

Thinking she was imagining things, Mana quickened her pace.

The people of Leonhardt treated her lady strangely.

The duke, his children, the knights, the servants—every single one of them.

A sudden realization sent a shiver down Mana’s spine.

Like an archaeologist uncovering something they were never meant to, her heart pounded with an unexplainable thrill.

It's just a misunderstanding. That’s all.

They’re all just mistaken.

My lady isn’t a bad person. She’s not possessed by a demon.

Then, a cold breeze pricked at her skin, making her freeze.

A single question sprouted in her mind, taking root and filling her thoughts.

...Are you sure?

"Myaa~."

The kitten in her arms let out a tiny meow.

***

"Thank you."

"It was nothing, my lady! There’s no need to thank me!"

Mana had never seen her lady smile so brightly before.

She couldn’t tear her gaze away from those softly curved lips.

Only a few hours had passed. Soon, it would be a full day.

But in that short time—

Mana realized she had already fallen completely under her lady’s spell.

There was no escaping now.

Swallowing dryly, she heard the sound echo through the quiet room.

It was so loud in her ears, she instinctively lowered her head, as if guilty of some crime.

"You may leave now."

"My lady, is there anything else I can do for you?"

"No, you should rest for today."

Just as in the morning, her lady spoke lazily from her bed.

Mana bowed slightly and stepped out.

Behind her, she heard soft laughter and the kitten’s quiet mewl.

Somehow, that reassured her.

Though the thought that lingered in her mind unsettled her far more—

She had done nothing all day except buy a cat.

"...She must have eaten, right?"

The doubt crept in.

Then, realizing how absurd it was, she shook her head.

Even if she was neglected, she was still a duke’s daughter.

Surely, someone had brought her food.

Mana didn’t know.

That from morning until night—

Ariel had eaten nothing.

That no one had cared enough to feed her.

***

"...I'm a little hungry."

Clutching her empty stomach, Ariel muttered to herself.