Chapter 6
"Ojou-sama, you finally opened your eyes," cried Kuroka, running over to her ojou-sama's bed.
"I'm so happy to see you up, ojou-sama. I'm ashamed of my lack of ability of not being able to protect you properly." s.h.i.+rone had her head down, angry with herself for allowing her ojou-sama to have become injured.
"Protect me?" Maria muttered confusedly, only to remember the whole situation that happened at the Archd.u.c.h.ess's tea party before she had gotten injured and blacked out.
"That's right! I had gotten hurt! s.h.i.+rone, how long have I been out?" asked Maria.
"For about twelve hours, ojou-sama. It's now getting close to noontime," answered s.h.i.+rone.
"Wow, I've been out for a long time," sheepishly grinned Maria, scratching her head before taking in the depressed expressions both of her maids were making. "Maa, cheer up! I don't like others being depressed, besides it is normal for people to make mistakes. You just have to look at the bright side of things. The Archd.u.c.h.ess is okay and so am I!" said Maria. Her words managed to slightly lessen the guilt both maids were feeling in their hearts. Though, nevertheless, they promised themselves to be more vigilant when it came to their ojou-sama.
Maria was about to say something more when her door was busted open by her mother, who immediately shot her eyes over to Maria, who jumped at the sudden intrusion. Instantly tears filled her mother's eyes before she rushed over to Maria, engulfing her in a hug as she burst into tears.
'Okachan, I can't breathe!' wailed Maria, who had her head smothered against her mother's large bosom. Soon walking into her room was her brother and father. Just like her mother, they immediately looked towards her direction, before rus.h.i.+ng over to hug her.
"Maria, Papa's heart broke once he heard what had happened to you. Don't worry, such a thing shall never happen to you again," vowed her father, hugging the opposite side of her, across from her mother.
"Don't worry, Imoto, next time just run to me, and I'll definitely protect you. d.a.m.n it, the first time was with that bratty prince and now it comes from a mercenary! Why is Maria always targeted?" It was obvious that her brother was angry at how this was the second time his precious little sister had ended up hurt and was nowhere to protect her.
'Never again shall I get myself hurt. 'Cause at the moment... I can't breathe!' shouted Maria, literally smothered in the comfort of an
It seemed that right before the woman who was hired to a.s.sa.s.sinate the Archd.u.c.h.ess made her escape, she injured Maria with a poison dagger. Luckily, the Archd.u.c.h.ess made a call for the Imperial Physician to come and heal Maria's injury. Sometime later when the Archduke arrived back home, quickly finding out that his wife was almost a.s.sa.s.sinated, he immediately began conducting an investigation. The information which he received led to him discovering that the woman who appeared in the manor was none other than the deadly a.s.sa.s.sin, Lady Poison. A woman who was known to be skilled in the art of poison and was also a member of the famous mercenary group, Vixens.
'Vixens? If I recall, they later caused trouble for the heroine and her harem gang sometime after she enrolled in Diamond Academy. All the members of the group are female and are known to be vicious. It's also best to never underestimate them, like the male lead did once, seeing how that one mistake almost cost him his life if the heroine didn't step in to save him.' In the midsts of her thoughts, Maria remembered what the woman said to her before making her escape.
'Great, I already made an enemy who is a heartless a.s.sa.s.sin.' Maria's words were filled with sarcasm before she heard her mother say something that caught her attention.
"Oh, after hearing and witnessing your bravery, the people from the Scarlet Manor came this morning bearing gifts," said her mother, before leading her to a once empty room. Though after Maria opened the door, she saw how the room was now filled with boxes of gifts; her eyes grew large in awe.
'Wow~! Is this an early Christmas?!' exclaimed Maria, before making a beeline to the box that first caught her attention. Lying on top of the box, Maria saw s a card that she began to read.
To Marichan:
I just wanted to say thank you. You are a girl who possesses a brave and kind heart. You selflessly placed yourself in a dire situation just to protect someone else. Not many would have done what you did, and that's why I am thankful. One shouldn't recklessly put their lives in danger, especially someone who is as cute as you are! If one wishes to protect others than that person must grow strong first. Though you may be weak in body, your resolve is already strong. You certainly have left quite the impression on my family. We sent these gifts as a token of our appreciation.
P.S.: I specifically picked out this dress for you to wear for the Diamond Academy Welcome Back Banquet. Hope you like it ;)~!
After reading over the letter, Maria felt a sense of happiness bloom in her heart. The words the Archd.u.c.h.ess wrote to her were really touching as she couldn't stop herself from smiling. Setting the letter aside, Maria took off the lid of the box, reaching inside to pull out a gown that made all who saw it gasp.
The soft fabric of the dress was made from pink glittering silk; the sleeves and bottom of the dress had white ruffles, while the chest portion was decorated with gold ornate designs and white pearls. Down below, the dress had tiny pink and blue pearls sewn all over it, and there was also a white decorative portion going down the center, surrounded by more golden ornate designs. The dress also came with a pair of white opera gloves and socks that also had pearls sewn on them. Once placed in the light, the dress couldn't help but give off an enchanting sparkle, making all eyes be drawn to it.
"There is no doubt that this dress came from one of the top clothing stores here in the capital city. The fabric, material, and style are all top qualities. A beauty that even some n.o.bles are unable to get their hands on. Only the Archd.u.c.h.ess, the owner of Red Royal Queen, could possess such a rare beauty." Maria's mother stood beside her, a.n.a.lyzing each detail of the dress that was in her hands, before clapping her hands together.
"Yep! My Maria will definitely be the cutest girl there is at the Banquet! No other girl will dare outs.h.i.+ne you! Now, all we have to do is pick out the right accessories and go to the salon bright and early in the morning to get your hair done. Oh, and pedicures!"
Maria just stood there and stared blankly at her mother, feeling a sense of dread filling her heart.
'Help me!' She mentally began to cry.