The Black-haired Noblewoman, Who Disguised Herself, Seems To Have Been Doted On While Serving As The Caretaker For The Duke Who Dislikes Women - Episode 10

I hurriedly thank the woman in front of me.

“Ah, thank you… I’m sorry for the trouble. I’m really sorry.”

The woman with chestnut-colored hair chuckled softly, shook her head from side to side, placed the basin on the small table next to the bed, and began wringing out the towel that had been inside it.

“No, I haven’t done anything. It’s just that my husband and Mr. Curtis brought you back when you were unconscious, so I just called the doctor. Both of them were worried about you. Let’s go greet them later. My husband was also eager to hear your story.”

When I said that, the person suddenly looked as if they remembered something, looked at me, and smiled.

“I’m Amanda. I work as a maid at the Harrington estate. Nice to meet you.”

“Ah! Y-yes. My name is Michelle.”

The Duke of Harrington’s residence… It seems that while I was unconscious, I was brought to the lord’s mansion within the Duke of Harrington’s territory.

While introducing myself, I almost continued with “of the Countess Everly family,” but I hurriedly closed my mouth. …That’s right, I’m no longer the adopted daughter of the Everly family. I shouldn’t speak that name.

Ms. Amanda nodded slightly.

“Michelle, dear. You must have had a hard time. Wandering alone in the forest… You must be hungry and tired. …Now, let’s wipe your face for now. It’s quite dirty. Poor thing.”

Saying that, Amanda gently placed the wrung-out towel on my cheek and began to wipe it softly. Determined to gather information, I quietly let her wipe my face while asking her questions.

“Um… the husband and Mr. Curtis you mentioned earlier, are they the two people I met in the forest?”

“Yes, that’s right. The master of this mansion, Duke Lloyd Harrington, and his attendant and bodyguard, Mr. Curtis. …Since the master has also sustained severe injuries, he will need to rest for a while.”

…Huh…?

(Th-that silver-haired man was the duke…!?)

I was taken aback by Amanda’s words, my mind going blank. Duke Lloyd Harrington. The head of the foremost ducal family in the esteemed Hastina Kingdom. I never imagined he would be such a young and handsome gentleman.

I ended up injuring such a person…

Realizing the gravity of what I’ve done, my body feels heavy. …What should I do? I’ve done something terrible.

“Your husband said that when you wake up, he wants me to give you something to eat first. What do you think you could eat? Maybe some bread porridge or soup, or some fruit? Since you haven’t eaten for a long time, if you suddenly eat a lot, your weakened body might get shocked. Oh, but if you want something else, I can get that for you too…”

“Um, um!”

Unable to sit still, I implored Amanda with a sense of desperation.

“Could I please apologize to you before we eat, Your Grace…? I caused you an injury due to my carelessness. And yet, you helped me and have been so kind to me… I can’t possibly eat without even saying a word of thanks.”

Amanda, who had been staring at me as I desperately pleaded, gently smiled when my words came to a halt.

“Understood. If you say so, shall we go greet the master first? He should be in his office… but…”

Ms. Amanda said that, and then she glanced at the bed where I had been lying just a moment ago. Following her gaze, I, who had been sitting up, also turned to look at the bedside.

(……!!)

“Mo… I’m so sorry…!”

The pure white sheets and pillow I had been lying on were now filthy and blackened with soot. In an instant, I broke out in a cold sweat. The hair dye had stained this seemingly expensive bedding.

I was so embarrassed and sorry that I couldn’t lift my face anymore.

However, Amanda gently placed her hand on my shoulder and spoke to me in a kind tone.

“It’s okay. It’s not a big deal if the sheets get dirty. We can just wash them. Don’t worry about it too much. …But, well, if we’re going to greet the master, why don’t we take a bath and get all cleaned up? There’s a bath area in this guest room too, you know? Right?”

My appearance was so shabby and dirty that I thought it would be rude to greet someone noble. Amanda-san’s kindness in choosing words that wouldn’t hurt me while conveying that made me feel like crying.

“Yes. Thank you very much.”

“Hehe. Yes. …So, can you stand? Ah, that’s right. If you’re going to skip the meal, at least try drinking this.”

Ms. Amanda said that and went to the back table to get something. Then she hurriedly returned with a glass in hand.

“It’s fruit water. How is it? Can you drink it? Take your time.”

“Oh, thank you very much.”

When I cautiously took the seemingly expensive glass, I took a sip of the fruit water while being watched by Amanda.

Oh… delicious…!

The cold, slightly sweet fruit water seemed to permeate every corner of my parched body, revitalizing me. Before I knew it, I had eagerly drained my glass, and Amanda, who had been watching me with a smile, poured me another glass.

After finishing two cups of fruit water, I was led by Amanda to the bathhouse.

“Moving your body must be tough, right? Would you like me to wash it for you?”

“N-no! I’m fine. I can wash it by myself…”

In response to Amanda’s words, I replied like that. I couldn’t possibly let her see my emaciated body and ask her to help me bathe like a lady.

Did Amanda say that? she smiled.

“Well then, I’ll be waiting in the room. If anything comes up, just call me. Don’t hold back, take your time and wash thoroughly. From the top of your head to the tips of your toes. Hehe.”

“Yes… Thank you so much for everything, Amanda.”

Her thoughtfulness and kindness deeply resonate with me. When was the last time someone was this kind to me? I was so happy that before I knew it, I was smiling too.

I took off my clothes alone in the changing room and entered the bathing area. Perhaps it was thanks to resting in bed and having two cups of delicious fruit water. The dizziness in my body had completely subsided.

Relieved, I finally realized it there.

From the top of my head to the tips of my toes… Ah…!!