I Refuse To Be A Character In A Novel - Chapter 3

Author – Cherry_Blossom

After a warm bath, Erna asked Mielle to bring her a light snack.

Another maid, Rose, started massaging her body with oil instead of dressing her.

She didn’t dislike it, but she found it presumptuous.

The maid laid her hands on her naturally, without having asked for permission.

Her attitude was understandable as since the Duchess never acted like a proper hostess, the servants gradually lost respect for her.

Erna on the other hand wasn’t very tolerant.

‘That should change.’

So far, Mielle is the only one I trust, and even she asked permission for every small gesture.

Erna, who thought as much, looked back at the maid with a chilly expression.

Startled at the hostile look of the duchess, Rose asked,

“I-is it perhaps not to your liking, madam?”

“Unless I ask for it, you should first let me know of your actions.”

“Uh-That, madam always asks for an oil massage when it’s time to share the bedroom with the master, so I thought it would be all right.”

“What?”

“…I apologize, should I stop?”

‘Share the bedroom! Was it time already?’

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The duke and duchess shared the bedroom once a month.

Contrary to Berlin, in Rasmodia, a married couple had their own separate rooms and it was considered inappropriate to visit their spouse’s bedroom without prior notice.

Thus, they would set dates of when they would be visiting.

It wasn’t a valid situation for all couples, but especially to those married under political terms, such as the Duchess’ case.

Erna’s face flared red at the scenes that flashed in her mind.

‘It’s unfair to have memories of things I didn’t experience.’

“Was it today?”

“Pardon me?”

“Will the duke be visiting today?”

“…No. His grace should be visiting tomorrow, madam.”

Rose answered, slightly surprised that the duchess was asking such an obvious thing.

Nonetheless, she didn’t dare to point it out. She was being very careful when dealing with her madam, who became very meticulous lately.

Not only Rose, but the other servants had also adjusted their tones and behaviour towards the previously docile duchess who now had a look that threatened to fire them at the slightest mistake.

✰✰✰✰✰

Sensing the Duchess’ discomfort, Rose carefully asked again,

“Is it perhaps the odor? This is a new oil that was brought this week, Mrs.Lippert, the head maid said it helps to relax the muscles so I thought that you might like it. The odor shouldn’t last until tomorrow but… do you want me to switch back to the one we usually use, madam?”

Erna was too distracted by the idea of sharing a bed with Zachary to focus on anything Rose said.

She already managed to avoid him for two months.

When she first came back to her body, Zachary was out on an expedition to what they called the valley of demise.

The duke led a party of knights every year all around the north, to survey the area, but luckily for her, it lasted longer that winter.

‘I heard that the number of Maghulls have increased.’

“Madam?”

“If that’s the case, it’s fine. You may go on, thank you for carefully choosing it.”

“Yes!”

Seeing Rose blush over her insincere words, Erna felt a bit regretful.

She didn’t like presumptuous actions indeed, but she wasn’t needlessly rude either.

‘Let’s worry about tomorrow when it comes.’

For now I’ll enjoy the luxury I had missed.

Rose’s massage was truly a relaxing treatment.

When Mielle came back with a small apple pie, Erna forgot all about the talk from earlier and engulfed herself in the sweet taste while Mielle chattered over her head about things she didn’t even ask about.