In the city, she was greeted by a pungent burst of smells and sounds that were foreign to her, but at the same time familiar. Old Connie's memory fragments were intertwined with her own memories, causing a strange emotion to well-spring up inside her?

Ika closed herself off because she wasn't used to the city.

"We're going to Connie's house — I mean, my home. Yes, my family. ”

“？”

The two continued inside, avoiding carriages and scurrying citizens.

Ika looked left and right from under his hood. Whether she wanted it or not, this scene was something she had never experienced before.

"We've got a lot of time, Ika," Connie commented as she continued walking.

Soon, they passed through the business district and entered the aristocratic quarter. Pedestrians are noticeably scarcer, and they are more well-dressed. They stare at them as if they were a clown show.

Finally, she stopped.

"We're here."

In front of them was not an ordinary house.

I couldn't believe my eyes. Her savior lives in a mansion. It is three storeys high and has a well-tended and beautiful garden. It is partly made of wood and stone. Guarding the door was a fat man with a crooked mustache.

"Milady! You're back! What's wrong with your clothes?! ”

The fat man came to her with a worried look on his face. He moved, his ill-fitting armor clanging.

"You...... Recognize me? ”

"Even if you're wearing rags, I can recognize you, ma'am. I have been your father's faithful guardian of Lady Mary since before he married her, bless her soul. ”

He quickly opened the door and offered to hug Ika,

She said briefly. "Ask the maid to prepare a big bucket of hot water and bring it to the room. Delivered some food to my room. Maybe some hot soup or porridge. Light. A bunch of clean cloths is also required. ”

"Immediately, ma'am. Am I supposed to-? ”

"Nope. I'll take care of her. Just do what I say. ”

Bell ran behind to carry out her orders.

"I can walk now." Ika said in a hoarse voice as she struggled to get out of the car.

"It's coming soon." Connie said calmly.

She opened the wooden door and stepped inside. The door creaked with her movements.

The maid, who was concentrating on cleaning the vase, knocked it over in surprise, but Connie, with her quick movement, used her left foot to stop the vase from falling.

"Your Excellency!"

"Surprised to see me?"

"No, no, ma'am. I'm sorry. ”

"Sorry enough," she said, holding up her hand to stop her from speaking. "Is it just you?"

"Yes, ma'am. Your mom just fired three people yesterday. ”

The living room is mainly made of wood, and the furniture looks expensive and well-made. On the wall by the fire, there should have been a picture of her and her real family, but instead it was a picture of a fancy woman with a slightly obese child standing next to her.

"Outstanding. It seems she's making progress in playing with my possessions. ”

"Miledi?"

"Nothing."

"Yes, ma'am. Uh......" she looked at the figure behind her.

"I'll take her to the guest room." She said as she walked up the stairs, ignoring the hesitant maid.

She walked to the second floor of the East Wing and found the guest room. Nice room river, decorated with many fine vases. Each of them can feed a poor family for two whole years. There was also a bed, and she unceremoniously lifted the quilt and covered Ika.

Ika snorted.

Knock, knock.

"Miledi? I've brought everything you want. ”

Connie opens the door and lets the three maids in, each with what she wants. When they noticed the stench in the room, their faces changed.

"Put the cloth on the bed, put the bathtub on the floor, and put the food on the table," she ordered. "Don't mention this."

The three maidservants were stunned by her actions. The Connie they know is a brave and kind girl, while the girl standing in front of her is cold and decisive, with the aura of a ruler.

Her blue eyes were like a desolate tundra, like a king looking at his subjects.

As they were about to leave, Connie grabbed the arm of one of them, a mischievous-looking young maid.

"Miss, miss?"

Connie sniffed her palm and licked it. The maid let out a small scream from the cold, rough feeling.

"What's your name?"

"I—my name is M—Mary, ma'am."

"Hmm......" Connie tasted the remnants of her hands. Very good. Oh, yes. Sent a big basin of hot water and a towel to my room. I'd like to clean myself up later. ”

"Yes, ma'am."

As they left in a hurry, she closed the door behind them and locked it twice.

"Let's get started. I will cleanse your body first so that we can reduce the chances of further infection. ”

Then begin to carefully wash your body. Every time the cloth became too dirty due to pus, she would change it. Ika had never been treated so gently, and she unexpectedly began to relax. Feeling warm and safe, something she had never experienced before.

She piled all her old clothes in a haphazard pile. "Hmm. Good. The pus has stopped flowing out. Be quiet and let me know if anything hurts. ”

Connie placed her finger on the side of the tumor, lump, and scar, humming and raising her eyebrows each time. Even though the stench on her body was still strong, she examined her closely.

"Uh-oh, it's a very powerful, slow-acting poison. Someone must hate you so much for this to happen. ”

“…… Is there anything you can do? ”

“…… I need to think about this before I can develop a comprehensive healing plan. Hum! Now, drink soup to refuel and go to sleep. You can use this bed. ”

She opened the door and left the key by her side. "Remember to lock the door and don't let anyone in except me."

Ika straightened up, looking unusually lonely. "Where are you going?"

Connie smiled. "Oh, go out for a walk. I want to go to the city and buy some ingredients. ”

"Raw materials?"

"Exactly. Raw material. Go on. Take a break. I'll see you when I get back. ”

Connie closed the door and walked to her room. It was a very feminine room, full of light pink. The room is filled with a faint fragrance of flowers, which makes people feel refreshed.

The private bookshelf next to it was stocked with a large number of books. The old monster took out a book by the way and skimmed through it cursoryly.

Most of the books are about heroes and romance. The authors of these books must have been children who had never seen a real battlefield. Especially not a battlefield where mountains and seas are cracked, where dragons drop huge fireballs from the sky and destroy the kingdom, written like garbage on the side of the road. Hum!

"Okay, let's clean it up and get started. The sun was already high up. ”

Wipe herself clean and choose a dress, she feels much better. Then she took a pair of suitable boots nearby. At least she knew how to wear boots, not the elaborate shoes I saw the aristocrats wear.

When she looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn't help but feel awe of her reflection. "God. I look so pretty! Embarrassed, haha, she's just telling the truth. Although she is indeed a girl, her face is more like that of an elegant and beautiful teenager. Hermaphroditic feelings.

Unfortunately, her breasts were not big enough, and she frowned and held her twin peaks. "It's going to be a problem if you get into a fight."

After a brief period of narcissism, she pulled out a purse hidden under the bed, full of gold coins. That's for emergencies.

"I think it's an emergency. I'm too lazy to fight with that kind of thing. She glanced at the armor and sold the useless things.

"Really, Yao'er?" She said when she noticed the critter coming out from under her hair. "Come back, little friend. I'll get you your favorite leaf later. Ha ha. ”

When everything was ready, she walked out of the mansion and into the garden.

"Oh, ma'am. Got out so soon? Isn't it good to have a good rest? ”

"I've got something urgent to do, Bell," she paused. "Also, out of curiosity. Do you know where I've been these days? ”

Bell raised an eyebrow. "The Duchess said you and Madame Henry went on a trip. That's a good thing, I can't bear to see you so gloomy. He said. So I'm surprised at how you were when you came back, and it was so bad. That must have been a pretty good trip, right? ”

Fool. So easy to be trusted, fooled?

Connie sighed. "Bell. I want you to do one thing for me. ”

"Anything, ma'am."

"I want you to keep an eye on my guests in your room. Don't let anyone in or out of her room. 0K？ ”

The man nodded hurriedly. "Even a duchess?"

"Yes. Especially her. ”

"Understood, ma'am." He hurriedly saluted. "I'm going to call a carriage."

"Nope. Today I am in the mood for a leisurely walk. Good day, Bell. ”

"Good day, ma'am."

Bell watched her walk away. "I've never seen her so cheerful. Something happy must have happened. ”