Missing Cinderella

“That’s why I suddenly thought that Louie seems to have a talent in swordsmanship. He had always loved to play outside….” 

After persuading Camellia to not leave the mansion, Eschert spent all day with her. Although Edwin was with them all this while, he listened to her talk all day while thinking that it must have been difficult for her to adapt to this unfamiliar place. He thought he should spend time with her often in the future to foster her affection for this place. 

As expected, Camellia seemed happy she had someone who would listen to her stories and continued to talk about Edwin in front of Eschert. By that time, it was evening. 

“Should we eat our dinner now? Edwin is….” 

Eschert paused at the noise coming from the outside and looked out the window. 

“Duke?” As Eschert’s attention turned elsewhere, Camellia asked in a puzzled voice. “What is it all of a sudden? Is there any problem….” 

“It would be better if you go see Edwin now.” 

Standing up from his seat with a frown on his forehead, Eschert checked outside the window and said, “I’ll have to go out for a while.” 

“Yes?” 

Eschert left the puzzled Camellia there and immediately went out of the room. 

In the middle of the commotion he saw through the window was none other than Siella. What is happening this time? Thinking to that point, Eschert recalled the recent conflicts caused by Siella. His pace sped up by itself. 

Ignoring the greetings of the employees he passed by, he came out and saw Siella surrounded by guards. He noticed the Duchy’s carriage standing behind her. Eschert’s expression slowly hardened. 

“What is this commotion?” 

Siella’s expression was the same as usual when she looked back at him. She was expressionless as usual, like a doll with no emotions. 

“I am asking what this commotion is about.” 

Eschert looked at the butler and asked again. Restless, Dennis looked at Eschert and answered. 

“Miss Siella went out alone without permission… no, I was only trying to stop that outsider from entering the mansion.” 

“Outsider?” 

It was only then that Eschert noticed the presence of an unfamiliar woman standing next to Siella. The woman was watching on the side with interest wearing a sword on her waist. Sighing, Eschert slowly turned to Siella. 

“Siella.” 

Seeing Eschert’s gaze demanding her for an explanation, Siella simply replied, “My escort.” 

“…” 

At that moment, Eschert felt his chest tightened as if it was blocked by something. He was surprised that Siella went out without saying a word to him, but she had her freedom to do so and he had no reason to take issue with it. Rather, it was strange for her to have refrained from going out on her own until now, even though no one is forcing her to.

However, although he had given her an escort, he couldn’t understand this situation where she even had to go out and find one. 

“Shouldn’t you have consulted with me first?” Eschert sighed again and said, “What on earth is the problem….” 

Resisting the urge to just shut Eschert’s mouth, Siella responded, “You didn’t attach an escort to me, so I hired them separately. Is that a problem?” 

“What?” 

As long as she couldn’t trust Eschert, she also couldn’t trust the escort he gave her. But apart from that matter, the problem is that Eschert told her he would attach an escort to her but he didn’t. 

“In the first place, it was already strange that I didn’t bring any maid or escort with me.” 

It was common for nobles to stay in the mansions of other nobles with their servants. 

Five years ago, Siella had no one to trust so she came to Eschert’s mansion alone and started living there. There would be no problem now even if Siella had her own servant. Since she is a guest here, she naturally had to have Eschert’s acquiescence in this matter, the Family Head. But after she started living, he only gave her a word afterwards. 

“Why don’t you have an escort?” Siella blankly stared at Eschert, who frowned as if he couldn’t understand. “I’ve obviously attached you an escort, so why is there no….” 

“If there was, then why am I together with Nina now?”

Eschert hesitated. Thinking of it, the escorts he attached were nowhere to be seen. If Siella had just come back from an outing, they should be beside her now. 

“You really don’t know anything.” 

“…” 

“You are really clueless about anything….” 

Wondering how he was able to do that, Siella softly muttered as if she was talking to herself. 

“No, I guess you just don’t want to know.” 

Siella slightly smiled and looked around her. The knights, including Dennis, were watching the situation unfold with a stiff face while holding their breath. It didn’t feel good as she felt she had become a spectacle, but she soon thought about the situation. 

In any case, the people present here would only judge and curse at her no matter what way she behaved. 

“I’m tired,” Siella said as if notifying the speechless Eschert, “Let’s talk later.” 

“…” 

Eschert hesitated and turned to try and grab Siella. When she said to talk later, he saw himself in Siella, looking at him with a disgusted look. Because he was reminded how he had always put off talking to her just like that. He couldn’t stop her as she moved with her escort and walked away. 

(T/N: The problem here is that Eschert still failed to understand Siella, always blaming her for everything that happened but never asked himself and the people around him. My head hurts because of him [throb throb].)

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

“They really didn’t bring you any food.” Nina murmured dumbfounded. “That’s just decoration.” 

Nina glanced at the bell on the table and clicked her tongue. Siella chuckled and got up from her seat. Except for her, she couldn’t starve Nina. 

“If we go to the kitchen and ask them, they will give us food.” 

As Siella invited her to the kitchen, Nina shook her head, stood up and followed her, murmuring to herself, “You are a Lady, but don’t treat you like a Lady….” 

Siella smiled and opened the door as they walked out. Nina continued to grumble as she followed behind her. She just couldn’t understand why people don’t treat her Lady as a proper Lady, cursing nonstop throughout their walk. 

Upon arriving at the kitchen, Nina’s voice, who was grumbling to herself, grew louder as if she wanted to be heard by someone. Doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry, Siella packed their food and returned to her room with Nina. 

“You need to eat a little more, Siella. I saw that there are only weird people here, so you need to eat a lot and cheer up.” 

While eating her food, Nina gave a portion of her meat to Siella, telling her that she must eat a lot to fight and win. 

“You’re too thin right now. I don’t think you can win even if you were to fight a child. Of course, I will protect you so that won’t happen. But still.” 

“You think I’ll lose even if I fight a child?” 

“Yes.” 

“… Is it that bad?” 

“Yep, that bad.” 

Taking Nina’s nagging advice, Siella ate more than she usually did. Even so, she doesn’t feel heavy in her stomach, her digestion was rather better than usual. Siella thought that it was a wonderful thing as she sipped on her tea. 

As Siella spent her time chatting with Nina about this and that, she felt like time passed faster than usual. 

“I hear footsteps.” 

Suddenly, Nina stared at the door with her piercing eyes. Just as Nina said, someone knocked on the door. 

“Siella.” It was followed with a voice that ruined her pretty good time in an instant. “I have something to tell you before I leave. It will only take a moment. Just give me a minute.” 

It was Leonard. Siella swallowed her sigh and rose up from her seat. Seeing Siella’s stiff face, Nina asked her, “Should I kick him out?” 

Siella thought for a moment then shook her head. “No, it’s alright. He said it would only take a while.” 

“Mm.” 

Nina, who seemed to be thinking about something, suddenly jumped out from her seat and stood up. 

“Please take a seat. You don’t have to open the door yourself.” 

Having said that, Nina strode to her doorway before anyone could stop her, and fiercely opened the door. 

(T/N: I quite like Leonard even though he’s only a side character. He’s more considerate than Eschert to be honest [shrugs].)