MPBAGS Chapter 94

"Only two people can definitively determine the young master's death. The maid who was holding the young master closest, and the person who desperately waited for the young master to die and finally tried to kill him."

What was the maid's name? I think Mrs. Totten just called her name.

"Was it Weder?"

"Yes, yes. Miss."

"Was Young Master Totten dead? Did his heart stop and then start beating again? Or is there a puppeteer here who controls dead people by attaching strings to make them move? You were holding Young Master Totten the whole time, so you can answer."

"No. The young master was just sleeping because he was tired."

Even though she hadn't heard any explanation, the maid named Weder quickly gave me the answer I wanted. If Mrs. Totten trusted her enough to leave her son with her, she must be an incredibly trusted maid, right? That's probably why she was so quick to understand. For me, she'd be in the same position as Kanna, Henna, and Daisy.

Now I turned the arrow back.

"Mr. Diess, why were you so certain that Young Master Totten was dead?"

I thought I could use this to accuse Diess of having a hand in it and strip him of his succession rights, but the butler suddenly interjected.

"It was me who said that."

"Butler!"

"I don't mean I had a hand in making Master Ryder pass away. I simply told the young master that Master Ryder had been getting weaker lately and there might be unfortunate news. The young master seems to have misunderstood my words."

"R-right. The butler said that, so I just believed it."

He seemed to be taking all the blame to protect Diess. While doing so, the charges became much lighter. It just became a mistake stemming from misunderstanding. As I thought before, this grandfather has excellent rhetoric. That's why I was completely fooled by his kind face and polite attitude!

"How insolent."

While I was pondering how to respond, a sharp and blunt voice reproached the butler. The voice belonged to Mrs. Totten. It was a high-handed and sharp criticism that was hard to believe could come from someone who was always polite and respectful.

"A mere employee daring to predict the death of the young marquis? Not content with that, you even spread rumors - truly disappointing. Butler, why did you act so insolently?"

"It was for the House of Totten."

"The butler seems to have forgotten his duty. You should have been loyal to me and my son, not to the marquis house."

The marquis's wife stood up straight, firmly grasping Melech's hand. Though she wasn't in perfect condition as usual, she looked more noble than anyone. Everyone in the world, please look! That person is my chaperone!

"Lock the butler in the basement. Have three people guard the basement together. I'll give the butler's position to whoever performs most faithfully."

Those who had been hesitating and watching suddenly raised their hands volunteering at the mention of the butler position. Mrs. Totten roughly pointed to three of them and sent them away with the butler. It seemed like a random choice, but there must have been meaning behind it, right?

"For now, confine the nanny and Diess to their rooms. They are criminals who could have harmed Ryder. If anyone helps them until I return, they'll be considered accomplices."

While the nanny quietly let herself be dragged away, realizing her situation, Diess resisted furiously and caused a scene.

"Let go of me! Do you think I'm a servant like you? How dare you try to confine me now?"

It took four grown men rushing at him all at once to finally subdue Diess and drag him away.

After Mrs. Totten had dealt with the remaining two, she finally looked at the maid.

"Weder. You worked hard. I promised to give you a reward, didn't I? Tell me what you want."

"May I really say what I want?"

Weder's eyes lit up as if she never thought Mrs. Totten would actually give her a reward. Her curly hair seemed to show her excited mood as it bounced.

Why is she so surprised? Is Mrs. Totten usually rather stingy? Then you should take advantage of this opportunity. Mrs. Totten is someone who bet her house on me, so don't hesitate and just ask for something big!

Weder grabbed the hem of her worn apron and fidgeted with her chapped hands, hesitating for a long time. After much deliberation, perhaps having chosen what she wanted most, she took a deep breath to steady herself and then spoke with a determined voice.

"If you permit it, my lady, I would like to escape from being a laundry maid."

Even after protecting Ryder while getting injured, Weder made a very modest wish. If it were me, I would have asked for gold and jewels... Are all loyal maids originally like this? Our household girls also get extremely burdened when I give them gold coins. Of course, Kanna liked it and accepted it well.

Mrs. Totten seemed to have the same thought as me and asked in puzzlement.

"Is that enough for you? Not gold bars or jewels? You... my son..."

Lady Totten spoke in a hoarse voice, then cleared her throat awkwardly before lifting her head with an elegant demeanor as if nothing had happened.

"You saved my son's life, essentially. And all you want is just to escape being a laundry maid?"

"Yes..."

"Then I'll give you the position of head maid."

"Me, as head maid?"

It was a truly shocking personnel decision. Lady Totten dismissed the servants who had been crowding around like a mob only after giving out both rewards and punishments. Then she headed to a private chamber, accompanied only by the still bewildered maid Weder.

Lady Totten collapsed to the floor only after closing the door. Before I could step forward, Weder caught Lady Totten.

"My lady!"

"Weder... You saw Ryder die and come back to life, yet you don't ask anything."

Melech, who had entered Ryder's body, hid behind me as if feeling ashamed. Melech, I'm the one who asked you to do it, so you don't need to feel guilty.

"Aren't you disgusted by me for telling you to care for a dead child?"

"Not at all. My lady, in the village where I was born, there was a grandmother who carried around a doll. Her son went to war decades ago and there's been no word from him. The grandmother has dementia but only remembers her son's name, so she raises the doll like a child. And... that person is my grandmother. Even though all the villagers call her a crazy old woman, I can understand my grandmother. So I don't find you strange at all, my lady."

"...Thank you."

Weder comforted Lady Totten while revealing her own past. Seriously, why are all the kids' backstories so dark in this romance fantasy novel? Daisy had a director she trusted who turned out to be a slave trader, Kanna was nearly killed after being kidnapped by some weirdo, and now the newly appeared Weder shows up with a tear-jerking melodramatic backstory.

Come to think of it, not just the maids, but even looking at Lady Totten and Gabriel, their stories are all gloomy, dark, and depressing. This is all because the world setting is a dystopian romance fantasy.

Lady Totten, seemingly relieved now, turned to look at me.

"Thank you, Lady Rohanson."

"I'm glad I could help."

"And, what should I call you? ...Melech?"

The next person Lady Totten thanked was Melech. Melech, who had been hiding behind me, poked his head out and spoke.

"That was the name of the body I used to inhabit. The name Lady Rohanson gave me is Mer...!"

Since Melech was saying something strange, I covered his mouth. Don't say Meringue! It would seem weird to give such a cute name to a ghost! Would they understand if I explained it's like the principle of giving childish names to typhoons? No, probably not!

When Melech made eye contact with me and seemed to catch on, nodding his head, I let go of my hand.

"Please call me Melech."

"Alright. Melech, thank you for helping."

"No, I'm... sor-sorry. For taking your son's body..."

"That was my choice. You're a better person than I thought."

Perhaps because the body Melech was using belonged to Ryder, Lady Totten's gaze was very warm, as if she were looking at her son. Melech also seemed relieved by Lady Totten's reaction.

I felt a faint sense of camaraderie from having overcome the same ordeal together. I wanted to wipe my nose at the heartwarming scene, but Henna checked the time and called me.

"My lady, I think you should leave now."

Really? I also looked at the clock. Geez, there's only an hour left? We need to go now to not be late, right? But we couldn't leave immediately since we couldn't take Lady Totten as she was. Hastily, Henna and Weder decided to help with Lady Totten's grooming. Fortunately, Henna's makeup skills were professional-level, enough to be recognized even by Misha.

"Then excuse me."

Under Henna's touch, Lady Totten gradually regained her original appearance. Her wet, limp hair was neatly pinned up.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes... Thank you."

Adding color to her lips finally brought life back to her face. Lady Totten said she wanted to keep wearing the same shoes, so we only chose a different dress. The deep green dress suited Lady Totten's calm demeanor today.

"The lady's maid is very skilled."

"Right?"

My shoulders lifted proudly at the praise for Henna. Not only is Henna skilled, but the kids at home are also professional-level. My lips curled up into a smile as our kids were being recognized even outside.

"Shall we go if you're ready?"

I was about to get up thinking 'Yeah, let's go!' when Melech, who had possessed Ryder, suddenly caught my eye.

"What about Melech?"

"That's right. We've locked up the butler and Diess, so there shouldn't be any major problems... but we can't take him to the banquet either."

Then Weder carefully spoke up.

"My lady, I'll stay by the young master's side."

"You? Weder, you also watched closely from right beside us, so you must know well, but this child... is no longer Ryder. Would that still be okay with you?"

"I'm fine with it."

Lady Totten seemed rather flustered by Weder's unhesitating answer and asked back.

"Why..."

"If my father had also returned like Young Master Ryder, my grandmother would have been very happy. Isn't that better than a doll?"

Lady Totten smiled faintly.

"Thank you. I'm counting on you."

It was decided that Weder would stay by Melech's side and take care of him during the banquet. Lady Totten was relieved, but my problem wasn't solved.

If Melech stays at the marquis's estate, who's going to be my coachman now?

I've gotten used to Melech driving for me, so I think I'll get motion sickness if I ride in other carriages. From now on, do I have to endure sitting in a motion-sickness-inducing rattling box with a sore bottom? I don't want that!

Plus, what about my carriage? Should I go to the imperial palace in Lady Totten's carriage? What do I do when going home? I came outside worrying about all this, only to find an unexpected person.

Oh! That person is the beast-person coachman who made memories with Jelly, Daisy, and me!

"Use him as you please."

After Jelly brought Melech, he suddenly disappeared somewhere, but it seems he sensibly brought a coachman. You cute thing! Today you're as cute as pudding! Don't tell Pudding though!

On the other hand, Melech was very sad to have his position taken away. Even though the soul inside was Melech, the appearance was Ryder's, so when his eyes welled up with tears, I wanted to comfort and soothe him.

"But being a coachman is my role..."

"That's right. He's just filling the empty spot until you come back."

"Right? Gamigin... Lady, you must take good care of Gamigin until I return."

Melech said a tearful farewell to the horse. Since he would have to possess Ryder at least until the marquis's household stabilized, it seemed sad that there was no telling when exactly he could return.

"When can I go back?"

"When the marchioness's position becomes solid. Stay only until the lady can be independent without Ryder's existence."

"Yes, I will... Oh, by the way, my lady. Then what about my meals?"

Ah. Right. There was also the meal issue. But why is the horse the top priority and then he thinks of meals... Usually it's the other way around, isn't it?

Is it because he's a ghost that his priorities are reversed too? There are stories about ghosts clapping with the back of their hands and eating lettuce wraps with meat wrapped in lettuce instead. Meat-centered wraps sound tempting, but Melech probably can't eat them anyway.

But since Melech originally possessed a cow beast-person body, doesn't he need flowers? Does food preference not change even when possessing different bodies... Anyway, while Melech stays at the marquis's estate, I'll probably need to pick flower petals and send them to Lady Totten. Geez, there's more than one thing to solve.

Since we needed to discuss how to wrap up today's events on the way, Lady Totten decided to ride in my carriage together. Jelly ran away saying he was tired. Originally, I brought Jelly in case something happened at the marquis's house, and since he also found a coachman, Jelly faithfully fulfilled his role. Good, you can go back.

"Then I'll go home first."

Jelly disappeared with teleportation. I'm really envious. I probably can't even learn magic. With rock-bottom elemental affinity, what magical power - obviously my talent would be rock-bottom too.

Lady Totten stood there dazed, seemingly surprised by Jelly's instant disappearance. Oops. I forgot. I wondered if I should have hidden it, but given that Melech had already entered Ryder's body, Jelly suddenly disappearing was nothing... I gestured toward Lady Totten as if nothing had happened, indicating we should go.

Andras yawned widely as he returned to the Rohanson mansion. He was pestering Daisy for snacks and rolling around on Evangeline's bed when Flauros, displeased, extended his claws and scratched Andras. Andras yelped at the sharp pain and writhed his body.

"Don't get dog hair on Lady Evangeline's bed."

"Ow! Pudding, you bastard, this is animal abuse, you damn cat. No discrimination! You're always purring on our master's lap like a house cat, but I can't even lie on the bed?"

Flauros paid no attention to what Andras was saying and sat perched on the bed. Perhaps because Evangeline was away, Flauros was taking human form for what seemed like the first time in ages. Light scattered and spread so brilliantly that it was blinding, making Andras involuntarily furrow his brow.

Having tumbled to the floor, Andras had no choice but to transform back into human form. If he said not to get hair on it, he had to become human. But wouldn't having a person lying on the bed be even more inappropriate? Just as he was about to jump onto the bed, Flauros stopped Andras and pointed to the sofa.

"Your place is over there."

"You should have said that from the start. So you're just telling me not to lie on the bed at all."

Having no choice, Andras slumped down on the sofa that was practically his designated seat and leaned back. I'm being nice by letting this slide. As if trying to cheer up Andras, Daisy brought him sherbet just at the right moment. Taking a spoonful, it felt like all the stress in the world melted away.

"Where is Lady Evangeline?"

"She departed directly for the imperial palace."

Flauros began sharing his vision through the eyes he had deployed around Evangeline.

"Ugh. Stalker bastard."

Jelly clicked his tongue.

"Ah, speaking of stalkers, there are strangely many people lurking around the marquis's estate. But most of them are priests."

"Priests?"

The scenery that had been rapidly changing while riding in the carriage finally stopped when they arrived at the imperial palace. Flauros felt a subtle unease from the imperial palace visible beyond his shared vision. He couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong, but it was a really subtle sense of something foreign.

"Andras. Why is there a rotten smell?"

"From me?"

Andras lifted his arm to smell himself, but there was only the characteristic scent of a well-maintained indoor dog from the upper class.

"From the imperial palace, I mean. Something feels unsettling... I think I need to go directly to Lady Evangeline."

Flauros recreated the exact clothing worn by the imperial palace servants that he saw through his shared vision. The outfit really didn't suit his curly golden hair and pale, slender fingers without a single callus, but he didn't care.

"Our master would prefer you in your cat form. No wait. Won't she not recognize you?"

Andras giggled and teased, only to get hit one more time for no reason. Andras beamed with ridiculous pride at successfully protecting his sherbet through the chaos, grinned.