Chapter 8

“The house is big, so you can avoid him as much as you want.”

It wasn’t wrong. Serwin and his Knights were engrossed in finding the Witch. They went out early in the morning and searched the forests of Fidelia and nearby villages until late at night. Some of the Knights said they would leave their quarters outside the mansion to look for Witches.

Naturally, the mansion had to be empty. Ethan, the only remaining man in the mansion, was also likely to participate in the search, as he no longer needed to take care of Amelie.

‘Even if she flew in the sky, the Knights were watching both the land and above, so it would be difficult to secretly leave this yard.’

She couldn’t go far because she transformed into a small animal. She was worried if she could keep herself hidden if she travelled in her human form.

It could be safer to hide in the mansion than to be seen by Serwin and his Knights while moving clumsily.

‘We’ve been in the same room, and you didn’t know I was a witch. Besides, Serwin had often spent time with her during the night.’

Moreover, she was worried about the rest of the people.

‘He could harm father and Renee just because he couldn’t find me, no?’

Considering his cruel personality, he could have vented his anger on the Count’s people. It was better for her to be taken to the Imperial Palace, rather than killing or hurting others on her behalf.

‘Besides, the Emperor needs me, so even if he finds out who I am, he won’t kill me easily.’

After much consideration, Amelie made her decision.

“Okay, I’ll just stay in the mansion until His Majesty leaves.”

The Count grinned widely at Amelie’s answer.

“Yes! Good idea! I’ll tell the chef to make your favourite food for dinner. When you’re done eating, why don’t you look around the mansion before the Emperor returns? ” You haven’t lived here since you were a child, so your memory must be hazy

.”

The Count was as excited as a child. Looking at his excitement, Amelie realized she had been worried for nothing.

‘I think it’ll work out well this way.’

Amelie was then escorted to her room. After she left the mansion, the Count had changed the furniture each year and kept it clean in her absence, so that it would be ready whenever she returned.

The three spent time together in her room before Serwin and the Knights returned to the mansion.

*****

The life of the mansion was peaceful. Serwin and the Knights departed at the same time each day, and did not return until several hours later.

At first, Amelie was worried about keeping her bird-form in shape, but later relaxed her transformation and walked around the mansion comfortably.

*****

Early in the morning, as soon as Serwin and the Knights left the mansion, Renee came into Amelie’s room. She had been training for swordsmanship, and was dressed in a shirt and pants.

“Amelie, why don’t you go for a walk? If you find a good spot on the way, we’ll have lunch there.”

“Do you have a spot in mind?”

“I thought about going to the woods behind the mansion. It’s not too far, so you don’t have to worry about meeting the Emperor.”

“Okay, that’s great.”

Amelie replied happily. She went for a walk alone a few times before, but she never saw the Emperor’s Knights near the house. If she didn’t go far, she didn’t have to worry about being caught.

“But I don’t think it’s possible to have lunch while taking a walk. I just had breakfast.”

Renee smiled and wagged her finger.

“You don’t know anything, Amelie. Don’t worry about it. It’ll take two hours to get there.”

“Huh?’

Amelie blinked. ‘I’m just going for a walk. What are you planning?’

Renee strode up and grasped Amelie’s hand.

“Amelie, there’s something I always wanted to do.”

“What is it?”

“I want to play dress-up with my sister.”

Renee made eye contact with Amelie. The sparkling blue eyes that looked at her slowly were so pretty. In her previous life, her wish was to hang out with her family…

“Alright!”, Amelie nodded her head.

With her permission, Renee went to the dress room while holding Amelie’s arms. The maid came to help Renee. The dress room attached to Amelie’s room was full of clothes. The clothes were ordered together to match Renee’s closet.

“Let’s get started!”

“Let’s get started!”

With Renee’s cheerful declaration, an endless ‘dress-up game’ began. Amelie posed as Renee instructed, and made her try on this outfit and that outfit. She also carried props to match her dresses and changed her accessories.

“Oh, isn’t yellow cute and nice?”

Renee’s words were followed by two maids who participated in the dress-up game.

“It looks too childish. Amelie is already 20 years old.”

“But she looks good in it.”

“It’s cute. But since Lady Amelie has a gentle atmosphere, wouldn’t it be better for her to look a little stronger?”

With her sharp eyes, Renee looked at Amelie and the dress. She sighed.

“I buy clothes all the time, but why can’t I find anything I want? Later, we must call a stylist.”

Renee mumbled seriously with her arms crossed. Renee selected clothes all the time, but even with a closet full of clothes, one would always want more.

“Try it on. I think I should bring more clothes from my closet.”

“Can’t I just wear this?”

“No! It’s our first time going out together, we can’t just select anything!” Renee declared firmly.

“You don’t have to do that….”

Amelie looked at Renee in desperation. Changing her dress was more work than she thought. Even though she only changed a couple outfits, Amelie was already exhausted.

“Dress? Style? None of that matters. As long as the clothes cover my body.”

“Please don’t take the joy of styling away from your older sister, Amelie.”

Renee kissed her cheek while holding out a dress for her. Amelie accepted her change of clothes with a weird look.

“Let’s start another round then!”

Renee stepped out of the room.

After a while, the second round began. Renee moved the dresses as if she were going to bring her entire wardrobe. Some even didn’t fit the season, so there were clothes that she brought solely because she thought it would be cute to wear.

Amelie was discouraged. Not only the clothes, but also the hats, scarves, shoes, and jewelry have already filled the room. She eventually surrendered everything to the maid, and let Renee and the maids do as they pleased.

After trying on countless clothes, the final outfit was an ivory dress. The dress wasn’t shabby at all, it had a pearl-like glossiness to it, with a minimalist design. With a neat boat neckline, minimizing skin exposure, Amelie’s long and slender neck revealed gracefully.

After choosing an outfit, the makeover continued. Her pink hair came loose and she wore a necklace with small ornaments. Then the maid put on light makeup.

“It’s really over now.”

The maid gently covered Amelie’s eyebrows with mascara.

“Do you know how many times you’ve said that?”

Amelie grumbled. She was exhausted before she even went for a walk. In addition, they didn’t give her the mirror once, so she had no idea what she looked like. Perhaps it was because it was fun to do these kinds of reveals at the end.

“It’s really over now! You can look in the mirror.”

“Bring me the mirror.”

At Renee’s command, the maids brought a large full-body mirror.

Renee covered Amelie’s eyes and placed her close to the mirror. In exhaustion, Amelie followed Renee’s steps.

“Now open.”

When Renee removed her hand, Amelie finally saw herself.

“Wow…”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Amelie was impressed. The figure in the mirror was definitely her, but it didn’t look like herself.

How her pink hair was curled, with glossy waves. The ornaments on her clothes were simple, and it matched perfectly with her hair loosened down.

Amelie may not be as glamorous as Renee, but she was just as beautiful. Her big, gentle and clear mint eyes, and the round, smooth cheeks were flushed.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes!”

Amelie was nervous for nothing. The hem of her skirt swayed gently, and the elegant glow wavered.

“You look like a noblewoman.”

Amelie was impressed. She heard that clothes are like wings. Who would think this girl was the witch who lived in the forest? Renee and the maids looked at the Amelie with delight.

“Since we’ve started, how many more should we pick? Something that goes well with..”

“No! It’s okay! Enough! Let’s go for a walk! I want to go!”

When Amelie strode out of the room in a hurry, Renee smiled, following her behind.

******

The back of the mansion was a forest. This is because the mansion was located at the edge of the Fidelia Forest, and the trail was created by the forest as it was. Massive trees with thick trunks, that if one tried to hug their arms would not be able to fit, stood side by side along the road. She was happy with the green sunlight reflecting off the leaves and the fluttering wind.

Renee and Amelie walked arm in arm. The smell of trees and soil made Amelie excited. Maybe it’s because she lived most of her life in the forest of Fidelia so she felt familiar and comfortable in this type of setting.

“Shall we have lunch?”

Renee suggested. Amelie nodded eagerly. She had already digested her breakfast to match Renee’s doll game.

The two walked for a while and sat next to an unknown flower vine.

“I said I was going for a walk, and the chef made us a separate meal.”

Renee took some food out of the picnic basket. Appetizers to boost their appetite, sandwiches and torn pork in lettuce, hot scones, cool fruit tea, Amelie’s favourite cookies, and some fruits.

“That’s great.”

Amelie’s eyes twinkled. All of them were Amelie’s favorite foods.

“Let’s hurry up and eat.”

Renee served Amelie some fruit tea. After Amelie wiped her hands with her handkerchief, she picked up the appetizer first. It was a dish with smoked ham, tomatoes, and fresh sauce on top of a thin flour pan. As soon as she put it in her mouth, the flavour wrapped around her tongue with the smell of smoked ham, followed by tomatoes and sauce washing away the greasy taste of ham.

“This is delicious!”

Amelie was overjoyed. This was the best lunch after a long game of dress-up.