Upon arriving in a new world, a new life, and a new body, Anika, now Charlotte, began to discover things. For instance, her new body possessed magic, and not just any magic but dangerous magic. After embracing her new existence, she emerged from her two-week confinement and sought out books in the library that would be helpful, learning about magic and how it functions. She soon learned about dark magic, known to be dangerous to both its wielders and those who confront it; those few known to have wielded it reportedly lost their minds. Charlotte smiled upon learning this fact because she was already insane.
She also discovered certain magical conveniences, such as lights powered by crystals activated by seals located somewhere in the house, acting as on and off switches. She noted advantages like being able to travel vast distances through portals stationed at strategic points. However, one needed a permit for the portal guardians to allow passage through them, among other benefits.
***
Following that incident, the marquess's daughter remained locked in her room, weeping for hours, and suffering nightmares about the event each night. Charlotte found delight in seeing how the girl's conscience troubled her. As always, Charlotte stayed on the third floor, lingering near the stairs to overhear the discussions below.
"I can't fathom why she did it. She even claimed she was about to marry a wealthy man."
"Perhaps the wealthy man left her. Many women end their lives due to romantic disappointments."
"True, that man may not have even existed. She's always given herself airs just because the marquess favors her."
"That's right, she scolded me the other day for resting when it was already my break."
What should have been a somber conversation between colleagues about their friend's departure instead morphed into chatter about the benefits of no longer having that annoying girl around. Charlotte allowed herself a slight smile, finding humans so predictable.
She got up to explore more of the place out of boredom but stopped when she heard the woman claiming to be the marquess.
"Where do you think you're going? My daughter is very upset. Go bring her sweets and do whatever she asks," the woman commanded.
"Why should I? I am not a servant; I am the legitimate daughter of the marquess."
"You, my daughter? How preposterous. You are a bastard."
"You are not the marquess. The title is beyond a prostitute like you..." Charlotte sneered maliciously.
Upon hearing this, the marquess hurried toward the girl and slapped her, a sound that echoed throughout the space. Everyone witnessed the act but chose to remain silent.
"What is the meaning of hitting my granddaughter?"
The marquess froze at the voice of that person—it was the Marquis's mother, whom, Charlotte recalled, treats her kindly. Charlotte ran to her grandmother, taking her hand while crying.
"Grandmother... the marquess hit me because I wouldn't clean her bathroom..." the girl sobbed bitterly.
"What? Clean her bathroom? Explain yourself," she demanded of the marquess.
"I-I didn't... it's not what you think... she's lying..."
"Is it also a lie that you struck her?" the elder asked sternly.
"I'm sorry, mother... she was misbehaving, and I was punishing her..."
"Your children misbehave, and I don't see them cleaning bathrooms. Why must my granddaughter?"
"I apologize, mother. It won't happen again."
The elder woman stroked the child's head and smiled.
"Charlotte, dear, go change out of that dirty dress; we'll have tea."
"Yes, grandmother... but... my dresses..."
"Your dresses are freshly laundered. I'll bring you a clean one," the marquess cut in quickly.
The marquess scrambled upstairs to her younger daughter's room, where the girl immediately complained about giving her dress to Charlotte.
"Shut it. The Marquis's mother is here..."
"The grandmother? Then I must greet her," the 11-year-old mentioned.
The marquess retrieved an old dress from her daughter's wardrobe, one her daughter wore when she was Charlotte's age, and upon exiting the room, handed it to Charlotte.
"Better not talk too much, or you know what will happen," she scolded.
Charlotte said nothing and went to her room to change. The marquess's daughter, Rogelia, descended, dressed as elegantly as possible, and upon approaching the elderly woman, she curtsied.
"Greetings, grandmother, welcome to our home. I hope you'll allow me the pleasure of joining you," she said with a smile.
"For you, madam. My granddaughter is Charlotte; you are merely daughters of that concubine," the woman replied.
"I-I'm sorry, madam..." Rogelia clenched her hands in her dress.
"Grandmother, I'm here," called Charlotte cheerfully.
Charlotte joined her grandmother at the table, and the woman had her take a seat while the maids brought tea and pastries.
"And you, go away. I don't want my time with my granddaughter spoiled by your presence," she snubbed Rogelia.
Rogelia curtsied again and withdrew, going to the lounge where her mother was.
"That wretch... why does she favor her? I'm the legitimate daughter," she yelled.
"Calm down, dear. What happened?"
Rogelia recounted what Valentina had said, infuriating the marquess as well, but she couldn't do much. If she confronted Valentina, her husband would likely scold her for going against his mother. In the garden, Charlotte savored pastries with her grandmother.
"Darling, about what happened earlier, does it occur often?" Valentina inquired.
The maids nearby tensed up upon hearing the question. Charlotte looked at her and then feigned sorrow.
"Yes, the marquess often punishes me, and father doesn't believe me."
"And you who witness it, don't you tell your lord? Remember, you serve the Marquis, not that upstart," Valentina scolded them.
The maids apologized, claiming they had never seen the marquess punish the child while Charlotte simply listened, finding them pathetic; they, too, would end up like the others.
"It seems I'll have to ask my son to replace all the staff," Valentina remarked.
The maids bowed their heads, not daring to speak further. After spending the day with Charlotte, Valentina had to leave, unable to stay away from her home for too long.
"Dear, when your father returns, I'll come to speak with him. For now, keep your distance from that woman."
"Yes, grandmother, I'll be fine." Charlotte smiled sweetly.
Valentina boarded her carriage and left, while Charlotte began to ascend the stairs, but the marquess, accompanied by the maids present during Valentina's visit, grabbed her arm.
"What in the world do you think you're saying? You damn bratty chatterbox, I ought to cut out your tongue."
"You'd better watch your own tongue, marquess. My grandmother is coming to talk to the Marquis. I wonder, how much longer do you have in this mansion?" Charlotte grinned wickedly.
The marquess released her hand, a shiver running down her spine at the child's look; something was different about her—she never dared to speak or respond that way before. Charlotte climbed the stairs without looking back.
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