The Adopted Princess Hopes to Escape the Genre - Chapter 29
Oh, that statement is quite dangerous.
Of course, it didn’t affect me at all.
“…….”
I continued to trace the wrinkles in the carpet on the floor, letting her words drift in one ear and out the other.
Despite her bold claims, my lack of reaction only seemed to embolden the head maid, as if she’d decided to double down.
“You’re fake. A substitute. If you thought the Duke cherished you, that was nothing more than your delusion and wishful thinking.”
“…….”
“The fools in the manor might think the Duke and the young masters care for you, but that’s not true at all. Otherwise, why would they only hire a countess to teach you?”
That was a somewhat interesting point.
I set down my teacup and glanced her way. The head maid, scowling down at me as I sipped my tea, lit up with a smug expression when I finally gave her my attention. She seemed thrilled to have drawn a reaction, however minor.
“Did you know that the proper education for a Duke’s daughter is usually conducted in the imperial palace?”
I didn’t.
“Ha. How could a beggar like you possibly know that? It’s because they don’t see you as a real Duke’s daughter. Didn’t you realize?”
“…….”
“Basically, what I’m saying is, stop acting like you’re a real Duke’s daughter.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
At my response, the head maid’s face turned beet red as she trembled and shouted.
“Ma’am? How dare you! I’m the head maid of Delphinium! Do you even know how much trust I’ve earned here?”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve only been adopted for two days, so that’s none of my business. Also, whether I used to be a beggar or not, right now, I’m the Duke’s daughter.”
I gracefully stepped off the sofa, walked toward the head maid, and added with a sly smile,
“Imagine if someone were to witness this insubordination from the head maid? No matter how much trust you’ve built, it would all come crashing down in an instant, wouldn’t it?”
The head maid flinched at my words, her fists clenching tightly as her whole body trembled. Seeing that she was about to lose her temper, I subtly edged toward the door.
‘Better be ready to run.’
“Would you dare hit a seven-year-old child? Words might not leave marks, but violence does.”
With one hand on the doorknob, I flashed her a pointed smile and tilted my head mockingly.
“You… You…!”
The head maid, unable to contain her anger, began yelling. I ignored her outburst and darted out of the room as fast as I could.
I didn’t get far before my legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the floor.
Honestly, half of my provocations were said without much thought.
What she truly feared wasn’t that the people of the Duke’s household cherished me, but rather that her act of insubordination toward Duke Delphinium’s daughter might come to light.
Whether or not I was cherished, insulting the Duke’s daughter was tantamount to insulting the Duke’s household.
‘She must not have thought that far.’
If someone were to witness my current state, they might criticize me for not being able to dismiss a mere head maid as the Duke’s daughter.
Some might even be appalled, questioning how such blatant disrespect toward the Duke’s daughter could be allowed.
But I’m just a seven-year-old kid, only two days into being adopted.
A seven-year-old child, once a beggar and now the Duke’s daughter, versus a trusted head maid—just comparing the two makes the answer clear.
Even if I were to report it, nothing would likely change. It wasn’t worth expending energy on something that wouldn’t be resolved.
Survival was my priority.
As I sighed and lowered my head, I noticed my trembling hands.
‘I really thought I was going to get hit….’
This body was nothing more than that of a seven-year-old child. Small hands, short stature, everything about it screamed vulnerability.
Because of that, I never imagined she’d actually attempt violence. Violence against a child by the head maid?
If she had gone through with it, I would have immediately gone to the Duke, claiming breach of contract.
Still, the head maid would meet her downfall eventually, once my position in the Duke’s household was a little more secure.
I wasn’t sure if I’d solidify my footing, but the events at the Shreia boutique two days ago and today with Countess Heinés were too blatant to be dismissed as mere misunderstandings.
On day three of being in this world, I was firmly on the family regret route.
