The Daughter of Evil - Volume 2 - Chapter 3.11

✿CHAPTER 3, SECTION 1, SCENE 1✿
Chapter 3

Section I –Waltz of the Diva-

✿ Michaela ~ Elphegort Country’s “Aceid • Inn” ~

Elphegort’s largest city – Aceid. As the nation’s capital, Aceid is divided into five regions: The North, South, East, West and Central. The central area of the city brings all the residents together. Trades with Lucifenia are most prevalent in the southern area. All kinds of open-air stalls can be found there. The Western and Northern part is the residential area for Nobles and Wealthy people; they cover a broad area. While the majority of the eastern part is where poor residents live, the general public will not easily close the area.

Today, Clarith and I spend the night in a small hotel located in the central region of Aceid. The owners of the inn seem to be the midwife who delivered Ein. Because of Ein, we were able to stay in the inn. After dropping us here, Ein went to Earl Felix’s mansion.

“The naughty little boy has become such a promising man.”

While pointing to Ein, the owner of the inn scratched the bald side of his head. Ein’s mother died when Ein was still young.  The owner’s wife had to take a mother’s role and take care of him.

The couple makes a profit by operating the inn. We stay in it and pay some accommodation. Apart from anything else, the couple accepted us. The couple were immigrants; not natives of Elphegort ad thus, does not wear tinted glasses when looking at Clarith.

We were staying in the inn for a week now. Tonight, we were sitting in the living room and drinking tea.

“As immigrants, it’s difficult to do business in this country”

“Mr. Keel is just the few immigrants who are successful in business. This is just simply a matter of having business savvy.”

Complaints made by the couple while computing their accounts. Managing a hotel doesn’t seem to be a very good business.

“Speaking of Mr. Keel, doesn’t he live in the northern part of Aceid?”

“Oh, so you know about him. As immigrants, he represents as the star of hope for us.”

My question made the owner talk about all the incidents they had and, at the same time, talked about people he respected. The boss goes on and on and I talked a lot too.

In this country, or even the whole of Evillious, Mr. Keel Freesis’s name is known. His business, the Freesis Foundation, is a chamber for commerce. Needless to say, he has a branch in Lucifenia’s Kingdom, in Marlon, in Divine Levianta and in Elphegort.

Not only that, but Keel also combined with other trading associations. His plan to make a union where sharing of useful information to get better benefits was a success. Keel’s authority even catches up among the royal family. He bought his knighthood to become a noble, giving him greater political influence.

Keel was born in the West Island of Marlon. Among Marlon’s people, he was known to be a young man who owned an unfair business. Because of it, he is being hunted down. He fled the country together with his lover to Elphegort.

His lover is now his wife.

“The Freesis couple has three children. We would sometimes help and take care of them. Mr. Keel has become the first big business man in Elphegort or even in Evillious as a whole. His house was larger than some of the lower nobility; very spacious like that of the Royal Palace.”

The owner is telling some of his own stories in general, a little complacent.

“Managing an inn like this requires lots of servants…”

“Eh? Has missy thought of a good idea?”

Inadvertently emerging can also be associated with bright ideas. But at this time, the owner was just making fun of me. The owner has the tendency to be attracted to good ideas. Even calling me “missy” is kind of disturbing.

The inn is not operating properly and I’m beginning to worry about money. The money Elluka gave me is slowly vanishing and we couldn’t sell all the property we had as we had to escape from the village. Thus, we have to earn a living.

Though it’s kind of irritating, but the inn has not enough money to hire someone. Due to the poor harvest this year, the city is in a downturn. Although we exerted effort, beside me, no one would hire someone from the Netsuma tribe like Clarith. We were hoping that we could work in the same place but given the hopeless situation, it’s impossible. The owner is a kind person, but if you mention money to them, they become stingy. If we were unable to pay for the accommodations, the owner would relentlessly kick us out. If it comes to that, we have no choice but to work alone.

“Can I ask if Mr. Keel’s wife need of some new servant?”

By any means, I have to investigate Keel and look for ‘sin’. If we can sneak into Keel’s home as servants, we would be hitting two birds with one stone.

“Though if you’re looking for that kind of work, will you be able find one?”

“Mr. Keel and his servant will be coming here tomorrow. I can ask him if you like.”

She said while counting the coins. This is very exciting news. While the inn provide accommodation, during their leisure time, they operate a business of selling Lolam bird feathers. Every month, the servant of Mr. Keel’s wife would drop by and buy the feathers. I have no special memories about the Lolam bird but for Elphegorteans, its feather is a very precious item than can be used as a feather pen.

“Thank you! Thank you very much madam!”

“Ha ha! You can thank me later when you get hired.”

Keel and his wife are not Elphegorteans. If it all goes well, maybe Clarith will get employed too. We have finally seen hope. I slowly and quietly got back to our room and saw Clarith lying in bed, sleeping. To find a job, everyday she would run around the city. She must be really tired. When we wake up tomorrow, I’m going to tell her all about it. As I kept thinking about it, I fell asleep.

The next day, the one who came to the hotel wasn’t Mr. Keel but his wife…

Of course, I haven’t seen Mr. Keel’s wife before but I could tell from her appearance. Even her servant looks very temperament.

“Today, I’m the one who is going to pick the goods. We have to tidy up things today.”

She approached the counter then quietly sat next down. The owner was surprised and had ordered me to fetch some tea in the warehouse.

As I brought the tea, we all gazed at her. She is entirely different from the people of the village. She gives out an atmosphere of elegance. I heard she was originally from Marlon, becoming the wife of a noble and now a businessman’s wife. Even all through that, she has not lost her elegance.

“……Do you mind removing your gaze at my red hair?”

The lady said while drinking a cup of tea. She then smiled at me.

“Ah… I’m sorry for staring at you…”

Even though she was looking down on me, she still kept her smile. She must already be accustomed to people staring at her.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. In this country, excluding green hair, other hair colors is very rare.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just that you’re too beautiful… god has blessed you very much.”

“I’m very happy. Thank you very much.  You also have a beautiful face. I was startled when I saw you. The sound of your voice is also very pleasing to my ears.”

“Thank you. It is an honor to receive a compliment from you.”

“You don’t have to restrain yourself. Looking at your hair, I wonder, are you a pure Elphgortean? The couple who owns this inn doesn’t seem to be your relative… and you also have an unusual aura; something not from this world.”

As a businessman’s wife, she seems to have a very good eye to judge a person. Although she wouldn’t be able to see my true identity, but I’m still getting a little worried.”

“For some reasons, I’m currently staying here.”

“For someone as young as you, it must be hard”

She said but she looked younger than me. This is the consistent problem with aging.  Even so, she has a youthful face, not showing to anybody her real age.

“I have been through a lot when I was young. It was especially harder when we arrived in this country!”

“Elphegort is a country that treats immigrants fairly harsh. Even so, The Freesis Foundation handled it and has achieved great success. It’s really fantastic. From what I heard, even from a distant, Mr. Keel’s house is as spacious as far as the eyes can see.”

We’re about to reach the right topic. Although I’m not very confident with my speaking skills, but it’s worth a try.

“Thank you. But having a large house is also a problem… Recently, several of our servants have resigned so we lack some manpower… Although it’s a little embarrassing to say this, but that is the reason for my trip today.”

“Soooo…”

The lady had a distressed smile.

Even so, lacking in servants is rare.

“Well, I may be able to help… but actually we are two people who are looking for a job…”

Mrs. Freesis has become aware of my intentions. Her fingers caressed her eyes and her palm holding her cheek, showing a serious demeanor.

“Are you telling me… to hire you?”

“Yes…”

Mrs. Freesis gave me a judging eye again. I’m getting nervous; hands trembling.

“Didn’t you say there are two of you?”

“”Yes, she just went out… she will be back soon”

As I finished saying that, the door opened. It was Clarith. Looking at her frustrated expression, I’m guessing she isn’t successful again.

Clarith found out about Mrs. Freesis. She has not thought of anything to say to her. Mrs. Freesis approached Clarith.

“Is she the one you were talking about?”

“Yes”

Her bright eyes were in awe. Clarith took a step back. As if to tie with Clarith, she also took a step forward, followed by Clarith taking a step back. After a while, they were outside the inn.”

“White hair, red eyes… This is the first time I’ve seen someone from the Netsuma Tribe”

As Mrs. Freesis said this, Clarith’s footsteps stopped. She seems to want Clarith to have peace of mind.  She smiled then got back inside and sat down.

“……I haven’t asked for your name yet.”

“My name is Michaela. Her name is Clarith”

Clarith had a nervous expression. She doesn’t seem to know what is happening.

“You have a good name. I understand. Please come to my house to work… but only this Clarith person.”

I swallowed the gush of joy I just have.

“Hey… We are two people…”

“Does that mean because you two are friends, you both have to have the same job? Work is not such a simple thing.”

“But… why can’t I…”

“Because I hate Elphegorteans”

A senseless sentence. The moment I asked why, she gave me a hateful stare.

“……I’m joking. In the surroundings, not only the Netsuma but other immigrants as well, have a hard time finding a job. Even if it’s just a little contribution, I hope to provide some help by allowing them to serve as servants in my home. You, Michaela, as a Elphegortean, can find work elsewhere and—“

Mrs. Freesis sighed then looked at my body, as if she had figured out the whole situation. Clarith had an uneasy expression.

“You are too beautiful. If I hired you, there is no guarantee that individuals will not come by the house and bring unnecessary trouble.”

I can understand her reasons and I now understand that searching for ‘sin’ is now irrefutable.

At this point, Clarith, who was silent till now, stepped forward and bowed her head.

“Please, I beg of you. Please hire Michaela as well!”

“You also suffered from the cruelty of Elphegorteans right? Why are you siding with her?”

Mrs. Freesis showed her disbelief. Although it’s a little off topic, but for her to “hate Elphegorteans” must be her true feelings.

“Yes, I constantly suffered from the hands of Elphegorteans but only Michaela befriended me. Because of her, I’m very happy”

“Even so, but I also said that even if you’re friends doesn’t mean you have to work in the same place right?”

“I know I’m headstrong! But…”

Clarith bowed her head. I’ve never seen Clarith have a firm tone when begging. In the end, tears still flowed from her eyes.

“Even if just for a short period of time, I want to be with Michaela…”

Clairth still had her head down. I also bowed and begged. After a long moment of silence, Mrs. Freesis lifted my head and said:

“……Alright. Starting tomorrow, both of you come to my home to begin working. I warn you, it will not be easy.”

There was a big smile in Clarith’s face. She then hugged me tightly.

“I’m so glad Michaela! We will be able to work together!”

“Clarith…”

I also hugged Clarith with joy.

In this way, we decided to work in the Freesis home. Servants should live in their master’s house so Clarith and I packed our luggage and left the inn.