KFBRV Ch 4
- Jan 14
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 5
[Lize] "Ah, My Lady?"
With brown hair tied in twin braids, freckled skin, and round spectacles, Lize stared at her with wide, blinking eyes.
[Odette] "Lize."
For the first time since her return, a genuine smile touched Odette's lips.
[Lize] "My Lady, are your legs alright? That Paula must have been wicked to you again today. Shall I bring some medicine?"
Odette's room had been cleaned spotlessly. On the table by the sofa sat a spread of warm tea and sweet tarts.
In my past life, I actually resented her for preparing this every morning.
She had been possessed by the foolish notion that having food placed before her was a torment, as she was forced to starve herself to maintain a frail figure.
The meals you prepared were the only things in this entire mansion meant for my sake.
[Odette] "Don't worry. I wasn't hurt at all."
Her throat tightened with affection. To prevent Lize from worrying further, she clumsily changed the subject.
[Odette] "This looks delicious, Lize. Did you make this?"
[Lize] "Yes. Would you like to try some?"
[Odette] "Indeed. I'd love to."
Lize was a laundry maid whom Ferdinand had murdered in the previous life after she attempted to testify on Odette's behalf during the trial.
She must have been exhausted enough with her own duties.
Yet, the room was perfectly clean, and warm water had been prepared for her to wash. Since the Head Maid would never have permitted such kindness, Lize surely suffered severe bullying for her actions.
[Odette] "It looks wonderful. Thank you."
She took a bite of the tart. Lize poured her a cup of warm tea.
Seeing her alive makes the reality of my return feel undeniably real.
The wretchedness of realizing Lize had been the only person who ever cared for her—a realization that had only come while standing before the girl's nameless grave—contrasted sharply with the sense of fulfillment she felt now.
Once she finished every last bite, she made a request.
[Odette] "Lize, starting today, will you serve as my personal attendant? You won't have to do the laundry anymore."
Lize's eyes went wide. A laundry maid was at the bottom of the servant hierarchy, burdened with the most grueling chores. A personal attendant, however, was a prestigious position second only to a lady-in-waiting.
[Lize] "Are you serious? Is someone like me really alright?"
[Odette] "Of course, Lize. You are more than enough. In fact, I am lucky to have you."
At her gentle smile, Lize beamed.
You will never know how much I wept at your grave.
Lize had been the only one to cherish her. Standing before that cold corpse, discarded without even a headstone, she had been consumed by regret.
She would not let the girl die in this life. She finally understood who was actually worth protecting.
[Lize] "Let me help you dress, My Lady."
After the meal, Lize brought over a full-length mirror. Checking her reflection, Odette let out a hollow laugh.
Habit is a terrifying thing. To think I wore this as if it were natural.
She was wearing a fluttering lace nightgown. Beneath it, as always, was a tightly cinched metal corset.
In this situation, I was still dressed exactly to that bastard's tastes.
Cold fury pooled in her eyes.
[Ferdinand] "Is this a funeral? Why pick such gloomy, depressing clothes? A woman should be bright. Wear the yellow one—the one with the lace."
Just recalling his voice made her want to scrub her ears clean.
Filthy, disgusting wretch.
[Lize] "My Lady, which dress would you like to wear today?"
She glared at the open wardrobe with icy eyes. It was filled with nothing but bright lace and excessive frills that looked like gaudy candy wrappers.
[Odette] "Lize, bring me a pair of scissors."
[Lize] "Scissors?"
[Odette] "A sharp pair. As quickly as possible."
That wardrobe did not belong to her. It belonged to a toy owned by Ferdinand.
She could no longer tolerate the sheer revulsion it inspired. With the scissors Lize provided, Odette shredded every garment in the closet—dresses that were two sizes too small for her actual frame, tailored that way to satisfy his obsession with a fragile physique.
[Lize] "My Lady!"
Though Lize was startled, she did not stop her. Once the closet was a heap of torn fabric, she spoke.
[Odette] "There isn't a single thing in this wardrobe that pleases me. Go to the laundry room and see if there are any dark-colored clothes. Even a maid's uniform will do."
[Lize] "...Pardon? Ah, yes! Right away, My Lady."
Once Lize left, she stripped off her silk nightgown. She sliced through the leather straps of the metal corset that had been crushing her ribs.
I forced my body into that thing every single day.
Except for when she bathed, she had never taken it off. In her past life, she had feared removing the corset more than she feared her own ribs breaking. She hadn't even realized it was destroying her body.
She found a simple, plain chemise in the corner of the wardrobe and pulled it on. The reflection in the mirror showed a silhouette that was finally natural. It was her real body—not a frame crushed by a corset to fit a dress.
[Odette] "Breathing is so easy it feels strange."
Clad in the simple chemise that draped comfortably over her, she no longer looked like a bizarre, fragile fairy.
Why is she looking for dark clothes today?
Lize's heart hammered against her ribs. She had always admired Odette. The sight of the lady, always so elegant, gave her an inexplicable sense of fluttering excitement.
She hurried down the service stairs to her room in the basement. Her hands moved busily as she pulled a trunk from the top of her wardrobe.
The Madam threw this dress away, claiming it was too plain after she'd only worn it a few times.
She had touched it up, and it had turned out so beautifully that she couldn't bring herself to discard it, yet she never dared to wear it herself.
It was a basic navy dress, which she had accented with clean white frills and black ribbons. It was elegant and dignified without appearing like something an elderly matron would wear.
Thinking back, I suppose I was imagining My Lady even while I was mending it.
She had always felt pity seeing the lady forced into candy-wrapper lace dresses that never truly suited her.
[Lize] "I thought she would choose another frilly dress today... but this is such a stroke of luck!"
With a heart full of hope, she presented the dress to Odette.
[Lize] "I touched up a dress that the Madam discarded. Would this be acceptable?"
[Odette] "Really? Lize, you are incredibly talented. This is the most beautiful dress I've ever seen. I love it."
[Lize] "Really?"
Gaining confidence, she shyly held out a pair of shoes she had brought just in case.
[Lize] "These are mine, but I've never worn them. I want to give them to you. Your heels are always so high, they must hurt your ankles."
[Odette] "... "
Odette suddenly fell silent, her expression growing pensive.
Does My Lady not like them? I suppose they must look cheap to someone with her eyes...
Just as her worry began to peak, Odette suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.
[Odette] "...It's beautiful. I've never received such a precious gift, Lize."
It was an action the old Odette, who strictly followed etiquette, would never have taken.
Though surprised, Lize eventually hugged her back. She could hear that the lady's breath was trembling violently.
[Odette] "Lize, there is something I need you to do for me."
[Lize] "What is it, My Lady?"
Odette held her close and whispered into her ear, outlining a few tasks she needed the girl to handle. Lize nodded firmly.
[Lize] "Of course! Those aren't difficult at all. I'll move quickly."
[Odette] "Good. I trust you'll do well. You've always been clever."
There was something about the lady's tone that suggested she was remembering a time long past—a distant, ethereal memory.
Lize tilted her head in confusion for a moment, then set off to work.
Today was the first time in two lifetimes that Odette had worn comfortable clothes. After her family had discarded her in the previous life, she had worn rags made of plant husks that offered no protection for her body.
[Odette] "I didn't know clothes could be this comfortable."
There were no decorations such as lace, gold thread, or organza to prick her skin. It was just a garment made to fit her body. The dark color accentuated the elegance and nobility of her pale features.
That bastard Ferdinand will probably have a fit and call this gloomy. Perfect.
Dressed in her perfect battle armor, she made her way to the first floor. She did not hesitate for a second as she reached the door to her father's study.
In my past life, I wouldn't have even dared to dream of entering this place.
Why had she feared this room more than the Imperial Palace? She had been a fool who feared her parents' hatred more than death itself.
[Odette] "... "
A medium-sized portrait hung on one wall of the study. It depicted her father, her mother seated on a sofa, and Ferdinand. The three of them looked blissful and harmonious. They looked perfect.
I wanted to be a part of that so badly.
Portraits of just those three, varying only in size, were hung throughout the mansion. The largest hung above the central staircase. How desperately she had wanted to join their "family play."
Back then, she would have been content even if it were a mere charade. Her heart used to swell just imagining herself as a natural member of that group, loving and being loved.
Now, even if those psychopaths offered to let me be a real part of the family, I would refuse.
She placed her palm against the portrait. Behind this frame lay a secret safe. Just as she was about to slide the frame upward—
Creeeeeak.
The study door opened behind her.
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