Sincerely, The Villainess (Dropped)

Chapter 14

The west annex was a former spring house here, my mother loved flowers especially when bloomed though that was before I was born. Over the years workers from the west annex resigned because of the duchess's absence.

Aine was right, the west annex was far too shabby for a 4-year-old.

"My lady why did you pick me and not... Aine?"

"why indeed"

Earlier just when we were outside the duke's residence, I told Aine she wasn't needed. It very much pains me but it was necessary if I had Aine on my side then it would be harder to execute my plans, she is rather the last person id want to worry. This maid with brown hair almost orange was named marine, the person I had made flustered in our first meeting. To add to it she is also bold.

The ribbon sun hat placed on my head tilted as I took it off, taking a deep breath after stepping into the grounds of west annex.

"my this for sure is a haunted house"

As I look up the west annex was certainly big but the roofs were all broken, cracks were well seen on the exterior, and dead trees, flowers everywhere. I had shivered a little from the sight. This wasn't shabby at all this was the worse for wear.

How could one even expect for a person to survive in here. First of all, all I had were simple things for daily life, tea sets, clothes, essentials, books, and one feeble maid. I could even name things I had... for a duke's daughter how wonderful. With both force of two adult hands Marine had finally opened the door. As surprised as is there were people on the other side of the door.

"wait... are you guys ghost's?"

I said with a confused face looking up to an old geezer in a butler like uniform and four maids beside the old man.

"hah~ maybe this was actually after life and not my second's"

was what I yet again concluded half fainting in exaggeration. It is a well-known tradition that if a lady or should I say a person moves into a palace or a simple annex the servants is required to greet their new master to serve though I thought no one was living here but... why were there servants in this place.

"uhm... my lady we are very sorry that we didn't open the door for you... it was actually stuck from the inside"

One maid said with a trembling body and speech.

"what oh you talk..."

"I don't think they are ghost's my lady"

Marine said lowering herself just right next to my left ear.

"what... just how-"

"then my lady may we guide you into the annex"

"oh... sure sure"

In a daze I said. They were not living well; I could almost see their bones and those clothes were all worn out. The butler had poor mannerism and the maids couldn't handle themselves. About minutes of walking into the annex I couldn't find a decent place in the annex. All rooms were dirty and furniture were torn. This place was very much known for its beauty, I am very ashamed to even step inside.

"well then as you all may know I am Lady Deanna and will start living here, I want to first learn about the situation. old geeze- I mean sir butler please do tell"

"ah! yes my lady"

The main building where the duke and duchess resided were had been handling the annex's budget, there are no gardeners and these people standing were the last one's here. They had a very unfortunate circumstance, some of them had been indebted to the dukedom and needed to stay and could not resign, the butler honestly had no place to stay and due to his lack of talent it was no wonder he couldn't be moved to other building's.

"well, I guess everyone is certainly lacking here... first let's clean!"

I positively raised my voice saying, in my past life I was accustomed to cleaning. yes, I was cherished by Aine but that was only the case for Aine, some of my teachers had made a mess out of me especially maids that served me under the name of the head maid which the duchess had handled. I had only kept it a secret.

Iconic indeed, hmm. hmm?! that plain maid that stood out because she was plain. I suddenly remembered it was Leni. I was quite relieved to see a person I recognized even if we had no connection's what so ever.

"but how could we let my lady clean..."

"no the question is, how could I let incompetent maids clean. That also goes for your sir butler"

An eye-to-eye conversation, cruel indeed but necessary. Though learning them better is the first and safest choice but with my situation like this its either I die in this haunted house or survive from hard work.

"then let's get cleaning if you guys have no more complaints"

I asserted running off to places where I could find cleaning tools.