I Reincarnated as a Noble Girl Villainess But Why Did It Turn Out This Way?

Chapter 18 - Two pieces of news

Chapter 18 – Two pieces of news

As I was about to open the door, I could hear coughing from the other side. Cough, cough, it was dry coughing caused by asthma, it was a subdued female voice. I didn't enter this room rudely without announcing myself like I did with the earlier innermost room of the mansion, but knocked twice on the door first, and heard her say "please come in."

"Excuse me for coming in. How are you feeling today, 'Elise'-dono?"

The other "Elise's" room was much different, with a bright and airy interior, but the sound of coughing continued. On the bed was a girl who was sitting up. There was a rather tall maid who was running her hand up and down the girl's back, and she was looking this way.

"Eliza-sama."

"Good afternoon, Maya. How is Elise-dono feeling today?"

"After coming to this mansion, she's gotten a little better."

In the meantime, the girl's coughing reduced a little, and her breathing got slower as her asthma attacks stopped. Although a bit messy, the girl's brown hair remained lustrous as her maid Maya brushed it for her, and the girl finally raised her head after the maid was done. It was completely unlike the bitter expression at seeing me that the other Elise had, she had a gentle smile.

"My apologies, Eliza-sama."

"No, it's fine."

Her name is Elise Sherstok, and she's the Stadel domain lord's niece from bordering north of the Kaldia domain. Although Viscount Stadel and I only greeted each other at my birthday celebration, he took a liking to the warmer climate in the Kaldia domain, and asked later if his sickly niece could come stay here to help her body recover. Elise's father, Baron Sherstok had land usage rights into my territory along part of the Kaldia domain, and he agreed to sell those back to us in exchange for taking in his daughter.

By the way, in Arxia, only nobles have land ownership rights. Even so, only nobles with peerage have their own lands, for example a viscount with his own domain, would have the authority to govern and tax the people that live there. A baron would only be allowed to use the land, so other than areas under direct control, he would have to rent out land to use.

The Stadel domain is a small territory at the feet of the Amon Nor Mountains, it's only known as a good place to avoid the heat during the summer, other than that it was just like the Kaldia domain in that it had no special products or noticeable features about it, the main difference being that there was a large difference in temperature.

Viscount Stadel and Baron Sherstok had been looking for a warm location for Elise to recover in for many years, and since Earl Terejia is now in charge of governing the Kaldia domain, after consulting with him, we were the first to come to an agreement with them.

Even diplomatically, because of my father, we had been isolated in all directions. There was no reason to refuse, and so we agreed to take in the other "Elise" and had her brought over here by ship.

"If you ever have trouble with anything, please don't hesitate to let me know immediately."

"Since everyone here treats me so well, I'm having so much fun every day, so I think there'll be no need."

"That's great to hear."

Her voice was thin due to the asthma, but Elise was very mild-mannered and ladylike as she made conversation with a smile. We talked about the flowers that Maya and the gardener Boriswaf had picked for Elise this morning, and made other such idle chatter until I left the room, by the time I finally left, Kamil who had waited outside all this time seemed to have a strained expression. I beckoned him silently with my hand, and we headed for the domain lord's office.