After waiting for a bit more than a week, the surveillance team from the Hissing Timberland is coming back to the territory. I have but a few hours before this matter that was just informed to me by Duchess Andrea happen. And, there she goes.
Damn.
It seems like Dawn and her assistant will depart right after this meeting as well.
That means, the Duke and the collateral families head's will also be back soon.
My first encounter with the final boss and elite bosses of this family.
I couldn't sit still, stand still or think still.
Of course, they are generally good people and individuals that contributed greatly to society and their family as a whole. But. That will not stop my from shaking in my imaginary boots.
Must I remind myself.
I am not the true Amelia.
This place is not my world and these people are aliens as far as I know 3 months ago. What I know about them is as much or maybe now a tiny bit more than what the original novel have in the entire first four seasons!
Because of this, I have been dancing around conversations when talking to them. It is like my mouth has become a repeating metronome saying 'Oh yeah...' and '...I think that happened' to literally any specific memory they mentioned. Which sometime earned me so suspicious look from the family... and staffs.
At this point, I half expect them to already figure it out or think I am just actively in denial that I have amnesia and is pretending like everything is fine.
Prop to them tho, they didn't push me when they see that blank expression of me trying to pretend that recollection is something that should happen and memory isn't but wet tissues. The level of patience they had to just retell the whole story from beginning to end while simultaneously adding in each others POV just so I could get the whole picture is honestly admirable.
It is very clear that they love and care for their family be it with different approaches.
But, there are still some lingering concern when it come to Amelia. She is still a child while I am a full grown adult. This palace is a silken cradle, built to cultivate the best of the best. How would someone who use to bathe in that love fare if they suddenly ended up in my body with that guilt ridden world.
And that is only if Amelia ended up in my body.
For all I know, that moment months ago could be when the two of us die.
...
At the very least, the Laurel family could show leniency for me in these immutable circumstances.
I mean... It is not like I'll get hung upside down on a cross, burned down by a flame claimed to be purifying the heretical soul who have taken place instead of the original owner.
...Right?
Yeah, no.... only the Divine Theocracy would do that to other worldly strays...Maybe.
Its not like otherworlders are an unknown phenomenon when it come to history. You can probably count the known ones on all your fingers and toes but it has been recorded before.
And this too is knowledge, and the Laurel like knowledge, so there is a high probability that they have been well informed of unfortunate circumstances that might befall some of these people like me to ended up in this situation...
The best case scenarios is that I willingly tell them the truth and they will maybe just temporarily isolate or interrogate( strictly with words only would be preferable) me until they find their lady.
But...
That would also mean that this enchanting play will come to a stop as well.
------
Before I knew it, my feet have taken me to the shed next to the back garden again.
The handmaidens trailing carefully next by, silently watch over each step.
They didn't spoke, didn't questioned, just bring with them my usual tools, some snacks and medicine.
Even with the finishing ding of the quest board, I couldn't bring myself to cheer up.
__________
[ Congratulation! ]
You have completed today's quest.
Gathering rating: 3.7/5
Points collected: 107
------
[ Notice ]
{ 8/5 } reward accumulated
You have earned enough point to unlocked the reward feature.
[ From Rag to... Usable? ] Collect raw materials and learn more about them by processing them in different ways. You might earn some strange yet fascinating recipes and items through unconventional means.
Point is counted by rarity, condition and parts collected.
(35 points = 1 reward)
Automatic [Spouting Gifts] are being generated.
Please wait...
...
__________
!
I immediately shoot up from the crush grassy ground.
Finally! The system was silent for so long with all my accumulated points so I was feeling a bit down. So I need to get 5 pull to trigger the reward.
This made it clear they I should have read those forum's posts a little more carefully.
Please be something good. Please be something good. Please be something good. Please be something good. Please be something good...
________
[ Notice ]
Items might be ejected in high speed.
Please be mindful to dodge.
________
What?
*KABOOM* *CRACK* *CRASH*
A confusing silence fell as a tree quite a distant away suddenly got hit with something, making the body near the roots caved in akwardly, causing it to get knocked down.
0o0
0-0
I look down a the 4 out of 5 rewards which has landed nice and gently on my dress's helm where I piled all the plant speciment I collected, back to the system then toward a far away tree. Those rewards were quickly shoved in my pocket before the maids could see.
How do I get that thing now...
" My Lady! " Adraine ran to cover me in a panic, picking me up easily in her arm. The other hurried to surround me, quickly dash on their feet toward the main house.
Wait... Did they think that was an attack or something?
" Adraine! Nora! Stop, that was me! Maisy! Daphne! Listen to me!"
After a good minute of kicking, wriggling and yelling in vain, the four of them finally stop. I was promptly released from the picnic blanket. It seem that they heard me screaming so they found a big tree with good coverage to check on me.
" Are you ok, miss Amelia?" Adraine assessed my body from top to bottom while the other three vigilantly keep watch around. Her hand patting my back lightly, letting me breath properly after the bumpy escape away from a non-threat created by the damn system.
______
The system is not responsible for any delivery issues that may occur during shipments.
. _.
______
Evading responsibility now, are you? Cursesed system!
Haizz...
" ...The tree crashing just now was my fault." I managed to pushed out while glaring the the floating screen. Wait a second...
...Now that I look closely, they now have weapons on their hand, hidden daggers pulled from my inconspicuous hairbrush and Nora's leg bracer thingy and where did Daphne pulled out a spiky brass knuckles from!?
Oh, the umbrella I brought with me is also a sword... That is slightly acceptable I guess, no wonder that thing was so dang heavy.
Ignoring the drying cold sweat on my back from seeing this sight, I tried to make up some baloney about a mana spark suddenly trigger and launched one of the hard roots in my hand straight through the stratosphere and crashed into the now fallen tree.
Amidst their disbelieving look and my sweating self, I am now in paralysis.
The handmaiden exchanged weird look to each other, before one broke off from the group and cautiously went to check.
I honest to god have no idea what the reward that was launched away is, there is definitely a chance that you could gain items anywhere from G rank to mid E rank. And usually, the drop items are either semi-processed or fully processed items, none of which I am allowed to do btw. Their is a low chance of gaining raw materials or plants with a slightly higher rank depending on the material collected by the daily quest.
But the chance is like 80/20, there is no way I am safe from this if they find the item rolling around there and assume I am sneakily experimenting under their nose.
They will take away all my sweet treats and leave me to fend with that black tar of a medicine all by my lonesome self!
I am doomed!
...
There is news...
The maids didn't found it.
The Duke did.
And who was with the Duke,
Selinus...
It was small tin box of crushed medicinal paste, use for simple cuts and rashes.
I swear on the system that I didn't do it!
I swear!
The Duke gazed between the glaring Doctor and his fretful youngest daughter, currently hiding behind her handmaidens.
He pulled my attention over to him with a simple gesture and patted my head.
" May I? " I found myself dazzled by this family's look. The household head - Amelia's father along with everyone behind him, including but not limited to sister Olivia and Amber, aunts and uncles, cousins and nephews who have came out to welcome them back, etc...
Hearing his question, I instinctively step out and was picked up into his arm.
" How are you feeling Amelia?" His voiced warm with a hint of concern. Nora who has come out to check the situation encounter the Laurel's entourage who has slipped in through the back door. Upon being recognize immediately, she confessed everything to them and hand over the item she found.
" I am okay..." I found my voice getting smaller with the rising fear of being caught.
" Hahaha! The little bunny is out grass hopping already. You are getting better by the day. Praised the gods! " A lady in full clad armor walked up and pinched my cheek in between the steel plated fingers.
" This aunt has been waiting forever. You always begged me to take you hunting sooner or later. Maybe the time will actually come this time..." She stole me from Barrow's arm and spin me around a few time.
Seeing the brief disappointment on their household leader, the other adults seem to suddenly get fueled with chicken blood, passing me around eachother's hand while slowly migrate the group back to the main house, they would pass me to the next person when father would approach.
So this is the downside of being the youngest huh, the Duke despite already becoming the household head still get bullied by harmless joke by his family. He didn't seem to mind it and just focused on getting me back into his arm.
Which is sweet, but...
When even your two elder daughters join in to troll you, I don't think he even had a chance in the first place. For a moment, he look a bit like a wet dog seeing his own daughter betray him.
Selinus somehow got roped in as well, huffing while mumbling as he hold me in his arm. I could feel his hands tremble a bit under my weight, clearly losing out in strength in comparison to the family members.
" I can walk the rest of the way myself." I tug on his sleeve, feeling a bit embarrassed from getting ferried around in people's arm.
" Tsk. A patient should know when to keep quiet while receiving care. Not to mention I have something to question you about later regarding this vial we found."
Oops. Forgot about that...
" Hehe..."
------
Goodbye, my delicious deserts, I bid you farewell.
In the end, my supply of treats will be cut short after Dawn departed since the kitchen staffs are not licensed to handle special chemicals used by her and the medical professionals are hopeless when it comes to cooking.
The supplies Dawn has been using are actually extremely pricy and strictly seasonal herbs and flora that you can't get even with connections.
Seeing the bill laid out in front of me by her assistant, I could feel me concept of monetary value spiral and failing to adjust this impossible standard. Everyone barely gave it a double over after settling the bill with her.
Moreover, because the supply of items is finite, my black sludge drinking day will end after about 2-3 months and will be replaced by something else. The Laurel even bought the right of research for the poison and any medicine related to it from Dawn's merchant guild with a hefty price. Setting the score straight for the months of hard work she has put in to help me.
" With all our physical debts settle, we still owe you a massive debt of gratitude." The Duke said sliding over all contracts and bills back toward her. Her assistant flip through each page sorting through it one last time, pointing out each clear clause for this 'transaction' before sealing each of them into appropriate binders.
Seeing this process finish, the Duke continued.
" Duchess Andrea has tell me about the item you requested. After the family discussed it over, we deemed this request appropriate and will gladly provide you with what you desire." Louis passed him a glittering envelope, on the front clearly branded with the insignia of the royal family.
Everyone nodded along, clearly unfazed by the implication of this request. They eyed the young lady sitting there with a curious peak, but 'no questions asked' is a preferable treatment to someone that has help them greatly.
" However, as a father, I feel that only this would fell short of our hospitality." Placing the letter on the table, he also put forth a small box, placing it on top the shinning paper.
Opening it with a light clink, a small pocket watch laid inside. Its golden trimming gleam brightly with the light, details of a certain scenery inscribed masterfully over the top. There was something in Dawn eyes that shifted, almost unrecognizable as she carefully picked up the watch.
Everyone in the room seems to feel the same way as well, their eyes following that golden shine.
" You giving that away Barrow?" the aunt that picked me up earlier spoke up, her brows furrowing slightly almost unwelcoming of the idea. The Laurel insignia on the back of the watch spin to face them, mirroring their complicated expression.
" To me, what most important in this family are the people in it. The things you have done for us is the matter of life and death, something that can't easily be paid just by using the Laurel's resources alone. Something as easily attainable to us as wealth and connections can only be viewed as compensation, not a fair trade off for my daughter's life. I see that it is only fair she received this." He explained clearly, a profound regret creeping up in his eyes.
Silent fell, as an understanding settle in the room.
I was the only unknowing parties in this situation I guess.
" Take this. Whenever you need help, the Laurel family will support us will all of our might." His gaze swept through the room then back to Dawn, whose eyes from the beginning never left the watch, her face border on speechlessness.
After a few second, she nodded before lowering the watch back into the box.
" I see. Since the Duke insist it so strongly, I guess there is no backing down for me on this special... add-in. Now I think accepting the Duchess offer might have been less heavy on heart like this." She joked, clearing the air a bit before locking the box back up.
The Duchess chuckled in tow, she hold the Duke's hand as she sent a look of 'I told you so' and the deflated Dawn.
" As what come next should be strictly family matter, I will see myself out early. Thank you for hosting me for the past few months. I will take my leave now." Standing up with a polite bow, Dawn's assistant packed up everything neatly, following her out of the door.
The Duke nodded in turn while the Duchess nudged her second youngest, sending her to see their prized guest out.
Everyone exchanged the usual pleasantries for a while until Selinus knocked on the door, entering with graphs and charts, with giant stacks of paper carried in tow by the other doctors. Some of the children and parents sigh looking the mountain before them but still skim through each pages to understand the situation more clearly.
I guess you could consider the proverb ' It takes a village to raise a child' but in this case 'cure' the child but I am speaking malarky in my head again.
*Sigh*
This will take absolutely forever, won't it.