Evening came and the moment I came back to Calla's room, I broke the news to Anette that I was invited to Lady Elizabeth's place for tea.
"H-how can that be? The Countess is well aware of the young lady's condition yet...yet how could she.."
Of course, I've expected this reaction. The countess surely knew that Calla is deathly allergic to flowers. Being told to go out in a world full of flowers when you're allergic to them yourself. It just doesn't make sense.
"A-and the young lady just accepted it? W-without question?"
I nodded. Anette has been trembling with panic ever since I told her about the invitation, she must really care for Calla so much.
As of the moment, I am sitting on the bed with my legs and arms crossed and was just watching Anette organize the clothes inside Calla's unbelievably large cabinet, still thinking about what occurred earlier this afternoon.
Lady Elizabeth must have had her reason. But, whatever could you get from inviting a girl that will instantly convulse from allergies the moment she steps out of the house? Right, nothing. You'll just be arrested of indirectly setting up a noble girl's death. Surely she's noticed that there has never been a single flower inside the mansion for the sake of the young lady's health?
"I couldn't just turn her down right after we improved our relationship. Her sincerity was all over the place!" I scratched my head out of frustration of not being able to think anything.
"Why? Why would she want me to go out?" I kept talking to myself.
Then, at that very moment, a thought entered my mind. Why am I asking myself? I should just ask the person in question directly! Whether she planned this with ulterior motives or not, I have to know the reason why she invited me. I must ask her myself! Which means...
"Anette." I called out to the woman who was still shaking as she organized the books on the table. She quickly turned to me.
"Y-yes, young lady? Have you made up your mind to turn down the countess' invitation? H-how about we send her a letter? I will ask the butler to have it sent right away! Should we tell the duke about this? O-oh no! The duke is away for some official business. W-what should we do young lady?!"
Really, what should I do with this woman? In fact, she is not much older than the real me. I died at the age of twenty, Anette is twenty-four.
I got out of bed and walked towards her, I have to calm this nervous wreck down. As I arrived in front of her, I placed both of my hands to her shoulders. Anette flinched at the sudden contact.
"Y-young lady, w-what.."
"Hey, calm down. I've decided to accept Lady Elizabeth's invitation. Also, even if he was here, you do not need to inform the duke- erm my father. We will make sure to return before he arrives, and by 'we', I meant the both of us. You'll come with me, right?"
Anette quickly grabbed my hands that were still on her shoulders.
"Yes, of course! I will go wherever you go, young lady Calla."
I smiled when her face was finally full of courage.
"That's great."
"B-but, your allergy... it's impossible to go out to the Eastern city with your condition."
Right. This goddamn allergy, that of course, couldn't be cured, even temporarily. Two days after I became Calla, I asked the doctor for allergy medicines.
"Medicine? I apologize but there has never been a medicine. The duke had already hired all top-notch alchemists, physicians and wizards to look for or make a cure but every one of them failed, after two years, they eventually gave up, including the duke. As a last resort, the duke sought help to the Khlorisian temple but he was only told that it was the will of the goddess, so he must trust her... I'm sorry, it must be hard for the young lady, to be told about this twice already."
For a family doctor, he knew quite a lot. "Will of the goddess" my foot, someday I will find a cure and embrace all the flowers I'll see.
"Also, to be a person allergic to flowers, it is a first in the history of Helianthus. The young lady is the only one here who is allergic to where the whole continent takes its main life force."
Unbelievable, at this point you can just call me cursed. Of course Calla would grow up such a child. It's like being isolated from every living being in this world. Fortunately, she had Anette who took care of her and loved her.
"Anette, get me some bandages. Lots of them."
"Y-yes? Why?"
"Don't ask, just bring them to me. You will know later."
"Alright, right away, young lady!" With that, the maid finally rushed and went out.
Five minutes later and Anette had successfully brought rolls of bandages that were contained in a silver basin. She must have gotten these from the doctor's office.
"Young lady, what are you planning to do with so many bandages?" She asked as soon as she placed the silver basin on the table.
But I did not answer. I proceeded to take one roll of bandage and began to wrap it around my left hand, then to my left arm.
"Don't just stand there, help me wrap myself with these bandages."
Anette, who was late in grasping the whole situation hurriedly obeyed.
"Are you going to wrap your whole body with bandages, young lady?" She asked as she began wrapping my right arm.
"Yes, and make sure not to leave a spot."
If this world doesn't have a cure for flower allergies then I will just have to make sure to improvise. Going out as a mummified noble isn't so bad compared to dying from allergies for the second time.
To allow myself to breathe and see, we left out my eyes and mouth. Also, Anette suggested that we wrap another layer of bandages to make sure.
I looked at the mirror, composed myself and let out a deep sigh. I looked towards Annette's direction and demanded,
"Now bring me a flower."
"A-are you sure, young lady?"
"Of course, we won't be able to find out if we don't try."
While waiting for Anette to return with a flower, I went back to the mirror and took a look at myself. A triumphant smile was worn by the girl seen on the mirror. Though, I felt quite bad for covering up Calla's pretty face.
"Young lady Calla, I've returned with a flower. I'll come in now." Anette was talking outside the door. Jeez, you can just come inside directly, you know?
The door gave way to a concerned maid with a red rose in her hand, as expected. Anette stopped midway from approaching me.
"What's the matter?"
"Sh-should we really be doing this, young lady? W-we can just send notice to the countess. I'm just concerned for the young lady's health."
I sighed. I'll show her that there is nothing to worry about. This method of mine is foolproof.
The moment I started to take a step toward her, Anette's eyes began shaking.
"Y-young lady, we still haven't made sure yet! P-please don't come-"
She wasn't able to continue because I increased my pace and grabbed the rose she was holding.
And then....silence came. Nothing happened.
I waited for rashes to appear, but I didn't feel anything. I shifted my gaze slowly to Anette who was still looking at me with wide eyes. Then, both of us looked at the rose in my bandage-wrapped hand.
"Y-young lady...how are you feeling?"
Is it safe to say that this method will save me from dying due to allergies the moment I step outside? But, I feel perfectly fine even though I'm holding a flower. This should work.
"Anette, you don't have to worry anymore, so you should go now and rest. We have a long day tomorrow."
Even with her face full of doubts and concern, Anette obediently followed.
****
As morning came, I began to prepare to head out. Of course, Anette was helping me with everything. After taking a bath prepared by Anette and the other maids, all of them helped me wrap my whole naked body with bandages perfectly, without asking as to what their young lady was up to.
As soon as I decided on a knee-length blue dress with a high collar and long sleeves to wear, Anette handed me a black cloak.
"What for?"
"It is to hide the young lady's identity. No one has ever seen the young lady go out in ten years, even with all the bandages the people may still be able to recognize you so it would be better to cover up. "
"Very well."
Anette and I went out through the back door of the mansion to avoid suspicion. This is a secret outing after all.
"We will be using one of the carriages. I've informed the coachman to keep this from the duke."
Anette told me as I was about to step inside the carriage.
"I appreciate it."
"Coachman, please take us to Count Adalius' mansion."
Upon hearing, the carriage began to move towards the direction of the city.