'The Eclipsed Sister'. The novel that started it all. As the title suggests, the heroine was neglected and overshadowed by her sister. But you don't know why she was neglected. It was because of her mana. In this world, magic is a rare occurrence, and children with a high amount of mana are highly regarded individuals. The heroine was one of those.However, due to her adopted sister, she was tricked into sharing her mana with Aurora. Despite being ignored by others and reduced to the status of a maid, sleeping in a simple, small room, she still loved her sister and treated her like a goddess. During Diane's debutante, she was framed for the attempted murder of her sister. I'm sure you know the story: the evil sister comes clean, the heroine dies only to be brought back in time to when she was a child. Blah blah. But even with the knowledge of her sister's betrayal, she didn't seek vengeance or harbor rage in her heart like so many others would. Instead, all she wanted was peace, to escape that awful, suffocating situation.But the Duke and all the family members of Marrow did cherish her, at least in this timeline. However, Diane just couldn't believe it, couldn't accept it. She was so conditioned to believe they would never even start to have a fondness for her. So she thought it was all a trick, a delusion she would never succumb to.It was heartbreaking to read. But seeing the small child curled up in bed, her eyes closed but her mouth letting out small whimpers and sniffles—a nightmare. I would guess it was about the first timeline. I sighed as I sat down on the edge of the bed. My hand reached slowly, almost backing away before firmly placing it on top of the girl's head. Gently stroking the strands of her hair and, in a moment of silence, I hummed a familiar melody. My mother—God, I missed her. She loved me. She never asked me to be a certain way, only that I lived happily and healthily. When I cried as a child, just as Diane is now, my mother would cradle me in her arms and stroke and caress the back of my head while humming.I can't do much, but I can at least do this. "You'll be okay," I whispered. "Everything will be okay." She sniffled softly, her hands clenched into fists, but then she relaxed. Her breathing slowed, and her whimpers became quieter and quieter until she was no longer crying. I smiled slightly before ever so slowly retracting my hand and standing up to leave her in peace.And as I closed the door and made my way to the maid's quarters, it never did occur to me that she wasn't supposed to be in that raggedy room in the first place.✧༺♥༻∞"Everyone check everywhere! From the living room to the dusty attic, you must find her!" Madam Amelia roared, and I felt sweat start to form.Oh, fuck... that's right.The lady was supposed to be resting in the Rose Suite, and I didn't...I shook my head and moved along with the rest of the maids, hurriedly checking each room. Should I go to the room where I know she is? Wait, no, I shouldn't. Because if the Duke finds her, and I'm just a maid—not even a side character—I shouldn't get involved. "Okay, not here either..." I nervously chuckled as I left the empty room."Are you serious?" Madam Amelia huffed as she massaged her temple. "We must inform the Archduke about this.""Huh? But the Archduke..." The maid, that maid—the one who scolded me—spoke up. "I mean... maybe we should continue searching a bit more. We will find her. We shouldn't trouble the Duke about this small issue.""Small?" I furrowed my brows. "I'm sorry, but a young child has gone missing in an unfamiliar location, and you call this issue small?""Alice is right," Madam Amelia said, and I had to blink to make sure I didn't hallucinate it. "The Archduke himself brought the young lady here, and not only that, he gifted her the Rose Suite. This lady is of great importance, and so help us God if there's even a scratch on her..." Madam Amelia paled. "Please continue searching while I inform His Lordship."I could see the lady's maids trembling slightly, rightfully so. If the young lady is harmed under their guidance, then they would be punished. Now, I wouldn't lie and say that situation is a good thing per se, but you could say it was their incompetence that led them to this 'small' issue.I let out a cough to stifle a small chuckle. Ah, that was mean. But it's not really my problem nor my place to intervene. I turned the door knob and entered the room, only to stop in the middle. I hope, I truly hope, the lady is alright in that room. Though I should know more than anyone that she feels more familiar in that dusty place than the overwhelming state of the Rose Suite.It was a few hours later that I heard from a few maids that she was found by the Duke. Once again, she was carried like a princess. I didn't miss the hint of envy in their voices as they spoke. How could a mere orphan be so important to the Duke that he would spend his precious time searching for her? Really... that is what's on people's minds when they hear the news that she is safe and sound.Well, whatever. I can't really judge these folks. Just go about your day as it's always been. It's okay.It's funny how the words 'It's okay' start becoming meaningless after you keep repeating them like a mantra. But you keep holding onto them because you just... don't know what else there is to do. I mean, I don't know why I keep doing it. Everything is good, I guess. I groaned as my sweeping turned more aggressive. I have been in this world for four years now. Why wouldn't it be okay?Then I stumbled upon a familiar door. I know this door—the door the lady slept in, the room she cried herself to sleep in. Maybe... without even noticing, my hand turned the knob and I entered in."Ah..." "Oh."Diane was there, again. She was half-laying down on the edge of the same bed, her arms stretched out."Um... hi," I waved. "Good afternoon," she replied."It's actually turning evening quickly, so maybe you should lay down in your own room? In the Rose Suite..."Otherwise, there will be another fuss in the morning."I... I don't want to," the lady said quietly."Oh. Well, alright then." I moved to the fabrics of the bed sheet and blanket that were hung and used the chair to get them off. Soon, I shook the fabric, dust spreading out everywhere, causing me to cough a few times. After that, I folded them. I repeated the process one by one and then placed them on the counter. I will send them down to the closet later, but for now, I need to sweep the floor. As I swept, my vocal cords let out a melody as I saw the dust gather together by the sweep of the collective straws."Your voice."I stopped almost immediately. "Oh, sorry. I... well, I'm normally by myself when I do this, but I can stop if you—" "No, no, continue. It's nice. Familiar somehow..." "Ah... haha." I glanced down. "So... you seem to be comfortable here." The lady nodded with an 'mhm.'"Are you not going to force me back? To the Rose Suite or whatever that is..." I shook my head. "Why would I force you back?" At that, the lady sat up. The way she looked at me, she seemed puzzled, though I don't know why."Today... I caused such trouble," the lady sighed, her head down low. "People said I even bothered the Duke." "Oh, those people's words are mere petty opinions. You shouldn't heed them," I said. "Besides, you feel more comfortable in this room, you said so yourself, so why is it bad if you choose to rest here?" "Huh..." Diane blinked as her eyes widened. "I... I don't... I guess... not...?""See?" I placed the broom in the corner and then decided on sitting down next to her. "Now, may I ask you a question?"Diane simply nodded."You have this... incredible room, to put it bluntly, and there's nothing wrong with liking this room. I'm just curious and a little perplexed as to why you choose this room instead of the honorable grand room the Archduke has graced you with." Diane was silent for a moment before she sighed. "Truth be told, I simply feel more at peace here. I feel there is no one to... to bother me. I-I feel this place makes it as if I have nothing for people to threaten me over. I'm safe here." "Oh..." I looked down at her small hands that were fiddling with each other. I smiled. "Well, you can stay here for as long as you want. Just let me make sure it is not an absolute dust feast in here."Then I heard something... a giggle? My eyes shot wide open. Diane was smiling—a small, faint smile, but it was a smile. And it was so pretty."Um, if you are going to do it, can I help too?" I couldn't help but smile back. "I don't see why not?" I sprang up and held my hand out to her.Together, we set to work, dusting off the old furniture and shaking out the linens. She was silent but that was fine, my humming filled in the room and by the time we were finished, I made sure to tuck Diane in bed and left her to sleep.