"Excerpt from the Diary of a Maid of a Mansion"
Today finally marks the end of another long day. It's been three years since I started working at this mansion, but the work here is incredibly difficult. My masters, the husband and wife, are kind in their own way, but the lady is harsh and unpredictable. She yells at me and hits me whenever she's displeased. It feels as though I'm expected to simply endure whatever is thrown my way, no matter how unreasonable it might be.
Something was different about her today, though. I'm not saying she was kind, but something about her behavior was unsettling. It wasn't just that she was angry—she was speaking to herself, muttering strange things, like she was disconnected from reality.
I had been nervously trying to avoid making any mistakes when, suddenly, she screamed out. It wasn't directed at anyone in particular, but it startled me. She immediately turned away, as if she didn't want anyone to notice her breakdown. I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.
It's strange—when you're in a position like mine, you're always expected to react appropriately to situations. If you fail to respond, you're blamed. But even more unsettling is when someone touches you when you don't want it. I know I could be punished for that, too.
After discussing it with the others, we decided it was best not to mention the lady's behavior today. It's easier to simply carry on and pretend it's just another odd day in this strange household.
But the weirdness didn't stop there. Later in the day, she once again started talking to herself, her voice growing louder. It was like she was losing control, but we all just continued doing our best to stay out of her way, ready to respond if we were called upon.
In the end, she went to bed without saying a word. For once, the night was more peaceful than usual, though there was still that odd feeling lingering in the air.
The room she retired to is massive, adorned with all kinds of luxurious ornaments. There are so many dishes and trinkets filling the space. Every single one of them was collected through manipulation, deceit, and coercion. The lord of this house has built his collection by bending people to his will—sometimes forcing them to speak under duress, or using his power to get what he wants. This room, like everything else here, is a symbol of the twisted world they've created.
The Lord of this room was stuck in the corner, sitting at a large table. A woman with long blonde hair and a lavish dress, she appeared no older than a teenager. Her tired expression revealed frustration, muttering complaints to herself. "How can things like this keep happening? It's too loud... how does it even continue like this?"
"Well, calm down."
The voice that responded was that of a young woman, one only Lilia could hear. It had been persistently echoing in her ears today, though she had only started hearing it recently.
"Hey, don't ignore me, Lilia."
Lilia opened her eyes and stood up, her irritation flaring.
"Shut up! Don't talk to me like that! You don't have the power to command me!"
"No, no, no. I'm not commanding you, Lilia. I'm just giving you advice."
No matter how angry Lilia became, the voice remained steady, almost playful.
"I've heard that same nonsense countless times already. Advice? What's the point of that?"
"You've said that before. But if you keep going like this, you'll end up ruining yourself. Everything will fall apart. I came here to help you stop it, didn't I?"
"Ha! Fall apart? Don't make me laugh. I've done nothing wrong. And do you really think the Duke's house would collapse so easily?"
She was the eldest daughter of the Duke's household, admired by all except the royal family. Among her peers, she was second only to the prince in stature. The very idea of her family falling seemed unimaginable.
"For the most part, how do you know that?"
– Why not? Uh… I'm an angel, I can see the future. Thanks, though.
"Well, what should we do tomorrow?"
– Ignorance is terrifying! Sure, I'm not an angel, but I can see the future... a little bit.
The voice had been drifting around them, but there was a serious tone hidden behind just one word. Lilia felt a twinge of surprise, but her expression remained unchanged—no more than a flicker of interest in her heart.
"If that's all you have to say, then show me a prophecy. If you're right, maybe I'll start believing you."
Lilia was certain it was impossible, but this voice wasn't the type to offer predictions without some weight to them. Still, its tone was full of amusement at Lilia's challenge.
– Really? It's a promise. See you…
The voice fell silent, and for a moment, there was only the soft exhale of the air between them. After a brief pause, the voice spoke again.
– Alright, then. A prediction for two years from now. Let's look ahead, shall we?
"Two years? That's a long time. I'm telling you, that's not what you said last time."
– Hah, sure. But I don't make mistakes.
Lilia pondered the meaning of those words. Two years? Could it really be possible? She waited quietly for more, unsure of what would come next. The voice gave a small cough before continuing.
Spring, two years later. After enrolling in the advanced school, you will touch the prince's scales, and they will despise you.
"Huh...!"
Lilia opened her eyes wide. The first prince of this country was her fiancé. What did it mean that the prince despised her?
"There are things that are good to say, and things that are bad to say..."
Lilia's voice rose in frustration. But the voice inside her head didn't seem to care, and, annoyingly, it even sounded somewhat amused.
– I know. That's not true. You don't have to get angry about it, Lilia. It's not like it will happen.
Lilia, somewhat calmed, thought to herself. I'm sure this prophecy is wrong. It won't come true. And if she could just ignore it, the voice would probably go away. Lilia nodded in understanding.
"Then be quiet until the result is clear, okay?"
– Yeah, I get it... You're right. I'll stay silent. But you care so much about what I say that you try to avoid it. Fine, I'll be quiet.
The voice seemed to have picked up on something in her tone, and it sounded more thoughtful. But Lilia dismissed the discomfort and moved on.
"Goodbye, then. Don't come back."
– That's harsh. Alright, I understand. Goodbye. I'll talk to you again in two years.
As Lilia frowned, the voice laughed softly and then fell silent.
Over the next month, she stopped hearing that strange voice that had been bothering her all the time. She had been worried about it for a while, but soon, it became something she had forgotten entirely.
And then, two years later, in the spring...
Lilia was told by the prince that their engagement was to be broken off.