Dorothea felt it getting brighter outside and opened her eyes, but her vision was blurry as if something was blocking her vision.
Since the five organs and six organs were weak, there was no way everything could function properly.
Every time she moves her body too hard, her vision becomes blurry, she hears tinnitus in her ears, her breathing becomes short, and the pain becomes Intense.
'It's difficult.'
She was used to pain thanks to her past treatment, but this was her first time feeling this weak.
It was such an oppressive and painful experience, so she could understand that the soul of this body had escaped of its own accord.
'I'll have to stay like this for now.'
Of course, with her abilities, she would be able to transfer the disease that resides in her body to someone else.
If she can take the punishment instead, it is also possible to give it to someone else.
But to whom does it spread the disease?
'It's better not to take on unnecessary killings.'
She didn't want to do such a harsh thing to little Jane, who was sleeping peacefully next to her, and even if it wasn't for her, Mrs. Marsha had a task waiting for her that she would have to face soon.
"Where are you hurting again, Lady?"
"Wouldn't it be quicker to ask where it doesn't hurt?"
Dorothea muttered and moved her body. As she stood up, her whole body screamed.
Her dull white blonde hair fell down her shoulders.
"Please help me up."
"Miss."
Dorothea looked down at her legs, which were small and thin due to a long illness.
She could see that her feet, which would have been broken if not for Jane's support, were barely able to stand on the ground.
After lying down for a long time, her skin became dark.
'My ugly legs.'
Dorothea sighed, took a step, sat down on the chair next to the bed, and spoke.
"Can you help me get out of the mansion?"
"No."
"Only to the door."
The maid's face was twisted into tears.
"If you need anything, let me know."
Dorothea looked down at her limp legs and then looked outside the door again.
"My legs are so weak that it's difficult to walk."
"So if you walk, it becomes even more difficult."
"I want new legs."
"Yes?"
Jane asked back, doubting her ears.
Dorothea touched her bare legs with a calm expression and hummed the words "new legs."
After the Young Lady became seriously ill, she often said strange things, but she rarely said anything as strange as this one. What does it mean to have a new leg when there is a leg that is still intact?
Where else do you get it?
Jane's face was filled with anxiety.
"Legs aren't something you can get anywhere..."
"If possible, it would be nice to have thick and strong legs. It won't break down."
Jane was startled by the wrong answer.
When she imagined that a slender girl's body had thick, strong, hairy legs, she couldn't help but shudder.
"I absolutely hate it. Your legs are perfect now."
"Jane, can you go to the kitchen and get me a bowl of water?"
Jane, who was in tears at Dorothea's request, walked quickly to the kitchen.
"Not in a cup, but on a wide plate. If possible, bring it in a vessel made of copper or iron."
Jane hesitated at the strange request and looked behind her.
Fortunately, Dorothea's legs were still thin with bones visible, but they were the perfect size for her body and were well attached.
At least that was the case so far.
***
"But what are you going to use this water for?"
Jane asked, whining as she got the water.
Her round, clear eyes couldn't help but look at Dorothea with curiosity.
"I have a place to write."
Jane looked disappointed when there was no explanation, but instead of begging for an explanation, she calmly stood next to her.
Dorothea put her finger in the water.
The cool temperature of the water ran up her fingers and wrists.
"It would be better if it was a little more lukewarm."
"Where on earth are you going to use it?"
Jane asked again.
Dorothea could not contain her curiosity and Instructed the maid to look into the water.
"Sprinkle this with your hand on the spot where Madam was sitting earlier."
"Ask?"
"Yes, instead of pouring the water, put your hand in and scoop it up as if scooping it out, third time. Do you understand?"
"Would you like to water a room that is already damp, Miss?"
Jane's face became tearful as she swept and cleaned this small room every day, but Dorothea smiled.
"Jane, do as I say."
There was a strange sense of intimidation in the small voice that seemed to die out at any moment. As if Jane was possessed, she followed Dorothea's instructions and sprinkled water on the old table and chair..
Once, twice, three times.
As soon as Jane finished doing what was asked of her, she quickly put the water bowl away and looked at the Young Lady.
"Miss, you have a fever as expected."
Dorothea spoke calmly in response to Jane's fidgeting.
"It's okay. "Even though I'm weak and looks like I'm about to pass out, I'm still alive and well."
"W-you're out of breath!"
Jane was horrified, but Dorothea put her foot down on the floor. Although her walking speed was slow, she was able to take a step out of the mansion without stumbling and falling.
"It's cold outside, Lady."
"It's okay. Look out there, Jane."
Dorothea's finger pointed to one place.
There was no special scenery. As always, the wall was not maintained properly and was a mess. She saw bare tree branches beyond the tangled vines.
"There is a bird."
"I know, right. Why is it there?"
"There's nothing to eat in this mansion."
Jane said sullenly and added another word.
"Bird poop smells so bad."
"It's the smell that comes from being alive."
Jane shrugged her shoulders at Dorothea's words. She seemed to think that these were words typical of a Lady who had never cleaned a mansion before.
It was the moment when Dorothea, who was staring intently at the snooping bird, met the bird's eyes. It seemed as if the small resident bird had stopped for a moment.
'No way.'
Jane turned her head. Dorothea has been acting strangely lately, and even Jane has started to think she's out of sorts.
That's right, it seemed like Dorothea and that bird was in sync with each other.
"I'll be back soon."
Dorothea's bloodless lips opened.
"Yes?"
"I think it will come when I have some legs."
"Miss!"
Jane looked at Dorothea's words with a faint smile on her face. Just the thought of the sight of thick, hairy, ugly legs walking toward her.
Jane with great strides was terrifying.
Dorothea, seeing Jane's stiff expression, let out a rare laugh.
For a moment, she curled up, probably out of breath from the excited laughter.
"Jane."
Although it wasn't that loud, the girl responded quickly to Dorothea's call. Dorothea urged Jane again.
"In case I fall asleep before the guests arrive, could you do me a favor?"
Jane came closer to Dorothea's words and spoke with a serious face.
"Sure. That's what the Lady said. Even if you don't specifically ask, I will definitely listen."
"You're kind."
A smile formed on Dorothea's lips. She spoke slowly, moistening her lips with her tongue.
"After the fresh breeze knocks on the window three times, the guests will arrive. Jane, you go out the door and tell him who he is looking for."
Jane's eyes widened at the vague and unexpected words.
Not only was it ambiguous that it was the time when the fresh wind knocked on the window three times, but it was also difficult to understand that the guest who came at that time was 'looking for someone' and that Jane could tell them about it. Even with the Young maid's face full of confusion, Dorothea remained calm.
"So the guest..."
"Just be honest about who he's looking for."
"How do I know who he is looking for?"
When Jane's face became tearful, Dorothea smiled softly and answered.
"You do not have to worry. You already know."
"How on earth do you know these things, young lady?"
"The bird told me."
Jane rolled her eyes as if it was absurd to hear the innocent voice chattering.
However, it was too detailed to be dismissed as an empty lie.
Despite her doubts, Jane nodded as she covered Dorothea with a blanket.
"I will, Miss."
"You're kind."
Jane looked down at her sickly face and tried to hold back tears as she saw Dorothea praising her in a dying voice.
'Poor girl, you've been feeling a lot more delirious since you got sick.'
Jane was absorbed in knitting next to Dorothea, who was asleep. Although it was clumsy and lacking in skill, she planned to warm up Dorothea's hands and feet, which were always cold, at least a little.
It was the car that was weaving the second line.
Thuk, thud.
There was a knock on the window from somewhere.
Jane raised her head, realized that the sound was made by tree branches shaking in the wind, and lowered her head.
"Wait."
Something dawned on Jane, and when she raised her head, the tree branch knocked on the window again. It was the third time.
As Dorothea said, the wind knocked three times on the window.
Jane stood up and looked out the window.
"No way, really?"
A bird perched on a tree branch chirped as if telling her to hurry. She seemed to come to her senses after standing there dazed and quickly put on her outerwear.
"I'll be back, Lady."
Jane went outside in a huff and opened the creaking outer door, where she saw someone standing under a large tree.
Jane instinctively realized that he was Dorothea's 'guest'. It was difficult to guess his age because of his bushy beard, but considering his straight back and physique, he didn't look that old, it was clear that he had not washed or rested for several days. Despite his shabby appearance, his vivid eyes were impressive.
The moment her eyes met the man who was looking around, the young maid instinctively flinched. The man who approached quickly opened his mouth.
"You."
Jane's body stiffened at the harsh voice.
"Do you know a woman who acts as a matchmaker around here?"
Matchmaking was something that any woman with connections in the village did.
A troubled look appeared on Jane's face.
'Miss, I heard that she can know who the customer is looking for.'
The company's conditions were so vague that she couldn't even tell who they were looking for.
As Jane shook her head, she saw the sword he was wearing.
There was something sticky and dark red on the handle.
"..."
A warning light grew bigger in Jane's head.
Old military boots, sword at the waist, shabby clothes.
'Come on, deserter!'
Jane, who had heard about deserters looting private houses, swallowed with a pale face.
"Well, there are a lot of women who do matchmaking. There must be five in the village alone."
The man's indifferent gaze turned to Jane at the words spoken in a hushed voice.
"She's around 40. She has two sons and one daughter. I heard that she is pampered because she is a late-born child. She has a birthmark in a prominent place, so she likes to wear wide-brimmed hats."
A matchmaker who has two sons and one daughter and enjoys wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
Jane's eyes widened.
'That's Mrs. Marsha.'
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