Ch.6: Aftermath

Upon opening her eyes, Maria was met with the familiar sight of her white bedroom ceiling; slowly sitting up, she saw both Kuroka and Shirone cleaning and straightening up things in her room. Blinking her eyes sleepy, both maids must have sensed that she was up as they quickly turned their attention towards her and almost cried tears of joy upon seeing her awake.

"Ojou-sama, you finally opened your eyes!" cried Kuroka, running over to Maria first.

"I'm so happy to see you up, ojou-sama! I'm ashamed of my lack of ability for not being able to protect you properly!" Shirone had her head down, angry with herself for allowing her young miss to become injured.

"Protect me?" Maria muttered, confused, only to remember the whole situation that happened at the archduchess's tea party before she had gotten injured and blacked out.

"That's right! I had gotten hurt! Shirone, how long have I been out?" asked Maria.

"For about twelve hours, ojou-sama. It's now getting close to noon," answered Shirone, pointing towards the window. Maria knew time had come and gone without her knowledge, seeing nothing but white clouds and blue skies.

"Wow, I've been out for a long time," sheepishly grinned Maria, scratching her head before taking in the depressed expressions both of her maids were making.

"Maa, cheer up! I don't like others being depressed, besides it’s normal for people to make mistakes. You just have to look at the bright side of things. The archduchess is okay and so am I!" Maria's words managed to slightly lessen the guilt both maids were feeling in their hearts, but, nevertheless, they promised themselves to be more vigilant when it came to their young miss.

Maria was about to say something more when her door was busted open by her mother, who immediately shot her eyes over to Maria, who flinched at the sudden intrusion. Instantly tears filled her mother's eyes before she rushed over to daughter's side, engulfing the girl in a bone-crushing hug as she burst into tears.

'Mom, I can't breathe!' wailed Maria, who had her head smothered against her mother's large bosom. Soon walking into her room was her brother and father. Just like her mother, they immediately looked towards her direction, before rushing over to hug her.

"Maria, Papa's heart broke once he heard what had happened to you. Don't worry, such a thing shall never happen to you again," tearfully said her father, hugging the opposite side of Maria.

"Don't worry, Maria, next time just run to me, and I'll definitely protect you! Damn it, the first time was with that bratty prince and now it comes from a mercenary! Why is Maria always targeted?" Crying with his head in her lap was her brother. It was obvious that her brother was angry that this was the second time his precious little sister had ended up hurt and he was nowhere to protect her.

'Never again shall I get myself hurt. ‘Cause at the moment... I can't breathe!' shouted Maria, literally smothered in the comfort of an overly emotional family. Finally, after her parents and brother had calmed themselves down, happy to see that Maria was well, the questions Maria wanted to ask were answered.

It seemed that right before the woman, who was hired to assassinate the archduchess, escaped, she decided to test out her luck one last time, but instead of injuring the archduchess, Maria was injured instead. Luckily, the archduchess made a call for their house physician to come and heal Maria's injury. The poison that Maria was infected with was not life threatening and could easily be healed. Sometime later, the archduke arrived back home.

Just as the novel stated, out of nowhere he was ambushed and attacked and the assailant managed to injure the archduke with a poisoned arrow. Luckily, he managed to arrive home and this time he got his injury treated, and only after he was treated did his wife tell him what took place earlier today.

Upon finding out his wife was almost assassinated, the archduke immediately began conducting an investigation. The information he received led to him discovering that the woman who appeared in the manor was none other than the deadly assassin, Lady Poison. A woman who was known to be skilled in the art of poison.

'Great, first time being a hero and I already made enemies with a heartless assassin.' Maria's words were filled with sarcasm before she heard her mother say something that caught her attention.

"Oh, after hearing and witnessing your bravery, the people from the Scarlet manor came this morning bearing gifts," said her mother, and with the help of her father, who insisted on carrying her, was brought to a closed door. Once the door was opened, Maria's eyes grew large in awe once she saw how the room was now filled with boxes of gifts.

'Wow~! Is this an early Christmas?!' exclaimed Maria, before making a beeline to the box that first caught her attention. Lying on top of the box, Maria saw a card that she began to read.

To Maria-chan:

I just wanted to say thank you. You are a girl who possesses a brave and kind heart. You selflessly placed yourself in a dire situation just to protect someone else. Not many would have done what you did, and that's why I am thankful. But next time please don't recklessly put your life in danger, especially someone who is as cute as you are!

If one wishes to protect others then that person must grow strong first. Though you may be weak in body, your resolve is already strong. You certainly have left quite an impression on my family. We sent these gifts as a token of our appreciation.

P.S: I specifically picked out this dress for you to wear for the Diamond Academy Welcome Back Banquet. Hope you like it ~!

After reading over the letter, Maria felt a sense of happiness bloom in her heart. The words the archduchess wrote to her were really touching as she couldn't stop herself from smiling. Setting the letter aside, Maria removed the lid from the box, reaching inside to pull out a beautiful pink gown that made all the women in the room gasp.

"There is no doubt; I know where this dress was delivered from. The fabric, material, and even the style are all top quality. Only the archduchess, owner of Red Royal Queen, one of Astral's top clothing boutiques, could be in possession of such a beautiful dress." Maria's mother stood beside her, analyzing every detail of the dress with a serious expression, before clapping her hands together.

"Yep! My Maria will definitely be the cutest girl at the banquet! No other girl will dare outshine you! Now, all we have to do when the time comes is to pick out the right accessories and go to the salon bright and early in the morning to get your hair done. Oh, and pedicures!"

The countess excitedly listed out all the activities they would be doing to get Maria ready for the banquet. Maria on the other hand, just stared blankly at her mother, feeling a sense of dread enter her heart. 'Help me!' The young girl mentally began to cry.