When Marie opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a completely unfamiliar sight.
"...A ceiling I don’t know. Where... where am I?"
Sitting up in bed, Marie looked around restlessly. The room was easily twice the size of her own chambers back at the Baron’s estate, filled with furniture so fine she could tell at a single glance they were high-end luxuries.
Even the nightgown she wore felt expensive against her skin. Everything here, from the massive bed to the decor, existed on a level far beyond her everyday life. This certainly wasn't the Rich Baron House, nor did it look like a high-end inn. Her family simply didn't have the wealth to rent a room this opulent, even for a single night.
(Wait... where am I, really? I remember meeting up with my father... and then everything went black inside the carriage...)
Just as she began trying to piece the situation together, a knock sounded at the door. A voice asked for permission to enter, and Marie, desperate for information, granted it immediately.
The door swung open, and a maid stepped inside, offering a polite bow.
"Good morning, Marie-sama. I have come to assist you with your morning preparations."
"Ah, um... excuse me. I'm a bit confused. Where exactly am I?"
"You are in a guest room at the main residence of the Hamilton Marquis House. Marie-sama, you lost consciousness while in the carriage, and this room was prepared on Lady Elis’s instructions. You seemed quite exhausted; you have been asleep since last night."
"I-I see... Then I have caused a great deal of trouble for both His Excellency Marquis Hamilton and Lady Elis..."
"Not at all. Both the Master and Milady said it was only natural given the circumstances, so please do not let it weigh on you. However—and I apologize for bringing this up so soon after you've woken—they did mention they would like to hear the details of your situation. We would like to request your presence in the meeting room once you are ready. If you're hungry, I can bring you a light refreshment first?"
Marie nodded, processing the maid's news. The explanation she’d managed to give her father in the carriage had been fragmented at best. It made sense that they would need to hear the details of her interactions with Kaito-sama directly from her.
A full night's sleep had restored some of her mental composure; at the very least, she felt she could explain things more rationally than she could have the day before.
"...No, I’m not particularly hungry. Or rather, I suspect my stomach is only going to hurt worse from here on out, so I’ll pass on the snack. But, if it’s no trouble, could I have something to drink?"
"I will prepare it immediately."
Following Marie's request, the maid stepped out and returned shortly after with black tea. Marie moved to a small table near the bed and took a moment to center herself over the steaming cup. While she drank, the maid brought out a set of clothes. They were of exceptional quality, yet kept to a rank that wouldn't seem inappropriate for a Baron’s daughter to wear.
"Lady Elis prepared these for you, Marie-sama. We will launder the clothes you wore yesterday and have them sent back to the Rich Baron House, so please wear these for today."
"Th-Thank you very much."
"Do you require assistance with dressing?"
"Ah, no, I'm fine. I usually dress myself..."
"Understood. I shall take my leave for now. If you have any need of me, please touch that magic tool over there and I will come at once."
Marie watched the maid bow and depart. As she contemplated what lay ahead, her gaze drifted toward the distance, her eyes clouding with apprehension.
Once she finished her tea and dressed, Marie followed the maid to the meeting room. There, the principal figures were already assembled: Baron Rich, the Marquis and Marchioness Hamilton, and Elis herself.
"Ah, Marie. How do you feel?"
"I’m alright. My deepest apologies to Your Excellency, the Marchioness, and Lady Elis for the trouble I’ve caused."
"Please, don't give it a second thought. I understand how you feel, Marie-sama—truly, to a painful degree. If anything, I should apologize for summoning you when you surely still need rest. We’ve gathered some information on our own, but as expected, there are many details we can only confirm through you. Could you please tell us the specifics of your interactions with Kaito-sama?"
Elis, who was already somewhat familiar with her, offered these supportive words to keep the bowing girl from becoming too overwhelmed. The Marquis and Marchioness nodded their agreement.
"Um... should I start from the very beginning?"
"Yes, that would be best. However... my apologies, but things have shifted slightly. Because this matter involves Divine Protection, we must coordinate with Her Majesty Chris as well. While she wasn't directly involved, Her Majesty has expressed a desire to hear your account as well. Therefore, we will be moving to the Imperial Castle first, and you can give your explanation there."
"Hie... I-I understand."
Marie nodded, feeling the weight of Elis’s words. Her hand unconsciously drifted to her stomach. This would be her very first time stepping foot inside the Imperial Castle—and her first time speaking with Empress Chris herself. Her stomach was already beginning to churn at the mere thought.
Stomach Pain Devil: "The side dish is over... let's resume"