-Arc 1-

  Chapter 2

  “I Don't Know”

  *?*?*?*

  Petra: “And…”

  With the final piece attached, the ensemble was done. Eris was now officially a maid once again. The final piece was a frilly headband, which crowned across Eris's flowing white hair.

  Eris once again stared at herself in the mirror. This time, instead of focusing on the unfamiliar face, her attention was on the outfit. She now matched the other maids of the manor. Petra, Seraphine, and the other four whom she had yet to learn the names of. Actually thinking about it now, she felt quite rude for not asking their names.

  Would that just send them further into despair? To finally nail it in that she had forgotten them?

  ‘Eris’ must have been quite a person to incite such grim faces in her absence.

  Eris: “Perhaps I will retain some muscle memory, even with amnesia.”

  Petra gave a pitying smile towards Eris.

  Petra: “Let’s hope! But even if you don't, I’m sure you’ll relearn very quickly. You’re very bright after all.”

  Eris: “I am?”

  She had yet to see that quality in herself. There hadn't been a situation where her intelligence would be evaluated yet, so she could only hope that Petra's observation of the previous generation ‘Eris’ was correct.

  Petra: “Well, if you’re ready, I guess I’ll show you around.”

  Eris: “I’m ready.”

  —*—

  Petra was the gardener, as revealed by her immediately taking Eris outside and proclaiming her role as such.

  It must be a daunting role. As the sole gardener, Petra would have to tend to the massive property that was the manor’s outdoor grounds by herself.

  Flowerbeds of bountiful flowers flowing in the breeze, neatly trimmed bushes, perfectly symmetrical and identical to themselves. Each blade of grass was the exact length of a thumbnail.

  Finely groomed trees traced the stone pathway down to the wall and the iron gate. They gently swayed in unison with the breeze.

  Eris took a deep breath, the cool air filling her lungs. She looked up at the blue sky, with milky streaks of cloud breaking up the uniformity.

  It was not this body’s first time outside. Though Eris held the idea of what ‘outside’ was like, that idea came from no personal confirmation, and it was the lingering subconscious memory left over from the experiences of ‘Eris.’ So despite both of those things, this was Eris’s first time stepping outdoors.

  Petra: “Walk with me. I’ll show you around and then I guess we can start working.”

  Eris: “Lead the way, please.”

  Eris gave a friendly smile, and cringed as she did so. She didn't want to be so formal with Petra. She could see on her face that her very presence was painful to Petra, so by acting cordially, she hoped to relieve some of it with the nostalgia of ‘Eris’ instead of herself.

  However, it was a struggle to act friendly and casually with someone you have just met. The urge to be respectful and polite was overpowering.

  Petra took Eris around the bounds of the Manor’s property, allowing her to see the massive estate.

  The manor itself could be described as having three wings. The central wing was the tallest, and naturally, was in the center. It was mostly made of a large tower with a steep sloping roof, whose spire reached for the sky.

  The adjacent left and right wings were identical to each other. The construction stretched out in both directions, and the ends were capped with individual towers of themselves.

  Following the path that encircled the entire manor, it was evident that the complete shape of the home was a cube.

  Petra: “As you can see, we’re pretty high up.”

  Petra pointed that out, standing just behind the iron fence between the wilderness and the property.

  The entire manor and lawn was situated on the largest hill in a valley of similar hills. Low fog flowed between the mounds of earth like a calm stream.

  Eris followed Petra’s extended finger. Her eyes settled on a mass of dark shapes between the sea of green.

  Petra: “That is the town of Velna. We get most of our supplies from there, so you’ll probably be going down there soon on our next shopping trip.”

  Eris: “I see. It looks quite lovely. Have you been there before?”

  Eris scolded herself internally as those words left her. Of course Petra had been to Velna, the closest settlement to the manor.

  Petra: “Of course! It’s a cozy village! The people are very kind and fair. The kids there are very sweet. They love you, so they’ll be happy to see you again.”

  Petra explained, choosing her words carefully. Eris found it hard to imagine that the children, who were supposedly attached to ‘Eris,’ would be delighted to see Eris, who had been the one to forget them.

  Eris: “The children, you say? I’ll be waiting to meet them.”

  Petra gave Eris another smile, and pointed to the other break up in the green.

  In the hazy distance, a massive imperfect oval obstructed the horizon. From this distance, making out any details was impossible.

  Petra: “That’s Capella. The capital.”

  Eris takes in a deep breath, nodding in understanding. She also understood that this next question would probably injure the one she was asking, as it would remind Petra of her amnesia, but it is one that would need to be asked regardless.

  Eris: “The capital of… the nation? I hate to ask, but… what nation is this?”

  Petra: “Ah, right.”

  Petra smiled falsely.

  Petra: “The Kingdom of Galica. But no, by capital I meant the capital of the province- Auriga. The capital of the Kingdom is Rigel. Though we don't have a King right now. There’s a lot of… well, really I’m not sure of what's exactly going on since I don't really pay attention to politics. If you’re really curious, I guess asking Master Carlos might provide answers.”

  Eris: “I see… I think I’ll refrain from doing so, though. Asking questions like that would put a bad taste in my mouth I think…”

  Petra nods at the statement, not giving any of the expected feedback or encouragement.

  After being shown around the entire yard, Eris felt a sense of dread creep into her.

  The property surrounding the manor was massive, with multiple gardens, fountains, pathways, and statues. For two people to maintain all of this, let alone just Petra as it usually is, seemed an impossible task.

  Even the greenhouse, which was as large as the average home, would take a considerable amount of time to clean.

  Eris: “How can we do this all in one day?”

  Petra responds with a grin, rolling up the sleeves of her blouse.

  Petra: “Well, if you keep it maintained there isn't much you have to do. Just daily keep up.”

  Eris: “I see…”

  Petra: “But, even with that said, it is a big property.”

  Eris: “I’ve noticed.”

  Petra: “My actual gardening skills— at least with my hands, are mediocre at best.”

  Perfectly trimmed bushes, symmetrical trees, and identical blades of grass. Pristine gardens which had neat rows of colorful flowers. This was not the work of a mundane gardener.

  Eris: “I think you’re being too humble, Petra.”

  Petra: “Fufu~ I was only talking about my hands.”

  Eris tilts her head, leaning on the broom she had been given for sweeping leaves and dirt.

  Petra flips her hand over, and marked on the back of her hand was a faint, shimmering pattern in a pale emerald green. It rested just above her skin, giving the impression that it had always been in this exact spot, and Petra’s hand just happened to be under it at this moment.

  The shimmering green, Eris knew, was called a rune. Thankfully, even with her amnesia, she had not forgotten what basic things such as a tree, house, or rune were.

  Petra: “I’ve a green rune. Working with magic isn’t exactly your hands, is it?”

  Petra gave a mischievous smirk.

  Eris: “But the rune is on your hand, still.”

  Petra: “Tchaa~ whatever. What I’m saying is, I’m rather proficient with earth magic.”

  Eris: “That reminds me… what is ‘Eris’s’— …my rune?”

  Petra: “——”

  Petra’s breath hitched as Eris asked that. Taking a deep breath, Petra gave a slow answer.

  Petra: “You… well, you don't have a rune. But it’s okay! You don't need a rune to be a great worker.”

  Eris examines at the back of her palm with a sullen gaze. The disappointment of not being put into the body of someone with an awesome magic power was immense, but Eris knew that it wouldn't be likely for someone to have such a power and also be a maid.

  Petra clasps her hands together, the sound reverberating throughout the valley of hills.

  Petra: “I guess we should get to work. I’ll show you how I trim hedges!”

  Petra leads Eris along until she arrives at a planter of tall, green bushes that have been trimmed to the shape of a bird with their wings outstretched.

  Petra: “Pretty, aren't they?”

  Eris: “I don't think I can do that without a green rune, Petra.”

  Petra giggles into her hand.

  Petra: “Well, me neither. Good thing, you don't have to. I’m just here to show off.”

  With a brutally honest statement, Petra reaches out to the bird-shaped hedges. With her hand flattened in their direction, the green rune on the back of her palm faintly glows. Misty green light, like emerald fog, flows from her hand and encircles the bushes.

  With the magic expelled, the hedges move themselves. Expanding and transforming. It was almost morbid, the way they moved. The birds shuddered and seemed to break open, with branches jutting out and sprouting more leaves. Slowly, into the shape of cats, licking their paws with their tails curling upwards to the sky.

  Eris: “That was… something. It was pretty hard to watch, honestly.”

  Petra: “Yeah, there are a lot of branches and leaves so it’s hard to do it cleanly. But the end result is pretty good, no?”

  Eris: “It definitely fits, I think.”

  It was the only response Eris could think of. She thought it was impressive, but she didn't really have anything else to base it off of. She truly believed it was good, but she didn't know if it was a basic spell or something truly mindblowing.

  —*—

  Petra: “Anyways, this is the greenhouse. I grow most of the produce we eat here, so when you eat you can thank me for that.”

  Petra gives a wink.

  The outside air was cool, so Eris assumed it was spring. But inside, the greenhouse was warm. Almost hot, with high humidity. There seemed to be a permanent mist throughout the conservatory.

  Petra: “Aqua keeps it wet in here throughout the year, and Sera keeps it warm. So don't keep the door open for any longer than it has to be, because they’ll scold you for wasting their efforts. I will too. These plants are very picky when it comes to their conditions!”

  Petra gives a lighthearted warning, gazing pridefully at her hard work. Most of the plants seemed to be at a late stage of growth, with their buds just starting to bloom and their fruits soon to ripen.

  Petra: “I would get you to help me here, but… don't take this the wrong way, but I only really trust myself with the plants in here.”

  Eris gave a warm smile, though she really wasn't too invested in the happenings of the greenhouse.

  Eris: “I can tell you are very meticulous.”

  Each plant was arranged neatly in rows, categorized by type. Each table had its own species.

  Tomatoes, potatoes, and other types of toes that grew from the ground were organized on the far left, with fruits, cabbages and some kind of vine plant were all along the right side.

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  Despite the fact that it was a greenhouse, and dirt, fertilizer and water were used on every plant, not a speck was on the pristine cobble floor. Storage was neatly organized on shelves, or in boxes in the corner. Everything had a place, and it seemed impossible to lose something here.

  Not being trusted in the greenhouse for very long, Petra had led Eris out as quickly as she had been taken in. Petra’s fast paced outside tour had been appreciated, but the speed at which she had gone caused a lot of information to be missed or skipped over.

  Back inside the manor, Petra was already back to the subject of her expertise.

  Petra: “This is something I let others do. It’s pretty easy and you don't really have to worry about over-watering. They aren't picky.”

  She was obviously talking about plants. Specifically, the large potted ones that sat in about every corner of the manor. They were more like small trees rather than potted succulents.

  With her explanation, Petra took her watering can, and with the flick of her wrist, a splash of water hit the soil in a large pot.

  Petra: “That’s all you need, and we do that every day.”

  Eris had a suspicion that the only reason Petra let the others help her with the indoor plants was due to the sheer amount of them. This speculation was assisted by Petra’s intense nervous stare as Eris tried to copy Petra’s instructions to another plant.

  Eris: “There seems like a lot of plants. Isn't there a good chance we’ll forget about some, and they’ll wilt up and die?”

  Petra: “Don't say scary things like that! I’ll start to question my skill as a maid. But, I don't think we have to worry about that. I’ve never seen a dead plant caused by our negligence.”

  Eris’s grip loosens on the watering can. Biting the inside of her cheek, she nods.

  Eris: “I see. I’ll try to keep track of all the plants, then.”

  Eris’s impression of the maids of Count Schwartzhardt's manor immediately rose. For only seven maids in total to keep such a massive home in pristine condition with no mistakes, such as forgetting a single plant, was daunting to compete with.

  Rather, it would have to be six maids now. The seventh didn't have the faith in herself to say she could provide equal results as the others.

  As if reading her thoughts, Petra places a hand on Eris’s shoulder.

  Petra: “But don't worry if you forget about a plant or two. I can't really begin to imagine the confusion and stress you must have, so I won't pretend to be above you like that. I’m sure nobody here would put the blame on you if you missed a few spots of dust.”

  Eris could do nothing but blink at Petra for a moment, her soft emerald eyes looking back as an anchor. An anchor too heavy. One from which she could not free herself.

  Eris: “Thanks Petra… but I would like to have a bit of responsibility for myself.”

  Petra chuckles, patting Eris’s shoulder.

  Petra: “You never change, Eris. —Well, maybe a little.”

  Eris’s breath shuddered, and part of those words stung. She didn't know why, but she really didn't want to hear that.

  Of course Petra noticed, and a similar expression as the one when she realized Eris’s amnesia appeared on her face.

  Petra: “Erm… Sorry, Eris. I know things are quite difficult right now.”

  ???: “—Sorry to interrupt, but I’ve got orders from Master Carlos!”

  A cheery voice presented itself, which shattered the thick tension that cursed the two maids.

  The cheery voice was owned by a red haired maid with blue eyes like the clear sky. She was a tiny bit shorter than Petra, which made her a little shorter than Eris, who was taller than both by a slim margin.

  Eris was surprised to hear that tone from that voice. The last time she had seen Seraphine, she was sobbing into the chest of the blue haired maid. But her disheveled appearance was fixed by now. It had been around an hour, after all.

  Petra: “Orders? That’s rare.”

  Seraphine: “Yes, well…”

  Seraphine glances intensely towards Petra’s emerald eyes.

  Seraphine: “Ah… anyways. Carlos told me to give Eris a tour around the manor. You didn't do that already, have you, Petra?”

  Petra shakes her head, but her eyebrow was raised slightly.

  Petra: “Not particularly, no, only the outside. But… Carlos told you to do that directly?”

  Seraphine: “Hk~ …Yes. Yes, he did.”

  Seraphine gathered herself, and eventually confirmed it with no further room for interpretation or question.

  Eris: “Is that strange for him to do?”

  Petra: “I— …I guess not. Well, I’ll see you two later.”

  Petra gave a look to Seraphine as she walked away that Eris didn't quite catch.

  The Maids of

  Count Schwartzhardt's Manor

  Seraphine: “Sorry for coming with this so suddenly. It’s just that… well.. You know, Carlos thought…”

  Seraphine’s suspicious behavior was off putting, especially with the contrast to her previous presentation of herself. But Eris couldn’t imagine it to be out of malicious intent.

  Eris: “It’d be terrible if a maid didn't know her way around the manor she works, right?”

  Eris, for a change, was the one giving the reassuring smile.

  Seraphine’s face lit up, and she pointed at Eris dramatically.

  Seraphine: “Yes! Yes, that’s right. You’re always so observant, Eris.”

  ‘Eris’ must have been quite the woman. Observant, skilled, dutiful, always thinking of others, and naturally beautiful.

  How envious.

  Seraphine took Eris’s hand, her warm fingers interlocked with Eris’s cool digits.

  With no more words exchanged, Seraphine took Eris up the stairs of the grand hall.

  Seraphine: “I’m sure you remember, but this is the grand hall. It’s called that because it’s…”

  Eris: “Grand?”

  Seraphine: “Yes! Hehe.”

  Seraphine’s previous grim expression that she carried even when laughing, had faded. Her giggle here seemed to be genuine now, and Eris’s suspicions were discarded.

  Seraphine: “Well, since you already saw some of the east wing, how about I show you around the west wing? That’s where all of the interesting things are.”

  Eris: “You’re the tour guide, Seraphine.”

  Seraphine smiled, but stopped in her tracks as she began to move.

  Seraphine: “Eris… can you… just call me Sera?”

  Eris: “Sera..? Sure… I can do that.”

  She wanted to ask why she would want to have such a pretty name shortened, but upon seeing Seraphine's intense gaze, she decided it would be best to shelve it.

  In the west wing, the hallways were more open than in the east. There were less doors, though, and each door she saw had an important room behind it.

  Sera: “This is the dining hall. We’ll be there soon for lunch. Are you hungry now? You’ve only been eating liquid meals lately since you’ve been napping!”

  Eris tilts her head at Sera’s cheery lilt.

  Eris: “Napping…? Oh.”

  By napping, Sera of course meant her period of unconsciousness that bridged the gap of ‘Eris’ and Eris.

  Eris: “No, I’m not hungry.”

  Sera pursed her lip, but shrugged.

  Inside the dining hall, it was surprisingly painted blue, which contrasted with the scarlet carpet. The main table was long and had about a dozen seats on either side, with one at each opposite end. Behind the chair at the end was a massive fireplace that raged intensely.

  The kitchen was connected by a door, and you could see inside from the open wall, with a bar-like counter where food was served through.

  Sera: “Are you sure you’re not hungry? I’ll whip you up something real fast. You at least remember my cooking, right?”

  Eris: “I’m really fine, Sera… But…”

  Eris hesitated to break the news. She didn't want to see Seraphine like that again. To be the cause of it. But she couldn't lie to her.

  Eris: “I don't remember…”

  Seeing Sera’s eyes flicker, Eris forced out more response.

  Eris: “B-But— I’m sure it’s reeaally good. You can show me your cooking soon! You know what? I am a bit peckish. I could definitely eat.”

  Sera: “No, it's okay. I won't make you eat anything. Lunch is soon anyway, so we should wait for that.”

  Eris: “If you say so, Sera.”

  Eris tried to give her another smile, and Seraphine reciprocated meekly.

  Seraphine opened the next door down the hall.

  Sera: “This is the library.”

  It went without saying, from the sheer amount of bookshelves. The room was massive, with multiple stories with balconies and catwalks across the higher floors. The roof was domed with stained glass, scattering light into the cozy room.

  The color palette of the room was different from the rest of the manor, as it was made mostly of deep red wood, and a black and white checkered tiled floor.

  A sparkling, golden chandelier that was the size of a horse-drawn wagon dangled from the center of the glass ceiling, which caused Eris to question the structural integrity of it all.

  Sera: “You spend a lot of time here, don't you? I’m not sure anyone reads as much as you.”

  Eris decided it would be best to not reply to that, out of fear of reenacting the scene in the dining hall.

  Eris: “What is the point of all these books? Is Master Carlos actually a hoarder?”

  Seraphine was not in Eris’s field of vision, as she was taking in the sight of the room, but she noticed that Sera hesitated before replying.

  Sera: “Well… It’s expected when an avid reader lives four hundred years, isn't it?”

  Eris: “Four hundred years?”

  The master of the manor, Count Carlos Schwartzhardt, had the appearance of being in his early thirties at the absolute most. It was safe to say that Eris simply did not believe that his life span had been over multiple centuries.

  Sera: “But really, most of the books here are pretty boring. Only the first floor has novels and such. Everything upstairs is lame stuff about society and what not.”

  Seraphine had glossed over the information she had just dropped, and instead complained about the selection of books.

  Eris: “Society and what not? Like philosophy?”

  Sera: “Yes, that. You’re always so good with words, Eris. Probably because you read so much, huh?”

  Eris: “I guess so.”

  Eris, unfortunately, wasn't an expert on amnesia. But perhaps, while her memories were lost, her above average vocabulary was kept. However, Eris didn't really feel like ‘philosophy’ was that exotic of a word.

  —*—

  Sera: “This is the conference room. Master Carlos really hates this room, actually.”

  Eris: “He hates it? How do you hate a room?”

  Sera: “With passion, that’s how. He hates meetings and politicians in general, so this room is full of a lot of bad memories for him.”

  Eris: “But he is a politician, isn't he?”

  Sera: “Don’t tell him that.”

  Seraphine laughs off the contradiction, but her smile seemed unnatural. Eris sighed. Whatever grief was gripping Sera, Eris knew she surely had to be the cause. But pressing the issue would only make things worse.

  They had stepped into the circular conference room. Eris noticed it was very large but equally as empty. The walls were white, and the only light entering was from the tall windows, which were at such a height that you could only clean them if you could fly. Noticing the tall ceiling and round shape of the room, Eris figured this room was in one of the turrets that she noticed while Petra was touring her on the outside.

  Multiple tables were set up in rows of two, but at the head of the room, on a raised podium, was a smaller desk with a chair.

  The only color in the room was a single flag, which was curled up on its pole. Green with a golden emblem across its center, that was too folded to be visible.

  Eris: “What about in here?”

  Eris had already grown distracted from the boring room. The sight of a smaller door on the opposite side of the hall from the conference room had intrigued her, since it was only this door so far that Sera had not pointed out. Red light illuminated behind it. She had been given a tour of the only three doors in this hallway, aside from this one, which Sera seemed to want to ignore.

  Sera: “Well… we’re not really allowed down there.”

  Eris: “I… see…”

  Eris squinted at Seraphine, skeptical. She wasn't skeptical of what Seraphine had said, but rather the contents of the room.

  Eris: “Do you at least know what the room is?”

  Sera: “The room of records. Honestly, that could be a lie, but that’s what Master Carlos says it is. I haven't been down there and I don't think anyone else has. Caelia, maybe.”

  The room of records had an ominous name in of itself, not to mention the crimson light from behind it, but there is no doubt for Eris that a shady count like Carlos would have dubious documentation, and a room where his most trusted servants aren't allowed is the most obvious place for them.

  Sera: “Eris.”

  Suddenly, the culmination of all of Sera’s brewing grim expressions had come out in a stern voice.

  Eris: “——”

  Eris turned on her heel to face Seraphine, who was clutching the edge of her apron. Her forced smile was gone, and her natural expression— one where her face was tense and her lips quivered, had revealed herself.

  Seraphine’s true motivation to pull Eris along on this tour had unfolded.

  Sera: “Why’re you joking around like this? Is it another clever plan of yours? Is there something going wrong that you can't tell us? Not even Carlos? Not even… me?”

  Sera’s voice was breaking, and her tight grip on her apron only intensified. Eris could only stare.

  Eris: “Sera-”

  Sera: “Don't you trust me? Didn't you say that you would always tell me if you had a plan? That we would do it together?”

  Eris: “——”

  Sera: “So why are you trying to take it in all on your own? Why is it all your responsibility again?! Why can't you share the burden?! Like we said we would!”

  Eris: “Sera… I… I don't get what you mean.”

  Sera: “Don't you trust us? Don't even think about the others, now. What about me? Don't you trust me? Even… even when…”

  Eris: “——”

  Sera: “What is the reason? What’s with the memory loss game? What is your plan?! You can trust me, Eris! I know that it may seem like you can take it all in on your own, but you can't! Share it with us— me!”

  Eris: “I’ve forgotten, Sera. I really don't remember.”

  Eris felt a strange tug in her own cheeks. The fluid drained from them, and her eyes were drying out. But she had to say those words clearly, or Sera would cut her off again.

  Glancing up at Sera, she found that her cerulean eyes were doing the same to Eris. Her face blank now. Her lip quivering, Seraphine had seen nothing of what she was looking for on Eris’s face. Not a hint of a clever plan behind Eris's eyes, nor a conspiracy waiting to be unraveled.

  Sera: “So you have forgotten, then.”

  Sera’s stern voice had a surprising clarity now. Even as her tears dripped onto the carpet.

  Eris: “Y-yes…”

  Sera: “Everything? All of it?”

  Eris: “I’m sorry…”

  Sera: “All of us? Me?”

  Neither of them made eye contact anymore, and the carpet had never had so many intense gazes at it’s scarlet threads.

  Eris: “Sera…”

  Sera: “Don't give me that! Don't give me ‘Sera!’”

  She suddenly snapped, and a desperate voice screamed out at her. Eris felt like a criminal behind bars, facing down the mother of the child she had murdered.

  Eris: “But you said—”

  Seraphine: “If you don't remember, then you don't remember! You don't remember me, so why do you act like you know me?!”

  Seraphine’s barrage of words cut off any opportunity for Eris to speak.

  Seraphine: “If you’ve forgotten, then why did you decide to stay here? Why do you care anymore? Don't you want to see the world? Get revenge, or something?”

  Eris: “I—”

  Seraphine: “Why did you decide to stay?! To make me suffer?!”

  Eris: “—I don't know…”