poca

Heavens, my lady, I do recall you once said Peterheim Middle School dragged the character of Chernobog's students into the mud.

And now you're reduced to taking one of their girls into your service.

Even if you refuse to return to Ursus, we must find a place more befitting of your status!

Hmph, she hasn't been a princess for a long time now.

Sigh, vulgar girl, you think just because you live in the same place as my lady, that makes you her equal?

Look at the book you just handed her, and the others on this shelf: opera, sheet music—

Even in such an environment, my lady has kept her refined taste.

Do you honestly believe that you and she are equals?

Ugh, so she's a noble, is that supposed to be badass or something?

I have served many nobles, I know what true nobility is.

And I say Lady Natalya is the very picture of high nobility, the embodiment of it!

Wha?

(Whispers) Let it go.

...Fine.

Don't forget, you've got shit to do today.

I'm well aware.

What's that? My lady, please do let me help you with any work you may have.

Nothing too difficult. A teacher in a nearby village was injured, leaving the children without an instructor. I will go to substitute.

What? My lady, how could you deign to do such a thing?!

Let me speak to the person in charge at once.

How could they possibly expect you to do anything like that?

No, Sofia, I volunteered for it.

Hi, Miss Rosa!

Barney, is your father feeling better?

Yeah! He told me to thank the Rhodes Island doctors!

You just do well in school, that will be all the gratitude we need.

Okay!

Hi, M-Miss Rosa.

Ah, Taytay, you finally decided to come to school!

Yes, Mum w-wanted me t-to give this to you to say th-ank y-you.

Herbs?

Yes, I-I p-picked them yesterday.

Thank you—

Oh, my lady, let me take them for you.

This grass is filthy, you'll dirty your hands.

Little one, Lady Natalya is kind-hearted. But next time, you must bring a better gift to thank her.

S-Sorry.

There's no need to say sorry, Taytay.

Sofia, please wait for me outside.

But, it's far too dirty in here. How could I let you teach in a place like this?

I'm ordering you to leave.

…Yes, ma'am.

Rosa looks around at the simple and crude warehouse-turned-classroom. A dozen or so pairs of eyes watch her with either curiosity or surprise.

Sorry, children, that was rather embarrassing.

Let's begin today's lesson.

Now, if you would please turn to page sixty-seven in your textbooks—

*sigh*, what happened to you, my lady?

Hey, what's wrong with you? What're you doing hanging around here?

I am Lady Natalya's maid.

Natalya? Oh, you mean Miss Rosa, she told me her name before.

Yes, her.

This is the first I've heard of her having a maid.

That can't be right. If Miss Rosa was a noblewoman with servants, why's she out working for money?

Huh?

What do you mean money?!

Yes, when our local teacher got hurt on a hunt and had to be treated at Rhodes Island, Miss Rosa heard we needed a substitute and took it upon herself to come.

At first, we also thought she was a noblewoman keeping herself entertained. But after a couple days of teaching, we could tell she was the real deal, a fine teacher.

So, we wanted to pay her.

She said she wanted to earn enough to buy a thing. Turned out to be something called a piano?

A few days ago, she said she'd saved up enough for the piano, but she still comes in to teach.

If you're her maid and she really is a noblewoman, then why is she here teaching?

Are you sure you don't have the wrong person?

Impossible!

Lady Natalya is a noblewoman through and through!

The blood of the House of Rostov runs in her veins, she's high born!

You simple peasants couldn't fathom the life my lady used to live!

That's enough, Sofia.

I could hear you talking from inside.

My lady, how could you? How could you debase yourself like this?!

You're the pride of the House of Rostov! You're defiling your own nobility!

Sofia!

I've tried to be patient with you, but this time you've gone too far.

Are you desperately trying to prove my nobility because I really am noble, or because you want to prove that <i>you're</i> superior?!

Am I wrong?

I had a good life in the House of Rostov!

Every day, I only needed think of how best to serve the Count, the Countess, and you. The days were busy, but oh so fulfilling. In the evenings, I still had time to go to the theater.

Those were wonderful days!

Do you know how much I've suffered since I left the household?

I've had to work my fingers to the bone just to keep me and Alexey alive. And in the end, what do I have to show for it?

Just this damned Oripathy!

I can't imagine why you wouldn't want to go back to that life!

All you have to do is go back to Ursus and you'll be a noblewoman again. All you have to do is let me go with you, and it can all go back to the way it was!

Sofia... I'm sorry.

But I didn't deserve that life.

And you're the same, what could you have possibly done to deserve all the suffering you've endured?

I don't blame you for wanting to go back, because I took everything for granted myself.

But—it's not right.

This is something that needs to change.

How do you say all of that so easily?

If I don't deserve any of this, If I don't think I deserve any of this, then what am I supposed to do?

I don't know, my lady, I don't know. I'm going to die.

I'm sorry you had to see all of that.

I understand, she seems like a sad woman.

Could I please have my pay for today?

Of course, of course, I have it here.

Rosa takes the bag from the village head and pours the coins into her own purse.

The purse bulges, it looks like she's gathered a small fortune.

Rosa hesitates for a moment, then walks up to Sofia and places the purse in her hand.

Sofia, take this, and go back.

What's this...?