Episode 22

Peaceful days followed.

'Very odd.'

Just four days ago, Countess Cavlette had subjected me to a rigorous lesson in humiliation.

The person who previously scrutinized my every action had suddenly disappeared.

'Suspicious.'

What could she be plotting?

"What do you do here?"

"..."

"Sonnet?"

"Ah, pardon. You made an error here."

I examined the madam's embroidery, inspecting each stitch meticulously.

She appeared exceptionally graceful as she embroidered beneath the early autumn sunlight.

'Though the result seems like something straight out of hell.'

How could such dreadful embroidery originate from those delicate hands?

Well, it didn't matter. With diligent practice, if she gifts it to her husband, their relationship will definitely improve.

"This part should be done like this."

"It fascinates me every time I see it. When did you learn this? Who was your teacher?"

"Before I entered the academy. I taught myself from a book."

"Is that so? I assumed your mother or father had nimble hands."

"My mother is rather clumsy, so she is not skilled with her hands."

"What about your father?"

"He isn’t either."

"You didn’t inherit it from either parent? Then it’s a talent you developed entirely on your own, Sonnet!"

I nodded, not bothering to correct the madam's misconception.

I had merely pursued it as a hobby to pass the time, but the madam appeared quite enthusiastic.

'She plans to complete it before the count returns to the estate.'

A commendable yet impossible goal.

I continued embroidering, intending to swap her work with mine if necessary.

How much time had passed?

Knock, knock.

An unexpected visitor arrived.

'This person is…'

Countess Cavlette's attendant.

When I opened the door, a middle-aged woman with a rigid demeanor began to speak.

"Countess Cavlette has invited the Countess to join the family for dinner tonight."

"Then, if you could wait a moment—"

"She had instructed to bring the response immediately."

"..If it is that urgent, then I suppose I shall ask right away."

As if only they were pressed for time.

I bent my knee slightly and returned to the balcony.

The madam was still engrossed in creating her hell map.

"Madam."

"Hm?"

"Countess Cavlette has invited you to dinner tonight."

"To-Tonight?"

"Yes. Should I decline if it’s inconvenient?"

Less than an hour remained until dinner.

'They are being inconsiderate with such short notice.'

However, declining was not a simple matter.

"No, no. If my aunt is calling, there must be a reason."

The hand that set down the needle trembled slightly.

Her full cheeks gave off a sense of vulnerability.

'She’s barely an adult.'

And now, she finds herself in a foreign country, with no one to stand beside.

"Sonnet, um..."

"Is it alright if I accompany you?"

I knelt at the countess's feet and met her gaze.

Her pink eyes wavered.

"I apologize for asking so suddenly. It’s not that I distrust you, Madam, but…"

It is Countess Cavlette's character I mistrust.

'What if she hears harsh words and locks herself in her room?'

A female lead hiding in her bedroom is unheard of.

Therefore, I should protect her as much as possible.

Although as a maid, my capabilities are limited.

"Normally, a maid from the main house would serve the madam, but I thought it might be more comfortable for you if I stayed by your side this time."

The madam's silver eyelashes fluttered.

Her round eyes softened gently.

"Yes. Please."

"You don’t have to ask me, Madam."

"Still. I’m grateful every time."

Are all female leads like this?

Her hand, soft and small, covered mine.

---

'She claimed it was a family dinner.'

As I expected, Lady Evangeline was seated opposite the Countess.

Countess Cavlette naturally occupied the head seat.

'The seating arrangement is faulty.'

This was Edwell’s residence, not the royal palace.

If Carl Edwell is absent, his spouse should naturally preside at the head.

'They outcasted her.'

To be precise, she wasn’t even participating.

I stood quietly behind the madam and observed the situation.

'They wouldn't spill water on her during dinner, right?'

Approximately seven big steps.

I calculated the distance between the madam and myself, keeping vigilant.

Soon, steaming dishes began to fill the table one by one.

After all the food was served, the old Countess spoke nonchalantly.

"I’m not certain of young people’s tastes t

hese days. I instructed them to prepare dishes I enjoyed before receiving my title."

"Ah…"

"Everyone, please enjoy."

The scent of pungent spices permeated the dining room.

The menu consisted of nothing but spicy, salty, and greasy dishes.

'How deliberate.'

Among traditional Selcing cuisine, these were some of the most stimulating and known dishes.

'It is no secret the madam is picky about her food.'

Sure enough, her hand moved very slowly.

For the madam, who could not handle hot or salty food, this meal was torturous.

'I can’t even eat it for her.'

How petty to make a fuss over food.

Surprisingly, the atmosphere wasn’t too bad.

"Let’s have gatherings like this often while I’m here."

"It would be an honor, aunt."

The old Countess swallowed her soup silently and continued.

"Lady Evangeline is like a daughter to me."

"..."

"You two are close in age, so I invited you to bond like sisters."

Where in the world were there sisters sharing the same husband...

'Even in the novels Sir Ute handed me, there were no such absurd stories.'

Countess Cavlette continued her nonsense.

She feigned concern for the madam while subtly elevating Lady Evangeline.

'Still, it's milder than I anticipated.'

Is this really it?

Cautiously, I tried to assess the situation when I made direct eye contact with the Countess.

"You, come here."

Doris Cavlette was clearly addressing me.

The Madam gave a small, confused nod.

Ten big steps, twenty small steps.

"Closer."

A wrinkled hand gestured lightly.

I approached until I was almost touching the table, and then the Countess raised her hand.

Holding the bowl of soup.

The thick soup that had been simmering in the kitchen for hours dripped.

Right down my hand.

'So this was it.'

The neatly tied silver hair swayed.

Creak. The madam stood up hastily and pushed her chair without a care in the world.

"A-aunt! What is this… Sonnet, quickly go and—"

"Stay where you are."

The stern voice echoed throughout the dining room.

The sharp eyes, resembling her niece’s, bore down on the madam.

"Do you think it is proper for a servant to leave before their master does?"

"But, this is…"

"Keep your place."

Plop, plop.

The thick soup dripped onto the carpet.

'The cleaning staff will have a headache.'

I stood behind the madam again, my sticky hands neatly folded together.

Her teary eyes kept meeting mine.

Doris Cavlette pointed that out.

"If the master intervenes every time a fork or knife gets damaged, what will the servants think?"

"..."

"Remember, it is not just you, but also Edwell’s name that gets tarnished."

"B-but—"

Her white neck flushed red.

The madam clenched her fists on her lap and spoke.

"Sonnet is not a fork or knife, she is a person…"

"What do you think is the virtue of a hostess?"

"That’s—"

"What of your duty? How do you plan to take responsibility for the negligence that tarnished Edwell’s name?"

"..."

"This is how you should treat your subordinates."

The meal continued.

No further words were exchanged, and only there did I feel relieved.

Spilling soup on me was the main event.

Really…

'Thank goodness.'

I could endure being doused with soup a hundred times over.

What did they think of the kitchen staff? Getting burnt is part of the job.

This wasn’t even itchy.

'Although it is a bit uncomfortable.'

However, leaving it for an hour or two wasn’t a big deal.

'This is nothing.'

This much I can brush off.

At least I,

"Sonnet, what should I do?"

"I’m fine…"

Um,

"It’s exactly the same. I, I can’t… I can’t go on like this."

After dinner, Madam held my hand tightly and promised.

"I will never let you suffer such humiliation again."

For some reason, it felt familiar.

'Isn't this how romance novels usually unfold?'

And the next day.

"...Madam?"

The Madam had changed.

---

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