Episode 23

‘Hmmm, as expected…’

I raised my hands, letting the nascent dawn's rays illuminate them.

Both of my hands were marred with red blemishes, reminiscent of stains.

The ten fingers wriggling restlessly were no different from yesterday.

‘As long as they function properly, I'll be fine.’

After hastily consuming the bread I had set aside the day before, I prepared for my daily tasks.

It took two hours to bathe and dress the madam who simply roamed the mansion.

If I didn’t hurry, I’d miss lunch...

“Madam, it’s time to wake up—”

“Good morning, Sonnet.”

Did I eat something wrong for breakfast? Why the sudden halo.

I rubbed my eyes vigorously.

The woman seated gracefully on the sofa was engrossed in a book.

A book, of all things!

“…Madam?”

“I woke up early today.”

A person who typically required coaxing and pulling to rise from her bed?

The one who clung to the sheets, claiming to be cold on a sunny day?

Her thick hair was neatly tied back.

Her skin glowed with a dewy radiance.

“Without my assistance?”

“That much I can manage on my own.”

“Ah…”

So you could do everything all along, but you still threw everything at me.

What about my dark past, when I had to choose between breakfast and sleep?

‘What lies within a noble’s heart?’

Her capriciousness didn’t cease there.

“Could you summon the head maid?”

“…Yes, understood.”

Currently, the head maid was managing the household in the countess’s stead.

‘Why the sudden need to call her?’

I pondered if prior discussions had occurred, but the head maid seemed equally bewildered.

“The Madam wishes to see me?”

“Yes. She mentioned an urgent matter to discuss.”

Since her marriage, the countess had never summoned the head maid privately.

Not once.

“As you know, I am still lacking in many areas.”

“How could the madam say…”

“Therefore, I require your assistance.”

Her eyes behind the clear lenses momentarily flicked towards me.

I shrugged and shook my head.

‘I have no idea what’s happening either.’

The conversation continued for a while.

“I look forward to your support.”

“Support? I will serve the madam with utmost dedication.”

The head maid stepped into the hallway and mumbled softly.

“The madam appears somewhat different.”

“I think so too."

“In any case, it is a positive development. A new wind shall blow soon."

The head maid wasn’t the only one who sensed the change.

“Madam? Suddenly?”

“Yes! Yesterday, she even visited the laundry room and stayed for an hour!”

“Wh-Why…?”

“No idea. But I heard she treated everyone to milk ice cream as a token of appreciation?”

“Gasp, really? She didn’t come here…”

The servants’ dining room buzzed with news of the countess’s transformation.

Her actions extended beyond merely reviewing the mansion’s ledgers and assessing the staff.

The madam meticulously patrolled the mansion.

This alone sparked widespread discussion among the servants.

‘Though not everyone is pleased.’

In one corner, the gardener and his assistants grumbled.

“We’re already overwhelmed, and now this.”

“Oh, come on. How long will it last? She’s probably just bored and taking a look around.”

“She seemed gentle; perhaps if we talk nicely, she’ll consider our concerns?”

“Mind your words.”

“Right. You don’t want to end up like those kitchen staff…”

Our eyes met.

I lifted my index finger and placed it over my lips.

‘She’s definitely changed.’

It wasn’t just her manner towards the servants.

“Good afternoon, Aunt.”

Her newfound sense of duty as the mistress.

Madam smiled elegantly at the unwelcome guest she encountered in the garden.

“You look well, Lady Evangeline.”

“Thanks to your care.”

“Staying in an unfamiliar place for so long must be challenging. Are you comfortable?”

Meaning, aren’t you enjoying staying here shamelessly?

“I often visited as a child, so it feels like home.”

Aka, I know this place better than you do.

“No matter how much, it can’t compare to your true home. Many must be missing Lady Evangeline.”

Basically, Hurry up and leave.

Lady Evangeline’s eyes widened, perhaps not expecting such a direct retort.

As the silence grew, the old Countess stepped in.

“Right. I hear you’ve been making appearances here and there lately?”

“It’s all thanks to your advice, Aunt. No matter what anyone says, I am the Mistress of Edwell.”

“Haha…”

“Let’s have tea together next time. Come to think of it, I haven’t properly treated you.”

Guest and Mistress.

Madam drew a clear line and walked away confidently.

It was hard to believe she was the same person who had been so timid in front of the old lady a few days ago.

Madam's transformation altered the entire atmosphere of the mansion.

Some expected things to run more smoothly like before, while others…

‘Must be sweating bullets.’

Just like these individuals.

“Don't you think there are kids like you who get dismissed sooner or later?"

“If you want to remain here, you should behave better than you are now.”

“If you get fired for acting so arrogant, it’ll be troublesome for us all."

The faces of those obstructing the trolley seemed oddly familiar.

‘They’re the ones who serve Lady Evangeline.’

It was obvious without asking.

The mansion’s factions had split between the current Countess and Countess Cavlette.

‘They must have been anxious.’

The servants who had remained neutral were now aligning with the Countess.

Smack!

A thick palm shoved my shoulder.

It was more blatant than the simple territorial disputes from before.

‘It gave me a tickle.'

So this is why no one keeps their job in the main residence!

‘Their tactics are very poor.’

If they really wanted to undermine someone, they should have targeted their financial savings.

‘But they aren't able to, so instead they resort to this.'

“Why are you staring like that?"

“…”

“Hey, do you have something to say?”

“Yes.”

“Well, you do have a brain to think. Go ahead and try.”

The woman who shoved me furrowed her brows and tilted her chin.

“May I go now?”

“W-what?”

“Unlike you all, I cannot retire until the madam goes to bed."

“Even though you’re a rookie who’s been here less than six months, acting like this because of the madam…!”

Her broad hand rose high.

At that moment, the person who had stood beside the woman pulled her arm.

“What? Why are you stopping me?”

“B-behind you…!”

Tak, tak, tak.

The light sound of footsteps.

There was only one person in the mansion who moved so gracefully.

“You are all from the main building, I see.”

A clear and gentle tone flowed like a stream.

Her silvery white hair caught the corner of my eye.

“Rosie, Silly, Karen.”

“M-Madam.”

“Sonnet is the only one who can represent my will in my absence.”

I had never been entrusted with such a weighty task.

I lowered my gaze and rolled my eyes.

A delicate touch grazed my shoulder blade.

“Insulting this child is the same as insulting me—”

“…”

“You do understand that, don’t you?”

Her voice, lower than usual, dominated the atmosphere.

‘Can she speak like that?’

It was more like her husband’s tone than the Countess’s usual demeanor.

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

Was it the same that day as well?

“You dare raise a hand against my person?”

Those who had been shouting a moment ago couldn’t utter a word.

“Come to think of it, you all serve Lady Evangeline, do you not?”

“…”

“It wouldn’t do to have rough-handed people serving a precious guest. Karen.”

“Y-yes!”

“What do you think?”

The maid in the center only moved her lips anxiously.

I was a bit surprised.

‘Did she memorize all the servants’ names?’

I had never seen an employer like that before.

But…

‘She did the same earlier as well.’

The madam had accurately identified their names and affiliations.

For a servant, few things exceeded the fear of one's employer knowing their name.

Especially in a grand mansion like this.

“What do you think is an appropriate punishment for you…”

“M-Madam. Please, have mercy—”

“Mercy. How amusing.”

A cold chuckle escaped.

“You all know the servant’s code of conduct.”

“…”

“The penalty for reckless behavior is not small.”

Ah, surely not.

There was only one conclusion in this situation.

Still.

Surely.

Surely not…

“You are all dismissed—”

“N-no, please!”

I wrapped my hands tightly around the madam's delicate arm.

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