Episode 31

In the main building, annex, and kitchen.

"Oh my, really?"

"Good heavens, our master?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying! ...You know you can't tell anyone about this, right?"

Even the garden.

The rumor Karen disseminated had permeated the entire estate within four days.

'If it reached the garden, the gossip undoubtedly made its way to the medical staff.'

Gardeners seldom interacted with other servants due to the solitary nature of their work.

If the gossip had infiltrated such areas, it was safe to assume everyone was in the know.

"...So, that’s what's happened!"

"Incredible, I never imagined he had such a romantic streak."

"Wait, look behind you."

The rising voices abruptly hushed.

The assembled gardeners' eyes widened.

"...Did you overhear everything?"

"Hear what?"

Their visibly tense shoulders finally relaxed.

I inquired with an air of nonchalance.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing, ahem, nothing at all. It has no relevance to you."

"Indeed! It has no connection whatsoever to you, the madam's personal maid!"

Sure.

‘At least they know not to tell me anything.’

But it was futile.

Rather than probe further, I shifted the topic.

"Is everything going well in the garden?"

"Is there ever any trouble? Why, is something wrong?"

Though they feigned indifference, their eyes were clearly on me.

The people of this mansion thrived on rumors.

It’s because we were confined here without respite, unable to even leave for vacation.

Seeing the same faces day after day fueled their craving.

I sighed deliberately.

"Not really, but I’ve been worried since the guest's arrival."

"Hmm, is that so?"

"The madam feigns indifference, but it’s evident she’s concerned. If the master’s first love is truly Lady Evangeline..."

"That's, that’s not it!"

Gotcha.

Suppressing a smile, I furrowed my brow further.

"What do you mean?"

"The first love! That guest isn’t his first love!"

People had a natural tendency to know everything.

In short, if you feed them false information rather than asking outright—

"Then who is it?"

"Well, that’s...."

They’ll feel compelled to correct it.

"Well, the master... Lower your head."

The gardener hesitated for a moment, then beckoned for me.

"Well, I heard the master amassed all the newspapers in which the madam appeared. He even kept them in the estate."

"Oh my, really?"

"That’s what I’m saying! On top of that, he cut out the pictures and put them on the wall!"

"...What?"

‘I haven't heard that part.’

Rumors did become distorted and exaggerated during the process, but...

"They say he kisses the photos goodnight before bed!"

"..."

"He even carries the best one in his inner pocket!"

Rumors...

‘I hadn’t anticipated it would escalate this far.’

Oh well, what's good is good.

The gardener, who had been fervently chatting, cleared his throat and cautioned me.

"Ahem, don’t go spreading this around."

"Of course."

I nodded convincingly.

My steps back were as light as ever.

"Madam!"

The pen, moving swiftly across the paper, halted. The madam turned the paper over and beamed.

"Have you finished your luncheon? Why did you come running?"

"I did finish my meal. More importantly, I heard an interesting story."

"What story?"

"Well, you see...."

How much should I disclose?

‘The truth diverges significantly.’

My worries didn't last long.

"The master has been collecting all the newspaper articles you appeared in. He hangs the photos on the wall, kisses them goodnight, and even carries one in his inner pocket."

"Wh-what? What did you say? The master, the Count?"

"That’s what I’m saying! This rumor is spreading like wildfire all over the mansion!"

I reiterated my previous statement, ticking off my fingers.

Her pale cheeks turned a lovely shade of red.

"That’s, that seems like a preposterous rumor. Why would the count do that?"

"Who knows. Perhaps it’s because you two met in Ronda in the past?"

This wasn’t my idea, but Ute Velvet’s.

The madam covered her cheeks with both hands.

"Th-There’s no way. If I had encountered such a charming person, I wouldn’t have forgotten."

Despite her words, her face clearly showed she was pondering it.

‘This should suffice.’

After all, love is about making the first move.

‘We can make it even more apparent.’

‘How?’

‘Sir Ute's method isn’t bad, but it won’t alter the mansion’s atmosphere.’

The mansion’s division stemmed from Carlyle Edwell's ambiguous attitude.

‘It might improve the madam's mood, but it will end there.’

We needed to overturn the premise that ‘the Count cares about Lady Evangeline.’

To achieve that, we needed to target not the higher-ups, but those below.

The mansion had long been buzzing about ‘the master’s concealed affection.’

The madam would gradually become more aware of the rumors.

Just as planned.

I stood up and observed the countess pacing in circles, convinced.

---

"Just seeing them walk together makes the others stare at them curiously."

"The clinic is in an uproar over it. Now, it’s a well-established fact that the male lead loves the female lead."

Both Ute Velvet and I noticed the changes.

For instance, more people volunteered to serve in the dining hall.

"It’s progressing well. If this continues, we might wrap this up by the end of the year."

"And how do you know what that ending is?"

"You'll know when you see it."

His thick eyelashes cast a gray shadow.

An ending.

What did Ute Velvet mean by ending?

Whose judgment is it that determined the ending?

‘Considering everything, it’s not something Ute can decide alone.’

His clear green eyes did not provide an answer.

‘If...'

Knock, knock.

A servant interrupted the brief silence.

"Dr., Dr. Velvet, the count has summoned you."

"The count? Did he specify why?"

"No, he merely asked you to come immediately..."

Ute Velvet nodded casually and stood up.

"Miss Sonnet, you may return now."

"Are you sure?"

"It’ll be fine."

Ute raised his thumb and waved.

Her demeanor was not merely calm but almost nonchalant.

‘Meanwhile, the servant who came to fetch him is trembling.’

Wasn't this worrying?

Currently, there was only one reason the count would summon a lowly doctor.

‘He must have heard the rumors.’

It would have been strange if he hadn’t, given how widespread it was.

‘Not many people enter the main office.’

If he narrowed down the suspects, he could easily identify the source of the rumor.

Strictly speaking, we were the ones at fault.

Gossiping about the employer’s personal life was not a servant’s virtue.

But!

Whose fault was it really?

‘He should’ve confessed his love and acted sooner! Is he trying to assassinate love or what?’

Ute Velvet said it would be fine.

Still....

‘I trust Sir Ute, but I’m not convinced.’

The Count was neither a comfortable nor an easy employer.

‘What if he gets angry and takes it out on him?’

An employer’s wrath was vastly different from a servant’s temper.

‘But what can an ordinary maid like me do...’

‘This world revolves around romance.’

Romance.

What if this situation was a setup for a romance plot?

I took a deep breath and tightened my thighs.

A maid must be able to run down the hallways without making a sound.

Since ancient times, romance has been,

“Madam!”

Hasn't romance been about the sane female lead who must seize the bull by the horns and tame the male lead?

‘I must bring the Madam.’

I knelt before the madam, who was absently gazing at the sky. As I clasped my hands lightly, her clear eyes met mine.

“The weather is splendid today. How about taking a walk with the master?”

“Huh? But we haven’t arranged anything.”

“You can arrange it now! The master is probably in his office anyway!”

“...Isn’t it too abrupt? He might be inconvenienced.”

“Inconvenienced? Spontaneous meetings are the most exhilarating!”

Damn it.

The madam wasn’t easily persuaded.

‘She clearly wants to meet him.’

A maid must give a little nudge to a hesitant master.

I concocted the most plausible excuse.

“Don’t you have something urgent to discuss regarding the mansion’s renovation?”

“Ah...!”

Her hesitant face brightened.

“Yes, I should speak to him immediately, even if he’s occupied.”

“Of course. It’s an urgent matter.”

“Indeed, it’s urgent.”

The Countess echoed my words and stood up at once.

Thanks to that, I soon found myself standing before the office.

“Master, the madam has come to see you.”

“What?”

Crash!

‘What’s happening inside?’

Was he truly holding someone hostage?

Sweat trickled down my back.

The commotion subsided, and the heavy door slowly opened.

‘But the atmosphere...’

---

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