Episode 33

Every fiber of my being was focused on Count Edwell's mouth.

I swear, I have never scrutinized a man's lips so intently, not even those of a man I fancy.

"Please, please, please."

Large hands enveloped mine with an unwavering grip.

Ute Velvet and I clasped hands like the layers of a sandwich.

Carlyle Edwell had one job as the male lead.

"Say you love her...!"

Ute pressed further.

"Promise her an eternal bond. Apologize for causing her distress over another woman. Confess your embarrassment, but assert firmly that she is the sole woman in your life."

His words resembled an incantation more than a prayer.

The doctor spoke ten words every two seconds, but the master had yet to open his mouth.

His dark eyebrows briefly knitted together.

"...I'm leaving now."

"Aaaaah!"

Aaaaah, aaaah...

A sound akin to a raven's screech reverberated loudly.

The Count and Countess glanced our way.

I tugged on the wrist of the man clutching his head and offered an explanation.

"A bee suddenly buzzed by... swoosh."

"A bee?"

The Count's eyebrows arched irritably.

"Yes. It darted straight at Dr. Ute's face. He must have been startled."

"My goodness. Sonnet, are you alright?"

"It's dangerous. We should eliminate all the bees."

"...Pardon?"

"That would be good. We can't risk Sonnet being stung."

"What does the maid have to do with it... Anyway, I'll inform Morpheon soon."

What on earth are these lunatic masters discussing?

Given the estate's expanse, they plan to eradicate all the bees?

The gardeners would wail in despair, enough to bring down the entire mansion.

I waved my hand on behalf of the old and tired gardeners.

"There's no need for such extreme measures, is there?"

"Hmm?"

"Flowers naturally attract bees and butterflies. A garden devoid of them is lifeless."

"..."

"P-precisely! Pollination! Flowers require bees to transfer pollen for reproduction."

"We can have people do that."

Are you serious?

Suppressing the urge to question the Count's state of mind, I forced a mechanical smile.

'This is tyranny.’

Carlyle Edwell seemed resolute in his stance.

‘Sorry, gardeners. I tried my best.’

I deeply sympathized with the gardeners, soon to become human bees.

The count and countess's gazes drifted away.

"...Thank you."

Thanks to the imaginary bees, Ute's scream was entirely overshadowed.

The man sighed lightly. His pupils darted about restlessly.

"But, but there wasn't really a bee, was there?"

"I mean, there's probably are?"

"Y-yes?"

"This is a garden. There's soil, flowers, trees, so of course insects exist."

His broad shoulders flinched.

The grown man's shoes retreated a few paces from the garden.

"Why are there bugs..."

"Because it's nature."

His shoulders flinched again.

Ute Velvet ceased fidgeting only after we swapped places. Then, belatedly, he proceeded with his thoughts.

"He couldn't even say it after giving her flowers."

We watched the couple awkwardly distance themselves.

A long crease formed on his white forehead.

"Why can't he express his affection if he feels it?"

"Right?"

"If I like someone, I would never conceal it."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's not like I'm jealous or anything. There's no reason to hide one's affections."

"The person Sir Ute likes will be fortunate."

"Do you think so?"

"Of course. If it were me, no, well. I don't agree with you almost completely..."

"Sorry?"

"I agree ninety, no, eighty percent."

I couldn't say 'a hundred percent' due to my current predicament.

I, too, was barely masking my feelings.

‘If this continues, I'll be discovered soon enough.’

No matter how much I pondered, it seemed too obvious.

I looked at his puzzled face and clarified.

"There are circumstances where one can't help it."

"Well, yes. The person you like could be the enemy leader or your mother's nemesis."

It's not that serious.

Right.

There wasn't a significant reason.

I simply didn't want to be misunderstood.

‘I don't want to date you, but I do like you.’

Most people wouldn't comprehend.

‘But Sir Ute might...’

He might be different. He was weary of people misconstruing his basic kindness for romantic interest.

‘Should I just confess?’

I could boldly declare my feelings and end this futile crush.

Take this chance!

Right now!

I took a deep breath and steeled myself.

"Sir Ute."

"Yes?"

"Well, um..."

His silver hair, with its curved ends, fluttered lightly.

Each time his eyelids closed and opened, my face was clearly reflected in his green eyes.

"Well, I..."

"Wait. Miss Sonnet, don't tell me..."

His white cheeks turned pale. Suddenly, my throat constricted.

I bit the inside of my cheek and continued.

"When will you send the money you promised last time?"

Although this was not part of the plan.

"Ah. I'll deposit it this week... I'm sorry..."

"Mutual trust in our contract is very important. Please rectify this."

"Yes... I'm sorry."

The tall man bowed so low his head nearly touched the ground.

...Is this right?

---

After the walk, the count and countess's relationship slowly improved.

However, no significant event had occurred yet.

‘They are dining together more often, although.’

That wasn't enough.

Holding the seventeenth ribbon, I spoke.

"How about this color, Madam?"

"Isn't it too childish?"

"At your age, this is suitable. The colors you chose are about ten, no, twenty years too early."

"But I think the count prefers a mature look."

"He'll appreciate anything you wear."

"Oh, Sonnet, you're jesting."

It feels like a jest to do this for half a month.

Their relationship had indeed progressed.

Wanting to look good for her husband is a clear sign.

"Can you bring me that dress first?"

"...Yes!"

Because of this, I was also losing sleep helping her find the right style.

‘How long will this last...!’

As I moved the twenty-fifth dress, I resolved.

This can't continue.

‘A peaceful home makes for a comfortable workplace.’

Once decided, I acted swiftly.

After confirming the madam was asleep, I swiftly crossed the servant's passage.

And then...

‘There she is.’

Thud!

"Eek!"

"Excuse me."

I leaned my left hand against the worn plaster wall and tilted my head.

My half-inch height advantage allowed me to trap the opponent effectively.

"Don't you know time is money?"

"Well, that's, Sonnet...?"

"Do you realize how much time and money you're squandering right now, Karen?"

"..."

"The more you hesitate, the fewer digits my earnings have."

"But time isn't actually money..."

"You said you'd do anything."

"That, Lady Evangeline doesn't permit the maids to approach—"

"You offered to help first."

What was the purpose of the woman claiming to be an old friend?

‘Let's advance the story quickly.’

Suppressing a sigh, I spoke politely.

"Were all those emotions a lie? Hm?"

"N-no..."

"You're not saying you can't do it now, are you?"

"That's—"

"You're not, right? Hey, there's not way. You've been here for ten years! You must have found some clue!"

"A clue, a clue... Ah!"

Her blurry eyes brightened.

The hunched shoulders arose confidently.

"There is something, though it's not clear."

---

"Regular exchanged letters? Certaintly suspicious."

"Once every two weeks. Even for a greeting, it's too frequent."

"This is a letter to her hometown."

The man perched on the desk tapped his elbows.

Evangeline sent a letter once a week to the estate.

The recipient is D. Leopold.

‘Not family.’

His green eyes narrowed.

"Sounds familiar... Could it be? But why there?"

"Do you know who it is?"

"Possibly. If I open the letter, I'd be certain."

"First, we need to secure the letter."

Ute and I simultaneously looked towards the same spot.

"Wh-why are you looking at me?"

Karen, who stood in the corner, quickly waved her hands.

"I, I can't. I'll be dismissed for stealing a guest's letter!"

"Not if you don't get caught."

"What if I do!"

"You said you'd do anything for me."

"Yes, but I'll truly be fired for this!"

"You wouldn't have a job if it weren't for me."

"T-that's true, but..."

"Can't you?"

I gazed at her.

Karen's eyes wrinkled like half-dried laundry.

"I, really, really..."

---

"We shall now commence the letter-opening ceremony!"

---

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