Episode 36

"…It's not all?"

The corners of the maid's eyes furrowed.

"With this much debt, this insurmountable debt?"

"Are you mocking me?"

"I am genuinely astounded."

The nonchalant tone seemed to mock her even more.

The absurdity on the maid's face ignited a spark of anger in Evangeline.

"It hasn’t even been disclosed to Menes yet, how could you possibly..."

Could it be someone sent from Leopold?

Evangeline bit her lower lip and distanced herself.

‘I thought she was an ordinary maid.’

Now conscious, a sense of unease settled over her.

‘Come to think of it, she behaved similarly before.’

That impassioned plea, kneeling at the Count’s feet! A performance incomparable to her own clumsy attempts.

‘I cannot afford to lose like this.’

She was bound to be toyed with by a mere maid if she remained careless.

‘It isn’t some trivial charade this time.’

Evangeline discreetly took a deep breath. Even standing still, sweat formed on the back of her neck.

"How did you find out?"

"I took a sneak peek at your letter."

"W-What did you say?"

Just who was backing her...

Her red lips twitched slightly.

"A mere maid snooping through a guest's letter! How dare you."

"Do you have evidence?"

The calm retort left Evangeline speechless.

‘She certainly seems like an ordinary maid...’

But her experienced stance was intimidating.

"The letter should be en route to Menes now."

"S-Surely, you didn’t tamper with it..."

"I didn’t open the letter."

"..."

"And if I did? If this is discovered, it will be more perilous for you than for me."

It was a sound argument and, at the same time, incredibly shameless.

Sonnet brushed back her long lilac hair and remarked sharply.

"If you require money, you should think about earning it. How could you set someone else’s family on fire?"

"It's their fault for falling in my hands!"

"That’s a valid point. But it’s not something you should be saying."

Sonnet’s short, clipped nails brushed past Evangeline’s hair and removed a small thread. Sonnet muttered nonchalantly.

"Well, even selling all your organs wouldn’t cover it."

"..."

"So you were planning to marry a man you don’t even like to pay it off?"

"Not like... I just..."

"Come on, don’t make excuses now that we’re this far in."

Why does she talk like this...!

‘Even debt collectors don't address me in such a crude manner.'

Evangeline rubbed her temples at the unfamiliar manner of speaking she had heard only a few times in her life.

‘Should I cause a scene?’

If she screamed right now, someone would surely come.

The Countess’s exclusive maid insulted Lady Evangeline. If she pleaded like that...

‘No.’

Evangeline quickly dismissed the thought.

‘She might already have the maids under her control.’

If that were the case, screaming would be like crying out in a well.

Even if that weren’t the case...

‘Even if I got into a fight with her here, it would only hurt me.’

Evangeline Menes was far from brilliant, but she wasn’t utterly foolish either.

Her dark purple eyes focused on the silent maid.

The inscrutable maid spoke plainly.

"Why don't you simply borrow from Countess Cavlette? You two seemed close."

"..."

"Or you could have explained your situation to the master."

"That’s foolish talk."

Evangeline snorted and slumped onto the sofa.

The white negligee spread narrowly beneath her.

"His aunt would be the second happiest person to see our family ruined."

"..."

"She only thinks of exploiting my situation. And Carlyle..."

Her white eyelids slowly opened and closed.

The woman, who had become the head of a ruined family, recalled her faded childhood.

"It’s much more dignified to come seeking true love rather than asking an old friend to repay your debts after meeting for the first time in ages."

"True love?"

A brief smile flitted across the maid’s lips.

Her subdued blue eyes were difficult to read in the dim light.

"It’s a matter of how you present it."

"The master would pay your debt off in both cases."

Would the Count really spend that much money on a ‘friend’ he hadn’t seen in over ten years?

‘He’s not that generous.’

Evangeline recalled the man's incessantly formal attitude.

She had no intention of consulting with him.

"It’s a matter of pride."

"Is that more important than your life?"

"The honor of a noble is no different from life itself."

"We exist within an era where commoners sit at the top of councils and titles are bought and sold."

"That’s easy for you to say because you’re not a noble."

"Ah, right..."

A look of blatant surprise flashed across her face but quickly disappeared.

"How much is the total debt?"

For a young girl who had been a maid her whole life to speak so impertinently.

Evangeline scoffed at the wretched reality as she spoke.

It was an outrageous amount, but the blue eyes showed no agitation.

"Why, are you going to pay it off?"

"I don’t know the full amount. But I can repay the part I am aware of..."

"You can pay it back? You?"

"If I do, will you stop this?"

"This?"

The mask she had barely maintained cracked completely.

The maid standing before Evangeline spoke without a trace of humor.

"I'm talking about this supporting role that is neither humorous nor impressive."

---

The early autumn sun was dazzling.

On the terrace, tea and desserts were lavishly set for just two people.

…I prepared everything myself.

"I’m honored to be invited, Madam."

"Not at all. We should have had this kind of meeting much earlier. It’s late in many ways."

One host, one guest, one servant.

I stood behind the madam, observing the situation.

The first to speak was Evangeline Menes.

"Most of Edwell's assets belong to Carlyle."

"..."

"I guess the madam has yet to receive full authority over the household."

"Are you informing me because I have many mouths and ears?"

"I heard... you could pay off the debt."

"And?"

"...Is it possible without the Count of Edwell's knowledge?"

"If necessary, then by all means."

The guest’s right cheek hollowed as she bit the inside of her mouth.

"Does that mean you have assets you can utilize, not Edwell's?"

"Isn’t the desperate one you, Lady? Are you suggesting we share our financial status?"

"I apologize if I sounded rude. But no matter how thirsty one is, they must distinguish if what they're drinking is water or hydrochloric acid."

"..."

"How could you possibly have that amount..."

The stiff neck slightly lowered.

The madam spoke without any trace of anger.

"I own a few mines."

I clasped my hands to my chest and took a deep breath.

'How many does she have exactly?'

I have several cut jobs.

Unlike before, the back of the madam’s head seemed to emit a bright light.

"I received them as birthday gifts before I got married."

"..."

"They’re in Ronda, managed by reliant agents."

The mysterious kingdom of Ronda.

Although one of the smallest countries on the continent, it maintained its status due to various rare minerals.

The princess, born and raised in the kingdom of jewels, continued casually.

"I can certainly pay that amount."

"..."

"Even right now."

"Are you serious?"

"It’s not a difficult task."

"..."

"But it’s not something I absolutely have to do."

With each word the madam spoke, the guest’s complexion changed.

Evangeline’s hands, clasped tightly together, had long since turned from red to white.

‘She certainly drags it out even though she’s going to do it.’

When did she learn to make people so anxious?

I felt proud of the madam’s growth.

"Lady Evangeline needs to do something for me."

"..."

"If carried out properly, I won’t even mention the Menes family’s debt. The young lady won’t have to worry about the same issue in the future."

"What do I... need to do?"

"But first."

Clink.

The white teacup clattered against the saucer.

The madam had never set her teacup down so loudly before.

"Ascertain you shall do whatever it takes."

"..."

"If you can’t, then leave."

Her voice, lower than before, rang coldly.

---

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