Episode 43

Midnight, when the mansion's lights had dimmed.

Three individuals sat solemnly around an antique round table.

'I truly don't want to be here.'

But I had no choice...

Swallowing a heavy sigh, I inclined my head.

"My apologies for my tardiness."

"Enough with the formalities."

Nodding slightly, I took my seat. Ute, who had already arrived, gave a small wave under the table. The count's aide on my right looked like he wanted nothing more than to be home.

Naturally, I shared his sentiment.

'Receiving an urgent summons only three hours ago...'

Moreover, the directive to come without informing the madam had required considerable effort to put her to bed, as she was adamant about staying up.

'Putting a two-year-old to sleep would have been easier.'

I pressed my fingers to my eyes.

The count was the only one still brimming with energy. Even Ute Velvet blinked repeatedly, striving to maintain focus.

The count slowly turned his head and finally spoke.

"There is one reason I called you here tonight."

His typically stern visage was somewhat flushed.

A series of dry coughs filled the room's silence.

"Ahem, it concerns my wife... I believe it would be beneficial to gather as many opinions as possible."

His dark eyes fixed upon me.

"Especially you, Posa. You spend most of the day with her, do you not?"

"Yes."

"Your insight is critical, so choose your words carefully."

"Uh... before we proceed, I need to clarify one thing."

"What is it?"

"You summoned me here not to assist the Madam, but to provide proper counsel, correct?"

"Yes."

"You are aware my role is to be the Madam's personal maid, right?"

"And so?"

So...

Opening my fatigued eyes as wide as I could, I asked.

"This is a task that falls outside my job description. Do I get paid extra compensation?"

"...What?"

"Sonnet."

My left sleeve was gently tugged. Ute's pupils were slightly shaking.

Offering a reassuring smile, I turned back to the count.

‘Well, we were going to address this anyway.’

Facilitating harmony between the female and male lead was part of our job.

‘It's a relief they sought us first.’

Now, we could offer our perspectives directly without hiring an intermediary.

But that did not mean we should comply obediently.

‘If we’re always toiling, why not seize the chance to benefit?’

How long were we expected to work without recompense?

‘After all, this is for the mansion's peace and stability!’

Shouldn’t the count's family provide some support?

I blinked slowly and steeled my gaze. The count's brows furrowed.

"In other words, you're saying..."

"Haha."

"Morpheon."

His gloved finger gestured slightly. The aide adjusted his glasses and searched his inner pocket.

"Is this sufficient?"

"Hmm..."

"All of it? Understood."

The aide, having whispered to the count, leaned over and pushed a pouch toward me.

"If it is inadequate, inform me."

"May I verify it now?"

The count's eyebrows rose.

Once granted permission, I quickly loosened the pouch's drawstring.

"Ah... I understand."

After mentally tallying the amount, I securely closed the pouch again.

The pouch's weight precisely matched my estimate.

When I looked up again, it was as though a halo shone behind the count.

"So, what's the matter at hand? The beginning and end are crucial for such things."

"Sigh..."

"I can explain everything, step by step. Is it something related to Madam? How much have you discerned?"

Despite several blinks, the halo behind the count persisted.

The corners of his mouth twitched so much that his cheeks rose.

"His face is transforming..."

A silver-haired head shook violently.

The count, who had been laughing dryly, began to speak.

"No one knows, but... I once met my wife in Ronda."

"We are aware."

"Is there anyone here who doesn't know?"

"The news reached even the laundry room."

One by one, we refuted him: me, the aide, and Ute.

The rumor initially spread to topple Evangeline, still lingered within the mansion.

"Ahem! Anyway!"

"..."

"I wish to confess my true feelings to my wife."

His pale cheeks turned a peachy hue.

As Ute and I exchanged urgent glances, a snarky voice interjected.

"Confess? But you're already married—"

I reached out and clamped my hand over the mouth spewing nonsense.

The aide's eyes cursed at me, but that was inconsequential.

‘We’ve worked diligently for this moment!’

While I continued glaring at the aide, Ute cheerfully responded.

"That's a truly romantic plan!"

"Is, is that so?"

"Absolutely! Madam will be elated! Right, Sonnet?"

"Indeed! Just hearing about it is thrilling! How do you plan to confess?"

"I haven't decided yet, which is why I summoned you all to hear your opinions."

The staring contest with the aide concluded in my victory. I wiped my sweaty palm on my skirt.

Meanwhile, the count proceeded with his confession briefing.

"Firstly, I want it to be grand and magnificent."

"A traditional approach. How so?"

"I'll adorn the capital with her face."

"...What?"

"For one day, my feelings for her will be all over the capital's newspapers, magazines, and radios. She'll surely understand then."

"..."

"If that doesn’t suffice, there's another approach."

The count continued in a nervous tone.

"I could prepare a feast of renowned Ronda dishes and evoke memories of her childhood."

"Ah. And then?"

"I'll serve pudding, marinade, salmon salad... various dishes, and place a ring inside so she could discover it at the opportune moment."

"..."

"If a ring is insufficient, I can also a bracelet or necklace. If necessary, I can procure as many jewels as needed. That is not an issue."

"..."

"Perhaps earrings would be preferable to a ring?"

"..."

"Posa, what are your thoughts?"

His impatient tapping on the table continued.

"You are the only woman among us. I trust you comprehend her feelings best."

I looked to my left.

Ute Velvet avoided my gaze awkwardly.

Turning to the right, the aide stared into the void.

‘These people.’

All of them were eager to shirk the responsibility onto me.

Suppressing a sigh, I faced the count.

"Please don't misconstrue this, but regardless of my gender, your plans... they're stupid."

"I presumed they would be— stu, stupid?"

"Seeing my face all over the capital for an entire day... If it were me, I’d want to relocate."

Relocate? If possible, I’d even emigrate.

"And placing a ring in food... jewels are so delicate! They'd certainly be damaged. What if she bites into it by mistake?"

"..."

"If it were me, I’d never wear that ring."

The count's face turned crimson.

Fearing the repercussions of my honest talk, I quickly played my trump card.

"Come to think of it, Madam once mentioned what kind of confession she'd prefer."

"She did? What was it? Did she desire a garden made of diamonds?"

"Not that."

It was something simple and ordinary.

"She said she wants it to snow on the day she's confessed to."

"Snow?"

"Yes, snow falling from the sky. It is currently winter, so now is the perfect time."

Cost-effective and merely requires good timing. The count's complexion brightened.

"If it's snow—"

"This winter has been the warmest one since meteorological observations began."

Huh?

The aide, who had been silent, declared flatly.

"It appears the capital will remain above freezing. In short... no snow."

"..."

Ute clutched his head and mumbled incomprehensibly.

"Global warming is also affecting romance..."

"Master, why not abandon the idea of snow?"

"We can't."

I quickly interjected.

The aide shrugged, unconcerned.

"But we can't control the weather, can we?"

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