Ch#46
“Even thinking again, I don’t need more money than my current salary. What use are good clothes and jewels when I have nowhere to go?”
At those words, Laslo’s lips stiffened.
She had locked herself in this house all this time because she had nowhere else to go.
No place would welcome a traitor.
As Laslo struggled to find a response, Edel spoke as if something had occurred to her.
“If you wish to grant me something, Count, I’d like to ask for something other than money.”
That was welcome news.
“Anything.”
“Please believe that my words are true.”
*Spoils of war*
“Alright. Tell me.”
*Duchess*
A brief silence passed before Edel gave an awkward smile and spoke again.
Truly written by Lemon Frog
“That was my request earlier. That you believe in me, Count.”
Laslo stared at her for a long while with an expression of utter incomprehension before saying,
“I truly can’t understand why that would be a fitting reward in place of a blank check.”
“The day will come when you understand. When that time arrives, I hope you’ll believe my words then too.”
Laslo’s expression gradually grew serious in response to Edel’s earnest gaze. He slowly nodded.
“Alright, I will.”
“Thank you.”
- 2 -
.
Edel bowed in thanks to Laslo and left his room.
But the Laslo left behind slowly ran his hand through his hair, then tousled it wildly.
The room was larger and equipped with better furniture. The room at the end of the west annex dormitory corridor had only an old narrow bed, table, and single chair, but this one had a proper table with two chairs, a spacious wardrobe, and a large enough mirror to see up to one’s chest.
It had been a hassle cleaning the former storage room, but now it was spotless thanks to that.
*‘I asked her why she locked herself in here when I’d taken away all her options. Ha, really...’*
“I feel bad using such a nice room all by myself.”
He was astonished at his own insensitivity, which only showed in front of her.
“Bad? If you’re Miss Linia’s personal maid, this room is only natural. Even Mina, who’s nothing special, uses a good room—what’s there to feel bad about?”
Edel paused at the unfamiliar story.
*Perhaps to her, I look like a monster. One who takes lightly all the murders I’ve committed—a monster.*
“Isn’t Mina’s room on the same floor as ours?”
“I’ll miss you being far away, sister.”
“It is. But the servants’ rooms vary a bit in size. Ours were the small ones, while Mina’s side is a little larger.”
“There were several empty rooms over there, so you’re saying they gave the larger ones to her faction while the other maids got the small ones?”
Daisy sighed as she helped carry Edel’s luggage.
“Yes. Sister Celia said it’s ‘rank division.’ ‘Ranks’ among maids—what a joke, right?”
“Anyone hearing you would think we’re drifting apart. It’s just changing rooms.”
It was absurd beyond laughable.
“True, but we probably won’t snack together every night anymore...”
Edel had assumed until now that Mina’s room was similar to hers or Daisy’s.
She hadn’t found it odd that the maids staying there were all Marsha’s sycophants, figuring close allies simply shared nearby rooms.
Daisy trailed off.
Edel was in the midst of moving her belongings to the maid’s room attached to Linia’s.
“Room assignments must have been Mrs. Bohen’s doing, right?”
Though several days had passed since becoming Linia’s personal maid, the room had been used as storage until then, so cleaning it had taken a few days.
“Of course.”
Daisy sincerely congratulated Edel on her second promotion while feeling quite regretful about the room change.
And Edel was secretly glad she felt that way.
Edel had confirmed yet another of Marsha’s misdeeds.
She had been secretly investigating Marsha’s corruption and embezzlement alone, gathering evidence, but the woman was like an onion—peel one layer and another emerged.
*It’s not that I couldn’t make friends because I was a traitor’s wife.*
*‘For one head maid to ruin a noble house this badly—impressive in a way.’*
When she’d thought her only companions would be the stars and moon, Daisy had given her hand cream, ointment, and warm words without asking anything in return.
Edel would never forget that night she’d come. It was the first time she’d made a friend after losing everything.
Of course, no matter how impressive the woman, this wasn’t acceptable.
The luggage to move was just a few clothes, yet Daisy insisted on carrying half, giving up her precious rest time—still as grateful and lovable as ever.
If Laslo weren’t so busy, Edel would have been greatly disappointed in him.
“Wow...! S-sister, I’ve never been in this room before.”
*Not like other houses with many standing in for the head, or prepared before becoming noble—it makes sense.*
Daisy marveled, looking around Edel’s new room, far better than the west annex servants’ dorm.
*And no one to even help him.*
Honestly, Edel thought the emperor should have helped him, but given Laslo’s personality, he probably wouldn’t accept others’ aid readily.
- 4 -
.
Normally, she’d be chatting with Daisy over bread or apples at this hour, but since that wouldn’t happen with Linia, Edel was about to change into nightclothes.
“Sister, sister!”
Then someone knocked on the door.
“Ah, yes!”
“Daisy?”
Edel, lost in thoughts of Marsha and Laslo, snapped to at Daisy’s call.
Daisy gazed at her with dreamy eyes.
Edel happily opened the door, thinking Daisy had forgotten something or her plans with Marco were canceled.
But standing outside was unexpectedly Laslo.
“Sister, how will you decorate this room? I heard it’s trendy these days to hang several small portrait frames... There’s a street full of portrait artists. A bit pricey, but they draw super fast. And really prettily too.”
“...I thought you’d at least ask who it was, but you’re surprisingly careless.”
“Count?”
She chattered excitedly as if thrilled about Edel’s new room. Anyone could see she was curious about Portrait Street but pretending otherwise—it was adorable.
“May I come in for a moment?”
Portrait painting was originally noble culture, but it seemed to have spread as a fad among commoners. Pastel portraits were especially popular for being cheap and quick.
“O-of course. Please come in.”
Edel had no interest in cheap portraits, but one with Daisy didn’t sound bad.
Edel awkwardly welcomed him inside.
*While I’m at it, since outings are allowed...*
Laslo entered with the door left wide open—practically ajar.
Surprisingly gentlemanly.
Edel smiled and suggested to Daisy.
“Shall we go to Portrait Street this weekend together? If it’s okay with you, Daisy.”
Edel appreciated his concern for her reputation.
“R-really? With me?”
But his visit at this hour was odd. No, his coming personally was bewildering from the start.
“Yes. We can shop on the way and grab something tasty.”
“Wow! Let’s go, let’s go! I’m excited!”
“The room’s a bit small, right? It was built this way from the start. Can’t move Linia’s room either.”
“It’s much larger and better than my previous one. Well-equipped too, so comfortable to live in.”
Seeing Daisy bounce joyfully, Edel felt even happier.
“...‘Much’ larger and better than your previous room?”
They wanted to sit and plan the weekend, but Daisy had to check on her father Marco’s room too, so they just set a firm time and parted.
“Yes.”
With Daisy gone, the suddenly idle Edel felt the room grow eerily quiet.
“What kind of room were you living in, exactly?”
*Somehow... it feels lonely.*
He clearly hadn’t inspected every part of the mansion.
Edel just gave a slight smile.
The larger, better room felt somehow empty. Being alone had always been normal, yet when had she learned this luxurious emotion?
“But... may I ask what brings you here?”
Nothing to do—should she sleep early?
“Ah.”
.
