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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Aracilla Never Forgives
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Aracilla gently stroked Audrey's cheek and spoke again.

"Tell me at once, Audrey, who dared to lay a hand on my maid?"

Tears streamed down Audrey's face. All the frightening and sorrowful moments she had endured alone felt compensated by those two words: "my maid."

She sobbed as she recounted the day's events. Aracilla's blue eyes, listening intently, grew cold.

Not only had they conspired to instantly frame Audrey as a thief, but they had also beaten and imprisoned her without even bothering to hear her explanation.

This clearly crossed a line.

Aracilla, who grew calmer the angrier she became, quietly opened her mouth.

"So, you think Rosalyn was behind it?"

"Yes, Madam."

Audrey nodded, her face wet with tears. Rosalyn had a motive, having been caught rummaging through her Madam's dressing room.

The fact that the maid whose necklace was stolen happened to be Rosalyn's roommate made it even more suspicious.

"Alright. Listen carefully, Audrey. From now on, do exactly as I say."

Aracilla untied the necklace hidden behind her collar and placed it in Audrey's hand.

"While I gather the maids, you're to take this necklace and put it in Rosalyn's room. Make it look like she stole it."

She planned to replicate the situation to show that the discovery of a stolen necklace in a room wasn't definitive proof of guilt.

By turning the tables, she would make them feel exactly how absurd and wronged Audrey currently was.

"I'll handle the rest."

"Yes."

Audrey nodded and bravely stood up.

After safely sending her out of the shed, Aracilla called out to the maids who were still pacing anxiously by the door.

"Follow me quietly and don't say a word. Understand? Do not speak until I give you permission."

The maids, faced with a tone bordering on a threat, had no choice but to clamp their mouths shut and trail behind Aracilla.

Upon returning to the main building, Aracilla immediately summoned the Head Maid.

"Gather all the maids on the first floor. Not a single one is to be missing."

"What is the matter, Madam?"

The Head Maid asked calmly. However, she was flustered inwardly.

'She always comes back late, so why is she so early today?!'

Only Audrey knew about Aracilla's early return, so it was understandable for the Head Maid to be caught off guard.

'I need to keep my wits about me now more than ever. I can't let this slide easily!'

However, her resolve crumbled the moment her eyes met Aracilla's piercing gaze.

"Head Maid, have I ever given you leave to question my words?"

"..."

Her voice, devoid of inflection, was imperious even without flowery language. The pressure emanating from her slender frame made the Head Maid's knees buckle. Her head instinctively bowed.

In the end, she gathered the maids as Aracilla wished.

The maids, summoned suddenly by the Madam, assembled on the first floor without question, standing silently. Their demeanor further grated on Aracilla's nerves.

It meant they all knew what had happened to Audrey yet remained silent.

'Hah, so that's what Paula meant.'

If they had acknowledged and respected her as their mistress, they would never have dared to do such a thing to Audrey, the Madam's personal maid.

Feeling the undeniable truth of her friend's advice deep in her bones, Aracilla crossed her arms and gracefully walked to stand before the maids.

Her face, with its soft eyes and delicate features, wasn't outwardly intimidating, yet strangely, an oppressive aura emanated from her as she drew near.

Aracilla calmly surveyed the maids before slowly parting her full lips.

"It seems you all know why I've called you here."

The maids remained silent. Among them, Rosalyn stood with her head held high, unabashed.

Since she hadn't touched Audrey without cause, she had nothing to fear.

'What could the Madam say about something that happened because Audrey stole? Even if she defends Audrey, it'll only confirm the rumors of her favoritism.'

Her only regret was that Aracilla had returned before they could get rid of Audrey.

As Rosalyn secretly licked her lips in anticipation, Aracilla's voice rang out again.

"The person who framed Audrey for theft, step forward."

At her words, the maids murmured amongst themselves. They were perplexed by Aracilla's statement, as they all believed Audrey had truly stolen.

"Those who accused Audrey of being a thief and locked her in the shed. All of you, come out."

At the resolute command, the maids, who had been glancing nervously, slowly stepped forward one by one. Among them were Rosalyn and the Head Maid.

"So it was you?"

"...Madam, Audrey stealing my necklace wasn't a frame-up; it was real."

Amy stepped forward and spoke. From her perspective, the missing necklace had been found in Audrey's room, so she couldn't help but believe it.

"My necklace really was found in Audrey's room. The others can confirm it!"

"Who found it?"

"Pardon?"

"Who found the necklace in Audrey's room? Was it you, Amy?"

Amy shook her head. It was Rosalyn who had discovered the necklace in Audrey's room.

"I found it, Madam."

Before anyone else could name her, Rosalyn confessed herself. Aracilla's gaze shifted to her.

"There are people who saw me take the necklace from Audrey's room, so it's not a lie..."

"Precisely where did you find it?"

"Behind the wardrobe."

"Is that so? You knew such a secret spot so well and found it right away, Rosalyn. As if you knew the necklace was there?"

Caught off guard by the unexpected jab, Rosalyn stammered. Aracilla curled one side of her lip and looked down at Rosalyn.

"Were you the only one who entered Audrey's room?"

"...Yes, Madam."

"Then it's possible you stole Amy's necklace and pretended to find it in Audrey's room?"

"That's absurd!"

Rosalyn bristled. But it was true that she had stolen Amy's necklace and placed it in Audrey's room.

Her mouth went dry, and her palms grew sweaty. But she couldn't back down, so Rosalyn stiffened her neck stubbornly.

"Why is it absurd? If you think about it, wouldn't it be easiest for you, her roommate, to steal it?"

"Why would I do such a thing?!"

"Then why would Audrey do such a thing?"

Aracilla stepped menacingly closer to Rosalyn. Rosalyn's eyes wavered.

The Head Maid, who had been watching, also felt her eyes waver. If Rosalyn crumbled here, she would be in trouble too.

After all, the Head Maid herself had lent a hand in this matter. So she quickly interjected.

"Madam, we intended to report this matter to the Master from the beginning to ascertain the truth. I understand you are upset that your cherished maid suffered, but please do not emotionally corner the other maids."

As soon as the Head Maid finished speaking, a mirthless laugh escaped Aracilla's lips.

Her skill at twisting narratives was truly exceptional. To transform a legitimate inquiry into an emotional accusation.

Aracilla's face hardened with a chilling expression as she turned towards the Head Maid and asked,

"Who among the maids do you trust and cherish the most?"

"Pardon? Why would you suddenly ask that..."

"Tell me, quickly."

The Head Maid hesitated, then pointed to a maid named Anna. She was someone with whom she had worked for a long time and built a rapport.

"Anna, go to Audrey's room and bring every piece of jewelry you see."

"Yes, Madam."

Anna, having received her orders, left. A moment later, she returned with her hands full of obviously expensive jeweled earrings and necklaces.

Aracilla held them up proudly before the maids and said,

"Do you know what these are? These are gifts I gave Audrey. Voluntarily, mind you. A girl who can receive even more expensive things from me if she wished, why would she steal from others?"

Usually, clever maids, if favored by their mistress like Audrey, would try to receive various things. But Audrey was modest and had no desire for material possessions; she never wished for any compensation or gifts beyond her salary unless Aracilla provided them herself.

Such an Audrey would never covet others' belongings. If her hands were so sticky, she would have stolen from Aracilla long ago.

"Unless someone framed her, Audrey stealing is impossible."

Aracilla's grip tightened on the jewelry. The thought of someone slandering a person who had lived with such integrity infuriated her beyond measure.

"I never forgive anyone who harms my people."

Her stern voice pierced the maids' ears like a sharp blade.

Had they targeted her directly, she might have shown leniency, considering the disparity in their statuses.

"If this matter is proven to be a frame-up, know that all those involved will be punished. At least half of you will be dismissed without a letter of recommendation."

At her threat, the maids' faces turned ashen. Being dismissed without a letter of recommendation made it difficult to find maid work again.

This was because maids without recommendations were generally assumed to have been dismissed for causing trouble.

The Head Maid and Rosalyn desperately racked their brains to escape the current situation.

Just then.

"What is all this commotion?"

The central door opened, and Demian appeared. It was already time for him to return.

Instantly, everyone's gaze turned to him. The Head Maid, thinking a lifeline had arrived, scurried over to him.

"Master, please help us!"

"Help?"

"Yes! The maid Madam brought stole something, and because she's upset about it, Madam won't believe anything we say. She's only defending that maid and threatening to dismiss us all!"

The Head Maid pleaded with Demian, tears in her eyes. It was a cunningly biased explanation of the situation.

As she clung to Demian, the other maids also rushed to him, vying for his attention.

"Please save us, Master!"

"We are maids who have worked for you, Master. Please don't abandon us!"

"Master, please judge fairly and impartially!"

Like chicks seeking their mother hen, the maids sought their Master.

However, despite the difference in titles—Madam and Master—Aracilla was also their mistress. Judging by their behavior, though, it seemed they only considered Demian their true Master.

To think that those who had been glancing at her fearfully just moments ago had instantly changed their attitude.

Aracilla, bewildered by the scene unfolding before her, looked at Demian with a dumbfounded expression.

Demian's gaze, which had calmly swept over the crowd that had gathered before him like a marketplace, soon turned to Aracilla.

***

Meanwhile, Audrey secretly slipped into Rosalyn and Amy's room as her mistress had commanded.

'Let's see, where should I hide this?'

If she hid it carelessly, Rosalyn might find it first, which would be troublesome. Audrey carefully scanned the room, looking for a hiding spot.

As she looked around, she noticed a slight gap between the bed and the nightstand.

'If I put it in here, no one will know, right?'

Audrey pushed the nightstand aside with effort. She intended to just slip the necklace into the gap and then push the nightstand back, but...

Thud. Something fell from behind the nightstand.

'Huh? What's this?'

She looked bewildered as she moved the nightstand completely and examined what had fallen. They were two envelopes.