Chapter 14
Episode 14
......Damn it.
Rihart must have overheard the conversation between me and that male servant outside.
Did I speak too loudly?
I felt a bit distraught for a moment. It was like getting caught badmouthing behind someone's back.
But I didn't badmouth him along with it!
I opened my mouth curtly, hiding my inner fluster.
"Biologically speaking, you're human."
"......Biologically."
"Otherwise, it's regrettable."
My response amused him, and he let out a low laugh.
"Correct. I am biologically human."
"......Yes, please eat."
Understanding that I meant shut up and eat, Rihart nodded readily.
I pulled out the pre-washed plate.
Just like yesterday, I'd wrapped it in a towel to hide it.
I transferred the food from the dog bowl onto the clean plate and handed it to Rihart.
"Thank you, miss maid."
His blue eyes sparkled faintly. Those jewel-like, limpid eyes were truly beautiful.
I stared dazedly at his eyes, and in that moment, Rihart dropped the plate I'd given him.
Crash!
The food spilled, and the plate shattered.
I couldn't hide my dismay and stared at the floor.
I was sure I'd handed it over properly—what was that? It felt like Rihart had deliberately dropped it......
......No way. Must be my imagination.
Did he drop it because I was staring at him like I was bewitched?
"Miss maid."
"Ah, sorry......"
"I'm fine."
I reflexively apologized and bent down to pick up the shards of the broken plate.
"Disappointing, miss maid."
Hearing the mocking voice above my head, I lifted my head halfway in surprise.
"......Don't people usually say it's okay?"
Was he finally dropping the fake kindness?
Ah, whatever. It was my fault for dropping the plate.
Why did I make such a mistake......
"I'll bring another one."
"Do that."
I hurriedly went back up to the kitchen, got the Head Chef's permission, and brought new food.
"By the way, miss maid, aren't you surprisingly oblivious?"
"......Are you picking on me now for dropping the plate?"
I was about to curse him inwardly for being petty when Rihart suddenly burst into laughter.
What was so funny?
"I was going to watch you flounder without telling you, but it seems I can't hold back."
What was he talking about?
"Didn't you notice anything strange on your way in?"
"Hmm? There was a weird guy."
"Perfect for drawing attention."
"......What do you mean?"
Unlike moments ago when he'd been chatty, Rihart shut his mouth, refusing to elaborate.
Only when I shot him a fierce glare did he finally speak.
"If I tell you, miss maid, what can you do for me?"
"Anything except helping you escape."
"Good. That'll suffice."
"......What do you want from me?"
"Don't just play with the Guard—play with me too, miss maid."
When did I ever play with the Guard......
Ah, was he referring to how I'd been hanging around outside to monitor the Guard?
If so, that was unfair. This was all because of who......
"Oh, and I deliberately dropped the plate, actually."
"Wow, your personality......"
"Once you hear everything, you'll end up praising my character for telling you."
I gestured for him to go ahead. He chuckled softly and continued.
"That servant bothering you earlier was there to draw your attention."
"......Draw my attention to do what?"
"To put something in my food, of course."
What......?
"I don't know if the Guard is an accomplice or being used, but he put something strange in my food, and that guy was for distracting you."
I gaped blankly, and he explained everything he'd overheard last night.
I nearly got a real death flag instead of removing one.
I reflexively touched my neck. Fortunately, it was still attached.
I couldn't just take this lying down.
"Fine. While we're at it, I'll get revenge for you too."
"You'll get revenge for me, miss maid?"
"You got beaten by your Guard. With a whip."
"I thought you didn't know, but you're full of surprises."
He propped his chin, responding nonchalantly as if he wasn't angry.
"Aren't you mad?"
"Since I took the hits on purpose, I don't feel like getting angry."
"......You took them on purpose?"
Was he the type who got pleasure from pain? No, that couldn't be......
He was more the type who enjoyed inflicting violence.
Aware or unaware of my complicated thoughts, Rihart replied cheerfully.
"You said you're kind to patients, miss maid."
"......So?"
"I figured you'd be kind to me too."
That was the reason? For real?
This crazy bastard.
I was at a loss for words.
* * *
Marie waited silently.
The large amount of fruit she'd given the Guard would react immediately.
Marie planned to turn the tables, framing Rosie for pinning the blame on her.
But no matter how long she waited, no news came.
'I went out of my way to give him the fruit, and that idiot couldn't even do it properly?'
She'd thought him an idiot, but not this useless.
As she grew anxious, good news finally reached her.
"Marie! That monster collapsed!"
The maids, who hadn't spoken a word to her while she was under suspicion, now chattered excitedly, assuming her innocence had been proven.
Marie just smiled quietly.
As planned, the arrow of blame would point to Rosie.
Now, she wasn't the culprit—Rosie was.
* * *
Marie laughed.
She laughed and laughed. Had she ever felt this elated?
The thrill of surviving a crisis and dragging her threat into the abyss was pure ecstasy.
Smiling, Marie left her room with light steps.
And went about her usual duties.
"Did you hear the rumor? About that monster. He collapsed."
"They say there was poison in his food?"
The maids around her buzzed with talk of the monster.
Listening to them gossip was immensely enjoyable. But what lifted her spirits the most was......
It was around evening.
Finally, the moment she'd been waiting for arrived.
Just when she'd thought the day would pass quietly, an incident erupted that turned the Marquis's mansion upside down.
"Why was there poison in the food?!"
Apparently, the monster had a sudden fit during his meal.
Trembling in agony before collapsing; now his condition was critical. The rumor spread like wildfire in no time.
Rosie, the one who'd brought the meal to the monster, was forced to kneel motionless in the Central Hall.
Emily, the maid close to her, paced anxiously with a tearful face.
Watching them, Marie sneered.
Serves you right for messing with me. Know your place.
Rosie's situation looked dire.
Considering the Marquis's temperament, he might throw her in prison immediately.
"Rosie must have framed Marie!"
"She has to be in cahoots with the kitchen maid!"
The maids who usually followed Marie chimed in from the side.
"Right! I saw Rosie bullying Marie!"
In truth, it was the opposite, but no one here cared about that.
"Rosie, explain yourself."
"......"
The actual culprit in question remained silent.
The butler furrowed his brow and gestured toward the Guard standing nearby.
"Recount everything that happened, exactly as you saw it."
The Guard glanced at Rosie with trembling eyes before stammering out his words.
"The maid came with the meal as usual."
"Nothing different from usual?"
"......No."
Having heard most of the story through the Guard, the butler turned his gaze to Rosie, who hadn't uttered a word until the end.
Still silent, Emily beside her urged her desperately with a pleading face to say something.
Perhaps swayed by her friend's earnest plea, Rosie finally spoke.
"I know nothing about it."
"If you don't know, who does? The kitchen is under strict surveillance per the Marquis's orders—no one can enter. And Marie's actions you suspected yesterday were witnessed by all the maids today."
"Is that so."
