Renika, who had been trying to hold back her tears, spoke while making a great effort to maintain her composure. Despite the great shock, she tried not to lose her mind. Seeing her, I realized that this wasn't the first time such a shocking event had occurred. In the end, I couldn't even offer her much comfort that day.
When we met in the morning to say goodbye, Renika appeared cheerful, unlike a few days ago. But I knew she was hiding her sorrow.
‘What I want to say is, don’t trust anyone here.’
Don't trust anyone, does that mean I shouldn't trust Vincent either? I shook my head. He had made a promise to me. He said he would bring me back to this mansion, that he would definitely come for me, and there was no lie in his face when he said it.
The carriage began to move. I looked out the window at the mansion growing distant. When I first came here, the luxurious mansion was both fascinating and unfamiliar, and the master was a man with a terrible temper, causing me a lot of trouble. I had to serve him with my life at every moment, which was exhausting. Then I met his guests and mingled with the nobles...
So much has happened. Now, all of it remains as precious memories. At the same time, I was worried about Vincent, who was left alone in the mansion.
“Will there be a new maid to replace me?”
I turned my gaze from the window to Isabella, who was sitting opposite me. She poured tea from the pot she had prepared and handed it to me. It was warm.
“I have decided to take your place.”
“Lady Isabella?”
“Yes. The master ordered that no more servants should be hired.”
‘I’ll bring you back to my side. Definitely.’
His words were truly sincere. He really intended to bring me back. I had half-doubted it, but now my nose tingled. At the same time, a sense of regret washed over me. I already missed the mansion.
I leaned my face against the window. The carriage jolted as it moved. The road through the forest was not good. I sipped the tea, trying to soothe my heavy heart.
Then my eyelids grew heavy. Isabella spoke from the front, but her voice sounded muffled. As I began to lose consciousness, my eyelids, which had been fluttering, closed tightly.
Suddenly, I came to.
I straightened my body, which had been leaning against the window, and quickly looked around. The carriage had already stopped.
Have we arrived already? I must have fallen asleep for a moment, but I couldn't remember it clearly. An empty cup was rolling at my feet. I must have dropped it and fallen asleep without noticing.
At that moment, the door opened. Isabella looked at me.
“Get out.”
With those words, I picked up my bag and got out of the carriage. The surroundings were already dark. It had been bright when we set off, but it was already night. Had I really been asleep for so long?
However, when I looked around, it was still a forest.
“Where are we?”
“Not far from the Bellunita mansion, in the forest.”
“Huh?”
As she said, the mansion was visible not far away. It meant the carriage had hardly moved during the darkness.
Why? As if reading my mind, Isabella continued calmly.
“Pola, listen carefully. There is a path over there. If you follow it, you will find a small village. Stay at an inn in the village for the night, and when it gets light, move to a safer place. The more crowded and larger the city, the better.”
“What are you talking about?”
“People will come to get rid of you soon.”
I understood what "get rid of" meant from Isabella's expression. Though her attitude was stern, her face was clearly tense.
‘What I want to say is, don’t trust anyone here.’
The words I had heard from Renika echoed clearly in my ears at that moment. I swallowed hard and spoke calmly.
“You were planning to get rid of me from the beginning?”
“It was a precaution.”
“Did you do the same to the other servants who served the master?”
“If necessary. But not to all the dismissed servants.”
“Why are you doing this to me? Why!”
I shouted without realizing it. It was unjust and hard to understand. I had worked harder than anyone and adapted well to life in the count's household. During the time I spent with Vincent, he changed. It was a significant change, and my efforts were clearly a part of it. Isabella knew this too.
Moreover, I wasn't being dismissed; I was hiding at the master's command. So why did I have to face this situation?
“Because the master moved for you.”
Isabella cut off my protest sharply. Her sharp eyes pierced me.
“The master was swayed by a mere maid and moved for her. That's not a good sign. The butler judged that your presence would have a significant impact later and acted accordingly. Whether it's good or bad is not important.”
“Why... he's just a servant too...”
“He is the only person who can handle matters on behalf of the master. He has dedicated himself to the Bellunita family for a long time. Does that answer your question?”
Though he is lower in rank than the master, he is a person who can wield equal power to the master. The butler, Isabella. Hadn't Renika already warned me?
Perhaps the butler had brought me here from the beginning, anticipating such a moment. The old gentleman who seemed wealthy might have brought me from a small village because he could easily dispose of me if needed. The pouch of gold coins he had given me must have been for that purpose.
“...Are you going to kill me?”
“That was the plan.”
“You were going to kill me... then you're not going to?”
Isabella took a deep breath. Only then did I notice a figure lying behind her. The coachman was sleeping on the ground, his mouth moving as if he were dreaming. He also had a cup like mine hanging precariously from his hand.
My gaze returned to Isabella.
“Pola, I am grateful to you. The master found comfort in you. He regained his lost smile, came out of his room, and met his friends. The mansion, which had been quiet, became lively again. As a servant of this place, I thank you for bringing about such changes.”
After finishing her words, Isabella took something from her bosom and handed it to me. It was a small pouch. When I didn't take it, she hung it around my neck and hid it inside my clothes.
“This should be enough to sustain you for a while.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Run.”
My eyes widened. What did she just say?
“This is all I can do for you.”
Isabella said firmly. I looked at the sleeping coachman. I realized that all of this was her doing. Confused, I continued.
“Why... why are you doing this? Isn't it wrong?”
“Yes, if we get caught, your life won't be guaranteed.”
“But why...”
Isabella lowered her eyes. A breeze blew, dispersing the silence between us.
“Pola, female servants like us often face discrimination and sometimes have to endure humiliation. We are often treated worse than men. But I don't think we should accept such treatment as normal. You have done enough. This is my way of repaying you.”
“...”
“Run as far as you can. And never come back.”
Isabella scanned the surroundings. She said there was no more time. I could feel her sincerity in her urging gaze. My eyes stung. I gripped the handle of the bag in my hand tightly and bowed deeply. She was the first person to lead me to this mansion, and now the only one helping me.
“Thank you.”
So I expressed my sincere gratitude.
And I turned around.
The rustling sound of leaves filled my ears. With each step, the leaves brushed against my feet, thighs, waist, and arms, and tickled my cheeks. Despite running without stopping, the underbrush seemed endless.
I ran blindly along the path Isabella had told me about. I couldn't be sure if I was going the right way, but I kept running. As I ran, I felt more certain. The disturbing sounds weren't just coming from me.
Somewhere, the rustling sound was getting closer. It seemed to be coming from right behind me, which was unsettling. Or maybe from my left or right. The ominous sounds seemed to come from all directions, like an auditory hallucination. I was scared. The fear only grew. When tears finally welled up in my eyes, I saw the edge of the forest. I ran towards it.
Just as I was about to break free from the underbrush, a bright light suddenly filled my vision.