Chapter 47: Unexpected Guests

My toes were numb. It was difficult to open my eyes due to the chill and fear that came over me. What if I opened my eyes and this place was the Imperial Palace? What if I’m lying in that gorgeous bedroom with my whole body dyed red? Thunder rumbled over the roaring rain. I forced myself to open my eyes. In an instant, the white ceiling came into my view, with a dull wooden ceiling, not a canopy.

“Ha. Ha.”

Thank god, this was the reality. But the feeling of holding the sword in my grasp remained even until now.

“I…”

I killed that woman. The ‘precious thing of Richton’ that Wilhelm had said was Jane. An old cage in the acacia grove. Jane was the only light in that cage. For Richton, Jane would have been a mother, sibling, friend and lover. Even if his owner was Wilhelm.

‘Hatred’

It was new. We were trapped in the Imperial Castle and were abandoned dogs. I didn’t give up on getting out of the Imperial Castle, but Richton seemed different. Also, I couldn’t stand the difference.

‘What does Richton want from me?’

Does he want me to give in to him, as he did in the past? Or, as I did with Jane, would he end up putting a knife in me and dumping me on the side of the road? The more my memory is retrieved, the more my confusion grows.

The sun did not rise even in the morning after dawn. It was a terrible typhoon. Far from getting weaker, the rain and wind grew stronger even at noon. I entered the main building with an umbrella and a raincoat, but my skirt and hair were wet.

“Susan, what’s that in your ear?”

At Lina’s words, the maids flocked.

“Pearl earrings? It looks so luxurious, kid.”

“Do you have a lover? Is it Lord Keane?

“If not Lord Keane then who could it be? Congratulations, Susan!”

The mere mention of Keane’s name made me feel bad.

“No, it’s a gift from lady Azmaria. She said she was sorry to leave me alone in the annex.”

“The lady?”

The women who flocked scattered one by one with dispirited faces.

“I mean, she’s amazing. She treats us like friends who are just maids.”

“I really want the young lady to be our madam. In the aftermath of the typhoon, the old nobles are stuck in Ingord, and it must have been very uncomfortable.”

It seemed that the hearts of the employees were already more than half inclined towards Azmaria. Do you know that your madam is trying to kill me? Those pearl earrings praised for being luxurious are proof of that.

“I guess it’s because Susan’s complexion has improved these days, black pearls look good on her.”

“If I work for a lady like her, I’d be happy too. Susan, if the lady says she’ll have one more maid for her after she gets married, you should recommend me. Understand?”

It was nonsense from beginning to end, so I nodded roughly. It was not like the Ingord’s poison had suddenly been detoxified, so my complexion couldn’t have improved. And the marriage of Azmaria…

‘Was this really absurd?’

I don’t know now. I couldn’t concentrate on my work all day because of the frustration pressing down on my heart. The fact that my future, Richton, and even Azumaria could no longer be wielded by my own hands made me feel uneasy and precarious. Richton’s voice suddenly came to mind.

‘The time will come when you have to choose too. Now that we’re starting to see the end of our bet.’

Perhaps our bets might have been decided from the beginning …No, I couldn’t do that. In the past, I gave up being a human in order to escape from Wilhelm. What about now? Can I say that there was something different from then? Now, as if Wilhelm was not enough, Richton was controlling me.

“Susan.”

“Yes.”

“His Excellency is calling you.”

I followed after Berkne and pondered. lf I was able to escape from the Imperial palace because I was Agrane, then I, too, must become Agrane.

‘What kind of person do I have to be in order to become Agrane?’

A person who was obedient from time to time and willing to even kill in order to achieve what she wanted? When I opened one by one, she was not much different to how I was now. This made me even more suspicious. What was the difference between the Agrane of the old days and how was it that she was able to escape from the Imperial Palace? As I entered the parlour of Richton, Azumaria rose from her chair and welcomed me.

“Susan!”

Azmaria approached me, grabbed my hand and dragged me to the seat next to her.

“I heard you called, milady.”

“I have something to say. I was just recommending Susan as my lady-in-waiting. I wanted to hear your opinion, so I called you.”

To become a duchess’s maid, one must usually come from a relative’s family or be an old maid. But I didn’t belong to either of them and I was a newcomer less than a year after settling in Ingord, so Azmaria’s words were nonsense.

“I don’t think I can do that.”

“That’s not true. Didn’t you say your family had a title? If you can prove it, his Excellency Richton will consider it.”

I was about to sigh. It annoyed me that I had to respond to such nonsense. Richton was looking at us in his signature kind mask.

“Lady.”

“Say it, Susan.”

“If I become a maid of honor, will I be able to be a nanny for the baby who will be born in the future?”

“…if the child is born.”

It was an awkward smile that I wouldn’t have noticed if I didn’t know it was a contract marriage. After a moment of looking at Richton, she continued in a lively tone.

“If it is difficult, there are other ways. I wish Susan would make a connection[1] with Ingord’s vassal family…….”

Everyone seemed anxious to meddle in my marriage. I hastily opened my mouth before Keane’s name came out of Azmaria’s mouth.

“Lady, is there a reason why I should be the personal maid? As a maid, am I not helping you enough now?”

Azmaria shook her hand in surprise.

“No! Don’t say that because it’s not that at all. Susan is my best friend who helped me adjust to Ingord.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

Azmaria answered with a smile that seemed to have been drawn. However, the laughter quickly disappeared, and the regret that could not be hidden took over.

“Ah, well… But I didn’t expect you to say no, Susan. You usually consider these suggestions positively.”

I suppose so. If it had been Triviache instead of Ingord, I would have appreciated it. However, I had no desire to do so now. There were various reasons, but the most worrisome part of it was the fact that it would not be strange for Azmaria to kill me anytime.

“Was my proposal uncomfortable?”

“Not at all, Lady. Thank you so much for considering me. But I’m not good enough to meet your expectations. Please reconsider.”

“Is there really no other reason other than that? Do you swear?”

Azmaria was bothered by things that didn’t matter. What answer did she want from me? Was she expecting an excuse that said, “I can’t be your maid of honor because I’m Richton’s shadow?” I gently raised my hand and touched the black pearl earrings.

“I swear on this earring given to me by the lady.”

However, Azmaria was somewhat anxious, in other words, the disapproving expression on her face did not improve. It was then that I realized that what she wanted was not for me to convince her.

Azmaria was probably in a self-insecure delusion. Also, when she asked about when she was poisoned. It must have had something to do with Richton. I thought she considered me the mistress of Richton.

Richton, who was watching, leaned back in his chair leisurely and said, “It’s a nice earring. Your relationship must be stronger than I thought, Miss Azumaria.”

Azmaria, who turned to Richton, immediately replied.

“If possible, I want to do more.”

It was a word that made me laugh. With a short laugh, Richton turned to me this time. He spoke in a casual tone.

“Susan, did you enjoy going out?”

It was a question that I usually wouldn’t have taken seriously. The tension that had been relieved began to tighten my shoulders again. Yes, he said he was always watching me. Don’t be surprised, Susan. It was somewhat expected.

“Of course, your excellency. It was a meaningful time.”

“Meaningful? Well, I’d say it was a waste of time.”

His voice was more of a mockery than an interrogation.

“You look fine. I think you’ve been fainting and falling down lately.”

Come to think of it, the last time I fainted was a few weeks ago. I remembered the faces of the maids who were relieved that my complexion had improved. If I was completely used to the poison, would my body be stabilized? I understood Richton’s intentions, who often asked about my health.

“Yes, I’ll be able to work comfortably now. I’m glad I won’t hurt my colleagues anymore.”

Richton didn’t even smile the pretentious smile he had in front of Azmaria. Did that mean that even such an effort was unnecessary for me? After a moment of silence, Azumaria nudged my hand in a bright voice.

“Everyone is having a fun conversation except me. I am very curious about what the story is about?”

Richton opened his mouth indifferently.

“Miss Azmaria finds this interesting. Susan, I wonder if you think so, too.”

“If you allow me, I’ll leave now.”

Then I left the drawing room without answering. I didn’t dare to answer them as a maid, but I knew neither of them would punish me.

A small sigh of relief came out as Richton disappeared in front of my eyes. He should know where and with whom I met. But I didn’t have the courage to say Wilhelm’s name in front of Richton. I am aware of how much he hated Wilhelm.

***

Even after dinner, the conversation seemed to be prolonged. There was no word from Azmaria that she would return to her room. The atmosphere among the employees was also humid and dark as they were confined inside the mansion due to the pouring rain. By the end of the cleanup, everyone was waiting for the day to be completely finished, and only touched the innocent tableware once or twice.

Bang!

The tightly closed kitchen door opened after most of the maids had disappeared to go to bed. Mary, who walked in roughly, looked visibly perplexed. Lina, who was about to stand up, asked her.

“What’s with your face, Mary? Did you see a ghost?”

Mary shook her head hastily.

“No, it’s….”

Sitting next to her, Mary poured water into an empty glass and opened her mouth with a blank face.

“Just now… His Highness, Prince Wilhelm, has entered.”

***

[1] Marriage