🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 15
Anne couldn’t dare to argue or respond, only slightly lifting her head.
“I heard you studied because you wanted to become head maid. Even if your experience is short, you’re good at your work. You won’t be able to refuse my recommendation, so don’t worry and go do your job comfortably.”
“Thank you very much.”
Who was she to object?
She received the recommendation letter and turned to leave, but thinking she would never see this place again anyway, Anne gathered her courage and spoke.
“May I ask something impertinent? Is there a particular reason you recommended me as head maid?”
“I thought it was a position suited to your capabilities.”
“Thank you very much for thinking well of me, my lady.”
Anne bowed politely once more and left the duchess’s room.
Sooner than expected, even before Gray and Jamie left for the knight academy, Anne would be departing the Benton ducal household.
It was the outcome she had aimed for—but for some reason, her heart felt uneasy.
Looking over the recommendation letter, she noticed the recipient name: Subcount Clyde.
Of all people, Clyde. Of course it felt uncomfortable and unpleasant.
Still, she would at least be able to meet Mathilda there. Was that something to be happy about? Or not?
Of course, nowhere would be easy or comfortable.
News of Anne’s departure to the Clyde county spread quickly throughout the estate, and Gray’s reaction was particularly dramatic.
“My lady, I will leave immediately. So please keep Anne in the ducal household. I will never return to the ducal estate again. Clyde territory is dangerous. She must not be sent there! My lady, please listen to me!”
Rumors spread throughout the manor that Gray Benton was deeply in love with maid Anne.
With only a week left until departure, Anne found each day increasingly exhausting under the weight of the stares directed at her.
Eventually, she decided to move up her departure date and went to request an audience with the duchess.
“My lady, please reconsider! I beg you!”
Gray Benton was already pounding on the duchess’s door, shouting over Anne’s matter.
As Anne’s footsteps echoed in the corridor, Gray turned toward her in shock.
“Anne?”
“I have come to speak with my lady.”
After greeting Gray, she stated her purpose, and he suddenly grabbed both of her hands.
“This is wrong, Anne. The west is dangerous. Do you know what kind of place it is? Let’s ask the lady together. Please.”
Creak.
The door opened, and the duchess of the Benton household appeared.
Anne quickly shook Gray’s hands off.
“How disgraceful. If you’re so upset about my maid leaving, then become the duke yourself and summon her back. Then you can make her your wife or your mistress—who would stop you?”
Her twisted smile was full of open ridicule, as if looking at a bug. There was no attempt to hide her contempt for the illegitimate child.
But Anne knew well that after losing her husband and legitimate heir, she would eventually bring him back and lovingly call him her son.
Not wanting to face that disgusting hypocrisy, Anne lowered her head.
“You kindly wrote me a recommendation for head maid, my lady. How could I call this abandonment? I am truly grateful for your consideration.”
The duchess smiled in satisfaction and nodded.
“Yes, what brings you here? Surely not because you missed Gray.”
“Of course not. I came to request that my departure be moved up, as I cannot allow myself to cause further disturbance in the ducal household because of me.”
She kept her hands neatly folded, avoided eye contact, and spoke carefully rehearsed words, staring at the floor.
“Anne!”
Gray shouted beside her.
“Good. Will you leave as early as tomorrow?”
“Yes, I have already packed. I will do so.”
“Very well. Then take today off and spend time with your sibling.”
“Yes. Thank you sincerely for your consideration.”
“You are a perceptive and intelligent girl. Unlike someone else.”
She mocked Gray openly. Anne ignored it and turned away.
Gray called after her, but the duchess’s attendants held him back.
Anne did not look back as she walked away.
On the day of departure, Jamie came early in the morning.
“Unnie, do you really have to go?”
“It’s the lady’s order. What can I do?”
“Unnie… we just reunited, and now you’re leaving again so far away? Can’t we ask the duchess again?”
“Jamie.”
She sighed and looked down at him like a child.
“The young master said the west is really dangerous. There’s war, witches, and monsters running wild.”
Jamie’s eyes grew red and teary.
Anne steadied her heart.
“I’ll write to you.”
“You have to write often. Really often. Tell me everything—even the smallest things.”
“Okay.”
She smiled warmly to reassure him, and only then did Jamie calm down.
They were each other’s only family. As much as Anne cherished him, he cherished her just as much.
But Jamie’s objections could not change her decision.
And Anne did not want to miss this chance to leave.
Not for the west, not anywhere—but anywhere was better than the Benton ducal house.
She said goodbye to the maids, and to the lord and lady. Everyone except Gray.
“Unnie.”
At the carriage, Jamie handed her a gift.
“It’s a mana stone necklace.”
“A mana stone? Do those still exist?”
Anne squinted suspiciously.
Mana stones were relics from the age when witches and mages were active.
They were rare minerals treasured by magic users, nearly impossible to see in the empire of Haiman.
To Anne, they were little more than expensive stones.
“It’s dangerous in the west. Monsters, magic—everything. I worked hard to get it, so wear it.”
He insisted she keep it on. Seeing how serious he was, Anne smiled faintly.
“Alright.”
She put the pendant around her neck and tucked it under her clothes. Jamie smiled in satisfaction.
“I’m going.”
She leaned out the carriage window, waving until her brother disappeared, then finally closed the cold window.
Sigh.
Now it was truly goodbye.
In December, as winter began, Anne Ferrer finally left the Benton ducal household.
As a final act of goodwill, the duchess provided a carriage and knight escort.
Between the capital of the empire, Edith Tara, and the western fortress city of Tegenes, towering mountain ranges blocked the route.
It took over two months to cross.
For once, Anne was genuinely grateful for the duchess’s consideration.
As rumored, the west was barren and desolate. Even the air felt dry and heavy.
“Thank you for your service.”
Anne bowed sincerely as she dismissed the Benton carriage at the gate of the lord’s castle.
The knights had treated her with courtesy and ensured her safety throughout the journey.
“Take care of yourself here.”
They looked at her with pity.
The Benton ducal house was not a place anyone wanted to leave willingly.
If only she hadn’t been entangled with Gray…
If only she hadn’t incurred the duchess’s displeasure…
She might still have lived an ordinary life as a maid there.
…But that was already in the past.
Anne shook her head firmly.
“Double salary! I’ll work hard and leave!”
Steeling herself, she stood waiting for someone to come greet her.
But no one came.
Even after passing the city gates and waiting for a long time, there was no sign of anyone.
No staff at all?
Deciding she couldn’t wait any longer, she passed the gatekeepers and crossed the garden.
She knocked on the manor door—but no one came.
Standing in the empty lobby, she called out.
“Hello?”
The lord’s castle of Tegenes was larger than the Benton ducal estate, but far more rugged and neglected.
A massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, covered in dust.
It looked like the place hadn’t hosted a party in years.
Truly a western stronghold.
Anne touched a stair railing and quickly pulled her hand away.
“So cold.”
Even though it was the north, she expected heat—but the air was dry and freezing.
She walked loudly through the first floor.
Still, no one came.
Then—
From upstairs, a sharp crash rang out, followed by a scream.
