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Chapter 19
“Without any plan?”
“What are you talking about! Quick action is crucial in a matter like this. If Jacob gets ahead and fabricates the events of that day, it won’t do any good even if we find out later.”
“But Jacob is Count Swan. Even if we accuse him of an affair, we’d only be risking a broken engagement.”
“Do you really think so? If you don’t marry him, a huge inheritance will go straight to the royal family. Even if Jacob is an idiot, he understands that much. Honestly, I never liked the idea of that incompetent fool running the Swan household. This actually works out perfectly—you, Freya, will take real control under this pretext.”
Spencer looked like he was ready to rush out at any moment. Freya hesitated for a moment but then nodded. Spencer’s reasoning made sense.
Considering Jacob’s calm demeanor over the past couple of days, he might already have conspired with his staff. Perhaps even tonight’s dinner was a scheme to win allies.
“Don’t worry, Freya. I’ll protect you. All you have to do is recount in detail what you saw and heard that day. I’ll handle the rest. And I’ll need to ask Mildis to persuade the other wives, so I’ll take this photo for now.”
Spencer patted Freya on the shoulder with a warm smile. Freya glanced at his eyes, reminiscent of her father’s, then smiled in return.
Spencer gathered the relatives in the parlor. He approached Freya and whispered:
“I took care of things. Jacob won’t be coming down from the study for a while, so don’t worry.”
Freya smiled at him briefly, then faced the murmuring relatives. As she scanned the gathered faces, she paused when she spotted Headwin.
She looked at Spencer, silently asking him to drive away the unwanted guest. But Spencer, as if pleased, stood beside Headwin.
“Wouldn’t it be better to have a third party’s opinion? Dr. Headwin is smart. He might offer a good solution.”
“I don’t know the details of the matter, but if my humble assistance is needed, I’ll gladly help,” said Headwin, putting on a friendly smile. Freya wasn’t fond of him, but since he was Spencer’s friend, she reluctantly nodded.
After checking again that no eavesdropping servants were around, Freya took a deep breath and began.
“I swear on my mother’s soul that what I’m about to say is true.”
Freya glanced briefly at her mother’s portrait hanging in the parlor and continued.
“Count Jacob Swan has a mistress. But that’s not all. Though unconfirmed, an anonymous tip suggests he may also have an illegitimate child.”
Her bombshell announcement left everyone wide-eyed, exchanging glances. The reaction was exactly what she expected. Freya calmly recounted what she had witnessed on the night of the engagement.
“You may find it hard to believe, but I saw it with my own eyes. The mistress currently works here as a maid. Her name is Rachel, from the same hometown as Count Swan. She was secretly raising a child as well. There’s even a photograph of the three of them together. Uncle Spencer, please show it to everyone.”
A brief silence followed. Spencer crossed his arms, silently watching Freya.
“Uncle…?”
Freya looked at him, perplexed. Spencer sighed softly.
“Freya, is this really true? It isn’t just something you imagined in your head?”
“What are you talking about? You just saw the photo. Until a moment ago, you said you believed me…”
“What do you think, Doctor?”
Instead of answering, Spencer looked at Headwin. Something was off. Headwin pushed up his glasses and said:
“Well… we’ll have to observe further. Miss Swan’s claim could very well be true, couldn’t it?”
“Then we have no choice. Summon the witnesses. Let them come in!”
As soon as Spencer shouted, a blonde maid and the head maid entered the parlor. Spencer gestured toward the blonde maid.
“You must tell nothing but the truth. Where was Rachel the night two days ago?”
The maid glanced at the head maid, then tremulously spoke:
“R-Rachel was with me all night. After bringing milk to Miss Freya’s room, her face was swollen, and she complained of a headache, so I cared for her all night.”
Freya’s breath caught. Her blood seemed to rush to her head as she glared at Spencer in shock.
“Uncle… what is this—”
Spencer ignored Freya as if she weren’t there and addressed the head maid. She straightened her back and spoke loudly.
“I can prove it. That night, I delivered headache medicine and ointment to both Rachel’s and Yuria’s rooms.”
Spencer smiled briefly at her testimony, then adopted an interrogative tone.
“That doesn’t prove Rachel is innocent. She could have pretended to sleep and snuck out, couldn’t she?”
“Ever since the incident at the townhouse, the hallway door for the maids’ quarters has always been locked. One must get permission to go outside. Rachel was definitely in bed around midnight, so unless she jumped from the fourth floor, there was no way she could have left.”
Freya stared sharply at the head maid. Originally an older maid who handled laundry, she had been promoted to head maid right after Mrs. Bennett was dismissed. Freya had found it odd that such an inexperienced woman had accompanied them to the townhouse.
Now, the truth was clear: Jacob had bribed her and brought her here for today’s events. Freya forced herself to hide her swirling anger and said:
“Head maid. The sin of false testimony is very grave.”
The head maid glanced at Freya, then looked forward again, showing not a shred of guilt.
“Why would I lie for my own gain? I only wish that an innocent maid is not falsely accused.”
“Can you swear to God that the girl is not innocent?”
The head maid exhaled a hollow laugh, made the sign of the cross, and declared:
“I swear to God that there is not a word of falsehood in my testimony. If it is untrue, may I be struck by lightning this instant. Amen.”
Of course, no lightning struck. She raised her chin and faced Spencer.
“Frankly, I don’t think it’s right to discuss such a serious matter without the person concerned. Rachel—let her speak in her defense.”
“Hmm… that’s reasonable. We should hear from her. Bring Rachel in!”
An eternity seemed to pass. The door opened, and Rachel’s desperate sobs were heard. Tear-streaked, she ran to Freya and clutched her skirt.
“Miss! What have I done wrong? You may scold me, but please protect my honor. I swear to heaven I have done nothing shameful. I knew you disliked me, but to falsely accuse me like this…”
Rachel began crying even harder. Freya glared in disbelief. The head maid pried her away and pressed her:
“Stop crying and tell the truth. What happened that day?”
“I accidentally carried the wrong milk to Miss Freya. She scolded me and even hit me. I accept punishment for my mistake. But having a relationship with the master? I’d rather be whipped!”
Rachel buried her face in her hands, sobbing. Her red hair shook pitifully. Yuria patted her shoulder and glared at Freya.
“I’m speaking at the risk of being fired! It’s too much, Miss! If you didn’t like us newcomers, you could have just told us. Did you know Rachel cries every night because of you? We have feelings too.”
Freya let out a bitter laugh.
“Abuse Rachel? That night was the first time she attended to me. Why would I hate her?”
“You must have been jealous she’s from the same hometown as the Count. Everyone knows you and the Count are awkward with each other!”
As if prepared, Yuria’s explanation flowed smoothly.
The more Freya tried to argue, the more entangled she felt in an inescapable vine. She closed her mouth and slowly surveyed the people in the parlor.
Everyone avoided her gaze, fanning themselves. No one sided with her, not even after the maid’s absurd statements. It was as if they all knew and weren’t surprised.
“Everything was planned.”
Freya realized she had fallen into a trap. Only then did the faces of those at tonight’s dinner flash through her mind.
Aside from being related to the Swan family, they had little connection—but one big commonality remained: they had all come to her father at least once asking to borrow money.
