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~Chapter 56~
One day, after returning from a walk—
I noticed the maids who helped me bathe had changed.
“…I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”
The maid washing my hair spoke.
“Sorry for introducing myself late, honored guest. I’m Ella.”
“I’m May.”
“Where did Catherine and Marina go?”
“Uh…”
It wasn’t a hard question, but both maids stopped their hands and glanced at me.
“Will you two be helping me bathe from now on?”
“Only for today, temporarily.”
“If we did anything to offend you, honored guest…”
“No, it’s not that.”
Servants are never replaced without a reason, so I was only curious.
“Go ahead and wash the rest of my hair.”
“Yes, honored guest.”
It wasn’t just the maids that had changed.
‘The security is tighter.’
Before, knights were placed one or two at every corner, spaced far apart. Now the gaps between them were much smaller.
‘And the atmosphere feels more tense.’
They were still silent when I passed through the halls, but now the servants’ lips were stiffly pressed together—a new thing.
‘They’re nervous.’
The only one who hadn’t changed was me.
I still ate every meal with Armin, went for walks at fixed times, and read books when I was alone.
‘And this time, Viola’s not here…’
Unlike the other maids, Viola was my exclusive maid, so she couldn’t be replaced without my permission.
But sometimes she was absent like this, saying the servants had regular “training” to attend.
‘Well, if she says so.’
I wasn’t worried or bothered. It’s not like I chose her because I liked her.
In fact, this was a chance.
I rarely had time to practice the magic I learned from the book I borrowed from the library. Since being able to use magic could be a trump card, I wanted to hide it as much as possible.
‘Let’s see… if I do this, I should be able to see what’s happening in the hallway without opening the door, right?’
The dense writing was hard to read, but the book itself was quite friendly.
It was so helpful that I succeeded on the first try without trial and error.
‘Got it…!’
When I closed my eyes, I saw it.
The wide hallway where tense knights were stationed, and two people walking quickly past—
One was Butler Morgan, and the other…
‘It’s Armin. And in his hand… is that a document?’
The magic only showed the image—it didn’t let me hear the sound.
Armin twisted the corner of his lips while speaking, and Morgan would reply, then go silent again.
It looked like a serious conversation, but—
‘I have no idea what they’re saying.’
Wouldn’t I be able to hear if I pressed close to the door?
Normally I’d never do such a thing, but since I was alone in the room, no one would know whatever I did.
‘Wait, they’re coming this way?’
The moment I quickly sat in my chair—
“But master…”
“No objections, Morgan.”
The door opened, and they both entered at the same time.
“…Your Highness?”
I reacted like I didn’t know anything.
“Why are you here so suddenly…?”
“Because I missed Bella. Is it okay if I work here?”
Armin held up the papers. Looked like the documents for today’s approvals.
“Uh… compared to your office, this room’s a bit cramped.”
“I brought everything I need.”
While Armin smiled brightly, the butler quietly rubbed the back of his neck. His eyes almost looked like he was hoping I’d stop Armin.
…Not that I had any real way to.
“…If you say so.”
The desk here wouldn’t match the height he was used to, and the chair wouldn’t be as comfortable as in his office.
“Tired?”
When he looked at me, I sensed a strange satisfaction from him.
“A little… but I’m fine.”
I opened my book again, but felt his gaze and looked up.
“What is it?”
“Nothing… I just like it.”
For the first time, I didn’t avoid his smiling face.
Before, I had avoided looking at him, afraid he might see through me—but now—
‘…’
Surprisingly, I didn’t think anything of it.
Instead, I felt a lazy warmth, probably from the sunlight streaming in and my comfortably full stomach.
But that calm was only on the surface. The whole mansion was under a subtle tension.
And now, Armin suddenly moving his work here—it all meant something unusual was happening.
‘Something must have happened.’
Behind my closed eyelids, I saw Viola. The magic hadn’t worn off yet, so I could see her moving busily through the halls.
When problems happen inside, people unite tightly—and reject outsiders.
And the only outsider in this mansion is me.
Everyone would turn their watchful eyes on me, making it impossible to plan an easy escape.
‘Luckily, I think I can solve this situation.’
So—
When night came and Armin left—
“Butler.”
I pulled the cord to call Morgan.
“Could we talk for a bit?”
Viola disliked Bella, but she liked being Bella’s exclusive maid.
The closer Bella was to the Grand Duke, the more useful information she could overhear just by being nearby.
“Are you sure about this?”
Viola’s father, Baron Maole, narrowed his eyes at her.
“You’re saying the Grand Duke bought Terun?”
“Why would I lie about something like this to you, Father?”
“Well, because that place only has abandoned mines.”
Baron Maole muttered, thinking.
“Unless… it’s not abandoned? No, something’s still odd. Why would he buy it? There must be some benefit.”
He wasn’t as smart or capable as the Grand Duke. But he was reckless enough to be useful—perfect for spreading word that information was leaking from inside the mansion.
Since Viola was Bella’s exclusive maid, whatever information she knew, Bella knew too.
So people started whispering about Bella.
“What are you talking about? She hardly even leaves the mansion!”
“But things like this never happened before she came.”
“Still… we don’t know for sure—”
“Shh, the butler’s passing.”
Armin’s attitude toward Bella hadn’t changed, so the servants didn’t openly suspect her.
Still, it was enough for Viola that the perfect reputation now had a crack.
‘But this isn’t enough.’
To drive Bella out of the mansion and open Armin’s eyes, she needed a powerful blow.
Something to prove Bella was a harmful pest to the Grand Duke’s house.
And then, an opportunity came.
“What’s this document?”
“The Grand Duke left it here.”
Since he’d been working in Bella’s room instead of his office, he had left behind a confidential document.
“Should I take it to his office?”
“It’s fine. He said he’ll be back here tomorrow. He’ll take it then.”
“Tomorrow too? He visits every day? You must be happy.”
Bella smiled silently. Seeing her happy face made Viola’s stomach twist.
“By the way, honored guest…”
“?”
“If it’s alright with you, could I take tomorrow off?”
“Shouldn’t you ask the butler for that?”
“He said to get your permission.”
“….”
That look again.
“I don’t mind. Take the day off.”
“Thank you, honored guest!”
Despite her nervousness, Bella agreed easily.
‘Good thing she’s so stupid.’
Of course, Viola didn’t really need rest.
‘I’m making sure I have an alibi.’
Bella always ate with the Grand Duke in the downstairs dining hall, and no one but Viola entered her room during that time.
So during breakfast, Viola could slip into Bella’s room and take a few documents without anyone seeing her.
If the documents in Bella’s room went missing, there would be two main suspects: Bella and her exclusive maid.
But if she took the day off—
‘The suspect list narrows to Bella alone.’
Armin had said all documents were confidential. If one went missing, it would have to be found.
With information leaking outside the family, the retainers were desperate to find the traitor. They wouldn’t leave someone like Bella alone if she looked guilty.
Even if Armin wanted to handle it quietly, it would be difficult.
And since he was royalty, the punishment for her would be severe.
Just imagining Bella being dragged off to prison with swollen eyes filled Viola with joy.
But the next morning—
‘Alright, what should I take…’
Sneaking into Bella’s room during breakfast, Viola—
‘This is… blank?’
She froze when she touched the mountain of documents.
‘What is this…’
While she stood frozen—
Bang!
The door, which she thought would never open, suddenly swung wide.
“I told you this would catch the family’s traitor.”
“Indeed.”
Bella and Morgan entered.
The moment Viola saw the cold smile on the face she had thought foolish—
She realized everything.
‘I’ve been caught!’
