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Chapter: 39
Thanks to that, the attention and attacks that had been 집중적으로 directed at the Public Security Force were successfully dispersed.
It’s a shame to lose the position of Captain of the Security Force, but at least that’s all that was taken.
The matter was resolved by having only the captain—who happened to be the Empress’s nephew—take responsibility and step down. The Black Scorpion incident had come to light because of Silvia, but in another sense, it was also thanks to her that the situation could be minimized.
What a strange child.
Thinking of Silvia Atlante, the Empress called to the noblewoman standing before her.
“Jen.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The noblewoman called Jen—Jeanette Soph—replied in a voice that had finally stopped trembling.
The Empress was still calling her by her nickname.
Which meant… she still had a chance.
“I’m curious about what kind of girl she is. Should I leave her alone like this? Or keep her close? Or perhaps…”
The Empress murmured softly, as if humming a tune, then slowly blinked.
“Look into her. Invite her and speak with her as well. Find out whether all the rumors are false—or whether she truly is connected to that. You’ll do well this time, won’t you?”
“Yes—yes, Your Majesty. I will carry out your command.”
Jeanette bowed repeatedly and hurried out, saying she would take care of it at once.
The Empress watched the noblewoman’s retreating figure grow smaller, her gaze cold and unyielding.
***
“Hey, you there—the black-haired maid!”
Bell, who had been running an errand for Silvia, stopped at the voice calling out from behind her.
She glanced around. As far as she could see, she was the only black-haired woman nearby.
Tilting her head, Bell turned around.
“Were you calling me?”
“Yes. You. You’re Silvia Atlante’s maid, aren’t you?”
Don’t tell me… again?
Realizing that the man knew her identity precisely, Bell frowned.
“Am I right or not?”
When Bell didn’t respond, the man pressed her.
Judging by his clothes, he’s a noble—but since I can’t recall who he is at all, he must not be a particularly important one.
If he were a high-ranking noble, he wouldn’t have approached her personally.
He would’ve sent a subordinate, like the others did.
Some insignificant rural noble? Or a nouveau riche?
That would make things even more troublesome. Servants of great nobles backed off when she ignored them—but people like this tended to cling stubbornly.
Bell let out a sigh and opened her mouth.
“Yes. I do serve Lady Silvia Atlante.”
“So the information was right!”
The man casually spoke Silvia’s name as though addressing a friend. Annoyed, Bell deliberately emphasized “Lady” when she spoke—but the man didn’t notice.
He was simply pleased that he’d correctly identified her, grinning slyly.
Seeing that smile, Bell’s brows knit together in disgust.
Just as I thought. It’s that reason again.
“Tell me—don’t you need money?”
“Money?”
“Looking at you… I’d say you do.”
The man’s condescending gaze swept over Bell’s worn shoes and her dress—intact, but far from new.
Bell’s expression darkened at his tone.
But the man, apparently oblivious to her reaction, continued talking freely.
“I’ll pay you if you do something very simple.”
“…Something simple?”
“Yes. Very simple. If anything unusual happens to your mistress, contact me. And tell me what she likes. Oh—and you’ll need to inform me in advance whenever she goes out, and where.”
Bell’s mistress was Silvia.
What he was asking was—
“So you’re telling me to spy on Lady Silvia?”
“Well, something like that. But ‘spy’ is a bit harsh. I’m just asking for a little help—so I can get closer to her.”
The man smiled slickly.
“How about it? Simple, right?”
He asked confidently, clearly convinced Bell wouldn’t refuse.
Bell looked at him and let out a long sigh.
Why does everyone approach things in exactly the same way? Can’t anyone come up with something more original?
Since Silvia had attended the Crown Prince’s birthday ball, people like this had increased sharply.
They always waited until Bell was alone before approaching her—and then said the exact same things this man just had.
Even the wording is similar.
The only difference was the amount of money.
Some offered sums so enormous her jaw nearly dropped.
Others offered barely two months’ worth of her wages.
Not that it matters. I’d refuse no matter the amount.
“No. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear this.”
“What? Hey! Is it because I didn’t name a price? Fine—if you do a good job, I’ll give you a thousand gold.”
“I don’t need it. Goodbye.”
“What did you say?! A thousand gold! I’m offering you a thousand gold just for bringing me a few scraps of information!”
As Bell turned sharply and hurried away, the man shouted angrily after her.
“Why the hell would you refuse?! I heard she’s such a vicious woman that manipulating the people around her would be easy!”
Hearing that, Bell let out a snort.
Sounds like he heard only half the rumors.
If he was pulling tricks like this to get close to Silvia, he must’ve heard the gossip that she was “someone special.”
Probably the widely circulated rumor about the secret romance between Lady Silvia and His Highness the Crown Prince.
And yet Bell had called him someone who’d “only heard half the rumors” for a reason.
If he’d heard them properly, he wouldn’t dare call my lady vicious.
Almost as famous as the rumors about Silvia and the Crown Prince was the change in Silvia Atlante herself.
Unlike before—when only negative labels clung to her—now all kinds of favorable stories were circulating.
Most of them came from people who had actually encountered the recent Silvia in person.
And he thinks she’s vicious? That she’d be easy to manipulate?
If Bell had received such an offer a few months ago, she might’ve hesitated.
Back when her lady hadn’t changed, selling her information wouldn’t have felt like a big deal.
But now, things were different.
Silvia was the perfect mistress to serve.
Whenever she gave orders, she added words like “please” or “thank you.” Even tasks that were technically mandatory somehow felt easier when accompanied by her gratitude.
And that wasn’t all.
Since two months ago—since she’d seemed to change into a completely different person—Silvia had never once laid a hand on Bell. She’d never thrown objects. She’d never lashed out in irritation.
She even gave me three months’ worth of wages and told me to buy gifts for my siblings.
Silvia had said, “It’s a bonus, so don’t feel burdened.”
Bell didn’t know exactly what a “bonus” was—but she knew that her lady had given it to her deliberately, with care.
Silvia had been unusually kind to her for two months, but after learning that Bell had five younger siblings, she became even more considerate.
Bell still vividly remembered that day.
When Bell explained that she’d taken a job at the House of Atlante to support her siblings, Silvia had murmured:
“So that’s why. Of course. You wouldn’t have stayed on as Silvia’s personal maid for no reason.”
At first, Bell didn’t understand what she meant.
Did I upset my lady somehow?
Anxiety gnawed at her as she waited, afraid Silvia might get angry.
Instead, Silvia gave her food to take home to her siblings.
After that, she regularly gave her bonuses to buy meals—and even gifted dolls that children would love.
Bell was happy that Silvia cared about her siblings.
And when Silvia said,
“This is for you. You can buy new clothes, or eat something nice—but you must use it for yourself.”
Bell had cried, overwhelmed by joy.
Ever since my parents died, no one has cared about me like this.
Bell had five siblings depending on her.
As the eldest, she’d been responsible and strong, even after becoming the head of the household at such a young age.
But when people told her, “You’re the older sister, you’re the head of the family—you should give in,” treating her like someone who didn’t deserve desires or happiness of her own, she felt hollow.
On days like that, even her beloved siblings running up to her, calling “Sister!” felt overwhelming.
As if her existence in this world was limited to caring for others—as if Bell herself had been erased.
That was why she cried when Silvia singled her out and told her to use the money for herself.
It wasn’t about the money. It was because my lady cared about me—not because of someone else, but for me.
At that moment, Bell made a vow.
I will devote my loyalty to my lady.
Bell liked Silvia.
The memories of how Silvia had mistreated her in the past were still vivid.
But the Silvia of today was good enough to outweigh all of that pain.
And so, Bell never gave in to those who tried to bribe or threaten her into betraying Silvia.
