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Chapter 14
“Where did she get that money? Looks like she latched onto some rich old man.”
Oxanda snorted as she glanced back and forth between Sebas and Marin.
Zorno quickly grabbed her and pulled her back, intimidated by the butler’s presence.
“We got the money, so let’s just go.”
“No. They shouldn’t be allowed to leave.”
Marin stepped beside Sebas and spoke firmly.
All eyes turned to her.
Meeting Sebas’s gaze, she asked seriously,
“Whose land is this?”
For a brief moment, a strange light flickered in Sebas’s eyes. But as if testing her, he pretended not to understand.
“I’m not sure what you mean…”
“I’m asking who owns this mountain.”
“Well, this is the Duchy of Vines, so naturally it belongs to the Vines ducal family.”
The corner of Sebas’s lips twitched, as if holding back a smile.
“Yes, exactly. But these people have been collecting rent without permission from the rightful owner—the duke.”
Zorno, who had been eavesdropping, hurriedly cut in.
“No! We built that hut ourselves. We’re just collecting rent for the hut!”
“I see. Then when you built that hut and rented it out, did you receive permission from His Grace, the duke—the owner of this land?”
Sebas’s voice dropped to an eerie tone.
“Well, that is… I mean…”
Sweat poured down Zorno’s forehead.
Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Oxanda quickly jumped in.
“The duke said hunters could build huts to rest!”
“I know that. Because the mountain is dangerous, he allowed small huts near the entrance for resting. But he allowed them as free resting places—not for you to build and charge rent.”
“Well, originally, I built it for myself to rest…”
Zorno stammered, his face turning pale.
“Who are you to bring up the duke and threaten us?”
Oxanda snapped viciously.
“I am—”
Just as Sebas was about to answer, a four-horse carriage bearing the Vines ducal crest arrived. Servants quickly followed behind.
“Head Butler Sebas.”
A young servant approached and bowed respectfully.
“…He’s the butler of the Vines ducal family.”
Sebas acknowledged the greeting with a gesture and continued, staring at Zorno and Oxanda.
“G-Gasp! Butler Sebas?!”
Zorno’s legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground.
Sebas was widely known in the duchy. In the previous duke’s era, he had been the vice-captain of the knight order, and now he was equally famous as a butler.
“H-honey…”
Oxanda called out, her face pale with fear, on the verge of tears.
“Take them away.”
“My lord, please! Just forgive us this once!”
Zorno struggled to grab Sebas’s leg, but servants seized both his arms.
“Honey! Honey!”
Another servant roughly grabbed Oxanda’s arm.
“Wait.”
Marin, who had been watching, spoke to the servant dragging Oxanda.
The servant stopped.
Marin approached Oxanda, snatched the money pouch from her hand, counted out the correct amount, and handed it over.
“You’ll properly pay for laying hands on others.”
Oxanda stared at her own hand and burst into tears.
“Please spare us! Butler! Butler!”
Zorno cried out desperately as he was dragged away.
Marin watched them until they disappeared.
She had succeeded in taking revenge for Roanna—but her mouth felt bitter.
Seeing with her own eyes what happened to those who committed crimes against the duke made her heart pound violently.
If her lie were ever exposed… she would end up just like them.
Marin swallowed dryly.
She needed to stay sharp.
“When did you realize this was a place where rent shouldn’t be collected?”
Sebas asked with a gentle smile, cutting straight to the point.
Marin hesitated, then answered honestly.
“…From the beginning.”
“And yet you continued paying rent?”
“There’s nowhere cheaper than here. And even if I reported the landlord to the duke’s house, it probably wouldn’t have reached the higher authorities. They have connections. My complaint would disappear halfway, and we’d be the ones thrown out. So it was better to just pay and live here.”
Marin looked at the shabby hut with a bitter gaze.
“Then why did you change your mind?”
“Well… I can tolerate being insulted or even hit, depending on the situation.”
Sebas frowned slightly and shook his head.
“That’s not something you should tolerate.”
Marin smiled faintly in appreciation and continued,
“Yes. That’s why I said depending on the situation. But there’s one thing I can never forgive… no matter what.”
Her light green eyes hardened.
“Anyone who touches my mother. That, I will never forgive.”
“Is there anything I can assist you with? Have you packed your belongings?”
Sebas asked kindly, as if nothing had happened.
“There’s not much to pack. I’ll bring my mother out shortly.”
“Take your time.”
“Thank you.”
Marin quickly went inside.
Since Oxanda had destroyed most of their furniture the day before, all they had left were a few clothes.
Roanna sat on the bed, holding their small bundle.
“Mom, let’s go.”
“Alright.”
Roanna carried the bundle, while Marin picked up the one remaining item her mother had protected—the dressing table.
As they stepped outside, Sebas quickly approached and took it from her.
“You should have called me.”
“It’s light.”
“I’ll load this onto the carriage.”
A servant stepped forward and took it.
“Thank you. Mother, this is Butler Sebas Chen of the ducal house.”
With her hands now free, Marin took Roanna’s bundle.
“Hello. I’m Marin’s mother, Roanna.”
Roanna lifted her skirt slightly and greeted him politely.
Sebas’s eyes widened briefly at her noble-like manners before he quickly composed himself.
“Pleasure to meet you. I am Sebas Chen, butler of the ducal house. Miss Marin, may I take that as well?”
“It’s really light.”
“Haha. I’m stronger than I look.”
After glancing at his muscular arm, Marin awkwardly smiled and handed it over.
Sebas quickly scanned the inside of the hut.
“Is there anything else?”
“No, that’s everything.”
“Then let us depart.”
“Mother, I’ll ride the horse I tied up last night. Please take the carriage.”
“Alright.”
Roanna nodded, understanding why Marin couldn’t ride in a carriage, her eyes tinged with sadness.
“See you at the duke’s castle.”
Sebas helped Roanna into the carriage.
As the carriage and servants left, Marin stood alone before the hut.
She silently said goodbye to the place she had lived in for years, then mounted the horse without hesitation.
* * *
Marin rode alongside the carriage.
The massive white gates of the duke’s castle stood wide open, and they passed through without stopping.
After traveling deeper inside, they arrived at a three-story stone annex.
Olive was already waiting in front.
As Marin moved to dismount, Olive extended his hand.
Holding it, she lightly jumped down.
“Hello, Sir Olive.”
“Welcome, Miss Marin.”
The carriage door opened, and Sebas stepped out first, offering his hand to Roanna.
Roanna nodded gratefully and stepped down with his help.
Marin took her mother’s hand and led her forward.
“Mother, this is my superior—Assistant Olive Rion.”
“Hello. I’m Marin’s mother, Roanna.”
Roanna greeted politely.
“A pleasure to meet you. I’m Olive Rion.”
A subtle glint appeared in Olive’s eyes—but it was hidden behind his gentle smile, unnoticed by anyone.
