🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 15
“What do you find suspicious?”
“Thoroughly inspect any gifts sent from the Marquess of Soro’s house as well. It’s fine to return them.”
“Yes. The substance could have been mixed in with those.”
“Exactly. They’re far more suspicious than my daughter-in-law.”
Elena’s eyes sharpened.
“I once considered an engagement between the Soro heiress and Cassian, thinking it might strengthen him… That was a misjudgment.”
She let out a low scoff.
“The Marquess of Soro is a snake, yes, but I believed there was no need to involve his young daughter in such suspicions.”
But the way Drury behaved today was exactly like her father.
“With such an innocent face, discarding her own subordinate without hesitation… She compared poorly to my daughter-in-law.”
“Daughter-in-law.” Even after hearing it several times, the title still sounded unfamiliar. The head maid cleared her throat awkwardly.
“You seem to care deeply for Lady Ponti.”
“She is as pretty as a doll, yet so thin that it troubles me every time I see her.”
“As you ordered before, we have purchased all the desserts currently popular in the Empire.”
Elena smiled elegantly and closed her eyes, looking quite satisfied.
“That will be all.”
The head maid bowed respectfully and withdrew.
The room fell silent in an instant. Alone, Elena reached toward her desk.
She picked up a small sachet with clumsy stitching. A faint scent of herbs drifted from it.
‘I made it myself.’
Damia’s shy face appeared in her mind, cheeks tinted pink as she held out the sachet.
Damia Ponti.
Even though the engagement crossed a vast gap in status, Elena could accept it.
If Cassian gained even the slightest attachment to life, she would lose nothing.
Besides, the likelihood of this engagement leading to marriage was slim.
Cassian was terminally ill. His heart could stop at any moment.
“……”
Elena recalled how Damia had always been polite, yet never servile.
Her excessive kindness might be considered a flaw for a future Duchess, but it was far better than Drury’s cunning nature.
“If only Cassian could truly live long.”
That girl would inevitably be left alone because of Cassian’s failing heart.
She had chosen engagement despite the stain of a future broken betrothal because—
‘Her feelings must be sincere. Just like Cassian’s.’
If she had ulterior motives, she was still far too young. She was only thirteen.
Elena found the girl both pitiful and lovable.
“Welcome back, Romy.”
Despite Damia’s gentle greeting, the maid could not lift her deeply bowed head.
“I’m glad you arrived safely at the Viscount’s estate. Can you raise your face?”
Clutching her hands tightly, trembling, Romy obeyed.
Round brown eyes. Short curly hair. A few freckles.
‘Just as I remember.’
Damia barely swallowed her gasp.
Though the timing differed, Romy had also been expelled from the Soro estate in her previous life.
Afterward, she sharpened the discernment she developed there into business skill and opened a luxury shop that even noble ladies coveted.
‘Count Pavron used to summon Romy to his estate often in my past life.’
Like dressing up a doll he owned, he forced unwanted things upon Damia. He was obsessed with reputation and enjoyed playing the role of a good husband.
Romy had always been cautious to please the Count and Countess.
But whenever their eyes met, Damia felt ashamed. It was as if Romy could see straight through her circumstances.
That was why she could never forget her face.
‘With Romy, investment immigration to the Kingdom of Rodion will proceed much faster.’
Romy would suffer less than she had in the past life. This was an opportunity beneficial to both of them.
“Are you… truly going to punish me?”
Romy’s voice came out hoarse, as if her throat were being strangled. Sharp as she was, she clearly did not fully believe the excuse Damia had given Drury.
“What did the Soro heiress promise you?”
“…Pardon?”
“What did she offer you in exchange for taking the blame?”
“I—I wasn’t….”
Romy could neither confirm nor deny it. She still seemed deeply afraid of Drury’s retaliation.
“If you intend to lie, stop now. It would be better to cooperate honestly.”
At that moment, Cassian, who had been silent until now, spoke.
“My fiancée is generously giving you a chance. You wouldn’t prefer returning to the ducal estate for questioning, would you?”
“You truly mean to give me a chance? Not punishment?”
Despite Cassian’s threat, Romy kept her eyes on Damia alone.
“Yes, Romy. I know it’s hard to believe me—”
“No, I believe you!”
Her answer came too quickly, leaving Damia no room to persuade her further.
“I believe you, so please don’t send me back to the Marquess’s estate!”
“What? If that were my intention, I wouldn’t have brought you here in the first place.”
“Then… can you promise me?”
Romy’s voice sounded desperate.
When Damia unconsciously nodded, color returned to Romy’s face.
“You’ve practically saved me, my lady.”
Her brown eyes grew moist.
“I’m good with my hands. I clean well. I’ll serve you faithfully at your side.”
“Why…?”
“Even the snake—though it frightens me a little—I can take care of it.”
“Why are you suddenly so cooperative? At first you were willing to take the blame for the Soro heiress.”
Romy lowered her head deeply under Damia’s puzzled gaze.
“Was the compensation she offered insignificant? Or was it all threats with no reward?”
“No. Lady Drury promised quite a large sum. It would have been several years’ wages for me.”
“Then because of me, you’ll lose that money. Aren’t you disappointed?”
“The Marquess’s estate changes servants frequently. Some are simply dismissed, but others leave with hush money.”
Romy bit her lip tightly, as if making a firm decision.
“And once servants leave the Marquess’s estate, all contact with them is cut off.”
“…What?”
“It may be coincidence, but I’m afraid of the Marquess and Lady Drury. Even if I received a large sum… if I were to disappear, it would mean nothing.”
She trembled at the mere thought.
“I also thought I should be cautious about what the Soro heiress might do next.”
Damia glanced at the white snake.
“It’s just that a harmless rat snake wasn’t enough to corner her.”
The snake, apparently satisfied with its new home, had already curled up and fallen asleep.
“I felt sorry seeing you take the blame, but I didn’t bring you here out of kindness alone.”
“Even so, thank you, my lady. You could have pretended not to notice….”
“I simply wanted someone who knows the Soro heiress well by my side. And we needed extra hands.”
Damia grew slightly embarrassed at the favor shining in Romy’s eyes.
Even if she hadn’t known Romy’s future, she would have reached out—but this was not a losing deal for Damia.
“As you can see, our household is not wealthy. Your wages won’t be high, but I’ll personally give you the amount the Soro heiress promised.”
“…What?! No, my lady. I’m already grateful you brought me here.”
She clearly did not believe Damia had such personal funds.
But considering the payment Cassian had promised for the treatment medicine, it was manageable.
Besides, Damia intended to earn far more by utilizing Romy’s abilities. This was hardly a loss.
“If I say take it, take it. I have savings, so don’t worry.”
“But still….”
“I don’t believe in trust without compensation.”
When Damia smiled brightly, Romy’s pupils shook.
At that moment, Cassian let out a loud sigh from behind.
Turning around, Damia saw clear dissatisfaction on his face.
“What is it, Young Duke?”
“Are you serious?”
Tilting her head in confusion, Damia blinked.
“You forgot the most important thing.”
