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Chapter : 26
Anna closed her eyes tightly and pressed her forehead with her hand. Lucy quickly stood up to help her.
“I’m sorry, my lady. I shouldn’t have told you so suddenly…” Lucy said.
Anna opened her eyes and gently comforted the worried Lucy.
“It’s not your fault… I’m okay.”
“I guess I got too excited because I missed you,” Lucy mumbled, feeling down.
“Everyone told me to be careful with my words, but I forgot…”
“What did you say?” Anna asked.
“Oh, nothing. Here, have some snacks. They’re your favorites,” Lucy said and offered her some milk jelly, smiling at the maids nearby.
“Marcus Castle really is different. There are so many special foods here!”
But the other maids didn’t react much. Lucy looked a bit disappointed, but Anna was too tired to care.
“Then… is it true my father really left the mansion?” Anna asked quietly.
Lucy spoke carefully,
“I think so… Butler Henry said your father probably ran away far away because the attack failed.”
Lucy hesitated but then confessed,
“People from the gambling world wouldn’t leave him alone.”
Anna just listened in silence. Lucy sighed and muttered,
“He might never come back…!”
Realizing her mistake, Lucy quickly covered her mouth. Anna closed her eyes again. She knew what Lucy meant even without hearing the rest.
‘I never thought I’d say goodbye to my father like this.’
Anna felt empty inside. She raised her hand to stop Lucy from worrying more. Even though it hurt, reality didn’t give her time to be sad.
‘Now, I’m basically the Countess of Evercline.’
Even though John was gone, Anna had the right to inherit. If no one objected, she would officially get her title soon.
‘Should I talk to Raiden about this…?’
Thinking about the future made Anna feel even sadder. She always thought, when she finally said goodbye to her father, he would be old and she would have her own children around his bed, saying goodbye as he went to heaven.
Lucy watched Anna, worried.
“My lady, do you want to rest? You look really pale.”
“No, I’m fine,” Anna answered.
Raiden hadn’t ignored the fact Anna had been attacked and taken to Lily Street and Baron Vestin’s woods. He had a doctor stay at the castle to watch over Anna’s health and mind. Thanks to this, Anna slowly got over her nightmares and fears.
“I have a lot to do as the acting count,” Anna said, sitting up straight.
“You have the documents from Henry, right? Bring them to me,” she told Lucy.
Anna felt guilty. Henry must have been busy with her work while she was recovering at Marcus Castle.
‘Did Henry send Lucy to deliver the important things?’ Anna wondered.
But Lucy shook her head.
“No. He didn’t give me anything on purpose.”
“Why not?”
“Isn’t it obvious? He wants you to rest.”
“But there’s so much to do! I have to fix the problems my father caused…”
Anna argued, but Lucy stubbornly shook her head.
“The Marquis and the butler will decide everything.”
Anna felt strange. It was her responsibility, but others were making decisions for her.
Lucy tried to comfort her.
“It’s all for you. Your safety is the most important right now. Oh, and I heard something from the butler…”
Lucy leaned closer and lowered her voice so no one else could hear. Anna listened carefully.
“They think the Count might have joined hands with Marquis Nomen.”
Anna’s eyes widened. Lucy frowned and waved her finger.
“Remember? Marquis Nomen’s assistant ran away when he saw me. He must have something to hide, right?”
“Maybe you’re right…” Anna nodded slowly.
Lucy whispered quickly,
“If Marquis Nomen is really behind it and he still wants you, and if he ever manages to kidnap you… Oh, I don’t even want to think about it!”
Lucy shivered in fear, and Anna felt scared too. She remembered the wrinkled hands and scary eyes of the Marquis and felt like she’d have nightmares again. Anna swallowed hard and nodded.
“You’re right. Safety comes first.”
“Right? Oh, and I heard Marcus Castle is like a fortress. The front gate faces the city, but the back touches the lake. Only special boats can come through the back gate. It’s perfect for defense!”
“There’s a lake?” Anna asked, surprised.
She had only entered through the main gate with the iron bars. She only knew her room, the inner wall, and the courtyard.
Anna remembered a time soon after arriving when she couldn’t sleep and left her room to get some warm milk. Knights and maids jumped out from everywhere and surprised her.
Thinking about it, she realized it was strange that she always had to be escorted, even to the courtyard. They said it was for her safety, but she was starting to wonder.
‘Am I… being kept here?’
Lucy noticed Anna’s silence and spoke nervously.
“My lady, please don’t think I’m looking down on you… I just know how scary those people can be. I’m just worried about you.”
Anna remembered Lucy’s past.
Lucy lost her parents young and was even abandoned by her brother. Because of his debt, she was almost sold to bad people. She only survived because she escaped, ran into the street, and was accidentally hit by Anna’s carriage. Anna took her in, helped her, and paid off her debts.
Thinking of those days reminded Anna of Lisa.
[We can’t let a girl with no background live in the mansion.]
Lisa was like a second mother to Anna after her real mother died. She was even more powerful than Henry the butler. Anna listened to everything Lisa said.
But when Lisa wanted to throw Lucy out, Anna stood up to her for the first time.
[I’ll make her my personal maid.]
Lisa was shocked, but John, Anna’s father, agreed with Anna.
[Let Anna do as she wants.]
[But Count—]
[Isn’t it interesting?]
Anna had always been quiet, so her father found it surprising when she insisted.
After that, Lucy became completely loyal to Anna, even though Lisa tried many ways to get rid of her. Lucy stayed strong and never left Anna’s side.
Anna thought,
‘I never knew things would turn out like this.’
In the end, Lisa was kicked out, and Lucy became secure in her position.
While Anna was lost in thought, Lucy said sadly,
“If I had known more about nobles, maybe I could have helped you better…”
Anna looked up and met Lucy’s eyes. Lucy looked away, but Anna said calmly,
“Look at me, Lucy.”
Lucy finally looked at Anna. Her lady was pale but determined.
“I never doubt your loyalty. In the end, I make the decisions. I’ll never blame you.”
Lucy remembered when Anna had bravely kicked out Lisa. After that, everyone in the house respected and even feared Anna. But Lucy knew her lady was fair and kind as long as her people stayed loyal.
Lucy felt love and respect for Anna. She let Anna pat her head and nuzzled into her hand like a puppy. Suddenly, she thought,
‘But why was the head maid Lisa really kicked out…? Only Anna, the Count, and Henry know for sure. Oh well, as long as I have my lady.’
Lucy shrugged and smiled at Anna.
“My lady, let’s go up to the tower for a change of mood. I heard you can see the whole lake from there!”
