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Chapter 30
The Mousetrap (3)
The vault had been robbed.
Everyone called it a “vault,” but in truth, it was more like a building used to store valuable items.
Built in the rear garden not far from the main mansion, the two-story structure was worthy of the name “vault.” It held the Marquess family’s most precious possessions and was guarded as heavily as the main house itself.
And yet, such a place had been burglarized—!
The shock of the impossible event lasted only a moment before the household’s butler, Ian Harris, and the head maid, Joy Patterson, began assessing what had been stolen.
That was a necessary step before reporting to the city guard.
Meanwhile, the knight commander of the household, Louis, summoned the soldiers and knights who had been posted on duty around the mansion and the vault the previous night for questioning, while also dispatching others to search the area.
Given how the household had just begun to recover from the recent funeral and the forced cheer of party preparations, it was only natural that the mood should once again sink into heavy gloom.
“Fortunately, nothing from the underground vault is missing,” said Ian, the butler, his face solemn as he spread out the inventory sheets before the gathered family.
“That’s a relief,” said the Marquess. “At least the family heirlooms are safe.”
The underground level stored the family’s most precious gemstones, passed down through generations.
Even the Marquess himself could not access that space without a special magic device and a key carried on his person, making it practically impossible for even a master thief to get near it.
Still, since there had been a break-in, verifying its safety was essential.
The Marquess took one of the sheets from Ian and confirmed that the magical security devices covering the underground entrance were all intact, and no lifeforms had triggered them during the night.
“The problem lies on the second floor,” Ian continued.
The first floor stored larger valuables, while smaller, lighter items were kept upstairs.
The Marquess nodded slightly, signaling Ian to continue.
“Several accessories prepared for the young lady’s coming-of-age ceremony have gone missing.”
It was, in fact, one of Berenice’s maids—sent to retrieve jewelry at her lady’s request—who had first realized something was wrong. The maid had discovered that a pair of earrings was missing and screamed.
The Marquess turned to his daughter, who sat quietly listening beside him.
“Nia. Why did your maid go to the vault?”
“I didn’t like the necklace I chose yesterday,” Berenice replied. “I asked her to bring another one I’d liked before so I could take another look.”
Berenice had delayed most of her decisions for the party preparations, always putting things off rather than finalizing them. The Marquess recalled hearing that she had rushed through her tasks yesterday, perhaps without full confidence in her choices.
He accepted another document from Ian.
A pair of ruby earrings, two diamond rings, and a bracelet made of gold and opal—small items among the second-floor jewelry.
“Have the interrogations of last night’s guards been completed?”
“Yes, Sir Walker personally oversaw them,” Ian answered, “but nothing suspicious was found.”
“And the magic devices around the vault?”
“No signs of tampering. The area was also thoroughly searched—spotless.”
“…So, the intruder didn’t come from outside,” the Marquess muttered.
“That seems to be the case.”
The vault had only one entrance, and every window was protected by magical traps designed to explode and sound a loud alarm at the slightest touch.
But with no signs of disturbance anywhere…
“We’ll have to suspect one of our own.”
“Regrettably, yes,” Ian said quietly.
A dark shadow passed over the Marquess’s face.
The same gloom spread to everyone present.
Those who served House Wiltierra were known not just for their loyalty but also their deep sense of belonging.
Most of the mid-level staff had served the household for generations, and the newer servants had long been under their influence.
The wages were far above average, always paid on time, and the Marquess’s family were good masters—respectful and fair.
So, once someone joined the household, they rarely ever left.
To suspect one of them now—it was only natural that everyone felt uneasy.
“May I come in for a moment?”
A voice called from outside the office.
The Marquess gave a nod, and Ian opened the door to admit the visitor—Mrs. Patterson, the head maid.
She had once been the Marchioness’s chief maid, accompanying her when she married into the Wiltierra family. Through years of steady service, she had risen to her current position.
The moment the Marchioness saw her face, she sensed something was wrong.
And indeed, Patterson produced a small folded note from her hand and offered it forward.
“A letter arrived for me—anonymously.”
“Anonymous?” asked the Marquess.
“Yes. It accuses someone of being responsible for the vault theft.”
“What?”
The unexpected revelation made Lowell jump to his feet in shock.
Everyone in the room stared at the note, wide-eyed.
If the Marquess hadn’t been there, someone would surely have snatched it from her hand.
“Would you like to read it first, my lord?”
“…Yes, give it here.”
The Marquess unfolded the note and read its contents.
It was short, but he stared at it for a long time before passing it to his wife and turning to his daughter.
“Nia. Where is your head maid right now?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been looking for her all morning, but she’s nowhere to be found. That’s why I sent another maid to the vault.”
“Hmm…”
“What’s wrong?” Berenice asked.
“Dear, once you’ve finished reading, show it to Nia,” said the Marquess.
The Marchioness handed the note to her daughter.
Berenice pushed aside Lowell, who was trying to peek over her shoulder, and unfolded the page.
“…It says Marien is the thief?”
Her voice rose as she reread the note several times, unable to believe it.
Lowell finally managed to glance at it too—and his eyes widened in disbelief.
“That’s impossible…”
The small note, written in neat handwriting, detailed exactly how Marien had supposedly stolen the items—pretending to carry jewelry for inspection, only to slip them into her own pockets when no one was looking.
“So basically, she acted like she was transporting the items, but hid some away for herself,” Berenice muttered.
“She must’ve taken advantage of the confusion when many items were being moved at once,” said Lowell.
“…Which explains why there were no signs of intrusion,” the Marquess added grimly.
The three exchanged words one after another.
“This is my failure,” Patterson said softly. “I should’ve managed the maids more carefully. I am deeply sorry.”
“Joy, this isn’t your fault,” the Marchioness said gently.
“But Madam, every maid in this household is my responsibility.”
“You needn’t take responsibility for their hearts,” the Marchioness said, her tone kind but firm.
Then she turned to the butler.
“Ian.”
“Yes, Madam?”
“Tell Sir Walker to bring Marien in.”
“Yes, right away.”
“And Joy.”
“Yes, Madam?”
“Grieving can wait. First, we must search Marien’s room—thoroughly.”
“I’ll handle it myself.”
“Mother, I’ll come too,” Berenice said, her face filled with confusion and disbelief.
The Marchioness understood her daughter’s turmoil.
It was devastating for a young girl to learn that someone she trusted most had secretly betrayed her.
Ever since Bledin’s death, her daughter had grown calm and composed—too mature for her age.
To see her now unable to mask her confusion made the Marchioness’s heart ache.
She had once felt bittersweet seeing her daughter’s sudden maturity, but to have the old, innocent Berenice return because of such a painful reason… that was hardly a comfort.
“Lowell, you go with them,” said the Marquess.
“Yes, Father.”
Led by the head maid, they arrived at Marien’s room.
The servants, also feeling betrayed, began searching the place with burning eyes.
From beneath her dresses and inside drawers emerged one luxurious item after another—fine gowns and jewelry no head maid or baron’s daughter could have acquired legitimately.
And then—
“Found it!” shouted one servant, raising his hand high after checking beneath the bed.
