🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 46
Elin was summoned to the western annex without any explanation and hurried inside.
Even though she was the chief aide to the master of the house, she didn’t particularly like being ordered around by someone serving Lady Velia.
Still, the urgency of the summons left her no choice but to abandon what she was doing and come immediately.
On top of that, there had apparently been quite a commotion in the front building just moments ago.
“But I have no idea what’s going on.”
Clicking her tongue, Elin lifted her head and stood near the entrance hall.
“I’m here to see Mr. Bennett.”
“Ah, I’ve been informed. Please go straight to the third floor.”
She nodded politely at the attendant who opened the door and led her inside, then stepped in.
To be honest, the western annex felt out of place in the Essier Mansion. Perhaps because it was mainly used by administrators, the space felt rigid and stifling—there was none of the noble charm one might expect.
Every time she came here, it felt suffocating. The layered security at every floor only added to the frustration.
“What is this about?”
A man blocking the way at the entrance to the next floor made Elin frown slightly.
How many times was she going to be stopped after being summoned?
But Bennett was the master’s most trusted aide, even superior to Lady Velia in some matters. It was best not to offend him, Elin thought, forcing a smile.
“I’m here to see Bennett…”
“Ah, I’ve been informed. This way, please.”
Elin’s irritation at the man’s reverence for Bennett softened slightly as she lifted her chin and walked forward.
Yet, her pride didn’t last long.
“Called… Arina?”
“Elin!”
Elin’s mouth snapped shut as she saw Arina’s condition. The second-class maid was kneeling on the floor, not before her mistress but before her mistress’s aide.
Elin bit her tongue, realizing that something must have gone terribly wrong.
The commotion in the front building…
‘Could it be… she got caught with that thing?’
Still, Elin had nothing to do with it herself.
“I don’t know why you were summoned, but this sight is very unpleasant. Have you forgotten that my mistress serves Lady Velia…?”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“Then why act so recklessly…?”
“If you had business to handle, would you not kneel as well?”
Bennett glanced at Elin and placed a small glass bottle down.
Elin instantly recognized what it was, lifting her head to hide the trembling in her eyes.
“….”
Bennett sighed at her defiant gaze.
“Arina tried to harm Lady Leticia, and I heard you might be involved as well.”
“This is insane.”
“Elin!”
“I have nothing to do with such actions… it’s not related to me at all.”
Elin shook her head, letting out a hollow laugh at the absurdity.
As expected, Bennett produced a small magical tool and set it down.
“What if you had this?”
Using his magic, he moved it slightly.
“It can detect the child’s abilities… or that kind of thing.”
“You can detect it?”
“Yes.”
“Are you planning to use it?”
“Yes, to increase the dosage.”
“This is the last time. There won’t be another.”
“Yes.”
“And even if you get caught…”
“St-stop it!”
The little rat… Elin bit her lip and glared at Arina.
But Arina didn’t care, continuing to protest to Bennett.
“L-look, I was only following orders! I was so scared that I even used this expensive magical tool…”
“That’s enough.”
“Sir!”
“Your punishment won’t change because of that. We’re only sending this to a proper trial instead of handling it ourselves.”
That alone felt like divine mercy to her.
No one who had received the order to be wiped out by Margo Essier ever walked out of the front gate alive—either dead or carried away.
Thanks to the magical tool, at least she would walk out alive, though still facing trial.
Once it went to a formal trial, she could at least avoid torture. That alone was enough to be thankful for.
Bennett finally diverted his gaze from her, and Elin, as expected, continued to deny everything, shaking her head.
“I don’t know anything about this.”
“Isn’t that your voice?”
“It’s my voice, yes. Ah… I think it was about the conversation regarding adding seasoning to food. There’s been so much work lately that I don’t remember clearly.”
True enough, that conversation didn’t directly mention the magical solution.
‘Perhaps deliberately…’
Or maybe she was just careful by nature.
“I see.”
Bennett nodded, opening his bag to put away the magical tool.
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
“Is it over?”
“Yes.”
Elin stiffened, baffled that she had been summoned so urgently just to show her this trivial item. But Bennett had brought her here to show this, explain it, and hint that there were more things like it.
Having fulfilled his purpose, he stood and looked at her.
“Oh, I almost forgot something.”
“….”
Bennett walked closer to her as if recalling something, lightly tapping his temple. He leaned slightly forward and whispered.
“Don’t touch the child. It’s better for Andrea and his wife’s well-being.”
“….”
“I don’t think Lady Velia is involved in this, but you should remember that the master is keeping an eye on the child because of this incident.”
It was a sharp warning from Bennett.
Elin reluctantly nodded her stiff neck in response.
“Well then, see you later.”
Bennett smiled, extending his hand toward the door—a clear signal for her to leave.
“So…”
“The child is undergoing detoxification, Arina was dragged to the western annex, and Elin as well.”
“Even Elin?”
Helene let out a light laugh, then bit her lower lip, unable to hold back a more mischievous smile.
“All the ties are broken now.”
“For the time being, I suppose Lady Velia’s people won’t even dare set foot in the front building.”
That thought pleased Helene immensely. She sipped warm milk, sweetened with sugar more precious than gold, and felt the richness fill her mouth—this was the taste of wealth.
“Drink some too. It’s delicious.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Helene smiled at the maid as she gulped down the milk, her eyes wide with wonder.
“Did you say you have siblings? Take some home to share the taste with them.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“This is my gift to you. You did a very good job this time.”
That was the highest praise Helene could offer.
Beside the milk was a small pouch.
“I’ve left a little compensation. Use it for your siblings.”
“Th-thank you.”
The maid bowed deeply, holding the pouch, while Helene smiled faintly at the top of her head.
“Take care of things well from now on.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
With her eyes shining at the sight of the pouch, the maid nodded vigorously.
Indeed, money had power. It could buy trust and gratitude that neither goodwill nor divine favor could.
‘Nothing else is reliable.’
Helene felt the heavy scent of wealth on her nose as she set the cup down. The day she held that money would not be far off.
Andrea was collapsing on his own, and Lady Velia was losing the master’s favor. Filling the gap with her and her husband would be easy.
Except, that is, if Sharier Essier remained a variable.
Though he had relinquished succession and was enduring hardship at the front, human greed is not so easily controlled.
Especially since Leticia appeared different from her father.
But—
‘I just stopped by the maid’s house at Onee briefly. It was very brief.’
‘No trace of Sharier Essier.’
‘Too little time to have done anything.’
The mercenaries placed near Leticia on weekends reported nothing unusual.
Perhaps sending someone to the front where Sharier is might be better. Or letting both disappear from view.
Not a bad idea. Sharier was at the front, and Leticia was too young.
Helene smiled as she watched the maid’s eyes rolling before her.
“Well, I should let you go now. I’ve kept you here too long.”
“Okay.”
The maid stood up quietly and left the room as discreetly as when she had carried the milk and pouch.
“Can we trust her?”
“Have you ever seen me trust people? I trust money.”
Helene snorted lazily and rose from her seat.
“One of my brother’s arms has gone missing.”
Even that small victory lifted her spirits. Tonight, she would sleep soundly.
