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Chapter 24
Tyburn stroked his chin with a satisfied expression. Lani had a very expressive face—those round eyes and sparkling gaze—just looking at her brightened his mood.
“You seem happy, Lord Tyburn.”
“Of course. How could I not be, when I’ve achieved my goal?”
His aide gave an awkward smile.
Tyburn’s goal had been clear: to keep that maid, Lani, in the mansion.
No one could quite understand what meaning or value that little girl held, but evidently, she was worth enough to throw a fortune at just to keep her around.
He had exerted all his creative energy just to draft that contract in two hours.
“I’ve bought five years. After that, I can leave it to Hider.”
In five years, Hider would be eighteen. Though not yet a full adult, he would be old enough to fulfill his role as a noble of Cartieron.
With this, Tyburn could proudly say he had done his best for Hider.
He had even assigned a fairy to be by Hider’s side.
That pure fairy had been completely fooled by the trap-filled contract she herself signed.
It was fortunate for Tyburn.
With the head maid gone, there was one thing that had become easier—leaving the mansion.
The head maid used to wield the power to grant or deny outings like a weapon, especially over the younger maids.
It would be nice if this freedom could continue.
With a light heart, Lani went out with Dania. They even got formal permission from the head butler.
“Wow! Let’s try that too, Lani! This time, I’ll treat—”
“No, I’ll treat you.”
Heh.
With her purse full, Lani felt proud. Dania gave her a curious look.
“Are you sure it’s okay to spend this much money today?”
Dania looked between the heaps of shopping bags they each held.
Oops. She was so light in heart and body, she hadn’t even noticed how heavy her hands were! Among them were plenty of gifts for Hider.
If she took good care of Hider, she might get even more in return. A small investment like this was no problem at all.
After all, she had always been the one buying Hider’s things anyway.
She had also bought Dania a pair of herb-trimming gloves and some hand cream. Dania’s eyes had sparkled so brightly that Lani thought she might burst into tears right in the street, so she had to calm her down.
“Of course it’s fine, Dania. I don’t have any family to support like you do.”
“But still, Lani. Didn’t you say you wanted to buy a house someday? And get married to a good man…”
I already have a house.
Her mouth was itching to brag, but there was just too much she’d have to explain.
Sigh, all she needed now was a good man. Her big sister already had a house, and if he wanted, she could even buy him a carriage. Want to marry me?
She had even prepared a confession line. She was going to be a successful modern woman. Her lips twitched from excitement, and she had to press them together to keep her grin in check.
Get a hold of yourself, Lani. Think about your dignity.
“Well, yeah, I guess. But Dania, you’re my only real friend. No one else would hang out with me like this.”
She felt a pang of guilt, but it was partly true. Lani got along with most people at the mansion, but surprisingly, she didn’t have any close friends.
Maybe they were all afraid of falling out of favor with the duchess if they got too close to Hider?
Only Dania didn’t seem to care and hung out with her regardless.
“…Lani.”
“Let’s stay close forever, Dania.”
She meant it.
After giving Dania a rush of emotion and finishing their shopping spree, they returned to the mansion.
The mansion was still buzzing with tension when they got back.
Everyone was scared of who might be the next to get kicked out. But Lani, who had become Tyburn’s henchman, was now completely safe!
With a bounce in her step, her hands heavy but her heart light, she ran to Hider’s room. He was sitting by the window reading a book.
He flinched as she came in.
“Young Master!”
She called out brightly and rushed over. She was bursting to show him all the treasures she had gotten today.
Gloves for sword practice, leather shoes, and other things she couldn’t make herself.
Standing beside him, she exhaled excitedly.
“Why are you so excited…? Did you have fun on your outing?”
“Yes! It was really fun. But why are you holding your book upside down? Oh, come on. Now’s not the time to be reading, Young Master. Look at this, and this, and this too. Open them all!”
She stacked the gift boxes in front of Hider.
He looked at her quizzically but opened them one by one. Presents for him came spilling out.
“These… are all for me?”
“Yes! They’re yours, Young Master. Try them on and see if they fit!”
At her urging, Hider put on the gloves and changed into the shoes. She gave him two enthusiastic thumbs-up.
“You look amazing, Young Master!”
“…You were thinking of me even while you were out?”
“Yes! I thought these would suit you perfectly! Oh, and try this too. It was so tasty, I saved some for you.”
“…You thought of me while eating something delicious?”
“Well, since you can’t go out, I had to bring it to you.”
Hider’s ears turned red again.
That must mean he was happy.
It had been a satisfying day of spending.
And, as a dutiful henchwoman, she had also bought a gift for Tyburn. Nothing much—just a scarf and matching gloves to Hider’s. They’d make excellent bribes.
Late Evening
Kiera was too anxious to sit and kept pacing around the room. A butler came in. The duchess was biting her fingers and asked quietly,
“So, have you located the missing servants?”
“…There’s not a trace of them, Madam.”
“You mean they might be dead?”
The duchess’s eyes trembled slightly.
Kiera felt her heart drop.
“We don’t know for sure, Madam. Shall I continue the investigation?”
“Yes, please do. And what did Father say about the new head maid?”
“He hasn’t mentioned anything since dismissing the others.”
That was troubling too.
The silence felt like pressure closing in on the duchess. She realized now that silence could be the most terrifying form of threat.
‘Does he know everything? Is this his way of telling me to bow my head?’
The duchess swallowed hard. No, that couldn’t be. Kiera still had too much to gain here. If she wasn’t careful, she could lose everything she’d built.
She needed a way to drive Tyburn out.
After a moment of thought, Kiera moved her lips.
“…I’m going to request an exorcism ritual from the temple. I suspect a ghost may be haunting the mansion.”
“But that’s…”
“Father will surely object. But apparently, there have been multiple sightings. And now… even Karte…”
The duchess wiped at her eyes, forcing out tears that wouldn’t come.
“Seeing Karte like that, I’m sure Father will give his permission. I’ll make sure of it. For now, send someone to the temple discreetly.”
“…Yes, Madam.”
“And as for the new head maid…”
The duchess swallowed hard again.
“I’ll contact my family and ask them to send someone competent. The current Cartieron staff simply aren’t good enough.”
“…Understood, Madam.”
Kiera smiled faintly.
Everything would be fine.
Even if the world collapsed, there was always a way out. And Kiera intended to find it herself.
