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chapter 08
“Sister, new sister!”
Bang!
Before she knew it, the door slammed hard against her face as she was pushed toward it.
Blanche, biting her lips in anxiety, spotted the approaching paladins from a distance and quickly fixed her expression.
‘Ah, but what should I do? Even if I die, I can’t say that’s not my painting. I’ve already applied as a rookie artist to the Kaelas Duke family!’
If she claimed to be an artist, at least she could have a reason to talk.
The reason Blanche stole the painting and acted as if it were hers was simple.
Kaelas Duke!
‘I want to marry him!’
The Kaelas Duke family of the North.
For some time, a portrait had been circulating among the eligible young ladies of the capital.
Although adults warned it was a cursed family, young ladies obsessed with romance paid no mind to that.
A husband just needs to have a face, a body, and power!
Regardless of the Kaelas Duke’s personality, he was perfect for that kind of husband.
‘I made everyone jealous when I applied to the Kaelas Duke family as an artist. I can’t lose that.’
She didn’t want to be ridiculed!
Pacing anxiously down the hallway, Blanche eventually decided to go to her mother and cry and make a fuss.
‘My brother listens to Mom about everything.’
Originally, Blanche had come here because of her brother.
He told her to go apologize properly since the new sister seemed upset.
‘Hmph. Just wait. That’s my painting.’
Who would give it up easily?
As long as she didn’t give in, it was fine.
Even as she hurried along, Blanche hunched her shoulders from anxiety.
No way, surely not…
‘Will she embarrass me in front of everyone? She can’t possibly do that.’
“Of course, you have no intention of returning my painting peacefully.”
A few days later, Iona’s ban on going out was finally lifted.
Naturally, Blanche hadn’t come even once since then.
Felix and Griselda were also completely silent.
She had expected it, so she didn’t wait.
Instead, she was thinking about how to get back at them.
“Milady, I’ll replace all the bedding! I haven’t cleaned for a few days, and it really makes me uncomfortable.”
Tara, who hadn’t visited in a while, flung open the windows and busied herself.
Iona, sitting on the sofa drinking tea, looked at Tara and then suddenly realized something, putting down her cup.
“Tara.”
“Yes, Milady?”
“Go to the far end and come here.”
Limp, limp.
Covered by her long maid’s skirt, it wasn’t easy to see, but it was clear.
Tara’s walk was strange.
Moreover, she kept sneaking glances at the clock, pretending not to.
“Lift your skirt.”
“B-but, Milady…”
“Turn around and lift it.”
With the short order, Tara squeezed her eyes shut and raised her skirt.
Moments later…
Iona was speechless at the sight of her legs, bruised blue, almost yellowed.
This wasn’t just from a day or two.
“Ah, the Grand Mistress Griselda.”
“T-that is…”
“Don’t lie. Tell me. Who did this?”
Tara was not her personal maid, just one of many cleaning maids. She hadn’t expected retaliation like this.
“I’m really okay, Milady.”
“No. It looks like bruises on top of bruises. Did someone call you at the same time every day to hit you?”
“Well…”
“It must have been Grand Mistress Griselda. The one who hit you would be the head maid.”
Iona was no longer asking a question—she was confirming.
Tara’s gentle face filled with tears.
“Yes, Milady. Y-yes.”
“Why?”
“I… brought bread and… an apple at that time…”
“Hah!”
What a petty reason.
Rye bread and apples were even distributed to the maids.
Just for bringing a little of that, she got treated like this?
[Seongjwa ‘Master of Lies’ observes the situation with interest.]
[Seongjwa ‘No. 1 in Revenge Service Industry’ complains that this is unjust!]
[Seongjwa ‘<Urgent> My husband has 14 pieces, what should I do?’ says it must be a scheme to reduce your household influence.]
The last message was not wrong.
‘They want to make sure no one takes my side. Back then, the maids didn’t listen to Griselda.’
There was probably some venting of anger too.
Iona calmly assessed the situation and gestured toward the sofa across from her.
“Sit there. Standing must be hard.”
“Y-yes? But how dare I, a mere maid, sit on the sofa…”
“Sit. I shouldn’t have to say it twice.”
Forcing Tara to sit, Iona stood herself.
Rustling, she found something on the desk and placed it in front of Tara: a blank sheet and a pen.
“You can write, right? It’s supposed to be part of a Teresia family maid’s basic training.”
“Yes, I-I can write, Milady.”
“Then write what I tell you.”
[Seongjwa ‘Serious About Punishing the Adulterous Guy’ wonders what she plans to do.]
Ignoring the flashing messages, Iona smiled slightly.
“Being with you was disgusting. I can’t stay in a place that gives such stingy pay anymore.”
“Eh?!”
“Oh, the title is ‘Resignation Letter.’”
She should have said that first, but her mind was rushed.
As Tara, stunned, copied down the trembling words, Iona pulled the household bell cord.
A single tug wouldn’t bring anyone, so she pumped it repeatedly like a maniac—this was a secret.
“You called, little Milady?”
After a long wait, the butler appeared hesitantly.
Luxen, a strict old man who had devoted his life to the Teresia family, was now 80. Stern, old-fashioned, and unfriendly like another body of Griselda.
Iona crossed her arms and gave instructions to the butler.
“Bring the head maid. If she doesn’t come in five minutes, you’ll see something worse than last time.”
“Please be careful, little Milady. If something like this happens again, the Head of the Family will impose a severe punishment.”
“Who would think you’re the Head of the Family?”
Luxen frowned at Iona’s mocking tone.
From his perspective, she was acting recklessly.
What lady would destroy her family’s treasured paintings and sculptures?
‘Trusting that Isis girl was a mistake.’
The Head should have married someone proper who serves Baldur!
Though internally frustrated, Luxen realized:
‘This is no bluff.’
How long had it taken to clean up the chaos Iona caused before?
Her beautiful mansion had been completely ruined…
Recalling that, Luxen’s mustache trembled.
“Let’s see… Felix must have gone to work. Maybe she’ll hire mercenaries to overturn things in the meantime.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“You dared to talk back. I’ll add arson to the list. Naturally, the cost will be billed to the Teresia family. It’ll all be your responsibility.”
“…!”
How could a human be so reckless!
Until recently, she had been calm, and now this—he was stunned.
Worse, it wasn’t just a threat; she seemed likely to actually do it.
“My demand is simple. Bring the head maid. Can’t you do that, incompetent butler?”
“…I’ll… bring her.”
In fact, asking to summon the head maid was a reasonable and rightful demand. The butler had no authority to stop her.
If the “upset” Milady carried out “some excessive action,” it would be the butler’s fault for not obeying.
After all, the “Milady” is the employer, the “butler” is the employee.
Grinding his teeth, Luxen finally turned.
Iona snorted at his retreating back.
‘Judging by that grumble, he’ll probably run to Griselda to tattletale.’
