8.

“I’m furious!”

Julia was crying. She hadn’t cried like this since childhood, but now tears were streaming down her face.

“I’m so furious, Father!”

“Child, hush, hush! Someone might hear!”

But far from comforting Julia, Baizel was frantically trying to cover her mouth.

“Don’t forget we’re still in the Duke of Rochester’s mansion!”

The two hadn’t returned to their own estate. They had made excuses about the distance being too far during dinner and decided to stay overnight.

As soon as they were shown to the guest room, Julia burst into tears.

“How can you tell me to be quiet!”

Though Baizel’s words were reasonable, they sounded distorted to Julia.

“When you know what humiliation I suffered from Stella today!”

“I know, of course I know.”

Baizel repeatedly stroked Julia’s thin back.

“She really tore your heart apart! What a wicked girl. She was able to marry into such a good place all thanks to me. How quickly she forgets her debt of gratitude.”

That’s right.

Julia gritted her teeth.

Wasn’t it all because of her father that Stella Ambrose, that merely pretty-faced aging woman, could marry someone as magnificent as Kalian Rochester?

‘And yet she treats me like this?’

How dare you treat me this way?

The anger hidden behind her tears began to surge. She couldn’t help but feel furious at the thought that Stella, whom she had always considered beneath her, now stood above her.

Julia had always been perceptive since childhood. She quickly understood what others thought and how they looked at her.

Hadn’t Stella Ambrose been drowning in guilt and remorse toward her, to the point that even Julia found it pitiful?

“Can’t you give this to me, Sister?”

So she crossed the line.

Even if Stella actually opposed it, there was no reason not to play with her now that things had gone this far.

“I really want this so badly.”

She had asked for a pen that Stella had treasured since childhood and then broke it right in front of her. She had also thrown tantrums to receive Stella’s only formal dress.

Of course, she threw that dress—which couldn’t even be used as a rag—into the fireplace as soon as she returned home.

“Haha!”

But hadn’t Julia been filled with ecstasy every time Stella went out wearing clothes more shabby than the one Julia had burned?

Julia knew. If things had been as they should have been, if House Ambrose had even a little power, Stella’s life would have been completely opposite to what it was now.

After all, she was so beautiful.

Even wearing dirty clothes, with a face darkened by fatigue, she was beautiful enough to attract people’s attention with just one smile.

She would surely have married a good gentleman, right?

With her kind heart and such beautiful appearance, if House Ambrose hadn’t collapsed, she would certainly have married a caring person and lived a happy life, right?

“I’m sorry, Uncle. I’m truly so sorry. I… I can’t bring myself to say it. But Mother, Mother fell down the stairs……”

Her sister, more beautiful than anyone and who should have been more praised than anyone if things had been as they should.

Stella, her perfect ideal!

Whenever that sister was strangled by poverty, rolling on the ground, becoming dirty, kneeling for just a few coins and falling to the bottom.

Ah, how thrilling it was.

Julia felt a shiver run through her body every time Stella struggled and suffered.

She needed greater pleasure. She wanted to constantly confirm the fact that her sister was beneath her.

“Are you really Miss Stella Ambrose? You’re the one who sent me the letter, correct?”

So she played a small prank, which again satisfied Julia’s heart more than expected.

“…I want to feed my siblings until they’re full. I also want to move my parents to a better place.”

“Miss Ambrose.”

“Would you please help someone like me? Kind sir.”

Most men fell for it when she started selling a story pretending to be her sister. After spending a short time together, they would completely fall for her.

“You are truly as beautiful as they say, Miss Ambrose.”

“Marry me. Stella, my love. If you’re willing, I can give up everything.”

How thrilling it was when men who normally wouldn’t even make eye contact with her begged for her attention.

It felt like complete compensation for all the days she had suffered because of her inferior looks compared to Stella and her bloodline mixed with half-commoner blood.

Wearing a wig in the middle of summer or covering her face with a half-mask wasn’t troublesome at all.

But the most thrilling moment was…

“I don’t know you!”

“You betray me! How dare you!”

…when she saw Stella’s expression as she suffered without knowing anything about what Julia had done.

And it was also too, too enjoyable to see her sister’s expression when she deliberately showed her the brooch she had received from that man earlier, while her sister knew nothing.

Haaah……

“I was so happy until now……”

Julia wiped her face.

When had she become so firm? Why had she changed like that? Julia rolled her eyes. No matter how much she thought about it, the answer was always the same.

Duke Kalian Rochester.

“This won’t do, Father.”

He needed to be away from Stella.

“I’ll try to seduce Duke Rochester.”

“What?”

Baizel’s eyes widened. Though he knew there was no one else in the room, he frantically scanned their surroundings and lowered his voice.

“Are you crazy, Julia? Do you think that man is someone who would be seduced just because someone tries to seduce him?!”

“I can do it, Father.”

“Julia! Come to your senses!”

Ignoring whatever Baizel was saying, Julia muttered.

“You saw it earlier, didn’t you? How affectionate that man was toward Sister Stella.”

Hadn’t he whispered something in her ear, and burst into laughter as if finding her cute when Stella said something?

That was clearly affection.

“But I heard that at first, they clearly rejected each other.”

Julia, who had been muttering as if talking to herself, suddenly turned her head to look at Baizel.

“Right? I heard Sister Stella adamantly said she hated it.”

“That’s right. She truly hated it more than death. I don’t know why, though……”

“Then that means this affection developed after marriage? It means it’s an affection that started from recent curiosity??”

Julia continued speaking rapidly without even taking a breath.

“That means there’s room for me to intervene, right? Since Sister Stella and I look like twins, that must be true, right?”

Julia approached Baizel. He unconsciously stepped back with a start.

“Right, Father?”

“Uh, uhhhh….. Yes.”

“I need to look in the mirror.”

Julia abruptly stood up and approached the full-length mirror placed at one side of the room. The large mirror perfectly reflected Julia’s figure.

Beautiful.

Julia was certainly beautiful. Her eyes were large, her nose was straight, and her skin was fair without a single tan mark.

But it wasn’t enough.

She was lacking something compared to Stella Ambrose, her kind sister.

“…Julia!”

Baizel called to his daughter. But pretending not to hear, Julia began to undress.

Plop.

As the buttons came undone and she untied the waist ribbon that secured her dress, it fell to her feet. She untied the ribbons holding up her white stockings and removed her shoes.

Finally, when she untied the ribbon securing her hair, her golden locks fluttered in the air.

“……”

Now, the full-length mirror reflected Julia wearing only a thin negligee that was nearly transparent.

Without even wearing shoes, Julia walked barefoot to open the trunk she had brought. From inside, she took out a thin shawl and draped it over herself.

“What on earth are you trying to do?”

Baizel, who had been blankly staring at his daughter, asked, and Julia replied halfheartedly while finishing draping the shawl.

“I’m going to sleep with Duke Rochester.”

“Child?!”

“Sister Stella is surely like a wooden block when it comes to such things, so he must be unsatisfied.”

“Wait a moment, wait!”

Baizel hurriedly rose from his chair and grabbed Julia’s arm.

“Julia, my child.”

Having run just that short distance, Baizel seemed out of breath as he lowered his head once before looking up and speaking.

“Make sure you succeed.”

Baizel smiled, showing his teeth.

“You only have one chance. If you fail this time, the security will surely be heightened and you’ll fail, understand?”

While dusting off the shawl, Baizel continued speaking.

“This position was practically yours anyway. That Stella will be driven out soon.”

Julia nodded as she looked at her father who supported her.

“Of course.”

She swept her hair back and smiled smugly.

“Sister Stella and I look exactly alike, like twins, don’t we?”

⁕⁕⁕

Creeak.

The firmly locked guest room door opened. Step, step. A small light flickered in the dark corridor.

The upper floor with the attic, mainly used as quarters for the servants, was still noisy, but the lower floor, where the guest rooms were primarily located, was quiet.

Thanks to this, Julia was able to reach the garden without encountering anyone.

‘Sister is in her room.’

Julia’s gaze fell on Stella’s room window where a small light flickered.

Whether she was writing a letter or preparing for bed, the light was wavering.

Let’s see, then where would Duke Rochester be?

Julia’s gaze moved slowly.

That’s Mrs. Poff or whoever’s room, and the top floor is for the servants.

Julia’s gaze, scanning the rooms with lights on, moved diligently until it stopped at one place.

Hadn’t Julia looked around various places in the mansion with Stella during the day?

But there were a few places they hadn’t seen, namely the owner’s private bedroom and study.

‘We didn’t visit that place today.’

Today, Julia had looked at everything she could see, from the stables to the Duchess’s room.

But she hadn’t seen that place.

Since she had checked the Duchess’s room during the day, the place Julia didn’t know was most likely the Duke’s private room.

Having set her target, Julia’s steps were unwavering. After reaching the door of the room where the light was on, Julia scanned her surroundings.

There was no one.

“Ah!”

Julia’s body staggered greatly. With a thud, she fell loudly onto the cold marble floor.

“Ouch……”

After making a sound as if for someone to hear, she sat on the cold floor for a moment until the door opened.

“Miss Ambrose?”

Kalian, holding a candle, frowned. Julia flushed her face in surprise, as if she hadn’t expected to encounter someone here.

“What are you doing here?”

“Duke!”

Taking a deep breath, Julia lowered her head. Her body began to tremble.

“Well, I couldn’t sleep so I went for a walk……”

Sister Stella would be incredibly embarrassed in this situation. She would shrink her body and desperately clutch her shawl.

“I, I was trying to return to my room but then, then I fell.”

And then she should stammer appropriately while rambling. Ah, she should also lower her head slightly.

‘What’s going on? Why is it so quiet?’

Julia frowned with her gaze lowered. She wanted to lift her head to see what was happening, but it was frustrating that she couldn’t because she was imitating her sister.

“……Haa.”

A sigh was heard from above her head. He must be contemplating.

“Excuse me, Duke……”

Julia pretended to struggle to speak while trembling.

“I think I’ve hurt my ankle when I fell. Could I ask for your support?”

“Of course.”

The answer came immediately. Good. Now when he takes her hand, she planned to drop her shawl and then jump into his arms.

Surely any man would respond.

“Take my hand, Miss Ambrose.”

“Thank you.”

A hand was extended a bit late. Julia tremblingly took the hand. Good, now if she could just fall into his arms…!

“Your body has gotten quite cold.”

Huh?

The familiar voice she had been hearing all day sounded. Surprised, Julia lifted her head abruptly.

“Are you alright, Miss Ambrose?”

The one holding her hand was Mrs. Poff. She smiled brightly and held out a thick shawl.

“Would you like to wear this?”

Before Julia could answer, Mrs. Poff wrapped it around Julia’s body with quick and meticulous hands.

“Wait, wait.”

“Let me hold your hand. Would you like to try standing up?”

Before Julia could say anything, Mrs. Poff lifted her with tremendous strength.

Julia, who stood up in the confusion, supported her body with both legs.

“I heard you hurt your ankle, but looking at you now, it seems you’re not badly injured, which is fortunate.”

Mrs. Poff smiled broadly. Only then did Julia realize that Mrs. Poff was mocking her.

“……!”

But there was nothing she could do. Kalian was still standing behind Mrs. Poff.

“Mrs. Poff. Please escort our guest back to her room.”

“Yes, Duke.”

Mrs. Poff tightly gripped Julia’s hand. It was a grip that seemed to convey that she already knew exactly why Julia had come here.

Julia bit her lip.

Kalian, observing Julia, swept back his hair that had been comfortably down.

“Mrs. Poff, I’d like to have a word with Miss Ambrose.”

“Pardon?”

Mrs. Poff looked at Kalian in surprise.

“But it’s dangerous for just the two of you to be alone right now, Duke.”

“What could be dangerous in my own mansion, in front of my own people?”

Kalian leaned slightly against the wall and nodded toward one side of the corridor. It was a gesture asking her to step away for a bit.

“……”

Still concerned, Mrs. Poff hesitated for a moment before releasing Julia’s hand. Julia quickly rubbed her wrist that had been held.

“Miss Ambrose.”

Just as expected. When Kalian called her, Julia laughed inwardly. No matter how little interest he had in her, she was his wife’s beloved cousin and looked exactly like her.

Wasn’t this a situation where he had to pay a bit more attention and care?

And then, perhaps their eyes would meet and their bodies would connect.

“Yes, Duke……”

Julia lowered her head, making her body tremble like Stella would.

“First, I’m sorry. I don’t know if getting lost is such a mistake, but I must have been rude, right? That’s why Mrs. Poff—”

“Please imitate moderately.”

Kalian cut off her words as if time was precious.

“You don’t resemble her at all.”

“……!!”

Julia’s head shot up. Kalian was perfectly reflected in her large eyes.

How strange.

They were clearly eyes that looked exactly like Stella’s. But while looking into Stella’s eyes felt as peaceful as being in a forest, now it was nothing but unpleasant.

“You don’t seem to have heard, so I’ll kindly warn you again.”

His voice lowered. Julia unconsciously took a step back from the pressure bearing down on her.

“I’m saying the games end here.”

“I don’t know what you mean at all.”

Julia stammered while desperately clutching her shawl.

“Why are you doing this to me……”

“Do you know who the man you seduced recently on Kessentra Street was?”

He even found out it was her on Kessentra Street?

“I’m asking you for the second time, who was the man you seduced on the street that you deliberately went to at the right time to lure me out, Miss Ambrose.”

Even in this situation, Kalian’s tone was exceedingly polite. If one closed their eyes and listened, it would be impossible to tell whether these words were spoken during a meal or in a situation where she was cornered.

“I, I don’t know.”

In the end, Julia shook her head. As if he had expected this, Kalian smiled.

“It was Count Dashwood.”

Thud. Kalian took one step forward.

“A man who has already been widowed four times.”

Stagger. Julia took one step back.

“He’s currently looking for his fifth wife. I wonder how you caught the eye of such a man.”

Kalian took another step forward.

Four dead wives and searching for a fifth wife. Julia wasn’t stupid enough not to understand what that meant.

“He’s been looking for the mysterious woman he met on the street these past few days. Wouldn’t he be truly delighted to know who she is?”

Thud! Julia fell backward with a loud noise. Despite what must have been a painful fall, her gaze remained fixed on Kalian.

“Miss Ambrose. My wife is no longer a member of House Ambrose.”

Kalian’s shadow fell over Julia’s fallen body.

“She is now a member of House Rochester.”

A strong sense of possessiveness emanated from him as he said those words. Noticing this, Julia’s trembling stopped.

“Kuk.”

As if she had realized something, Julia blinked a couple of times and burst into laughter.

“Haha!”

As if she couldn’t possibly contain her laughter, Julia rolled on the floor while clutching her shawl.

“Hahaha! What? What? So that’s what it was!!”

Haha……

Julia staggered to her feet and looked at Kalian. The fear that had been deeply etched in her eyes just moments ago was nowhere to be found.

“I misjudged you, Duke Rochester. I sincerely apologize.”

Julia politely curtseyed as if she were wearing a beautiful dress and smiled brightly.

“As you said, let’s stop the games here.”

Julia leisurely swept her hair back with her hand. Behind her, Mrs. Poff was shaking her head.

“I have no idea what you’re thinking.”

“I just realized something.”

Julia flipped her hair behind her neck and smiled brightly.

“That Sister Stella couldn’t escape her misfortune. And the person who would bring her the greatest misfortune was you, Duke. I’ll wait.”

Her eyes gleamed venomously as she looked at Kalian.

“For you, Duke Rochester, to kindly send my angelic Sister Stella to hell.”

⁕⁕⁕

“I’m truly sorry, Stella……”

Stella stared in disbelief at the carriage behind Baizel, who kept apologizing.

Inside the carriage sat Julia, who had caused the incident at the Duke’s mansion not long ago.

“Please forgive her just this once. You know Julia is a good child.”

“Wait, Uncle. I simply cannot believe this.”

Stella was still in shock.

“Madam, please don’t be alarmed when you hear this.”

She had heard from Mrs. Poff that Julia, who had recently visited the Duke’s mansion, had entered Kalian’s room. She had even tried to pounce on him.

Mrs. Poff added that she hadn’t told Stella immediately the day after the incident because she was worried Stella would be too shocked.

At first, Stella had denied it.

The Julia in her memory was innocent and pure. Sometimes she acted mischievously, but she was just a child after all.

“I’ve decided to send Julia to a convent.”

“A convent?”

Stella swallowed in surprise. Entering a convent meant giving up everything—marriage, inheritance, everything.

“Julia herself suggested it first. As a way to atone to you.”

“There’s no need to go that far. I’ll talk to Julia.”

“Stella! Child!”

Ignoring Baizel’s voice calling after her, Stella walked toward the carriage. Through the carriage window, she could see Julia playing with her hair as if bored.

Looking at her like this, she doesn’t seem any different from when she was young.

“Julia.”

Stella approached the carriage and knocked on the door. Only then did Julia turn to look at Stella, but she only opened the window, not the door.

“What is it?”

“Julia, let’s talk.”

“You’ve already heard everything, haven’t you? What’s there to talk about?”

Julia tilted her head and then exclaimed “Ah!” with a bright smile.

“Did you want to hear my sincere feelings that I’ve hated you all along? Yes! I’ve hated you so much since I was young!”

Now Julia hid neither her true feelings nor her malice. There was someone who would make Stella more miserable than if she had stayed close while hiding her true nature.

“Every day when I saw you, I thought: Ah, if I had been you, I wouldn’t have wasted that face, that beauty, that perfect noble bloodline like that.”

As Julia continued speaking, Stella simply stood frozen.

“Having everything but being held back by family and unable to do anything—you seemed so incompetent and I hated it.”

Sister. Julia called her softly, just like when they were young, and smiled brightly.

“I won’t tell you anything. Nothing. Well, perhaps I can tell you this much?”

Julia leaned her head slightly out of the carriage window and whispered to Stella.

“Be careful of Kalian Rochester. He knows everything.”

“What does that mean?”

In response to Stella’s question, Julia merely shrugged her shoulders with a bright smile, then closed the window with a bang and even drew the curtains.

“Julia? Julia!”

Stella knocked on the door again, but the curtains never reopened.

“I’m sorry. Please forgive us.”

Baizel kept bowing his head repeatedly before boarding the carriage. As if it had been waiting for this, the carriage immediately departed.

“Ah……”

Stella blankly watched the hastily departing carriage. She couldn’t understand what was happening.

Could this be a dream? If she closed her eyes and opened them again, would she return to a few days ago when they were all happily dining together?

‘That’s impossible.’

There was absolutely no way. Stella’s body began to slump forward as she swallowed her tears.

“Are you alright?”

The one who caught Stella as she was about to fall forward was Kalian.

“Duke……”

Swallowing her tears, Stella stood before Kalian. Her head dropped helplessly.

“I’m sorry that my cousin was so rude this time.”

“There’s no need to apologize.”

Kalian’s hand lifted Stella’s head as it was about to drop.

“It’s not your fault.”

“But.”

“And I intend to quietly bury this incident. Miss Ambrose has readily admitted her mistake and agreed to enter a convent.”

Stella’s face brightened at Kalian’s forgiveness.

What a foolish woman.

She must have heard all about Julia Ambrose’s true nature, yet she was this happy.

“Julia must be reflecting on this incident, thank you, Duke. But…”

Stella bit her lower lip hard. When she continued speaking with difficulty, there was an awkward smile on her lips.

“Everyone has left me.”

After her family, now her uncle whom she trusted and relied on, and her beloved younger cousin had left too.

They might not have been good people, they might have been hiding their true nature and deceiving her.

But still, they were family, they were blood relatives……

“I’ve become completely alone.”

As if it was no longer possible to hold back, she burst into tears. Her body collapsed forward, and she began to cry painfully, letting her tears fall.

“It’s alright, Duchess.”

Kalian whispered as he tightly embraced such a Stella in his arms. She continued to cry as she nestled into his embrace.

“Because I’m here.”

He liked how Stella craved companionship. Her eyes, wavering as if she didn’t know where to go, were lovely. The desperate way she clung to him was satisfying.

“I won’t leave you alone.”

Kalian smiled with satisfaction. It was a smile that Stella, nestled in his arms, could not see.

⁕⁕⁕

“A party invitation?”

Stella asked Kalian.

After Julia’s incident, it took a full day for Stella to regain her senses, and several more days were needed for her to recover her physical strength.

Just as she had barely recovered, an invitation arrived for Stella.

“It’s an invitation from Viscountess Merkeler.”

“Ah…!”

She must have just noticed the name of Viscountess Merkeler written on the envelope. Stella’s face brightened.

“It seems she’s hosting a party and wants to invite you. And me as well.”

Stella examined the letter curiously at Kalian’s words.

“There’s no sign the envelope has been opened, how did you know that?”

“It’s obvious.”

Kalian leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.

“Viscount and Viscountess Merkeler haven’t been established in the capital for long, and this is the first party being held by House Merkeler, isn’t it?”

“Ah, I understand.”

Stella nodded.

“Since it’s the first party held in the name of House Merkeler, they naturally want to invite high-ranking nobles if possible.”

“I’m probably the most suitable figure. I haven’t been discharged from the military for long, and I haven’t shown my face much in social circles.”

Not only that. Hadn’t he held a sudden wedding shortly after leaving the military?

And with none other than ‘that’ Stella Ambrose.

“……”

They had clearly considered that point when sending the invitation.

Where could one easily find a high-ranking noble who could boast of connections and also provided an appropriate amount of gossip?

“What will you do?”

Kalian looked at Stella and asked.

“If you don’t wish to attend, I can send a letter of refusal.”

“……”

Stella, who had been looking at the letter, slowly shook her head.

“I’ll go. I can’t stay depressed forever. What about you, Duke?”

This time, Stella asked for Kalian’s opinion.

“I’d like to go, but I’m curious about what you think, Duke. And you’re also very busy.”

“Hmm.”

Kalian lowered his gaze to read the letter Stella was holding. As luck would have it, Kalian had a prior engagement on the day of the party.

It was a fairly important appointment. It was about time to expand his business.

“Please, ask me.”

But if Stella were to plead with him, he was willing to postpone such appointments anytime.

“Ask me.”

“Ask you?”

Stella’s eyes wavered as she clutched the letter tightly. Her face showed that she wanted to do something for her one remaining friend, but didn’t know what or how.

“Haven’t you ever begged your father when you were young? Try something like that, Duchess.”

“No. Maybe when I was very young, but I don’t remember.”

“Oh my.”

Kalian shrugged his shoulders as if it was quite unfortunate, and Stella’s eyes narrowed. She was remarkably good at detecting when he was teasing her.

“Hmm.”

Stella remained deep in thought for quite some time. She seemed to be searching for a way to approach this.

“…lian.”

She tentatively reached out and took his hand. He had told her to act as if she were asking her father, and this was apparently all she could manage. Well, children often hold their parents’ hands and throw tantrums.

“Would you please go with me?”

She lowered her gaze shyly, then slowly raised it to look at him.

“Kalian.”

Her plump lips finally placed his name on her red tongue. Kalian’s lips, and then his eyes, curved with a smile.

“By all means, whatever you wish.”

⁕⁕⁕

Damn, damn, damn!

Baizel’s face turned ashen as he cursed through clenched teeth.

‘Julia, that stupid girl has ruined everything!’

“It’s all over, Father.”

Julia, who had returned after going to sleep with Duke Rochester, seemed somehow relieved.

“What do you mean it’s over? Don’t tell me you succeeded in seducing Duke Rochester?”

“No.”

As soon as they arrived at the mansion, Julia smiled brightly as she removed her bonnet and placed it on the bureau.

“The opposite. Duke Rochester found out everything.”

“……!!”

“I’m going to enter a convent. I’ll be watching everything from there. I’m already excited to see what expression Sister will make, my heart is pounding.”

“W-wait a minute. If you’ve been found out, what about me? Me! What am I supposed to do!”

Julia merely shrugged her shoulders. Her expression was irritatingly nonchalant.

“I don’t know? Father, handle your own affairs. I’ll be leaving for the convent in a few days. Oh my, where should I go? Father, do you have any recommendations?”

Damn it!

‘How do I fix this?’

Baizel’s deal with that person had been simple.

To provide a woman who could be placed beside Kalian and who could be sacrificed if necessary, and to divert Kalian’s attention by driving a wedge between the couple at the appropriate time.

This had been an opportunity.

The materials were perfectly prepared, weren’t they?

His niece Stella, suitable for an arranged marriage; his lovely daughter Julia to cause discord; and his brother, Count Ambrose, whom he wanted to get rid of.

He couldn’t let this chance slip away.

Baizel had set up the game immediately.

It hadn’t gone well from the start. His brother would plug his ears and pretend not to hear whenever the topic of his daughter’s marriage came up.

But by gradually planting stories of their once affluent past, tales of the mountain with the salt mine, and finally instilling guilt about their family, his brother began to open his ears.

And then that incident occurred.

“Please help me, Baizel……”

For unknown reasons, Stella, who had known only her family, declared she would leave for somewhere.

Saying he couldn’t send his daughter to a gentry’s mansion, his brother placed Stella in Baizel’s hands.

What a fool.

She would have been happier going to that gentry’s family.

How delighted he had been to see Stella at the wedding ceremony, looking as if she could be laid in a coffin at any moment, and his brother firmly believing he had saved his daughter.

All he had to do now was wait for the right time. For that moment, he made sure to bring Julia from the boarding school and send her out to the streets a few times in disguise.

He thought he was doing well—using Kalian to extract money, using that money to deal with his brother—but…

‘To think Julia, of all people, would betray me!’

Crunch. A sound of teeth grinding to the point of breaking could be heard.

“Sir Ambrose?”

Hah. Baizel urgently lifted his head. There stood a young boy wearing worn clothes.

But his neat face and well-groomed hair somehow didn’t match his attire.

“Please follow me.”

“Ah, yes, yes!!”

Baizel jumped to his feet and hurriedly followed the boy. Only after passing through narrow alleys, winding around several corners, did the boy finally stop.

“It’s here.”

It was in front of an old house. Under normal circumstances, Baizel would have passed by without a second glance, but now his steps felt as heavy as if he were going to receive divine judgment.

Creeeeak.

As soon as the door opened, a cloud of fine dust scattered in all directions, suggesting the place had been abandoned for a long time. Cough, cough. Waving his hands, Baizel entered one step at a time.

“Where are you?”

“I’m here, Sir Ambrose.”

Turning his head toward the voice, Baizel saw a man with a benevolent smile.

He had neatly combed hair and was dressed in tidy attire.

“Sir Ambrose.”

“It’s been a while.”

As the man nodded lightly, Baizel hurriedly bowed his head. The man smiled mercifully at such a Baizel.

“I’ve heard good news. Miss Julia Ambrose has decided to devote herself to religion.”

“……!!”

Baizel felt as if he couldn’t breathe. Julia had only mentioned this the day before yesterday. Since then, she hadn’t gone out at all and had stayed in her room—how did he know?

“Well, that…”

“You said you would use Miss Ambrose to shake the relationship between Duke Kalian Rochester and the Duchess.”

Though he was clearly smiling, the true feelings hidden behind that smile were so frightening that Baizel ended up dropping his head.

“And yet this is the result. My master had high expectations for you.”

Tsk. The representative clicked his tongue lightly and shook his head.

“I’m beginning to worry that I introduced you to him for nothing.”

“That’s not true!”

Before any negative words could come out, Baizel interrupted and tightly grasped the representative’s hand as if it were a lifeline.

“Please, just listen to me for a moment?”

“…Go ahead.”

The representative forcibly twisted his hand free and wiped it with his handkerchief.

“I deeply regret disappointing him. But when I first mentioned my niece to him, wasn’t he quite pleased?”

Baizel’s words were true.

When Baizel first brought up Stella’s name, both the representative and that person had been very satisfied.

A woman who hid her face behind a mask and met men, claiming she would raise her family’s status.

Didn’t they laugh, saying she was a perfect match for his nephew who went around killing people?

“So please, give me one more chance.”

Desperation filled Baizel’s eyes.

“This time, I’ll make sure to prepare thoroughly to shake Duke Rochester.”

“Just words?”

“Of course not.”

Baizel took something out from inside his coat and handed it to the representative. It was a folded piece of paper.

“What is this?”

The representative frowned as he unfolded and held up the paper. It was filled with scribbled writing. It was written so hastily that it was difficult to read.

But with each line he read, a smile appeared on his lips.

“How cunning. You were hiding such a scheme?”

The representative folded the paper several times and put it inside his coat.

“But you know better than anyone that this alone is not enough.”

“Of course.”

Baizel nodded. He was desperate. Well, he wouldn’t want to miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

‘And he wouldn’t want to die either.’

After this brief thought, the representative smiled again. It was the same smile as when Baizel first entered.

“Very well. I will speak to him on your behalf.”

Whoosh. Only then did Baizel exhale a deep, deep breath of relief.

“But you must clearly remember that failure is not an option this time, Sir Ambrose.”

“Of course! No matter what happens, no matter what I have to do, I will definitely succeed this time.”

“Anything?”

Hmm. The representative’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Baizel, as if measuring something.

“Let me make you a good proposal.”

“What kind of proposal?”

“Something you’re very good at.”

The representative wore a thoroughly merciful smile.

“You will be able to put a leash around his neck for certain.”

The representative lowered his voice significantly and whispered a name.

⁕⁕⁕

“Diane.”

She peeked her head out at the sound of a girl calling her. When her eyes met the person looking for her, she broke into a bright smile.

“Sister!”

“You’ve really become sophisticated since becoming a maid at the grand mansion, haven’t you?”

“Of course.”

Diane grasped the hem of her dress, which she had stretched her budget to buy, and gently swayed it. The lace and frills, purchased separately from a lace shop and attached, fluttered.

She didn’t forget to quickly show off the ribbon she had bought for 10 coins.

“Wow.”

“You should have come to the mansion with me, Sister.”

“I should have.”

Her sister nodded with a sigh. She looked somewhat tired and worn out. In place of her exhausted-looking sister, Diane raised her voice more energetically.

“Sister, sister. I actually have something to brag about? I might become the lady’s maid to the Duchess of Rochester!”

“What? The Duchess of Rochester—you mean that woman?”

Diane’s sister contorted her face at her words.

“You know how bad that woman’s reputation is!”

“Those rumors are all lies. She’s just kind.”

“You still need to be careful!”

Her sister, who had been sighing deeply while looking at her grumbling younger sister, asked cautiously.

“By the way, how much will your salary increase? Actually, we need some money at home. That’s why I came up to the capital.”

Diane’s eyes widened. Until she received the letter last time, there hadn’t been any mention of this.

“Did something happen? Why! What happened!”

“Well……”

After hesitating briefly, her sister opened her mouth.

“Father was scammed. Apparently, some new trade route or something was discovered, and he secretly invested all our assets plus borrowed money without telling Mother or us, so……”

She didn’t finish her sentence, but the rest was easy to guess. Diane had already read about this scam in the newspaper.

“Then how much debt……”

The amount her sister told her was shocking. Just how much money was this? It was an amount she had never seen or heard of before. Would she be able to repay it even if she worked her entire life?

What do I do?

What am I going to do now……?

Diane felt as if the ground was collapsing beneath her feet.