Chapter 3

Doha recalled the face of one maid.

In the physiognomy, the forehead was interpreted as early misfortune, and her forehead was narrow, dull, with hollowed sides, lacking flesh, and very dark.

In other words, she didn’t receive her parents’ blessings when she was young, indicating a lack of wealth and connections.

‘She has the eyes of a rat, and the tip of her nose is also reddish, not in good shape. Ears are thin like paper, spread out like wings, and lack earlobes, appearing weak. The pointed mouth, with twisted lips, signifies a poor and humble status.’

Engaging in business or gambling would only lead to failure for her.

With no inherited property and insufficient ability to acquire wealth.

‘As a result, there is a possibility of overcoming poverty through theft.’

Above all, the habit of looking down with a bowed head and seemingly side-glancing when observing people.

Such individuals could only focus on immediate gains without seeing the bigger picture, leading to reckless behavior.

‘So, it must be you.’

Physiognomy was not a judgment based solely on appearance.

Especially, one should not hastily conclude that someone has an unfavorable physiognomy just by looking at their gaze.

It required considering the harmony of facial features, as well as color, gloss, voice, gestures, posture, and expression all at once.

Not only innate disposition but also the mind, thoughts, and overall life attitude needed to be comprehensively examined.

In other words, if the mentality changed, the physiognomy could completely change.

‘In that sense, there doesn’t seem to be any effort to change the innate disposition.’

It was fortunate for Doha that she could identify the culprit at a glance.

After all, destiny could change anytime with effort.

* * *

The next night, Doha furrowed her brow at the sudden light pouring in from the door.

It was the light coming from the lantern Salvador was holding.

“Hmm.”

He looked at Doha, sprawled on the floor, and chuckled dryly.

“Looks like you’ve finally grasped the situation?”

“…”

“Not charging at me like a mad dog for once.”

Doha stared at him with rolling eyes.

After all, she had no strength to get up after fasting all day.

She remained motionless, only her parched lips crackling slightly, without uttering a word.

“I found the culprit.”

“Don’t spout nonsense. Everything you stole, isn’t it?”

Salvador didn’t give her a chance to explain. He had already concluded that Bunny was the culprit.

‘The second son of the Duke should be turning twelve this year.’

Although he looked like he was in his mid-teens due to his height and stature, he was still a child.

‘He trusts his instincts too much.’

Even if one has a good sense, it takes experience and knowledge to be accurate. It wouldn’t be good to rely on intuition and roam around everywhere at a young age.

There was a chance of escaping before dominating the world.

“It might not be the best advice in the current situation, but if I give such advice, I might lose my head.”

It was when Doha was thinking calmly.

“Drag her out.”

Salvador immediately gave the order.

Without delay, the maids moved, grabbing her arms and forcibly dragging her out.

Melissa, Sara, Emma.

They were the maids who had received Ophelia’s favor.

“Well then, shall we begin?”

The method of stamping the slave’s mark was simple.

If a scroll with engraved magic was torn towards the target to be marked, it was done.

Then, a vine pattern symbolizing a slave would be engraved on the neck like a collar.

“And now, let’s make sure you never disobey the master’s orders.”

Not only that, she wouldn’t be able to escape.

Because obedience and tracking magic were also engraved.

Melissa dragged Doha and forced her to kneel in front of Salvador.

“Stay still.”

Doha slowly lifted her head. Salvador was staring at her as if he might tear the scroll at any moment, holding her firmly.

‘…Is he really going to do it?’

In reality, she still had doubts.

It was something unimaginably inhumane by modern standards, and she wondered if he was really going to do it.

‘Narrow-minded, inflexible, never compromising once he decides…’

Doha confirmed her thoughts as she looked into Salvador’s eyes, reflecting a reddish glow in the torchlight.

He’s serious. That guy would really do it.

With that conviction, she clenched her teeth and stood up.

“Ack!”

Melissa fell backward again.

It was due to Salvador’s complacency, seeing her quietly cooperate without much resistance.

“You can’t even hold onto that one thing and make a big fuss?”

Salvador lightly licked his lips.

Then, he reached out menacingly towards Doha.

“You.”

Doha called out to Salvador, pointing directly at him with her finger.

“…What?”

Salvador paused for a moment.

He doubted his eyes and ears.

Did she just call him “you” while pointing at him?

“Is she crazy…?”

As he became convinced that it wasn’t an illusion, he contorted his face like a wild beast.

Then, Doha smoothly shifted her finger behind Salvador and said,

“You stole it.”

Instantly, a chilling silence enveloped the room.

“What?”

Emma, pointed out by Doha, seemed perplexed for a moment.

“I’m not sure what you mean…”

Emma looked flustered, exchanging bewildered glances with the other maids.

Is she saying this to me? That seemed to be the unspoken question on her face. Emma was the only maid who had helped Bunny, occasionally providing her with things to eat or wear in secret.

Bunny, with no other choice, had to trust and rely on her.

“Oh, Miss, I…”

Emma, who remained silent for a moment, soon started to sob, seemingly caught off guard.

“Why are you accusing me of stealing? I don’t even know what the stolen brooch looks like.”

Could it be that I offended Miss in some way? Emma said with a touch of sadness.

Tears welled up in her large eyes, dropping onto the floor.

At this point, two maids who usually cherished Emma fiercely defended her.

“It’s not Emma!”

“Emma, a thief? Impossible! Would this innocent and naive girl dare to steal Master’s jewel? It’s an absurd accusation!”

Sara and Melissa took turns criticizing Emma and then gave disdainful glances at Bunny.

“You’ve known that Emma has taken care of you a lot… Exploiting someone else’s kindness is not right.”

It seemed like the words “A tiger never changes its stripes” were implied.

But regardless of their accusations, Doha remained completely unfazed.

“Then, search Emma’s quarters.”

“Miss!”

“If nothing is found, I’ll willingly accept the stamp as well.”

At these words, Sara and Melissa widened their eyes in surprise.

Bunny thought Doha had cornered Emma, the easiest target, because she believed that Emma was the one who had stolen.

‘But to declare it so confidently?’

Perhaps it was due to Doha’s unwavering certainty.

Emma, looking flustered for a moment, then pondered before stammering,

“This is too much, Miss! What have I done wrong to you!”

Salvador, with an absurd expression, squinted his eyes between Doha and Emma, then chuckled and said,

“Why should I bother with such useless trouble?”

He seemed completely distrustful of Doha’s assertion.

I expected this.

“As long as I don’t present evidence that I didn’t steal, I won’t back down.”

Now fully understanding Salvador, she spoke.

“These maids are Lady Ophelia’s personal maids.”

Rather than claiming innocence without meaning, she brought up Ophelia’s name, exposing Salvador’s weakness.

“So what?”

“But if Emma really stole, what would you do? You’d be leaving a thief right by Lady Ophelia’s side when she returns, wouldn’t you?”

Doha’s words made Salvador’s eyebrows twitch.

This time, there were no harsh rebuttals, threats, or mocking.

It was because a sense of anxiety emerged with the mention of Ophelia’s name.

“Wow, look at how his expression changes immediately when talking about his sister.”

Unbelievable.

Doha spoke with cold, calm eyes.

“I heard Lady Ophelia is a pure and gentle person. But is it okay not to check properly?”

“…”

“If she were Lady Ophelia, even if you called her a thief, she would at least shield her until she confirmed it.”

Her calm and gentle voice flowed like a tranquil river.

Salvador felt a sense of discomfort with Doha’s composed tone.

It was as if the roles had been reversed, compared to the usual desperate cries of “Please look at me.”

“…Did I originally say things like that?”

He was excessively quiet and unusually composed.

There was neither the zealous pursuit nor the eager glances he used to cast.

Only an inscrutable calmness shone in his red eyes.

Even if she threatened to brand him with a searing mark instead of a magic scroll, he seemed as though he wouldn’t bat an eye.

“Did he pick up rat poison from the tower or something?”

Salvador glared at Doha as if he would tear her apart, and while grinding his teeth, he spoke with a snarl.

“Take me to your quarters.”

“B-but, Lord Salvador…”

Emma, visibly turning pale, stammered.

Her legs were trembling as if she would collapse at any moment.

“No, I’m not!”

“Then guide me when you’re ready to speak nicely. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Salvador, who had a determined nature, finally showed his unyielding side.

He glared at Emma with his head held high and growled fiercely.

Then, she collapsed onto the ground as if her legs had given out.

“Get up. And you, guide me. Also, gather the knights in front of her residence.”

As he resolved the situation like a bulldozer, Doha could barely lean against the wall.

‘Am I too hungry?’

She hadn’t eaten or drunk anything. She felt dizzy and weakened, unable to even move her fingers.

‘Ah, I feel like I’m going to faint.’

She might as well close her eyes, and the conclusion would come one way or another.

However, Doha had no intention of ending it here.

With her strength waning, she pointed precisely at Melissa with trembling hands.

“That maid.”

And, trying to ignore her vision getting blurry, she continued speaking.

“Driven by the desire for acknowledgment, you boast a lot, and your words are overly light.”

Her strength was gradually diminishing.

No, not yet.

“There’s a high chance you’ve been gossiping about Kredel’s affairs. There must be a confidentiality clause in the employment contract. Even if there isn’t, I’m not sure if it’s okay to keep such a big secret within the castle.”

Doha immediately pointed at Sara.

“You have the characteristics of a swindler. There might be someone among the servants who fell victim. Without anything to show from the outside, you’ve probably exploited Kredel’s reputation.”

Fortunately, she managed to finish her words before her sight completely darkened.

“Please investigate….”

With that, Doha added and closed her eyes.