“What?”
“Think about it. The other guy was just barely twenty, a rookie who had never even enlisted. Someone like Richard, who’s been through hell and high water on battlefields, wouldn’t have gone down so easily to a kid with no real shooting experience.”
“But, that’s…”
Franz hadn’t considered that angle. Clenching and unclenching his fist, he was impressed by the plausibility of Felix’s reasoning.
“Tell me. What was the real intention behind it? What was he trying to accomplish?”
The interrogation became more persistent and specific. Franz averted his gaze, opening and closing his mouth a few times. It wasn’t time to talk about it yet. Not yet…
“Franz, isn’t this your second suspension? I heard that after the second time, they’ll send you straight to the monastery without mercy…”
“Alright, I’ll tell you what I know. But it’s a secret, okay?”
Felix simply nodded in response. As Franz got up and headed towards the door, footsteps could be heard approaching.
Just a little closer.
“This is really confidential…”
When he was at the perfect distance, Franz spoke up firmly.
“It’s because of the maid’s daughter.”
“…Charlotte?”
Stunned by the unexpected revelation, Felix drew a sharp breath.
Addressing the two rapt listeners, Franz continued in a measured tone.
“Apparently, the day after my uncle caused a ruckus there without even seeing her, that man found out Charlotte was working here and secretly snuck in to try and meet her, suspecting her involvement in the current lawsuit.”
“So then, with Richard…”
“Yeah. Uncle had bad luck too. When he tried to intervene, the other guy suddenly pulled out a gun. And then…”
Felix finished the sentence.
“He got shot.”
Clang!
Before Felix could even finish, a loud noise came from outside the door.
***
“Lord Richard has been shot! Call the physician!”
It was pure pandemonium. The shocking incident had instantly turned the Mistymoor Hall upside down.
Charlotte was utterly distraught. Voices echoed through the vast hall, urgent footsteps resounded. Tears welled up in her eyes as she watched the bewildered maidservants, the composed but commanding Janice, the steward hurrying off to fetch the physician, and the footman attempting to stop the bleeding. So many people rushed past her in a blur.
“Sir! You must open your eyes! You must not lose consciousness!”
“When will the physician arrive? We’re running out of time!”
“Has the Earl been informed? What about the mistress?”
The man being carried on the servant’s back was paler than ever. Amidst the swarm of people, he was unmistakable—the blood-soaked white shirt, the limp hands, the composed yet unconscious face.
“Richard…”
The moment she grasped the situation, her breath caught in her throat. Despite the spacious hall, the air felt stifling. Her mind was wiped clean, unable to process anything. A sharp pain, as if someone had plunged a knife into her left chest and ripped out her heart. Though it was Richard who had been shot, the agony felt as if it was her own body.
Someone suddenly grabbed her shoulder from behind.
“Charlotte.”
“…”
“Charlotte! Pull yourself together!”
With great effort, Charlotte turned her head to look at the young boy. Just as pallid as her, Franz hesitated to speak for a moment, then calmly continued.
“It’s alright. Uncle isn’t going to die. Janice said the bullet missed the vital areas.”
“But… there’s so much blood…”
“Charlotte.”
Gripping her shoulder more firmly, Franz spoke gently.
“I’m telling you the truth. Why would I lie?”
“…”
“Charlotte!”
As the unclear reassurance sank in, Charlotte’s legs buckled, and she sank to the floor, finally releasing the breath she had been holding.
“And the culprit?”
“The magistrate has been notified, he’ll be detained soon.”
With her breathing restored, the next question quickly followed. Carefully organizing her thoughts, Charlotte spoke slowly.
“Could it be the person who visited yesterday?”
After a brief pause, gazing into her tear-filled green eyes, Franz belatedly replied.
“…Seems like it.”
The news of the assault on Richard Daniel Kensington spread like wildfire across all of Gredel Hill. In the otherwise peaceful and boring region, such a shocking incident was a rare occurrence, amplifying its impact. The Mistymoor Hall servants were kept busy with guest reception and nursing, barely catching a break.
“We had exactly fifteen visitors today. Half of them came from the capital.”
“I heard even Earl Edwin, the Queen’s nephew, sent a letter from abroad to express his concern.”
“That’s not all! To comfort the grieving Countess, he even sent a set of coral teacups and diamond earrings as gifts. It seems they have a very special relationship.”
“Anyway, it’s a relief the bullet only hit his shoulder.”
“Yes. He sustained an injury to his right shoulder, so he won’t be able to write for a while, but at least he can rest.”
“I hope he recovers soon. Don’t you agree, Charlotte?”
Charlotte nodded awkwardly, half-distracted as she wiped silver cutlery with a linen cloth.
It was an inconvenient time due to the unexpected visitors. Though she wasn’t employed as a servant anymore, like at the last banquet in Cloverfield, Charlotte found herself stepping forward to lend a hand.
“Yes, I’m glad he’s safe.”
She still couldn’t shake the chilling feeling of seeing the unconscious Richard. It was like a stubborn stain, impossible to erase, like the bloodstains on her sleeve.
A week had passed since the dreadful event. In truth, now would be the best time to leave, when everyone’s attention was diverted elsewhere, and no one would notice her and her mother’s departure.
Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to leave. Even with the bags packed, the words to announce their departure wouldn’t come out. It felt as if something was gripping her throat, choking off her voice.
It had been like this since childhood. Whenever she had to make a decision, it would take her ages. She despised her own indecisiveness, yet never managed to overcome it. When she once confided in her mother about this struggle, Cynthia had gently taken her daughter’s hand.
‘That’s because you have a caring heart, my dear.’
‘Is that so?’
‘That’s right. Whichever you choose, the other will be abandoned. You can’t make a clear judgment because you worry and consider the consequences for the one you don’t pick.’
Was it really just that simple?
As Charlotte was lost in her thoughts, the maids’ conversation reached her ears.
“Well, it all depends on when he wakes up. The physician said his life is not in danger, but since he still hasn’t regained consciousness… It’s worrying. What if it takes a year or two…”
“Mary, don’t say such inauspicious things! He’s a man who’s been through war, so surely he won’t end up like that. He’ll open his eyes soon.”
Yes, until he regains consciousness.
That was the conclusion she had arrived at after much agonizing deliberation. Her every waking moment was focused on the room upstairs. The physician was on standby in the adjacent room, and to ensure the patient’s absolute rest, even visitors were only allowed once a day.
Each day felt like her blood was drying up, though she tried not to show it. At least, if she could see that he was unharmed, as he had been before, she would feel a little better. Even though he had recently intimidated and mercilessly cornered her, looking back, the times he had helped her were more.
It had taken only a little bit at a time for her gaze to linger on him, to give a part of her heart, to be inexorably drawn in. It was an inappropriate sentiment. Sorting it out was the right thing to do. As soon as he regained consciousness, that very day…
In the midst of reaffirming her resolve, Charlotte’s busy hands paused. This time, she didn’t miss the chance, lifting her head to face the other person.
“What is it, Mary?”
The maid carefully opened her mouth after briefly biting her lower lip.
“Charlotte, I have a favor to ask.”
“Yes?”
Having finished meticulously cleaning the last knife, Charlotte tilted her head.
“What is it?”
“You’re the one assigned to clean Richard’s room today, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Could you let me do it instead?”
Charlotte’s eyes wavered. Just as she was about to refuse, the sound of a door opening upstairs reached them. Simultaneously, her back stiffened. The three of them bowed their heads almost in unison.
“Madam Janice, you’ve arrived.”
“Yes.”
Janice scanned them all with a penetrating gaze before slowly calling out one name.
“Charlotte?”
“Yes.”
“Felix has arrived. Please take some refreshments and tea to the drawing room.”
“I’ll prepare and bring them up shortly.”
In the end, it was Mary who went upstairs. Charlotte, carrying the tray of refreshments, headed towards the room Janice had indicated.
“Felix is a bit… uneasy, but…”
She recalled the man who had been with Lady Spencer at the ball. Surely they hadn’t conspired together, but…
“Since he’s with Franz, it should be alright.”
Pausing briefly to take a deep breath, Charlotte resumed her steps. She had reached the drawing room door, about to knock.
“This is really confidential…”
An unexpected, hushed voice reached her from the other side.
“It’s because of the maid’s daughter.”
A chill ran down her entire body. Her ears, frozen like plaster, barely registered the words.
“Apparently, Charlotte used to work at that man’s house.”
No, it can’t be.
“When he tried to intervene, the other suddenly pulled out a gun, and then…”
No!
“He got shot.”
As if mocking her desperate head-shaking, a slightly gruff voice delivered the coup de grâce.
Clang!
The silver tray in Charlotte’s hands crashed to the floor. The sound of something shattering echoed through the hallway.
“Who’s there?”
Flinging the door open, it was Felix who confronted the unexpected intruder.
“Miss Charlotte?”
“Is it true?”
Before she could even meet his startled gaze, Charlotte rushed at him. Stepping back from her fierce onslaught, Felix found his jacket seized as she clung to him, interrogating rapidly.
“It’s not, is it?”
“…”
“Richard, it’s because of me…”
It felt as if poison was spreading through her veins. Her pale, quivering lips and reddened eyes convulsed.
“He got shot because of me…”
“Miss Charlotte, calm down first…”
Felix was the first to regain his composure. Assessing the situation, he tried to soothe Charlotte, gently prying her hands off his jacket.
“Richard…”
“Sir Richard has regained consciousness!”
At that moment, someone upstairs called out urgently.
🍉🍉🍉
