Chapter 79
Stefan’s grumbling about Finn’s lecture continued even inside the carriage heading to the ducal estate.
“Why does he explain things so long and drawn out when it’s stuff everyone already knows…”
“…I don’t know any of it, Your Excellency.”
“You wouldn’t understand it all in one go anyway. It’s something that can be taught slowly and thoroughly later.”
“I suppose he’s trying to give an overview first and then repeat the details later.”
My words must have sounded like I was siding with Finn, because Stefan’s expression stiffened slightly.
“Then should I attend the lectures alone from tomorrow?”
“…We’ll decide that based on the situation tomorrow.”
Stefan didn’t look like someone who had any intention of letting me attend Finn’s lectures alone.
‘That would be a problem…’
While I was genuinely interested in learning about gemstones for the future, my real goal this time was to investigate the sinking of the Burke merchant ship. Since Stefan was already looking into it, my plan was to gather information through Finn. But if things continued like this, I wouldn’t even be able to bring it up.
So I tried to subtly suggest that he should stop tagging along.
“I only hope my presence doesn’t interfere with your work, Your Excellency.”
“Don’t worry, my lady. I can handle my own work.”
Whether he really didn’t get it or was pretending not to, Stefan clearly didn’t care about my hint in the slightest.
—
Finn’s lectures were passionately intense every day. After being worn out by him all day and returning to the estate, I didn’t even have the strength to make the handkerchief Stefan had asked for—I just collapsed into bed.
Trying to savor a rare day off, I was still lying in bed late into the morning when I was startled awake by Rita’s loud scream. That day also happened to be the day Stefan had gone to the palace to discuss matters concerning Count Blanche.
“Kneel that head maid on the floor immediately!”
“Yes, madam.”
With Rita’s ear-splitting shriek, the household staff scurried around in a panic. I headed to the lobby with Mary in tow.
Everyone in the estate was already gathered there, and the head maid was kneeling on the cold floor like a criminal.
Hiding my shock, I tried to speak as calmly as I could.
“Mother, what on earth is going on?”
“This is why I never handed over the estate’s operating funds.”
Rita handed me a notebook that looked like a ledger. Or rather, she tossed it. The notebook hit the floor at my feet with a loud thud.
When I picked it up and saw it filled with clear evidence of embezzlement, my hands began to tremble.
“Where did this notebook come from?”
“Can’t you tell? It belongs to the head maid kneeling over there.”
“You’re saying Johanna has been embezzling the estate’s funds?”
“Johanna? Sounds like the two of you have grown quite close. Since when has the duchess been conspiring with the head maid?”
“Conspiring? What are you implying?”
I flared up at her inappropriate choice of words, and Rita let out a smirk.
“So, are you saying the head maid pulled off this massive embezzlement all on her own?”
She began reading off the dates and amounts from the notebook aloud, making sure everyone could hear. The simpler servants murmured amongst themselves, clearly shaken.
“Mother, I had nothing to do with this. This is the first time I’ve even seen this notebook, and I’ve never so much as touched the estate’s funds.”
“Fine, let’s say you didn’t know. Then how do you explain the fact that the embezzlement started right after you became the duchess?”
Rita pressed me while pointing out the cleverly altered dates. Even if she couldn’t oust me from my position using the head maid’s embezzlement as an excuse, it was obvious she was trying to tarnish my reputation as duchess.
With Stefan and even the butler absent from the estate, there was no one left to stand by me. Even if Mary, my personal maid, tried to defend me, it wouldn’t change much.
“Are we certain this is embezzlement?”
“Of course. The evidence is right there.”
Rita pointed at the notebook I was holding.
“You can’t tell from this notebook alone. Someone could’ve faked it to pin it on the head maid.”
“What did you say?”
“Please present the ledger you manage, madam. If we compare the notebook and the ledger, we can determine whether this was truly embezzlement.”
As the murmuring servants began to nod in agreement with my suggestion, Rita’s face turned red with fury. It seemed she hadn’t bothered to match the notebook to the official ledger.
“Where is the Grand Madam’s personal maid?”
Rita’s maids, clustered to one side, hesitantly raised their hands.
“Go fetch the ledger for the estate’s operating funds.”
“…Yes, young madam.”
One of Rita’s maids quickly rushed off toward her bedroom.
In the meantime, I asked the servants who had found the notebook whether any of the embezzled money had been discovered in the head maid’s room. But they simply shook their heads, unable to give a clear answer.
Moments later, the maid returned with the ledger. I took it and compared it with the head maid’s notebook. Since the notebook hadn’t been matched in advance, it was obvious at a glance that the amounts didn’t line up.
I glanced at the visibly uneasy Rita, then turned to the head maid who was still kneeling on the floor.
“Head maid, do you admit to the embezzlement?”
“I have never touched the estate’s funds,” Johanna replied calmly, asserting her innocence.
“There is undeniable documentary evidence of embezzlement. However, since the money hasn’t been found, there’s no proof that you committed the crime. Therefore, I will suspend judgment on disciplinary action against you for now.”
At that, Johanna suddenly stood and asserted her innocence. It was obvious her gaze was drifting toward Mary.
“I’ve been falsely accused, Duchess. This is someone’s scheme.”
“Are you saying someone framed you?”
“I don’t know who, but…”
Lacking solid evidence, Johanna couldn’t directly accuse Mary and trailed off. Rita then jumped in urgently.
“How can a head maid be framed by someone below her? Doesn’t that in itself show you weren’t setting a good example?”
Johanna’s eyes widened with frustration. She was hurt and indignant at the idea that Rita would cast her aside after a lifetime of service to the ducal house.
“I have never embezzled funds. If I’m going to be treated like this, I can no longer work here. I resign, Duchess.”
“……”
“Let her quit. As if we can’t find a replacement? She must think she’s the only head maid in the world.”
“……”
Tension thickened as Johanna and Rita clashed. I stepped in, pretending to mediate as I gathered my thoughts.
“Johanna, are you truly resigning as head maid?”
“Yes, Duchess.”
“Grand Madam, do you have someone in mind to take her place?”
“I believe Mary would be a good choice. She has served the Duchess faithfully and seems well-suited for the role.”
Letting out a sigh as if reluctantly, I announced the final decision.
“I accept Johanna’s resignation. In recognition of her long service to the estate, she will be given a suitable severance payment.”
“Thank you, Duchess.”
“As for her replacement, we will appoint Mary upon the Grand Madam’s recommendation. I look forward to your continued dedication, Mary.”
“Thank you for your trust, Duchess. I’ll do my best.”
“In addition, it seems this incident stemmed from the Duchess not having oversight of the estate’s operating funds. Therefore, Grand Madam, please immediately turn over all documents and control of the estate’s funds.”
“Ah… well, fine.”
Even though Rita had succeeded in ousting the head maid and placing Mary in the role, she looked clearly unsettled.
Seeing her reaction doubled my satisfaction, and I smiled discreetly to myself so she wouldn’t notice.
‘This is what they call a triumph. I thought I’d hit two birds with one stone, but it looks like I caught even more than that.’
—
Back in my room, I sat down at the table with a light heart. I was finally going to work on the handkerchief I had been putting off.
‘I embroidered Remington’s initials in silver thread on blue fabric… what color would suit Stefan?’
I suddenly recalled his red eyes and quickly shook my head. I had never seen a man carry a bright red handkerchief before.
‘Then white? No, that’s too old-fashioned. Gray? That has nothing to do with Stefan.’
After pondering for a while, I remembered the rhodolite garnet ring Stefan had given me.
Why had he chosen a garnet, of all things? No—that wasn’t the right question. Why had he given me a purple gemstone? I had no connection to the color purple.
Then, all of a sudden, I remembered the one thing I had that was purple.
I rushed to the console and looked into the mirror—only to be utterly shocked.
My reflection showed eyes that shone with the exact same hue as the rhodolite garnet Stefan had given me.
“Don’t tell me… Stefan sees my eyes as purple?”
