ISTL CHAPTER 43

Magala had discovered the existence of the debt owed by the Brienne family. She introduced Anaïs to what she claimed was a good way to settle the debt, and the naive Anaïs, unaware of the consequences, ended up sinking into the quagmire of usury.

Though Magala had practically acted as the lady of the house, once the situation turned dire, the servants of the Brienne estate began to regard her as an enemy. To them, she was the main culprit who had made the poor young lady’s life even harder, a parasite who had drained the already struggling household of its resources.

Eventually, one night, Magala left the Brienne estate without a word, taking with her the entire jewelry box of the late Countess Brienne.

It would be a lie to say there was no resentment. The butler and the nanny, who had always been loyal to Anaïs, could no longer hold back their anger and began to question Magala’s intentions.

However, Anaïs acknowledged that Magala had, to some extent, helped her through the difficult times and supported her until she could stand on her own. Because of this, Anaïs found it in herself to stop hating Magala.

After all, she must have meant well. Everyone makes mistakes. Anaïs decided to find the courage to forgive.

“I’ll talk to the nanny. Welcome back.”

“Oh, Anaïs. You’ve truly become such a refined lady. You’re more than ready to marry.”

Anaïs smiled awkwardly.

She could imagine the expression the nanny would make when she brought Magala back, and how the butler would join in to scold her. But to Anaïs, Magala was still family, even if not by blood. She was closer than any stranger on the street.

In order to accommodate Magala, Anaïs hurried home early.

Due to financial constraints, the number of servants had been reduced, so few remembered Magala. But rumors about her would spread in no time.

Still, Anaïs thought that if they prepared a generous lamb dish and held a modest party for everyone at the estate, it might help create a more welcoming atmosphere.

“Miss Anaïs, are you leaving already?”

“Mr. Arthur.”

She happened to run into Arthur as he was entering the salon. Since the atelier had been completed, he had been visiting the studio regularly, leaving his mark.

“I’m planning to head home early today. Feel free to use the studio.”

“Oh, I should have come a bit earlier.”

Magala, who had been silently observing their conversation, sharpened her gaze. As Arthur walked away, Magala quickly moved closer to Anaïs.

“Anaïs, who was that man just now?”

“Ah, he’s a friend.”

“What does he do? Is he a noble?”

“Well……”

Come to think of it, apart from knowing he’s a painter, I don’t really know much about him.

Anaïs realized that while they had talked a lot while decorating the studio, she had never heard about his life in the duchy or anything of that sort.

“He’s a painter.”

“Oh, my. Anaïs.”

Magala sighed at Anaïs’s nonchalant reply. She widened her eyes as if she had heard something she shouldn’t have and pulled Anaïs aside.

“This won’t do, it just won’t!”

“……?”

Magala gripped Anaïs’s shoulders.

“A noblewoman of your age associating with someone of unknown origins? Absolutely not! What has Faye been doing in my absence? Instead of just opposing me, what has she been doing while I was gone?”

“Um, Madame……”

“Don’t worry. Now that I’m back, I won’t let any riffraff hang around you. Because, Anaïs, isn’t it time for you to find a suitable match? A respectable, dependable partner who can be a strong support for you.”

Anaïs felt a surge of defiance at Magala’s description of Arthur as “riffraff,” but she didn’t show it.

“That may be, but I’m too busy with my work right now to think about that. Still, if I meet the right person someday, I might consider marriage……”

“What are you saying, Anaïs!”

Magala suddenly stopped walking and scolded Anaïs.

“There’s a time for everything. Do you think your age is still young? Absolutely not. It’s truly shameful to the late Count and Countess Brienne that you’re being so complacent.”

“…….”
“Don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll find you a perfectly suitable husband, understand?”

Magala burst into laughter as if the seriousness of the moment had never existed, then gracefully stepped into the carriage.

Anaïs felt a bit overwhelmed by Magala’s sudden focus on finding her a husband and marriage, but she quickly shook her head.

Maybe she’s trying to make up for the time she couldn’t be there for me?

Deciding to observe Magala’s actions with an open heart, Anaïs followed her into the carriage.

* * *

That evening, Anaïs had to admit it.

The somber atmosphere at the Brienne estate wasn’t something that could be lifted with just a lamb dinner. After chasing Magala out of the Brienne estate earlier, the nanny had apparently warned the other servants about her. Even those who hadn’t been at the estate long enough to know Magala well were hostile toward her.

“Madame Valérie was a great help to me when my parents passed away, Faye. Please don’t be too harsh on her. She’s the only family I have left.”

Anaïs had almost begged the nanny, pulling her aside to plead her case. But Faye just snorted.

“Family? Miss, ask anyone outside. Madame Valérie and you are practically strangers.”

“Faye…”

“Have you already forgotten what happened last time? As someone who saw how much you struggled to pay off the debts she left you with, I can’t possibly welcome her. She’s the one who took off with the late mistress’s jewelry in the middle of all that chaos.”

The nanny gulped down some water and grumbled.

“Just wait and see. I’ll find out what she’s up to this time.”

Seeing the shadow cast over the once bright young lady had been painful for Faye and Georges as well. Now that Anaïs was finally starting to smile again, they couldn’t let Magala tear her apart once more.

Meanwhile, Magala, the person of concern, sat at a distance, shedding tears and putting on a pitiful act, which only fueled the nanny’s anger.

“……”

Anaïs rubbed her temples.

This couldn’t go on.

If she was going to accept Magala, this issue needed to be resolved clearly.

“Faye, it doesn’t matter what others think. Madame Valérie is my family. I want you to stop making an issue out of her staying at the Brienne estate.”

As Magala’s expression began to brighten with triumph, Anaïs turned to face her.

“Madame Valérie, I have a request for you as well. Faye here has been taking care of the Brienne estate for many years. Please try to get along with her.”

Her tone was firm, making it clear that Magala was not to be a problem at the Brienne estate anymore. Whether it was Anaïs’s sincerity or not, the nanny and the butler no longer openly voiced their complaints. Magala, too, seemed to comply.

* * *

“I swear, I don’t know why I have to do this.”

Camille grumbled as he sat across from Max.

“Did you find out anything?”

“Do you forget that I’m a groom-to-be? I’m busy, and you’re making me run errands like this?”

“It’s not like you went out and found it yourself, so why the fuss?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Ahem. Camille exaggeratedly crossed his legs and took a big bite out of a cookie.

“You told me to look into Count Josselin, and I almost lost my eyes doing it. I knew Otto Josselin was insignificant and gloomy, but I didn’t realize it was to this extent.”

Max listened intently, urging him to continue.

“He’s known to be a regular at Benyat, one of the most notorious slave markets. He buys slaves in huge quantities. You know what’s interesting?”

Camille pointed to his own eyes as he continued.

“He only buys female slaves with green eyes.”