Thanks to the guests who visited the Blanche Count’s estate after a long time, the table was set with so much food that it seemed like the legs would break. The count and countess’s subjective opinion that their only daughter looked emaciated might have influenced this.
“Ahem. So, you’re saying we just need to provide evidence that our daughter lost her memory after that day?”
“Yes, that’s correct, Count.”
“There was a time when we urgently hired a governess to teach her manners. Would that suffice?”
“Is there an official record?”
The Count of Blanche looked somber.
“Well… it wasn’t an official employment…”
“Then, is the doctor who diagnosed Miss Estelle’s amnesia still working here?”
“He retired due to old age. But I’m sure he can still testify.”
If there was an official medical diagnosis, things would be much easier.
“It would also be helpful to have testimonies from the maids or servants who were working at the time, as well as from either of you or the nanny.”
“The nanny also resigned some time ago… But my wife and I can certainly testify.”
Natasha’s gaze momentarily turned cold before it softened again.
‘It’s understandable to secretly bring in a governess, but the doctor and the nanny both left?’
Isn’t that odd? Typically, doctors or nannies worked for a family their entire lives.
‘I should find out when they were dismissed.’
Thinking that to herself, she elegantly took a bite of her steak.
She appeared far more refined than Estelle, who was sitting beside her. Estelle had quickly learned manners after waking up, and since then, no one had given her any further instructions, so her demeanor was somewhat clumsy.
“Estelle. Your room is always kept clean. You’ll sleep there tonight, right?”
“Yes, I will.”
“You can speak more comfortably.”
Estelle gave the kind Countess an awkward smile.
Was it because she lost her memory? Estelle seemed more like an uncomfortable guest than their daughter.
***
Personal Physician Philip Jean, retired 3 years ago.
Nanny Sylvie Bernard, resigned 3 years ago.
Thud.
Natasha closed the book with a sound.
It was a record containing the personal details of the Blanche family servants.
‘They’re definitely hiding something…’
Was it just a coincidence that the physician and the nanny both left in the same year? And right after Estelle woke up?
No way.
There must have been something they wanted to hide.
‘I have no idea what it could be.’
Estelle Blanche was a young lady with many enemies. When news spread of the attempted poisoning, everyone thought, ‘Finally, someone took action.’
The investigation dragged on, and eventually, it ended without resolution.
‘When you think about it… it’s also strange that the couple, who were so obsessive, gave up cleanly after the culprit wasn’t caught.’
Yet, after the official investigation was closed, the Count and Countess never privately hired anyone, nor did they request to reopen the investigation.
As if they wanted it buried.
‘What on earth could it be…?’
Natasha traced the corner of the book with her fingertips. There was a note that the physician had returned to his hometown after resigning.
Natasha carefully examined the address.
***
Estelle let out a small sigh without realizing it.
At the same time, the maid attending her bath noticeably flinched. Her already trembling hands stiffened.
“Ah, my lady. Is there something that displeases you?”
“No, it’s not that. I’m fine.”
“Y-Yes…!”
The maid looked very young, her innocent face suggesting she had been pushed into this.
Even as Estelle allowed the maid to care for her, the discomfort didn’t go away.
‘This is why I didn’t want to come here.’
In the past three years, Estelle had spent a lot of time with the people of the Duke of Richard’s household, working through many misunderstandings. But with the people of the Blanche Count’s household, there was still a long way to go.
Moreover, perhaps because of how much the real Estelle had tormented them, they seemed to regard her as if she were a ghost.
Even when she wanted to reassure the pale, trembling maid attending her bath, the maid was so startled by Estelle’s every movement that it was impossible.
“You can go now. I can handle the rest myself.”
“I-I’m so sorry! I’ve committed a grave sin!”
When Estelle refused the maid’s service, the maid immediately prostrated herself on the floor, her skirt getting soaked in the bathwater.
“If I’ve done something wrong, I-I’ll correct it immediately!”
“No, that’s not it…”
Estelle barely managed to suppress another sigh.
If she actually sighed, the maid might faint from fright.
“…It’s just that I want to be alone for a while.”
The maid glanced at Estelle nervously, then apologized once more before leaving the room.
“Whew…”
A deep sigh escaped from within her.
Being treated like a walking time bomb was truly uncomfortable.
‘I’ve gathered enough testimonies from the maids and servants. I’ll be leaving tomorrow.’
The time to meet Claude was fast approaching.
Thinking about it gave Estelle a headache, so she sank into the bath until it covered her nose.
‘…What could he want to talk about?’
At the trial, when Estelle revealed that she had amnesia, Claude had looked visibly shocked.
‘About the amnesia? Of course, I didn’t mention it beforehand… But even if I had, he wouldn’t have believed it.’
Just thinking about Claude made her head spin.
—I love you, Estelle.
His passionate voice hadn’t seemed like a lie.
—I loved you so much that I gave up my desires to protect you.
If that was true…
As Estelle’s thoughts deepened, someone suddenly interrupted.
“How long are you going to stay in there?”
“!”
Startled, Estelle quickly looked around. She was alone in the bath, but the voice had come from the door.
It was Natasha’s voice.
“…Natasha?”
“You don’t scream anymore.”
“How did you… No, why did you sneak in? This isn’t even the Duke’s estate.”
Natasha lightly ignored the plea to come in a more normal manner and got straight to the point.
“Things have gotten a bit complicated. When we head back to the capital tomorrow, we’ll secretly split up and take separate carriages.”
“Complicated?!”
“Oh, it’s nothing too serious. But, regarding the plan to accompany you when you meet Duke Richard, it might be difficult. Can you go by yourself?”
This lawyer’s thoughts were always hard to decipher.
“By myself…? Is 2,000 gold not enough? Then how about 3,000 gold…”
“Do you think I’m just here for the money?”
Estelle flinched slightly at that remark. Had she been too quick to try and solve everything with money?
“I would’ve come even for 200 gold, not just 2,000. But this is something that needs to be confirmed, so I can’t avoid it. It’s frustrating enough as it is, so don’t tease me.”
Estelle, seeing her usual nonchalant demeanor, thought, ‘Well, that’s just like her.’
“What exactly happened? Don’t you think I should know too?”
“…It’s still uncertain for now. I’ll tell you once it’s confirmed.”
Her vague answer didn’t sit well with Estelle.
“Anyway, it’s a secret from everyone else. On the surface, I’ll pretend I’m traveling to the capital with you, so just play along.”
“Why keep it a secret? Does it have something to do with my parents?”
If the reason for sneaking around was to avoid the maids’ ears, it made sense. After all, a maid’s eyes and ears were essentially their master’s. This implied that Natasha indirectly suspected Count and Countess Blanche.
“I told you, nothing’s confirmed yet.”
“So, you really want me to go alone? Maybe Ivan could come with me…”
“Ivan will be with me.”
“What if I waver when I get there?”
Estelle finally voiced her concern.
“You know… that I’m weak when it comes to Claude.”
Natasha frowned slightly from behind the door.
“If you waver, then you waver.”
“What? Before the divorce proceedings, you told me not to waver no matter what.”
“No matter how much you tell someone, there are always clients who end up changing their minds. What can I do? I’m a lawyer who prioritizes the client’s wishes above all else.”
No matter how many times she advised them, there were always those who had a change of heart halfway through. It was a little annoying, but she didn’t think it was a bad thing. After all, isn’t divorce itself about the heart moving on?
“Even if I force a divorce, those who waver like that usually end up remarrying shortly after.”
“…Remarry…”
“And then they come back to me shortly after, saying they want a divorce again.”
Estelle couldn’t help but laugh.
“That’s completely unreasonable.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Why? Isn’t it unreasonable?”
Natasha shook her head. Estelle wouldn’t have seen it, but she did it anyway.
“They’re VVIPs to me.”
“What?”
“Usually, one divorce case is it, but if it’s twice, then just imagine how much that is.”
Natasha smiled contentedly as if just the thought of it was thrilling.
Estelle was momentarily speechless, then burst into laughter.
“What’s that supposed to mean, ha-ha…!”
“I’m serious.”
After a hearty laugh, Estelle slowly stood up from the bath, which had cooled down. She wrapped herself in a soft bathrobe and headed toward where Natasha was.
“…I’ll go by myself.”
“Sorry I can’t keep the promise.”
“It’s fine. I guess I’ve been relying on you too much when it’s something I needed to face alone anyway.”
Her tone was resolute, filled with determination.
***
“You haven’t even been here long, and yet you won’t stay longer.”
“We’ll always be here waiting for you, so come back whenever you feel comfortable, okay?”
Count Blanche, with tear-filled eyes, held Estelle tightly.
“Haha… I need to hurry back because of the trial.”
“I see. Will you come home once it’s over? If you want, I can teach you how to manage the mines.”
“Umm… no, that’s okay. I hear my cousin is already learning how to manage them. I don’t want to take that away from him.”
When Estelle gently declined, Count Blanche seemed even more moved and sniffled.
“How could you have such a kind heart…!”
It looked like the farewell could last all night. Since they needed to depart soon, Estelle gently pulled herself away and climbed into the carriage.
“I’ll be back soon!”
The Count and Countess stood watching as the carriage disappeared into the distance.
Estelle, watching them from the window, sighed deeply and settled into her seat.
“The delay was a bit longer than expected. I’m sorry. My parents worry a lot…”
“No worries. It’s nice to see that.”
Her words didn’t match her facial expression, which clearly showed she didn’t mean it.
Natasha glanced at the coachman, then quietly signaled to Ivan.
He placed his hand on the window and took a short, deep breath.
Crack!
The window, which had seemed too small for a person to pass through, suddenly widened.
Whoosh.
Wind rushed in, making their hair flutter briefly.
As Natasha casually fixed her hair, she left a short message for Estelle.
“I’ll contact you when we reach the capital.”
“Be careful…!”
Whoosh!
With that, Natasha and Ivan leaped out of the window.
Halfway out the window herself, Estelle saw the two skillfully land and dust themselves off.
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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