Chapter 49
Sierra suspected that Richelle must have received some kind of order from Belietta, and something went wrong while carrying it out, which led to a fallout with Fiorette.
“If we leave her to die like this, we’ll likely face harsh criticism.”
“That won’t do. Move Richelle from the underground prison to a room within the castle’s inner quarters, then station guards there. Also, summon a priest to assess her health more thoroughly.”
“Understood.”
“Bring in Richelle’s parents for a visit as well. There’s no need to be too harsh about it. Let’s loosen things up a bit. As for the three people locked up, keep them there for another three days, then send them back. Keeping them any longer doesn’t seem worthwhile. But make sure to add that we’re monitoring the situation and that each of their families will be given severe punishment for their crimes.”
Baran looked like he thought all this wasn’t really necessary, but he nodded when Aden gave him a sharp look.
Aden waved his hand, signaling Baran to leave.
As Baran retreated, Aden glanced sideways at his back before turning around.
“Not a single message… I wonder how she’s doing.”
“Sorry?”
“…Nothing. Continue the report.”
With a bitter expression, Aden shook his head and turned his attention back to the knight.
While the report continued, and the knights moved with impressive precision, nothing seemed to register in Aden’s mind.
“It’s already been half a month.”
The short time he hadn’t seen Sierra felt painfully long to Aden, and a small sigh lingered on his lips.
The commander of the knights quietly observed Aden, who couldn’t focus on the training, his gaze soft and distant.
Watching Aden sighing like a man thinking of his beloved, the commander tilted his head in confusion.
He wanted to ask if Aden was unwell, but feared he might get a death glare, so he quietly turned away.
Aden thought he was acting perfectly normal, but everyone around him had the same thought:
“Does he have lovesickness?”
“Sigh…”
The knight commander’s shoulders gave a small, nervous twitch.
* * *
“Where are you going?”
As I was getting ready for a meeting after breakfast, Rita entered the room, eyes wide with curiosity as she asked.
With an innocent look, she quickly came over to help me with my coat.
Rita set down the vase she had been holding and took the ribbon I was about to tie around my neck.
“If you had something on, you could’ve told me. I thought you had no plans today.”
Rita smiled brightly as she tied the ribbon around my neck.
I looked down at her as she busied herself with the ribbon.
Seeing her like this, she really seemed like a naive maid.
The good maid who has been assisting me for almost ten years.
I used to like Rita quite a bit, too.
Quick-witted and skilled, I never had to worry about giving her tasks.
That’s why this situation felt so uncomfortable.
“Where are you going today? If it’s far, I’ll get ready to go with you.”
“No need.”
“You’ll be back soon? Sir Ripert didn’t seem to be getting ready either. Oh! Are you going with the new knight instead?”
I nodded briefly and checked the ribbon Rita had tied.
I touched the long, red ribbon trailing down and turned my head.
Rita was still smiling, but where once that smile had made me angry, now I just felt pity.
But only for a moment.
I quickly erased the pity.
The reason I had been at the mercy of Belietta was because someone had been reporting my every move, and Rita had been leading the charge.
“How is your mother doing?”
“My mom? She’s doing much better lately. She couldn’t get up before, even with medication, but after taking the new medicine, she can walk now. It’s such a relief.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“The medicine was a bit pricey, but since I’ve been saving up from working here, I could afford it. My mom told me to thank you and Brilloxen for giving me this job.”
So that’s why she’s been looking so happy lately.
She’d always been cheerful, but not to this extent.
Still, her cheerfulness was like poison to me.
The medicine she mentioned buying for her mother—it’s not something you can just purchase with money.
That medicine from the temple was only available to nobles or high-ranking officials in trading companies.
It was rare, expensive, and extremely effective.
If Rita got her hands on it, that meant someone gave it to her.
And I didn’t need to ask who.
Rita, still smiling, picked out a necklace and held it up for me to see.
“As I’ve said before, miss, gold doesn’t suit your skin as well as these lighter colors. The bright colors of gems like rubies or sapphires stand out more, and they look great on you. What do you think?”
“It looks nice.”
I nodded as I ran my fingers over the necklace, and Rita smiled as if she were proud of her choice.
When I stood up, Rita picked up my bag and waited.
I watched her for a moment before turning and heading out of the room toward the waiting carriage.
Both Jin and Ripert, who had been waiting for me, spotted Rita following behind me.
Ripert took the bag from Rita’s hands and loaded it into the carriage, giving Jin a quick nod.
After confirming that, I paused before climbing into the carriage and looked back.
Rita met my gaze with a smile, and I spoke briefly.
“Rita. Do you have anything to say to me?”
“Hmm? Anything to say… Ah, please be safe, miss.”
I stared at her for a moment, studying her expression, then turned back around.
As Ripert stepped forward to help me into the carriage, I pulled him closer and spoke quietly.
“Take care of her while I’m away. I’ve already spoken to Butler Dayton, so he’ll assist with the process.”
“Understood. But, you ordered us to keep an eye on the dismissed servants. Wouldn’t it be better to interrogate them now if you need information?”
“Do you think they’d give me a straight answer if I asked them right now?”
Ripert tilted his head, confused, and I smiled faintly.
“Once they feel like their lives are truly in danger, they’ll start spilling everything, even things we didn’t ask. By then, they’ll confess to everything.”
Ripert seemed to think it over before nodding in understanding.
Satisfied, I turned to board the carriage but paused again to add one last thing.
“And I’ll personally report to their parents. Make sure there’s no unnecessary noise.”
“Yes, miss.”
With that, I stepped into the carriage.
As I settled inside, I glanced out the window to see Rita still smiling up at me.
I slowly closed the door.
In the end, deceiving me was a foolish choice, Rita.
“Let’s go.”
I wonder how long Belietta will keep someone as useless as that naive maid.
Let’s see how long that bright smile lasts.
I hope she feels the full weight of her betrayal.
***
“She’s left.”
The butler approached Belietta, who was reading a book, and quietly delivered the news.
“However, it seems she didn’t take the maid, only the bodyguards.”
Belietta glanced at the butler before turning back to her book.
The quiet sound of pages turning filled the room.
With a bored expression, Belietta spoke slowly.
“Looks like Sierra’s starting to catch on. Go ahead and take care of it. Make sure to deal with that maid, Rita, too. We don’t want to leave loose ends that could come back to bite us, so clean it up quickly.”
“Understood.”
“And take care of that knight, Gilbert, by today as well.”
“But, he hasn’t made his report yet, and there’s been no word from Brilloxen. Are you sure it’s necessary?”
“Butler.”
With a sharp snap, Belietta closed her book and turned her gaze to him.
The butler immediately realized his mistake and quickly shut his mouth.
Belietta stared coldly at him, watching as he avoided her gaze in fear.
The butler, now sweating profusely, finally managed to speak.
“M-my apologies. I’ll take care of it immediately.”
Belietta turned her attention back to her book, satisfied with his response.
“There’s no need to leave unnecessary threats alive. They were always disposable. Finish them off properly.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh, and be careful. Sierra might have set a trap. She could be pretending to let things slide to catch you off guard. Keep that in mind. If you slip up, you know who will pay the price.”
Despite her calm tone, the butler trembled slightly, nodding quickly.
“Your son just started school. It’d be a shame if he had to grow up without a father, wouldn’t it? So be extra cautious.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Now, off you go.”
Belieta waved him off, dismissing him as if shooing away a bothersome fly.
The butler bowed his head and began to leave the room.
Just as he was about to step out, the sharp sound of a book closing echoed again.
His shoulders tensed, and he froze in place.
From behind him came Belietta’s voice.
“Have you found Ross yet?”
The Grand Mage Ezekiel Ross.
A legendary figure known not only for his mastery of magic but also for his command of spirit.
