TNLY 10

Chapter 10

“There’s nothing I’ve done wrong.”

“Nothing… you’ve done wrong.”

The atmosphere froze in an instant.

“…You’ve finally gone mad.”

The first to speak was Jess, sitting there as if watching an amusing spectacle. Every time Jess spoke, the smell of alcohol wafted over. Drinking even in a situation like this.

“Have you been drinking?”

“What?”

“I rushed over thinking it was something serious… but seeing you, Jess, it doesn’t seem like such an important matter after all.”

I stared at Jess’s face, which was gradually hardening. It didn’t take long for Jess to grasp what I meant.

‘Still hot-tempered as ever.’

If he hadn’t been a noble, he would have lived like a thug. He’s forgiven for everything simply because he carries my father’s bloodline.

I spoke to Jess, who was approaching me huffing and puffing.

“I know you want me to be mad.”

“…Explain what you said earlier first.”

“Is there anything to explain when it wasn’t wrong?”

I spoke calmly. I wasn’t afraid of Jess approaching. Perhaps people get flustered when someone acts differently. Jess, too, was hesitating little by little, just like Sylvia.

“Are you really insane?”

“I told you, I’m not the one who wants that.”

I spoke while looking at them, who were frozen in confusion at the incomprehensible situation.

“You knew I was needed for Jennifer’s debutante. You also knew the Feing Salon had to be handed over, and that’s why you attached Sylvia to me.”

“…Reina Wales.”

The Count called my name. He still looked murderous. I wanted to shake off the name being called as if I were a criminal.

“It was fine that you treated my wounds to hide the fact that you abused me. But then… you should have attached someone at least a little more trustworthy.”

I know there’s a way to win their favor. But I’m not suited for looking for opportunities.

“Have you ever thought about how desperate I must have been to step forward myself?”

I slowly rolled up my sleeve. Everyone had a face that said they knew about this wound.

“Sylvia told me. That the person who had this wound made was the Count. I’m sorry. The truth is, I couldn’t stand it after hearing that.”

“What nonsense is that? Sylvia said that…!”

Idorein asked urgently. I replied to her with a sneer.

“If I hadn’t hit her, the rumor would probably have spread. I’ve already confirmed that she was going around talking about the Feing Salon.”

I didn’t beg for forgiveness or get on my knees like before. I simply walked forward toward them. It was close enough to feel their breath. Jennifer’s eyes, the closest, wavered.

“I know that my beloved sister’s debutante is just around the corner. So you won’t believe anything I say right now.”

“Si… Did you just say love? That you love me?”

“Yes. My beloved sister, Jennifer.”

The current Jennifer was still immature. Even at hiding her emotions, she was this clumsy.

“If you wish to punish me to smooth things over, I will accept it gladly. But I cannot guarantee what happens after that.”

I spoke leisurely and smiled a smile that said I knew everything.

“I’m not unaware that you’re saying this to smooth things over. I don’t know since when you’ve known about our affairs, but…”

“That’s right. That must be a scheme. To ruin Jennifer’s debutante with some malicious…!”

I opened my mouth while staring at the excited red hair.

“A scheme? Shall we go through one by one who is hatching the scheme, Madam?”

“Does this incident… mean there is someone involved besides Sylvia?”

“If I tell the truth, I’ll still be confined. I won’t say anything.”

The Count sighed as he looked at me with my mouth shut and answered.

“…I’ll listen and judge.”

“Darling!!”

I looked around at everyone and chose my words. It was to avoid saying anything that could be caught.

“I am fully aware of my position. That’s why I only warned Sylvia, knowing I would be punished. Because you shouldn’t say such things in front of nobles.”

Before Idorein could seize the atmosphere, I spoke calmly.

“But I didn’t know she was going to steal the Feing Salon’s deed. I told her it was an important item and to get the Count’s permission, but she didn’t.”

Of course, Sylvia had never done that.

“If you still say it’s my fault, I will accept it gladly.”

“Are you believing that lie right now? On top of that, Reina was trying to sell the Feing Salon to run away…!”

Idorein, who had been demanding an answer from the Count, hurriedly shut her mouth.

“Don’t tell me… you knew? So the Madam was also trying to catch the culprit! Did you catch them?”

A new incident was added to Sylvia’s matter.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought the real culprit would appear if I made the matter bigger. And the person I met told me to sell it to them. They knew everything from the start—my face, my name.”

A secret leaked from the inside.

“I’ve never left the Count’s estate, so how could this be?”

And it was also something Idorein already knew. Everyone knew the next words without needing to say them. For a very brief moment, there was a place where all eyes gathered.

“Now that things have come to this, I cannot hand the salon over to Jennifer.”

“Excuses…!”

“Madam, this isn’t an excuse… it’s the only gift I can give Jennifer.”

The Count began to deliberate. I waved my last card at him.

“If the culprit does not appear, I will transfer the salon’s rights as originally planned.”

Perhaps he read my desperation, for the Count eventually nodded.

“If this matter turns out to be a lie…”

“Then I will gladly accept any punishment.”

It must be a judgment born of that arrogance that everything should be under his plan. And at that moment, Douglas’s pages were turning.

Entering my room, I took out Douglas. I read and reread what had just happened. I wanted the names of everyone who had tormented me written in Douglas. And the moment this book reaches its end.

“This place becomes reality.”

I hung Sirihan’s necklace around my neck.

“The moment I take this off will be the moment you die, Sirihan.”

Until that day, my revenge will not stop.

***

“Me, why are you doing this to me!! The Young Lady has gone mad. I am innocent, Madam!!”

I watched Sylvia’s desperate struggle.

“Everything you’ve done will be revealed. Do you know what happens when you steal a noble’s belongings?”

“I didn’t steal anything! Madam, you know me!!”

Even as she was being dragged away, Sylvia didn’t stop shouting. The more she did, the more she proved I had no fault. Sylvia’s misdeeds spread very quickly. She went around shouting that she was mad herself, so it must be self-inflicted. On top of that, it was revealed that the wound was also self-inflicted, earning her contempt.

The changes weren’t just this.

“Clean.”

I looked at the bedroom, organized so cleanly that not a speck of dust came out. I could tell who it was without being told. The meaning of favor or apology was visible. Even if it was a unilateral action, it worked out well for me. I called the children to praise them. However, it was the head maid who returned with the children.

“I have received the Count’s order to assign you dedicated maids. There are new children who have applied; would you like to meet them?”

I looked at the children behind the head maid. They were definitely the ones who had cleaned this place. Of course, there were some I didn’t welcome. But people who seemed like they would be useful someday. The ones who had faced me earlier were Agisa and her friend Melissa. The two said they were friends and hadn’t been here long.

“From now on, you must act as maids serving the Young Lady. How can you do anything being so frivolous?”

And the one scolding them was Sabrina. Sabrina was the oldest person here. With long, slit eyes and a crooked mouth. I knew Sabrina well. Ironically, Sabrina was the first servant Idorein had brought in. The woman who cherished and loved the twins more than their nanny. But that interest was excessive, and eventually, she fell out of Idorein’s favor.

‘But she’s applying for the position of my maid?’

It was blatant deception. Nevertheless, I had no choice but to welcome Sabrina. Idorein wouldn’t have had time to find new people. So she must have tried to plant her own person by my side. Sabrina’s application was clearly voluntary. And surely, if I used this well, she would create the situation I wanted.

I looked at Agisa and Melissa, who were pouting, and spoke.

“I’m delighted to meet you. You’ll be able to start working tomorrow. Ah, now that you’re my dedicated maids… you must not meet anyone without my orders.”

At those words, Sabrina flinched for a moment. Was she going to go tell Idorein right away? Then let’s throw out some bait.

“You’ll need to prepare tomorrow since we have to leave early.”

“You’re going out?”

“I think I’ll have to go to the Feing Salon.”

At the words “Feing Salon,” people’s eyes began to widen. Seeing their faces flush with anticipation made me smile too.

“Of course, you’re coming with me. It’s a reward for cleaning so thoroughly.”

“Th… Thank you!!”

I spoke to the expectant Sabrina.

“Sabrina, you’ll have to stay here.”

“Pardon? Why only me…”

“We need someone to guard the deed for the time being. Since I made the matter bigger, there will surely be people interested. Will you protect it while I’m gone? I think you’ll be the most capable.”

Then her eyes began to sparkle with a different meaning.

“The night is shorter than you think. I’m used to being alone, so everyone go ahead.”

As everyone obediently withdrew, stillness returned once again.