Chapter 3

“Crazy? What do you mean by that all of a sudden?”

“Jane was my guest. And you led her to the small reception room? And what happened to make that pale, delicate girl’s face so swollen? There are limits, even when humiliating your husband in front of a guest.”

“I told you already. Jane was the one being rude first.”

“Being rude is no excuse to slap her?”

“She deserved it! She told me she wanted to give you perfume—the kind you like. And the way she said it… it was as if she had slept with you. I considered reporting it to the council but decided to handle it myself.”

Theodore opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, clearly wanting to defend himself but unable to find the right words.

And rightly so. What could he even say?

It was a small mercy it had ended with just a slap.

Dragging Jane to the council would have been the worst-case scenario for Theodore too.

‘How dare you invite a commoner mistress into the house? There are limits to tarnishing a noble’s dignity!’

Many nobles may commit affairs discreetly, but inviting your mistress into your home was a whole different matter.

Had the council discovered this, they would have punished both Jane and Theodore far more harshly, to hide their own embarrassment.

Mumbling like a fish with his lips, Theodore stammered out an apology.

“Uh… I didn’t realize she was that rude. Next time, I won’t bring her home.”

That was a welcome sound.

“I’d appreciate that.”

“I’ve been so busy lately, I haven’t had the chance to carefully observe what kind of person Jane is.”

“That seemed to be the case. You’ve been coming home late every day recently—are you busy with work?”

“Yes. I’m preparing the crown prince’s birthday banquet.”

“If work is keeping you busy, why not arrange temporary accommodations near your workplace? Just until things settle down. I’m worried about your health.”

That way, we don’t have to see each other’s faces if we don’t want to!

Theodore’s expression brightened at Rachel’s suggestion.

“Really? You’d be okay with that?”

“Of course.”

“Hahaha! Thank you! I was actually thinking the same thing, but I didn’t want to suggest it in case you didn’t like it. You said you’d like me to come home even if I’m late, after all.”

“You’d better remember that your mother will be coming to the mansion in a few days. She’ll be less pleased than I am.”

“That’s fine. I’ll just pretend I’m visiting around the time your mother comes. I need to find a suitable place near work for now.”

Hopefully, you enjoy your time, and until it’s necessary, stay away from the mansion.

Rachel turned with a light heart and headed toward her bedroom.

When she woke up in the morning, Theodore was gone.

A butler with round monocle glasses greeted Rachel sharply. This was Karl, Theodore’s right-hand man, ensuring his master could leave home without worry.

“Good morning, madam. Have you risen?”

“Yes, Karl. Good morning. Where’s Graham?”

“He is playing this morning after breakfast.”

“With Marsha?”

“No, with another maid.”

That wicked Marsha. She hadn’t shown herself yesterday while Jane was still here, and now she must be sleeping in late.

“Good, she isn’t looking after Graham. I have something to tell Marsha. Send her to the reception room immediately.”

“Right now, madam?”

“Yes. Immediately.”

She’ll rush over flustered, of course. Rachel had to restrain a corner of her mouth from curling into a smirk.

Karl regarded Rachel quietly before asking politely,

“…Understood. And what of your other plans?”

Stretching and yawning with unkempt hair, Rachel feigned laziness and thoughtlessness.

“Hmm… what shall I do today? First, eat breakfast, then finish the novel I was reading yesterday… Ah! I want to go to the guild. Send a carriage, please.”

“The guild, madam?”

“Yes.”

Karl’s eyes glimmered tensely behind his glasses.

It was no wonder—guilds were where information and work were traded. Not a place for a regular countess to visit.

In the original story, Rachel went to the guild only after realizing Theodore’s affair, to hire someone to follow him.

“It’s a dangerous place, madam. Too risky for you to go personally.”

“Really? But our wedding anniversary is coming up. I want to prepare a special gift. I don’t want to give Theodore something sold just anywhere.”

“In that case, I will summon someone from the guild to the mansion.”

“Oh, you will? That’s much easier for me.”

“I will have them visit the mansion today.”

“Thank you, Karl.”

Rachel smiled brightly. Karl relaxed and nodded in relief.

“Then I will assume you have no plans to leave the mansion today.”

Karl gave a formal salute and exited the room.

Rachel tidied her disheveled clothes and hair, then headed to the reception room.

It was time to scold the mischievous Marsha.

After waiting a short while, Marsha arrived. She looked hastily prepared but not particularly nervous—she and Rachel often met to discuss Graham.

“You called, madam?”

“Marsha, I’ll be direct. Where were you last night?”

“I was attending to Master Graham, of course.”

Boldly lying with that straight face! Some nerve.

“And this morning?”

“What do you mean? Master Graham fussed all night, so I slept in out of exhaustion.”

“Really?”

If she had said she had something else to do, I might have been less annoyed—but she shamelessly blamed Graham, insulting both him and me.

Rachel tapped her finger against the armrest.

“Marsha, I am very angry right now.”

“Madam? What do you mean…?”

“You went out again. Last night, the night before…”

Marsha’s face turned pale.

She had been attending an inconsequential social gathering—middle-aged women chatting, sharing food, much like men in a salon—but it wasn’t trivial.

Rachel’s voice grew sharp.

“You were the first to arrive and the last to leave, listening to and comforting people, cleaning up after them. The trust they place in you seems immense. The group… was it called the Consolation Society?”

“How… how did you know that?”

Rachel had followed Marsha one night, suspicious of her sneaking out the back door.

“That doesn’t matter. What matters is that I am angry at you for attending that group. Do you understand why?”

“….”

“You’ve been silenced, though usually eloquent. I’ll explain. First, a household servant left her post without permission, even before Graham fell asleep.”

Rachel spoke calmly, watching Marsha tremble.

“She carried food made in the mansion with both hands. The teacups and dishes seemed familiar—used at the guild gatherings. She slept late this morning because she stayed up consoling people, just like today.”

“M-Madam…”

“Thought it was over? Not only did she neglect her duties, she stole and lied to get money, deceiving the kind and gentle Graham. She whined incessantly while hiding the fact she left her post, demanding more money in the process.”

Marsha likely didn’t start with bad intentions—she wanted to help the lonely and weary, finding purpose in her maid work.

But whatever the reasons, neglecting duties, stealing, and lying warranted punishment.

Finally, Marsha muttered,

“…Madam.”

“Yes? Speak. I’ll hear your excuse.”

“I… I’ve devoted myself to the Ellosa household all this time! How could you do this?”

Rachel narrowed her eyes.

Marsha’s voice grew defiant.

“You have no proof and yet accuse me! I am innocent! Madam, wherever you heard this, I never stole or lied!”

“Marsha, admit your fault and apologize honestly. Return the stolen dishes and items, and I won’t punish you further. Consider the money you’ve received as severance and leave quietly.”

“You’re being unreasonable! Threatening to fire me for something I didn’t do and demanding I return things I never took!”

Sigh.

Rachel rested her forehead in her hand. She would have to show evidence.

“I gave you a chance.”

She rose and walked to a box placed in the reception room. It contained items found near the old house where the Consolation Society met.

Just as she set the box on the table and unlocked it, there was a knock.

“Madam, it’s Karl. The guild informant I mentioned has arrived.”

Perfect timing.

Marsha turned pale.

Commoners like her knew the guild and informants well—they took jobs regardless of status. Even tailing someone required little skill, just time.

“M-Madam… did you really have me followed?”

Not just followed—she had indeed been investigated.

Rachel didn’t answer; there was no lying here.

“Karl, let the informant in.”

“M-Madam! I-I was wrong!”

Only then did Marsha prostrate herself, realizing Rachel had proof.

“I told you, Marsha. Admit your fault and apologize. I didn’t want to punish someone who cared for Graham.”

Rachel lightly tossed the contents of the box. Flyers with the Consolation Society’s emblem and Marsha’s name fluttered to the floor.

A small sake cup rolled, stopping at Marsha’s eyes. It bore the Ellosa family crest—visible only to its maker, caretaker, appraiser, and master.

Marsha lowered her head, and just then, the door opened. A young man in a black cloak entered the reception room.

“I came at your summons. I am the guild informant, Alias.”

“…Alias?”

Rachel paused, frowning. Alias was the pseudonym used by Sian, the only duke in the empire, when he went incognito—the father of the original heroine, Dolorasa.