MTMT 25

Chapter 25

The Desperate Downfall

The king needed to issue a stern warning to nobles who failed to faithfully contribute to the treasury. The royalist Duke Brien came up with a scapegoat that would cause no complications. The Duchess Poliana was the perfect candidate.

Her husband, a duke loyal to the king, had died, and she ran a casino, which already gave her a somewhat shady reputation. She was indulgent and had many enemies—a perfect match.

A woman who neglected even her duties to the state!

The nobles quickly accepted the king’s reasons for wielding his iron fist. The retainers, annoyed that the Duchess was squandering her fortune, betrayed her.

In reality, she had actually made money through her casino business, but her downfall came faster than anything else.

To the outside world, the Duchess had become a vulgar thief. She hadn’t lived a clean life as a noblewoman or as a business operator.

Duke Brien intended to carry out his orders. But why was his mistress here? She looked utterly wretched, as if she had just been rolling around with men. Seeing her barely dressed like that, he swallowed his raging anger.

“D-Duke…”

This woman, with whom he had shared intimacy, was said to be one of the closest associates of the noble he had drawn his sword against. That was what he had heard from others. Moreover, it had come to light that she had occasionally helped run the casino.

Mirva had been useful. The moment she sensed even a hint of a chance to gain the Duchess’s position, she would throw herself at him, kiss his feet, and work diligently for the estate.

“I… I had intended to overlook you.”

Women were all the same. He let out a laugh.

Diana watched as Mirva was dragged into the mansion. She didn’t think Mirva would be executed. Even in her previous life, her father had not killed Mirva. Whether it was out of some attachment or not, she didn’t know. Diana felt as if she were witnessing a public execution—or perhaps the duke himself was about to interrogate her personally regarding her crimes.

The duke glared at her with burning eyes.

“So this woman spent the entire budget of the duchy this year? All of it?”

“…Yes.”

“And that’s not all, Father. She even stole Mother’s personal belongings.”

Diana spoke in a trembling voice. She didn’t cry, but she knew she had to report this.

“How could you allow such a thing to happen?”

“I’m sorry, Father. I… I trusted her.”

The maids shook their heads in disbelief. Mirva’s closest aides looked pale. They were all people who had received some money in exchange for selling the belongings.

“No! The estate’s situation had become difficult, so we used it to support the young master and the ladies! Ask the young master yourself!”

Emil, who had been silent until now, stepped forward.

“Father, Mirva did nothing wrong! She took care of me so carefully.”

“Silence!”

The duke shouted. Emil still seemed to support Mirva. In the past life, too, Emil had defended her when she was expelled.

“Diana, didn’t you spend the money pretending to be the princess’s maid? Now, you’re just trying to blame Mirva!”

Diana could only be bewildered at Emil’s words. Why was he defending that woman now? Why had her brother become so attached to Mirva? Emil looked up at the duke with a desperate expression.

“F-Father. It’s just money she spent. Considering it that way, it’s not such a serious crime. Please forgive her.”

Mirva sniffled tears while looking at Emil, as if moved. Diana noticed a subtle crack appear on the duke’s face. Why that expression?

Then, a clear voice rang out.

“It’s true. Mirva stole Miss Diana’s belongings.”

Turning her head, Diana saw Giskar standing there.

“You little slave, you’re off the hook!”

Mirva yelled in outrage. The duke looked at Giskar with surprise at his appearance.

“Miss Diana was upset. On the day the theft occurred, a merchant group visited. I can’t read, so I don’t know which company, but I definitely heard the word ‘payment.’”

“…”

“I am the lady’s slave, but why is everyone remaining silent? Isn’t this a betrayal of your master?”

Why was Giskar stepping in like this? The maids and servants were already on her side; his intervention was unnecessary. When Diana gave a subtle nod, the maids began to step forward.

“Yes, that’s right! She took the duchess’s belongings without permission.”

A maid, who had once gotten a shard of glass in her hand because of Mirva, stepped forward. Diana had recruited her first.

“She said that a lot of money was needed to visit the Duchess Poliana’s mansion. While there was no lack for Young Master Emil, there was for Miss Diana and Miss Alexa…”

The head maid subtly added. Mirva opened her mouth to protest, but even the butler sighed.

“She took all the estate’s budget. She threatened me, saying it was necessary for when she became duchess.”

“When did I say that?!”

“That’s what happened.”

The butler said firmly. The old butler finally looked satisfied. Everyone began reporting Mirva’s misdeeds. Diana watched Mirva’s downfall unfold.

Those who stole from their master had their wrists cut off. She was a fallen noblewoman and technically a maid—but what would happen to this woman who was no different from a maid?

“Still… I took care of the mansion properly.”

“…”

“Duke, please spare my life.”

Mirva begged earnestly. The duke looked around the mansion. After all, it was because this woman had managed everything that things were still somewhat in order. Somehow, the mansion had been even cleaner over the past two months. Diana realized the duke was conflicted.

“No. This woman has been indulgent and hasn’t managed the mansion recently.”

The head maid calmly stepped forward. Mirva couldn’t understand why the maid she had trusted was acting this way.

“Are you saying you did everything?”

The duke asked irritably, annoyed that someone else was taking credit amidst all this.

“It wasn’t me. I only managed the maids. I needed a master to give proper instructions.”

“…”

“If it weren’t for Miss Diana, the mansion’s system would have collapsed.”

Everyone’s eyes turned toward Diana. Even the butler spoke up.

“Yes, that’s right! Thanks to Miss Diana, we didn’t lose the estate’s budget entirely.”

“Didn’t lose it?”

The duke asked in surprise. The butler, avoiding Mirva’s gaze, explained.

“Fearing she would spend all the money, I put part of the budget in the Withers Bank under your Highness’s pretext.”

“The bank…”

It was a conservative financial institution run by the Withers Guild. A conservative duke would never have used it, but Diana had even known about the bank.

The reason Mirva could run the estate was that everyone who actually worked was on Diana’s side. Why would she covet Diana’s belongings? When Diana heard Mirva spent money gambling, she deposited all the duchy’s funds in the bank.

Mirva, having no concept of the budget, didn’t notice the treasury suddenly empty. The loyal butler and servants used the funds returned from the bank, and Mirva hadn’t thought of it either.

Diana slowly brought Mirva’s subordinates over to her side—maid supervisors, lethargic maids, and ledger-keeping servants.

“Mirva will neglect the mansion as I predicted.”

At first, they hadn’t sided with Diana, but as her prediction came true, everyone began supporting her. Those who had long suffered under Mirva’s tyranny and those who had been helped by the duchess turned to Diana.

Though the budget was meager, things were actually better. The mansion’s funds were no longer squandered. The staff were properly assigned. Even dishes prepared for days when the duke was absent were boldly removed by Diana.

Though Mirva had squandered immense wealth, Diana’s careful management allowed the estate to function. At twelve years old, Diana was already an excellent mistress.

Mirva glared at Diana, resentful that she was receiving attention. Their eyes met.

Diana’s lips curled coldly. Mirva’s eyes widened. Diana slowly spoke with her lips.

“Serves you right.”

Mirva flinched. Seeing that alien expression, she realized she had underestimated Diana. Why was Diana’s management skill being recognized now? As if orchestrated. Oh, the butler and head maid were all bribed by Diana.

A belated realization struck her. Could this all be Diana’s scheme? Didn’t Diana manipulate her to indulge and degenerate while mingling with Duchess Poliana?

Why had Diana suddenly become the princess’s maid? Why invite the despised Mirva to a tea party and draw her into society?

Why had a noblewoman introduced her to Duchess Poliana? Mirva’s power came from her authority to manage the mansion. Having squandered it in indulgence, she could never be perfect.

Ah, that little brat got the better of me. Like her mother, sly and wicked… she!

“It’s… all that brat’s fault!”

Mirva raged violently. As she lunged at Diana, someone grabbed her waist and threw her aside. It was one of the estate’s slaves.