~Chapter 50~
The steward in charge of the supply storeroom was always busy dealing with attendants and maids.
After all, anyone who wanted to take even a single item from the storeroom needed his permission.
When Chiffon arrived there, she immediately felt hostile eyes fall on her and clenched her fists.
“Oh my, what’s this? Didn’t I tell you to keep quiet just a moment ago? Did you already forget? Must’ve caught the idiot’s stupidity. Disgusting, so disgusting~.”
“If you’ve finished applying for supplies, step aside.”
“Hah, and how would you know if we’re finished or not? Well, just wait right there until we’re done.”
Their childish attempt to block her way as though erecting a wall made Chiffon laugh in disbelief.
“I’m not the disgusting one—you are. The one pathetic here isn’t me, it’s you. Don’t you think your jealousy is childish? Idiot.”
“Wh-what did you say? Looks like you haven’t been disciplined enough yet! You might act all high and mighty now, but it’s all just a dream!”
“And what are you relying on, huh? Your young lady and young masters—children younger than you? You’re the disgusting one.”
“Ugh…! That idiot! There’s talk she won’t even be listed in the Egbert family lineage. An heir? It’s all a sham, a dream.”
Chiffon shoved past the sneering maid, frowning.
The truth was, Chiffon had never sought anything grand.
Success? If she could achieve it, of course she’d be glad.
Money? Having it would certainly bring happiness—no more of this miserable life.
Becoming the sole, indispensable right hand of someone powerful—of course she had dreamed of it.
If that meant promotion, money, comfort for everyone, and above all, happiness for her ailing little brother…
But Chiffon had gained something far greater.
Something she could never have bought with money or achieved with success, something no future could ever promise.
Her brother’s life and his hope.
And the ordinary life she had longed for so desperately.
Her only brother’s life had been saved. Now, she’d even heard of ways being tested to cure his albinism.
All of it had happened only after she met her lady.
Everyone else had shaken their heads.
Even physicians she had poured her fortune into had only sighed and shaken their heads.
When the family lost its title, everyone turned their backs.
Every gaze that fell upon her brother was full of scorn, as though peering through a tainted lens.
They cursed and mocked a child who had never chosen to be born, calling him accursed.
But her lady—though she had forced Chiffon into servitude—had given what Chiffon could never have attained otherwise.
“Even if she were to lose her position as heir, I’d never leave her side. I’m not here expecting anything in return.”
She had already received everything she wanted. Nothing was lacking that could keep her from pledging loyalty.
It began with force, but after her brother’s salvation, it became sincere.
“My lady is far greater than you could ever imagine. She doesn’t even care for the heir’s seat. And you and I—we’ve been different from the start.”
“What? What could you possibly see in that idiot—”
Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.
Right behind them came five neat, deliberate claps.
“Ah, that speech was truly moving, Chiffon.”
“…Lord Raxa?”
Dressed impeccably in formal tails, he approached with a gentle smile, closing in on the maids who had been hounding Chiffon.
He placed a gloved hand lightly on the shoulder of the maid who had repeatedly called Esther an “idiot.”
“But you, my dear, are vulgar. …Before one so great and noble, you ought to show proper respect.”
Though his voice was warm and his touch gentle, the maid shuddered at the chilling sensation and involuntarily gulped.
When she accidentally met his gaze, she froze.
Those eyes, red as though each speck had been painted with blood, looked at her with icy indifference.
“H-hiick… I-I was only…!”
Fear, fear, fear. Terror, dread, despair. Nothing but fear writhed on her face.
It wasn’t the gaze of a predator toward prey.
It was as if some incomprehensible being were staring down at a writhing insect.
“Vulgarity is what I hate most. Isn’t it wretched, crooked, filthy?”
Thud.
Everyone heard the sound.
The maid slowly lowered her head at the strange, delayed sensation.
And she saw it.
A gaping hole, torn open in her own chest.
Blood poured out in a torrent, spilling onto the floor.
“Kyaaaaaaa!”
Screams erupted around them. But the maid, stricken by excruciating pain, couldn’t even cry out properly—she only clutched at her chest and collapsed.
“…You.”
Chiffon muttered in horror, staring at Raxa.
He smiled pleasantly.
“Why so shocked?”
He clapped his hands once.
“Killing someone in a ducal house…! If you endanger my lady because of this—!”
Chiffon seized him by the collar.
In that instant, the corners of his eyes curved gently—as if he were truly smiling this time.
“For a mere human, you’re admirable. Worrying about your master even in this situation—that’s what one calls a loyal dog.”
He clapped his hands again.
Chiffon could only stare in bewilderment at his bizarre action.
“But, Chiffon, alas—this was nothing but irritation.”
He clapped once more.
“See for yourself.”
He clapped again, then turned Chiffon gently by the shoulder.
There sat the maid, trembling on the floor, terrified.
The blood was gone. The hole in her chest never existed.
As though nothing had happened.
“See? Nothing happened. She merely went mad under the weight of my aura.”
His voice was mild, but no one there believed it.
They had all seen it.
And yet, at the same time, none of them had.
“Chiffon.”
Hearing the youthful voice from behind, Chiffon turned slowly.
“I despise those who don’t know their place.”
Esther’s golden eyes burned red, her innocent face drained of all but emptiness.
It wasn’t anger, nor even quiet wrath.
It was simply nothing.
So much so, that it was hard to believe this was the same child who moments ago had pouted and cheerfully scampered toward the duke and duchess.
Esther asked the maid:
“You—why did you lay hands on my servant?”
The maid, who was still fumbling at her chest as if not believing it was whole, startled and lifted her head.
“H-h-hands? No, I just—she was insolent, so I—”
“What is ‘knowing your place’?”
Esther asked again.
“Is lifting your head to speak to me knowing your place?”
“W-what…?”
“Is my servant killing you knowing your place?”
“Wh-what nonsense—”
“Or is it me tearing your soul apart that would be knowing your place?”
Her head tilted.
The child’s flat, emotionless tone left the maid speechless.
“…What?”
At that moment, a familiar young voice sounded behind them.
“N-Niffel Young Master…!”
The maid’s eyes widened in relief.
“You—why are you here? Isn’t it almost mealtime? Where’s my food—”
“Huh?”
Esther blinked wide-eyed.
“Eeek! Y-you, YOU!”
It was that boy.
The one who had panicked and run, chased by rats—Nigel Egbert’s son.
“…Hmph.”
So this maid had been assigned to him.
“Hi there.”
“D-don’t ‘hi’ me! G-get lost!”
“She hit my maid. Should I punish her? Or do you want to be punished in her place?”
Esther beamed, spreading her arms wide.
The liveliness in her eyes made Niffel Egbert tremble all over.
The memory of that last encounter flashed through his mind.
The rats swarming him, biting him all over—his mother confining him afterward for fear of disease, jabbing him with countless preventative injections.
No one believed his claim that rats had suddenly attacked.
Somehow, his clothes had reeked of rotting food rats loved.
He swore he’d never seen such foul food in his life.
Someone had tricked him.
The culprit was obvious.
He was sure of it, but with no proof, Niffel could only swallow his grudge against that detestable girl before him.
“Wh-what…”
Skritch. Squeak!
Just then, a rat squealed from somewhere.
At least, it rang clear in Niffel Egbert’s ears.
He leapt with fright.
Ever since that day, he couldn’t stand rodents.
It was nearly a trauma.
“D-do as you like! I-I know nothing of this! Just don’t—you’d better not bring those rats again—damn it!”
Muttering frantically, he abandoned all dignity and bolted.
“M-Master Niffel!”
The maid reached out in desperation, but Niffel never looked back.
Esther grinned slyly.
