Chapter 86
‘But… there’s just one problem that’s bothering me.’
“I don’t understand. Paula went straight to the annex from the ball, so how did she get her hands on the key that was in my pocket?”
Yes. That’s the problem.
‘I’ve never been in the same space as Paula, so how could she have touched the key to the underground prison that was in my coat?’
Odette spoke cautiously.
“Father, I’m hesitant to say this, but I don’t think Paula acted alone. It seems like there was an accomplice because someone was waiting for Paula at the entrance to the annex’s underground prison.”
“What?”
“That person’s name is—”
The moment I said the name, everyone in the room froze.
The person who found Paula was the housekeeper, Courtney. She had worked for the Countess and was often near Paula. This meant she could anticipate Paula’s actions more easily than the other servants.
‘She always hid in Madam’s dressing room when she got scared.’
As expected, Paula had been crouched and hiding in a corner of the dressing room. When she saw Courtney’s face, she screamed.
“I-I didn’t do it! I didn’t do anything!”
Even though she hadn’t said anything yet, the words sounded like a confession.
“Come out!”
Courtney grabbed Paula’s wrist tightly and pulled her out of the dressing room.
“Let go! I said let go!”
Because the Countess coddled her, she probably didn’t know any boundaries. Courtney ordered the other maids.
“We’ve found Paula! Take her to the office immediately!”
The maids swiftly dragged Paula away. Courtney sighed in relief and ran after them to the office.
‘I’m glad I found her myself.’
It had been a long time since the Count had been this angry. Because of today’s incident, both Paula, who served the Countess, and the head maid, Dolly, were in deep trouble.
Courtney probably thought she was also in trouble. So by finding Paula, she hoped to make up for appearing in the Count’s bad graces.
‘After this incident, Madam will practically be a figurehead in this mansion.’
Courtney didn’t want to give up her position as housekeeper.
Since the mistress held authority over the maids, she had served the Countess loyally, but from now on, she needed to be in the Count’s favor instead.
‘It’s good, though—I wanted to make my mark anyway.’
“I didn’t touch the young lady! I’ve never hit her either!”
Paula shouted as she was dragged into the office.
“How can you treat me this way just because of the coachman’s words—Ugh! Alive? You’re… alive?!”
She went into a panic upon seeing Odette kneeling inside the office.
The Count, frowning, sent the junior maids who had brought Paula out of the room.
“Only Courtney and Paula stay. All of you leave. This is a solemn gathering for senior staff only.”
Paula had already done something insane, and there was no telling what she might do next. That was why only senior staff were left.
If Paula, pushed to the brink, let loose, she could reveal all of the young lady’s secrets.
The Count spoke to Paula through gritted teeth.
“You’re really just like my maid. Particularly in your stupid habit of telling lies.”
“M-Master.”
“Sasha thought she liked you and let you slide, and this is the result. That girl tried to kill Odette and even touched my slave, Karl. She deserves to die.”
The Count gestured toward Fernand with a grim expression.
“She knows our family’s greatest secret. So, Fernand, cut her throat yourself.”
“Yes, Father.”
Paula looked around dumbfounded.
“B-But the young lady is alive, so why should my neck be cut—Aagh!”
But when Fernand actually swung his sword, Paula shut her mouth, her face drained of color.
‘He… really meant to kill me.’
It was then that the door burst open, and a woman ran in.
“No, no!”
It was Sasha, disheveled from fighting off the servants. She rushed in and immediately embraced Paula.
“No! Please, not Paula! Paula! Apologize quickly!”
Paula dodged the blade desperately, but in the process, she received a deep cut on her shoulder. Seeing the blood, her face showed shock.
Ever since entering the mansion, Paula had been protected by Sasha and had never been scolded, not even by the Count.
Even if all other maids were at risk, she believed she would be safe.
Paula immediately knelt.
“I… I was wrong. I disobeyed the young master’s orders and touched Miss Odette. I thought if I didn’t act today, I’d never get another chance…”
“Yes. That’s why you even touched Karl, ignorant of your limits.”
“W-what?”
“How dare someone like you, a lowly creature, go so far as to release Karl?”
Paula blinked, confused.
“Thinking about the nightmares you’ll cause again, I feel like cutting off not just your head, but your master Sasha’s, right here.”
“Karl was freed? What are you saying? That’s not my doing. Really—”
“Honestly, this is ridiculous. I clearly found your hairpin there, and yet you still deny it?”
The Count sneered and threw the hairpin engraved with Paula’s name at her face.
Her face scratched and bleeding, Paula stared blankly.
“Why—”
The Count, fed up with her act, shouldered a hunting rifle and cocked it, aiming at Paula.
“The only way to shut that mouth seems to be killing.”
As if he would shoot immediately if she tried to explain one more word.
But Paula, truly innocent this time, kept shaking her head.
‘I really didn’t! I really didn’t!’
The Count’s finger rested on the trigger. But instead of closing her eyes, the Countess screamed.
“Not Paula! Don’t touch Paula!”
Sasha trembled, holding Paula tightly, as if willing to die in her place.
“Paula cannot be harmed. Absolutely not!”
“Tsk.”
Unable to shoot Paula alone, the Count lowered the gun with a click and gestured to Fernand.
“Take care of the accomplice first. Rolf, restrain the accomplice.”
At that moment, Rolf swiftly restrained Courtney, who had been observing the scene.
“B-But, butler, why are you doing this?”
“Dolly, search the housekeeper’s body. If Odette’s testimony is correct, we’ll find the key.”
“What? W-what do you—”
But Dolly’s hands were faster. From the pocket of her apron, a key fell out with a clatter—one Courtney had never seen before.
“Why… why is this—”
“So, it’s confirmed that Paula and Courtney acted together.”
“I-I had nothing to do with it—”
“Enough. Fernand, shut that housekeeper up immediately.”
Before she could scream, Fernand’s sword grazed her mouth.
Then, as if prepared, Rolf stuffed a thick white cloth into her mouth. Her cries were muffled.
“If I hear another ‘No, I don’t know anything’ from them, my head will ache.”
“Hic—”
Paula hiccupped, trembling in the brutal grip. The Countess hugged her even tighter.
“I don’t know what the incident is, but Paula and Courtney clearly conspired, right? Paula is just a maid. The housekeeper holds the power in this household. Courtney probably led it. So only kill her, and spare Paula.”
While everyone’s eyes were on the Countess, no one paid attention to the crying Courtney—except Odette.
“That person’s name is Courtney. Since she was waiting before Paula, she’s likely the one who smuggled the key out of the mansion.”
The purpose of today’s events was to catch Courtney.
Among the people she wanted revenge on, the housekeeper had tormented her in the cruelest way.
‘In my past life, it was also Courtney who cut my tongue.’
Although the order came from Father, Courtney was the one who cut my tongue. She stuffed a filthy napkin in my mouth to silence my screams.
‘When your tongue is cut and you can’t even appeal your grievances, the frustration is indescribable.’
Still, Odette was merciful.
Fernand, skilled with the blade, finished it quickly.
‘Unlike me, who had to endure that pain because of your clumsy skills.’
