Episode 13 – Let Them Stand By and Watch
“About the extra retirement money you said you’d give—please give it to me instead. I’ll use it to help treat my nanny’s sister.”
It was a direct request for money. Charlotte hated the idea of giving cash to a servant’s relative, but she also knew it was cheaper than letting Regan Fellum find out what had happened.
Everett smiled to herself. She knew Charlotte was scared—especially after what had happened with Joanne.
“Of course,” Charlotte said with an overly kind smile. “Gemma is like family to us. Just keep your promise.”
Her tone was much softer than before—completely different from how she used to scold Everett.
“Yes, Aunt Charlotte. Oh, and… may I eat with the family from now on?”
“Eat? With us?”
With us? Charlotte’s lips trembled slightly.
“I’ve always wanted to share a meal with my family… Is that too much to ask? Maybe I should ask Father instead?”
The thought of Everett meeting Regan made Charlotte wave her hands quickly. Her usual cold eyes softened.
“You don’t need his permission for that. We’re family. I’ll tell the servants to prepare an extra seat.”
✦✦✦
Charlotte kept her promise.
Right after the chaos with Agatha, she arranged Everett’s trip to visit Gemma and even gave her the nanny’s new address.
But since Everett’s return from hiding hadn’t yet been announced publicly, she had to go out with her face covered. Still, she didn’t mind. It was a huge step forward just to be allowed outside.
The place was Olberito Street, a poor area on the edge of the city—very far from the luxurious Fellum mansion in the capital.
As the carriage rolled deeper into the district, the scenery changed quickly. Fancy houses disappeared, replaced by small, crowded buildings that looked ready to fall apart.
The air smelled of rotten fish and spoiled meat.
But to Everett, it smelled like life. She smiled brightly, breathing in the messy, human scent.
“The air isn’t clean here, my lady. The smell might bother you,” said the butler sitting across from her. He discreetly held a handkerchief over his nose.
Everett turned to him with mild surprise.
“I didn’t expect Aunt Charlotte to send you, of all people.”
Instead of a maid, Charlotte had sent her chief butler.
“That’s surprising,” Everett said flatly. She still remembered how he’d nearly let her die before Regan intervened.
But the butler didn’t seem bothered.
“I volunteered, my lady. It’s still dangerous for you to go out, so I thought it best if someone quick to act accompanied you.”
Everett narrowed her eyes. “You volunteered? Why?”
The butler smiled faintly. “That teacher who was thrown out earlier… that was your doing, wasn’t it?”
Everett tilted her head. “And if it was?”
“Then I’m glad I came.”
He closed his eyes briefly and continued, “To be honest, I wondered what you would do to punish me after what happened before. I didn’t expect much. But after seeing what happened today, I understand—you were right to scare me.”
Everett stayed quiet, studying him.
“I’m sorry,” he said suddenly, bowing deeply. “I knew what was happening to you and chose to ignore it. If you wish to punish me, I’ll accept it. But please forgive me just this once.”
He spoke honestly.
Everett accepted his apology easily. She didn’t dislike people who could admit their wrongs.
“I’m glad you realize it,” she said calmly.
“Thank you, my lady. I won’t repeat the mistake.”
“You’d better not,” Everett said, smiling faintly. “Otherwise, I’ll have to hang another body on the willow tree.”
The butler’s face turned pale. “You’re… terrifying, my lady. Truly.”
“The world is terrifying,” Everett replied lightly. “So remember who your real master is—and serve him well.”
Her tone was soft, but the message was sharp.
She was reminding him: Regan Fellum is your master, not Charlotte.
He seemed to understand perfectly.
After all, the butler worked for the Fellum family itself, not for the lady of the house. He had probably never respected Charlotte much.
“You’re smart,” Everett said quietly. “I don’t think you told Father about my little… threat.”
The butler chuckled awkwardly. “You see right through me, my lady. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good,” Everett said. “And from now on, whatever happens… you may stand aside. No—you must stand aside.”
Just then, the coachman called out that they had arrived.
The butler smiled wryly as he opened the door. “That’s my specialty, my lady.”
✦✦✦
The Fellum family carriage stopped in the busy Olberito district.
Among the crowd, one man noticed the family crest on the carriage. He peeked through a hole in his newspaper and watched as a cloaked woman stepped out.
Then, he hurried into a nearby tavern.
Inside, the air was thick with alcohol and despair. Poor men drank heavily, cursing their luck and life itself.
At a corner table sat Adan, a man far too well-dressed and sharp to belong there.
His companion, Broad, slipped into the seat across from him. Speaking quietly, he said, “Your Highness, I just saw the Fellum family’s carriage outside.”
Adan turned his head slightly, swirling a cheap glass of absinthe.
“Fellum? Who was in it?”
“It was a woman, sir. She wore a hood, but I’m sure she was the young lady of the family.”
Adan’s brow twitched slightly.
The same young lady we talked about yesterday, Broad thought—the one the Emperor wanted to make the next Crown Princess.
“She entered an old house,” Broad continued.
“I didn’t expect to see her here,” Adan muttered.
“Strange, isn’t it? This isn’t the kind of place for a noble lady. You think it’s connected to our investigation?”
“If she were involved in the crime, she wouldn’t come here openly in a family carriage,” Adan replied coolly.
“Then why did she come?”
Broad couldn’t hide his curiosity. Everyone in the city whispered about Hedia Fellum—the mysterious noble girl rumored to have a special power.
“Why not go take a look, sir?”
“For what purpose?” Adan asked flatly.
Broad smirked. “Maybe she’ll be your future fiancée. The Emperor seems determined to make it so.”
Adan’s eyes turned sharp as blades. Broad flinched but pushed on.
“You said you don’t have a choice anyway. Maybe at least check if she’s your type?”
He added, “They say she’s beautiful, and… maybe her power could even help with your investigation.”
Adan’s expression darkened.
“You think I’d rely on someone’s power?”
His cold voice sliced through the air. Under the dim tavern light, his eyes glowed dangerously.
Broad froze. He’d gone too far.
If Adan were the kind of man who depended on others, he wouldn’t be here, hiding his identity as Crown Prince and walking among the poor.
He was here to see the truth of the corrupted empire himself—and fix it with his own hands.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” Broad said quickly, bowing his head.
Adan placed a steady hand on his shoulder and helped him sit upright again.
“I was only asking. You scare too easily,” Adan said calmly.
Broad gave a shaky smile.
Well, of course I do, he thought. He’s terrifying.
Sometimes, Adan’s gaze alone felt deadly. He’d seen him kill men without hesitation—people he judged as nothing but filth.
Broad knew better than to test him again.
