Chapter 5
Eleanore straightened her back and met Hekit’s eyes.
Hekit’s eyebrow twitched—he already had a guess about what she wanted to say.
“I’m sorry, but if this is about the Madam and the Young Lady, I cannot help you,” Hekit said coldly.
He clearly believed Eleanore had come to complain about Katarina and Simone’s bullying.
There was a hint of disdain in his eyes.
In my previous life, Eleanore thought, Hekit considered asking the butler for help a sign that I wasn’t fit to be the lady of the house.
A real duchess should be able to handle household problems alone—Eleanore somewhat agreed with that.
But not completely.
Standing alone is something privileged people can do. How can someone like me, who had nothing, stand alone?
One corner of her mouth lifted. She wanted to embarrass Hekit a little.
But that can wait.
“I didn’t come here to talk about the Madam or her daughter,” she said. “Yes, they torment me, but that’s not why I’m here.”
A flicker of confusion crossed Hekit’s eyes. He didn’t expect her to openly admit she was being bullied.
“…Then why are you here?” he asked.
“Relax. I’m not here to take my anger out on the wrong person.”
Eleanore changed her expression to a calm smile.
Hekit’s gaze wavered—for someone suffering bullying, she looked far too composed.
As he stared at her smile, Eleanore suddenly dropped the expression and stepped closer.
“You know I’m only the future duchess. I’m not the official lady of the house yet, so I can’t personally handle the estate finances.”
“I’m aware of that. But what does that have to do with—”
“At this very moment, an embezzlement is happening inside this castle.”
“What?”
Hekit’s eyes widened in shock.
“Did you say embezzlement? Where?”
“In the Madam’s tearoom, on the west side of the castle.”
“The Madam’s tearoom?”
“Yes. You know the name ‘Viscount Bosodi,’ right?”
At the mention of Bosodi, Hekit’s face instantly hardened.
He already knew that Katarina had suspicious transactions with Bosodi whenever she sold jewels or valuables.
“The Madam is selling the castle’s property to him,” Eleanore said.
She carefully picked the timing—this was exactly when it happened before the “restart.”
“They’re probably signing the contract right now. If you go, you’ll catch them red-handed—with evidence and all.”
Hekit looked conflicted. Then he spoke:
“Lady Eleanore, I know the Madam’s bullying is harsh. But making up a serious lie like this—”
“Hekit Burtner.”
Eleanore called his full name with a cold, heavy gaze.
“…Yes, Ma— no, my lady.”
Her aura startled him so much he almost called her “Madam.”
“I understand you don’t interfere when the Madam and her daughter play their petty tricks. You think it’s not your responsibility.”
Hekit flinched, feeling a small pang of guilt.
“But listen, Hekit,” she continued.
“This is about the Grand Duchy itself. Its administration, its property, its rules. This is your responsibility as butler.”
Her expression grew stern.
“If you neglect this, I cannot consider you a competent or trustworthy butler.”
“…!”
“Unless a natural disaster cancels the engagement, we will have to run this household together someday, won’t we?”
Hekit couldn’t hold her gaze.
“I…”
“Go do your job, Hekit.”
Almost hypnotized, Hekit began walking.
Eleanore smiled faintly and followed him, with Becky trailing nervously behind.
When they arrived at Katarina’s residence, the head maid greeted them—just like before.
“Sir Butler? And… my lady?”
She looked confused, glancing between them.
“And why are the knights here…?”
She tried to guess what had happened, but Hekit didn’t fall for it.
“You—restrain the head maid for a moment,” he ordered the lesser knights behind him.
They obeyed instantly.
The head maid was grabbed before she could even resist.
“What is the meaning of this?!” she screamed, but Hekit ignored her and walked forward.
Eleanore merely glanced her way and followed.
“You said it was the tearoom.”
“Yes.”
“If I open the door and there’s nothing—”
“Then your master and I can break off the engagement.”
“…! You joke well, my lady.”
Hekit gave a dry laugh and opened the tearoom door.
“Are you insane?! Who opens a door without knocking!”
The exact same line echoed.
And Bosodi covered his face just like before.
“Viscount Bosodi, isn’t it?” Hekit said sharply.
He strode toward the table.
Bosodi hurriedly shoved the documents into his bag.
“May I see those papers?” Hekit asked.
“A-ah… These are… personal business commissioned by the Madam. I’m afraid I cannot show them to you.”
“Personal business, you say.”
Hekit let out a sigh—Bosodi’s sweating face confirmed his guilt.
Then, as Hekit casually turned around—
“Ugh!”
Bosodi stumbled, dropping the bag and scattering the papers.
“Oh dear. I seem to have kicked your leg by accident. Are you alright? I’ll pick up the papers for you.”
He effortlessly pinned Bosodi down and picked up the documents.
As he read them, Hekit’s face hardened.
“Sir Butler! What are you doing?!”
Katarina finally snapped.
“Madam,” Hekit said coldly, lowering the papers.
“You have just been caught attempting to embezzle the Grand Duchy’s property.”
Katarina’s face turned white.
“This is a misunderstanding, Butler!”
“What exactly is the misunderstanding, Madam?”
“That—those sapphires! My daughter-in-law gave them to me! Isn’t that right, dear? They were from your dowry!”
She looked at Eleanore sweetly—but her eyes were full of threat.
Everyone turned to Eleanore.
“Well, Mother,” Eleanore said calmly.
“I don’t really understand your claim.”
She looked Katarina straight in the eye.
“My dowry has been under the Duke’s management ever since the engagement was settled. How could I possibly give it away to you in private?”
