Chapter 39
Madam apologized two more times before regaining her composure. She picked up the measuring tape again and focused on her work. I almost let out a sigh of admiration at how quickly her expression changed to serious.
I quietly followed as she measured my neck, shoulders, and upper chest.
“Madam is a good person. She even thinks about her staff’s convenience. Ah, that’s a compliment. I mean it sincerely.”
Madam slightly lifted the corners of her mouth.
“I had left the child with another household because of work, but it seems the child caused trouble wherever she went. She couldn’t focus on work at all, so I brought her here. From what I saw, the child is quite cute. Once her curiosity is satisfied, she behaves well. She didn’t cause any serious trouble, but she was unusually excited today.”
“Is that normal for children her age? I don’t know much about kids. I don’t have a younger sibling either.”
“It is the age when children are most active. This child is particularly curious, so that might make it seem worse.”
“They say curious children are smart.”
“I hope that’s true. Could you turn around, please?”
“Okay.”
I slowly turned around.
Madam started measuring again from behind, the tape making a rustling sound.
I quietly looked at the curtain where the child had been hiding earlier and asked,
“Is Madam’s child about that age too?”
The rustling stopped immediately. Was she looking at me from behind? I just slightly turned my head back.
“Or… not? If you found out, I mean.”
“…Mm.”
When I turned fully, I saw Madam’s lips pressed together as if she had swallowed the words that had risen to her throat. Her face looked like it might break apart at any moment.
She had gone even paler than when the child had hidden and surprised us earlier.
“Madam, it’s just me here.”
The door was locked, right? I nudged her again.
Madam exhaled sharply and straightened her back.
“I don’t understand what you mean. I’ll continue measuring.”
The hand holding the tape at her waist trembled as if she were clutching a lifeline.
“Should I find it for you?”
“……”
“The child your father took away. Should I find her for you?”
Madam finally dropped the tape. Her eyes, full of chaos, met mine in the empty space.
“Where did you hear that?”
“Does it matter? You were going to collect money and ask Mr. Shuwalt or someone else anyway, right?”
“……”
“It would be better to act quickly. Your father blocked you so many times already.”
“Uh… where did you—”
Madam struggled to breathe, closing her mouth again and taking rough, deep breaths. Her pale face and watery eyes showed how shaken she was.
I waited until she calmed down.
Originally, she was a minor character in the story, appearing briefly in a corner. Most mentions were about how my cold mother and Mr. Shuwalt had occasionally been kind to me as a child. This was one such episode.
In the original, Mr. Shuwalt had rescued the child. I knew Madam had spent a lot of money to get back the child taken by her father. I don’t remember the exact amount, but it might have been enough to open a few shops.
After a while, Madam’s expression softened like before. She had fought an inner battle and settled it skillfully.
“It seems you have heard a distorted rumor, Ariandel.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. Your words were somewhat shocking, and I almost caused a rudeness. If it’s okay, may I continue measuring? It will be finished soon, just a little longer.”
I nodded silently. If she didn’t want to, I wouldn’t force it.
“Do that.”
The space became very calm. Neither Madam nor I spoke.
She finished the last measurement and put down the tape.
“All done.”
I nodded and put on the coat she handed me.
“You don’t need to come in person to check like last time. I’ll send someone when it’s finished.”
Madam bowed. She led me back to the lounge without a word.
She left for a moment and drank fragrant tea prepared by a staff member. I could have commented on her behavior, but I didn’t. She slowly enjoyed the aroma and then leisurely rose from her seat.
“I’ll contact you once it’s finished. Thank you again for trusting me.”
“Okay, I’ll leave it to you.”
I didn’t scold her even though she didn’t come to say goodbye.
“Miss, are you heading straight home?”
“Hmm. Since I’ve been out for a while, maybe I’ll get some fresh air. Nina, do you know a good place? Lisa and I haven’t been here long, so we don’t know much.”
“I know a famous place!”
Hearing Nina’s excited voice, we reached the store entrance. Through the glass, I saw Ian waiting. Just as Lisa opened the door, loud footsteps sounded behind us.
“Uh, um! Ariandel!”
I stopped and turned back.
Madam was running a few steps, breathing heavily.
“Did we finish the measurements? What’s left?”
She clutched the hem of her dress with both hands and walked unsteadily, like a fawn taking its first steps. Her lips trembled as she swallowed hard.
“I think I made a mistake in the measurements. I’m very sorry, but could you please let me check again?”
Her staff looked surprised, switching their gaze between me and Madam. Lisa and Nina weren’t much different.
Inside the store, I was the only one with a calm expression.
“It’s not difficult. Lisa, could you hold the coat?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Wait just a moment. We’ll check and be done soon.”
At that, Madam took a deep breath and stepped back slightly.
“To the same spot as before?”
“…Yes, I’ll lead you inside.”
Madam locked the door again as I entered. She repeatedly checked the handle, as if to make sure it was secure, then turned back.
I sat on the sofa first.
Madam didn’t move from the doorway easily. She took a careful step and asked cautiously,
“What is it that you want, Ariandel?”
I stared at her and unconsciously laughed. Madam flinched.
“Why is everyone around me so calculating? They take things for granted. Maybe it’s because I hide so much…”
“…I’m sorry if that upsets you.”
“No, not really. True, I’ve learned the same things, so I do hope for some things.”
Soon, the child will be under Iscar’s protection. Then even if her father notices and tries to interfere, it won’t be easy. That will be safer and better for Madam too. I thought I should tell her once everything is resolved.
I slowly approached Madam and sat across from her on the sofa. She looked up, a bit subdued.
“However, I can’t guarantee I can do what you want. I have no special abilities…”
“Aren’t you too unsure of yourself for calling me here?”
“…Can… can I find the child?”
“If Madam trusts me.”
“…Then, what should I do for you?”
Madam spoke quickly. My first impression of her had been correct—she was capable and sharp.
“It’s not difficult. I just want someone to deliver my message. You’re not only working with Bay, right?”
“Do I just need to deliver it?”
“Yes. Without Mr. Shuwalt knowing. It must be delivered by the morning after tomorrow.”
“And the recipient?”
When I said the name, Madam’s eyes went wide.
“Tired.”
When I got home, I collapsed onto the bed. Since things had been handled at the tailoring shop, I planned to go home directly, but I couldn’t refuse Nina’s sparkling eyes, and we ended up stopping at three cafes.
Her purpose was good—to show me places connected by the passageways—but doing things I normally never did one after another drained me.
“….”
Still, Mr. Shuwalt probably reported seeing a girl relieved from the frustration of being restricted from going out. That was some gain, I supposed.
“I have to deliver this well.”
I had passed on the information; whether they believed it or not was up to them. Still, if my life was at risk…
It would be unfair to be blamed for everything after doing so much to prevent it.
I left a note at the second cafe asking Shale to block the route just in case, but time was so tight it was uncertain if it would work.
