Chapter 15
Anne dared not refute or respond, merely lifting her head slightly.
“I heard you learned to read and write because you wanted to become the head maid. Even if you’re not experienced, you’re good at what you do. You can’t possibly refuse my recommendation, so don’t worry and go do your job comfortably.”
“Thank you.”
What choice did she have? It wasn’t as if she could argue.
As she received the letter of recommendation and turned to leave, Anne decided to ask, knowing this would likely be her last encounter. Acting as though possessed, she opened her mouth.
“Forgive me for asking, but is there a particular reason you recommended me for the head maid position?”
“I thought it was a role suited to your abilities.”
“Thank you so much for thinking well of me, madam.”
Anne gave a polite bow once more and left the duchess’s room.
Things had moved faster than expected. She was to leave the Benton Duchy even before Gray and Jamie departed for the knight academy.
This was exactly what she had aimed for, and yet her heart felt heavy.
When she checked the recommendation letter, she saw it was addressed to Viscount Clayde.
Of all people, why Clayde? Of course she felt uneasy and uncomfortable.
Still, she might get to see Matilda again there. Was that a good thing? Or not?
Of course, no place would be easy or pleasant.
News of Anne’s departure to the Clayde estate spread quickly, and Gray’s reaction was the most dramatic.
“Madam, I will leave immediately. Please keep Anne as a maid in the duchy. I will never return. Clayde is dangerous. You must not send her there. Please, madam, listen to me!”
Rumors ran wild through the mansion that Gray Benton was truly in love with the maid Anne.
With only about a week left before her departure, Anne found it exhausting to bear the constant attention directed at her every day.
She finally decided to move her departure date forward and was on her way to ask the duchess when—
“Madam, please reconsider! I’m begging you!”
Gray Benton was shouting and pounding on the duchess’s door, all because of Anne’s situation.
When Anne’s footsteps echoed down the hallway, Gray turned to her with startled eyes.
“Anne?”
“I came to speak with the madam.”
After giving Gray a quick greeting, she delivered her message. Gray suddenly grabbed both her hands tightly.
“This isn’t right, Anne. The west is dangerous. Do you know what kind of place it is? Anne, let’s ask the madam together. Please.”
Creeaak— The door opened, and the Duchess of Benton appeared.
Anne quickly pulled her hands away from Gray’s grasp.
“What a disgrace. If it bothers you so much that I dismissed a maid from my house as I pleased, then become the Duke of Benton and bring her back. Then you can make her your wife or your mistress or whatever you like. No one will say a word.”
Her lips twisted in mocking laughter, her tone openly derisive. There was no attempt to hide her contempt and scorn for the illegitimate child, treating him like something filthy.
Yet Anne knew that this same woman, once she lost her husband and legitimate children, would be forced to bring him in and affectionately call him her son.
Not wanting to face such repulsive hypocrisy, Anne bowed her head low.
“You wrote me a recommendation letter for the head maid position. How could that be a dismissal? I am grateful for the consideration and kindness you’ve shown me.”
The duchess smiled with satisfaction and nodded, seemingly pleased with Anne’s composed words.
“So, why did you come? Don’t tell me you came because you missed Gray.”
“Of course not! I can no longer bear to be the cause of disturbance in the duchy. I came to ask if I may leave earlier than scheduled.”
Anne clasped her hands politely, avoided eye contact, and spoke as carefully as possible.
Doing her best not to show her disgust, she kept her gaze fixed on the floor and recited the lines she had prepared.
“Anne!”
Gray shouted from the side.
“Fine. Will you leave as early as tomorrow?”
“Yes. I’ve already packed my things. I’ll do so.”
“Then take today off and spend time with your brother.”
“Thank you very much for your kindness, madam.”
“It’s fortunate you’re clever and sensible—unlike someone.”
The duchess’ sneer toward Gray passed unheeded as Anne turned away.
Though Gray called out to her from behind, the duchess’s attendants blocked him from getting any closer.
Without looking back, Anne walked away quickly and disappeared from sight.
The morning of her departure, Jamie came to her.
“Sis, do you really have to go?”
“It’s the madam’s order. I can’t disobey.”
“But we only just got back together. Now you’re going far away again. Can’t we ask the duchess to let you stay?”
“Jamie.”
Sighing, Anne looked at him with a gentle gaze, like an older sister comforting a child. Jamie hastily responded.
“The young master said the west is really dangerous. That there’s war, and witches, and demonic beasts running wild. And you’re going there.”
His tear-filled eyes turned red, as if he was about to cry. Anne braced herself, holding her emotions in check.
“I’ll write to you.”
“…You have to write often. Really often. Tell me everything, even the smallest things. I’m really worried about you.”
“I promise.”
She gave him a warm smile meant to reassure him. Only then did Jamie stop complaining.
They were each other’s only family. As much as Anne cared deeply for him, Jamie cherished her just as much.
But Jamie’s pleading wasn’t going to change anything.
More than that, Anne didn’t want to miss this opportunity to leave.
Whether it was the west or elsewhere—it had to be better than the Benton Duchy.
She said her goodbyes to the maids, to the duke and duchess—everyone except Gray. All her farewells were complete.
“Sis.”
Just before she boarded the carriage, Jamie handed her a gift.
“It’s a magic stone necklace.”
“A magic stone? Those still exist?”
Anne narrowed her eyes, wondering if the clueless boy had been scammed.
Magic stones were relics from an era when witches and wizards roamed freely.
Rare minerals treasured by magic users were almost impossible to find in the Haiman Empire, and few people believed in their value anymore.
Only the neighboring kingdom of Luto, which once had a wizard king, still prized them more than gemstones. To Anne, born and raised in Haiman, they were just overpriced rocks.
“The west has lots of dangerous things—demons, magic, all that. I got this with difficulty, so always keep it with you.”
Jamie insisted again and again that she wear it around her neck, and Anne smiled faintly, realizing he must’ve picked up all sorts of things while following Gray around.
“Alright.”
She slipped the small gem set in a crafted pendant over her neck and tucked it under her clothes. Jamie beamed with satisfaction.
“I’m off.”
Anne waved her hand out the carriage window until her brother disappeared from view. Only when the road turned did she shut the cold window tight.
Whew. This is really goodbye.
* * *
In December, as winter began, Anne Perot finally left the Benton Duchy.
Thankfully, the duchess had shown one final kindness by providing a carriage and escorting knights.
That was fortunate, since a treacherous mountain range separated the imperial capital Idis Tara from the western fortress city Tegenes.
It took over two months just to pass through the mountains, and for once, Anne was sincerely grateful for the duchess’s thoughtfulness.
As rumored, the western region was barren and bleak. Even the air felt dusty and dry.
“You’ve been through a lot.”
Upon safely arriving, Anne offered her sincere thanks and dismissed the Benton Duchy’s carriage at the gates of the local lord’s castle.
Throughout the journey, the duchy’s knights had treated her with respect and done everything they could to ensure her safety.
“Stay well.”
The knights looked at Anne with pity.
After all, the Benton Duchy was a place no one wanted to leave. Their sympathy was for Anne, being banished from such a post.
If only she hadn’t gotten involved with Gray—if only she hadn’t earned the duchess’s hatred.
She could’ve remained a simple maid living a quiet life at the duchy.
…But that was all in the past.
Anne shook her head firmly.
“Double the salary! I’ll work hard, earn fast, and get out!”
She steeled her nerves and waited at the entrance for someone to greet her.
The estate should’ve been notified as soon as she passed through Tegenes’s outer walls, but even after standing around for a while, no one came out to meet her.
She’d heard they were short-staffed, but no greeting party at all?
Deciding she couldn’t wait any longer, Anne passed the two gatekeepers and walked through the garden.
She tried opening the mansion’s front door without knocking—no one came out.
Standing in the empty lobby, she called out:
“Hello? Anyone here?”
The Clayde estate, ruler of Tegenes, was even bigger and more grand than the Benton Duchy’s mansion.
But it lacked the splendor. The building and furniture all seemed worn and neglected, giving it a rough and aged feel.
A massive chandelier hung from the center of the ceiling, but a thick layer of dust revealed it hadn’t seen a party in years.
It was vast, desolate—just like the western region itself.
Anne reached out to the carved railing on the stone staircase and quickly drew her hand back.
“So cold…”
She’d thought it would be warmer since it was near the desert, but it was just dry—the air felt even colder.
She deliberately walked loudly across the first floor, but no one appeared.
Then, from upstairs—
Clang!
A crashing sound, followed by a scream.
