Chapter 10
A buzzing sound.
The same kind of bee—my sworn enemy—had appeared again.
Just seeing it made my entire body break out in goosebumps. My teeth even started chattering.
I already hated bugs, but now it had escalated to full-blown terror.
At this rate, I might develop a bee phobia.
At least… it looked slightly smaller than the tutorial one.
I slowly stepped backward, trying to avoid it.
But the bee kept circling me.
Please… stop!
I wanted to run away and hide somewhere.
But I couldn’t suddenly pull out a broom and start swinging it in front of Bianca.
The bee kept targeting me, buzzing around persistently.
Go away! Just go!
Why are you chasing me?!
Nothing ever goes right because of you!
I bent my body awkwardly, dodging like a character in a movie.
And while waving my hands to shoo it away—
I accidentally knocked Bianca’s teacup.
“Ah—hot!”
The tea splashed onto my arm, burning sharply.
The cup I hit tipped over, spilling tea onto a red letter Bianca hadn’t read yet—
Soaking it completely.
[You have taken burn damage. HP -12.]
My HP dropped sharply again, but I checked Bianca first.
“I’m so sorry!”
I quickly shook off the soaked letter and moved it aside, then checked her dress.
“It’s fine. More importantly, are you hurt, Evelyn?”
Thankfully, her dress wasn’t stained.
Her voice was full of concern.
I looked at the soaked letter, on the verge of tears.
This wasn’t supposed to happen…
I’m screwed.
“What do we do? The letter got wet because of me. What if the contents are ruined?”
I was more worried about losing affinity than the pain.
“It’s fine. Is a letter more important than a person? Emma, take Evelyn to the doctor.”
Fssss—
Suddenly, the soaked letter started emitting black smoke—
Then—
Boom!
It exploded like fireworks and vanished into thin air.
Everything happened in an instant.
If it had been any closer to Bianca, her flawless face could’ve been seriously injured.
“Oh my goodness!”
Emma screamed, covering her cheeks.
The tablecloth was burned black, and smoke filled the area.
“Cough! Cough!”
Even though we were outside, the smoke surrounded us.
I covered my nose and mouth with my sleeve.
[You have taken damage from smoke inhalation. HP -6.]
Damn it.
I haven’t even recovered from earlier.
At this rate, my HP will drop below 50.
Through the smoke, I searched for Bianca.
“Milady, are you okay?!”
“I’m fine… cough! Are you all alright?”
As the smoke cleared, we could finally see each other.
Thankfully, no one was hurt.
Only the table was charred—
Leaving behind a symbol.
The symbol of Laura.
The main antagonist of Laura Chronicle.
The moment I saw it—
That ominous BGM started again.
Like dark clouds gathering over my future.
…Seriously, I want to turn off the background music.
* * *
Bianca’s tea session ended—
With a quest completed… but no real success.
And I was now sitting in the break room, trembling.
“W-what should I do…”
I nervously bit my nails.
After the letter explosion, Bianca returned to her room with guards.
And I, the one who caused the chaos—
Was waiting in the break room with the other maids.
I closed my eyes tightly.
I caused a scene just trying to avoid a bee.
And that letter—
How was I supposed to know it was from Laura?!
If I ever get out of here, I’m deleting this character immediately.
Seriously…
I want to spam the game forums telling everyone:
“Never pick Evelyn.”
This could be serious.
If I’m unlucky—
I might get thrown into the dungeon.
Bianca might forgive me…
But the Marquis?
A notorious doting father?
No way.
“What do we do now?”
Betty asked anxiously.
She had been dragged here too.
She looked just as scared as I felt.
“I don’t know… If they punish me, I’ll say you had nothing to do with it… And… if I die, bury me with 3 gold and 50 silver. You can keep the rest…”
I muttered blankly.
“What are you saying?!”
Betty smacked my back.
[You have taken damage from Betty’s sudden attack. HP -3.]
Ouch!
Betty, please don’t kill me yet.
I rubbed my back awkwardly.
And prayed the head maid would come late.
Please… just not death…
Sitting still slowly recovered my HP.
“Are you okay? You got burned, right?”
“It’s fine. They treated it right away.”
I looked at my bandaged arm.
The burn was about the size of two fingers.
It stung, but they said it wouldn’t scar.
Still…
Why wrap it like this?
The doctor had been staring at my face more than my injury.
Suspicious.
“The Master has returned!”
The Marquis had come back.
I quickly tried to recall the original story.
Evelyn never went to prison…
Right?
Then—
A knock.
The head maid, McKenna.
“McKenna!”
Betty stood up.
“The Master is calling for Evelyn. Come with me.”
Betty looked at me anxiously.
It’s happening.
They’re blaming me alone.
“Evelyn…”
“It’s okay. I’ll go.”
“If things get bad, kneel and beg!”
I nodded and followed.
The hallway felt like a road to hell.
We stopped in front of a grand door.
Knock.
“Enter.”
A deep, heavy voice.
My body trembled.
McKenna gently patted my shoulder.
“It’ll be fine.”
It didn’t sound reassuring at all.
Inside—
The Marquis, his wife, and Bianca sat together.
Marquis Vicious
Male, 45
Traits: Noble, merchant-type, “Doting Father”
Marchioness Vicious
Female, 40
Traits: Noble, social
I stood with my hands neatly folded.
“…I’m sorry.”
Apologize first.
That’s the best strategy.
“Evelyn, come sit here.”
The Marchioness spoke gently.
“Come, it’s okay.”
Bianca smiled warmly.
Even now?
Calling me kindly?
I trusted no one.
“I’ve heard everything that happened.”
“…I’m sorry.”
The Marquis waved his hand.
“There’s no need to apologize. I didn’t call you here to scold you.”
Lies.
Nobles always speak indirectly.
I prepared myself mentally.
“You protected Bianca today. And even got hurt doing so.”
“…I’m sorry…”
Tears welled up for real this time.
What if I really get punished?
“I thought carefully about it.”
My fists clenched.
“…Yes…”
Please. Anyone. Help me.
“Would you become Bianca’s personal maid? I will reward you generously.”
“…I’ll accept any punishment—wait… what?”
I froze mid-sentence—
And looked up in shock.
