Chapter 04
Clang! With a crash, the food flew everywhere.
Startled by the sudden chaos, Marie froze as if she couldn’t believe what had just happened.
She still hadn’t gotten used to the change in Ariadne, who normally smiled and acted so sweetly.
Surprisingly, Marie, who had dared to touch Ariadne’s food, looked more intimidated than expected.
That meant…
‘Reaction…’
Ariadne studied her carefully and came to a different conclusion.
This wasn’t Marie acting alone.
Of course, what advantage would a low-paid servant get from doing something like this to the count’s eldest daughter? Even without much intelligence, it made no sense.
And with such weak courage?
Ariadne quickly organized her thoughts. She shouldn’t focus on Marie, but find out who was really behind this.
“Who did it?”
A cold voice fell on Marie as she trembled at the overturned plate.
She glanced nervously and managed to speak.
“W-What do you mean…?”
“Who gave you this food?”
When Ariadne asked, Marie trembled even more, as if her secret had been discovered.
“F-Florin… gave it to me, and I just brought it…”
“You mean Florin gave you food like this?”
Ariadne asked again, and Marie glanced at her nervously. When their eyes met, Marie flinched and quickly lowered her head.
“Y-Yes… yes.”
“Then I need to hear from Florin. Sending me such food as a slight… I might have to give a proper scolding.”
Marie trembled even more.
It had to be a lie. Ariadne became more certain that someone else was behind this.
“Isn’t that right, Marie?”
Once Florin arrived, the situation would be quickly resolved. Marie’s lie would be exposed, and Ariadne would get a proper meal.
But Ariadne had a slightly different thought.
‘Marie is just a pawn. I need to catch the mastermind.’
Ariadne looked at Marie, who was quietly trembling. This wouldn’t be enough. She needed to push her further, and something would slip out.
She glanced at the soup bowl awkwardly filled on the table, then picked it up and poured it over Marie’s head.
“Ah…ugh…”
The thick soup dripped down from Marie’s head. She stood there, flinching as if struck by lightning, and finally sank to her knees.
“I-I’ve committed a grave sin… I-I’ll never….”
She tried to speak but froze in fear.
“Never what?”
Ariadne deliberately held the end of her sentence. Stopping mid-confession made her more suspicious.
“Th-That….”
“If you have something to confess, it’s better to say it. If it was a mistake, I might forgive you once.”
Even though no one else was around, Marie looked around anxiously.
Ariadne softened her tone with a small smile.
“Maybe you didn’t do this because you wanted to.”
Marie reacted slightly. Of course, if it had been her choice, she wouldn’t be so scared.
“Mi-Miss…”
Marie slowly lifted her head, still timid.
“Yes, tell me everything. But if you planned this, you’ll have to take responsibility. You know me—I’m merciless even if it’s against a saint.”
Remembering Ariadne hitting Ashley’s cheek, Marie looked confused.
“How dare you touch your mistress’ food. I could have cut off your arm for this, Marie.”
Marie couldn’t meet her eyes, bowing her head and then bursting into tears.
“I-I’ve committed a grave sin…”
She struggled to speak between sobs.
“If this plan succeeds, I… I can serve the saint again…”
She took deep breaths between her words, glancing at Ariadne.
“You said I could serve the saint again.”
“Who?”
Marie hesitated, unable to answer. Ariadne raised her voice again.
“Who?”
“Th-That… Lady Randall said so…”
“Lady Randall?”
Ariadne was stunned.
Lady Randall was the countess who followed Ashley daily and managed her attendants. While the minor tasks were done by servants, she oversaw everything. She could be considered Ashley’s right hand and wouldn’t act alone.
Clearly, Ashley was behind this.
Ariadne laughed quietly.
What she thought was just a prank by a servant turned out to be the head of a snake.
“Really?”
Ariadne maintained her composure.
“Then for now, do as they say.”
“Huh?”
Marie lifted her head in surprise.
“And only tell me what they ask of you. Then I’ll make it as if nothing happened.”
Marie’s face suddenly brightened.
“Bring the food again, and say you dropped it while carrying it.”
“Ah, yes!”
Marie left, unaware she had gotten soup poured over her head.
Ariadne quietly smiled.
Ashley… wasn’t as sweet as she seemed.
It was a little confusing but interesting.
To bring someone down, you have to be ready to get your hands dirty too.
The thought of revealing the saint’s mask made her laugh.
‘This is exciting.’
She crossed her legs and tapped her toes.
At first, she thought it was misfortune. But as the truth slowly came out, Ariadne felt bitter but relieved. She could have lived here completely unaware.
“Good.”
She quietly touched her cheek, still sore from the count’s strike.
By the time this wound healed, more interesting events might happen, she thought vaguely.
After finishing the meal Marie brought, she went to bed, satisfied.
By the time she woke, twilight was settling.
“Mi-Miss!”
“…Hmm.”
Ariadne, exhausted from recent events, tossed and turned, unable to wake.
“Miss!”
“…Hmm…”
She slowly lifted her heavy eyelids.
“Can you wake up a bit?”
“…Ugh…”
Through her half-clear vision, she saw Florin holding a small lantern, looking worried.
“Get up… I don’t want your face to scar. I brought some herbs and ointment. We need to work quickly, so wake up.”
Florin had snuck in quietly.
Ariadne rubbed her eyes and sat up. Half-asleep, she felt like a wet rag. Florin moved busily beside her.
Placing the lantern on the table, Florin mixed the herbs quickly.
Then she brought the ointment close to Ariadne’s cheek.
“…?”
But Florin froze, barely moving.
“Florin… it’s bright. Just apply it and finish… I want to sleep more.”
“…Miss.”
“Mm…”
Ariadne, still drowsy, slowly nodded. But she could feel Florin’s quick breathing nearby. So she opened her eyes again.
“….”
Florin’s wide-eyed face showed surprise.
“Why are you like this…?”
Her tone was slow and weak, clearly from sleepiness.
“Mi-Miss!”
“Mm…”
“My goodness…”
“Why…?”
“Your c-cheek, it’s healed!”
“….”
Half-listening, Ariadne nodded slowly.
“Miss! Your face is completely healed!”
“…!”
Finally understanding, Ariadne’s eyes widened.
“What?”
She snatched the lantern and rushed to the mirror.
“Oh my.”
Like magic, as if new skin had grown, her face was perfectly clear.
As if she had never been injured. In just one day.
This was clearly the healing power manifesting. Now it was gone from the saint.
“W-What is this? Did you apply something yourself?”
Florin asked, flustered. She looked shocked, but the most astonished was Ariadne herself.
“Huh?”
She ignored Florin and studied her reflection.
It was flawless. The bruise had disappeared completely, as if she had never been hurt.
“What… is this?”
Ariadne gently touched the healed part of her cheek.
Florin’s trembling voice asked eagerly,
“Could this… be saintly power?”
