Chapter : 74
Just thinking about it again made tears well up, and Anna clenched her fists tightly.
Of course she had intended to repay the debt. That was why she had organized a list of artworks owned by her family that could potentially be used as collateral. She knew all too well—thanks to her father—that extorting someone under the pretense of affection was a vile thing to do.
So if she was at fault at all, it was only in thinking that she didn’t need a formal debt document or promissory note between herself and Raiden.
Even without something like that, I would have repaid it…
She felt stifled, as if she were shouting at a wall, and humiliation crept in as well—but she endured it. There was still something she needed to learn from Louis. Perhaps this was the most important matter of all.
[Where is Raiden’s mother?]
When she asked bluntly, the mocking sneer that had been on Louis’s face vanished in an instant. He narrowed his eyes and glared at Anna, like a devout believer staring at a heretic.
He snapped curtly,
[Didn’t I tell you she is at the Marcus estate? It seems, Madam, that you take pleasure in troubling busy people.]
[If that were true, there’s no way she would have been left in a place where such a major accident occurred—especially when even the servants were being sent away.]
[…]
Since Anna wasn’t wrong, Louis clicked his tongue inwardly and composed his expression.
[It would be difficult for me to explain.]
A chill crept up the back of Anna’s neck.
Louis gave her a meaningful look, then turned his head away.
[If you wait a little longer, the Marquis will explain it himself.]
That only made her more uneasy.
Has something really happened to his mother…?
Shaking herself out of her anxious thoughts, Anna looked out the window. The sun hadn’t even set yet.
“Lucy, is it really time for dinner already?”
“Yes. Assistant Louis told me himself. It’s a bit early, isn’t it?”
After hesitating, Anna asked again.
“Raiden will be there too, right?”
“That’s what I heard.”
Only then did Anna’s expression relax. As the two reached the corridor outside the dining hall, they could hear the voices of maids inside preparing the meal.
“It’s obvious. His feelings have already cooled.”
Anna unconsciously stopped walking. A spiteful voice drilled into her ears once more.
“Right? That’s why they still haven’t even slept together.”
“!”
Lucy turned to Anna in shock. In the silent corridor, the maids’ excited chatter echoed clearly.
“She gets treated coldly and doesn’t even bat an eye. She looks all pure, but she’s no ordinary woman. They say she had the Marquis wrapped around her finger since he was young—maybe she believes she can rely on that?”
“Honestly, I wonder if he really had to go through with such a one-sided marriage.”
“Forcing a marriage just to cling to old feelings and even take on a ruined family’s debts—unbelievable.”
“She’s incredibly two-faced, I’m telling you. I’ve experienced it myself, so why won’t you believe me?”
That last sulky voice was familiar.
Janet.
Sparks flew in Lucy’s eyes. She knew nearly all the maids in Marcus Castle—and the ones gossiping recklessly inside were notorious for their foul mouths and love of spreading rumors.
But that wasn’t the only issue.
They shouldn’t even be assigned to dinner service. So why are they here?
Inside, the spiteful voices continued.
“You were the one eyeing the Marquis ever since we were in the West. Is there anyone here who doesn’t know you threw yourself at him, saying you’d even be his lover?”
“So young and already so shameless.”
“What was it again? You said the Marquis doted on you because you reminded him of someone he knew? To think someone with such a rotten personality exists—what a doomed world.”
Provoked by their words, Janet shouted,
“He personally made sure I was sent to the capital again this time! That means he’s more attached to me than to that fake madam. Just wait—he’ll come around!”
“Sure, sure. When that day comes, we’ll call you ‘Madam’ instead~.”
Loud laughter burst out. Lucy ground her teeth.
I’ll rip every last hair out of their heads!
Just as Lucy, burning with resolve, grabbed the doorknob, Anna’s hand shot out and stopped her. Lucy turned in surprise to see Anna raise her index finger to her lips, expressionless—a silent command to be quiet. Reluctantly, Lucy stepped back.
The conversation inside continued.
“But aren’t you curious? In the West he treated women like stones, but the moment he returned to the capital, he got tangled up with that woman. Sure, her face is stunning, but she’s so meek it’s boring. Does she have some hidden charm we don’t know about?”
“It’s her face, obviously.”
“But the Marquis isn’t the type to fall for looks alone.”
“That’s true.”
Then someone spoke smugly,
“I know why.”
“What is it?”
“Her bloodline. She’s the heir of a founding meritorious family.”
“Oh, so it’s for an heir. Typical noble.”
“Then once he gets a son, he’ll live freely after that, right?”
“What kind of question is that? There are people waiting for exactly that.”
“Oh—Amelia Marsden.”
“There’s a reason the Marquis spends all his time outside.”
“So someone really needs to wake up from her foolish dream.”
Once again, shrill laughter rang out. As Janet muttered something under her breath, Anna took a step back, straightened her posture, and spoke calmly.
“Lucy, open the door.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Lucy flung the door wide open with a triumphant expression. The maids inside flinched, turned around—and upon seeing Anna, went pale.
“M‑M‑Madam…”
“H‑How did you—”
“Oh no, we’re finished.”
Five maids stood frozen like birds caught by a hunter, heads tilted stiffly—Janet among them, all familiar faces who had long shown Anna disrespect.
“Lift your heads.”
“……”
“Now.”
At her quiet urging, they reluctantly raised their heads. Anna looked at each face in turn and asked,
“Was it fun?”
“……”
Like children caught stealing honey, they clamped their mouths shut. Anna nodded as though she needed no answer.
“I thought so. You all seemed to be enjoying yourselves quite a lot.”
“Madam… it’s not like we do this all the time—”
One of them stepped forward to make excuses. Anna nodded serenely.
“Do you think that’s more of a problem than what I heard with my own ears?”
“……”
The maid shut her mouth instantly.
“So this is why you sneered at the lady of the house’s instructions and ignored them.”
“……”
Realizing they couldn’t deny it, insolence crept onto their faces. Janet lifted her chin defiantly and glared at Anna.
“You can’t punish us however you like. You’re nothing more than a fake lady of the house.”
At the words fake lady of the house, Anna’s mind went cold.
“I told you before—I can. And right now, I’m considering it.”
She spoke sharply, then pondered how to deal with them.
I need to make an example of them.
Her position in the estate was already fragile. Since she had clear justification, this was a perfect opportunity to expel the troublemakers all at once.
I should throw them out.
The number of offenses they had committed exceeded ten fingers. Anna wanted irrefutable evidence that no one could dispute—and in that sense, today’s incident was almost welcome.
There was only one thing that troubled her…
At that moment, the door behind Anna was thrown open roughly, and Louis and Raiden entered.
“M‑Marquis!”
“Assistant!”
Conflicting emotions crossed the maids’ faces. They were afraid of Raiden’s cold, expressionless gaze—yet relieved at the sight of Louis.
After all, it was the assistant who had shoved them into dinner service today.
“Raiden…”
Anna called him with a slightly troubled expression. If he sided with the maids here, everything would fall apart. She watched him tensely.
“……”
Raiden glanced briefly at the maids, then walked silently to the head seat and dropped into a chair. He accepted the newspaper Louis handed him, spread it open, and began to read.
In short, he had no intention of involving himself—no matter what happened.
This is…
Anna’s heart began to race. His behavior seemed to say that he wouldn’t interfere with the lady of the house maintaining discipline—and that he was silently supporting her. Joy bloomed in her chest.
But just as that emotion took hold, Louis spoke, shattering it.
“Shall I throw them all out?”
“!”
Everyone in the dining hall was shocked. Janet, in particular, turned deathly pale.
Louis continued calmly,
“I’ve already heard that this girl—”
His finger pointed precisely at Janet. This time, her face flushed bright red.
“Has been speaking recklessly about the madam.”
“!”
Janet’s eyes widened. Her fist trembled as she clutched her apron. Louis went on,
“This isn’t something to excuse just because she’s young.”
“M‑My lord, I—”
Janet looked desperately at Raiden, but he merely continued reading the paper with a bored expression. Louis stared straight at Anna and said,
“If you say the word, Madam—”
His finger pointed, one by one, at every maid standing in the dining hall without missing a single one. Then he smiled faintly.
“Everyone here will be thrown out immediately—with nothing but the clothes on their backs.”
