Chapter 4
That name made Rowena hesitate for just a moment.
Even though she had set her own body on fire and sworn never to falter again, the name of the man who had cruelly betrayed her made her stop instinctively.
After a brief silence, she asked:
“Everett… I mean, why is the Marquis of Winsrop coming here?”
The maid laughed lightly, as if amused.
“How would I know? People like us don’t get to know what the nobles are doing.”
“……”
“But according to rumors among the maids, Lady Otille might marry the marquis in place of Lady Rowena. For the sake of strengthening ties between families. You know Rowena was his fiancée, but she disappeared. Well… if she hasn’t been found by now, she’s basically dead, right?”
Rowena’s mouth turned bitter, as if she had swallowed poison.
Yes… to them, I’m as good as dead.
For now.
Even if she planned to return someday.
She wondered what expressions Otille and Everett would make if they found out she was alive.
Her appearance had completely changed—but the mark on her back would prove her identity.
It was a fire-mark engraved by her grandfather, who knew the secret arts, so that she and her brother could be identified even among corpses.
That mark was bound to the soul itself, so even after transferring bodies, it remained. And indeed, it was now on Clarissa’s back.
Only a few trusted retainers knew about it.
Still, Rowena planned to hide it until she gathered enough allies.
From Otille—and from Everett.
If either of them saw it, they would realize she was Rowena Greymont.
As she sank into thought, the maid stood up, stretching her legs.
“I don’t get it. Even if they’re nobles, how can you marry your friend’s fiancé? Especially when Lady Otille and Lady Rowena were so close.”
“Maybe only one of them thought so.”
Rowena replied coldly without thinking.
The other was busy sharpening a knife behind her back.
The idea that Otille and Everett were marrying for “family ties” was probably just an excuse.
The maid shivered.
“Clarissa… you look really scary right now.”
“I’ll be back.”
Rowena handed her the rag and turned away.
Her hesitation about facing Everett had already disappeared, replaced by anger.
She needed to confirm whether the rumors were true.
Otille had said:
“Everett helped me.”
Seeing the ring, it seemed they were involved—but marriage was another matter.
Rowena quickened her pace.
She wanted to see for herself how close they really were.
If the obstacle—herself—was gone, they wouldn’t need to hide anything anymore.
Soon, she reached the west wing.
And then—
She heard voices she could never forget.
Otille and Everett.
Rowena hid behind a nearby pillar and watched.
“Everett, thank you for coming.”
“It’s about handling the aftermath of Greymont Castle.”
“Still… the last time we met, you acted like you’d never see me again.”
“I still don’t like your attitude.”
Otille spoke sweetly, but Everett’s tone was stiff—like speaking to a stranger.
Rowena frowned.
They seem more distant than I expected.
But she quickly dismissed the thought.
If they were truly on bad terms, Everett wouldn’t have come here.
More importantly, something else bothered her.
Handling the aftermath of Greymont Castle.
She hadn’t read the newspapers since entering this body—but they had all been biased anyway.
As she was thinking, Otille spoke again:
“Everett, remember—we’re on the same side. If not us, who will collect the Duke’s body? His Majesty wants the empire stabilized as soon as possible.”
“Yes. Cowards, all of them.”
Everett’s face was filled with self-loathing.
Otille stepped closer, holding his arm.
“My father barely managed to persuade the Duke of Stafol to take down the Duke’s head from the castle gates. In exchange, we agreed to quickly clear the bodies. It’s the least we can do.”
Father…
Rowena silently wept blood.
Even in death, her father hadn’t been allowed to rest—his head displayed at the gates.
Unaware, Otille urged gently:
“Let’s go inside. We can talk in detail.”
At that moment, Rowena hesitated.
She knew it wasn’t time yet.
But she couldn’t let them walk peacefully into their private space.
Wouldn’t it be fair for them to feel at least a hint of the coming storm?
To feel uneasy… even just a little?
They don’t know I’m Rowena anyway.
After a brief decision, she stepped out.
“You—”
Otille’s eyes widened in surprise.
Everett also stared at her.
Rowena introduced herself calmly:
“I’m a maid working in this estate.”
“…I didn’t realize anyone was nearby.”
Otille looked displeased.
Her sharp gaze—hidden from Everett—revealed everything.
Only after being betrayed had Rowena realized that Otille treated people differently depending on their status.
To her, maids are less than insects.
But the real insect is you.
Rowena silently recited a spell.
Buzz—
A large bee suddenly appeared and flew toward Otille.
“B-bee!”
Otille panicked, flailing her arms.
Everett frowned but didn’t move immediately.
When the bee didn’t leave, he started to act—but Rowena was faster.
She punched right next to Otille’s face.
Otille flinched.
“W-what…?”
“I caught it.”
Rowena opened her hand.
The bee lay dead.
“This species hides quietly where prey is and attacks without warning.”
“I-I see…”
“It’s venomous. Smaller animals die from paralysis after being stung.”
Not that it compares to burning alive.
Otille looked shaken.
“You know a lot about bees…”
“Anyone who has worked in the garden sees them often. I was chasing it.”
“I see…”
Otille nodded.
“Why would such a dangerous bee be here…? Then there must be a nest nearby?”
“Yes. But if it’s already settled in, it’s hard to remove.”
Rowena spoke slowly:
“Once it’s rooted… it’s already too late.”
Waiting quietly for its prey to suffer and die.
“How arrogant for a mere maid.”
Everett suddenly cut in.
“Instead of reassuring your master, you’re frightening her.”
Rowena turned to him.
Their eyes met—and Everett’s expression flickered slightly.
As if surprised.
But he quickly regained his composure.
“Why did you catch such a dangerous insect with your bare hand? That’s not a maid’s job.”
Of course—it was just an illusion created by her technique.
But she couldn’t say that.
She lowered her head politely.
“I apologize if I overstepped. I thought it was necessary to warn you.”
“……”
“As for catching it—I acted instinctively to protect my master. I’ll be more careful next time.”
That should have been enough.
But unexpectedly, Everett grabbed her hand.
“You’re careless. Some insects cause swelling just from touch.”
Both Rowena and Otille were surprised.
He examined her palm carefully—like inspecting a soldier.
Finding nothing wrong, he let go.
“You’re lucky. Don’t act so recklessly again.”
“…I understand.”
Even after she answered, his gaze lingered.
Rowena felt something strange.
There’s no way he recognized me…
“I’ll take my leave.”
She turned to go.
“Wait.”
Everett stopped her.
“Stay right there.”
