CHAPTER 18
“Is that really necessary? It’ll be a hassle, so you can just leave it to me…”
“No, I’ll do it. I’m both the victim and the lady of this house, responsible for managing its people.”
When I clenched my fists and spoke with firm resolve, Aizen stopped insisting and nodded.
He led me down to the underground prison where Paul and Laura were being held.
In the dim, musty space lit only by wall-mounted candles, the two were tied up in a pitiful state.
When I asked the knights to bring them out, they were dragged in front of me and forced to kneel.
They looked so flustered they couldn’t even meet my eyes, and I let out a long sigh.
“I’ll ask just one thing. Why did you do that to me?”
Why would they try to harm me by giving my mother-in-law medicine that triggered her seizures?
It didn’t make sense that a single scolding at work led to such malice.
If they were this cruel, there should at least be a deeper, more complex reason behind it.
After exchanging nervous glances, Paul spoke first.
“…It hurt my pride when you scolded me, Madam.”
“Wow. So you tried to ruin someone’s life—and ended up ruining your own—for such a petty reason?”
I said with honest amazement, and Paul bit his lip hard, clearly offended again.
Wow, fragile ego much?
Turning away from him, I looked at Laura, whose face was still plastered with resentment.
“When someone new threatens their position, people naturally become defensive. I just wanted to stay by the Grand Madam’s side, but you kept getting in the way… I had no choice.”
“Huh? Even without me, Laura, you would’ve been dismissed sooner or later for lack of skill.”
I tilted my head in confusion, and Laura’s face flushed bright red.
“You don’t know anything! Everything was fine before you came! Even the Sage Tea— I only gave her small amounts, so it was fine!”
She snapped angrily, then began to whimper.
“If not for me, how would the Grand Madam’s illness be managed…”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ve already made a new medicine for her.”
Ah, so that’s what she was worried about.
Trying to ease her conscience, I clapped my hands together and smiled brightly.
Laura stared up at me blankly.
“The Madam really liked it. She’s already thrown away your medicine.”
“…!”
Her ears and neck turned red, and her lips and eyes trembled.
That looked like pure rage about to explode.
Laura glared at me as if she wanted to kill me and suddenly shot up.
“You— you’re just some outsider who rolled in here!”
The knight behind her pressed down on her shoulders, forcing her back down.
I mean, that was harsh—but also true.
Looking down at the trembling Laura, I slowly shook my head.
“Whether I rolled in or crawled in, that doesn’t matter.”
To restore order, I took a deep breath and declared,
“I’m the Madam. And you’re servants.”
Feeling offended because I scolded them or threatened because of my skills—those were natural reactions.
That’s my job as Madam, after all.
“But regardless of our positions, you both owe me an apology.”
I crossed my arms and spoke solemnly.
Even if I weren’t the Madam—even if I were a servant or a slave—what they did deserved an apology.
The two glanced at Aizen, standing beside me, then muttered weakly.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Hmm, that didn’t sound sincere at all.”
Still not reflecting, huh?
It was obvious from the way they kept glancing at Aizen instead of me.
With a sigh, I rolled up my sleeves.
“I didn’t want to do this, but it looks like I’ll have to punish you.”
At the word “punish,” both of them stiffened.
I pointed toward the wall.
“Both of you, up. Face the wall.”
They hesitated, but eventually stood and moved awkwardly to the wall.
One of the knights handed me a switch and a whip.
Uh… why give those to me? That’s terrifying.
“Now, face the wall, kneel, and raise your hands.”
“…What?”
“Quickly.”
At my firm command, they reluctantly obeyed.
When I was in the orphanage, the director used to make us sit in a “reflection chair” whenever we fought.
From experience, I knew this kind of punishment actually worked pretty well.
“Stay like that until you truly reflect on what you did.”
I watched them sternly, like the director used to.
At first, they stayed still, but as time passed, their arms and legs began to tremble from exhaustion.
I gave them more physical punishments—push-ups, squats, duck walks—until they were drenched in sweat.
Only then did they finally break down and speak sincerely.
“Madam, your criticism was justified, but I was arrogant and took offense. I won’t ever look down on anyone again. I’m truly sorry!”
“I’m sorry too. I felt jealous and inferior because I thought you’d surpass me. I should’ve worked harder instead of taking it out on you. I won’t repeat it.”
“Good.”
I nodded, satisfied with their heartfelt confessions.
Laura, half-collapsed, looked up at me weakly.
“Does that mean you forgive us…?”
“Yes.”
“…Just like that?”
“Yes. But it’s only my personal forgiveness.”
Meaning they weren’t forgiven by my mother-in-law or the rest of the family.
Understanding that, both fell silent.
Then I added one last thing.
“For the record, it’s not a heartfelt forgiveness. I’m just giving you my resentment to carry instead. I don’t want to waste any more emotions on you.”
By doing this, I let go of my anger—and left them to bear their guilt.
Ah, that felt good.
Finally, I’d gotten a real apology.
I turned and held out my hand to Aizen.
“…You go ahead, Madam. I have something left to do.”
“Alright. I’ll go first then.”
As I stepped out, I glanced back through the closing door.
Aizen was walking toward the two of them.
***
When Jenna said she’d handle the punishment herself, Aizen had imagined the usual noble kind—whips or canes.
That’s why he’d ordered a knight to bring those tools, leaving the poor man confused and awkward.
But instead, Jenna used a surprisingly mild method—and still got the apology she wanted.
‘Should I call her impressive or just unpredictable…?’
Watching her shout strict commands like “Keep your posture!” and “Don’t lose focus!” reminded him of his own training drills.
He barely managed not to laugh.
Though Jenna seemed fully relieved afterward, Aizen had no intention of letting things end there.
Paul and Laura must have sensed it too, for they trembled in fear.
“You two will be sent to the northern outskirts. You’ll spend the next ten years there under supervision, doing hard labor. Understand?”
It was a veiled threat—disclose anything about the Kalrad family, and they’d be dealt with quietly.
Both nodded quickly.
Looking down at them with cold, emotionless eyes, Aizen gave the final order.
“Laura, your medical license is revoked. Paul, you’re stripped of your knighthood.”
Everything they’d worked for all their lives vanished in an instant.
All they could do was shed hopeless tears.
After finishing the matter, Aizen returned to his office and opened a drawer.
He took out a box and looked quietly at the cufflinks inside.
He remembered Jenna’s face—how she had looked both happy and hurt when he visited her in confinement.
‘Come to think of it, I never apologized.’
For doubting her.
‘…But should I even apologize?’
Considering the crimes she’d committed before losing her memory, his suspicion wasn’t unreasonable.
‘Still… I guess I didn’t play the role of a kind husband very well.’
Deciding to fix that, he went to see her.
Jenna was talking with Greta and reading a book when she saw him.
“Darling!”
She ran to him like an excited puppy.
Aizen cleared his throat and spoke slowly.
“I realized I forgot to thank and apologize to you.”
“Huh? To me?”
“Thanks to you, I was able to speak openly with Mother. Thank you.”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
“And… I admit I didn’t trust you at first. I apologize for that. I’m sorry.”
Placing a hand over his chest, he bowed politely.
Jenna’s gaze landed on the sparkling cufflinks at his sleeve.
“Those… I gave them to you, right?”
“Yes.”
“They suit you even better than I imagined.”
Seeing him wearing her gift filled her with pride.
Ah, so he wore them just to apologize.
Realizing his intent, Jenna couldn’t help herself—she grabbed his face.
“Aww, how adorable.”
“…?!”
Her soft hands brushed against his cheeks, and Aizen froze.
It was the first time a woman had ever touched him like that.
Jenna smiled up at him with innocent eyes.
“Alright. I forgive you for doubting me, but only this once. Next time, you have to believe in me first—no matter what.”
“….”
“Okay?”
“…Okay.”
He finally managed to respond, and Jenna released him with a satisfied grin.
Beneath the shimmering silver strands of her hair, Aizen’s ears glowed red—but neither of them noticed.
***
3. How can I go if I wasn’t even invited?
“Do as you wish.”
Those were Mother’s words when she called me in after several days.
If I wanted to manage the finances myself, I could. If I wanted to act as the true lady of the house, I should.
After consulting with Aizen, she’d agreed to let me take charge.
“Mother, I’ll do my best!”
“Don’t overexert yourself.”
“Yes!”
“Relax a little…”
She smiled faintly, half-exasperated, while I excitedly took the financial report from Miriam.
Staring into the sea of confusing numbers, I came to a simple conclusion.
“Wow… we’re totally broke, aren’t we?”
Was this real? The accounts weren’t just empty—they were spotless.
