Chapter 43
I bit back a sigh and silently mouthed a curse.
Ugh, damn it…
Of course, the one driving even a kind, gentle person like me to swear—if only in my head—was none other than the duchess.
“Hm. Come here, child. Can’t you see your petticoat is all wrinkled? Take it and have the maids press it again.”
“Yes, madam.”
“You’ll inspect it yourself before bringing it back. I can’t trust the villa maids’ handiwork.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Honestly, this wasn’t even work for a lady’s maid. It was the kind of task you’d dump on ordinary servants.
And considering my official status as the Cohen young duchess? Completely absurd.
But then again, when had anything about this villa ever made sense?
So I quietly accepted the bundle of clothes and left.
Great. My ankle’s completely done for.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t hide my limp.
Beside me, the nanny spoke worriedly.
“My lady, please let me carry that for you.”
“No, it’s fine.”
The reason the duchess had come here, while the duke and Patrick were away, was obvious.
And the moment she arrived, she’d had Edmund’s windows nailed shut and locked him in.
She told him to give up his secret. She might not know everything, but at least she knows Edmund has information the duke wants.
She’d clearly come ready to wring it out of him by any means necessary.
The duke was cruel, but at least he stopped short of killing Edmund outright—because he wanted the location of the signet first.
But the duchess?
She’d probably think it’s fine even if Edmund dies.
After all, wasn’t she the one who sent an assassin as a “gift” to her own nephew not long ago?
My back still ached from where that arrow had slammed into my corset. It hadn’t pierced my skin, but it hurt.
That “gift” had been from her.
I have to be careful. I can’t give her even the tiniest excuse.
I limped my way to the laundry room.
***
And that wasn’t the end of it.
The duchess treated me like I was just another servant.
“Go steep the tea… Hm. Your skill is lacking. Learn properly from Madam Lillifen.”
“I feel like a stroll. The sun is harsh—carry my parasol.”
And the crowning insult came after I obediently endured all of it:
“Do you dislike being taught by me so much that you’re faking that limp?”
The moment I heard that, I had to silently carve the word patience into my heart a hundred times.
Endure. Endure. Endure!
But even my self-control had limits.
So I lifted my skirt and showed her my ankle—swollen and puffy.
“Of course not, madam. I only injured my foot from my own carelessness.”
Of course, I couldn’t say, It’s your fault—I hurt myself running here in a panic when you suddenly showed up.
Seeing the obvious injury, the duchess just pouted and muttered,
“You should’ve said so earlier. Now I look like a fool, dragging around someone who’s hurt.”
You saw me limping from the start! What did you think that was, if not an injury?! And I told you about it too! Did you forget already? Do you eat crow meat or something?!
…Not that I could say any of that aloud.
I forced myself to stay calm.
Relax. Breathe, Cassia.
Don’t lose your temper, Seo Hana!
I repeated both my names to steady myself.
If I snapped here, it would be the end.
So I moistened my lips, plastered on my brightest smile, and answered smoothly,
“…It’s only because I wish to serve you closely and learn from you, madam.”
“Hm. That’s not a bad answer.”
Thankfully, my response seemed to please her. She even gave me permission:
“Then rest for today. Tomorrow and the next day, you’ll continue learning from me.”
“Yes, madam.”
I bowed respectfully and turned to leave.
Or rather—I tried to.
Perhaps in her good mood, the duchess added an unnecessary order:
“Ah, Madam Lillifen, escort her back to her room. She’s worked hard.”
“Yes, madam.”
Of course, I couldn’t protest.
***
Step, limp. Step, limp.
An awkward silence hung between us, broken only by my uneven steps.
I didn’t pick a fight with Lillifen.
Maybe I’d teased her too much before, but I had no desire to provoke her again.
Besides—
My ankle hurts too much to even bother.
It had only seemed like a mild twist, but dragging it around for two days under the duchess’s orders had made it worse.
This was no time to risk angering Lillifen.
But it turned out what I wanted didn’t matter.
When we reached a deserted corridor, a sinister whisper brushed my ear.
“So, you thought it was funny to mock me before, did you?”
Uh-oh. That doesn’t sound good…
Before I could react, Lillifen shoved her foot out maliciously—tripping me.
And of course, she let go of the arm she’d been “supporting.”
I tumbled forward helplessly.
“Ahhh!”
“Young lady!!!”
The nanny gasped and rushed to catch me, then rounded on Lillifen.
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
“What do you mean? I did nothing. She just fell on her own.”
“Madam Lillifen!”
She sneered down at me.
“You won’t wriggle away like a greasy little mouse this time. The duchess herself is here now.”
“…”
“I’m her closest confidante. She always listens to me first. You think she’d care about the word of someone like you?”
Strange, because she’s been paying a lot of attention to me already.
…Not that I said it aloud.
Lillifen spat more venom, then strutted off proudly.
Wow. Picking a fight this seriously with a fourteen-year-old? Impressive dedication to being awful.
This whole villa—and the Cohen family under the current duke—was one giant cesspool.
You only had to look at how they treated Edmund to see it.
Still, I was the only one who could laugh it off.
The nanny sniffled, nearly in tears, as she helped me up.
“My poor lady. How pitiful you are. Your lord father is so cruel—sending a young girl like you into this place all alone.”
“Enough, nanny.”
She meant Lord Florence—Cassia’s father.
What did you expect from the man who sold his daughter off for cash to a monster like Duke Cohen?
Cassia remembered: that money had gone straight into her half-sister’s dowry.
The only person in House Florence who cared for Cassia at all was her nanny.
All the better. When I escape with Edmund, I only need to take her with me.
The duke’s rage would be terrible when we fled.
In the original story, he’d destroyed the villa and killed every servant afterward.
If I escaped with Edmund?
Of course his wrath would spread to House Florence too.
Which meant—payback served all at once.
And with the duchess present here, if we escaped successfully, the blame would fall on her.
Naturally, her pet Lillifen would also be crushed.
With one move, I could ruin them all.
I clenched my teeth.
I’ll do it. I’ll escape, no matter what!
I was already motivated at 120%, but these petty villains had stoked the fire even higher.
Limp, limp.
I was steeling myself for sweet revenge when an unexpected shadow appeared beside me—grabbing my arm.
“Huh?!”
Whoosh—!
Before I realized it, my feet left the ground.
By the time my brain caught up, I was already being lifted—cradled in a princess carry.
“…Marco?”
Yes.
The one who suddenly appeared and swept me off my feet was none other than Willace.
***
“…Marco?”
Madam Lillifen, who had doubled back to spy, was stunned.
She’d only intended to check whether Cassia was alone, or if she was doing anything reportable.
But instead—an unfamiliar, strikingly handsome servant had suddenly appeared and scooped Cassia into his arms.
Her eyes gleamed.
She pressed against the wall, hiding, straining to hear.
But just then—something invisible caught her foot.
Exactly like the trick she herself had just used to trip Cassia.
“Wha—?!”
And of all places to fall—behind her was a staircase.
Her balance gave out completely, and she went tumbling head over heels.
“Ahhhh!!!”
***
Cassia’s eyes went wide.
“What… was that?”
Willace only smiled innocently.
“Who knows? Maybe some nosy little mouse slipped while eavesdropping.”
“…?”
