TSNM 03

Episode 3

She knew she shouldn’t throw a tantrum, but she couldn’t help it. Just thinking about being separated from her nanny made her feel as though her heart was being torn to pieces. Getting on that carriage felt as terrifying as being dragged straight to hell—what was she supposed to do?

“Miss… *sob*…”

Cecil, who had been trying to comfort Eva, finally failed to hold back her own surge of emotion and pulled Eva into a tight embrace. Of course she didn’t want to let go of this child she had lovingly raised in her arms. But Cecil, who was neither family nor of legal guardianship age, could not take Eva with her without breaking the law.

For the first time, she resented the god she had prayed to every day. How could such a young and kind child be made to endure such hardship?

This won’t do.

Even if it costs me my life, I cannot send this child away alone.

“Baron, please take me with you as well.”

“What?”

Startled by Cecil’s sudden request, Baron Bitti frowned and asked again. The people standing nearby also looked at her in shock. The most surprised of all was Eva, who was still clinging to her nanny.

“The young lady is still too young. She needs me by her side. I beg you, Baron.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. As I said, I’m not even being paid properly myself. I can’t afford to take in two people.”

Baron Bitti refused her request, lifting his chin stiffly. It was true his finances were strained, but he also disliked Cecil. Every time he visited this house, she had carried herself with a proud air, looking down on him. As the daughter of a fallen noble family, she seemed to disdain him for once being a commoner, and it had always rubbed him the wrong way.

“I will work alongside the maids without pay. I can also serve as a tutor in etiquette for Lady Pamela.”

“What—what did you say?”

The baron blinked in surprise, as if he hadn’t heard correctly. A tutor in etiquette—he could barely hide his delight at such unexpected fortune.

Nobles were raised with manners and etiquette ingrained in them from birth. These customs were subtle and complex, serving as an invisible line separating nobles from commoners. No matter how hard those of lower status tried, something would always give them away.

For Baron Bitti, who had only recently gained his title, and for his family, acquiring noble refinement was especially difficult. He had hired tutors before, but they had their limits, and teachers from the capital often refused his offers due to his family’s modest standing—or demanded fees he could not afford. So Cecil’s proposal, as a noble-born woman and former nanny to a prestigious young lady, was a temptation he could hardly refuse—especially for a man hoping to marry his children into noble families.

“Well… if you insist.”

Suppressing a smile, Baron Bitti reluctantly accepted her offer.

“Come speak with me for a moment, Cecil.”

Lawrence, who had been deep in thought, called her aside. Ignoring the baron’s annoyed look, the two spoke briefly before returning. Cecil, now looking brighter than before, opened her arms and embraced Eva.

“Let’s go now, Miss.”

“Yes… thank you, Nanny.”

Tearfully, Eva clung to her. It felt as though she had found a ray of light in the darkness. With Cecil by her side, she no longer feared going anywhere. Courage welled up within her, as if she could overcome any hardship.

“Farewell, Miss.”

With Lawrence and Matthew seeing her off, she boarded the carriage.

Goodbye, Father. Lawrence. Matthew. And my beloved home.

—

After a long journey, they finally arrived at Baron Bitti’s estate. It was neither large nor small, with about ten rooms. Compared to the grand Veil Castle, it was shabby, but to commoners, it would have seemed luxurious.

As Eva and Cecil stepped down from the carriage, members of the baron’s household came out to greet them.

The baroness, dressed in an overly ornate gown with excessive hair decorations, her sharp face and upturned eyes; the baron’s son Todd, plump and constantly darting his eyes around; and…

“Eva!”

Pamela, the baron’s daughter who had visited Veil Castle several times, ran toward her with open arms. She had been brought along before to be Eva’s companion so she wouldn’t feel lonely.

They weren’t even that close, yet Pamela greeted her with an enthusiastic hug. Just as Eva began to feel a little touched, Pamela whispered softly in her ear:

“I’m glad your family fell, Eva.”

“….”

“I’m glad you’re no longer a count’s daughter.”

“….”

“I’m so happy you came to live in our house.”

A chilling shiver ran down Eva’s spine. She realized Pamela’s welcome was sincere. Pamela was genuinely pleased that Eva had come—because Eva had fallen down to her level.

In Eva’s frozen gaze, Veil Castle appeared faintly in the distance. It looked as though it were letting out a sorrowful sigh.

—

**Five years later.**

“Swallow it, Nanny. Drink plenty of water too.”

Eva helped Cecil sit up and gave her medicine, then handed her a cup of warm water.

Cecil, who had been bedridden for days, looked visibly weakened. At first, it seemed like a simple cold, but it showed no sign of improving. Even when Eva begged the baroness to take her to a proper hospital, she refused, saying they didn’t have the money.

“Thanks to you, Miss… *cough*… I’ll be better by tomorrow. Don’t worry about me… *cough cough*… you should go now.”

Even as she coughed repeatedly, Cecil was only concerned about Eva. After tucking her back into bed, Eva felt her heart ache as Cecil held her hand tightly and closed her eyes.

It had been five years since they came here. As Eva grew, Cecil aged rapidly. Back at Veil Castle, she had never lifted a finger for housework. Now she worked tirelessly while also educating both Eva and Pamela. No wonder she had fallen ill. Eva felt as though it was all her fault, and fear gripped her heart.

It’s just a cold… she’ll recover soon.

But what if… she doesn’t?

“Eva! Where are you, Eva?”

The baroness’s voice echoed from afar. Not wanting Cecil to worry, Eva quickly left the room.

Downstairs, she saw the baroness angrily berating a maid—likely asking where Eva was.

Why is she so angry again this morning? I already finished cleaning the sitting room and pressed all the dresses she gave me…

Trying to calm her anxiety, Eva stepped forward.

“You were looking for me, ma’am?”

“Where have you been instead of working? Did you do this?”

A dress was thrown at her feet. When Eva picked it up, she saw burn marks and a hole—damage from ironing.

“I didn’t do this, ma’am.”

“Don’t lie. Everyone saw you ironing this morning.”

“That’s true, but I didn’t do this.”

It was absurd. She had ironed Pamela’s dress, but she was certain she finished without any issues. If anything happened, it must have been afterward.

“So now you lie after being fed and clothed for free?”

“I’m not lying.”

“You little—”

*Smack.*

Her head snapped to the side as the baroness struck her.

She’s been drinking…

A faint smell of alcohol lingered. Eva realized she was simply a target for the woman’s frustration—her unfaithful husband, her gambling son, her vain unmarried daughter… all of it driving the baroness to drink.

It was unfair—but at least Cecil didn’t see this.

This was the third time.

The first time, Cecil had fiercely confronted the baroness, only to be told to leave. In the end, Cecil had to apologize just to stay.

Watching her cry that day, Eva made a decision: never let her nanny suffer because of her again.

“Mother, what are you doing?”

Pamela intervened.

“Stay out of this.”

“You hit Eva again? What’s wrong with you?”

“She ruined your dress!”

“That doesn’t mean you can hit her. How vulgar. Come here, Eva.”

Pamela pulled Eva outside despite the baroness’s shouting.

“I’ll talk to her later. I’m really sorry, Eva.”