Chapter 46
Jack the attendant responded quickly, as if he’d already heard.
“She’s out for a walk with Sir Sandor.”
Thud. Forgetting the paper he was holding was now crumpled in his fist, Hannibal stormed out.
Anne and Patrick hurried after him, and Jack joined the frantic procession.
Guided by a maid who said they were walking in the back garden of the estate, they quickened their pace. Anne nearly had to run to keep up with the furious Hannibal.
“Delo Sandor.”
The estate’s backyard was so vast that they had to walk for quite a while before they finally saw the backs of Victoria and Sandor.
As Anne tried to catch her breath, Hannibal strode up to Sandor threateningly.
“B-Brother? What’s wrong?”
Sandor hesitated under Hannibal’s fierce glare, and Victoria quickly stepped between them.
“Delo Sandor seduced a commoner woman in the South and abandoned her. And you still want to defend this man?”
“What?”
Victoria turned around in shock, and Sandor, pale as a ghost, frantically waved his hands.
“No! I never did such a thing!”
“Then is this woman’s petition a fake?”
Hannibal threw the crumpled paper in Sandor’s face and shouted. As Sandor unfolded it, he still looked completely clueless.
“I truly have no idea what this is about. I don’t even know this woman’s name.”
“Then is there another son of a viscount from the South besides you?”
As Hannibal’s fury grew, Sandor, trembling like a leaf, dropped to his knees.
But his expression remained one of injustice.
“There was a conman in the South who impersonated me. He used my name and reputation to steal money from women and play with their hearts before vanishing. I’ve begged my father several times to catch him and clear my name, but the affairs in the South have kept him too busy. I swear, I’m not the man this woman is looking for. Please believe me.”
“Really?”
“Brother, he says he’s not the one. We were scammed too, remember? It’s easy to borrow someone’s name.”
Victoria stood up for him eagerly. Hannibal, clearly more annoyed by her defense, raked his hand through his messy hair and glared at Sandor.
“Would you be confident facing this woman for a cross-examination?”
“Of course!”
He was so confident and unhesitating that even Anne, holding the document, felt caught off guard.
“Fine. Then summon the mother and daughter for the witch’s vigil. I’ll go with you.”
Hannibal shot a deadly glare at Sandor before turning away.
“Are you alright? Here, let me help you up.”
Victoria reached out to Sandor with sympathy.
Wanting to appear even more pitiful, Sandor let out a soft groan and smiled weakly at her.
“My lady, I shall take my leave now.”
As Patrick walked away, Anne was about to follow when—
“Wait.”
Sandor stopped her.
“Who did it?”
“I beg your pardon?”
With Hannibal walking off in the distance and Patrick ahead, Sandor glanced between them both.
“That petition. Was it you? Or that old man?”
Once no one was around to impress, his true nature was quick to surface.
“I found it, and the butler and I reported it together.”
It was the right thing to do—and should’ve been done sooner. Though Sandor’s eyes turned sharp, Anne remained firm.
“How dare a mere maid—”
Sandor bared his teeth as if ready to slap her. Victoria quickly grabbed his arm.
“Sir Sandor, I apologize on behalf of my maid for her rudeness.”
“Victoria.”
The man seemed to regain his senses and unclenched his fist.
“You’re truly a generous soul to show mercy to such a lowly and ignorant creature.”
Victoria’s cheeks flushed at Sandor’s praise. Apparently, to him, Anne was nothing more than a backdrop—like a tree beside a flower.
“Shall we continue our walk?”
“Yes.”
As Delo turned and took her hand, Victoria looked back at Anne. Her eyes showed regret, but Anne only shrugged, pretending to be unbothered.
“I’m sorry, Sir Sandor. My brother is very strict.”
“Not at all. In fact, I’m relieved. It seems the Lord cherishes you like his own sister.”
So he doesn’t treat her differently because she’s illegitimate? That’s good for her, Anne thought, though she seemed to be the only one who caught the implication.
Sandor gently placed his hand on Victoria’s shoulder, letting his fingers graze her neckline and collarbone.
Nobility and conservatism often go hand in hand. At least in public, appearances must be maintained.
Even if it’s just a maid watching, one should be cautious for the sake of the lady’s honor. Especially in the open, in daylight, where eyes could always be watching.
Sigh.
Anne’s sigh deepened as she watched the two walk away.
That evening, before dinner, Delo Sandor left the estate. Victoria, dining with Hannibal, tried to praise Sandor but only got scolded in return.
Seeing Victoria deflated, Anne followed her afterward.
“I’ll help you prepare for bed tonight.”
Once Victoria had changed into a soft chemise and sat at her vanity, Anne gently brushed her long hair.
“Anne, do you dislike Sir Sandor?”
Victoria had few friends. Since Anne was of a similar age and close by in the lord’s estate, Victoria had come to treat her more like a friend than a maid.
So it must have hurt that Anne was clearly not fond of Sandor.
Anne cautiously began.
“What if the petition against Sir Sandor is true?”
“It’s not.”
Victoria didn’t even hesitate.
“A man as amazing as Sir Sandor—why would he waste his time with a commoner woman?”
“Many men cheat on young and beautiful wives, my lady.”
“Sir Sandor is different. He really said he likes me.”
Her eyes sparkled with the light of first love.
“He even made me a flower crown from wildflowers! Look, he made this flower ring too! Isn’t he sweet and humble? Not pretentious like other noblemen.”
Though the crown had wilted in the setting sun and the ring was withered and twisted, Victoria saw them through rose-tinted glasses.
Seeing the hope in her eyes, Anne forced a smile.
“Anne. You’re on my side, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then support Sir Sandor too. I really like him.”
A girl blinded by her first love. In such a state, would anything Anne said even reach her?
“My lady…”
“I didn’t know I could fall for someone this much after just one night. I thought about him all night long. Is it possible to like someone this quickly?”
Anne grew even more worried watching her so happy.
“My lady, please hold back your feelings a little.”
“Why?”
Instead of opposing her directly, Anne decided to take a softer, more persuasive approach.
Normally, when thinking rationally, it’s easy to see the signs. But when in love, it all becomes blind—just as Anne once had been.
Saying too much now would only become an obstacle and make them more united against her.
So Anne just gently held Victoria’s hand and said kindly,
“It’s not always good to give your whole heart to someone you’ve just met. There’s nothing wrong with being cautious. After the witch’s vigil, everything will become clear. Just keep a bit of distance until the Lord gives his approval.”
Hopefully by then, the rose-colored glasses would come off and Victoria would see Delo Sandor for who he truly was.
But Victoria clearly didn’t understand Anne’s words yet.
“But how can I hide how I feel?”
The most popular man in society had apparently fallen for her at first sight. To someone starved for affection, it must have felt like a dream—sweet and irresistible.
“If you wait patiently, your love will return even stronger.”
Anne said cheerfully, but she had no real hope.
Delo Sandor reminded her too much of the nobles she’d seen in the capital.
Men like him never truly love. They just pretend.
“But I already miss him. Should I write him a letter? Maybe he’ll come again tomorrow?”
Even as she lay in bed, Victoria tossed and turned, mumbling to herself.
“My lady, please.”
“Okay, I’ll hold back. Ugh, playing the cool lady is exhausting.”
After tucking her in and adjusting the blanket, Anne quietly turned off the light and left.
And the next day—
Delo Sandor did not return.
Instead, an unwelcome guest arrived.
The Marchioness of Deruca appeared at the estate, accompanied by two noble ladies.
“Grandmother, what brings you here without notice?”
“Is that how you greet guests? I suppose you’ve already finished your business with me?”
Hannibal came out to greet them first, with Anne and Patrick arriving shortly after.
Victoria rushed down as well, and the Marchioness cleared her throat and gestured.
“This is Miss Florina of House Tenohill, and Miss Anel of House Burdson.”
“Hello, Lady Victoria.”
“Greetings, Lady Victoria.”
Following the Marchioness’s lead, the ladies smiled sweetly and greeted Victoria.
Before Hannibal could ask what was going on, the Marchioness snapped her fan shut and added,
“How long do you intend to let her live without friends, only associating with her maid? If you want her married, she needs to make connections in high society first, doesn’t she?”
“Grandmother…”
“Save your thanks. Hmph.”
With that, the Marchioness turned her body, casting a glance at Anne.
She didn’t need to say it outright. By bringing two noble girls to stick by Victoria’s side—
She was saying that the lowborn should now step aside.
