PHATFO 22

[Chapter 22]

“I… I didn’t have a choice. My father begged me so much… Put yourself in my shoes. If your father reached out for help, could you really turn him down coldly?”

The Countess apologized, admitting her fault.

But as the Count kept yelling, she finally snapped.

“Is it really such a waste to help my father? Have you already forgotten how much he did for you before you became a Count?”

Ten years ago, the Count had lived with his in-laws. He had blown all the money he inherited from his father on bad investments.

That part made him flinch—he couldn’t deny it.

“W-Who said it was a waste?! I just meant you went ahead with no plan! If you really had to give him money, you could’ve done it secretly! Why cause such a huge mess?!”

But that hesitation didn’t last long.

He shouted even louder.

“And Charlotte too! If our daughter was doing such things under our roof, you should’ve stopped her! Why go along with her?!”

“You talk like everything’s my fault.”

“Then should I, who’s busy managing outside affairs, really have to keep an eye on every little thing at home?”

“Ha!”

The Countess laughed bitterly into the air.

“This is exactly why Charlotte turned out like that! She was starving for your attention, and she did all that just to get a glance from you!”

“So you’re saying this is my fault now?!”

The Count raised his voice again, and unlike usual, the Countess didn’t back down. She started throwing things.

Their loud argument lasted for nearly two hours.

“Fine! I’m the bad guy! I turned our daughter into a liar—are you happy now?!”

With a worn-out face, the Count stormed out of the dining room. The Countess sat, covering her face, trying to suppress her sobs.

The maids quietly came in to clean up the aftermath. They knew better than to show curiosity—they could easily become the next target.

Afterward, the mansion became silent.

The two key figures in the fight began ignoring each other completely.

They each stayed holed up in their own spaces and only came out at mealtimes.

The Countess didn’t speak unless giving instructions to the footman. The Count acted like she wasn’t even there.

Instead, he talked to me—his main interest being Lady Hilton.

“Aren’t you going out with Lady Hilton today?”

He kept trying to confirm whether I was truly close with her and whether I could get money out of her.

Whenever he did this, the Countess focused intently on her meal. Seeing the Count so obsessed with Lady Hilton reminded her just how far Charlotte had fallen.

But that was her problem.

“Actually, I’ll be visiting Pulun city center in five days. But…”

Never one to miss a chance, I began using this to squeeze luxury goods out of the Count.

I planned to leave the Count’s house after helping Ahfwyn escape—and there’s nothing more useful to a fugitive than money.

“Pulun’s streets are narrow, filled with commoners. Carriages can’t get through easily. I’ll have to walk under the scorching sun for hours… and I don’t even have a parasol.”

“A parasol… Fine, I’ll get you one.”

“R-Really?”

“Of course. I’ve realized I’ve been too indifferent to you. If there’s anything else you need, just say it. I’ll get it for you.”

“Thank you, Count!”

The moment he started treating me like the tongue in his mouth, the maids also became more polite.

They figured that since I was under the Count’s protection, there was no defying me—at least for now.

But deep down, they believed my position would crumble the moment Charlotte returned.

That’s why, even when I made small requests, some of them couldn’t hide their displeasure.

“My lady, how would you like your hair styled today?”

“Your hair is so smooth. How about brushing it and adding a ribbon?”

“Can you braid it on both sides and lift it up? It’s hot, and I’d prefer an updo.”

“But that style is…”

“Why?”

Because it’s a hassle. And you’re not even going out.

The maid, about to mutter a complaint, clamped her mouth shut. Another maid had nudged her arm to keep her quiet.

I narrowed my eyes at the maid who questioned me.

Her reddish-brown hair and tightly pressed lips sparked a memory.

On the day I died, someone had locked me in the attic and left.

[Please open the door! Please…!]

I had screamed until my throat went raw, banging on the locked door. But the person going down the stairs never came back.

The only image I remembered was the side of her face as the door closed—a memory burned into me right before I died.

And today…

‘No doubt about it.’

I was sure. It was her.

‘Her name was Tana, right?’

As I tried to recall more, Tana seemed to sense something was off and glared at me sharply.

“Why… why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just wondering. Is there some reason I shouldn’t have my hair up?”

“Well… I’m not confident I can style it the way you want.”

“I see. If your skills aren’t enough, that can’t be helped. Then you don’t have to do my hair. Instead, could you go downstairs and bring me a glass of water?”

“Huh?”

“I’m really thirsty. And I can’t possibly go all the way to the first floor myself, right?”

I said it like it was the fairest thing in the world.

“Haa…”

Tana sighed and stared off. She seemed irritated that she had to serve me now, after once sucking up to Charlotte.

“What?”

“Nothing. Of course I’ll go. If you’re thirsty, it’s only right that I get the water. Please wait—I’ll bring back something ice cold.”

She had no choice and stomped out of the attic.

Ten minutes later.

“Here you go, my lady.”

Tana handed me the water. I refused.

“I’m not thirsty anymore. You drink it.”

“What?”

“What are you waiting for? Drink it and clean up.”

Tana froze, glancing between me and the glass. Just as I suspected—she had tampered with it.

‘It’s probably not poison… but she could’ve spit in it or used dirty water.’

When I pressed her, she had no choice but to drink it herself. After finishing the glass, her face twisted in disgust.

It was a short exchange, but the other maids got the message—they couldn’t take me lightly. They looked down at the floor while finishing my hair.

“The hair styling is complete, my lady.”

“This sapphire necklace would match nicely. What do you think?”

“That’s enough. You may go.”

“Y-Yes, of course.”

“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. The Count has instructed us to serve you well.”

Even as they left, the maids kept watching my reactions.

They acted obediently like lambs—but I didn’t trust them.

Half of these maids had bullied me to gain Charlotte’s favor, and the other half had stood by and let it happen.

‘They didn’t bring me meals once. Another time, they gave me muddy water to wash with. One even stole and sold my parents’ keepsakes.’

They probably told themselves it was just survival. That they had no choice but to stay in the good graces of their superiors.

Cowardly, pathetic excuses. No matter the reason, they were all accomplices—just like Charlotte.

‘It’s not fair. You don’t get to walk away with nothing while I lost everything.’

Even if I leave this place one day, I can’t stand the thought of going without payback.

Luckily, I already had a plan in mind. I smirked as I waited for the right time.

That evening…

“Tana!”

“My lady! Do you need something—ah! What are you doing?!”

The plan I had prepared was finally in motion.

“You shameless thing! I found my ring in your room, and you still try to deny it?! Where did you learn to lie like that?!”

The Countess’s ring had been found in Tana’s room.