TMSB Ch#08

She recalled the many times she had reviewed the accounting books maintained by the head maid.

The numbers didn’t match, and outrageous sums were recorded for utterly nonsensical purposes.

There weren’t many in the mansion who could have done such a thing. It was only a matter of time before she got caught.

“Milady, if you’ll just let me explain…”

With each accusation Psyche made, the head maid’s face turned a shade paler.

Each sin she recalled carried with it the weight of the punishment she knew she would have to pay.

“Did you really think I’d remain ignorant just because my mother entrusted you with so much?”

“…”

“My mother knew as well. She just chose to remain silent.”

Her mother had chosen falsehood over truth because she couldn’t bear to face the fact that the person she had relied on all this time had such impure intentions. It was easier to look away. Easier to close her eyes, endure just once, and avoid unnecessary conflict.

But Psyche was not that kind of person. She may have remained quiet for her mother’s sake, but she could no longer overlook the maid’s disgusting behavior.

Even someone once cherished had to be cut off if they became harmful.

“Pack up and leave. As soon as possible.”

“…You’ll regret this, milady. You know what will happen if I leave. Madam won’t last a single day without me. And you’re still inexperienced with managing the household.”

“I’ve been gradually taking over your duties in preparation for this day. Your concern sounds presumptuous. I am the lady of this house.”

“Hah! You? The lady of the house? From the mouth of someone who decided to marry the Grand Duke just because she couldn’t handle the situation anymore? And who do you think made that engagement possible?”

“Head maid.”

“You hated suitors more than anything! If I hadn’t hidden the Grand Duke’s proposal letter, you would have thrown it away. Thanks to me, you got engaged to him!”

As Psyche listened calmly to the maid’s desperate rant, she looked at her with a cold, bored gaze.

“It’s not even worth answering. Leave this mansion now. You’re not worthy of even the smallest consideration, Head Maid.”

Her soft but firm voice, laced with suppressed anger, blended into the red glow of the setting sun.

She walked past the maid, following the shadows of the sunset cast through the window.

“…Milady!”

“…”

“You will regret this. I’ll make sure of it.”

But Psyche never responded to that final outburst.

—

“What, not even the smallest consideration?”

Footsteps echoed in the pitch-black night, filled with resentment.

Harsh breathing mingled with the sounds as the woman dragged her heavy belongings.

“She doesn’t even realize she got the chance to become the Grand Duchess thanks to me… That brat, drunk on her own pride, dares to throw out her benefactor?”

Sure, the fiancé was said to be a monster, but so what? Becoming the most noble woman in the empire was an honor, no matter who it was.

The maid suddenly threw down her luggage in a fit of rage.

“Damn it! After all the years I’ve served in that house, and this is all the money I get?”

She opened the envelope Psyche had given her to check the amount.

“If I had known, I’d have stolen at least one more jewel!”

In truth, the severance pay Psyche had provided was more than generous.

Knowing the mansion’s financial state well, even the maid was surprised Psyche could afford to give her that much.

But compared to what she felt she deserved, it felt like a pittance.

She’d heard that some noble families gave enough severance for their maids to live comfortably forever.

“I should’ve left like the others instead of staying behind with that foolish woman… Huh?! What now?”

A strong wind blew in. The lamplight flickered violently.

She crouched, afraid her shawl would be carried away by the gust. It had belonged to the Baroness Clement, and it was quite valuable.

“Wh-who’s there?!”

“Did you come from Baron Clement’s estate?”

The wind stopped. She slowly raised her head from her crouched position. A dark figure loomed above her.

“Y-Yes?”

“I asked if you came from the family of the lady who was proposed to by Grand Duke Hyer.”

A man in a black robe stepped forward.

With each step, the sound of clinking coins rang out.

“You look lost. Were you wronged by someone there?”

“Uh… well…”

“To be cast out so miserably by the household you served loyally… How pitiful. I’ll help you get your revenge. In exchange, grant me one favor. It’s nothing difficult.”

The maid hesitated before this mysterious man. The promise of justice for her grievance was sweeter than honey.

She had dedicated her life to that house.

Even as one servant after another left, she had stayed behind.

And yet, her loyalty had been rewarded with disgraceful dismissal. How enraging.

> “It’s not even worth answering. Leave this mansion now. You’re not worthy of even the smallest consideration, Head Maid.”

Grinding her teeth, she recalled Psyche’s cold voice.

She had watched the once-small girl grow into the empire’s swan.

She had even taken the place of Psyche’s nursemaid when the original fled. And yet, she couldn’t suppress her fury.

> “Ungrateful brat. I raised her like that!”

The truth was, she hadn’t done much.

The nursemaid had left when Psyche was about ten, but Psyche had always been mature for her age. She didn’t require much care.

Besides, stealing things secretly from behind the scenes was far easier than working honestly.

Still, she had devoted more effort to raising Psyche than the absent-minded baroness.

“What do you want me to do? How can I get my revenge?”

Her hostile attitude toward the robed man softened.

The reason was simple — he didn’t look ordinary.

Serving the baron and baroness up close had taught her to recognize valuable things. Her eye for wealth had been honed from pocketing valuables over the years.

“Tell me when your lady is leaving for Grand Duke Hyer’s domain. Then I’ll give you the chance to take revenge.”

“How do I know I can trust you?”

“I only make promises I can keep.”

Though he was completely cloaked, the robe looked finer than anything she’d ever seen.

And his voice — young but elegant — echoed clearly in the darkness. It reminded her of Psyche’s voice…

Psyche? Why would she think of that impudent girl now?

“…Alright.”

She pictured Psyche’s pale, composed face and made up her mind to take the man’s hand.

She had hated that girl for a long time. Her cold stare had always kept her in check.

“T

o be looked down on by a child like that…”

Deep down, she had always harbored resentment and hatred toward Psyche.

> “I’ll make sure you regret this, milady.”