Episode 34
As soon as the Count left, Bell came in right after, almost like they had switched places. She was quick to pick up on things.
“Ma’am, are you feeling sick? Should I bring you more tea?”
I shook my head and tapped the table with my finger.
The Baroness probably planned to take custody of her child from her husband at the casino. But it was also possible that he might just refuse to play the game with Yvonne at all.
‘I don’t want to interfere in someone else’s business… but shouldn’t I be prepared just in case?’
If, by any chance, Yvonne asked for help, I wanted to be able to support her. To do that, I needed to know who her husband was and how good he was at playing games.
I had already asked the Count to get me an invitation to the next card game gathering, so I had to wait. I was excited about the chance to meet the Baron’s husband there and maybe find some useful information that could help Yvonne.
But first, I needed to improve my own card-playing skills.
“Bell, do we have any playing cards at the mansion?”
“Cards? I think we might have some. Should I go get them?”
“Yes.”
Bell carried out the task perfectly. She didn’t just bring one set of cards — she brought three kinds and even said she’d go buy more if I didn’t like them. If she were an employee, I would’ve given her top marks in a performance review.
I picked up the cards and looked through them. Their sizes and paper textures were all different. I must have made a displeased face because Bell explained:
“They’re old, sorry.”
“It’s okay. I just need them to practice.”
As I fiddled with the cards, reviewing the game I had played with the Baroness, Liza came over looking curious. Her little head tilted from side to side, catching my attention.
I was trying to decide which cards to use when Liza tapped the King of Hearts.
“Ma’am, why aren’t you using this card?”
“I don’t need it. I’m discarding it.”
“But you could make the strongest combo with this.”
“To do that, I’d need the Noble card too — and we don’t have that.”
Then, Liza pulled out a new card from under the stack. It was the Heart Noble. I hadn’t placed it there, and it wasn’t one she was already holding.
“Where did that card come from?”
“If you place this card like this, it creates a winning hand.”
“No, I mean, where did you pull it from?”
Liza smoothly slid a card out from between two others.
“From here.”
Clap clap clap. Soft clapping sounds filled the room. Bell looked stunned, her mouth hanging open. I was just as shocked. Liza casually hid a card in the pile and then pulled it out again. Her hands were incredibly skillful.
“You’re not surprised?”
“No, I am. I’m very surprised.”
“Right? I’m probably the best card player in the whole house!”
Liza giggled. For once, I didn’t even feel like scolding her.
“You really are amazing.”
“Ma’am, you have to use your wrist, not just your fingers! That was better! Try again!”
Liza wasn’t a great teacher, but she was terrifyingly good at card games.
Apparently, she often helped the servants practice their games for when they entertained guests. She was even better at cheating—she didn’t seem to move her fingers at all, yet the cards changed.
The four of us—me, Bell, Theodore, and Liza—sat around the table flipping cards.
“I won that round,” said Theodore.
“Sir, you’re just relying on luck too much,” Bell scolded.
“It’s skill,” he replied calmly.
Surprisingly, Theodore was very competitive. He won several rounds in a row and shrugged proudly. Bell won now and then, depending on her luck.
And me…?
“Ma’am, you’re last again.”
I was terrible. I lost every single round, not even close. Even when I thought I had a good combo, I still lost.
“Why do I keep losing?”
“Because you keep getting distracted by Sir Theodore’s face…”
“Liza!”
Bell was shocked, but Liza didn’t stop talking.
“You always believe him even when he bluffs. And you do whatever Bell says, even throwing away good cards…”
“I never lied,” Theodore added calmly.
“And you didn’t even notice me stealing cards,” Liza said.
I had some excuses. I wanted to believe Theodore. And when Bell gave me those sad puppy eyes, I couldn’t say no. As for Liza stealing cards—I didn’t even see it happen.
“This isn’t fair.”
“Even if you say that… Ma’am, you’re just not good at this game.”
Liza teased me. I lightly tapped her cards with mine.
“We learned the same thing, so why am I the only one who’s bad?”
I was decent at a Korean game called “Hwatu”… though I could never keep track of the scores. I grumbled, and Liza patted me like a child.
“Ma’am, honestly, your skills are terrible. I don’t think you can win no matter what. Maybe it’s best to give up…”
“No. I can do it.”
I handed the cards back to Liza. She shuffled them and passed out new hands. I got eight cards.
“Let’s go again.”
I gripped my cards with determination. We quietly began another round. I was focused, ready to win this time… until Liza laid down her hand.
“King, Noble, Knight — twice. That’s the highest combo!”
Bell and Theodore followed with strong hands too.
“This is cheating…”
“Of course. I dealt the cards in my favor.”
Liza shrugged casually.
“What? Then the whole thing was unfair from the start! I want a rematch!”
“Even if we play again, if you can’t spot cheating, you’ll just lose again, Ma’am.”
Theodore sighed and shook his head. Bell looked like she was about to cry.
“Ma’am… how about a different game? Like chess? That might be fun too.”
“I need to play card games for something important.”
Liza suddenly spoke up.
“Do you really have to be good at the game? It’s most fun when you just enjoy it.”
She had a point. I didn’t have to win. Adjusting my plans on the fly was one of my strengths. Liza’s words helped for once.
Instead of answering, I just smiled with a crooked smirk.
Luckily, the Count got me the invitation to the gathering—and it was sent by the Baron’s husband himself. He must have secretly wanted to invite “Carla,” the woman close to the king.
The Count didn’t look happy about it, though. He tossed the invitation onto the table and grumbled while stirring his teacup.
The letter began with “Dear Countess,” followed by a bunch of formal phrases. At the end, it said he hoped I would honor the event with my presence. It looked like he pressed down hard while writing—maybe because he was excited.
“Make sure you don’t embarrass yourself.”
“Of course.”
The Count gave me a long lecture. He told me the guests were important people, so I shouldn’t upset them. Smile a lot. Don’t beg them to play games, and so on.
As he talked, I idly touched the invitation. Oddly, the front and back felt different, as if an extra layer had been glued on. I carefully peeled it off. On the hidden layer was the name Count Icarus, written in fast, messy handwriting.
‘Why go through all that trouble?’
The Count glared at the invitation, clearly annoyed. I chuckled and flicked the peeled-off paper onto the table. It fluttered down.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
The Count picked up the paper and stuffed it into his jacket. Then he clicked his tongue and started complaining.
“I heard you bought a maid some new clothes. What a waste.”
“Yes, well, she is my personal maid.”
I lifted my chin and smiled. I could answer these kinds of jabs calmly now.
“If my maid looks shabby, it reflects badly on me. Since I was getting a dress made anyway, I added one for her too—so I wouldn’t be embarrassed, just like you said.”
“And you think that makes a difference?”
“Of course. Clothes and makeup can change a woman entirely.”
“Doesn’t seem to work for you.”
He wasn’t wrong. No matter how fancy the outfit, Carla’s face wouldn’t magically change.
The Count looked smug and glanced around at the servants. They just looked down quietly. He took their silence as agreement and smirked.
Carla’s looks didn’t match the beauty standards of this world. At best, she could be described as having a noble air. Bell hesitantly spoke up.
“Ma’am doesn’t dress too flashy…”
She couldn’t directly argue with the Count, but it was kind of her to say something.
She quickly lowered her head and pretended to clean my teacup. The Count looked at Theodore for a moment, then looked away.
There was no point in asking Theodore. He’d just say something like, “Is that so? I wouldn’t know.” A smart move—except that Theodore was more observant than the Count thought.
“If I may speak honestly,” Theodore said suddenly, catching everyone off guard.
“Yes, I don’t think she’s changed much either.”
The Count looked startled. I didn’t turn my head—I kept my eyes straight ahead.
“Because Lady Carla is beautiful even without gold or silk.”
The Count’s face twisted in annoyance. Theodore’s voice was calm, like he was stating a fact.
Even without turning around, I knew where his gaze was. The back of my neck felt tingly.
