Chapter 14
“Did someone help Anne from behind? It wouldn’t have been easy for her to escape the Count’s house alone.”
Muttering to myself, I kept walking and soon reached near the main building. Ivna had suddenly called for me, so I had no choice but to come all the way here.
“Why is she looking for me?”
I grumbled in annoyance. The road to the main building was so long. My legs ached for no reason.
“I guess it’s something about Lilith.”
I briefly thought back on the villainess Lilith’s childhood.
“There’s no other reason for Ivna to call me… ah…”
In the novel this world is based on, after some young maids were killed by Lilith, not long after, rumors about her changed from “the cursed saint” to “a witch who bewitched people.”
One day, the Shainon family’s attitude suddenly changed. They locked their mansion and let no one in.
Later, rumors spread that Lilith Shainon had inherited a huge fortune from someone. And when more than ten years had passed, the tightly shut Shainon mansion finally opened when Lilith became an adult.
What people saw were the members of the Shainon family, moving like their souls were gone—stiff and lifeless. Like dolls pretending to be human. People were terrified and pointed fingers at Lilith, saying she had bewitched them.
“That was Lilith’s known ability, after all.”
Controlling a person’s emotions, thoughts, and mind. I had forgotten for a while because of the power that had gone wild the day I first met her.
“Anyway, the only reason Ivna would call me is probably about that inheritance.”
Unfortunately, even in the novel, nothing was revealed about Lilith’s father, the one who left her the inheritance.
“Inheriting a massive fortune without ever revealing who you are…”
I was muttering as I turned a corner. I didn’t see the man coming from the other side and bumped into his hard chest with a soft thud and fell.
“Ugh.”
“Oh…”
As I sat on the ground, trying to regain my senses, a low voice spoke above my head.
When I looked up, I saw a very tall man standing there.
‘Who is he? A guest?’
He gave off a powerful and overwhelming presence.
“Are you okay?”
The man reached out his hand. I hesitated for a moment, then took it and stood up.
“I’m fine. I wasn’t looking ahead. I’m sorry.”
“No, I didn’t see you either.”
After getting up, I brushed off the dirt from my clothes. I didn’t have the money to buy new ones, so it would be a problem if they tore.
“You’re so small I didn’t even notice you.”
“…Next time, I’ll walk while shouting loudly, I guess.”
His voice, saying I was small, kept echoing in my ears.
‘I’m still young, so of course I’m small!’
In my past life, I wasn’t even short, so this was the first time I’d heard something like that. Besides, he was just too big. He must have been well over 190 centimeters. To him, I must’ve looked like dust.
Out of everyone I’ve met in this world, he was the biggest.
“Hmph.”
Just as I was trying to suppress my irritation, I heard a small chuckle from him.
‘…Did he laugh?’
I looked up at him. I had to tilt my head back so much it hurt. He wore a hood, casting a shadow over his face. With the sun behind him, I couldn’t see what he looked like at all.
“You’re a funny little one.”
“…I’m a maid.”
“Right. If you get hurt anywhere, come find me.”
The man smiled lightly and tore off the top button of his shirt, handing it to me. I took it without thinking.
“Then.”
“Wait, wait a second!”
He took a few long steps and quickly walked away.
“…Aren’t you going to tell me who you are?”
He just handed me a button and left—what was I supposed to do with that? But the man had already disappeared. I stood there staring at where he’d gone, speechless.
“What a strange guy…”
There seemed to be something engraved inside the button, but the symbol was unfamiliar.
“Well, it’s not like I’ll go looking for him. It’s fine.”
I looked at it for a moment and then slipped it into my pocket.
When I reached the main building, a maid was already waiting for me. I followed her to a quiet and secluded room.
“Did you call for me, Lady Ivna?”
I asked when I saw the figure sitting across from me. It was dark, so I couldn’t be sure it was Ivna. I sat down carefully in an empty chair, watching her closely.
Thud.
As soon as I sat, a heavy pouch was placed on the table.
“This is…”
“Your name is Chloe, right?”
“Yes, Lady Ivna.”
“So you remembered me.”
I smiled slightly but recalled our past encounter in my head.
‘She slapped me out of nowhere—how could I forget?’
Just from the atmosphere, it was obvious she wanted to talk about something secretive.
‘Why do people like this always talk in dark rooms like this?’
She’d cleared everyone else out and asked for a secret meeting. Might as well light the room while we’re at it. I never understood what people plotting shady things were thinking.
“So, are you doing well serving Lady Lilith?”
“Yes, I’m doing fine.”
“I heard the new maids are quite young. The master was very worried, so this is a relief.”
Just like I thought before, Ivna was a good liar.
Worried? More like they were hoping we’d die quickly.
Well, that’s probably how she became the head maid.
“Right, they didn’t expect anything from the start…”
“But what is this?”
I pretended not to hear Ivna’s mumbling and pointed to the pouch. It made a jingling sound, so it seemed like a pouch full of coins.
“…Are you really sure there are no issues serving Lady Lilith?”
“Sorry?”
“Even experienced maids were frightened and were killed by her hands. You could die at any time too. Are you really okay with that?”
“I’m not sure what you mean, Lady Ivna.”
“This is from the master, for you.”
Ivna pushed the pouch closer to me across the table.
“For me?”
From the master of the Shainon family, Gideon Shainon, whom I’ve never even seen? It was clear this wasn’t given with good intentions. A chill ran through me as I remembered the events from the novel that I had recalled while walking earlier.
“Why would he…”
“I heard your family is struggling with money. The master is showing generosity, so don’t refuse.”
“But why only give it to me?”
Ivna leaned closer and started whispering even more quietly.
“The master gave an order. He wants you to make her rest in peace, Chloe.”
“….”
“You understand what I mean, don’t you?”
“W-Why would he want her…”
I spoke in a trembling voice, pretending to be frightened.
“You don’t need to know that. Just do what you’re told and take the money.”
Ivna spoke gently, as if comforting me.
“You seem to be the one who’s been taking care of Lady Lilith the best, so I’m entrusting it to you. You can handle it without a mistake, right?”
“….”
When I hesitated, Ivna placed another pouch on the table. I glanced at her, then slowly reached out and tucked both pouches into my dress.
“Then I’ll count on you, Chloe.”
Without answering, I bowed my head and left the dark room.
As soon as I stepped outside, the bright light made me squint.
“I knew it…”
I sighed, feeling the heavy pouches.
“To kill Lady Lilith…”
There could only be one reason. It was because of the huge inheritance she was going to receive from her other parent. The only sure way to take it from young Lilith was for her to die.
‘They say the Shainon family is already suffering financially.’
Up until now, they wanted to kill Lilith because she was a thorn in their side, but even if they failed, they weren’t in a hurry. There was still time. But now that there’s an inheritance to gain, things have changed.
“Tch.”
I clicked my tongue and took the small poison bottle from the pouch, hiding it in my skirt pocket.
“It’s been a while… I guess I can cook something tasty for our lady.”
I should find a place to throw this poison away on the way.
‘Killing Lilith? No way.’
How could anyone harm such a small, delicate child?
With this money, I’ll eat well and live happily with my sweet Lilith.
