“Regarding the Baron, I have investigated separately after Miss Khalia entered the mansion.”

Obert opened a drawer, took out a new candle, and skillfully replaced the burned one.

Knock, knock.

It was a time when complete darkness had descended. The maid assigned to lighting the fire knocked and entered.

She placed several lanterns, revived the embers in the fireplace, then retreated.

The room quickly brightened, and warmth enveloped it. The duke asked again.

“How is he?”

“Generally, the reputation is, ‘The dignity is somewhat lacking, but he is a good person.’ The main reason for his reputation is raising a notorious troublemaker girl himself. There are rumors that he recently started gambling.”

“‘The dignity is lacking.’”

“It gives the impression that the dignity as a noble is lacking. He doesn’t handle wealth appropriately, spending where he shouldn’t and being frugal where it’s unnecessary. The subordinates are not much different from common troublemakers.”

“Hmm… What about his wife?”

“She is similar to her husband. Although she tries to adhere to manners, she often acts hastily and blushes frequently, not earning much respect. However, she seems to have been getting along well so far as the wife of the Count.”

“But the daughter is different.”

He, who had no interest in socializing, was knowledgeable enough. It was also thanks to the son who couldn’t hide his puppy love.

“That’s correct.”

The steward nodded.

“As you know, Miss Helena Barden is widely known for her virtuous behavior and kind disposition. She is highly esteemed within the academy. However, those who sought advantages have changed their attitudes after losing influence. Still, most people appreciate her and tend to behave with animosity toward Miss Estelle.”

When Khalia Estelle entered his mansion, she declared that she would expel the entire Barden family.

“Those three families, not to mention the family, including the youngest maid in the laundry room and the stable boy, all of them, without exception.”

At the time, he frowned at the harsh treatment, but he considered it due to her innate nature being twisted.

He decided not to intervene in that day’s treatment while he had no intention of dealing with it since he came under Desmiere’s management.

However, a suspicion about Baron Barden was taking root in the duke’s mind.

If Khalia did not take them down in one vicious action due to her cruel nature…

‘Resentment.’

And there is always a reason for resentment.

“…What happened to those who worked at the Count’s estate?”

“Most of them scattered. Some are now working at the new mansion in the capital that Baron Barden prepared, but there aren’t many because the influence has greatly diminished. There are also those who entered the service of other families, but not all of them hold much power. Many have returned to their hometowns or left for other regions where they have relatives.”

“Contact the one in the capital and bring one person. As high-ranking as possible and as soon as possible.”

“Someone who had already investigated in advance exists. We are still monitoring their whereabouts. If you give the word, we can bring them soon.”

“Who is it?”

“A woman who was the head maid at the estate.”

“Bring her here, right now.”

* * *

The door of the study opened silently.

“This way.”

Ashley, a pale-faced woman in a cold sweat, was led into the room by the duke’s subordinates, her arms held tightly.

She had been summoned abruptly while just getting into bed.

When she cautiously opened the door in response to a midnight knock, three men and women greeted her.

“The master wishes to see you. Please spare some time.”

The woman at the forefront spoke with a stern expression.

Although her attitude and tone were never coarse, the hands that firmly grabbed both of her arms and pushed her forward along with another man, were as solid as rocks.

“Mom, Mom, where are you going?”

From behind, the youngest one tugged at her skirt, his voice trembling. The eldest and the second were huddled together, shaking on the bed.

“I will take care of the children.”

A man naturally stood in front of the youngest, blocking the view between her and the children.

An elongated scar crossed the man’s chin, which grinned at the corner.

She had no choice but to swallow and nod.

“Sit down.”

In the middle of the room, there was a luxurious chair.

Ashley’s thin, wide-eyed pupils flickered madly as she lowered her head in fear.

They hadn’t avoided her gaze during their journey here, as if there was nothing to be concerned about.

However, until she entered through the back door of the eerie mansion from the carriage, she hadn’t even thought about looking around, trembling with fear.

Instead of hoping to see something, she closed her eyes tightly, even creasing her brow to create wrinkles around her eyes.

“Sit.”

So when the unfamiliar voice ordered rather calmly, she was startled, and once again tightly closed her eyes.

Ashley instinctively recognized that voice as the owner of this room. The one who could decide her life with just one finger.

“I said sit, Lady Minker.”

The sound of her name sent shivers down her spine.

Shoulders on either side pressed against her forcefully. Her buttocks were pressed onto the soft cushion.

“Lift your head.”

With a trembling voice, Ashley opened only one eye and looked at the man before her.

“Me, me. I don’t know why you called me, but I don’t know anything. I haven’t seen anything. Please spare me!”

“I just called you to ask something. Don’t worry. There’s no sadistic pleasure in questioning you about things you shouldn’t have seen.”

The tone lightened considerably. There was no laughter, but it was gentler than the people who brought her here.

With newfound courage, Ashley opened one eye slightly and looked more closely at the man in front of her.

Sitting behind a large desk, the owner of this room was a middle-aged man. The gaze behind his clasped hands could not be interpreted.

At least for now, it didn’t seem like he would snap her neck immediately.

Only then did Ashley straighten her body. Her eyes opened wide. The people who brought her here stepped back.

‘Maybe, if I answer the questions well, he might just send me back…’

A momentary hope flashed.

Thunk. She swallowed the fear remaining behind her neck and spoke.

“Thank you… Whatever you ask, if I know, I will tell you everything.”

“That’s good to hear.”

The duke nodded lightly.

“Sorry for bringing you here so suddenly.”

Ashley clapped her hands in surprise.

“No, milord.”

“Just answer the questions well, and you will be graciously treated. The children are still young, and they should eat their fill and wear new clothes, shouldn’t they?”

A new desire shone in Ashley’s eyes.

Perhaps this moment wasn’t a crisis but an opportunity.

Even if she didn’t know who this person was in front of her, he didn’t seem like the type to simply play with her and kill her.

Thinking of the faces of her three children, Ashley grit her teeth.

‘That monster-like woman, even if I tear her apart, it won’t be enough satisfaction!’

Since being expelled from the viscount’s estate, every day had been hell.

Her husband, doing business in a distant place, was far from returning, and the faces of her young ones were blooming with hunger.

Even working tirelessly, the income was not enough, and it was heartbreaking to watch from the sidelines.

Perhaps these painful days could come to an end.

“Speak, Lady Minker! I will answer anything you want to know!”

She pounded her chest vigorously. Her head nodded vigorously.

“Tell me everything you know about Khalia Estelle.”

Her stiffened neck, which had been moving briskly, froze as if it would make a sound. The fist that had been pounding on the chest also stopped abruptly.

Her mouth was wide open, revealing rotten teeth. The fist, now relaxed, fell powerlessly onto her thigh.

The Duke’s eyes widened as he watched the dramatic change.

“Why are you like this? You said you would tell everything if you knew.”

She couldn’t say anything.

Even now, when she slept, the events of that day appeared in her dreams.

The day when she could do nothing and had to kneel and beg in front of that woman,

The day when dozens of servants, both men and women, had to be expelled like bandits at the woman’s words!

The words “Never let it be seen again” echoed in her ears.

Her open mouth closed. The pupils shook uncontrollably without focus.

As much as she hated, she was afraid.

Even if she cursed and wanted to kill, whenever she recalled the threat of that day, her body shrank.

There was also a desire for revenge, of course.

But honestly, the desire to avoid getting involved again and move away from it all was stronger.

“The lady was a maid of the Count. There’s no way she doesn’t know Khalia Estelle.”

“I, I, I… milord, so, I am well…”

The trembling lips of Ashley, whose head had turned white, moved hesitantly. The duke interrupted her rambling.

“500 gold.”

“…What?”

In an instant, Kalia disappeared from Ashley’s mind.

She forgot the look in her eyes the last time she’d seen her, the way she’d mentioned her children, the way she’d threatened to never be seen again.

Instead, a dazzling mountain of gold began to shimmer like an illusion. The aristocrat in front of her seemed more like a bag of gold than a person.

500 gold spoke.

“With this money, you can live comfortably anywhere. If the capital is uncomfortable, you can go elsewhere. You can start anew with your family, can’t you?”

The next words were slow and deliberate, digging into her ears and not letting go.

“Perhaps later, your children might… be married to nobles or fallen nobles.”

Nobles.

The nobles who could lift her up with just the tip of a toe, the nobles who could bring peopl e to her whims in the middle of the night, just like that noble!

Greed rose like a serpent. Strength returned to the fingers that had been limp.

“So answer honestly as I ask, without lies.”

The man’s voice remained unchanged, but to Ashley, it sounded as sweet as sugar.

‘Anyway, what else could he ask? Since she’s already infamous, just tell him… like it’s known outside, like a rumor. If I say it appropriately, he’ll just send me away with the 500 gold.’

For a high-ranking man, this man was surprisingly polite.

He could have dragged her here by putting a blindfold and a gag on her, or he could have kidnapped and brought her here unconscious.

‘I may be old, but I might be a lunatic when it comes to abducting or interrogating people.’

Deliberately thinking optimistic thoughts, she gradually began to believe it.

If she made enough noise, he would send her away with the 500 gold.

The Empire is vast. If she just goes to some remote countryside, that madman’s daughter will surely not find her.

The resolute Ashley spoke.

“Khalia Estelle is…”