Chapter 46
“Even when I think about it again, I don’t need any more money than I already receive. What good are fancy clothes and jewelry when I have nowhere to go?”
Upon hearing her words, Laszlo's expression hardened.
The only reason she confined herself to this house without a problem was that she had nowhere else to go.
After all, nobody welcomes a traitor.
While Laszlo hesitated, searching for something to say, Edel spoke as if an idea had just occurred to her.
“If you wish to give me something, Count, I would like to ask for something other than money.”
This was an unexpected but welcome request.
"anything."
“I want you to believe that what I say is true and not a lie.”
"Okay. Say what you have to say."
This was followed by a short silence before Idell smiled awkwardly and repeated herself.
“What I asked for was what I said a moment ago; that the Count should trust me.”
Laszlo stared at her for a long moment, looking confused, then said:
“I don’t understand how trust can replace reward; I really don’t.”
“The day will come when you will understand. And when that day comes, I hope you will remember my words and believe me.”
Something about her serious gaze changed Laszlo's expression to match her seriousness. He nodded slowly.
"Okay. I'll do that."
"Thank you."
Idyll gave him a small bow and he left his room.
After she left, Laszlo ran his hand through his hair in frustration and fiddled with it in a state of agitation.
'I asked her why she locked herself in here, when I was the one who denied her any other place to go. How ridiculous…'
He was surprised by his indifference, which only appeared in front of Idil.
You might see him as a monster, a killer who considers all the crimes he committed as mere passing acts, a monster.
***
“I feel sorry that I will be leaving you, my sister.”
Daisy sighed as she helped Idil carry her luggage.
“If anyone heard this, they would think we were really going to break up. I’m just changing rooms, that’s all.”
“I know, but we won’t be able to have a snack together every night anymore…”
Daisy finished speaking in a disappointed tone.
Edel was moving her belongings to the maid's room attached to Linnea's room.
Although it had been a few days since she became Linnea's personal maid, it took some time to clear the space because it had previously been used for storage.
While Daisy sincerely congratulated Edel on her promotion, she could not hide her disappointment at not being in the same room with him.
Idyll felt strangely pleased to see Daisy so reluctant to break up.
'Being married to a cheater didn't stop me from making friends.'
She thought that the stars and the moon would be her only companions from now on.
Then Daisy appeared, offering her hand cream, ointment, and warm words, without any expectations or expectation of return.
Idil would never forget that night; it was the first night she had made a friend since losing everything.
Although her bags contained only a few pieces of clothing, Daisy insisted on sharing the load with her, dedicating her precious downtime to helping her.
Idil couldn't help but find her as kind and lovable as she had been back then.
“Wow! This is the first time I’ve seen this room.”
Daisy exclaimed in surprise, as she looked around Idell's new room.
The room was much nicer than the cramped servants' quarters at the end of the dormitory, with a wider bed, two chairs, a suitable table, and a full-length mirror that reached chest height.
Although cleaning the previous storage room was hard work, the result was a spacious and clean room.
"I feel bad that I took this beautiful room for myself."
“Why would you feel bad? As a personal maid, you deserve it. Even Mina has a nice room, and she’s not a special person.”
Edel froze at the unexpected comment.
“Mina’s room is on the same floor as ours, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but the servants’ quarters differ in size. The small quarters are in the section where we were, while in the section where Mina is, there are slightly larger quarters.”
“There were several empty rooms in the larger area. So, even with the space available, why did they allocate the cramped rooms to the other maids?”
“Yes. According to Celia, it’s all about status. Can you believe it – the hierarchy even among the maids?”
It wasn't just funny, it was shocking.
I had assumed Mina's room was similar to hers and hadn't given much thought to the proximity between Mina's room and Marsha's. Now, I realized it was all calculated favoritism.
"Mrs. Bohen must have taken over the duties of the room, hasn't she?"
"naturally."
Edel confirmed Marsha's other corrupt practices.
She had been quietly investigating Marsha's embezzlement and misconduct for some time, gathering evidence. But the more she uncovered, the more Marsha's mistakes seemed endless—like peeling layers off an onion.
“Who knew that a mere head maid could inflict so much damage on a nobleman’s estate? In a way, it’s impressive.”
But no matter how skilled Marsha was, none of this was justified.
If Laszlo hadn't been so busy, Edel would have been very disappointed in him.
'He doesn't have as many people to rely on as other noble families do. He wasn't raised as a nobleman, and he didn't have time to prepare for this role.'
And there was no one to help him either.
Frankly, Edel thought the emperor should have supported him, but she doubted that Laszlo would have accepted help so easily.
“My sister! My sister!”
"Ah, yes?"
Edel was thinking about Marsha and Laszlo when Daisy woke her from her reverie.
Daisy looked at her with bright, excited eyes.
"So how are you going to decorate this room? These days it's fashionable to hang several small pictures on the wall. There are even streets full of portrait painters! They're a bit expensive, but they paint quickly and really beautifully."
Daisy spoke with the excitement of someone imagining renovating their room. Idell couldn't help but smile at her curiosity.
Although portraiture was traditionally a luxury for the nobility, it seems to have become a popular trend among the general public as well. Quick and affordable pastel portraits were especially in demand.
Idell wasn't very interested in selfies, but if it meant sharing one with Daisy, that didn't seem like a bad idea.
'Now that I know I'm allowed to go out…'
Idil smiled and made a suggestion to Daisy.
"What if we went to that portrait street at the end of the week? If that suits you."
"Really? With me?"
“Yes. We can also do a little shopping and buy something delicious to eat.”
“Yes! I love that!”
Daisy screamed, practically bouncing with joy.
Seeing her so happy made Idil feel even happier.
They wanted to sit down and plan their weekend together, but Daisy had to visit her father, Mr. Marco. So they agreed on a time to meet and say goodbye.
As soon as Daisy left, the room felt eerily quiet.
'I seem to be feeling a bit lonely…'
The room was bigger and better, but it felt empty.
She used to be alone, so why was she suddenly feeling this luxurious feeling?
'Since there's nothing to do, perhaps I should go to bed early?'
At this time, she would usually chat and have snacks with Daisy. But such moments would not happen with Linnea.
As she was about to change her clothes, she heard a knock on the door.
"Daisy?"
Edel opened the door with a smile, thinking that Daisy might have forgotten something or that her plans with Mr. Marco had failed, prompting her to return.
However, to her surprise, Laszlo was standing at the door.
“…I expected you to at least ask me who I am, but you seem to lack caution.”
"Count?"
"May I come in for a moment?"
"Of course, please come in."
Awkwardly, Idell stepped aside to allow him to enter.
Laszlo entered, but he left the door wide open, perhaps too wide.
'What an unexpectedly respectable man.'
Edel was grateful that he cared about her reputation, but his visit at this time was surprising, and it was even more surprising that he came himself.
“The room is a bit small, isn’t it? That’s how they built it. It’s not like we could move Linnea’s room too.”
“It’s much bigger and better than the room I was staying in, and everything is well equipped, so it’s comfortable to stay in.”
“…It’s much bigger and better?”
"Yes."
"What type of room did you stay in before?"
It was clear that Laszlo had not personally inspected every corner of the palace.
Idel gave him a small, knowing smile without answering directly.
“But… may I ask what brought you here?”
"Yes."
Laszlo changed his gaze, as if looking for something to distract himself, and scanned the room aimlessly.
“Well, it sounds like I’m just repeating myself, but… thanks to you, Linnea seems much happier these days.”
“This is only because Miss Linnea is naturally bright and lively.”
“Yes, it was, but lately… I think you realize that.”
Laszlo sighed bitterly and smiled a tired smile.