Chapter 4 – Part 11

“Pathetic fools!”

As soon as they returned to the mansion after the party, Marie angrily tossed her gloves aside.

“Who do those wretches think they are, treating me like that?”

“Acting like they’re above such cheap parties.”

“Judging people based on rumors is just that level of behavior.”

Marie unleashed her unfiltered thoughts.

“I asked for water; why hasn’t it arrived yet!”

Her tirade was so intense that a maid hurriedly entered.

“Here it is.”

The frightened maid handed her a tray with a cup.

Rather than accepting the cup, Marie calmly stared down at the girl. The maid, who had quickly brought the water, looked puzzled when Marie didn’t reach for the cup. Marie, with a half-bowed head, was quietly observing the maid. The girl’s hands trembled as she held the tray, confused by Marie’s unexpected behavior.

Eventually, their eyes locked, and Marie spoke.

“You haven’t learned properly.”

“Pardon?”

“Why did you fetch cold water? I specifically asked for lukewarm water.”

She had sought cold water as soon as she arrived at the mansion, claiming she needed to soothe her anger, but it didn’t really matter. She needed a reason, any reason, to vent her frustration.

She needed someone to take it out on for some reason.

Mari’s strong hand tipped the tray she was holding, shattering the cup with a loud crack. The water in the cup drenched her feet and soaked into the carpet on the floor.

“My Lady, I’m sorry.”

The maid apologized quickly, bending down to wipe Marie’s shoes with the skirt of her dress.

“Uh, I’ll get the water again in a moment, I’m so sorry.”

As she worked diligently, using her sleeve, the hem of her skirt, and whatever else she could find, Marie swatted her away with her foot.

“Where do you think you’re putting dirty hands? Do you think I, who lead a miserable existence in this pathetic mansion, am a laughing matter?”

“No, ma’am. No, ma’am, I apologize. Please have mercy.”

The maid pleaded desperately as she continued cleaning Marie’s shoes. Her reddened hands showed signs of swelling, but there was no sympathy in Marie’s eyes.

“Do you find my pitiful existence amusing? Am I a joke to you?”

“No, ma’am, absolutely not. I apologize, ma’am.”

The trembling maid, her hands now red and swollen, continued apologizing. Marie, although aware of her overreaction, used this as a form of stress relief.

Normally, the Marquise’s attendants were more experienced. But whenever Marie returned to the mansion, which had become increasingly irritable lately, her personal maids would use their high position to send younger maids to her instead.

Especially on nights when she was away at someone else’s party, her handmaids were nowhere to be seen.

Marie knew it, but she tolerated it, and it made her feel better. It was a kind of stress relief.

“I’ve been so good to them, and now they’re treating me like I’m nothing.”

With the innocent young maid in front of her, Marie thought back to those who had insulted her at the party.

“Mother.”

The sound of Emily’s voice at the knock brought Marie’s wild behavior to a halt.

“I’m coming in.”

“Wait. Just wait a moment.”

Marie restrained Emily, catching her breath.

Then she quickly adjusted her disheveled clothes and hair.

“Get up.”

Despite the jolting sensation from being slapped all over, the maid quickly rose. Marie nodded toward the door as a sign for her to leave.

“Come in.”

A maid, carrying a tray with broken glass, entered hastily, bowing deeply to Emily. Emily watched attentively until the maid closed the door behind her.

“I thought you were asleep, what’s the matter?”

“I thought I heard a commotion.”

This time, Emily’s gaze fell to the glass shards still scattered on the floor.

“The maid was clumsy and spilled the tea. I should properly teach her so that she can get her act together without making a fuss.”

Marie smiled sweetly, as if remembering the last time she’d been angry. Her mood had eased a bit after hitting the maid.

Emily did not respond. She was staring at the blood on the broken glass.

It was unclear whether the maid was injured while picking it up or if the glass pierced her hand after it broke.

“Did you enjoy the party?”

“…Yes. Parties are always enjoyable.”

Although it was the same answer Marie used to give when she was in Shuban, her voice and expression were noticeably different this time.

“You must be tired then, get some rest, mother.”

With a casual farewell, Emily left Marie’s room.

Ever since her sister Ruby had disappeared, her brother had not entered the manor, and her mother had become erratic and violent toward their servant. The victims were mostly young, helpless maids.

Emily left the Grit Estate and headed to the stables.

Leton had been teaching Emily how to ride, and with frequent practice, she had reached a level where she could ride alone.

“Where are you going?”

Eve, who had followed Emily out, asked. Fear filled her eyes.

Even Eve, who usually paid little attention to the atmosphere of the mansion, knew that something was wrong now.

“You go back inside, I’ll just be a minute.”

Emily would have loved to go with Eve, but she was a novice and had never driven two people before.

“Hurry back.”

As Emily nodded, she tightened the reins and shook them, as she had learned.

Watching Emily move away, Eve thought she should learn to ride as well.

***

Emily arrived at the mansion that Leton had described as he passed by.

She reined in her horse dangerously, almost falling off. She wasn’t used to it yet.

“Whoa, whoa, easy.”

Emily soothed her horse and dismounted it carefully. It took her two hands to tie him up, and only then did she enter the manor.

Emily, who had only put on a simple coat, was startled as soon as she entered the mansion.

At the entrance lobby stairs, a man and a woman were sharing a discreet kiss. Emily paid no attention to them.

Even though the masks on their faces clashed and distorted as they kissed, they seemed oblivious to it.

Emily, too surprised, froze for a moment before quickly turning her head to move elsewhere. However, instead of escaping the strange atmosphere inside the mansion, it only intensified.

“My Lady.”

Fortunately, Leton, who had been observing the situation near the entrance, noticed Emily and briefly guided her, standing in front of her to block the view.

“How did you come here?”

Leton also wore a mask, but Emily recognized him by his voice and felt relieved.

“Where is my brother? I need to see my brother.”

“Uh, it’s a little awkward right now.”

He sounded genuinely embarrassed.

“I must see him. Something is very wrong.”

Emily grabbed Leton’s arm and pleaded, looking up at him with rare blushing eyes.

Of course, it might be due to the peculiar atmosphere created by the abundant red lighting in the mansion.

“You must hold my hand, and you must never open your eyes.”

Hesitantly, Leton assured her.

He was tempted to leave Emily behind and rush off. However, he vaguely knew that those immersed in lust would not care if someone tried to cover them.

“You must not open your eyes.”

Leton earnestly warned Emily before taking a few steps without letting her go.

“Okay.”

Following Leton’s instructions, Emily held his hand tightly and never opened her eyes.

Leton glanced back a few times along the way, but Emily was following closely, never opening her eyes. The trip wasn’t difficult, as Leton had one hand around her shoulder and the other holding her hand.

They reached the innermost room, where Eli was.

As they went deeper, the atmosphere became more intense, and scenes of intertwined legs and exposed thighs caught their eye.

Leton’s expression involuntarily frowned.

As Eli’s face began to appear, the sense of urgency increased, and Leton accidentally bumped into someone, causing a recoil that was transmitted to Emily.

Startled by the sudden recoil, Emily opened her eyes, which had been closed.

She stood still in the middle of the room.

The scenes inside were incomparably more explicit than those at the entrance. The movements of those who wore nothing or very little were chaotic.

However, what captured Emily’s attention was not those scenes. It was the indifferent face of her older brother Eli, sitting on the highest chair in the room, showing no interest and just maintaining his position.

Her eyes were quickly covered, thanks to Leton’s prompt response.

Leton, still embracing Emily almost as if protecting her, turned towards Eli.

“Marquis. Lady Emily is here.”

“What?”

Only now did emotion appear on Eli’s face. When Leton unblocked Emily’s view and let her go, Eli’s face became visible.

“How did you come here?”

Instead of making a sound, Emily broke down, tears streaming down her face.

“Is something wrong?”

“Nothing happened. It seems she was shocked by the unfamiliar scene.”

Even Leton answered with a bewildered expression.

To Emily, who had not yet debuted in society, the scene was overly provocative.

“Everyone, leave.”

Upon Leton’s command, the sounds of people dressing hastily were heard here and there.

He sighed softly, watching until the last guest left.