Betty was the type who sided with the powerful and stayed close to those who benefited her. She had been loyal as Eirene’s dedicated maid until Eirene was abandoned in the basement room. Though Betty turned away when Eirene fell from grace, at least she never resorted to violence like the other maids. 

Additionally, when Betty was on meal duty, Eirene didn’t have to go hungry. She didn’t think badly of Betty. She was merely selfish, never harmful. This made her easy to manage. Someone who could easily switch sides if it benefited her. 

For the same reason, she posed a risk, but in the Phineas mansion, she was the only person who could help Eirene. The very fact that her loyalty could be swayed was valuable. 

Eirene had been wondering how to properly utilize Betty’s changing attitude since the day she appeared before Clive, and now she had accumulated more resources. Since the primary reason people worked at the Phineas mansion was the incomparable pay, Betty’s heart naturally weakened at the sight of jewels. 

Eirene approached Betty, who was so moved she was nearly in tears. Wanting to solidify their relationship, she planned to give her another piece of jewelry. She opened one of the jewelry boxes at random. Inside, she spotted a familiar small box and promptly closed it. 

It contained the necklace Clive had personally placed around Eirene’s neck on the first night of the ball. Though it held no significant meaning, she didn’t feel inclined to give it to Betty. She opened another small box nearby, confirmed it contained a ring, then took it out and held it out to Betty.

“Put this away too.”

“My lady.”

Though her expression suggested she couldn’t accept it, Betty didn’t refuse. Eirene liked this about her. Nothing was more reliable than someone who could be moved by material things. 

Betty’s hands trembled as she extended them to receive the ring. She rambled uncharacteristically.

“My goodness. Such a precious ring. I’m grateful for even one piece of jewelry. To give me two… I mean, what if His Highness the Grand Duke asks for it back someday? What are you thinking?”

She seemed concerned, but Betty was preparing for contingencies. If she were truly worried, she wouldn’t have accepted the ring, yet she carefully tucked it into her pocket.

“Don’t worry. He has so many he won’t remember them all. No, wait. He has an excellent memory, so perhaps he will remember? Still, it’s fine. He values me greatly and won’t get upset over something this minor. He’ll be happy if I gave it to someone I care about.”

Eirene hoped that Betty, who excelled at reading situations, would grasp the meaning embedded in their conversation. That someone stronger than the mansion’s owners stood behind Eirene.

“You’ll truly tell him I received it from you, right? I wouldn’t want him to misunderstand and think I stole it.”

“You worry too much.”

Eirene patted Betty’s back and deliberately smiled. That was her only response to Betty’s question; she intentionally avoided giving a definitive answer. 

The silence within her smile served as a warning to Betty. A warning that her life hung on Eirene’s word.

* * *

Eirene sat in a chair, examining the finger that had been pricked by the rose thorn. It was completely clean, without any trace of a wound. Since discovering the absence of the wound, she had wanted to verify if self-healing had occurred. 

If so, she had progressed from purification to the healing stage, just as Siaran had said. She considered spilling ink on her hand but changed her mind. There was no need to test her purification ability again. 

She opened the desk drawer and took out a knife she had saved from mealtime. 

More than worrying about pain or scarring from cutting herself, she dreaded that nothing would happen. She prayed for healing to work. Surely she needed to possess some kind of power. 

She placed the knife on her palm, gripped it, then pulled it out. 

The sensation of the blade slicing through bare skin was painful, but the unpleasantness was greater. Blood stained the knife as it left her clenched hand. 

When she opened her palm, the cut was clearly visible, and blood dripped onto the carpet. Eirene clenched her bloody hand and prayed. Please disappear. Just like Aishe’s illness had been cured, may her wound heal too. She opened her eyes with fear and anticipation. 

Her hand was still covered in blood.

* * *

The first person to see the bloodstain on the carpet early in the morning was Betty. Seeing blood on Eirene’s nightgown and scattered across the bedding, she could only blink, seemingly at a loss for words. Then, noticing the handkerchief wrapped around Eirene’s hand, she screamed. No wonder, since the handkerchief had turned a dark crimson.

“M-my lady! I’ll c-call a d-doctor!”

“Shh. It’s nothing.”

“It looks like it needs treatment.”

Eirene shook her head.

“It just bled a lot, making it look serious. The bleeding has already stopped, and it only hurts a little. It’ll heal quickly if I just keep it dry.”

“Shouldn’t we still show it to a doctor?”

“It’s fine.”

“Then I’ll bring disinfectant and clean bandages.”

Betty returned quickly. Trying to disinfect the wound herself, she looked at Eirene’s palm and shuddered, saying it was terrible.

“Go outside. I’ll do it myself.”

“Let me do it. I’m just not used to wounds, but I’ve done this many times.”

While cutting herself hadn’t felt particularly painful, the disinfection hurt tremendously. Though Betty gently cleaned with the medicine-soaked cloth, the piercing pain that penetrated deep was almost unbearable.

“What were you doing when you cut your hand?”

“I was lying down to sleep when my hair suddenly felt uncomfortable. I tried to trim it a bit with a letter knife, and this happened.”

“Goodness! How sharp was that letter knife? I’ll replace it for you!”

Seeing Betty get excited like it was her personal concern, Eirene wondered if this was the effect of yesterday’s gift.

“No need. It was my fault. Just leave it.”

“But if it’s that sharp, you could get hurt even opening an envelope!”

“I’ll be careful. Let’s not create unnecessary work.”

When Eirene soothed her, Betty’s excitement subsided. Looking down at Betty diligently treating the wound, Eirene made a resolution. She would need consistent gifts.

* * *

What Aishe had said at the ball came true. Eirene’s food, clothing, bedroom, and overall environment became more comfortable and improved. Her previously room-confined living space expanded considerably. Actually, there were almost no restrictions. 

No one interfered when she wandered anywhere in the Phineas mansion, and even going out was possible. Whether due to Aishe’s influence or a change of heart from the Count and Countess, this made it easier to carry out what Clive wanted. 

However, another dedicated maid was assigned to Eirene alongside Betty.

“Hello, my lady. I’m Gemma.”

Eirene remembered Gemma with her innocent eyes and distinctive accent. Gemma had also frequently visited the basement before the Phineas household members stopped coming.

“It’s been a while.”

“You remember me?”

“Of course I remember. Have you been well?”

“Yes. I’ve always hoped to become your dedicated maid again, so I’m glad to see you like this.”

“Really? I’m curious why you wanted to be my dedicated maid.”

Gemma scratched behind her ear, flustered by the genuinely curious question. Betty had been by Eirene’s side, adapting quickly to the rapidly changing situation, but Eirene hadn’t seen Gemma for too long. It was difficult to accept such unfounded goodwill from someone.

“I was happiest when I was your dedicated maid after coming to the Phineas mansion.”

Gemma answered with a blush, seemingly embarrassed. Now it was Eirene’s turn to be surprised.

“You were happiest as my dedicated maid?”

It was an unbelievable story. Eirene had never done anything to make Gemma happy. Ah, perhaps…something suddenly occurred to her.

“Is it because I taught you how to read and write?”

Gemma had been unable to write letters to her parents in her hometown because she couldn’t read, so Eirene had taught her out of sympathy. Her quick learning made teaching enjoyable. 

But shortly after Eirene began teaching Gemma, she was removed from her position as Eirene’s dedicated maid.

“Yes. Thanks to learning from you, I could write letters home.”

“I didn’t even get to teach you completely.”

“Even so, I could communicate from then on. I studied little by little, and now I have no problem reading and writing.”

“That’s admirable.”

“Besides reading and writing, you helped me in many ways, and I really wanted to thank you.”

Despite not having done anything particularly special for Gemma besides teaching her to read, Eirene felt grateful to her for expressing such thanks.

“But, my lady.”

Gemma stood close to Eirene. What was she going to say? 

She looked around the room where only the two of them were present.

“I was sent to watch you.”

Gemma lowered her voice in a place where no one but Eirene could hear.

“The Countess sent you.”

“Yes.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I’m on your side.”

Gemma’s answer came immediately. How should she interpret this? Should she believe the words of someone who suddenly reappeared after a long time? 

That the Countess sent her to spy was believable. No wonder. It had seemed too easy, being granted so many freedoms.

“On my side.”

It would be nice to have someone trustworthy in the Phineas mansion besides Betty, but this approach was difficult to accept. This too could be something the Countess ordered her to do.

“I understand it’s hard for you to trust me. Please observe me over time. I plan to always tell the Countess that nothing happened.”

“You’ll arouse suspicion.”

“I’ll mix in other stories with flexibility. My lady, if there’s anything I can do for you, please command me.”

“Alright. I’m not sure if such an occasion will arise, but if it does, I’ll ask you. But only after observing you, as you suggested.”

“Yes. I’ll work hard.”

It wouldn’t matter if this conversation reached the Countess’s ears. It might even be better if she mistakenly thought Eirene was beginning to open up to Gemma. She could use Gemma later. 

But the sincerity in Gemma’s eyes when asking to be trusted seemed genuine. Eirene also hoped she would be someone she could trust.

* * *

I miss her. 

Clive placed the document he was holding on the desk and pressed his forehead. While looking at the papers, Eirene’s face kept appearing. He must be going crazy. Truly crazy. 

Though only three days had passed since they parted, her shadow was everywhere he went. Hadn’t he unknowingly gone to the guest palace last night? 

He had gone there expecting to find Eirene waiting for him in the reception room. To that place where no one was. If only that were all. He had woken up at dawn and spent time in the study. Sitting in the chair where she had sat. 

Clive, already suffering from insomnia, had barely slept since Eirene left. He always had too many thoughts, and now one more person had been added to them, so it was understandable.

“Do you have a headache?”

Ulik, who was working beside him, asked.

“A little.”

“And you couldn’t sleep again?”

“Yeah.”

Clive tilted his head back and closed his eyes. Pressing both temples seemed to help.

“Your insomnia appears to have worsened since the lady left.”

“That’s not it. How would you know my insomnia has worsened? Did you stay up all night too?”

“No. I slept very well. I could tell from the redness in Your Highness’s eyes.”

“I’ll sleep tonight. Let’s work. Focus.”

“Why don’t you just go see the lady? While contacting her after three days might be a bit early, it’s not so soon that it would damage your image.”

“That’s not the reason.”

Ulik stopped at Clive’s irritated tone. Clive’s words to Ulik about working and focusing were actually directed at himself. Eirene’s image kept appearing over the text he was reading, and his complicated feelings continued to build. 

Is this what happens when a person falls for someone? Do they become so preoccupied that they can’t do anything else? 

Honestly, without knowing much about Eirene, anyone watching would think he had been in love with her for a long time. To anchor his increasingly scattered mind, he took out a cigar for the first time in days. 

Anyway, Eirene, who disliked the smell, wasn’t at Dervel.