Chapter 21: I’m the One Who Will Become the Grand Duchess

Aishe’s heaving shoulders revealed her anger. She was on the verge of exploding.

“Didn’t I tell you that Eirene belongs to Lady Aishe?”

Aishe’s spirit faltered slightly at Siaran’s ominous tone and gaze, filled with sinister energy.

“I know.”

“The two of them having a good relationship also means having a good relationship with Lady Aishe.”

“But, but it’s not me right now.”

“I’ve told you many times. Identify yourself with her.”

“How can I do something impossible!”

“You used to do it well before.”

“That was because Clive wasn’t around then.”

Siaran asked the Count and Countess to leave the room. Aishe shot her parents a look hoping they would stay, but they had no choice. Siaran was their only thread of hope, so they couldn’t treat him carelessly even when giving orders. 

They weren’t entirely satisfied with the current situation, but considering that the cause was Eirene’s provocative behavior, they had to follow Siaran’s instructions. After the Count and Countess left, only Siaran and Aishe remained.

“It won’t take up to a year. Even in the unlikely event that they marry and have a child, everything will still belong to you, my lady.”

“That’s exactly what I can’t stand! How can I look at a child born between them?”

“My lady, didn’t you say before that you disliked the idea of having children?”

After hearing about her cousin’s experience, Aishe had declared she would never have children. She cried that she didn’t want to die giving birth, especially with her already fragile body.

“The Grand Duke’s lineage must continue. Since things have turned out this way, wouldn’t it be good if Eirene gave birth to a baby on behalf of Lady Aishe? Meanwhile, you can enjoy the balls you love. Isn’t that actually beneficial?”

When pregnant, one cannot frequently engage in outside activities until after giving birth. No matter how much Aishe liked Clive, she detested being confined at home. Being unable to go outside during childhood was enough. She didn’t want to hide her beauty. 

Thinking about it, she disliked the entire process of having children. Aishe calmed her excitement and pondered Siaran’s words. He was right. If Eirene gave birth to the child too, she wouldn’t have to endure the pain of childbirth. 

Of course, she couldn’t guarantee she would always be fine watching the two of them together for a year. She would probably repeat the cycle of getting angry and then calming down, just like at the Dervel Palace ball and here today. 

But what could she do? There was only one choice available.

“Can you promise that the maximum will be one year?”

Aishe asked in a soft voice.

“Yes. It probably won’t take a full year.”

“Don’t disappoint me.”

“Why don’t you trust someone you know so well? I promise on my life.”

Siaran placed one hand on his chest and bowed. When being respectful, he was the most courteous and gentle mage. Someone who knew when to retreat and when to advance. When advancing, Siaran was perfect and frightening. 

Knowing too well what kind of magical power he possessed, Aishe knew this was a time to follow him, even if he was wrong. Besides, there was no turning back now. Remember that no matter how close Eirene gets to Clive, who ultimately possesses whom is what matters. 

The one who holds everything at the end is the winner. She’s the one who will become the Grand Duchess. Aishe lifted her chin and left the room first.

* * *

Click. 

The door closed. After Siaran left last, silence fell over the empty space. Only the occasional sound of wind tapping against the window could be heard, until even that subsided. From behind the curtain, a person emerged. 

The man with a pained expression, his hands buried in his hair, was Kailro. He exhaled and ruffled his hair. Kailro, who had returned late from an outing, was tossing and turning unable to sleep when he heard Aishe’s shout. 

Her calling for her parents meant they were gathering in “that room” again. He hurriedly entered the room first, and shortly after, Aishe, their parents, and Siaran came in. He held his breath behind the curtain and listened to their conversation. 

At first, he thought it was about Aishe being jealous of Eirene who was acting as his fiancée. They were clearly plotting something. Since they mentioned approaching the end, it probably wasn’t something that could be dismissed lightly. 

Incomprehensible words were exchanged. It seemed Eirene would give birth to a child on Aishe’s behalf, then be driven out so Aishe could take her place. One thing bothered him. Siaran had said:

“Whether it’s one year or ten years, it’s still your body, my lady.”

Did that mean everything Eirene had belonged to Aishe? Then why did he use the word “body”? 

Something was at stake. Kailro, who had remained motionless while pondering, finally left the room after a long time. He hadn’t found the answer.

* * *

At the hour when everyone in the Phineas Mansion was asleep, Eirene, who had been lying in bed with her eyes open, got up and slipped out from under the blanket. Because the servants took turns staying up late and waking up early, there wasn’t much time to move secretly. 

She quietly opened her bedroom door and surveyed the corridor. The mansion was silent, with deep darkness settled over it. Eirene closed the door and carefully walked to Count Phineas’s office. Hoping the door wasn’t locked, she turned the handle, and it opened. 

She entered and moved quickly. She didn’t know where to start searching. But knowing she had little time and that success on the first try would be difficult, she decided to search thoroughly even if it took several days. 

First, she lit the lamp on the desk. She opened the drawer, took out a stack of documents, and examined them one by one. Finding nothing suspicious, she immediately checked the documents in another drawer. All were ordinary. 

Of course, no fool would keep important things in a desk drawer without a lock. She looked around the office. In this place with only a desk and bookshelves, where could important things be hidden? 

Suddenly it occurred to her. 

It might not be in plain sight. Eirene ran her hand along the walls of the office, looking for subtle differences. Being on the second floor, nothing could be hidden in the floor. It had to be either the wall or the bookshelf. She felt there must be a secret compartment. 

Time passed. One of the aligned bookshelves was protruding forward. The difference was imperceptible to the eye. Now she needed to find the switch. She pulled out books one by one. 

But even after removing all the books from the adjacent bookshelves, there was no response. 

Was this not the place?

Checking again, the bookshelf was definitely protruding compared to the others. The rest all aligned perfectly, so there couldn’t be a mistake with just one. Eirene looked out the window. 

The sky, which had been pitch black, had now turned a deep blue. Soon it would be time for the servants to wake up. Reluctantly, she had to leave and return to her bedroom, promising herself to continue tomorrow. 

But goodness! Someone was standing in front of Eirene’s bedroom holding a candle. Her heart raced madly, but she tried to appear calm as she approached.

“My lady. Where have you been at this hour?”

It was Gemma.

“I woke up early and went for a walk.”

Gemma quickly took Eirene into the bedroom.

“You didn’t run into any other servants, did you?”

“No.”

“My lady. Did you really just go for a walk?”

“Yes.”

“If anyone says they saw you, you must absolutely deny it.”

“Why?”

“If the Countess finds out, she will increase the number of dedicated maids watching you. I can handle Betty, but if even one more person is added, it will be difficult for me to help you.”

Was Gemma truly someone who wanted to help? Unfortunately, she was caught on the first day. Although she made an excuse, if Gemma suspected today’s activities and came to check tomorrow night, what should she do? 

It seemed she would need to wait a few days until suspicion faded, but she disliked just spending time waiting. However, there was no alternative.

“It’s hard for you to trust me, isn’t it?”

“I don’t have any reason to trust you yet, so it can’t be helped.”

“Hmm. I have something to confess to you, my lady.”

“Go ahead.”

“Actually, I wasn’t going to reveal this fully. The lock on the basement room. I’m the one who opened it. I’m the person who opened it and left it on the floor.”

If she knew the lock was on the floor, then it must have been Gemma. Eirene looked into Gemma’s eyes, reflecting the candlelight. 

They stared at each other until Gemma first turned her eyes away and bowed her head. Eirene had thought God had helped her, but it was a person.

“Why would you? You could get fired.”

Gemma was the breadwinner sending money back to her hometown. Eirene wondered why she would risk being fired and leaving her family to starve.

“You taught me how to read. You might think it’s nothing special, but it was a tremendous thing for me. For servants like us, receiving teachings from someone we serve is an honor. I prepared so I wouldn’t get caught, but I was ready to be fired.”

“Why would you do that for something so…”

“It wasn’t just because of the reading lessons. You sometimes shared your food with me and gave me dolls to give to my sister. Thanks to you, I’ve sent many gifts home. When would my siblings ever receive such nice gifts otherwise?”

Gifts and food meant little to Eirene. At that time, everything was abundant. During meals, she saw Gemma swallowing her saliva and offered her a taste. 

She had so many dolls that it didn’t matter if a few disappeared, and she was already too old to play with them. As Gemma said, these were insignificant matters to Eirene.

“But I’m worried that my leaving the lock open might have caused you harm.”

“No, not at all.”

It wasn’t harm but help. Gemma had done what Eirene had desperately wished for, to the point of praying to God.

“Thank you. And I’m sorry.”

“Oh, please don’t say such things. I didn’t tell you this to hear words of gratitude or apology. I just wanted to let you know that there’s someone on your side in this mansion.”

Eirene was too surprised and moved to speak. 

On my side. Someone on my side. 

Who would have thought there would be someone on her side in the Phineas Mansion, where she hated everyone to the point of wanting to kill them? Suddenly, she remembered what God had said when reviving the dead Eirene.

“Eirene. In this life, you killed innocent people, so no further revenge is permitted.”

So you were the “innocent person” God mentioned. You were also the one who left the basement room’s lock open. 

Eirene felt suffocated and couldn’t say anything. At that time, she was consumed by anger and lost her reason. 

There were servants who mistreated and despised Eirene along with the Count and Countess, but there must have been others who didn’t, yet she couldn’t judge rationally. She thought everyone working for the Count’s family was an enemy. 

She wondered what other innocent people she had killed besides Gemma. She had indeed committed sins.

“Haah.”

With an exhale, Eirene sank into her seat.

“My lady! Are you alright?”

In Gemma’s concerned eyes, the candlelight disappeared, replaced by the rising sun shining through the window. Looking at it, Eirene’s eyes filled with tears.

* * *

Learning that Gemma had opened the basement room door increased her trustworthiness, but Eirene didn’t completely trust her yet. However, since Gemma knew much more about the mansion and the Phineas family than Eirene did, she decided to accept some help.

“As far as I know, there’s a secret space in father’s office. Do you know about it too?”

That was all Eirene revealed to Gemma. She concealed that Clive knew everything or that she dreamed of revenge against the Count and Countess.

“This is the first I’ve heard of a secret space. Shall I look into it?”

“We can’t get caught.”

“Of course. I’ll speak to the maid in charge of the office and offer to clean in her place.”

“You must be careful.”

“May I ask why you’re doing this?”

Seeing Eirene not answering, Gemma hastily added:

“I’m only asking because I’m worried it might be dangerous for you, my lady.”

“I need money. I’m living normally now, but you know how I’ve been living all this time. It’s a kind of preparation. I don’t want to go back to the basement room after my role as Aishe’s substitute ends. There’s no point in telling my parents my wishes since they won’t listen, so I’d rather leave the Count’s family. For that, I need money.”

“Ah, I understand what you mean.”

Eirene felt sorry for lying to Gemma, but she had no choice. Though she wanted to believe Gemma wouldn’t betray her, she needed an escape route in case her words reached the Count and Countess’s ears. 

There was no better excuse than money.