Chapter 32: Undoubtedly a Man in Love 

The weather had warmed enough for a long walk, so Eirene went outside with Gemma. After circling the garden, they stood at a distance to look at the mansion. The Phineas Mansion appeared peaceful, as if nothing had happened yesterday. 

During breakfast, the head maid had asked Eirene for time to apologize, but she refused. Several others came afterward, but she sent them away too. Gemma informed her that the servants had gathered to talk last night and most couldn’t sleep. 

Eirene was satisfied that the expected reactions came promptly, though she felt somewhat bitter. Well, they’re human too. People who become strong before the weak and weak before the strong. 

Some servants would cower before Aishe’s fierce temper, then pour out the same treatment on Eirene who accepted everything. The days when a maid’s slaps were harshest were the days Aishe had been most tyrannical. Now everything had flipped with Clive’s choice. 

Things were completely different from when she was merely pretending to be Clive’s fiancée in Aishe’s place. After leaving the basement, the head maid’s abuse had stopped, but the disrespect remained. 

Eirene hadn’t expected them to come directly seeking forgiveness right after yesterday’s events. She decided to ignore them for now. A few days of this would make them even more anxious. 

This was the clearest her mind had been since leaving the basement. Eirene passed through the heavy main gate of the Phineas Mansion and headed toward the forest. Walking through a place she had always passed by carriage felt new.

“The weather is nice.”

She took a deep breath, inhaling the forest scent.

“Yes. But you should be careful of your health. It’s easy to catch a cold in weather like this.”

“Alright. I’ll remember. By the way, Gemma, when did you start working at the Phineas Mansion?”

“Six years ago.”

“I see. How did you come to work there?”

“I went to an employment agency and said I wanted to work somewhere with high pay, no matter what.”

Gemma had gone through quite a complicated process to join the Phineas household. The agency that recommended the Phineas family repeatedly warned her that she needed to be tight-lipped and obtained her confirmation. 

Most nobles disliked their household matters leaking outside, so this was common knowledge for all servants, not just Gemma. 

Nevertheless, they checked and double-checked, and only after thoroughly investigating Gemma’s hometown and family did they allow her to join the Phineas household. After arriving, she also had to sign an employment contract and a confidentiality agreement.

“Can you tell me what was in the confidentiality agreement?”

“It was simple. I must not disclose anything that happens in the mansion to outsiders and must maintain confidentiality even after my employment ends. There was also a clause stating that if I’m caught revealing information, I must return all compensation received and pay a fine.”

The punishment for disclosure seemed surprisingly light.

“It doesn’t seem like Count Phineas to have such a mild penalty. A servant knowing the Phineas family’s circumstances could blackmail them if they wanted, and if even one person revealed information outside, the family would be in danger.”

“Given how long they’ve kept things hidden, I suppose it’s worked. Though His Highness the Grand Duke eventually found out.”

Clive had discovered the fiancée switch through his intuition, not from someone’s disclosure. Current servants might keep secrets, but it would be difficult to maintain confidentiality after leaving the mansion, yet everyone seemed tight-lipped.

“Do you know who has worked at the mansion the longest?”

“Me. Oh, and Betty too. Betty arrived slightly before me.”

Six years being the longest service period seemed odd. In the Phineas Mansion’s situation, wouldn’t it make sense to keep employees for as long as possible?

“Do you have contact with any former servants who left during your time?”

“No. Once people leave the mansion, contact is cut off. Besides, there’s no reason to stay in touch, and meeting would inevitably lead to mansion talk, which we avoid. Should I ask Betty if she knows anyone?”

“No. I’ll ask her myself.”

There seemed to be another reason the Phineas family’s secrets had been maintained for so long. The Count wouldn’t have managed things so carelessly. 

Eirene lifted the veil of her hat and raised her eyes. The sun didn’t sting as badly as before, suggesting she was gradually adapting to sunlight.

* * *

Zeus’s ear had healed completely. When Eirene touched it, the bleeding stopped, and overnight the flesh had regenerated. She patted her back lightly and examined her hands, turning them back and forth. 

Though it was her own ability, she found it remarkable. Perhaps this power was why someone wanted to switch bodies with Aishe? There was still much she didn’t understand.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore, does it?”

When she touched Zeus’s face, she showed affection by licking her hand with her long tongue.

“You shouldn’t do this with just anyone. You should only trust and follow your master. What if I like it too? No, that’s not right.”

She wasn’t in a position to say such things to Zeus when she herself had trusted and followed her family only to be betrayed. Zeus was in the same situation. Her trusted master had cut off her ear. 

Though Eirene had immediately rejected Siaran’s suggestion to keep Zeus, she now felt reluctant to send her away. A dog that earns her keep by being fed and loved. 

Whatever “earning his keep” meant, it probably wasn’t much different from having her ear cut off for someone’s benefit. 

You just need to stay by your master’s side, eat well, play well, and then leave.

“You poor thing. You’ve found yourself a terrible guardian.”

Though she hadn’t grown attached in just one day, seeing Zeus being used somehow reminded her of herself, and it troubled her.

* * *

“Miss, please extend your arms to the sides.”

Eirene spread her arms sideways at Scarlet’s instruction. She had come to be fitted for a wedding dress at Clive’s insistence that she needed new measurements since she’d gained weight. 

Properly, the Countess Phineas should have accompanied her for wedding attire preparations, but behind the closed door was her fiancé, Clive. Being with him was preferable to the Countess, as neither would benefit from each other’s company.

“This is the first time a groom has come along for a wedding dress fitting!”

An employee spoke in an excited voice as though she were the bride herself, promptly followed by Scarlet’s harsh scolding.

“Be quiet. Have you already forgotten that you shouldn’t speak about anything other than work? Leave immediately.”

There was no forgiveness for the apologetic employee. After sending her out, another employee entered.

“I apologize. Despite our constant reminders, these incidents occasionally occur. We will educate our staff more thoroughly to prevent this from happening again.”

Honestly, Eirene was about to say it was fine but stopped herself. After all, Scarlet was the shop owner, and she didn’t want to undermine her authority in front of her employees.

“I think she was just surprised. Don’t be too hard on her.”

“Thank you for understanding. But should we keep your visit for a wedding dress fitting confidential?”

Only four days had passed since the proposal, and neither Clive nor Count Phineas had announced it publicly. Eirene considered consulting Clive first but shook her head. After all, Clive had already proudly announced at the shop that he was here for a wedding outfit.

“It’s good news for both His Highness and me, so there’s no reason to hide it.”

It seemed better for rumors to spread quickly throughout the empire.

“Alright. Congratulations once again, Miss Eirene.”

She hoped the news would spread far by tomorrow. Even better if Aishe learned that everyone in the empire knew. After Eirene finished her measurements and went outside, Clive, who had been drinking tea, patted the seat beside him. 

She sat next to him, choosing fabrics together and telling Scarlet what designs she wanted. Scarlet and her employees looked both pleased and envious at how Clive completely deferred to Eirene’s wishes. Has the rogue prince finally found his proper match? 

Some people clicked their tongues at him for causing trouble wherever he went, but his handsome face and strong, massive physique made him popular with women. Even women who feared him secretly hoped to catch his eye. 

Since some married men kept mistresses or lovers, his engagement news hadn’t discouraged them, but who would have thought he’d be so smitten with his fiancée? 

He removed a strand of hair stuck to Eirene’s face and never let go of her hand. He was undoubtedly a man in love.

* * *

After leaving Scarlet’s shop and moving to a private location, Eirene sat down and brought up a subject.

“Finding out where Count Phineas used the money might take time.”

She had thoroughly searched his office and other parts of the mansion without success.

“I’m worried we need to find it before the wedding.”

“Do what you can, and if it doesn’t work, we can try other methods. Don’t overexert yourself.”

“I’m trying to find someone among the servants who might know. However, the longest-serving staff are Gemma and Betty, who’ve only worked there for six years. I can’t guarantee anyone knows more than they do.”

“Six years is short.”

Eirene told him about the confidentiality agreement Gemma had mentioned and shared her thoughts.

“The punishment for revealing secrets is weak, and people must have changed constantly since I was young, yet everything has remained quiet. Plus, I would be perfect leverage for blackmailing the Count.”

“The reason secrets haven’t leaked from former employees, why people remain quiet even after hearing rumors about you, why the agreement’s punishment is light. I think I know why.”

Clive leaned back on the sofa, resting his chin on his hand and slowly rolling his eyes. Eirene looked directly at his face, seeking the answer to this difficult puzzle. He had easily figured out what she couldn’t understand.

“It’s possible if you eliminate them.”

Ah. The answer was indeed simple. There was only one reason the Phineas Mansion’s secrets had been maintained since Eirene’s birth. 

They made servants sign confidentiality agreements, but the penalties were light because they planned to kill them anyway. Making them disappear from the world while keeping the secrets. It was the cleanest method.

“It’s not difficult to make excuses to families about accidents or illnesses. Give them some money as compensation, and they’re unlikely to be suspicious.”

“That’s exactly like Count Phineas.”

“Count Phineas is far more cruel and frightening than you imagine. Always be careful.”

That’s why Clive wanted to get Eirene out of the Phineas Mansion. But he could see she wouldn’t leave. He found himself in the same position as Madam Hannon and Ulik, who couldn’t dissuade him from danger despite knowing the risks. 

Though he didn’t know what plans she had made, he didn’t want to stop Eirene from doing what she intended. He didn’t have the right yet.

“Oh, I looked into the Pope.”

Eirene suddenly brought up the topic.

“So the current Pope, His Holiness Sebastian, threatens the imperial family?”

“Yes. Eirene.”

Clive called her name softly.

“Are you sleeping properly?”

“We’re talking about the Pope. Why bring up sleep?”

“Answer my question first. How much do you sleep each day?”

Even without seeing it, he could imagine how Eirene lived at the mansion. He worried she might be reducing her sleep to investigate and research various matters.

“My sleep time is sufficient, so let’s continue talking about the Pope. On what basis do you think he’s a threat?”

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you after you meet Sebastian.”

The man responsible for making Clive step down from the Crown Prince position. A different face hidden behind a benevolent countenance. Someone wielding power greater than the Emperor. 

There were countless ways to describe Sebastian.

“Anyway, you’re sleeping well, right?”

“Yes. Why are you so curious about that?”

“Because I’m worried.”

“Rather than worrying about my sleep, you should be concerned about how much information I’ve gathered on the Phineas family. You should be urging me to find out more, even if it means reducing my sleep.”

Clive was at a loss for words as Eirene spoke with complete incomprehension.