The laughter escaped before she could stop it — it was a reflex.

Anyone in her position would have found it hard to hold back. From the moment Martiana appeared, Ramelata’s lips had been twitching as she tried to suppress it. That was precisely why she had forced herself to appear gentle and warm.

Otherwise, she might have burst out laughing right then and there.

After all, Martiana was the lady of the house and her superior in rank. It would not do to laugh openly in her face.

‘But what can I do?’

It was obvious.

‘You came to see the child, didn’t you?’

The way her gaze darted straight to the toy bag the moment she arrived—how could anyone miss it?

She had already heard the rumors.

‘That she lost her child and her mind along with it.’

Truthfully, that was why Ramelata had once asked Drisena to remove Martiana from the estate.

A madwoman could not be allowed near a child.

Who knew what she might do to her son?

“Ah… Were you looking for Alex? He did come with me, but he isn’t here right now.”

“Pardon?”

A bewildered reply came at once.

Ramelata covered her mouth with her hand and shrugged. The laughter continued to leak through her fingers, threatening to spill out again.

“It’s just that—he’s not here at the moment. Mm.”

She bore no personal grudge against Martiana. In truth, they had never established a close enough relationship for that.

Even in the past, their paths had barely crossed.

One was the daughter of a temple that had produced High Priests for generations — a princess of the faith. The other was the daughter of a provincial lord whose territory was so obscure that one would need a map to find it.

They only exchanged names when Ramelata entered the capital’s social circle. Even then, they never became close. It was only after their engagements were announced and their weddings celebrated that they got to know each other properly.

In any case, Martiana had once been a remarkable and renowned woman.

There had even been times when Ramelata had envied her.

And now—

‘How pitiful.’

Was it not tragic?

To abandon one’s own child and grow desperate over someone else’s.

It was laughable.

Call it mockery if you wished. It would not be inaccurate.

‘How pathetic.’

Her gaze travelled slowly from head to toe over Martiana, her feelings unmistakable.

There was no trace of pity.

What Ramelata felt was something far more singular: superiority. The quiet pride of possessing what the other lacked. In this one regard, she stood above her.

That was the source of her smile. The brightness in her voice came from the same place. She could not help but feel buoyant.

The way Martiana’s expression shifted ever so slightly with each word she spoke was quietly entertaining, too.

“What do you mean by that? You said he came with you, yet he isn’t here? Did you send the child somewhere else?”

“Something like that.”

At Martiana’s sharp question, Ramelata nodded lightly.

“You left a young child alone without a guardian? As far as I know, you have no connections in the capital.”

“Well… I wouldn’t say alone.”

He sent him back. Before entering the estate.

Ramelata’s eyes rolled once within their sockets.

She recalled the message Drisena’s messenger had delivered midway.

“Martiana has returned. She’s speaking again!”

She was startled when she received it.

If she not known about it, she might have entered the estate as usual with the child at her side.

If that had happened, Martiana would have encountered the child when she came out to greet them.

‘That must never happen.’

It wasn’t just because Martiana’s mind was said to be unstable.

Others might not have noticed, but that woman would have.

Martiana.

A woman bearing the sacred bloodline of the temple.

She would immediately recognize what Ramelata had concealed.

More than that—

‘I need to obtain the materials quickly.’

Two things were required for the child’s treatment: blood and hair from someone of holy lineage.

She did not know why these were necessary, but if the physician demanded them, she would find a way to obtain them.

Impatience burned within her.

By now, the treatment should have been finished, and she should have returned to Pumilum.

‘I should have killed you back then.’

If she done so, she would not be wrestling with this now.

Ramelata clicked her tongue in irritation. Nothing had gone her way since she arrived in the capital.

The only satisfying thing—

“Sister-in-law, you look well.”

That alone.

Although Martiana’s expression had stiffened, her face still showed vitality.

Perhaps anger was heating her blood.

Either way, she looked quite fresh.

“Stop changing the subject. I’m asking where the child is.”

“Changing the subject? I merely said what came to mind.”

“Countess, leaving a young child unattended for long is neglect. Go and bring your child back at once.”

“Oh. Is that so.”

Ramelata murmured carelessly at Martiana’s insistence.

Neglect or not, her thoughts were no longer occupied by the child.

They were filled entirely with Martiana.

‘How shall I k*ll you?’

When would be best?

The physician had grown increasingly impatient each time she visited the treatment chamber.

‘Now?’

It wasn’t a bad idea.

When would she find herself this close to Martiana alone again?

True, a maid was lingering nearby.

But she could be dealt with, too.

Ah, what a perfect opportunity!

‘Shall I?’

She didn’t need to k*ll her outright.

A quick stab to draw blood, followed by a single cut to her hair, would suffice.

It would all be over in an instant.

Ramelata slipped her hand inside her thick coat, her fingers brushing the blade she carried for protection.

Meanwhile, Martiana continued to press her for an answer. Ramelata let the words drift past her, barely listening, as she stepped closer, waiting for the perfect moment.

Let’s see.

One step.

Two.

This distance should be enough.

Having measured the space, Ramelata slowly drew the blade from her coat.

And in that very instant—

“Martiana?”

A figure appeared at the end of the corridor.

‘Ah. D*mn.’

Siliar Vandyk

Captain of the Constabulary.

He was the one person who must never find out what she was about to do.

***

The commotion died down in an instant.

Although it could not be described as loud, to Siliar, who had followed Martiana all the way to the entrance, the scene before him felt exactly that.

His wife had rushed out of the dining hall the moment she heard the butler speak.

—and the guest staying at the estate.

He did not know what had passed between them. But he could tell that something was wrong with Martiana.

Anxiety. Restlessness. Urgency. Bewilderment.

Although none of these emotions were clearly visible on her face, Siliar understood her state at once.

“What is it?”

He stepped to her side and asked. As he placed a steadying hand on her shoulder, her gaze shifted to him.

“Siliar.”

“What happened?”

“I was speaking with the Countess of Pumilum. She returned alone.”

“Alone?”

The word struck him precisely. Siliar’s gaze shifted towards Ramelata.

Although Martiana had phrased it indirectly, he immediately understood its meaning.

The nephew he had previously met was absent. Alex, was it?

“It’s late. What happened?”

His tone grew firmer, partly because Martiana had spoken, but also because of an experience-shaped instinct.

It was late.

A mother arrived alone.

A child had been left behind.

He had seen too many similar cases. The fact that it involved a young child made him even more alert.

Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Ramelata’s smile stiffened.

“Please don’t look at me so seriously. Do you think I abandoned my son? Of course not. I teased my sister-in-law because she was so startled. Alex is at the hospital.”

“The hospital? Is he ill?”

Ramelata gave a short answer, glancing at Martiana who had cut in.

“He has a lung disease.”

“I came to the capital after finding a renowned physician who can treat him. I met with the doctor today, so I returned briefly to collect my belongings. Mother asked me to stay until then.”

“Is it serious? Which hospital?”

The moment Ramelata finished, Martiana pressed again—her entire body trembling as she spoke.

Siliar tightened his hold on her instinctively.

“Martiana.”

“Why? If someone in the family is ill, I should visit. I’ll go tomorrow if I must. Tell me where.”

“Well… as I said, it’s a lung disease. It would be unfortunate if it spread. You’ve only just recovered yourself. Once Alex regains his health, I’ll bring him again.”

With that, Ramelata picked up the bag from the floor.

A clear sign she would not continue the conversation.

Realizing this, Martiana reached out to her urgently.

“Wait—”

“As you said, I cannot leave the child alone. I’ll inform Mother separately. Until then.”

“Wait—!”

Martiana moved to follow as Ramelata stepped out of the estate, her pace urgent.

If Siliar not caught her, she might have climbed into the carriage as well.

“Enough, Martiana.”

He held her firmly.

“Do not go any further.”

His voice was low, restrained.