Chapter 9 – Part 4

“Baby, I’m sorry. You deserved better parents.”

Ronae stopped walking down the hallway, leaning against the windowsill as she quietly sobbed. It was a pitiful sight, but even in that moment, Bay wondered why she wasn’t crying in her room.

But that question was instantly cut off by Ronae’s next words, which slipped out in a murmur.

“After I give birth to you, should I just kill Gael? So that you… can completely escape from us.”

Bay was surprised by the chill that could be felt from an ordinary person. She had thought of Ronae as a frail young lady, but the determination in her words indicated a resolute decision. It was an intense aura, unexpected from someone with such a small frame.

‘Now that I think about it, the Marchioness also…’

Bay recalled the information Olivia had shared about Ronae.

“I don’t know the details, but it seems like Gael is neglecting Ronae. From what I see, this is a form of abuse. Abuse isn’t just physical violence.”

Olivia seemed more concerned about Ronae than Bay had anticipated.

“Even if you happen to see Ronae Bartram during your infiltration, try not to harm her. I don’t want to be her friend, but I don’t want us to become enemies either.”

Bay inwardly admired Olivia. It would have been understandable for Olivia to dislike or despise Ronae, but she felt none of those emotions.

Moreover, despite being deceived by the Duke of Marsden not long ago, Olivia was more concerned about Ronae’s well-being than anything else.

‘I should pretend I didn’t hear that.’

While she could have used Ronae, Olivia’s instructions were just as important as the mission. Bay decided to turn around and head in a different direction.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry I dragged you into this hell.”

But Ronae’s sobbing voice made Bay hesitate.

“I’m really sorry for making such a terrible mistake that brought you so much unhappiness. But… I will stop one thing. I won’t marry your father.”

Marriage?

Bay pricked up her ears. She knew Ronae was Gael’s fiancée, but if she was so determined to avoid the marriage, could it mean the wedding was imminent? Bay quickly calculated. Olivia had given one last order.

“If you can bring Ronae out, do so. But don’t attempt it if it seems too dangerous.”

Bay glanced at the weeping Ronae. Even though she had carefully disguised herself, there was little chance of being recognized, but she still had to consider if it was worth the risk.

Ronae was pregnant, and getting her out would be no easy feat. It would be odd for a servant to take a noble young lady out alone, and persuading Ronae to leave would be highly risky. Even if Ronae harbored hatred toward Gael, there was still a high chance she would remain loyal to him.

‘What should I do…’

Searching alone would be much safer, but it would be difficult to gain anything substantial. Perhaps it would be better to win Ronae over and extract information.

“Sir Bay, I’m counting on you. I’m always grateful.”

But every time she thought about playing it safe, Olivia’s warm words came to mind.

Bay often thought that he didn’t want to become Olivia’s enemy, not just because Olivia was formidable but because he wanted to continue seeing her kindness.

Watching her once delicate and fragile master grow stronger was one of life’s great joys.

“My lady?”

And so Bay ultimately chose to take the challenge. He took out a worn handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Ronae.

“I’m a new servant who just started today. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“A servant…?”

Ronae, though surprised, accepted Bay’s handkerchief. Her eyes were red and her complexion pale from crying so much.

“Yes, my lady. I was recommended by Sir Reed and I came in as a cleaning servant. I apologize for intruding, but you seemed very distressed.”

Ronae fiddled with the handkerchief. It was just a scrap of cloth, but she handled it as if it were a precious gift.

“You said your name is Vivi?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Surely… you must have been instructed not to speak to me unless you’re one of my personal maids. Why are you helping me?”

Her words were sharp, but her tone was soft. Bay answered honestly.

“In fact… that’s how my previous master taught me. Never pass by someone who’s crying. Even if they’re your enemy, look into their hearts at least once.”

It wasn’t a lie. The previous Marquis of Charbert had indeed said that. Ronae looked at Bay for a moment and then smiled faintly, as if she understood.

“You had a good master. Thank you. I wasn’t trying to scold you; it’s just that no one approaches me because they’re afraid they’ll get hurt.”

“Get hurt by being near you, my lady?”

“That man… is very sensitive when it comes to me. He doesn’t like it when anyone talks to me unless they’re my personal maid.”

What a brute, Bay thought frankly. Ronae pressed the handkerchief to her eyes.

“But even those personal maids don’t really like me. Gael will probably give them a hard time. Thinking about that, I know I shouldn’t hide like this, but my heart felt so suffocated that I couldn’t help it.”

Regardless of her feelings toward Ronae, this was another moment where Bay realized that Gael Abyss was not a good person. As Bay pondered over her words, Ronae grabbed his hand.

“…?”

As Bay looked at her questioningly, Ronae lowered her hand and took out a crumpled piece of paper from her sleeve. She unfolded it and handed it to Bay, who was shocked.

“W-Why are you giving this to me?”

Ronae gently withdrew her hand and placed the paper inside the handkerchief, then folded it over. The paper was nothing other than a large check.

“If it’s discovered that you spoke to me, you’ll be whipped, and that’s not something a new servant would endure. Trusting in Sir Reed’s recommendation would be even more foolish. No one truly trusts each other in this mansion.”

Ronae pressed the neatly folded handkerchief into Bay’s hand. Bay was taken aback. Ronae, as if understanding, held Bay’s hand tightly.

“You just said it, didn’t you? Don’t walk past someone who’s crying, and even if they’re an enemy, try to understand their heart. That’s something the late Marquis Charbert said, isn’t it?”

“…That is…”

“It’s alright. I heard him say it in passing at the garden party, and I just remembered it. It could be a mistake on my part, but I’m taking a gamble.”

Ronae, as if pleading, raised her other hand and firmly clasped Bay’s hands.

“Please, if you’re with the Marchioness, make sure to deliver what I have to say. And if you’re not, please, even for the sake of this large sum of money, grant me my request. It’s to convey something I haven’t been able to say yet.”

By remaining silent, Bay accepted Ronae’s proposal. With Ronae still holding Bay’s hands, she spoke.

“Gael is a murderer.”

“What?”

“The person who attacked the Marchioness in Kettlelin Forest… it was Gael Abyss. There’s a hidden room in the study, and the evidence should be there. He tried to kill the Marchioness.”

* * *

Dragging her ailing body back to Flatd Castle, Olivia received the rare good news that Bay had brought.

“There’s evidence in the study that Gael attacked me?”

“There was a room on the east side of the study with magical symbols scrawled all over it. However, I don’t know how it was opened. I thought about investigating it alone, but then I heard the news from Flatd Castle.”

“Hah… right.”

Just a few minutes ago, Olivia had received a report from a knight of Flatd Castle that Katlan had launched an attack. They accused her of failing to address the bombing theft incident, warning that if she didn’t explain herself soon, they would consider it a declaration of war.

The royal family was perplexed. It was true that Olivia had made mistakes, but they were puzzled by the unusually sharp tone, unlike previous incidents. It felt as if they were trying to divert attention from something else.

“Isn’t the timing suspicious? As soon as we discover the attacker’s identity, this happens?”

“That’s why I’m having other knights investigate. I suspect this might also be Gael Abyss’s doing.”

“Hah, understood. Bay, there are Sir Illehan and Glenn here, so please focus on Abyss. If that bastard really is the attacker, there must be something he doesn’t want me to find out.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Bay bowed to Olivia and began to leave. However, he soon returned to Olivia.

“My Lady, could it be that…”

“Not now.”

Olivia cut him off firmly, as if she knew what Bay was about to say. However, she gently patted Bay’s shoulder.

“It’s the most important thing, but let’s catch everything else first. I don’t intend to overlook a single crime.”

“Yes, I will investigate thoroughly.”

Bay vowed and then cautiously asked.

“Is the Duke at the mansion?”

“Yes, I said I’d kill him if I left.”

It made sense why she had spoken so harshly. The Duke cared more about Olivia than he did about himself, so he must have been beyond worried when she went out to handle things in her injured state.

“Bay, if Gael attacked me and even orchestrated Katlan’s attack, things are going to get tough for a while. So I’m counting on you.”

Moved by Olivia’s sincere words, Bay bowed deeply in respect. He made a vow as if he were pledging her loyalty.

“We will not leave your side, My Lady. You are someone who deserves our unwavering loyalty.”