Chapter 15: If Lingering Feelings Continue

Leonard felt a chill run down his spine at the quiet resonance in Caelan’s voice. Though they were alone and Caelan’s face remained as calm as before, Leonard felt as if hundreds of invisible swords were pointed at him.

While Leonard remained silent, Caelan contemplated what he had just heard. He found it laughable how this man would badmouth Bliss despite harboring feelings for her. ‘There he goes, talking big with those predatory eyes, ready to snatch her up the moment I let her go.’

Caelan’s eyes narrowed with amusement as he considered his response.

“Before our marriage, there were certainly many rumors surrounding her.”

Caelan calmly met Leonard’s unwavering gaze. ‘He must be frantically trying to discern the truth behind my words.’

“But when I actually met her, she proved to be different. She was a charming woman who became excited over small gifts, loved flowers, and showed endearing moments of shyness. There’s nothing unfortunate about spending a lifetime with such a woman.”

Leonard’s expression grew increasingly rigid with each compliment about Bliss.

“If I had let rumors sway me from marrying her, I would have regretted it.”

Caelan stepped closer to Leonard.

“Sometimes I wonder… if someone spread those malicious rumors because they feared another might claim her…”

Leonard clenched his fist at this quiet musing.

“I won’t tell my wife what you said. After all, she would be hurt to feel betrayed by someone she trusted.”

Leonard’s face contorted in a satisfying way. On the surface, their conversation made it appear as though he was the one who had spoken ill of Bliss.

“Until we meet again.”

Having delivered his warning disguised as a threat, Caelan left as he had no further business. Out of courtesy, he pretended not to notice Leonard’s trembling fists.

After putting some distance between them, Caelan stopped walking. The composed expression he had maintained vanished, leaving only irritation.

“How arrogant.”

He would let it slide today, but he couldn’t guarantee his reaction if it happened again—both toward Viscount Leonard Jimilta and Bliss. Though he didn’t truly love Bliss, he refused to be made to look foolish.

“I should head back. Where’s Bliss?”

He no longer wished to remain at Viscount Jimilta’s mansion. He wanted to take Bliss and leave immediately.

“Bring her here.”

As Caelan turned after giving his order, he found the guard knight blocking his path, showing no intention of moving.

“The Madam has already left.”

Caelan’s eyebrows rose at the knight’s response.

“Why didn’t you stop her?”

Caelan glared disapprovingly at the knight for his incompetence in allowing this situation.

“I did try to stop her, but…”

The knight hesitated before deciding to report honestly.

“She asked us to make it appear as though she was returning home with you, My Lord.”

Caelan wore a dumbfounded expression at the notion that she had left first yet wanted it to seem they were leaving together.

‘First she ignores me, and now she leaves first?’

***

“The Marquis has also departed.”

Bliss nodded at the knight’s report.

Caelan’s sudden arrival had been problematic enough, but the return journey concerned her even more. She had felt uncomfortable about sharing a carriage with him right away. That was why she had left without waiting.

Yet she had asked them to make it appear as if they were leaving together. She wanted to avoid the servants’ welcome and enter directly, knowing she would arrive before Caelan.

‘If I can fall asleep before he arrives, I might make it through today.’

Bliss released a long sigh, unable to mask her exhaustion. Though uncertain of what he might say when they met tomorrow, she just wanted to rest for now.

***

“The Marquis and his wife will be here soon. Jackie, go prepare to attend to the Madam.”

Jackie, who had been about to leave the mansion, stopped and turned toward the maid who had addressed her. Mint, five years Jackie’s senior, was a well-established maid in the Marquis’s household.

Though Mint also served the Marchioness alongside Jackie, she often stepped back like this. She wasn’t alone in this behavior—the four other maids standing by did the same. Despite their duty to attend to the Marchioness, they remained rooted to their spots.

“But last time you complained about why I was the only one going in. So I thought we should go together…”

“Jackie.”

Mint raised her palm to stop Jackie from speaking. When Jackie looked at her, Mint simply shrugged her shoulders.

“You want us all to scurry about just because of that one comment?”

Jackie nodded.

“I’m worried we might get caught on some pretext and be punished.”

“The Madam has changed. She’s different now and very kind.”

“Well, if you’re so convinced of her kindness, why don’t you go attend to her yourself?”

Mint lightly tapped Jackie’s shoulder with her index finger, dismissing her concerns.

“Just keep doing what you’ve been doing. You attend to her, and if you need help, we’ll come in. How’s that?”

The other maids giggled at Mint’s gentle whisper. Recently, since Jackie had been handling most of the Madam’s needs, they’d enjoyed more breaks. Having tasted such leisure, they were reluctant to give it up.

Though unspoken, the maids’ poorly concealed snickers put pressure on Jackie. Already vulnerable as the youngest, and now outnumbered, she hunched her shoulders.

“But sister, you’re also a maid who should be attending to her.”

Jackie lifted her head in protest. Her fists were trembling at her sides, but at least she wasn’t clutching her skirt. Gathering what courage she could, Jackie spoke.

“The butler asks every day, doesn’t he? Whether the Madam hit us or not. She hasn’t been hitting us lately, so let’s attend to her together. Please?”

At Jackie’s plea, Mint’s laughter faded, replaced by a pitying look.

“Naive Jackie. You haven’t been at this job long enough to understand that nobles are fickle. Even if she’s kind now, can you guarantee it will last?”

“But…”

“You want to believe. So you keep attending to her.”

As Mint turned away with crossed arms, Jackie desperately tried to stop her.

“Sister.”

“That’s enough.”

Just as Jackie reached for Mint’s arm, she recoiled as Mint struck the back of her hand. Mint fixed Jackie with a cold glare.

“You think we’ve only suffered the Madam’s mistreatment once or twice? She might be nice now, but one wrong move and she’ll beat us again. We don’t trust the Madam. So you can serve her devotedly by yourself.”

As Jackie stood speechless, tears streaming down her face, Mint turned away with a sneer.

“Now go. Only call us if you’re overwhelmed attending to her alone. Don’t call us for anything else. Understood?”

“Well, that works out nicely.”

Mint, who had been intimidating Jackie, froze at the sudden voice.

No way.

It was someone who shouldn’t be here. Someone who absolutely shouldn’t have heard their conversation…

Terror filled Mint’s face as she slowly turned around.

“Ma-Madam.”

Mint collapsed to her knees at the sight of the Marchioness. She couldn’t comprehend how this had happened. The other maids quickly knelt beside her. The Marchioness, whom they’d expected to arrive later, had appeared without warning.

“I was actually considering reducing the number of maids around me…”

Mint hastily stammered an excuse.

“Ma-Madam. Th-that’s not what…”

“I know. You’re being cautious because you fear I might hit you. In your position, I would do the same.”

Bliss calmly articulated Mint’s thoughts.

“N-no, that’s not it. We’re not refusing to work.”

“No need to explain further. I heard you tell Jackie to call only when she’s overwhelmed.”

Bliss replied evenly. Seeing no signs of anger, Mint secretly released a relieved sigh. Though the Madam had been temperamental, she’d changed recently, so perhaps they would escape punishment.

“That’s precisely why I’m saying this.”

Bliss regarded Mint and the other maids with composed eyes.

“I don’t need anyone besides Jackie to attend to me, so I’ll reduce the staff. Jackie will be my dedicated maid.”

“Madam, we’re sorry. Please forgive us.”

Realizing their impending dismissal, Mint was first to kneel and beg forgiveness. The other maids quickly followed suit.

“There’s nothing to forgive. If anyone should apologize, it should be me. So please don’t apologize.”

The more Bliss spoke, the more despairing the maids’ expressions became. Though she showed no intention of striking them, their hearts grew heavier. They might have felt less uncomfortable if she had simply hit them, but the Marchioness maintained her calm demeanor.

“I’ll inform the butler to reassign your duties.”

“What? Madam. Madam!”

Mint called out to Bliss, desperately trying to change her mind, but the matter was settled. Bliss had turned away, ignoring them.

As Bliss departed, Jackie anxiously shifted from foot to foot before following her. The remaining maids sank to the floor one by one, overwhelmed with despair.

Serving as the lady’s personal maid was the most prestigious position for a maid. It meant greater recognition and influence among the staff. But now they had lost that position. Only Jackie, the youngest, had retained her place.

“We’re… ruined, aren’t we?”

Someone voiced what they all felt.