| Chapter 18

The woman with the prim expression raised her eyebrow and led the way, unable to bring herself to offer to do it for me. I diligently memorized the path.

The laundry area was a small annex connected to the back of the mansion, which seemed to be where the maids stayed. As I hung the cloak on the clothesline, I could feel the gazes and whispers. They were probably talking about how I was a suspect in their master’s murder and how I had slept in the mansion instead of the maid’s quarters.

What would become of me? Would I become a maid of the Bickman family?

If so, this situation wasn’t good. I should have slept in their quarters last night and woken up with them.

Observing the atmosphere, I followed the woman back into the mansion. The mansion, bathed in sunlight, felt even larger and more magnificent. I almost tripped while admiring the chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

I could tell the place the woman was guiding me to was the dining room even before we arrived. As soon as the appetizing smell wafted through, my stomach started making strange noises as if it had been waiting. I walked with a slightly hunched posture to try to muffle the sound.

“Honestly, I always say not to overcook the eggs.”

“I’m sorry, young mas—, I mean, master. I’ll make them again.”

The man serving quickly bowed his head, changing his form of address. I could see Kirhin sitting at the end of the long dining table.

His shirt, with an extraordinary design, had billowing cuffs that gave it an extravagant feel despite its simple white color. Under his messy red hair, I could see his mouth stretched wide in a yawn.

Although he looked completely unguarded, as if he didn’t care about others’ eyes at all, the charm that exuded from such naturalness actually enhanced his appearance even more.

“It’s fine, I’m hungry. And make sure the dessert is something sweet. I’m going back to bed after eating.”

“There’s a lot to prepare for the funeral.”

“Brook can take care of that. Just give me the visitor list, and I’ll discuss it with my brother to write the invitations. That’s the most important thing, isn’t it? Deciding which of Father’s lovers to invite and which to ignore. That will determine how peaceful Father’s funeral will be.”

The butler, Brook, dressed impeccably in a black suit, had an expression that seemed unable to laugh or cry. Kirhin’s words weren’t wrong. Moreover, Kirhin was the only one in this household who could best understand the social situation and the delicate feelings of such women.

“Master. I’ve brought the guest.”

At the woman’s words, Kirhin and the butler’s gazes flew towards me at once. Having never encountered nobles other than Kirhin in my life, I didn’t know how to behave. I awkwardly bent my knees and bowed my head.

“Master.”

“Ugh, good heavens. Don’t call me that while wearing those clothes.”

Suddenly shuddering, Kirhin stood up from his seat. I flinched as the tall man approached without hesitation. Noticing my tension, he showed his teeth in a friendly smile.

“As expected, the clothes are a bit big. Nina, after the meal, take Lucy’s measurements and alter a few more outfits. The ones from Father’s room, I mean.”

“Yes, master.”

Nina had her hands clasped politely in front of her, but for a brief moment, her gaze that swept over me was sharp. Feeling as if I was being told to behave properly, I quickly opened my mouth.

“Um, these clothes are too fancy and inconvenient for work. If you could just give me a maid’s uniform, I’ll alter it myself and wear it.”

“They’re not even that fancy. The ones Father bought for his lovers are a bit high-end. That one is what my lover left behind. It might be unpleasant, but try to understand. There are no women in this house, so that was the only clothing immediately available to give you.”

Even as my mind went blank, my eyes scanned the maids around. The fact that they weren’t ‘women’ to Kirhin at least meant that he didn’t lay hands on the maids.

Moreover, I could also guess his preferences. The dress I was wearing was so large in the chest area that I had to pin it.

“Still, to work in clothes like these…”

“After seeing you today, I’m certain. I won’t use you as a maid.”

My body stiffened at his sudden declaration. Didn’t he clearly say yesterday that I would stay here for the time being? I clenched my fists with a pale face.

“I know it’s shameless, but could you perhaps write me a letter of recommendation for another household? It’s a very important matter for me.”

I may have gotten out of prison, but now that I had the label of possibly having killed a nobleman, no one might give me work.

If I couldn’t earn money by working, there were only two choices left to survive. Become a beggar or sell my body as a woman.

But if I had a recommendation from this noble family, it would be a different story. I might even be able to enter an even wealthier household than before. No, I didn’t even hope for that much; I just wanted to be able to work. I needed a place to belong.

“Everyone, leave us alone except for Lucy.”

Waving his hand as he returned to his seat, Kirhin smiled and tapped his glass with a fork. As people dispersed, I was left alone with him in the spacious dining room.

Feeling tense, I quickly approached when I saw him gesture. Kirhin covered his mouth with his palm and whispered softly.

“If you answer my questions honestly, I’ll write you a recommendation.”

“Ask me anything.”

I lowered my head slightly to hear him better. Kirhin’s voice tickled my ear.

“How do you know that person from yesterday?”

That question immediately tightened my nerves, which had been relaxed from just waking up. For a moment, many thoughts raced through my mind. Although the relationship between the two that I witnessed last night seemed amicable, I decided to be cautious.

“We’re not acquainted.”

“You’re not acquainted?”

Kirhin ran his hand through his hair and crossed his arms in displeasure.

“So you’re saying you clung to and cried over a stranger until you collapsed?”

“Yesterday was a difficult day.”

I answered as politely as possible with my head lowered, but from the ensuing silence, I knew he didn’t believe me.

The previously friendly atmosphere seemed to freeze in an instant. Clicking his tongue, Kirhin lifted my chin with his finger. His blue eyes, now colder, were staring at me as if to pierce through me.

“You think you can get a recommendation from the Bickman baron family with such an answer? You’re looking down on the world too much, Lucy.”

But his mockery wasn’t very frightening. This was simply a matter of power dynamics. Judging from yesterday’s attitude, Kirhin was clearly the weaker one in front of the priest. So choosing between the two was an easy decision.

Of course, if asked whether that was more important than my recommendation…

“If you give me something other than a recommendation, I’ll answer.”

Kirhin’s eyes widened as I spoke quietly. He soon leaned back and burst into loud laughter. It was laughter that erupted from deep within his belly.

“You, haha, you really are a child who thinks of the unthinkable. To propose a deal! Alright, what do you want?”

“Let me stay in this house.”

Seeing the smile fade from his face, I regretted it for a moment, but I trusted him.

Kirhin was curious about my relationship with the priest, and yesterday he had clearly instructed Nina that I would stay here for a while. So if I showed how diligent I was while staying here, there was a good chance he would take me in as a maid.

“Honestly.”

Kirhin took a light breath and raised the corner of his mouth crookedly.

“I didn’t know you were this cunning.”

“I have to survive.”

And it was you who made me live on in this hell-like world.

When I met his gaze with such eyes, something flashed across Kirhin’s face, as if he had thought of something. I raised my chin slightly, hoping to play on his guilt. The bruise on my neck had darkened to a point where it couldn’t be ignored unless one was blind.

As expected, his eyes swept over the bruise on my neck. Kirhin sighed, “Oh boy,” and tapped his foot.

“Fine. So answer. How do you know each other?”

“We’re not acquainted.”

Kirhin blinked blankly at my unchanged answer.

“You said you’d answer properly…”

“I am answering properly. I’m not acquainted with him. I don’t know his name or where he lives.”

“Lucy!”

Unable to contain his anger, Kirhin sprang up from his seat. As I looked up at him with an innocent face, a low laugh came from behind.

“It’s amusing to see you being played by a child, but that’s enough.”

My head and Kirhin’s turned simultaneously. A man wearing a cloak so similar to the one I had hung on the clothesline was approaching, as if he had put on the very same one.

He had pulled his hood down deeply, casting a shadow over his face, but the shadows it created actually made his features stand out even more clearly. I heard my heart skip a small beat.