Chapter 10 – Part 1

“My Lady!”

At that moment, Mila’s voice was heard. Mila and Becky quickly approached where Eliana was.

“Did you have a good trip?”

Mila asked. She soon noticed that Eliana didn’t look well and showed a concerned expression.

“My Lady, is something wrong? You don’t look well.”

“No, it’s nothing. I slept poorly last night, so I’m a bit tired.”

Eliana made an excuse.

“Was everything fine at home?”

In response to Eliana’s question, Mila informed her that Matilda had thrown a significant fit the previous night, which led to a fierce argument with Count Austin.

“The atmosphere at home is a bit tense, My Lady.“

“I see.“

“What’s all this?”

Becky asked.

“It’s a gift in return for the cookies I brought. Let’s go inside and share it.“

“Oh my, can we have some?“

“Of course.”

Becky smiled brightly as she gathered the boxes in her arms.

Upon entering the house, the atmosphere felt subdued, just as the maids had mentioned. Oliver greeted them, asking if they had returned safely. Count Austin stepped out of his room. Eliana greeted him.

“Come to the room for a moment, Eliana.”

Eliana followed her father into the room, placing one of the boxes on the table before sharing the rest with the maids.

“What’s that?”

“It’s chocolate from the servants at the Vartica mansion.“

“I won’t eat it, so put it away.“

‘Is he upset because I went despite him telling me not to? Or is he still attached to the idea of Benroze Academy?’

Eliana moved the chocolate over to the sofa. There was no need to force it on someone who didn’t want it, especially when plenty of others would appreciate it.

“Did Duke Calix bring you home?“

“Yes.“

“I can’t for the life of me understand why the duke keeps showing us favor.”

The count openly expressed his dislike for Calix.

“We’re friends.”

As she spoke of their friendship, Eliana recalled the incident from earlier. Saying they were just friends felt wrong now, as Calix had already clarified that he wanted something more.

“Eliana, you’re not ten years old.“

“I know.“

“Stop going in and out of the Vartica mansion under the guise of friendship. It does neither you nor our family any good. Besides, it’s not like he will marry you, right?”

Her father spoke, unaware she had just turned down his marriage proposal.

“If you keep visiting other people’s homes in your current situation, rumors will only grow, harming you. I’m telling you this for your own good. You should spend your time in places that will benefit your future.“

“Are we talking about Benroze Academy again? I’ve already told you, Father, I won’t go.“

“Last night, I discussed with your mother how we should handle your education.“

“Mother’s opinions don’t help me at all. She should spend her time looking after Paul since he’ll probably be up to no good again after being kicked out.”

At that moment, the door flew open with a bang, and Matilda stormed into the room.

“Countess, I’m speaking with Eliana,“ the count tried to calm her, but Matilda only glared at Eliana.

“You’re slandering Paul again! Don’t you dare speak ill of him! He’s a much better child than you.“

“Is that so? Well, I’ve never committed fraud. And I’ve never deceived my father, either.”

Matilda trembled with rage.

“How dare you wag your tail and frequent a bachelor noble’s house. That’s far more disgraceful than making a mistake in business. The one he should be watching isn’t Paul; it’s you—you’re just like your mother, spreading yourself around.”

Eliana shot up from her chair. Matilda had insulted the mother she had never met, a woman she only knew through a portrait.

“Apologize for what you just said.“

“Why should I?“

“Apologize!”

Eliana shouted. Sparks flew between their glaring eyes.

“I won’t apologize! If anyone should apologize, it’s you. You insulted my son and trapped him in a situation where he can’t move!”

Smack!

Matilda, overwhelmed by her fury, slapped Eliana across the face.

‘To slap me at this moment, and in front of Father, no less.’

As Matilda raised her hand to strike again, Eliana grabbed her wrist and shoved her aside.

“Don’t touch me. If you lay a hand on me again, I won’t let it slide.”

Matilda, undeterred, lunged at Eliana.

“You wicked girl!”

In her blind rage, Matilda knocked Eliana to the ground, causing chaos. The maids and the butler rushed in, separating the two. Though Eliana had been slapped, it was Matilda who looked more disheveled.

“Oh my, Madam.”

A maid hastily wiped the blood from Matilda’s nose with a handkerchief.

“Count! Look at this blood…! How could you let her treat her mother this way? Look at this wretched girl who knows no respect for her elders. She’s no better than a beast.“

“An eye for an eye, as they say.”

Eliana responded coldly.

“Eliana… Ha…”

Even after witnessing everything, the count uttered a single reproachful word at her. Eliana shook her head slightly. Their relationship had been a mess for a long time, with no hope of recovery.

“I’m so disgusted that I can’t stay in this house any longer. I’m leaving this wretched place.”

Without waiting for a response from the count, Eliana walked out of the study.

***

Eliana contacted a real estate agent through Mila and began visiting several properties that were said to be good options. She had more than enough funds to purchase a house and liked plenty of places.

After selecting three potential properties, Eliana and Mila rested at an outdoor café.

“I’m relieved there are so many good options. I was worried since you suddenly decided to look for a place,“ Mila said.

Eliana looked at Mila.

“You’re right. I’ve chosen places ready for a quick move, so I’ll pick one of the three and move immediately.“

“My Lady, would it be alright if I came to the new house with you?”

Mila asked cautiously.

‘Will I have to part with Mila once I leave the count’s house?’

Eliana had thought about it the previous night. Mila had served her for a long time, but technically, she was employed by the count’s household.

Before Eliana could suggest it herself, Mila had expressed her desire to follow her. In fact, Eliana had enough money to employ her, but the issue was what came after. If Eliana planned to stay in the Moira Empire, it would be fine, but if she left the empire, Mila would need to find another stable job.

“Mila.“

“Yes, My Lady? If you don’t want me to, you can say no.“

“That’s not it. While looking for a house, I don’t plan to stay there for years.“

“What? Then why are you looking for a house…?“

“I plan to leave the empire once I’ve made enough money.“

“Leave the empire?“

“Yes. Once I leave, I won’t come back. It’s easy for me to leave, but you’ll lose your stable job if you stay behind. You have family here, so I couldn’t ask you to accompany me.”

Mila looked shocked by Eliana’s plan.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? You should have at least mentioned it.“

“I’m sorry.“

“I feel hurt, My Lady. If I had known, I would have cared for you better.“

Mila’s eyes began to glisten with tears. Seeing the sadness on her face, Eliana thought of Calix. She had believed there was nothing left for her in Moira, but she realized that was a mistake. Now, two people—Calix and Mila—would be genuinely upset if she left.

“Mila, you’ve already taken excellent care of me. Living at the mansion would have been much harder without you, so don’t say such things. I had planned to tell you once everything was ready. I hope you can understand.“

“My Lady, it’s not about understanding. I know you must have your reasons. But at least let me stay with you until you leave. Without you at the count’s mansion, I wouldn’t last a day with Lady Matilda.”

Mila was right. If Eliana left, Matilda wouldn’t leave her alone. She had tormented Eliana and Mila together, and she’d continue to do so if Eliana were gone.

“Alright. If you’re willing to follow me, I’d be grateful. When I leave, I’ll help you find a job with a noble family much better than the count, and I’ll make sure you get a solid severance payment. I promise.“

“You don’t need to promise—I trust you. You helped Hilda find a new job, after all.“

“Speaking of, is Hilda doing well?“

“Yes, another maid said she’s getting along just fine.“

“That’s good to hear.”

After the significant fallout, Eliana found Hilda a new job with a family that had a bad relationship with Matilda, ensuring she couldn’t interfere.

“Well, shall we decide on a house?”

Eliana began selecting from the properties she had seen, cross-referencing the recommendations from the real estate agent with her own impressions. Since she would be living alone, she chose one near the bustling city center with three rooms and space for two carriages.

Eliana was debating between two homes with large windows and good sunlight when suddenly a shadow fell over the table. Someone was standing with their back to the sun.

‘Who is it?’

As she looked up, an unexpected figure came into view.

“Eliana Leiberte.”

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