NLBM CH 05

Chapter 5

Mary, who had been carrying a washbasin, avoided Evelyn’s gaze and moved stiffly like a rusty machine.

“What? Of course not! I must just have shaky hands!”

Noticing the unnatural movement, Rose quickly took the basin from Mary and hummed lightly.

“Hmmm~ Madam really only thinks about His Grace~”

Her tone was playful, but her voice trembled like a goat’s bleat.

Seeing the maids acting strangely, Evelyn suddenly felt uneasy.

Wait. I only think about Cassian?

Does that mean…

Is Cassian cheating?

But he doesn’t seem like the type.

Just a few days ago, he personally fed me soup!

A husband who’s desperate to make sure I eat well would meet another woman behind my back?

Does that make sense? We’re newlyweds!

Countless thoughts tangled in her head like knotted threads.

Ugh, my head hurts. I’ll stop thinking.

If she couldn’t figure it out, she would just ask directly.

“You two. Are you hiding something from me?”

Crash!

“W-What? Of course not!”

Mary, who had been bringing perfume oil, was so startled that she dropped the glass bottle.

It shattered, and rose oil spilled across the white carpet, spreading like a faint stain.

Mary hurriedly picked up the shards, trying to hide her panic.

How did she know? Is the villainess’ intuition really that sharp?

She wanted to run away immediately, but from the artifact disguised as a brooch, Head Maid Sophia’s voice echoed.

—Rose! You ran your mouth. Deny it, both of you!

To prevent problems, Sophia had given Rose and Mary each an artifact disguised as a brooch.

Fortunately, the magic was set so only the wearer could hear the voice.

—Mary, Rose. Be careful! If you endure for just two months, you’ll be promoted to official maids.

Mary steadied herself at Sophia’s words.

That’s right. I won’t find a job like this anywhere else. Just stay calm. Two months, that’s all.

If she endured a little longer, she would finally become an official maid.

But the Evelyn in front of her was terrifying.

They had heard rumors.

“If a strand of hair gets tangled while brushing, she slaps the maid on the spot!”

“If another lady takes a dress she wanted for a banquet, she gathers the maids and beats them until she feels better!”

“She carries a switch and hits any maid she dislikes!”

Back then, Mary had dismissed those rumors.

Now, looking at Evelyn’s sharp gaze, she wasn’t so sure.

“Tell me honestly.”

“M-Madam! Please don’t say such hurtful things!”

“That’s right~ What secret could we possibly have from you~”

Even Rose, who had been joking before, avoided eye contact and nearly sloshed water from the basin.

Water splashed around, but no one paid attention.

“You’re both shaking too much for that to be true.”

The pressure in her voice intensified.

When they were first assigned to serve her, they had begged Sophia to send them somewhere else because they were too scared to enter the room.

But when they met Evelyn—

“Oh my, you’re my personal maids?”

She had seemed to glow with a halo.

Like a goddess of the earth who created all things.

When she smiled innocently, she looked like an angel descending from heaven.

But now she seemed like a devil!

What do we do?

If we get caught, we’re dead!

“Mary… I think we…”

“…have to confess?”

The two exchanged glances, then suddenly grabbed the hem of Evelyn’s dress.

“Waaah! It’s just—!”

“The truth is, Madam!”

—No!!!

Sophia’s scream echoed through the artifact, but it was too late.

Surviving right now was more important.

Your Grace, we’re sorry. We had no choice!

***

“Your Grace, you need to come to the office immediately.”

Head Maid Sophia urgently sought out Cassian.

He looked at her in confusion.

“What happened?”

“I apologize, Your Grace. The maids spoke out of turn.”

The maids spoke out of turn…

Did the young lady figure something out?

After dismissing Sophia, Cassian reviewed the intelligence reports from his informants and organized the information.

He tied a note to a carrier pigeon’s leg and released it toward the imperial palace.

Only after confirming the bird had left the estate did he head toward the main building.

“Dear.”

When he entered the office, Evelyn was sitting on the sofa with her arms crossed.

“Evelyn?”

“Evelyn? Where did the title go?”

Her sharp eyes shot at him immediately.

Her gaze coiled around him like a snake.

“Of course not. I just wanted to say your name.”

“Hmph, I see.”

Cassian curved his eyes gently as he smiled.

Evelyn looked suspicious but decided to let it slide and sipped her tea.

This is my office. Why do I feel like I’m the one being interrogated?

For some reason, Evelyn had taken over his office with the maids.

“Sit, dear.”

“Yes, wife.”

Anyone would think she owned the place.

Cassian sat across from her with a polite smile.

“What brings you here?”

“You think I wouldn’t come?”

Bang!

The moment he finished speaking, Evelyn slammed her teacup down.

Tea spilled onto the embroidered cloth on the table.

Neither of them cared about the stain.

After a tense silence, Evelyn asked slowly, as if suppressing anger.

“Why did you hide it from me?”

So she found out already.

He had warned them repeatedly.

From her accusing gaze, Cassian was certain.

Her memory had returned.

Maybe that’s for the best. This ridiculous farce can end sooner.

Now that she knew the truth, there was no point continuing the act.

“The reason is…”

Just as Cassian was about to reveal the truth, Evelyn blurted out something shocking.

“They say the ducal house is poor!”

“Poor?”

It felt like he’d been hit over the head.

The House of Hetis, at the height of its prosperity, was poor?

A house that rivaled the imperial family in wealth?

“Rose. Mary.”

To understand what was going on, Cassian called the maids.

They hiccupped in unison.

“Hic!”

“Don’t scold them.”

He tried to demand an explanation, but Evelyn cut him off.

So her memory hadn’t returned.

The act could continue, but now he looked incompetent.

Does she think I can’t even provide for my household?

He was too stunned to speak.

Before he could correct her—

“Sigh. I should’ve realized sooner.”

Evelyn muttered to herself.

She recalled what the maids had told her earlier.

“His Grace doesn’t have time to stay at the estate because he’s out earning money!”

“Waaah! Yes, Madam! The ducal house is struggling financially!”

Only after hearing the truth did things click.

So that’s why something felt off.

Even if his wife was bedridden, they were newlyweds.

There must have been a reason Cassian rarely visited.

After the maids spoke, a sudden headache struck, and information about the South flooded her mind.

The farmlands that burned years ago.

A trade business that abruptly collapsed.

Trade routes that seemed deliberately sabotaged.

The memories were vivid, as if she had lived them herself.

It was strange that she only recalled certain information, but she gained something valuable.

If Cassian is personally earning money, the ducal finances must be in serious trouble.

“Evel— I mean, wife.”

“Did you eat?”

“Not yet.”

“I knew it! No matter how busy you are, you must eat properly. Mary, Rose. Go to the kitchen and prepare a meal.”

“Yes, Madam!”

So he was neglecting his own meals while worrying about me.

He must have been exhausted, working to earn money while pretending everything was fine.

There must be other ways to generate income, but—

My husband is too kind for his own good!

Well, what can I do? I’ll protect him.

“Dear, don’t worry. From now on, I’ll help you!”

Evelyn’s sharp attitude flipped instantly.

She grabbed Cassian’s hand and smiled brightly, her eyes filled with blind affection.

Seeing that look made Cassian strangely uncomfortable.

He gently withdrew his hand and avoided her gaze.

“Thank you for saying that.”

“No, we’re husband and wife. We overcome hardships together!”

Overcome together…

He had always handled everything alone.

Even knowing she was his enemy’s fiancée, her words strangely comforted him.

Just as his guard lowered slightly—

“By the way, dear. Where are the account books?”