~Chapter 32~
“Honestly… I wish you could watch every single thing Mrs. Howard and I do.”
I muttered quietly with a sigh.
“From your position, it’s hard to believe only my words. I have nothing to hide, so… if my innocence could be proven that way…”
Ah.
After speaking as if I couldn’t hold back my frustration—
I deliberately made an awkward expression.
“I’m sorry. I said too much, didn’t I?”
“…Milena.”
“Please forget it. I think I only disturbed your mood. Mrs. Howard has served this family for so long… and here I am…”
I gave a bitter smile and lowered my head.
“Anyway, thank you for coming to see me. Having you here really gives me strength.”
Now you must feel sorry for me, right?
Go on… pity me.
And do something to fix this situation.
…It seems things went exactly as I planned.
The Young Duke’s eyes shook violently as he looked at me.
After parting with Milena—
Elias carefully recalled everything related to Mrs. Howard.
Milena avoiding Nanny openly.
Cecilia always looking intimidated in front of her.
‘Even so… Mother kept subtly defending Nanny.’
Even the conversation he had overheard earlier proved it.
“Mrs. Howard is a very good person. She was very worried about you.”
“For my sake, if there is any misunderstanding, please clear it up, alright?”
She spoke gently, like comforting a childish daughter.
But hidden in her tone—
was the assumption that Milena was just being difficult.
‘Was I like that too?’
Elias bit his lower lip slightly.
Then, Milena’s words from earlier crossed his mind—
“I really wish you could watch everything Mrs. Howard and I do.”
His purple eyes darkened.
‘…Watch, huh.’
Until now, the whole family had trusted Nanny completely.
But maybe now—
it was time to look at things more objectively.
‘Alright… I’ll do as Milena said.’
Finally making up his mind, Elias called someone.
It was the butler of the Lucerte Ducal House—
one of the few servants not under Mrs. Howard’s influence.
“Did you call for me, Young Duke?”
The butler bowed respectfully.
Elias gave his order with a cold expression.
“Assign someone to secretly follow Mrs. Howard.”
…Mrs. Howard?
The butler couldn’t hide his surprise.
Elias continued firmly,
“Yes. Report everything to me, even the smallest strange behavior. And—”
He glanced sharply at the butler.
His purple eyes shone like broken amethyst.
“She must never find out. Understood?”
The butler swallowed nervously and bowed again.
“Understood, Young Duke.”
These days, Mathilde felt happy.
Because Lady Milena came to visit her every day without fail.
‘Will she come again today?’
While mopping the floor, Mathilde secretly glanced toward the door.
Then—
“Hello, Mathilde!”
A bright voice greeted her.
Mathilde’s eyes widened.
“L-Lady?”
“Do you like sweets?”
Milena peeked through the door and smiled, holding out a small wrapped bundle.
“…Sweets?”
Mathilde swallowed without realizing.
Grrr…
Her stomach growled loudly.
Milena frowned.
“What? You didn’t eat lunch?”
“……”
Mathilde only gave a bitter smile instead of answering.
Milena’s expression turned serious.
“Again?”
“I was busy with work.”
Mathilde answered awkwardly.
It was true.
There was too much work—
because the other maids pushed everything onto her.
And instead of enduring their looks while eating,
it was better to wait and eat leftovers later.
Of course, if nothing was left—
she had to go hungry.
“….”
Milena didn’t ask more.
Instead, she sighed and quickly walked over.
Then she suddenly grabbed Mathilde’s hands tightly.
“Let’s eat together.”
“What? But how can I eat with you—”
“It’s fine. It’s just us.”
Milena shrugged and made Mathilde sit on the sofa first.
Then she sat right beside her and opened the bundle.
A sweet smell of sugar spread in the air.
“Back then, I used to be Cecilia unni’s maid, right?”
“……”
Mathilde remembered hearing Mrs. Howard complain before—
“She was just a servant, yet she’s already acting like a lady!”
…Is it really okay for her to say this so casually?
Even if it’s not a secret, it could still be uncomfortable.
But Milena looked completely bright.
“Back then, unni gave me delicious food too. It was my first time sitting at a tea table… and I felt really happy.”
“Really?”
“Yes. So I thought… one day, I want to do the same for someone else.”
She smiled shyly.
“Well… all I can do is bring some snacks.”
She picked up a cookie and handed it to Mathilde.
“Here, eat.”
A golden cookie with red strawberry jam in the center shined like a jewel.
Mathilde forced herself to look away.
“You should eat first, my lady.”
“I already ate.”
Milena shrugged playfully.
“If you don’t eat, then I won’t eat either.”
“….”
In the end, Mathilde gave in and took a bite.
The buttery flavor and sweet jam melted in her mouth—
instantly lifting her mood.
‘Ah…’
After eating several cookies quickly—
she suddenly came back to her senses.
Milena was watching her with a warm smile.
“Is it good?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Mathilde felt a little embarrassed.
But Milena didn’t mind at all.
Instead, she looked slightly apologetic.
“I’m sorry. I wish I could reduce your workload… but I’m not confirmed as the real daughter yet…”
“It’s okay. I’m already happy that you care about me.”
Mathilde quickly shook her head.
It was the truth.
No one had ever cared about her like this before.
She always thought of herself as a shadow in this house.
But in front of Milena—
she no longer felt like a shadow.
