TRCR 29

Rebecca wheeled herself to see Zeppelin off at the entrance. As she turned, her eyes met Alicia’s cold stare.
“Something to say?”
Rebecca smiled lightly. Alicia raised an eyebrow, lips parting, but a maid rushed in.
“Lady Alicia, it’s time to return to your room.”
Likely under orders to keep Alicia from speaking to Rebecca freely.
Alicia glared at the maid, then swept her pale pink dress and stormed inside.
Her spirit’s still there. Good.
Rebecca felt oddly relieved.
She didn’t care for Alicia, but didn’t want her to suffer the same fate.
“Ready.”
A maid passing with a large basket whispered to Rebecca.
She moved on as if they’d never spoken.
Rebecca watched her braided blonde hair, smiling with satisfaction.
* * *
Even Zeppelin couldn’t hold leverage over every servant.
His hounds were a minority compared to the estate’s staff. The rest, handling menial tasks, swore loyalty for coin.
Some non-hounds became Grace’s eyes and ears.
Grace gathered reports on Rebecca and Alicia’s routines and rumors from within and beyond the estate.
She filtered key information to Zeppelin.
Among them, Susan excelled at collecting outside gossip.
Her charm let her befriend other estates’ servants and market vendors, bringing back tidbits.
Most were useless, but occasionally she predicted market trends or uncovered secrets only servants knew.
Her skill mattered, but her appearance caught Rebecca’s eye.
Susan had blonde hair and blue eyes, and crucially, was nearly Rebecca’s height.
Spotting her alone, Rebecca approached.
“You’re tall. Almost my height.”
“M-My lady!”
Years at the estate, yet Susan dropped her towel, startled by Rebecca’s first words to her.
“Susan, right?”
“You know my name?”
“Of course. I know you work hard for me.”
Susan was thrilled that the beautiful lady she admired spoke to her—and knew her name.
Her heart raced.
Checking the dim, just-cleaned corridor—empty—she felt a pang of disappointment, wanting to brag.
Bowing, she noticed Rebecca’s shoes: red, adorned with intricate gold butterflies.
Rebecca had watched Susan since noticing her.
Susan eyed Rebecca and Alicia’s possessions with more greed than any maid.
Zeppelin’s gifts were top-tier; it’d be odd if a young maid didn’t stare.
Noting Susan’s desire, Rebecca smiled.
“Want these shoes?”
“W-What? No, I couldn’t…”
“They’d suit you better. They’re yours.”
“What?!”
Susan yelped in shock.
Rebecca raised a finger to her lips.
“Shh. Our little secret. But not for free.”
“T-Then…?”
Susan, half-entranced, gaped.
Rebecca smiled seductively.
“Want to play a game?”
* * *
“Will this really work, my lady? If the count finds out…”
Susan nibbled her nails as Kanna dressed her.
Rebecca stopped her hand.
“Wear gloves, just in case. He’ll be gone for days, so don’t worry. Look at you—a natural noblewoman.”
Not giving her time to fret, Rebecca pushed her to the mirror.
“Is that me?”
Susan stared, disbelieving.
Her sky-blue dress, matching her eyes, was embroidered with delicate pink roses.
Kanna had hidden her freckles, her usual insecurity.
Her drooping eyes were drawn upward, like Rebecca’s.
From a distance, Susan could pass for her.
“My goodness! I’m the lady! Oh, I mean—sorry!”
Excited, Susan shrank under Kanna’s sharp look, bowing.
Rebecca soothed her gently.
“Forgot? This game’s about how well you can be Rebecca Devonshire. You won’t need to talk much.”
“Y-Yes…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be back in a few hours. Enjoy the game, sit in the wheelchair, and paint.”
“But, my lady, I can’t paint!”
“Kanna will guide you. No problem.”
Rebecca took Susan’s hand.
Susan melted at its cloud-like softness, so different from her rough ones.
“Thanks. I’ve been so stifled. With my husband gone, it’s my chance to be ordinary, not a countess.”
Susan couldn’t understand why such luxury felt stifling.
But Rebecca’s soulful eyes swayed her.
She stared at her reflection, entranced.
Rebecca and Kanna exchanged triumphant smiles.
Susan gripped Rebecca’s hand, resolved.
“I’ll do it. Go without worry.”
* * *
Wearing a bonnet and mimicking Susan’s clumsy gait, Rebecca reached the gate.
The guards took her pass with cold stares.
“Go.”
As she passed through, they shut the gate mechanically, offering no pleasantries, like soulless shells.
All the better for me.
Her second escape.
With Robert on sick leave, she couldn’t use the last method, so she’d planned this over sleepless nights.
It wasn’t as thrilling as the first, but excitement lingered.
Breathing free air, Yulian crossed her mind.
The Johannes duchy bordered the city.
A carriage could take her to him.
She laughed at herself for even considering it.
Getting attached already? Don’t be foolish, Rebecca.
Pushing Yulian from her thoughts, she headed to the market with heavier steps.
* * *
The market buzzed with life—shouts and laughter filled the air.
Rebecca felt dizzy but lingered, savoring the atmosphere despite her tight schedule.
“Hey, Susan! Shopping today?”
She stopped when people mistook her for Susan.
Susan was a social butterfly; vendors greeted her in every alley.
Keeping her face hidden under the bonnet, Rebecca headed to the address Leo provided.
<Tanisha Trading Company>
The building was neither lavish nor shabby.
Rebecca knocked on the plain door.
“Come in.”
Tanisha opened it with a bright voice, then froze, eyeing Rebecca’s commoner attire.
Her noble aura made Tanisha shrink.
“Uh… what’s your business?”
“I’m here to see the head.”
“I’m the head. Who are you?”
“You asked for me.”
Tanisha’s eyes wavered, clearly shocked by Rebecca’s appearance.
Rebecca was equally surprised by Tanisha’s youth.
She’d expected a seasoned veteran, not a petite young woman with dimples.
But Tanisha’s sharp, brown eyes brimmed with intelligence, confirming Rebecca’s instincts.
“You’re… Rebe—”
Tanisha stopped herself, covering her mouth, and ushered Rebecca inside.
She knows exactly who I am.
Yulian swore he hadn’t revealed her identity.
Tanisha’s knowledge suggested impressive deduction or information networks.
Rebecca silently admired her, scanning the cluttered interior.
“It’s still being organized,” Tanisha said, embarrassed.
The structure seemed ordinary but showed careful effort up close.
Tanisha clearly cared about this place.
Rebecca smiled kindly but met Tanisha’s wary gaze.
“Bring tea to my office.”
Tanisha called a dark-haired youth bustling about.
He looked confused—not his job—but nodded at her stern expression, setting aside papers to head to a small kitchen.
Watching him, Tanisha led Rebecca upstairs.
The second floor had a room lined with bookshelves.
Tanisha approached a large desk with an ornate nameplate, marking her as head.
She pulled out the heavy leather chair.
“The duke’s orders. You should sit here.”
The chair creaked as she moved it.
Rebecca stared at it quietly.