Yulian vividly recalled Zeppelin roughly grabbing Rebecca’s wrist at the banquet hall.
“It’ll be easier with Count Devonshire away…”
His gaze drifted to the wine bottle on the small table, its rose scent wafting. It was the empire’s best-selling wine.
The bottle bore Count Devonshire’s bold seal.
Asking Eustaf to investigate Rose Grapes was a spur-of-the-moment idea.
But on second thought, it wasn’t bad.
Yulian grinned.
“Even when you return, you won’t see her properly, Zeppelin Devonshire.”
* * *
The air in the Devonshire estate had subtly shifted.
Rebecca strolled through the mansion, savoring the changed atmosphere.
She had swayed six of the thirteen hounds in the estate.
Excluding the unyielding knight Bates, head maid Grace, and butler Octavio, she’d won over more than half.
The six she’d persuaded shared a common thread: loved ones held hostage.
Her promise of clues to their rescue, backed by her saintly reputation, easily swayed them.
Sudden hope, however small, looms large.
Especially from a rumored saint like Rebecca.
The other four are the issue…
Three were entangled in complex debts, and Robert couldn’t discern the leverage Zeppelin held over the newest boy.
I don’t need to win them all, but…
As Rebecca pondered, a piercing scream echoed from the third floor.
“I said I’m suffocating! Take it off now!”
“The count forbade removing the cuffs except in unavoidable circumstances.”
“Look at this! My skin’s raw and red. If this isn’t unavoidable, what is?”
Grace glanced at Alicia’s wrist and chuckled.
“These are lined with the finest silk. Unless you’ve been yanking them, no scratches should form. Have you been mishandling the count’s gift?”
“Head maid! I’m carrying the count’s heir. You know stress is bad for me. If something happens, you’ll be in trouble. Take them off!”
“Rules are rules. Follow them if you want to stay in this fine estate.”
“What…?”
Grace raised her chin haughtily.
That was harsh.
Rebecca knew the servants quietly disrespected Alicia.
But she hadn’t expected Grace to demean her so openly.
Rebecca placed a foot on the stairs, considering intervening.
Then, Alicia raised her hand as if to strike Grace.
Anticipating disaster, Rebecca paused to watch.
But instead, Alicia’s shrill scream rang out.
“Kyaa!”
“You struck a maid before, and now you raise your hand to me? Education can’t erase your roots.”
Grace gripped Alicia’s hand tightly, her face contorted in pain.
With a stern expression, Grace continued.
“The count gave me full authority to discipline you. But considering you’re with child, I’ll forgo punishment. However, I must report this. If you don’t want that, behave.”
She flung Alicia’s arm away, making her stagger.
Alicia fell silent, glaring at Grace with venomous eyes.
“You’ll regret this.”
She turned and hurried down the stairs.
Rebecca thought she saw tears in Alicia’s eyes as she retreated to her room.
Rebecca straightened.
Given Alicia’s condition, she felt a pang of pity, but the heinous acts from Alicia’s past held Rebecca back.
She wasn’t kind enough to overlook them.
So she chose to do nothing, picturing Alicia crying alone in her room.
Raising her head, Rebecca’s eyes widened.
Grace stood on the third floor, overlooking the estate.
Just as Zeppelin would.
Below, the servants moved like clockwork, perfectly aligned with her will.
Grace smiled with satisfaction, slowly turning her head.
Her usually expressionless face brimmed with life.
Struck by this new side of Grace, Rebecca studied her intently.
Grace’s eyes met Rebecca’s piercing gaze from the stairs below.
Unfazed, Grace descended gracefully.
Her hand gliding along the polished railing was not that of a servant.
It was a master’s.
Rebecca’s sharp eyes caught it instantly.
Grace looked at her as if she were the mistress of the house.
Rebecca, using her height, tilted her chin up, gazing down at Grace defiantly.
Caught off guard by Rebecca’s unyielding stance, Grace’s lips twitched with displeasure.
But she soon spoke calmly.
“Twice, my lady.”
“Twice what?”
“The times I overlooked your missteps.”
Rebecca raised an eyebrow, questioning.
Grace continued.
“First, trying to deceive me in a maid’s outfit. Second, disguising yourself as Susan to visit the market.”
Caught off guard, Rebecca flinched.
Grace smirked knowingly and whispered.
“Did you think anything happens in this estate without my knowledge? Especially among the maids—I notice even the slightest change in their gestures.”
Of course. This is why she’s Zeppelin’s right hand.
Hiding her surprise, Rebecca smiled leisurely.
“Should I thank you?”
“No need. You ensured I could attend my daughter’s funeral. In return, I’ll help you three times.”
Rebecca recalled the memory.
Grace’s only daughter suffered from an incurable illness, collapsing unpredictably.
One day, she didn’t wake for over two days.
Urgent news told Grace to prepare for the worst.
She tried to leave, but a grand ball was scheduled at the estate.
Zeppelin refused to let her go, offering money instead.
Rebecca persistently persuaded him, securing Grace’s leave until morning.
Thanks to her, Grace saw her daughter’s final moments.
“I don’t forget kindness. I won’t report this saint rumor to the count. And no, this doesn’t count as one of the three.”
Rebecca’s brow furrowed at Grace’s patronizing tone.
“What if you’re caught?”
“It’s fine. I’ll smooth it over with the count.”
Grace adjusted the ruffles on Rebecca’s puffed sleeves.
Once aligned, she stepped back, gazing at Rebecca with awe.
“You’re too perfect, my lady.”
A chill ran down Rebecca’s spine. Today’s outfit was Grace’s doing, too.
Rebecca eyed Grace, who scrutinized even the pearls on her necklace.
Grace always insisted on dressing Rebecca herself, despite maids being available.
She even altered Zeppelin’s chosen dresses and accessories to her taste.
Seeing Grace’s enraptured gaze, Rebecca realized what she wanted.
Grace desired to possess Rebecca like a perfect doll.
Rumor had it Grace’s daughter’s illness stemmed from her overcontrol.
Was she trying to fulfill unmet desires through Rebecca?
Her pretense of alliance was transparent.
She thinks kindness will make me fall for her, like I did with Alicia.
Rebecca studied Grace, who craved to control her strings.
How she’d hidden such greed was a mystery.
With Zeppelin’s throne empty, Grace, like a hyena, salivated for it.
Rebecca hadn’t noticed before because Zeppelin always held her leash, giving Grace no chance to reveal her true self.
A harvest, in a way.
Rebecca smirked.
“You speak like him, as if you’re the master here.”
Grace flinched at the blunt jab but quickly regained composure.
“How could that be? The Devonshires are the masters. But my mother, her mother, and hers before her cared for this place, so my attachment is deep.”
“Cared for?”
“Yes, tended to the Devonshires like precious children.”
Grace stood tall.
Rebecca gazed at her, then smiled softly.
“I’ll always appreciate your loyal devotion.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
“So, you’re saying one favor remains?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t forget that promise.”
