Malea had been kneeling on the floor beside the reception sofa before Odette even arrived, but Odette had not once glanced at Malea since she had come into the reception room.
Flapping, just flipping through the boutique's catalog.
But Malea knew that if she wanted Odette's approval, she would have to endure something like this.
"You begged Lize."
Odette put a sugar cube into her coffee cup. Her leisurely stirring with a spoon gave no hint of interest in Malea.
"Since you've come here, I should listen to your business. Tell me what you came to ask of me."
Malea swallowed nervously.
"I would like you to think of me as a real lady."
Malea believed that Odette was not dead. She was certain that Odette would not commit suicide, even if it was for some other reason.
Because Odette was the person with the most burning will to live of anyone Malea knew.
Then there was only one thing Malea had to do. To maintain the weapons she had, for Odette, who would return someday.
"What are you worth to me?"
Odette asked back in a disinterested voice.
Then she pointed to a hat in the catalog.
Then Lize brought out an ivory hat with a mesh top from the catalog and put it on Odette right away. Then she held up a mirror so Odette could see what she looked like.
Odette's gaze was directed to the mirror, but Malea opened her mouth.
"I still have Mrs. Becker's great confidence. She is the only person in the entire Count's household who trusts me."
But despite her assertion, Odette focused on the hat.
But Malea didn't lose hope. If she really hated it, Odette wouldn't have left her here in the first place.
"...This hat is pretty too. Take care of it, Lize."
...Isn't it?
Seeing Odette still seeming to have no idea that it was worth using Malea, Malea's confidence somehow dropped.
"Madam... no, I'm still in contact with Countess Sasha. I'm on good terms with Paula, too. They all trust me, so I'll be of good use. Plus, I'm on good terms with the other regular maids. I can get information from anywhere."
"..."
"More than anything else. The Count has appointed me as the maid of honor to Lady Charlotte, who will soon be moving into the Count's residence. I have been ordered to keep an eye on Charlotte."
Still, Odette was looking in the mirror. Her beautiful blue-green eyes shone like emerald jewels in the mirror.
"So, while you are at the cathedral, or wherever you are, I can tell you anything about Lady Charlotte."
"Is that all?"
Malea was somehow speechless. But now that she thought about it, Odette's status was overwhelming.
Even two years ago, she was a Purifier and was called a villainess by the people of the empire. But now, isn't she the one who has been resurrected from the dead and is openly called the greatest Purifier of humanity?
'I guess what I had wasn't enough.'
No maid in the Count's palace was as popular as Malea.
For two years, Malea polished all of it like an asset for Odette, who would return someday.
"I..."
Her throat felt strangely choked up.
At first, Malea clearly despised Odette. Although Odette was hated by all the people of the empire, she was the one who hated Odette the most.
She couldn't understand why she was treated so well when she was a purifier and didn't purify at all.
How can someone be so good at everything? How can someone be the cute youngest daughter of a Count and also be born as the only purifier in the empire?
Perhaps that woman's wickedness came from being raised too much like a greenhouse flower. Unlike Malea, who was born under a shady father, she was raised too well. Malea thought that she was a person who made a fool of herself over trivial things because her life was too easy.
"I... Miss..."
Malea's father was in and out of prison frequently. Thanks to his father's care, Malea never ate even a single dry piece of bread without being careful since she was a child.
In a life like that of a burrower, things like loyalty or love were not necessary, and it was important to catch on to the profits and suck the blood of other burrowers faster.
But... In her quick judgment, Odette had some similarities with herself.
Isn't it strange? Why would a noble lady hold hands with a lowly maid who just came in? It's not like there's no one around her.
No, in the first place. How could she, who hated Odette so openly, enter the Count's residence? Unless Rolf had some kind of intention.
The answer could be found within these two years.
"Did the Count really protect Lady Odette? Was there any abuse?"
The only outrageous thing is the unwary. Odette, on the other hand, was too cautious to be called outrageous. She called Malea from behind, and she measured everything as if she were tightroping.
As if she knew that her family would not protect her. As if she knew that she was the only one who could save herself.
Yeah, just like Malea's life.
Of course, their first meeting was a mess. But at some point, Malea was rooting for Odette.
The moment she heard that Odette had fallen off the cliff, Malea realized that at that moment, Miss Odette had nothing but her life. That was so... pitiful.
It was an overly disrespectful feeling to have toward someone superior. However, for a shallow person like Malea, such sympathy was the emotion most similar to loyalty.
Malea bowed her head as if it were about to touch the floог.
"I feel so sorry for you, young lady."
“...Malea!”
Although Lize reprimanded Malea for her irreverence, she did not stop talking.
"That's why I hope you win, Miss. Because when I see you, it's like I'm seeing myself."
Then she lay face down on the floor and didn't move.
'This is loyalty to me.'
Even blood-sucking worms have their own way of holding things precious.
Malea had never felt sorry for anyone except herself in her life. Odette was the second. And there would never be a third.
"The sympathy I have for you is the most precious emotion I can feel."
As she spoke, Malea knew that these words were blasphemous. But they were also her purest sincerity.
A quiet silence filled the boutique.
"This is truly blasphemous."
With those words, Odette's gaze finally turned to Malea.
Although her tone was mocking, Malea could sense that Odette had recognized her true feelings.
"But if it's the most precious thing to you, it's not completely worthless to me either."
"Miss."
"Well then, Maleah, prove your worth. Just as you did the day you first knelt before me."
It had been a long time since she had given an order. Malea raised her head and looked into Odette's eyes.
"I will never let you down, my lady."
With all my heart.
***
After sending Malea to the mansion first, Lize placed a bundle of papers tied with a string on the living room table.
"Miss. These are the results of the investigation into Archpriest Raphael. Detective Moeller sent them to me."
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