Episode 58. Chasing and Chasing
Renisha stood there, her face covered, her expression alight with confusion.
Kassius was gone, but the table was a mess.
Lindy, sensing the mood in the room, bowed her head.
Pretending not to know, pretending not to notice.
That was the virtue of a great head maid.
Lindy pushed the maids she'd brought forward.
"I brought the Duchess."
"Helena, Jane..."
Renisha's lips quivered.
A deep breath didn't calm her flushed face.
Kassius had effectively distracted Renisha in a short time.
Renisha stood there, her face covered, her expression alight with confusion.
Kassius was gone, but the table was a mess.
Lindy, sensing the mood in the room, bowed her head.
Pretending not to know, pretending not to notice.
That was the virtue of a great head maid.
Lindy pushed the maids she'd brought forward.
"I brought the Duchess."
"Helena, Jane..."
Renisha's lips quivered.
A deep breath didn't calm her flushed face.
Kassius had effectively distracted Renisha in a short time.
"Not now, does that mean it'll be later?
" Of course, of course..."
Renisha squeezed her eyes shut.
This was the first time she'd been so flustered by Kassius.
Her gentle, courteous puppy, once a courteous young puppy, was evolving strangely.
Renisha took a deep breath.
"This isn't the time."
This matter had to be resolved quickly, so that Isabella and the Duke and Duchess could also...
And today, she had decided to go with Brixton to look for a place to house her parents.
Kassius had promised to take care of the desolation of the land, so it seemed best to hurry.
Renisha tried to speak in a normal voice.
“I heard you two left the mansion early last night.”
“That’s right,”
Helena said calmly.
“And I dare say I understand what you’re asking. I confess that I was responsible for the head butler’s actions.”
“Helena!”
Jane called out in a shrill voice.
Her hand, shaking Helena’s arm, was urgent.
Helena’s face was filled with determination.
Anxiety that she might leave Jane behind and go alone surged up.
Jane opened her lips, but Renisha was faster.
“Why did you do that?”
“After observing the butler, I realized he was a man who put his own interests above all else. Therefore, I concluded he would report Brixton's affairs to the Emperor. I thought I had to stop him before any false rumors reached his ears.”
“Did you plan on blinding him to buy some time and keep the mansion quiet?”
“Since I was chasing the butler anyway, I figured I could block his ears. I trusted Lady Renisha, who trusted me more than myself.”
Helena told her story without hesitation.
It was a clear admission, without any excuses.
Renisha read the firm resolve and heart in those clear eyes.
Helena was filled with loyalty to Renisha.
Renisha chuckled.
“You trusted me. Then what choice do you think I would make?”
“...I don't know.”
Helena lowered her head.
“I only thought about saving Lady Renisha from danger.”
Renisha burst into laughter without realizing it.
Helena raised her head at the clear laughter.
"Honest loyalty? I really cherish that kind of thing. Don't you, Lindy?"
Lindy barely managed to regain her smile.
Lindy, too, had deep feelings for Helena and Jane.
It was Lindy who had taken in the children when they were young, cared for them, and trained them as maids.
Lindy nodded.
"Yes, that's right."
"It's true that things have become easier thanks to you, Helena,"
Renisha continued softly, her voice soft.
"But that's not always the case. Your arbitrary decisions can cause me trouble. It won't end as easily as this. That's why, according to military law, you deserve to be executed."
Jane's face paled even more than Helena's.
Helena held Jane, who was swaying her hips.
Renisha bent down and grabbed Helena's chin.
Her slender fingers left marks on Helena's chin.
"What do you think?"
"I... I don't care. I accomplished my purpose and protected Lady Renisha. So, I have no regrets even if I die."
"Jane, do you feel the same way?"
Jane wept. She could lose Helena.
A conflict arose between friendship and loyalty.
Clutching Helena's hand, Jane burst into tears, nearly suffocating.
Whatever Renisha decides, Jane will follow.
But, that sense of loss...
“Lindy?”
“...As you wish.”
Lindy lowered her head.
Renisha slowly looked around the sunroom, now a sea of tears.
Renisha let go of Helena and straightened her back. She had never intended to kill her from the beginning.
This brave loyalty should have been spared.
It simply needed a proper warning.
“That feeling, that fear just now. Remember that, Helena.”
Helena raised her head.
“Keep that in your heart. And remember that I’m not always merciful. Do you understand what I mean?”
Helena nodded slowly.
“So, you’ll spare my life?”
“How cute.”
Renisha offered Jane a handkerchief.
Jane accepted it with an impressed expression, then stumbled and leaned against Helena.
“I’ll finish this. So you stay back. Helena, you just need to keep an eye on Henry like you’re doing now.”
“Then...”
“You’ll be working with Henry from now on, Helena,”
Renisha whispered sweetly.
“Become his puppet. Act like his tongue and steal his heart.”
“What’s that...”
“Henry only listens to what you say, Helena. Make him write a letter to the Emperor with what you want. Can you do it?”
Helena nodded slowly.
“Ha, I can do it.”
Helena’s voice trembled slightly.
Renisha smiled and extended her hand to Helena.
“Thank you, Helena.”
Helena’s face flushed at those words.
She repeated to herself dozens of times how fortunate she was to be able to work for Renisha.
Renisha briefly called the attending doctor who was treating Henry.
Henry’s screams, overcome with anxiety, echoed throughout the room.
Renisha slowly lifted her lips.
“Keep quiet about the poison.”
“Madam...!”
"Let's assume Henry is like that because of a local disease in Hiloshine. If we look through the medical books, there will probably be one or two similar diseases."
The doctor nodded slowly at Renisha's words.
"It's not difficult. However, the head butler asked if it was poison."
"You'll have to explain it well, right? You know everything begins and ends with words, don't you?"
The doctor's expression became tense.
"I'll try."
Renisha smiled gently.
"The maid who will look after Henry will arrive soon. Please enlist her help."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Renisha straightened her back and gazed at Henry's room for a moment.
Henry would not reveal his troubles to the Emperor, if only to hide his diminished value.
He would have nothing left after being abandoned.
However, he would desperately try to exploit Renisha's weaknesses.
'You can't let that happen, Henry. Don't you?'
She knew that yesterday's ally could become today's enemy.
And Henry was yesterday's ally.
Today, he was the enemy.
Renisha's lips slowly curved.
Knowing your enemy is how you win.
Renisha believed Helena would do well.
Renisha took a deep breath.
This morning had been too long.
Isabella, who had been quietly staying in her room as instructed, came running when she found Renisha.
"Auntie."
A small voice, as if choked, called her.
"Isabella, were you anxious?"
Isabella hesitated, then nodded.
"Everyone said it was nothing... But there's no way you'd lock me up. You said I couldn't see my aunt."
"Isabella, I think you're stronger than I thought."
"Auntie...?"
Isabella raised her head.
Renisha frowned as she looked at the large gray eyes that took up half of her small face.
Renisha stroked the child's eyes with a tender hand.
Looking at those eyes, seeing the child's short hair and the scar on her back, how much would Brixton and Haylin's hearts rip apart?
Even Renisha seemed to be suffocating.
"Isabella, I found your parents."
"Huh...?"
Isabella paled.
Renisha gently stroked the child's gasping back.
"Breathe slowly and deeply. You're just startled. Can you do it?"
Renisha held Isabella's small hand tightly and helped her catch her breath.
It took a long time for Isabella to regain her composure.
Her small face was soaked with wet tears.
"Mom and Dad...?"
"Yes."
"Uh, uh..."
Isabella groaned.
"No, they are not dead?"
"Yes."
"I, I... I..."
Isabella gasped, her face unsure of what to say.
"Ugh, I thought you were dead..."
"Isabella..."
Renisha knelt down to Isabella's level.
Meeting Isabella's large eyes, Renisha whispered,
"They're not dead. They've been looking for Isabella all along. And now they're here to see you."
She spoke as slowly as possible so Isabella could understand.
“If Isabella is ready, you’ll go see them now, but...”
“Right now!”
Isabella cried out in a shrill voice.
“I’ll go see them right now.”
Isabella’s voice trembled.
“...Okay.”
Renisha gently wiped Isabella’s tears away.
“Let’s do that.”
Isabella nodded vigorously.
Brixton and Haylin had thought that as long as the child was alive, they would be okay with whatever she looked like. They didn’t care if the child was missing a leg or an arm; they just wanted her to be alive and well.
However, they had clearly overlooked the ripple effect that would occur if their fearful imagination became reality.
“I-Isabella...! Your appearance...!”
“They said it was because of the poison.”
Renisha answered in her most calm voice.
Haylin’s eyes turned to Renisha.
“P-Poison? For this little one...?”
“Mom, I’m okay now. I’m really okay... I’m not in any pain...”
“Uh, uh...!”
Haylin choked and burst into tears.
Brixton was beside Haylin, who couldn't even bring herself to touch the child, breaking down in front of her.
Brixton also held Isabella's hand, unable to say a word.
Renisha turned her head.
"Isabella, Isabella, our daughter! Ugh...! How much did it hurt, how much did it hurt! Weren't you scared?"
Brixton spat out.
He could barely form words, but his voice was trembling terribly.
Isabella smiled awkwardly and nodded.
"It was okay..."
"Isabella, you have to be honest. You promised."
Isabella pursed her lips at Renisha's words and said,
"...I was really, really scared. Ugh, uhhhhhhhhhhh!"
" Of course, of course..."
Renisha squeezed her eyes shut.
This was the first time she'd been so flustered by Kassius.
Her gentle, courteous puppy, once a courteous young puppy, was evolving strangely.
Renisha took a deep breath.
"This isn't the time."
This matter had to be resolved quickly, so that Isabella and the Duke and Duchess could also...
And today, she had decided to go with Brixton to look for a place to house her parents.
Kassius had promised to take care of the desolation of the land, so it seemed best to hurry.
Renisha tried to speak in a normal voice.
“I heard you two left the mansion early last night.”
“That’s right,”
Helena said calmly.
“And I dare say I understand what you’re asking. I confess that I was responsible for the head butler’s actions.”
“Helena!”
Jane called out in a shrill voice.
Her hand, shaking Helena’s arm, was urgent.
Helena’s face was filled with determination.
Anxiety that she might leave Jane behind and go alone surged up.
Jane opened her lips, but Renisha was faster.
“Why did you do that?”
“After observing the butler, I realized he was a man who put his own interests above all else. Therefore, I concluded he would report Brixton's affairs to the Emperor. I thought I had to stop him before any false rumors reached his ears.”
“Did you plan on blinding him to buy some time and keep the mansion quiet?”
“Since I was chasing the butler anyway, I figured I could block his ears. I trusted Lady Renisha, who trusted me more than myself.”
Helena told her story without hesitation.
It was a clear admission, without any excuses.
Renisha read the firm resolve and heart in those clear eyes.
Helena was filled with loyalty to Renisha.
Renisha chuckled.
“You trusted me. Then what choice do you think I would make?”
“...I don't know.”
Helena lowered her head.
“I only thought about saving Lady Renisha from danger.”
Renisha burst into laughter without realizing it.
Helena raised her head at the clear laughter.
"Honest loyalty? I really cherish that kind of thing. Don't you, Lindy?"
Lindy barely managed to regain her smile.
Lindy, too, had deep feelings for Helena and Jane.
It was Lindy who had taken in the children when they were young, cared for them, and trained them as maids.
Lindy nodded.
"Yes, that's right."
"It's true that things have become easier thanks to you, Helena,"
Renisha continued softly, her voice soft.
"But that's not always the case. Your arbitrary decisions can cause me trouble. It won't end as easily as this. That's why, according to military law, you deserve to be executed."
Jane's face paled even more than Helena's.
Helena held Jane, who was swaying her hips.
Renisha bent down and grabbed Helena's chin.
Her slender fingers left marks on Helena's chin.
"What do you think?"
"I... I don't care. I accomplished my purpose and protected Lady Renisha. So, I have no regrets even if I die."
"Jane, do you feel the same way?"
Jane wept. She could lose Helena.
A conflict arose between friendship and loyalty.
Clutching Helena's hand, Jane burst into tears, nearly suffocating.
Whatever Renisha decides, Jane will follow.
But, that sense of loss...
“Lindy?”
“...As you wish.”
Lindy lowered her head.
Renisha slowly looked around the sunroom, now a sea of tears.
Renisha let go of Helena and straightened her back. She had never intended to kill her from the beginning.
This brave loyalty should have been spared.
It simply needed a proper warning.
“That feeling, that fear just now. Remember that, Helena.”
Helena raised her head.
“Keep that in your heart. And remember that I’m not always merciful. Do you understand what I mean?”
Helena nodded slowly.
“So, you’ll spare my life?”
“How cute.”
Renisha offered Jane a handkerchief.
Jane accepted it with an impressed expression, then stumbled and leaned against Helena.
“I’ll finish this. So you stay back. Helena, you just need to keep an eye on Henry like you’re doing now.”
“Then...”
“You’ll be working with Henry from now on, Helena,”
Renisha whispered sweetly.
“Become his puppet. Act like his tongue and steal his heart.”
“What’s that...”
“Henry only listens to what you say, Helena. Make him write a letter to the Emperor with what you want. Can you do it?”
Helena nodded slowly.
“Ha, I can do it.”
Helena’s voice trembled slightly.
Renisha smiled and extended her hand to Helena.
“Thank you, Helena.”
Helena’s face flushed at those words.
She repeated to herself dozens of times how fortunate she was to be able to work for Renisha.
***
Renisha briefly called the attending doctor who was treating Henry.
Henry’s screams, overcome with anxiety, echoed throughout the room.
Renisha slowly lifted her lips.
“Keep quiet about the poison.”
“Madam...!”
"Let's assume Henry is like that because of a local disease in Hiloshine. If we look through the medical books, there will probably be one or two similar diseases."
The doctor nodded slowly at Renisha's words.
"It's not difficult. However, the head butler asked if it was poison."
"You'll have to explain it well, right? You know everything begins and ends with words, don't you?"
The doctor's expression became tense.
"I'll try."
Renisha smiled gently.
"The maid who will look after Henry will arrive soon. Please enlist her help."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Renisha straightened her back and gazed at Henry's room for a moment.
Henry would not reveal his troubles to the Emperor, if only to hide his diminished value.
He would have nothing left after being abandoned.
However, he would desperately try to exploit Renisha's weaknesses.
'You can't let that happen, Henry. Don't you?'
She knew that yesterday's ally could become today's enemy.
And Henry was yesterday's ally.
Today, he was the enemy.
Renisha's lips slowly curved.
Knowing your enemy is how you win.
Renisha believed Helena would do well.
***
Renisha took a deep breath.
This morning had been too long.
Isabella, who had been quietly staying in her room as instructed, came running when she found Renisha.
"Auntie."
A small voice, as if choked, called her.
"Isabella, were you anxious?"
Isabella hesitated, then nodded.
"Everyone said it was nothing... But there's no way you'd lock me up. You said I couldn't see my aunt."
"Isabella, I think you're stronger than I thought."
"Auntie...?"
Isabella raised her head.
Renisha frowned as she looked at the large gray eyes that took up half of her small face.
Renisha stroked the child's eyes with a tender hand.
Looking at those eyes, seeing the child's short hair and the scar on her back, how much would Brixton and Haylin's hearts rip apart?
Even Renisha seemed to be suffocating.
"Isabella, I found your parents."
"Huh...?"
Isabella paled.
Renisha gently stroked the child's gasping back.
"Breathe slowly and deeply. You're just startled. Can you do it?"
Renisha held Isabella's small hand tightly and helped her catch her breath.
It took a long time for Isabella to regain her composure.
Her small face was soaked with wet tears.
"Mom and Dad...?"
"Yes."
"Uh, uh..."
Isabella groaned.
"No, they are not dead?"
"Yes."
"I, I... I..."
Isabella gasped, her face unsure of what to say.
"Ugh, I thought you were dead..."
"Isabella..."
Renisha knelt down to Isabella's level.
Meeting Isabella's large eyes, Renisha whispered,
"They're not dead. They've been looking for Isabella all along. And now they're here to see you."
She spoke as slowly as possible so Isabella could understand.
“If Isabella is ready, you’ll go see them now, but...”
“Right now!”
Isabella cried out in a shrill voice.
“I’ll go see them right now.”
Isabella’s voice trembled.
“...Okay.”
Renisha gently wiped Isabella’s tears away.
“Let’s do that.”
Isabella nodded vigorously.
***
Brixton and Haylin had thought that as long as the child was alive, they would be okay with whatever she looked like. They didn’t care if the child was missing a leg or an arm; they just wanted her to be alive and well.
However, they had clearly overlooked the ripple effect that would occur if their fearful imagination became reality.
“I-Isabella...! Your appearance...!”
“They said it was because of the poison.”
Renisha answered in her most calm voice.
Haylin’s eyes turned to Renisha.
“P-Poison? For this little one...?”
“Mom, I’m okay now. I’m really okay... I’m not in any pain...”
“Uh, uh...!”
Haylin choked and burst into tears.
Brixton was beside Haylin, who couldn't even bring herself to touch the child, breaking down in front of her.
Brixton also held Isabella's hand, unable to say a word.
Renisha turned her head.
"Isabella, Isabella, our daughter! Ugh...! How much did it hurt, how much did it hurt! Weren't you scared?"
Brixton spat out.
He could barely form words, but his voice was trembling terribly.
Isabella smiled awkwardly and nodded.
"It was okay..."
"Isabella, you have to be honest. You promised."
Isabella pursed her lips at Renisha's words and said,
"...I was really, really scared. Ugh, uhhhhhhhhhhh!"
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