(18) Rachel's Trick (4)
The room hadn't been cleaned while she was imprisoned, as white dust settled here and there. In the corner, a box of trinkets the maids had brought from the garden party, and trinkets tucked away in a drawer remained.
As expected, Helena and Victoria had no interest in their own trinkets. Out-of-style trinkets, in particular, had likely long since vanished from their minds.
Just as they were finishing their trinkets, the maid brought food.
She gently set down a large tray and turned to leave.
"Hey."
Ariana called, and the maid stopped moving.
She had short red hair and downturned eyes, and an innocent appearance. Perhaps she had been assigned to work for the Bronte household in place of the imprisoned maids, but her face was unfamiliar.
"What's your name?"
"Rosaline, miss."
Judging by the maid's submissive demeanor, she seemed to be unaware of Ariana's situation. She needed a maid just like her.
"There's something I'd like to ask of you..."
Rachel might overhear if she wasn't careful, but for now, she had no choice but to use a maid.
She couldn't just leave the mansion without being asked.
"Go ahead, my lady."
"Could you leave the mansion without being noticed and bring in a peddler?"
Ariana pulled out a hairpin from the box. Made of gold and set with two small sapphires, it was a precious item, beyond what a maid's salary could ever buy.
"If you'll run my errand, I'll give you this first, and after you meet the peddler, I'll give you two more similar pieces."
Rosaline hesitated for a moment before accepting the hairpin Ariana offered.
"Where should I bring the peddler?"
"Bring him to the forest behind the mansion."
"Then I'll meet you in the forest behind the mansion in two hours."
After Rosaline left, Ariana drank the water Rosaline had brought. It was so refreshing and sweet that it brought tears to her eyes. Ariana drank more than half of the water in the pitcher before eating.
Soft bread with a delicious aroma, as if freshly baked; a rich soup made with mushrooms; a salad of corn, beans, and chopped onions tossed in a refreshing sauce; and thinly sliced ham. She chewed and swallowed carefully, trying not to hurt her hungry stomach.
Helena would have dismissed the food, saying, "Who eats this?" but Ariana chewed thoroughly and ate every last bit.
Afterwards, she selected the trinkets she thought would be valuable from the jewelry box. Since she didn't have a bag to put them in, she removed the pillowcase and placed them inside.
"This will be enough for the trip to the East."
She thought, wanting to sell all her trinkets, but she had to prepare. Perhaps Helena or Victoria would remember the jewelry.
Ariana tucked the pillowcase neatly inside her dress skirt and left the room. If it weren't for Rachel's arrangement, Rosaline would have entered the forest of Bronte Manor with the peddler by now. She was pacing down the hallway, trying not to look suspicious, her expression suppressed.
"Ariana."
A voice came from behind her, and Ariana stopped dead in her tracks and turned.
Rachel was standing in the hallway with Helena.
As if planning to go out, Rachel and Helena were wearing thick coats. Helena was stroking her white fox scarf with a displeased expression.
"Mother, Miss."
Ariana bowed slightly to the two.
Rachel narrowed her eyes.
"How long are you going to call your sister Miss? Don't keep your distance, call her Sister and be friendly."
Helena's expression darkened, but she didn't whine as usual.
“Yes, Mother. I will.”
“But where are you going?”
“I just want to get some fresh air. If not, I’ll go back to my room.”
“No. It must be frustrating being locked up. Have you reflected on your actions?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Yes, there’s a lot to prepare for the capital, so be careful not to catch a cold and behave yourself. Do you understand?”
If Ariana had heard those words before she died, she would have been so happy she cried. She would have tossed and turned, unable to sleep, thrilled that her mother was finally worried about her.
But now, every word Rachel said sounded like a knife to Ariana’s ears.
Ariana smiled faintly and lowered her head.
“Yes, Mother. I’ll be careful.”
Ariana stepped aside to the side of the hallway to let them go first. Rachel and Helena passed her. Helena turned her head sharply, glared at Ariana, and snorted, “Huh!”
Ariana waited for them to leave, then hurried her pace.
As she entered the forest, the wind blowing through the trees bit her arms. Despite the cold wind, Ariana straightened her back and walked slowly.
Rosaline and the peddler appeared behind the trees.
Rosaline approached Ariana first and whispered quietly,
“I called the peddler who was about to leave Weston City. We’ll leave Weston City as soon as your business is finished, so there won’t be any trouble.”
She was a little surprised by Rosaline's cleverness. Catching Ariana’s gaze, Rosaline slightly lowered her head and stepped back.
They were close enough that Ariana and the peddler’s conversation wouldn’t be overheard.
“How clever.”
Ariana tore her gaze away from Rosaline and approached the peddler.
Bargaining with the peddler wasn’t difficult. She had often had to help with the merchant Ingo Alfrech after marrying him, and she had also had many negotiations to do when assisting the Third Prince.
Ariana sold trinkets at a good price and bought a sharp dagger for cheap, thinking she might need it for personal defense someday.
After sending the peddler away, she returned to her room and immediately checked the inside of her bag for money.
22 gold.
This was Ariana's first time carrying so much money.
It was difficult to carry 22 gold coins around with her.
'If I carry this around, someone might find out. I should deposit it in a trustworthy bank...'
She had to leave the mansion to go to the bank. She could have Rosaline bring the peddler, but she couldn't entrust such a large sum to her.
Calling a banker was also risky. Some scammers pretended to be bankers, opened fake accounts, and stole money.
'I need to avoid being noticed until I get to the capital. Should I bury this under a tree?'
As she was contemplating where to bury it without attracting anyone's attention, someone knocked on the door.
Ariana hurriedly hid the bag of money in her petticoat pocket, then went to bed and pulled the covers up to her neck.
“Come in.”
It was Rosaline who had arrived.
“What’s the matter?”
“I think you have another order for me to do.”
“Why do you think that is? Has my mother secretly given you some instructions?”
“The Duchess is a very small-minded person, isn’t she?”
I deliberately tried to be direct to embarrass her, but Rosaline remained calm and unfazed.
“There’s nothing I can gain from telling Madam about your behavior, and even if she were to reward me out of a good feeling, it would only be a few coins.”
Rosaline’s words were true.
Rachel wasn’t a big spender on her employees.
“But you promised me one trinket just for bringing in the peddler, and two for him. Since you’ve lavished so many precious things on me, what good would it do me to displease you?”
Rosaline, despite her innocent appearance, was shrewd, and Ariana liked that.
A maid who cleverly calculated her own gains was more useful than maids who simply did everything she was told, simply because she was the master of the mansion.
As long as Ariana had something to give Rosaline, Rosaline wouldn't be running around to Rachel to report Arianna's every move.
'You have to use those who are worth using.'
She couldn't do everything alone. Especially now, with the Duchess Bronte entangled in her, she needed help.
'It's foolish to turn a blind eye to someone worth using out of fear of betrayal.'
Ariana steeled her resolve and took out a bag of money.
"I should deposit this money in the bank."
"I recommend Braden Bank. It's not new, but I've heard it's trustworthy and has branches in major cities, making it convenient to use."
Ariana agreed.
Braden Bank wasn't exactly famous at the time, but it would become one of the most reliable banks in a few years. It was surprising that Rosaline, a mere maid, knew this. She seemed to be more than just a commoner.
There were a few questionable aspects, but since she had decided to use the bank, she decided not to delve too deeply. She still lacked the skills to uncover Rosaline's origins.
Ariana considered the possibility that Rosaline might just take the gold and run away. However, two hours later, Rosaline returned with a Braden Bank account.
"It's an account slip. I chose the password myself..."
Rosaline told Ariana the account password.
The account slip was a two-finger-sized medallion with the account number engraved on it and the Braden Bank seal stamped on the back. Ariana felt a new sense of wonder as she fiddled with the account slip, the first she had ever owned.
Now, Ariana had enough money to get away.
Late at night, the maid emerged from Rachel's room, her hood pulled low, and left the mansion. She boarded a shabby carriage waiting outside the mansion and headed somewhere.
The carriage stopped in a dangerous area deep within the slums, a place where people involved in all kinds of dirty work gathered.
Trembling with fear, the maid entered a tavern, handed the bartender a silver coin, and whispered something. The grim-faced bartender nodded and ushered her inside. After the maid waited in the inner room for a moment, a man entered. He was a young man with a clean appearance.
The maid handed him a gold coin and said,
“Three o’clock in the afternoon. The pergola by the pond in the middle of Bronte Forest.”
The young man tossed a gold coin upwards with amusement, then caught it and asked,
“And your opponent?”
“A woman with blue hair and pale skin.”
“I’ve heard a lot about a woman with blue hair and pale skin. Is she the second Princess of Bronte?”
The maid’s eyes fluttered for a moment, but she quickly hardened and spoke in a low voice.
“You’d better watch your tongue. You know our master’s eyes are everywhere, don’t you?”
The room hadn't been cleaned while she was imprisoned, as white dust settled here and there. In the corner, a box of trinkets the maids had brought from the garden party, and trinkets tucked away in a drawer remained.
As expected, Helena and Victoria had no interest in their own trinkets. Out-of-style trinkets, in particular, had likely long since vanished from their minds.
Just as they were finishing their trinkets, the maid brought food.
She gently set down a large tray and turned to leave.
"Hey."
Ariana called, and the maid stopped moving.
She had short red hair and downturned eyes, and an innocent appearance. Perhaps she had been assigned to work for the Bronte household in place of the imprisoned maids, but her face was unfamiliar.
"What's your name?"
"Rosaline, miss."
Judging by the maid's submissive demeanor, she seemed to be unaware of Ariana's situation. She needed a maid just like her.
"There's something I'd like to ask of you..."
Rachel might overhear if she wasn't careful, but for now, she had no choice but to use a maid.
She couldn't just leave the mansion without being asked.
"Go ahead, my lady."
"Could you leave the mansion without being noticed and bring in a peddler?"
Ariana pulled out a hairpin from the box. Made of gold and set with two small sapphires, it was a precious item, beyond what a maid's salary could ever buy.
"If you'll run my errand, I'll give you this first, and after you meet the peddler, I'll give you two more similar pieces."
Rosaline hesitated for a moment before accepting the hairpin Ariana offered.
"Where should I bring the peddler?"
"Bring him to the forest behind the mansion."
"Then I'll meet you in the forest behind the mansion in two hours."
After Rosaline left, Ariana drank the water Rosaline had brought. It was so refreshing and sweet that it brought tears to her eyes. Ariana drank more than half of the water in the pitcher before eating.
Soft bread with a delicious aroma, as if freshly baked; a rich soup made with mushrooms; a salad of corn, beans, and chopped onions tossed in a refreshing sauce; and thinly sliced ham. She chewed and swallowed carefully, trying not to hurt her hungry stomach.
Helena would have dismissed the food, saying, "Who eats this?" but Ariana chewed thoroughly and ate every last bit.
Afterwards, she selected the trinkets she thought would be valuable from the jewelry box. Since she didn't have a bag to put them in, she removed the pillowcase and placed them inside.
"This will be enough for the trip to the East."
She thought, wanting to sell all her trinkets, but she had to prepare. Perhaps Helena or Victoria would remember the jewelry.
Ariana tucked the pillowcase neatly inside her dress skirt and left the room. If it weren't for Rachel's arrangement, Rosaline would have entered the forest of Bronte Manor with the peddler by now. She was pacing down the hallway, trying not to look suspicious, her expression suppressed.
"Ariana."
A voice came from behind her, and Ariana stopped dead in her tracks and turned.
Rachel was standing in the hallway with Helena.
As if planning to go out, Rachel and Helena were wearing thick coats. Helena was stroking her white fox scarf with a displeased expression.
"Mother, Miss."
Ariana bowed slightly to the two.
Rachel narrowed her eyes.
"How long are you going to call your sister Miss? Don't keep your distance, call her Sister and be friendly."
Helena's expression darkened, but she didn't whine as usual.
“Yes, Mother. I will.”
“But where are you going?”
“I just want to get some fresh air. If not, I’ll go back to my room.”
“No. It must be frustrating being locked up. Have you reflected on your actions?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Yes, there’s a lot to prepare for the capital, so be careful not to catch a cold and behave yourself. Do you understand?”
If Ariana had heard those words before she died, she would have been so happy she cried. She would have tossed and turned, unable to sleep, thrilled that her mother was finally worried about her.
But now, every word Rachel said sounded like a knife to Ariana’s ears.
Ariana smiled faintly and lowered her head.
“Yes, Mother. I’ll be careful.”
Ariana stepped aside to the side of the hallway to let them go first. Rachel and Helena passed her. Helena turned her head sharply, glared at Ariana, and snorted, “Huh!”
Ariana waited for them to leave, then hurried her pace.
***
As she entered the forest, the wind blowing through the trees bit her arms. Despite the cold wind, Ariana straightened her back and walked slowly.
Rosaline and the peddler appeared behind the trees.
Rosaline approached Ariana first and whispered quietly,
“I called the peddler who was about to leave Weston City. We’ll leave Weston City as soon as your business is finished, so there won’t be any trouble.”
She was a little surprised by Rosaline's cleverness. Catching Ariana’s gaze, Rosaline slightly lowered her head and stepped back.
They were close enough that Ariana and the peddler’s conversation wouldn’t be overheard.
“How clever.”
Ariana tore her gaze away from Rosaline and approached the peddler.
Bargaining with the peddler wasn’t difficult. She had often had to help with the merchant Ingo Alfrech after marrying him, and she had also had many negotiations to do when assisting the Third Prince.
Ariana sold trinkets at a good price and bought a sharp dagger for cheap, thinking she might need it for personal defense someday.
After sending the peddler away, she returned to her room and immediately checked the inside of her bag for money.
22 gold.
This was Ariana's first time carrying so much money.
It was difficult to carry 22 gold coins around with her.
'If I carry this around, someone might find out. I should deposit it in a trustworthy bank...'
She had to leave the mansion to go to the bank. She could have Rosaline bring the peddler, but she couldn't entrust such a large sum to her.
Calling a banker was also risky. Some scammers pretended to be bankers, opened fake accounts, and stole money.
'I need to avoid being noticed until I get to the capital. Should I bury this under a tree?'
As she was contemplating where to bury it without attracting anyone's attention, someone knocked on the door.
Ariana hurriedly hid the bag of money in her petticoat pocket, then went to bed and pulled the covers up to her neck.
“Come in.”
It was Rosaline who had arrived.
“What’s the matter?”
“I think you have another order for me to do.”
“Why do you think that is? Has my mother secretly given you some instructions?”
“The Duchess is a very small-minded person, isn’t she?”
I deliberately tried to be direct to embarrass her, but Rosaline remained calm and unfazed.
“There’s nothing I can gain from telling Madam about your behavior, and even if she were to reward me out of a good feeling, it would only be a few coins.”
Rosaline’s words were true.
Rachel wasn’t a big spender on her employees.
“But you promised me one trinket just for bringing in the peddler, and two for him. Since you’ve lavished so many precious things on me, what good would it do me to displease you?”
Rosaline, despite her innocent appearance, was shrewd, and Ariana liked that.
A maid who cleverly calculated her own gains was more useful than maids who simply did everything she was told, simply because she was the master of the mansion.
As long as Ariana had something to give Rosaline, Rosaline wouldn't be running around to Rachel to report Arianna's every move.
'You have to use those who are worth using.'
She couldn't do everything alone. Especially now, with the Duchess Bronte entangled in her, she needed help.
'It's foolish to turn a blind eye to someone worth using out of fear of betrayal.'
Ariana steeled her resolve and took out a bag of money.
"I should deposit this money in the bank."
"I recommend Braden Bank. It's not new, but I've heard it's trustworthy and has branches in major cities, making it convenient to use."
Ariana agreed.
Braden Bank wasn't exactly famous at the time, but it would become one of the most reliable banks in a few years. It was surprising that Rosaline, a mere maid, knew this. She seemed to be more than just a commoner.
There were a few questionable aspects, but since she had decided to use the bank, she decided not to delve too deeply. She still lacked the skills to uncover Rosaline's origins.
Ariana considered the possibility that Rosaline might just take the gold and run away. However, two hours later, Rosaline returned with a Braden Bank account.
"It's an account slip. I chose the password myself..."
Rosaline told Ariana the account password.
The account slip was a two-finger-sized medallion with the account number engraved on it and the Braden Bank seal stamped on the back. Ariana felt a new sense of wonder as she fiddled with the account slip, the first she had ever owned.
Now, Ariana had enough money to get away.
***
Late at night, the maid emerged from Rachel's room, her hood pulled low, and left the mansion. She boarded a shabby carriage waiting outside the mansion and headed somewhere.
The carriage stopped in a dangerous area deep within the slums, a place where people involved in all kinds of dirty work gathered.
Trembling with fear, the maid entered a tavern, handed the bartender a silver coin, and whispered something. The grim-faced bartender nodded and ushered her inside. After the maid waited in the inner room for a moment, a man entered. He was a young man with a clean appearance.
The maid handed him a gold coin and said,
“Three o’clock in the afternoon. The pergola by the pond in the middle of Bronte Forest.”
The young man tossed a gold coin upwards with amusement, then caught it and asked,
“And your opponent?”
“A woman with blue hair and pale skin.”
“I’ve heard a lot about a woman with blue hair and pale skin. Is she the second Princess of Bronte?”
The maid’s eyes fluttered for a moment, but she quickly hardened and spoke in a low voice.
“You’d better watch your tongue. You know our master’s eyes are everywhere, don’t you?”
“Of course. Is there anyone in Weston City who would dare defy the Bronte family?”
“Do it right, and you’ll get five times what you’re getting now.”
“Do it right, and you’ll get five times what you’re getting now.”
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