(28) How to Avoid the Trap (1)
Rachel whispered to the trembling young maid.
“If you want to save your family...”
The maid, suddenly caught in the act, shed tears but couldn’t protest against the Duchess, who stood so high above her.
Although she was young and didn’t know much because she came from the countryside, she knew how much the Duchess before her was capable of.
Her parents and siblings living in the countryside could live or die at the Duchess’s touch.
A few hours later, the young maid went to the investigation office, knelt before the investigators, and confessed.
“I killed him. I killed that man in the pergola.”
The investigators watched with pity as the maid confessed her crimes with trembling, blue lips.
When the investigation office chief returned after hearing the story, he saw the body of the maid who had drunk poison and died, saying she would atone for her sins with her death.
No one believed the maid, but now that she had confessed her crimes, even drinking poison, they could no longer detain Victoria.
Rachel came with a smiling face and took Victoria away.
The people who had gathered to demand severe punishment for Victoria and Rachel couldn't even throw stones at the Bronte's carriage.
The chief inspector watched the carriage depart with a stern expression.
"If Victoria Bronte were an ordinary woman, this evidence would have been sufficient to punish her."
However, Victoria was the daughter of a Duke and the granddaughter of the Western Lord, so he needed not only circumstantial evidence but also an eyewitness.
The chief inspector searched tirelessly, but could not find anyone who had personally witnessed Victoria kill the man.
An investigator dispatched from the Empire, like the chief inspector, muttered,
"Your status is your weapon, your position is your crime. The dead maid is the only one who has been pitied."
Victoria was released, but the rumors didn't subside. Now, rumors that Rachel had made the maid a scapegoat were also added.
But Rachel didn't care.
Rumors floating around could just be covered up by bigger rumors.
Rachel had someone make various preparations and quickly prepared to leave for the Imperial capital.
Jacob, who had been watching Rachel with a pitiful expression, said,
"If you go to the Empire, you'll just be a laughing stock."
"The people of the Empire aren't as interested in news from the West as you might think. They think of the West as a remote, rural country. But the people of the West are very interested in news from the Empire."
Rachel whispered to the trembling young maid.
“If you want to save your family...”
The maid, suddenly caught in the act, shed tears but couldn’t protest against the Duchess, who stood so high above her.
Although she was young and didn’t know much because she came from the countryside, she knew how much the Duchess before her was capable of.
Her parents and siblings living in the countryside could live or die at the Duchess’s touch.
A few hours later, the young maid went to the investigation office, knelt before the investigators, and confessed.
“I killed him. I killed that man in the pergola.”
The investigators watched with pity as the maid confessed her crimes with trembling, blue lips.
When the investigation office chief returned after hearing the story, he saw the body of the maid who had drunk poison and died, saying she would atone for her sins with her death.
No one believed the maid, but now that she had confessed her crimes, even drinking poison, they could no longer detain Victoria.
Rachel came with a smiling face and took Victoria away.
The people who had gathered to demand severe punishment for Victoria and Rachel couldn't even throw stones at the Bronte's carriage.
The chief inspector watched the carriage depart with a stern expression.
"If Victoria Bronte were an ordinary woman, this evidence would have been sufficient to punish her."
However, Victoria was the daughter of a Duke and the granddaughter of the Western Lord, so he needed not only circumstantial evidence but also an eyewitness.
The chief inspector searched tirelessly, but could not find anyone who had personally witnessed Victoria kill the man.
An investigator dispatched from the Empire, like the chief inspector, muttered,
"Your status is your weapon, your position is your crime. The dead maid is the only one who has been pitied."
***
Victoria was released, but the rumors didn't subside. Now, rumors that Rachel had made the maid a scapegoat were also added.
But Rachel didn't care.
Rumors floating around could just be covered up by bigger rumors.
Rachel had someone make various preparations and quickly prepared to leave for the Imperial capital.
Jacob, who had been watching Rachel with a pitiful expression, said,
"If you go to the Empire, you'll just be a laughing stock."
"The people of the Empire aren't as interested in news from the West as you might think. They think of the West as a remote, rural country. But the people of the West are very interested in news from the Empire."
Many people in the West received Imperial newspapers.
"During the social season, there are frequent party news articles, so if our kids stand out there, they'll get good articles in the papers. Our kids' image will change a lot. They're like pigs and dogs who get swayed by newspaper articles, so if they only read good articles, they'll quickly forget about incidents like this."
"...Is that really true?"
“That’s right. There’s nothing we can do here right now, so it’d be better to leave the West. If we’re out of sight, the rumors will die down. And when they hear that Helena has received Her Majesty’s protection, the atmosphere will change.”
“You know you have to take Ariana with you, right? After what happened at the garden party, if we leave Ariana alone, there’ll be talk.”
“Don’t worry, of course I have to take her.”
Rachel’s eyes flashed coldly.
“I’ll make sure she gets taken in a really nice carriage.”
Ariana breathed a sigh of relief at the news that the trip to the Empire had been decided.
Victoria was released, though it was a bit of a detour, and Rachel acted as expected.
‘You’re planning to leave the West until the rumors die down, right?’
Rachel, who had come to visit this morning, said kindly to Ariana.
"I'm leaving for the Empire tomorrow. If you want, bring a maid or two with you. It's going to be a long journey, so you'll need someone to attend to you. And if you don't throw away those clothes—those clothes you wore every time you teased me—I won't take you to the Empire, so think carefully before you act."
There was no need to wear shabby clothes anymore, so Ariana did so. She put on a good-quality dress, though it was out of style and outdated, and changed into the shoes Rachel had brought her.
Her feet ached because these were the first shoes she'd worn since being revived, but she knew the pain would soon become familiar.
Ariana asked Rosaline to accompany her, and Rosaline accepted without hesitation.
"When we arrive at the Empire, I'll make sure you never have to work again."
Rosaline bowed slightly in gratitude at Ariana's words.
And so the morning of her departure for the Empire arrived.
Several carriages were waiting in front of the ducal mansion.
The carriages for the Duke's family, and the carriages and wagons for the servants.
As there were many carriages, there were also many knights to guard them.
“You’re so lucky. This will be exciting. You’re going to the Empire, too.”
Helena, excited about her trip to the Empire, seemed to have completely forgotten the dark atmosphere in the mansion so far, her expression bright and cheerful.
But Victoria, next to her, was glaring sullenly at Ariana.
“Get in the carriage, quickly.”
At Duke Jacob Bronte’s urging, Helena snorted and climbed into the carriage. Victoria, too, averted her glaring gaze at Ariana and entered the carriage.
Ariana was about to enter as well, but the coachman closed the door.
“You may take this carriage, my lady.”
The servant guided Ariana to the carriage behind her. It was a little smaller than the one Helena and Victoria had been in, but it was a splendid carriage emblazoned with the Duke’s family crest.
"During the social season, there are frequent party news articles, so if our kids stand out there, they'll get good articles in the papers. Our kids' image will change a lot. They're like pigs and dogs who get swayed by newspaper articles, so if they only read good articles, they'll quickly forget about incidents like this."
"...Is that really true?"
“That’s right. There’s nothing we can do here right now, so it’d be better to leave the West. If we’re out of sight, the rumors will die down. And when they hear that Helena has received Her Majesty’s protection, the atmosphere will change.”
“You know you have to take Ariana with you, right? After what happened at the garden party, if we leave Ariana alone, there’ll be talk.”
“Don’t worry, of course I have to take her.”
Rachel’s eyes flashed coldly.
“I’ll make sure she gets taken in a really nice carriage.”
***
Ariana breathed a sigh of relief at the news that the trip to the Empire had been decided.
Victoria was released, though it was a bit of a detour, and Rachel acted as expected.
‘You’re planning to leave the West until the rumors die down, right?’
Rachel, who had come to visit this morning, said kindly to Ariana.
"I'm leaving for the Empire tomorrow. If you want, bring a maid or two with you. It's going to be a long journey, so you'll need someone to attend to you. And if you don't throw away those clothes—those clothes you wore every time you teased me—I won't take you to the Empire, so think carefully before you act."
There was no need to wear shabby clothes anymore, so Ariana did so. She put on a good-quality dress, though it was out of style and outdated, and changed into the shoes Rachel had brought her.
Her feet ached because these were the first shoes she'd worn since being revived, but she knew the pain would soon become familiar.
Ariana asked Rosaline to accompany her, and Rosaline accepted without hesitation.
"When we arrive at the Empire, I'll make sure you never have to work again."
Rosaline bowed slightly in gratitude at Ariana's words.
And so the morning of her departure for the Empire arrived.
Several carriages were waiting in front of the ducal mansion.
The carriages for the Duke's family, and the carriages and wagons for the servants.
As there were many carriages, there were also many knights to guard them.
“You’re so lucky. This will be exciting. You’re going to the Empire, too.”
Helena, excited about her trip to the Empire, seemed to have completely forgotten the dark atmosphere in the mansion so far, her expression bright and cheerful.
But Victoria, next to her, was glaring sullenly at Ariana.
“Get in the carriage, quickly.”
At Duke Jacob Bronte’s urging, Helena snorted and climbed into the carriage. Victoria, too, averted her glaring gaze at Ariana and entered the carriage.
Ariana was about to enter as well, but the coachman closed the door.
“You may take this carriage, my lady.”
The servant guided Ariana to the carriage behind her. It was a little smaller than the one Helena and Victoria had been in, but it was a splendid carriage emblazoned with the Duke’s family crest.
'Why are they asking me to ride in such a fancy carriage alone? There must be a reason...'
She stared at the carriage for a moment, wondering what her plan was, when Rachel put a hand on Ariana's shoulder and said,
"Helena's dying to get you. I don't want any trouble anymore, so stay away. You might be bored, so you can take a maid with you."
Ariana boarded the carriage with Rosaline.
Soon, the carriage started.
Ariana gently pulled back the curtains on the window and gazed outside.
The servants who had come out to see her off and the Bronte mansion were gradually receding.
The splendid mansion where she had lived for so long. A mansion from which she would never return.
She felt no regret. A sense of relief, as if a hook had been removed from her wing.
'If I ever return here, it will be to destroy that mansion.'
She had done everything she could in this mansion with the strength she had.
The small stone Ariana threw left only a small bruise, but when the need arose, that wound would widen and become an incurable scar.
'However...I regret not getting the letter. Even without it, I must find a way to keep the Eastern Duke from expelling me.'
The sound of hooves from multiple horses and the rattling of the carriage made it difficult to concentrate.
The thought of Cyrus, who had come to visit while she was searching Rachel's room, suddenly flashed through her mind, and she felt a pang of sadness. If only he had shown up just a little later, Ariana could have gotten the letter.
Even though she knew it was pointless to dwell on the past, she couldn't help but regret the weapon that had slipped away just before she could get it.
"Even if I hurry, it'll take more than two weeks to get to the capital."
Only when Rosaline, who had been sitting silently across from her, spoke did Ariana snap her mind out of her thoughts and raise her head.
Rosaline's deep eyes gazed calmly at Ariana.
"There's plenty of time, my lady."
Rosaline's violet eyes were deep and calm.
Ariana had been sensing for some time that Rosaline was no ordinary maid. No matter how much she helped Ariana with money, Rosaline's actions were unwavering.
Moreover, even her gaze had changed from the moment she stepped into the carriage.
She'd thought she was just a simple, seemingly innocent maid, greedy and cunning, but perhaps she harbored an even deeper secret.
But Ariana didn't feel like being wary of Rosaline.
'The Brontes have many enemies. They must be the family or friends of the maids or commoners who died because of the Brontes.'
As long as their interests aligned, there was no reason for Rosaline to backstab Arianna. Arianna was Rosaline's source of income.
"There won't be enough time. Judging by the fact that the Duchess has put me in a separate carriage, I suspect she's scheming with this carriage."
“There’s nothing wrong with the carriage. I checked it last night.”
“Then they must be planning something special for this carriage alone. Rosaline, if something happens, can you protect yourself?”
Rosaline smiled faintly.
For some reason, she seemed amused.
But the smile quickly disappeared, and Rosaline replied with her usual blunt expression,
“I can protect you, too, young lady.”
“No, you don’t have to protect me, too. I’ll do whatever I can, so you too, find a way to avoid danger. If we part ways here, I’ll send money to your account.”
Rosaline stared at Ariana with a subtle expression before meekly answering,
“Yes, young lady.”
“At this rate, we’ll arrive at a small town this evening. We’ll stay there for a night, leave at dawn, and reach the Weifen Mountains in the afternoon.”
The Weifen Mountains were a long mountain range that ran horizontally across the West Mountains.
"If something were to happen, it would be when we reach the Weifen Mountains. There's only one small village nearby, so no one will come to help."
It occurred to her that Rachel wouldn't simply take Ariana to the Empire like this.
Ariana suspected Rachel had figured out the whole story behind the Pergola murders. Rachel, who had earlier told Ariana to get into another carriage, didn't hide the hateful look in her eyes.
"The coachman and the knights are also members of the Bronte family, so I can't just turn the carriage around on my own. More eyes mean more watchful eyes. I can't steal a horse and run away."
Rachel had cornered Ariana. She couldn't miss this opportunity.
"She probably told me to bring a maid or servant with me so she could have something to say later. She said she had someone assigned to look after me, but she didn't expect something like this to happen."
Rosaline looked at Ariana with a slightly surprised expression.
Knowing the circumstances, there was no reason to be surprised. Ariana knew Rachel intimately. Before meeting Third Prince Harold, Ariana had been Rachel's right-hand man, handling all sorts of dirty work.
It wasn't hard to predict what she would plan, how she would corner her enemies. The only problem was finding a way out of the situation.
Ariana reached out to Rosaline.
Her small, thin hand rested on Rosaline's strong, blue eyes stared intently into her violet ones.
"Rosaline. The Duchess will try to kill me. So if something happens, run without looking back. Don't even think about saving me."
"What will happen to you if I run? The dagger I bought you won't be able to kill a single man."
"I know. I have a plan. I won't die here."
She stared at the carriage for a moment, wondering what her plan was, when Rachel put a hand on Ariana's shoulder and said,
"Helena's dying to get you. I don't want any trouble anymore, so stay away. You might be bored, so you can take a maid with you."
Ariana boarded the carriage with Rosaline.
Soon, the carriage started.
Ariana gently pulled back the curtains on the window and gazed outside.
The servants who had come out to see her off and the Bronte mansion were gradually receding.
The splendid mansion where she had lived for so long. A mansion from which she would never return.
She felt no regret. A sense of relief, as if a hook had been removed from her wing.
'If I ever return here, it will be to destroy that mansion.'
She had done everything she could in this mansion with the strength she had.
The small stone Ariana threw left only a small bruise, but when the need arose, that wound would widen and become an incurable scar.
'However...I regret not getting the letter. Even without it, I must find a way to keep the Eastern Duke from expelling me.'
The sound of hooves from multiple horses and the rattling of the carriage made it difficult to concentrate.
The thought of Cyrus, who had come to visit while she was searching Rachel's room, suddenly flashed through her mind, and she felt a pang of sadness. If only he had shown up just a little later, Ariana could have gotten the letter.
Even though she knew it was pointless to dwell on the past, she couldn't help but regret the weapon that had slipped away just before she could get it.
"Even if I hurry, it'll take more than two weeks to get to the capital."
Only when Rosaline, who had been sitting silently across from her, spoke did Ariana snap her mind out of her thoughts and raise her head.
Rosaline's deep eyes gazed calmly at Ariana.
"There's plenty of time, my lady."
Rosaline's violet eyes were deep and calm.
Ariana had been sensing for some time that Rosaline was no ordinary maid. No matter how much she helped Ariana with money, Rosaline's actions were unwavering.
Moreover, even her gaze had changed from the moment she stepped into the carriage.
She'd thought she was just a simple, seemingly innocent maid, greedy and cunning, but perhaps she harbored an even deeper secret.
But Ariana didn't feel like being wary of Rosaline.
'The Brontes have many enemies. They must be the family or friends of the maids or commoners who died because of the Brontes.'
By now, Rosalind must have realized that Ariana harbors no fondness for the Bronte family.
"There won't be enough time. Judging by the fact that the Duchess has put me in a separate carriage, I suspect she's scheming with this carriage."
“There’s nothing wrong with the carriage. I checked it last night.”
“Then they must be planning something special for this carriage alone. Rosaline, if something happens, can you protect yourself?”
Rosaline smiled faintly.
For some reason, she seemed amused.
But the smile quickly disappeared, and Rosaline replied with her usual blunt expression,
“I can protect you, too, young lady.”
“No, you don’t have to protect me, too. I’ll do whatever I can, so you too, find a way to avoid danger. If we part ways here, I’ll send money to your account.”
Rosaline stared at Ariana with a subtle expression before meekly answering,
“Yes, young lady.”
“At this rate, we’ll arrive at a small town this evening. We’ll stay there for a night, leave at dawn, and reach the Weifen Mountains in the afternoon.”
The Weifen Mountains were a long mountain range that ran horizontally across the West Mountains.
"If something were to happen, it would be when we reach the Weifen Mountains. There's only one small village nearby, so no one will come to help."
It occurred to her that Rachel wouldn't simply take Ariana to the Empire like this.
Ariana suspected Rachel had figured out the whole story behind the Pergola murders. Rachel, who had earlier told Ariana to get into another carriage, didn't hide the hateful look in her eyes.
"The coachman and the knights are also members of the Bronte family, so I can't just turn the carriage around on my own. More eyes mean more watchful eyes. I can't steal a horse and run away."
Rachel had cornered Ariana. She couldn't miss this opportunity.
"She probably told me to bring a maid or servant with me so she could have something to say later. She said she had someone assigned to look after me, but she didn't expect something like this to happen."
Rosaline looked at Ariana with a slightly surprised expression.
Knowing the circumstances, there was no reason to be surprised. Ariana knew Rachel intimately. Before meeting Third Prince Harold, Ariana had been Rachel's right-hand man, handling all sorts of dirty work.
It wasn't hard to predict what she would plan, how she would corner her enemies. The only problem was finding a way out of the situation.
Ariana reached out to Rosaline.
Her small, thin hand rested on Rosaline's strong, blue eyes stared intently into her violet ones.
"Rosaline. The Duchess will try to kill me. So if something happens, run without looking back. Don't even think about saving me."
"What will happen to you if I run? The dagger I bought you won't be able to kill a single man."
"I know. I have a plan. I won't die here."
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