C26
"That's why people should live a good life. You shouldn't try to take other people's money for free."
Terence's eyes squinted wonderfully at my words.
"I agree."
"May I ask what that smile means?"
For an aristocrat, he seemed like a commoner. When I asked out of curiosity, he shook his head.
"It's not a big deal. I was just thinking that I liked Ethel's personality."
"That's good."
There's nothing wrong with looking good in front of your associates.
Our wait didn't last long. This was because Laura appeared exactly at the agreed-upon time.
"Madam!"
"Laura!"
We warmly greeted each other, and we hadn't been apart for such a long time in the past two years. I briefly introduced Terence to her.
I only told her that he was helping me, and Laura didn't seem very curious. More precisely, it seemed she was concerned about something else.
"Have you considered my offer?"
I explained calmly.
"Cassius might hate you. But don't worry. I'll protect you at all costs. If you want, I'll keep employing you as a maid, and I plan to maintain your salary as close as possible to the original level."
It was when I was about to say that if she waited a bit, considering the mine, she would get a substantial raise.
"You don't even need to ask. Of course, I'll follow you!"
"Laura..."
I expected her to follow me, but I didn't expect her to be so determined. Nevertheless, it seemed that the past two years had not been in vain.
"Laura, is the bag you brought your luggage?"
Laura had a travel bag.
"Yes! I packed it in advance to leave as soon as I saw you!"
The preparation was quite thorough.
"I also handed in my resignation to the Cassius family!"
Huh? I was glad to see her follow through so well, but at the same time, I felt a little puzzled.
"...She's surprisingly active, isn't she?"
Laura was basically kind and calm but somewhat shy and indecisive. That's why I came here to persuade her face to face.
Well, we can find out more details as we go along because there's plenty of time.
"Let's first go to the train station."
Wanting to return to the capital as soon as possible, I grabbed Laura's gloved hand. But Laura let out a faint moan.
"Ugh."
"Where are you hurt?"
"Oh, no!"
Laura vigorously shook her head, but I looked at her cotton gloves. Gloves I had never seen before despite being so close to her.
"I think you're hurt. Take off your gloves."
"I'm really fine!"
"Laura."
When our gazes met, Laura lowered her head. I gently rubbed her shoulders and spoke in a friendly voice.
"It's okay. It's okay. Just tell me what's going on."
"......"
"You don't have to tell me if you really don't want to, but I wish you'd tell me if it's possible. If there's anything I can do to help, I will."
Laura bit her lip and soon broke into tears.
"...ugh. I'm sorry, Madam. In fact, I didn't leave the Duchy on my own; I was expelled."
"What?"
Absurdity overcame me. Laura was my direct maid brought from my parents' house. Who dares to expel Laura when I'm not without my consent?
"Was it Leandro?"
But the possibility of that happening seemed slim. Leandro had been staying in the capital all this time, so he had no time to worry about this place, and more than anything, he didn't want to divorce me.
Is there any reason to go against my will by isolating Laura instead of fanning the flames?
Tears welled up and moistened her freckled cheeks. I comforted her and asked her questions one by one.
"Who expelled you?"
"The head maid..."
"Why did the head maid do that?"
"I, I... I destroyed Lady Liena's portrait."
I sat on a bench in the square and comforted Laura. Terence also gave her freshly squeezed fruit juice from a nearby store. After a while, Laura, who had barely stopped crying, began to stammer and explain.
The whole story of the incident went like this. It is said that the day before my letter arrived, Cassius's maids found Laura, who was guarding my room alone with a portrait.
"I heard a new artist who recently started making a name for himself painted Lady Liena."
Up to this point, it wasn't particularly special. The people of Duke Cassius enjoyed painters drawing Liena. Poets composed poems praising Liena, and musicians composed songs that expressed Liena.
Usually, when they finished the portrait, even though I said it wasn't necessary, they insisted on showing it to me. But what followed was unusual.
"They tried to hang that painting in the madam's room."
"Why?"
"I asked too, and they said that appreciating beautiful artwork every day would be a great boost to her life..."
"Who the hell said that?"
My brain couldn't accept the absurdity, so my true feelings surfaced.
"Go on speaking."
"Oh yes... Anyway, I thought you wouldn't be happy if you came, so I stopped them."
Of course, I didn't want to face Liena's face, which I saw once every 10 seconds as I walked the halls of Cassius Mansion, even in my room.