Chapter 8: Meal

That morning, slightly past noon, we had no choice but to return to the Count’s estate.

The guards at the back gate were startled by our disheveled appearance and asked what had happened, but we could only reply that we had been chased by wild animals.

Because the truth was so surreal, it didn’t seem like they would believe us even if we told them.

I still couldn’t escape the memory.

Even now, when I closed my eyes, her final moments seemed to flicker before me.

Her last appearance kept overlapping with the image of Yudith in the future.

The sight of her eyes pierced and black blood flowing at the end kept resurfacing like a trauma.

Fortunately, we didn’t encounter anyone from the Count’s family until we reached the Separate Residence, and we were able to enter as if nothing had happened.

That was how our first picnic ended.

Perhaps because the shock of that time was so great, Yudith rarely came out of her room afterward, and unlike when she used to follow me everywhere, she didn’t try to leave her room.

Yudith, the Witch who would destroy the world at the end of the original story.

Is a Witch really an existence that can destroy the world?

At that time, she didn’t seem capable of destroying the world. She was easily defeated by people.

‘Anyway, it’s the end of Part 1, so there’s a lot I don’t know…’

It had already been a week since that picnic.

Before the aftereffects of the incident could subside, the Count summoned Yudith.

‘It finally happened…’

The Head Maid informed me of the Count’s summons. Why did she have to tell me on the very day?

Finally, today, the Count is inviting Yudith to dinner to check if her Magical power has manifested.

In the original story, the Count realizes during the meal that she hasn’t manifested her Magical power yet and stops paying attention to Yudith, so the Countess and Yudel seize this moment to start tormenting her.

Apparently, Magical power usually manifests by the age of 10 at the latest.

Therefore, when the Count becomes greatly disappointed in Yudith and tries to give up on her, Yudel and the Countess don’t miss the opportunity.

Originally, Yudith, who had stood out since the Tea Party, would have her foot stepped on under the table by the Countess, breaking her bones… but that event is gone now…

Perhaps if she stands out this time, they will definitely try to act according to the original story.

How should I prevent this? Can I even prevent it in the first place?

I felt so sorry and tormented to inform Yudith of the Count’s order. It felt like pushing Yudith, who had been listless since then, to go and suffer even more cruel things.

I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

What would happen if I just didn’t say anything? Would they come to get her by force? The Count’s orders are absolute in the Count’s estate, and if he’s disappointed that her Magical power hasn’t manifested anyway, wouldn’t it be worse if he thinks she’s rebelling?

All sorts of thoughts ran through my head, but no proper answer came out.

With a heavy heart, I approached Yudith and told her that the Count had called for her, but Yudith showed a more composed reaction than I expected.

“It’s okay.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s okay, don’t worry.”

Is she saying this to reassure me because she knows I’m worried? She didn’t react as much as I thought, and Yudith, who let out a small sigh, got up from the bed.

“…Shall I go with you?”

“I said it’s okay. Don’t worry too much.”

How can I not worry? I know the original story. I know the nature of those people. Yudith, who couldn’t stand my gloomy expression, sighed and took my hand.

“Chloe. The things you’re worried about won’t happen.”

“…Do you think so?”

“It’s okay… If you’re really worried, will you just follow me to the main building?”

Yudith, who smiled faintly, looked at me and asked. Even if I can’t enter the dining hall, waiting in front of it is something I can do as a maid.

I also grabbed Yudith’s hand tightly and nodded.

‘It’s better to wait in front of it than to be here…’

When we arrived at the main building, holding Yudith’s hand tightly, countless gazes fell upon us.

The gazes towards the illegitimate child were not good. My predecessor’s friend believed that she had committed suicide because of Yudith. After her suicide, all sorts of rumors spread.

‘It’s only because I’m by her side that they’re not saying anything…’

Breaking through the countless gazes, we arrived at the dining hall that the servant had told us about, and when the door opened, I could finally see the faces of all the members of the Count’s family.

The Count, seen through the crack in the door, was looking at Yudith with eyes full of interest.

Yudel simply turned his head away without trying to look, and Erben didn’t seem interested.

The problem was the Countess…

She had no intention of hiding her murderous intent.

-Creak

The door closed, and Yudith was about to enter among that pack of hyenas trying to use her.

“See you later.”

Yudith said to me with a slight smile, and the dining room door closed firmly.

I still couldn’t do anything.

Time seemed to be passing so slowly. What on earth are they talking about inside that it’s taking so long?

An hour had passed since she entered the dining hall, but the firmly closed door showed no sign of opening. I couldn’t eavesdrop because of the other servants guarding the front of the dining hall, so I felt like I was going to die of frustration.

-Bang!

“Damn it!”

The first person to burst out of the firmly closed door was Yudel, with an annoyed face. He was about to swear, but he scratched his head and walked down the hallway with an annoyed face.

Erben followed him out. Erben also didn’t have a good expression, and he glanced at me standing in the hallway before heading to his room.

And then Yudith walked out.

She walked out of the dining hall with a clean face as if nothing had happened.

“Chloe. Let’s go back quickly.”

“Are you okay?”

Yudith, who simply nodded and took my hand, had a face that showed she was really okay. Not knowing what had happened, I turned my head and looked inside the dining hall.

‘What…?’

A chill ran down my spine at the Countess’s gaze.

The Countess’s lips, who was looking only at Yudith’s back with murderous eyes as if she would kill someone, were torn and bleeding because she couldn’t contain her anger.

‘What on earth happened…?’

I wanted to check the Count’s face too, but Yudith, who was pulling me, didn’t allow it. I was being dragged by Yudith as if I was being dragged along, and I couldn’t properly understand this situation.

“It’s okay.”

Yudith, who was heading to the Separate Residence, said to me in a confident voice.

“It’s really okay, so don’t worry. They won’t bother me for a while now.”

The phrase ‘for a while’ bothered me…

But what can I do now? I can only be dragged by Yudith and believe Yudith’s words.

I couldn’t say anything.

Only I and my Husband remained in the dining hall.

After that damn illegitimate b*tch left, I felt like everything was ruined.

She impudently said only what she had to say, ignored our answers, and tried to quietly leave after eating.

“Isn’t she a bold child? She certainly resembles me.”

“Ha…!”

My Husband, looking out the window and smiling.

It’s been years since he smiled at me like that, so what on earth about that illegitimate child has captured his heart?

“Are you going to believe what that child said?”

“…I have to believe it. How can I not when she speaks so boldly.”

“She must have picked it up somewhere! The information about the Marquis could have been leaked during my Tea Party!”

My Husband turned his head and looked at me as if he hated me. From some point on, his eyes towards me contained only hatred, not affection.

The incident that happened at that time was an accident, but he still doesn’t forgive me. I’m trying so hard to turn your heart even a little, but you still don’t look at me.

“I will wait for a while as that child said. Don’t you dare touch her as you please.”

I could only look at my Husband’s back as he said only what he had to say and left the dining hall, unable to grab him or stop him. Where did our relationship go wrong?

After that black Magic incident, he abandoned me and embraced another woman, and even brought in the child of that unforgivable woman.

‘Disgusting b*tch… You’re grabbing my ankles even in death…’

I had only seen her once. She was a woman who looked good in blonde hair. A woman who didn’t seem like a prostitute, but looked purely innocent. That’s why she was able to seduce my Husband.

I can’t let this go on. I absolutely can’t let this go on. If that child’s words are true, the hierarchy of the Count’s family will be overturned in an instant. I can’t bear to see my sons fall behind some illegitimate child, even in death.

The illegitimate child’s words are definitely false, but there’s always a chance, so I can’t give her even the slightest gap.

The reason she can be so confident… What on earth is it…? I told that child’s maid to break her spirit, but she ended up committing suicide…

Then… Is it because of the maid who changed this time that she can be so confident?

I remembered the maid who was standing outside the door earlier. The maid who was holding the illegitimate child’s hand and being dragged along. They seemed to have a good relationship with each other.

‘Right, I just have to not touch that child, right?’

I just have to not touch the illegitimate child, touching those around her is a different matter.

In the first place, if she has such a strong personality, it will be more difficult to touch her later.

To break that spirit… I have to get rid of those around that illegitimate child first.

‘First, I have to call her. If words don’t work… I’ll have to get rid of her.’

How should I seduce her? Bribery is the easiest, but if that doesn’t work, I can also threaten her.

Or… Maybe it would be easier to just get rid of her.