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Chapter 44

“Veronica, what are you talking about now?”

“Why are you reacting like that? The child’s face was not yet known in Lavrenti, so it would be perfect for digging up the situation.”

“…What do you mean to let Charlotte find out about the situation? I have already entrusted that by using the portraits.”

“What is the real purpose to get the portrait like other wives, anyway. It’s a facade to show them, isn’t it?”

“Of course, but…”

“Then, what’s the matter? If you aren’t really going to side with Ahibalt, do what you’re told. I don’t think there’s any reason not to?”

It was a secret between the two that Henrietta had Charlotte monitor Lavrenti by using her love for Ahibalt. Since Charlotte was the card to put in Lavrenti, in case, Veronica couldn’t use her power properly. So, if she told Veronica about it, Henrietta would essentially be telling her that she had a different heart.

With no good cause for her to refuse, Henrietta eventually nodded her head reluctantly.

“All right.. Charlotte, you have to go as inconspicuous as possible.”

While it was unfortunate for Henrietta that her plans went awry, it was good news for Charlotte. She thought she wouldn’t see Rodion again, at least, until she had the portrait finished. However, Henrietta and Veronica had ordered her to go to Lavrenti!

It must be because of her mood that her body became light, and her fever dropped.

And so, Charlotte embraced her pounding heart as she headed to Lavrenti.

‘What should I say when we meet again?’

Even in her carriage, Charlotte agonized. What should she say when I see Rodion again? She thought he must have hated her because she was with Veronica.

‘…No, he might not hate me.’

Because you don’t smile so pretty to someone you hate like that.

Maybe, she could talk to him a little bit?

Before her swollen chest burst, the carriage eventually dropped her at Lavrenti’s mansion.

Even though she didn’t have an invitation, it was okay because she herself is in a relationship with Ahibalt. So, she could say that she was about to be the person whom she would be married to.

— It can’t be helped that this happened. The portrait could be used for external use, you just move separately. To Veronica, keep your tongue in your mouth as it is now because she likes that kind of person.

Charlotte, repeating Henrietta’s words, walked her way to the mansion. Her heels kept floating at the thought that if she was lucky, she might be in the same room with Rodion, and that if she were even more lucky she might meet him.

But, as she walked less than a few steps, Charlotte’s steps, which had floated on her, fell back to the ground.

It was because she saw a young man happily sharing this story with the silver-haired maid.

The young man was definitely the very person she had been longing to meet…

Rodion Lavrenti.

However, what about the maid next to him?

‘He’s spending time with such a pretty maid…?’

The moment her jealousy slowly shook her heart, she could hear part of the maid’s conversation with Rodion.

“…What would you know?”

“Of course, I know, Youngest Master! We shared the same bed yesterday, too.”

At that moment, there was the sound of something crackling inside Charlotte.

That was, the string of reason.

“How could I just let it go when I saw something like that? Lavrenti is also where my future will be. So, scandals should be prevented in advance.”

“So…”

“So, I went and asked her, and she was trying to defy me. Adversely, so I slapped her on the cheek.”

Saying so, Charlotte raised her nose and added that the weak servant should be disciplined in advance.

Irene, who had been watching the scene silently, looked up at the sky without realizing it.

Beyond the glass dome of the greenhouse, the sky was clear, unlike her complicated heart. Today, for some reason, it seemed to embroider the Milky Way in the night sky due to the sorrow of an employee who couldn’t quit.

‘Ah…’

…I want to resign.

Eventually, she kind of roughly understood the situation.

‘In summary, Charlotte misunderstood what Louise said.’

As soon as she heard Charlotte’s explanation, Irene could understand the situation.

‘Rodion and Louise were talking about something, and the story of me and Louise sleeping came up…’

Hearing it from that part, Charlotte must have misunderstood that Rodion and Louise slept together. The reason why she was able to understand the situation with just a brief explanation was simple.

‘I slept with Louise last night, so…’

How would there be any misunderstanding if the person directly involved was there?

However, this was Irene’s position, it wouldn’t have been the same with her.

With Charlotte’s imagination alone, the wonderful situation was drawn. She kept asking Louise if she slept, though she must have said no because she really has never done that.

Besides, Charlotte was a very proud character for her because she received so much disregard for her in the Eunice family. And, when that characteristic of hers was combined with her unique brilliance of Louise, it becomes another misunderstood combination…

— ‘That girl is ignoring me!’

After that…

She must’ve raised her voice and slapped Louise’s cheeks…

‘…I’m going crazy.’

Irene wanted to slap her forehead.

Even if there was a variable, she had never even thought of such a case. At best, she thought about how twisted the event was when Charlotte came in.

‘Charlotte already has feelings for Rodion and is starting to be wary of Louise.’

Obviously, things that would begin after the 「 A Blood Stained Portrait 」 were progressing ahead of time. Still, it would be nice if the cause could be clearly identified.

‘I have no idea…’

The more she knew, it felt as though she was falling into a labyrinth.

Irene let out a complicated breath and opened her mouth.

“First of all, the lady seems to have misunderstood something.”

“…Misunderstanding?”

Charlotte’s eyes widened, but Irene continued her words without moving.

“Yes. The maid you mentioned is sharing a room with me. She slept with me yesterday, too.”

“Huh? Perhaps, she sneaked out while you were sleeping? It’s very distasteful to hear that I had been told that I had misunderstood what I had heard.”

“You are right. Of course, there may be situations that I am not aware of. However, didn’t you hear only one word? Can you guarantee that you didn’t misunderstand just that one word?”

“How do I misunderstand that? It can’t be!”

“Still, it was me who shared the same bed with the maid last night.”

As if she was a little embarrassed, Charlotte’s mouth closed as soon as she heard Irene’s answer with a straight face. This was because she also roughly understood only what she had heard.

Realizing that, her heart sank, though she couldn’t show her pride on the outside.

‘Did I really misunderstand and hit someone…?’

If she really did, she would have to apologize. However, to say that she did it because she was understood, when Charlotte felt like she couldn’t open her mouth.

Even so, does she have to apologize to a servant?

In the end, what she spit was something else.

“Even if I misunderstood, I was only doing it for Lavrenti. Shouldn’t it be for everyone’s sake to stop a scandal from spreading?”

“You’re right. Though it’s an internal matter, so I think you don’t have to worry about it.”

“What? Did you not hear me? I’m an insider, too. I am Henrietta Lavrenti’s niece, and I’m in a relationship with Ahibalt Lavrenti.”

“But, aren’t you still from another family?”

You’re not even engaged yet. So, what do you mean, insider?

At that moment, Charlotte’s face turned bright red when she understood Irene’s meaning.

Either way, her words continued.

“Currently, there has been no letter from the Lavrenti mansion regarding the wedding, and no comments have been received about Charlotte Eunice from Henrietta Lavrenti. It would be a bit difficult to judge as an insider.”

When she finished speaking, Irene also straightened her bent back.

It was only for the sake of the owner that the servant had to bow their heads. Many people were mistaken, though it was not natural for servants to bow their heads to guests.

It was only for the sake of the owner’s dignity.

Since it was the owner’s job to welcome guests, it was only natural that the servants were like the owner’s hands and feet.

However, Charlotte was an uninvited guest, wasn’t particularly in an official relationship, and she even went so far as to slap the owner’s hands and feet carelessly. Therefore, at least in this situation, there was no need for Irene to bow down in her position as the chief of maids.

“So, you have to apologize before you leave.”

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