In fact, before Elizabeth arrived at the Lexion mansion, Edith came across one crucial piece of information.

Since Edith officially accepted Walter’s proposal and approval, Bain naturally began reporting to her in the morning as well.

‘Elizabeth was offered the position of Patricia, the Empress’s maid.’

She leaked the information casually like a whisper to those who were targeting the position of the maid during the New Year’s dance.

Thankful for the support, she intends to make Elizabeth, who has been with her for a long time, a maid, implying that Elizabeth has been offered the position of Patricia’s maid. She must have announced this to subtly show that she had compassionate and fair criteria for employing people, even if they were of slightly lower status than other applicants.

However, due to Patricia revealing this fact at the dance, Edith could think of one more move.

‘If Elizabeth really becomes Patricia’s maid, I can observe and monitor Patricia from the closest proximity.’

Is there a better person to use as a concubine than one who is closer to escort Patricia than the maids directly serving her?

To confirm if Bain’s report was true, Edith looked at Elizabeth.

“I heard you were offered the position of Patricia’s maid. Is it true?”

“…!”

To her question, as if she had been waiting, Elizabeth felt a ray of light.

She had been thinking about how to prove her usefulness to Edith, and ultimately to Lexion. The woman in front of her seemed to provide the answer.

“Yes. I was offered the position of Patricia’s exclusive maid, and I plan to start working next week.”

After hearing Elise’s situation from Edith, Elizabeth had been considering pretending to accidentally set Patricia’s bedroom on fire on her first day at work.

After all, Patricia was the daughter of Count Gotorque, who had used her and her daughter for his own benefit. She must have been aware of Elise’s situation.

Even knowing all this, Elizabeth couldn’t pretend not to know when she was proposed to become a maid. However, if she could use the position of a maid for the sake of her child and revenge, the story would be different.

“Now that I’ve taken on the role of Patricia’s secretary, I will also know the detailed schedules and movements. So please, give me a chance.”

Elizabeth looked at Edith more desperately than ever before. Her eyes were reddened with urgency.

“I swear I haven’t told anyone about the fact that you have a child. I have no intention of disclosing it to others in the future.”

“…”

“So please, use me to bring Gotorque down. In any way you want…”

Elizabeth lowered her head to the ground and pleaded earnestly. Reflected in the marble tiles, Edith, behind her rational expression, carefully examined the letter she had brought from Gilbert.

Behind that calm demeanor, Elizabeth feared what decision might come down.
‘No matter that she’s taken the position as Patricia’s maid, she probably won’t easily accept what I’ve done.’

To kill Balter, Eisen took the lead, and even at the New Year’s dance, he attempted to blackmail Edith with the news of her pregnancy.

The situation was not strange at all, even if Edith tried to coerce her, not only herself but also her daughter.

At that time, as Elizabeth pondered her actions, which she had committed with a feeling of self-slap, Edith spoke up.

“I understand your intention for now. The decision will have to be made after a little more consideration of the letter.”

What Elizabeth provided, including the correspondence exchanged with Gilbert Gotorque, her lover, was nothing short of entrusting her own life.

The letter revealed in detail the despicable deeds of Count Gotorque to break the nobility faction’s power and open the era of Patricia. The attack on Fortrian’s carriage using the Count’s assassins was just part of it.

Especially the part suggesting to keep an eye on the suspicious stableman and kidnap him to sell him, Elizabeth found it challenging to escape punishment.

‘She must have known that exposing this would start causing problems for herself.’

Considering what Elizabeth had done so far to Balter and herself, Edith couldn’t trust her.

It was a matter of waiting to see if Elizabeth would perform the role of a concubine excellently to protect her daughter by Patricia’s side.

In the end, there was only one thing Edith could definitively say to Elizabeth now.

“I believe no young girl should be sold to Viscount Humphrey, no matter who they are. You won’t throw your daughter into hell as payment for what you did to us.”

“…?”

At Edith’s words that she wouldn’t touch Elise, Elizabeth unintentionally raised her head to look at Edith.

Expecting her to show her displeasure or demand something more while laughing, Elizabeth’s face remained mostly unchanged as if stating the obvious.

To Elizabeth, who wondered about the reason for this favor, Edith added as if it were obvious.

“Elizabeth, anyone secretly trying to sell a young girl to a pervert without the mother’s knowledge is abnormal. I am just different from those people, being a normal person.”

“…!”