“Vivian, ma’am. This letter, a friend named Benjamin sent it to the fourth mistress.”

Vivian received the letter that the clerk at the Carcass top held out.

She remembered Edith mentioning that a letter reply would be coming through a merchant soon.

‘Mister Benjamin, he must really have acquaintances at the top.’

Vivian lightly greeted and picked up the letter that came to Edith.

Hoping that this letter would provide a change of mood for Edith, who had been locked in the study reading thick books after the Thanksgiving feast.

But Edith, who left the room saying she had an appointment for tea with Izazel, came back with a face more tired than after finishing the conference.

“Madam…?”

“Ah, Vivian.”

Actually, Edith was exhausted. Whether because she had been in a proud posture in front of Victor and Izazel so as not to be cowed, it seemed like the snacks served with tea had taken their toll.

But her effort was not in vain.

“I think I can grant the second condition of the lady as well.”

When Victor said so and Izazel nodded, Edith felt she had taken a big step to escape from her status as a viscountess.

‘In this situation, the head butler Whitman might take over all crimes related to embezzlement.’

In that case, she had to instill in people the perception that Sophia was also untrustworthy.

That alone would help Walter’s plan to make Helen a Viscountess of Portrion, and she could escape from the weakened grip of Sophia.

‘It’s fortunate that Izazel readily agreed to the proposal.’

Facing the Carcass women at once was nervewracking, but her plan to ruin Sophia’s reputation started off very smoothly.

“You look a bit tired, should I ask the kitchen to bring up some sweet ice cream?”

“I just had a snack, so it’s fine. I must have been tense. I’ll relax by reading a book.”

Vivian even worried needlessly that Edith might vanish into the books.

“Ah, Madam. On the way here, I received a letter through a Carcassaffiliated merchant.”

“From Benjamin?”

“Yes. He seems to have quite a reach.”

Vivian didn’t add, ‘He seems to be that much concerned about you, Madam.’

Edith, who looked like she would collapse into bed just moments ago, began to read the letter with focus.

Contrary to the affectionate introduction of ‘Dear Edith,’ the contents were serious.

[I went down to the river as soon as possible, and the maintenance situation is urgent. The village chief sent a letter demanding a solution, but there was no reply.]

‘As I expected.’

The condition of the levee downstream of the river seemed worse than anticipated.

Considering that the maintenance budget for river embankment had been empty for the 13 years since Nicholas inherited the viscountcy of Portrion, it was a natural result.

[I also investigated the binding magic you mentioned. Binding magic creates an invisible barrier, so if you tear the release spell outside the barrier, the magic is released.] [However, if you go outside the barrier without tearing the release spell, you cannot go back into the barrier without the spell next time.]

‘The operating principle of the binding magic is more complicated than I thought.’

For now, it seemed that one could pass through the barrier if they had the release spell.

Grateful for Benjamin’s friendship in taking the time to investigate information on her behalf, Edith continued reading the letter.

[P.S. I heard about the kidnapping committed by the Viscount of Portrion in the past while investigating. I’ll try to investigate thoroughly so I can tell you about it when we meet next time.]

‘The Viscount’s kidnapping?’

Benjamin was a careful person. The fact that he didn’t elaborate on what he heard meant there was not enough evidence to assert yet.

She naturally thought of Walter’s face upon hearing that the Viscount had kidnapped someone, but it was too early to make a judgment.
Despite this, the new information he had brought was troubling, and there was no helping it.

‘When will I be able to meet Benjamin again?’

[May my friendship be of help to you. Benjamin Homan.]

‘Benjamin, who has recently been disposed of and has taken a break and visited his hometown after a long time, is making such an effort; I cannot stay still.’

Edith read the neatly written words with gratitude and steeled herself.

To escape the mansion, ruining Sophia’s plan was a priority.

To do so, she needed to let the others in the mansion know that Sophia was not trustworthy and might have been deeply involved in Whitman’s embezzlement, or to deliver an irrecoverable blow.

‘Exposing her threats to get the inheritance at the right time would be best.’

Edith quickly planned in her head.

(This is a time separator.)

Late evening, when the employees were returning one by one to their quarters to rest.

Edith, who had been waiting for this time, asked Vivian, who had just finished her work.

“Can I take a walk in the garden now?”

“It should be fine. Sophia is busy with the head butler’s work and can’t even sleep because of the accounting.”

Edith wondered exactly what caused Sophia to be so upset that she lost control.