‘…Is he resenting me for not having trusted him?’

How had she lived without knowing how heavily another’s emotions could weigh on her heart?

The complex look he’d given her as she was being expelled beyond the boundary was deeply etched into her heart.

It was a distorted expression so painful that she couldn’t clearly define it as either anger or confusion. But one thing was clear.

He definitely felt some sort of betrayal from her.

“Anyway, Edith, this is not the time for us to consider Sophia or Whitman.”

Misinterpreting Edith’s hardened expression as concern for the two, Isabelle decided to change the subject.

“The atmosphere among the subjects is alarming. Father even sent a letter saying they might storm into the manor any moment.”

“Given the harsh petition the steward wrote got published in the local newspaper, their disappointment must be immense.”

Isabelle was surprised by how coldly rational Edith sounded.

“Did you know things would turn out this way, Edith? You seem unshaken.”

Rather than reply immediately, Edith let out an awkward laugh.

The truth was, her influence had somewhat contributed to the growing opinion among the subjects that Fortrion needed reforming.

‘Thankfully, Benjamin published a strong article on the need for reform in the domain.’

People who read his compelling article came together to voice the need for new leadership in the domain.

Only then would the authority not pass to the lady of the manor, Elizabeth, and instead easily transition to mercenary Helen.

‘Even I, having been the lady of the manor for less than a year, will naturally lose authority.’

But she couldn’t allow Isabelle, who had helped her, to also face blasphemy. Meeting Isabelle’s eyes, Edith spoke.

“Isabelle, if you could buy honor with money, what would you do?”

“Honor?”

Isabelle pricked up her ears, catching every nuance, especially since her father had mentioned in a letter that having someone with Edith’s savvy close by was a valuable lesson.

After Isabelle left with a positive response, Edith discreetly asked Anne and Marie, who came to clean up the tea table.

“How are the new hires that Elizabeth brought in?”
Knowing they were assassins intent on killing Walter, they had no choice but to be concerned about their activities.

After Sofia, who had been giving them hints about getting too friendly with Edith, disappeared, Ann and Marie could answer more comfortably.

“Everyone’s quite sociable, aren’t they?”

“Yes, the first few days were busy getting accustomed to the mansion’s geography, but now they even greet the regular staff warmly.”

“Elizabeth seems to have brought good people.”

Edith showed a pleased smile, but she wasn’t unaware that they were gathering information.

They had come all the way from the monastery to kill Walter, and since their target had disappeared, they must be trying to extract information from others.

Among Portrion Mansion’s employees, the only one who could say they knew Walter well was Cassius, but he had left the mansion following Walter.

Therefore, they had to assume there would be no leak of information about Walter, but there was one person, one catch.

Someone who knew the relationship with Walter, and if the pressure Walter was applying disappeared, a person frivolous enough to spill the secret right away.

“Vivian. Could you go fetch Hans? Ann and Marie, I would like a light tea snack prepared. I’ve already had tea, so one serving will suffice.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

The three maids left Edith’s room side by side.

Knowing that Hans stayed in the servants’ quarters attached to the mansion’s west wing, Vivian headed there.

But what could be happening?

“I shall take my leave, Miss Elizabeth.”

Hans was seen politely bowing his head as he exited the room of the second Miss, Elizabeth.