Madam and the Stable Keeper (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 43

Just an hour ago, Hans had received word that Elizabeth, who had never shown him the slightest interest before, was asking for him.

“The second madam?”

Until then, it had always been Sophia who summoned him. Her usual concern was whether or not he had laid a hand on Edith, and Hans would quell her suspicions by assuring her he was diligently carrying out Walter’s orders, terrified of Walter’s threats.

‘Could it be that Madam Elizabeth thinks I’m Lady Sophia’s most trusted confidant and summoned me to drive me out?’

Unaware that he held no such significance, Hans nonetheless trembled with unnecessary fear as he headed to her chamber.

However, Elizabeth greeted him with an unexpectedly gentle demeanor, contrary to his expectations.

“There’s something I’d like to ask you. Now that Sophia is gone, I’m considering managing the staff myself. Do you know anything about a stable hand named Walter?”

Elizabeth brushed back her red hair as she asked. She couldn’t risk giving the impression that she was digging around to have Walter killed, so she refrained from asking anything too probing.

Hans stared at her, entranced, and fell briefly into thought.

‘Somehow, it feels like she’s testing me.’

In the end, Hans had no choice but to reply that he wasn’t even acquainted with Walter, let alone close to him. He’d heard rumors that Walter had vanished from the estate, but couldn’t confirm whether they were true.

‘He’s disappeared for days before while practicing swordsmanship.’

If Walter were still around and Hans spilled everything to Elizabeth, there was no way Walter would let it slide. The memory of his stomped hand still throbbed, instantly crushing any rebellious thoughts.

“I only know he’s the stable hand the viscount brought in. He’s such a prickly fellow, he has no friends.”

“I heard he was close to someone named Cassius, but that man fled in the middle of the night.”

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