‘In the original work, why did Lady Egritte run away with the Grand Duke’s wealth?’

I pondered as I headed towards Lady Egritte’s room at her request.

‘Lady Egritte entered as a housekeeper a few years before the previous Grand Duke Inkhart passed away, and Darius was inspecting the border regions at that time.’

Around the time my father-in-law, the previous Grand Duke Inkhart, died, the situation was truly chaotic and difficult in many ways, so the young lord Inkhart was personally touring several northern territories to appease the people.

The Grand Duke Inkhart was too frail to govern the northern territories, and the young lord who should have taken his place was away from the domain. This meant it was a perfect situation for Lady Egritte to have free rein.

To extend this favorable situation for herself, Lady Egritte persistently tried to drive a wedge between Anette and Darius.

Although she failed. Darius and I get along very well as good friends.

‘Until now, I thought Lady Egritte had run away at an opportune time, as she couldn’t embezzle indefinitely.’

People are disappearing, and Lady Egritte intentionally prevented the news from reaching Darius.

Why did Lady Egritte need money in the first place? She has no children to leave her wealth to, and she already receives sufficient respect as a relative of the Inkhart family.

What on earth did she need to gain by even resorting to embezzlement?

Could it be that Lady Egritte has something more that wasn’t mentioned in the original work?

“Apple.”

Before the maid could inform Lady Egritte of my arrival, I instructed Apple.

“If I don’t come out of Lady Egritte’s room after 30 minutes, make up some excuse and enter. And deliver this to His Grace the Grand Duke right away.”

I placed one piece of the mirror I had brought from the warehouse, wrapped in a handkerchief, into Apple’s hand. My trusted maid nodded with a solemn expression.

“I will do so, my lady.”

* * *

I had been thinking all along that I should deal with Lady Egritte, the hidden villain of Inkhart Castle.

Coincidentally, Lady Egritte seemed to share the same thought that now was the time to leave.

Lady Egritte’s room had become so bare it felt chilly. As if she was ready to leave at any moment.

‘That won’t do.’

Not before she disgorges all the spoils she’s been greedily consuming until now.

We smiled at each other with utmost kindness while harboring mutual dislike.

“I’m sorry for breaking my promise. Urgent matters take priority, and I believe Lady Egritte will understand that much. You’re a broad-minded person, aren’t you?”

“What can I do? It’s not like I can turn back time. Well, I did wait a long time that day without knowing the circumstances.”

“Were you perhaps inconvenienced?”

“I’m not one to waste time carelessly.”

“But what can you do? As you said, my will takes precedence in all matters, doesn’t it?”

Lady Egritte returned my incredulous laugh with her own. The corners of her mouth trembled as she smiled with all her patience.

Seeing how much I enjoy watching others force a smile, I guess I really am cut out for these kinds of novels. The role of an annoying superior fits me perfectly.

“Here are the documents you requested. I revised everything after hearing your words, my lady.”

Lady Egritte pushed a pile of documents towards me on the table.

The last time I met with Lady Egritte, I had questioned her about why the castle’s finances were in such a state.

“This looks fine. It’s neat.”

“I couldn’t trouble you twice with my work, could I?”

“But how can accounts that didn’t add up suddenly become so neatly balanced in such a short time?”

Lady Egritte’s face, which had been wearing a gentle smile, looked as if it might shatter with a clang.

“What do you mean?”

“Last time there were so many problems, but this time there are no errors in the numbers. In such a short time. Either you’re a very capable accountant or…”

Or you’ve manipulated the books.

“Last time you embarrassed me for having incorrect numbers, and now you’re saying something because the numbers are correct?”

“Of course not. I’m just curious why someone who can do this now couldn’t do it last time. As you know, there’s a large discrepancy between the two sets of data?”

Pretending to look at the documents, I placed the mirror on the table.

The mirror wasn’t reflecting my face like an ordinary mirror. Instead, it showed someone else’s face. I secretly waved to him as he stared with wide, bewildered eyes.

Lady Egritte abruptly stood up and closed the door. Her back trembled as she breathed heavily.

“My lady?”

“The wind is cold. I think it’s better if we talk with the door closed.”

I kept my eyes on Lady Egritte’s back as she turned around, wary of something suspicious.

“Where were we?”

“Where did you divert the castle’s budget? You were in charge of the castle’s internal affairs, weren’t you?”

I asked again in succession.

“And I heard that maids are disappearing and you’re blocking those rumors. Why are you doing that?”

“Oh my, my lady. You young people are indeed naive. In a quiet, snowy village, it’s not uncommon for a person to disappear. Young people sometimes run away without their parents’ knowledge, wanting to experience the vibrant city life. I simply didn’t want to trouble Inkhart Castle with such matters.”

“Even if that’s the case, the lord needs to know what’s going on. That’s not for you to decide. It’s a clear overstepping of your authority, Lady Egritte.”

“Are you going to punish me for that?”

“If necessary, yes. I will report this matter to His Grace. There will be disciplinary action.”

Lady Egritte, who was blocking the door, turned to look at me. Her eyes gleamed eerily.

“Lady Egritte.”

Just as I was about to ask if she was feeling unwell, Lady Egritte let out a sigh. At the same time, her demeanor changed.

“My, how troublesome you are. I should have done this from the beginning instead of enduring all this time.”

Click, the sound of Lady Egritte locking the door was clearly audible.

“My lady?”

I stood up from my seat. Something felt off.

“You’ve been running around here and there, thinking you’re actually something important? This is my turf, you know.”

‘The mirror, grab the mirror.’

As soon as I picked up the mirror, Lady Egritte overturned the table. This woman must be crazy!

“If only I had killed everyone off earlier before leaving, it would have been easier.”

With the table cleared away, a large pattern on the floor was revealed. It was a pattern that anyone would recognize as a magic circle.

Lady Egritte, or rather, the being who I now doubted was truly Lady Egritte, muttered something towards the magic circle. The letters drawn in the magic circle began to glow and sparkle.

‘A pattern has appeared on Lady Egritte’s hand too!’

It seemed to be something that only appeared and could be seen when certain conditions were met, like my spirit user mark. Just as Lady Egritte had now fully revealed her murderous intent towards me.

I gathered my wits and quickly threw myself at the door.

‘It won’t open!’

“My maid is waiting outside! Do you think she’ll just stand by if she doesn’t hear any sound from inside?”

“Sound? Don’t worry about that.”

Lady Egritte, having regained her composure, smiled benevolently. Looking at her face alone, this woman truly appeared kind-hearted.

“That’s not what you should be worried about from now on. No sound will be heard. Not even when you spill your last drop of blood and die!”

Good heavens. I thought there might be some secret, but I never said anything about a witch.

“Apple! Darius! Is anyone out there?”

Bang, bang. I frantically pounded on the door that wouldn’t open.

“Oh my, anger isn’t good for the skin. I should calm down too.”

Knowing that I had no means of defense, Lady Egritte was leisurely. She walked towards me slowly, as if tightening a noose.

“Beauty is pain. It takes a lot of effort just to maintain it. But if I can be this beautiful at this age, it’s worth enduring.”

Lady Egritte tore off her cumbersome skirt. Underneath, she was wearing pants suitable for movement.

“Oh being of the demon realm who has contracted with me. I offer you a sacrifice according to our contract, grant me stronger powers of enchantment!”

With a hiss, black smoke appeared and a demon was summoned from the magic circle. It was a demon that looked like a slimy lump of mud.

In desperation, I threw a nearby vase at the demon. With a loud crash, the vase shattered, but true to its nature as a demon, it didn’t seem to take much damage.

‘Apple, I told you to come in by any means necessary after 30 minutes!’

“Do you know who I hate the most?”

“How would I know! The thoughts of an embezzler and a madwoman!”

“Pretty young things like you. Those who have soft, beautiful skin without any effort. Looking at you makes me feel my age so acutely. It’s infuriating.”

Most physical attacks won’t work on that demon.

There’s no one coming to save me, and inside the room are a crazy woman who hates aging and her demon baring its teeth at me. How should I deal with this situation? I frantically searched inside my bodice.

“Ah!”

“So I brought young maidens and fed them to the demon. Those girls gave me power.”

Egritte suddenly grabbed my neck.

“I was getting tired of just eating ordinary country girls. But a noble lady raised in luxury like you…”

I threw the round object I had grabbed, pouch and all, at Egritte.