Esme came down the stairs with fluttering steps. It had been a long time since Adeline returned home. Adeline particularly liked such dramatic performances, so she intended to play along.

“Oh my, Adeline! I heard you’ve been praying all this time at the temple.”

Esme dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. Seeing this, Adeline forced a smile. In the end, Esme had revealed that she had been following and monitoring Adeline. The previous Adeline might not have noticed, but Leira easily picked up on the subtle difference.

“I’m so sorry about Simon. But the living must go on, right? Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes, Mother. Thank you for understanding me.”

Adeline spoke, trying her best to remove any dryness from her voice. Esme smiled with an affectionate face. The hand stroking Adeline’s back was gentle. Josephine watched the scene with a strange look.

“But who is this woman?”

Josephine and Esme’s eyes met. Esme narrowed her eyes. The black mole on the bridge of Esme’s nose twitched slightly.

“Ah, I brought a maid. I heard she’s a capable one.”

“From whom?”

“From the priest who helped me at the temple. He said she was someone he knew. I was thinking of using her instead of Lydia, is that alright?”

“… Of course, Adeline. This is your mansion, what can’t you do here?”

The sound of Esme’s shoes echoed cheerfully. Esme moved her body lightly and met Josephine’s eyes. Esme smiled brightly.

“Welcome. Your name is?”

“It’s Josephine, my lady.”

There must be hundreds of maids named Josephine. It was one of the most common names in the North. Once death is faked, there would be no need to chase after Josephine.

“I entrust our daughter to you from now on. I’ve been worried because she’s been through a lot lately. I’m glad she’s someone trustworthy.”

Esme gently grasped Josephine’s arm.

Lydia, who was thought to be trustworthy, had done useless things and was kicked out. To think she would do such a thing for mere antiques.

But it’s better to get rid of a dog that misbehaves. It might develop bad habits again. Anyway, what’s important is what comes next. The maid Adeline brought herself.

Since the coachman didn’t relay any special information, Adeline probably didn’t do anything unusual. Then she really must have brought a maid recommended by the temple. Judging by her appearance, she must be in need of money. Esme gave a deep eye-smile.

It seems she’s found an alternative to Lydia.

Esme turned her head while holding Josephine’s hand.

“Adeline. Go take a bath first. A bath is best when you’re tired. You’ll feel much better after soaking in warm water.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“The head maid should be preparing the water for you now, so go up and see. And I’ll prepare this maid well and send her to your side. Shouldn’t we first make her fit for Weasley?”

“I leave it to you.”

Adeline smiled faintly and went up to the second floor. Josephine and Adeline’s eyes briefly met. Watching Adeline’s back as she went up without hesitation, Esme stopped tapping her foot. Esme turned her head and spoke sweetly to Josephine.

“First, it would be good to have some warm tea. My goodness, your face is frozen stiff.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

Josephine bowed deeply.

Esme took Josephine to her reception room.

Click.

Josephine sipped the warm coffee. As Esme said, it felt like the chill was being driven out of her entire body. It was a large and splendid room, like seeing Clederiff before its downfall.

“This coffee is really delicious.”

“Oh my? Really? Would you like some more?”

“Then just a little more…”

Josephine held out her coffee cup. Esme giggled.

“You have a nice personality? I think we’ll get along well. I feel like we’ll communicate well too. What do you think, Josephine?”

Esme spoke in a much more comfortable tone. Josephine answered seriously.

“Thank you for thinking well of me. I will do my best to serve the Viscountess diligently from now on.”

“I’d be grateful if you do. Our Viscountess has a tender heart and poor health. As a mother, I worry about her.”

Esme placed cookies in front of Josephine. And next to it, she put down a thick pink envelope typical of Esme. Josephine looked at the envelope quietly.

“I’m never stingy to those who serve our Viscountess. Just occasionally let me know how our daughter is doing. You know what I mean, Jo…”

“Josephine.”

“Josephine is a smart person, right?”

“Yes.”

Josephine promptly took the envelope.

“I’ll work hard, my lady.”

Esme’s smile deepened.

*

A refreshed Josephine came to my room. Josephine stared at me with an expressionless face. I don’t think Josephine was bribed by Esme.

Josephine despised people like Esme. Moreover, she wouldn’t betray me, who had even mentioned Leira’s name.

“How much did you get?”

“She gave generously. I received it in documents.”

“Documents?”

“It was a small house nearby.”

“Wow.”

To casually give that much to a maid. Esme was certainly someone who knew how to spend money. I stood by the window looking outside.

Since Adeline had given all of Weasley to Esme, Esme was free to spend money as she pleased. And with that money, Esme bought people rather than indulging in luxury. Quite a smart person, I’d say.

In contrast, the Weasley trading company was rotting from within. It was only outwardly splendid. It was obvious that a sandcastle built on an illusion would crumble even without me doing anything. This is why you shouldn’t carelessly bring in people.

Esme didn’t have the ability to manage the company. But she probably didn’t want to return it to Adeline either. So Esme entrusted the company to someone she thought was trustworthy and smart.

It was her elder brother.

The problem was that her elder brother had changed after tasting money.

Even Esme didn’t seem to realize yet that the company was rotting from within. She wouldn’t want the source of her money to be blocked either…

“Can Madam Esme handle it well on her own?”

“Yes, Viscountess. Don’t worry.”

With Josephine here, I don’t think I need to worry about the internal affairs of Weasley. Now I should move on to the next step. Vincent should contact me soon. Vincent would want to take out the furs in the basement right away.

I perched slightly on the window.

Josephine draped a thick fur over my shoulders. Josephine’s touch was delicate and affectionate. Just like before.

For me to devour the Weasley trading company, it might be better to become a bit weaker. Like internal strife. And divert Esme’s attention too. I slightly moved my lips.

“Madam Esme…”

I turned my head towards Josephine. Wouldn’t it work to make Esme cause internal strife with her own hands? It’s not a difficult task. Esme was a vicious and greedy person.

“Josephine. What would happen if Madam Esme found out that her elder brother was embezzling company money for gambling?”

Josephine blinked slowly. It meant she understood what I was saying.

“I’ll create an opportunity soon, Viscountess.”

“Thank you, Josephine.”

Having Josephine made me feel reassured. She was someone who could understand my intentions and act without detailed instructions. I felt like I could sleep soundly tonight.

*

Esme stared at Josephine with a strange look. Josephine was more obedient than expected. Moreover, since returning from the temple, Adeline had been staying quietly at home.

“Is the shock of Simon’s death and her survival alone that great?”

Esme tilted her head.

Josephine, who was stuffing her mouth full of steak, raised her head slightly. Josephine chewed what was in her mouth. With round eyes, Josephine swallowed her food.

“Me?”

“No.”

Seeing that appearance, she seemed a bit slow-witted. But being a bit slow-witted is easier to use. Esme smiled brightly.

“Eat more. Adeline is naive and doesn’t know how to take care of people well. Is this your first time eating this?”

Josephine nodded and stuffed more meat into her mouth.

“What did our daughter do all day today? Does she still miss Simon a lot?”

“Yes, it seemed so. She stayed in bed all day today. She didn’t eat well either.”

Josephine spilled everything fluently. What Adeline did all day, when she had dinner, and even how many times she went to the bathroom.

“Oh my, it seems our daughter is doing well fortunately. Thank you, Josephine. It’s because you’re taking good care of her. Don’t you think Adeline has become more stable since returning from the temple?”

Esme smiled brightly.

‘Should I marry off Adeline? No, no. If that happens, who knows how that husband would act. He might try to reclaim the Weasley trading company, right? No. Couldn’t I just make my own person the son-in-law?’

Esme tapped her plump lips with her finger.