So Aelfrie paid extra to send a letter to the forest villa that the Count had mentioned. Yet, no reply had come.

Worried, Aelfrie reduced the food she gave to Zena.
I had been eating very little to begin with, so the amount wasn’t significant. Nonetheless, I had hoped that by eating less, Jenna could eat more.

The issue bothering Aelfrie was not just the meals and the servants.

“What to do about the torn book.”

Though borrowed in my father’s name, I was the one who had actually borrowed it. Therefore, I was responsible for the damage to the book.

A voice came into Aelfrie’s mind at that moment.

“If there is anything you wish for, please contact me. I will grant any request.”

Kyle’s voice from beyond the door.

Of course, I had no intention of asking him for a loan.

“Maybe I can earn some money by teaching ancient language to the Headmaster.”

Could I make it happen?

Lost in thought, Aelfrie continued to rub a persistent bruise.

That night, Aelfrie lay awake in bed, unable to sleep.

“I want to accept Mr. Kyle’s offer.”

I wanted to teach ancient languages. However, if word got out, my father wouldn’t leave me alone.

“Still, if I’m careful, I won’t get caught. There’s hardly anyone in the nobility who would recognize me anyway.”

Could I not work while my father is away?

However, I would have to stop immediately once my father returns. Would such short-term work be feasible?

“Furthermore, going on like this…”

Bruises still covered my face and limbs. That’s why, despite the early summer weather, I wore clothing that covered my arms and neck and used a wide-brimmed hat and a shawl to desperately hide my face.

“I don’t want to go looking like this.”

It was a shameful sight, not just to anyone but especially to the people at Ash & Co, particularly Kyle.

For reasons I couldn’t understand, the thought of appearing before him in such a pitiable and miserable state made me think I’d rather die.

“Sigh…”

In the end, Aelfrie couldn’t sleep and got up from bed. Hunger panged from the stomach that had not been properly fed all day.

“I should at least drink some water.”

Just as Aelfrie was about to pass the third floor,

“Is this good?”

“……!”

Voices of people came from Elise’s room.

At first, I thought a thief had broken in. But upon listening carefully, the voices were all familiar.

They belonged to the remaining servants in the mansion.

Aelfrie, suppressing her presence, observed them. The fact that they were carrying lamps made it easy to see what they were doing.

“My God.”

Stricken with awe, Aelfrie watched them enter Elise’s room and recklessly rifle through her belongings.
Approaching closer for a quick glance, they were casually sitting or lying on the sofa and bed, chattering away.

Moreover, how they had managed to steal it was unclear, but they even held the precious liquor that he had placed in the room’s cabinet.

“When else would we get to enjoy something like this if not now?”

“Exactly. Look at this. Doesn’t it suit me? I think I pull it off better than Elize does.”

The maid’s laughing voice was heard, then another servant clapped and said.

“Nice. Just take it. With so much here, they wouldn’t notice if one goes missing. Kinda stupid, really.”

It was the voice of the servant who would normally bow so low their head nearly touched the ground whenever they saw Elize.

“Besides, what’s the big deal if she finds out? Do you really think she’d catch us? She only hits people all the time.”

At those words, Aelfrie bit her lip. It seemed they were planning to pin their sins on her.

Moments later, the sound of a drawer opening could be heard from Elize’s room. Aelfrie couldn’t stand still any longer.

She immediately entered the room.

“Wha—What the!”

Upon Aelfrie’s entrance, the servant who had been guzzling from a bottle choked and spat out his drink. Startled, the other servants and maids also looked up.