Chapter 49.2

Chapter 49 – Part 2

“The Madam is going to make an amulet for Milord, right?”

“Looks like it.”

“But does she already know how to make one…?”

“……”

Even if I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, I could clearly hear the voices of the people around me here, gathered inside the hall.

Do I know how to make an amulet?

Of course… I don’t.

I was just following what Charlotte’s doing in front of me.

‘They all already know that I’ve never participated in an event such as this.’

Missus Seymour and the people residing in the Valentino manor had always left me out of everything. That wasn’t the case now, but it used to be the norm.

There were many times before when they made amulets and decorated the prayer tree. I just couldn’t join them.

Charlotte was often left out as well, but there were still a few times when people took care of her because she’s so friendly. So, she at least knew how to make an amulet.

Seeing what’s in my hand, Charlotte gasped.

“Madam! You’re really good at making it even though it’s your first time! You’re so amazing!”

“…Mmh, thank you.”

Charlotte’s enthusiastic praises drew people’s attention to me. I was making a blue, red and gold amulet knot.

Blue symbolized eternity and hope. Red symbolized passion and life. And lastly, gold symbolized prosperity and light.

“The knot that the Madam is making… The colors are nice, and the shape is so pretty. I should’ve made mine like that, too.”

“Yeah, me too… How fascinating though. Isn’t it really the Madam’s first time making an amulet knot?”

“She must be very good with her hands. She’s an artist after all!”

“Exactly, yes.”

…I didn’t expect the people of the Valentino residence to say something so positive about me.

I couldn’t help but think that this was the kind of thing that would startle even the dead from six feet under.

As we went on to focus on our task for a very long time, the amulet knots piled up in the center of the hall.

The amulet I made for Theodore was kept separately. Usually, the lady of the house was the one who’d first decorate the Tree of Origin, so I’d have to use that amulet at that time.

“Um… Well, shall we take a break? It’s not good to push yourselves too hard.”

I got up from my seat first and called the maids to get snacks and drinks so that those who had been working hard making amulets until now could rest a little and eat.

After a while, the maids came back and set the table, then soon, people gathered around the wide table in twos and threes to eat and chat.

“I made an amulet for poor Sir Johnson. He’s already 45 but he’s still single.”

“Sir Johnson doesn’t have a stake in his family’s inheritance, that’s why there’s no woman who wants to marry him…”

“But didn’t he have a fiancée before?”

“Who said that? It’s already been more than ten years since he and his fiancée broke their engagement!”

“I heard that his fiancée ran away in the dead of the night and eloped with a rich merchant! Sir Johnson was deeply hurt by her…”

The pleasant chattering amongst the people distracted me a little, but I couldn’t tell them to stop.

‘…I can already feel the indigestion.’

I stopped nibbling on my sandwich and just set it down. I then reached for a glass of water to drink it, but then…

Suddenly, it became noisy around the entrance of the hall.

What’s going on?

I craned my neck to try and see what the commotion was, but eventually, I got up from my seat. I should step forward.

Then, I saw her.

Missus Seymour, staggering up to the center of the hall.

“What…”

As I was surprised, the question left my lips unknowingly.

Missus Seymour… didn’t look normal.

Her hair was messy and completely unkempt, and her eyes were unfocused, as if she was an addict high on her substance of choice.

Her clothes were also a mess. She always took care to dress neatly, but right now, she was wearing only her nightgown. She was even barefoot.

Indeed…

A madwoman’s appearance.

Dazed, I was barely able to speak.

“…Missus Seymour… What’s going on…”

At that moment.

Missus Seymour caught sight of me, and she immediately stomped towards me, furious.

Charlotte hurriedly tried to block her way, but Missus Seymour did not stop—she shot out a hand towards me.

And she cried out with a terribly raspy voice.

“Take it!”

Standing behind Charlotte, I opened and closed my mouth, unable to reply properly.

“Just what…”

“Take it! I said take it!”

Missus Seymour screamed madly as she threw what she had in her hand straight at me.

Charlotte hastily tried to jump forward and get hit instead, but the object hit me exactly on my face.

I felt a sharp pang on my skin. One side of my cheek tingled as if I had been slapped.

“……”

Frozen in surprise, I could not move as I wanted. But slowly, I was able to look down.

The object that had fallen to the floor came into my view.

At that moment, my heart pounded heavily and I gasped without realizing it.

What Missus Seymour threw at me…

Was an amulet woven with purple and black threads, symbolizing death.

——