Chapter 80

Naturally, as soon as it was confirmed that Lucifer Bynell was dead, I returned to the Count’s mansion. However, this does not mean that communication with Cassius has been completely cut off.

Rather, it was close to the opposite.

“Young Lady, he sent another present.”

“Really? Bring it.”

“Well, it’s not really the size to bring…”

…What is it?

I frowned and stood up from my desk. Recently, I have been busy cramming all the studies into my head because I have been neglecting my education for becoming the successor until now. What felt like an oasis during the laborious study was the precious free time I spent with Cassius.

After a while, Kitty guided me to the garden.

“The Lord told me that if I put it in the garden, the Young Lady would like it.”

“That’s what you mean, Lord Cassius…”

He never listened to me in vain, I could tell just by looking at this gift.

Recently, when I mentioned that I was studying astronomy, he had sent me a massive dome of constellations that were woven together. So when you lie down inside, you could see the constellations at a glance.

‘…Really, he’s changed a lot from before.’

In the past, Cassius would have brought things like constellation-shaped diamond ornaments instead, not knowing that I only saw them as money. But now, he knew my taste and knew I was not particularly fond of luxury or money.

It may be a natural result of his naturally clever brain to work constantly to suit my taste.

“Young Lady, have you gotten along with the Lord a lot? It’s really amazing.”

“…I’m amazed, too.”

I graciously admitted it.

Considering the relationship between him and me just a few months ago, our relationship is now close to a miracle. It is true that there was fear or rejection at first. I wonder if I was being completely deceived, or maybe even all this was Cassius’ scheming.

However, the closer I got to him, the more I changed my mind.

He had no one to open up his heart and actively lead him. All the words I said were absorbed like a sponge, and he knew how to act according to the new standards I placed, not just doing what he was told like a robot.

And, above all…

‘He’s handsome.’

That is right.

As the rejection and disgust towards him disappeared, his blinding beauty that was there from the beginning showed off a powerful presence. Every time I chatted with him, I realized how handsome he was.

“Are you sure you’re okay, though? Since he’s so, so—”

“I don’t know.”

I answered rather irresponsibly.

“Still, if I’m only afraid, I wouldn’t know anything and I couldn’t do anything. You would have to witness it yourself.”

“You’re right.”

Kitty nodded her head and changed the subject.

“By the way, when is the Young Lady going to make me your full-time maid? Now, I’m not recognized as your exclusive maid, so I even have to share a room with others!”

“…Huh?”

I frowned.

From the very moment we returned to the Countess, Kitty followed me around and acted as an exclusive maid. Of course, I thought everyone would think that she was my exclusive maid and would treat her accordingly, but it seemed it was not the case.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t pay attention. I’ll take care of that for you today. It’ll be taken care of as soon as tomorrow.”

“Thank you! Actually, I wanted to try the family badge that exclusive maids wear.”

“I’ll ask them to give you at least ten.”

As I chuckled, I laid down with Kitty under the constellation dome that Cassius had sent me.

‘Pretty…’

It seemed like a study of the constellations to someone who knew the constellations well, but at my level now, it was nothing more than just a beautiful night sky. Still, even pretty things indeed have their true value.

‘…Like Cassius.’

At the sudden thought, my face flushed without me realizing it.

“Young Lady, are you sick?”

Kitty asked worriedly.

“…It’s nothing. Let’s go out. I should also tell the butler to follow the proper procedures because you’re my exclusive maid.”

Kitty’s face was beaming with a wide smile.

“As expected of the Young Lady!”

ﾟ･ : * ✧ * :･ ﾟ

Even though I was prepared from the moment the story of abdication came out, the steps towards becoming the true head Countess of Garneid were harsh.

‘…I have to run to three events today.’

I let out a sigh.

Lunch at the marquis’, tea time at the viscount’s, and dinner at the County.

It was even more awkward because everyone did not know each other very well, and it was just that level of relationship where they once said I was crazy and gossiped behind me.

‘But now that Kitty is here, it’s better.’

The existence of a trustworthy exclusive maid, or just an exclusive maid, was very large.

The difference between having them and not having them was the difference between jumping into the battlefield barefoot and jumping with a shield. As the exclusive maid, who was witty and intelligent, was also the pride of their master. Thus, their master’s prestige soon also increased.

‘But, where did she go…?’

I tilted my head.

Kitty, who would normally be by my side since morning, was nowhere to be seen. If it were not for the fact that she was the official exclusive maid, I would have left her alone, thinking that she was resting somewhere, though she could not be doing that because of her formal title now.

I murmured as I glanced down at Arfie sitting at my feet.

“Arfie, do you know where Kitty is? If you know, bring me to her.”

However, instead of running to find Kitty, it only whined at my feet.

‘Is it sick?’

I hugged him, thinking that I should tell her to get a veterinarian to look after Arfie once we find Kitty. Since we had just finished breakfast, I had quite a bit of time until the next engagement. Perhaps Kitty was arguing over trifles, as she usually does.

“Kitty!”

I went around looking for Kitty. Every time I encountered the servants, I asked if they had seen her though everyone just shook their heads.

Something was strange.

Today was the day that she would make her first appearance in front of the maids of other noble families as the exclusive maid that she had been looking forward to so much, so Kitty would not want to leave my side as she rejoiced. Besides, on such an important day, she was not the type to play around.

“Kitty, it’s time to leave. Where are you?”

In the end, I gave up looking for her on my own, and I let Arfie smell Kitty’s hair tie.

At first, it did not seem to understand what I wanted at first, but after a few words, Arfie quickly understood what she was saying and sniffed its nose in the direction Kitty might have gone, leading me.

‘…Kitty is in a place like this?’

I frowned.

Obviously, she was free to go anywhere in the spacious mansion, but the warehouse full of old, dusty statues was not a pleasant place. To be honest, I didn’t even know this place existed. Of course, even if I had known, I would not have gotten anywhere near it anyway.

Still, Kitty had a unique taste so it was not surprising if she got lost while coming to a place like this…

“….?”

My body froze at the sudden smell of blood.

I called Kitty urgently.

“Kitty! Are you hurt? Kitty…!”

Arfie slowly crawled on the floor, making a scratching and scraping sound. At some point, I found the source of the smell of blood… It was a huge room with the door wide open.

As soon as I entered the room, my eyes were immediately fixed on the blood splattered on the floor and the figure lying on the ground.

‘No. It couldn’t be…!’

However, when I came to my senses, I was already on my knees as I tried to turn over the person who was lying on the floor.

“Ki, Kitty…”

My hands trembled.

There was no need to go to the doctor. By all accounts, Kitty was already dead. Her pale face, her outstretched hands as if in denial, and her pupils that had hardened along with her wide-open eyes were a sight I would never forget for the rest of my life.

My hands were drenched in blood.

I was startled by the fact itself, and I screamed and crawled backwards. It was only then that I realized that there was another person besides Kitty and Arfie.

Although my vision was shaking with fear, it was enough to recognize the identity of the other person. I wanted to shut my mouth from screaming, but I could not bring my hands soaked with Kitty’s blood to cover my lips.

The person I thought I knew well.

The person I thought I knew better recently…

It was Cassius Brudenell.

Holding a dagger dripping with blood, he gazed down at me with alluring gold eyes that I had recently begun to like.

“Why are you here, Evelyn?”

A dreary voice echoed in the eerie space.

“I purposely chose a place that you would never come to.”