Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Translator: Eonnicorn / Editor: Vy

“What?!”

“I’m going to steal his heart and get married. Then, I can get out from this cursed Crocs Field and go to the capital. I’ll make my social debut there and have a lavish life at all costs.”

“Pam, you…!”

Too stunned by the idea, Eva’s eyes widened. She thought Pamela had come here out of curiosity because they were nobles from the capital. Never did she imagine Pamela was planning all of this.

Now that she recalled, the count was the ideal type Pamela was looking for. A relative of the Emperor and the young heir of the renowned Holland family. His wealth, fame, and power would be very attractive to Pamela, who dreams of climbing the social ladder. Above all, Pamela says he’s single and doesn’t have a marriage partner yet.

‘So that was it. This was why Pamela was the only one happy in the residence, despite the unsettling atmosphere due to the baronet often staying out overnight lately.’

“Mark my words, Eva. I’m going to marry the count somehow and become an upper noble. If I become the owner of Bale Castle, I’ll take you with me.”

“…”

Perhaps because of a great deal of excitement, Pamela revealed her desire frankly. Her chin lifted up high as if she had already become the head of Bale Castle.

Such an absurd idea, however, had a high chance of working. She was the most beautiful in Crocs Field and knows how to win men’s hearts and sway them. If Pamela puts her heart into seducing him, he’ll surely be faltered, unless the count was created from rock.

“The problem is how to get their attention. How can I approach them naturally without raising suspicion?”

Biting her lower lip, Pamela felt seriously agonized. On the other hand, the count and his friend stood up, still engaged in their conversation. The moment Pamela and Eva rose, intending to leave, both two men took off their shirts and jumped into the water.

“Oh, dear. Eva, look at that.”

Pamela squealed as she tapped Eva on the shoulder. Eva, like Pamela, was taken aback at the scene. It was the first time she saw a man’s bare body, and the brown-haired man’s body exceeded her expectations.

It was exquisite, a deep valley forged in between his firm chests and the outlines of the abdomen which were sculptured like gravel, delicately exposed, as the trail of veins stuck out on the muscles on his arm. What caught her eyes even more, were the scars and wounds all over his body. Besides knights and soldiers, those kinds of scars can only be obtained by the gladiators who fight professionally at the arena.

Was there a purpose for mixing beauty and roughness together? How did the aristocrat who would, more or less, only engage in parties and social gatherings get those scars?

As the sun grew intense, its light hit the poplar leaves and fell into the river. The two swam and joked around with laughter, basking in the sunlight.

Pamela, after looking at them briefly, grabbed Eva’s wrist. She beamed as though she had gotten a brilliant idea and said, “Eva, I need your help.”

“What is it?”

“To get their attention, I need you to drown.”

“That’s ridiculous! Why don’t you do it instead? I can’t even swim,” Eva flat out refused, albeit wondering if she had heard right. A normal person wouldn’t even think about putting their friend on the line and treating it as an opportunity. It was frightening of Pamela to have such intention regardless of whether Eva was willing to agree or not.

Furthermore, the water current around here may not be fast, but it was well over their height. For a woman who can’t swim, asking her to jump into the water was no different from asking her to die.

“Since my makeup turned out well today, I can’t let it get ruined by falling into the water.”

“That’s your business, Pam. It’s not a good idea in the first place, so let’s find another way.”

“Why are you being like this? I’ve helped you a lot. I stopped my mom when she hit you in the morning. But you can’t help me this once?”

“Haaa……” Eva sighed. Far from speechless, she was dumbfounded.

Her help always turned out like this, either there was a scheme following after or she was in the mood to create one. There were certainly days when Pamela helped her, but there were even more days where she avoided or escaped from the mess. Isn’t it absurd that Pamela helped Eva and then treated her like a maid because she lacked hands?

“Don’t worry, Eva. They will save you. Here, I’ll lend you a hand.”

“I’m not convinced, Pamela!”

Before Eva finished her words, Pamela grabbed her wrist. Still bewildered by the sudden situation, she was dragged out of the vines, then stopped right beside the river.

“What do you want now–Ack!”

Eva’s words were cut off as Pamela pushed her into the water. Everything happened in a flash and she had no time to fight back. As she lost her balance, her body leaned to one side and she eventually fell.

Splash.

As Eva’s body collided with the surface of the water, a volume of water shot up along with a loud sound. “Gasp…! Help me ple…” The tranquil river swept over Eva. Her clothes got wet at once, increasing their weight. Water entered her nostrils and mouth, blocking her from breathing. She tried to move her arms and legs wildly to the surface, but the more she did, the more her body sank. The fact that she couldn’t touch the ground and couldn’t move her body of her own accord was a great horror.

“Someone! My friend fell into the water, please help her!”

In the midst of a frantic flounder, she heard Pamela calling for help. Eva didn’t even have the energy to feel anger, betrayal, or any other emotions as she watched the hypocrisy.

Her legs began to cramp, possibly from struggling too violently. Numbness gradually made its way from her toes to her calves, stiffening her body and causing her pain. ‘Please…’ Sinking further, she was losing her strength. As her consciousness was about to slip away, hazy memories began to swarm in.

“You still think you’re a count’s daughter? If you have a conscience from living off of us, at least help with the housework from now on.”

Although she was able to persevere, the harassment from Baronet Biti’s wife got worse each time. Most of the servants had quit since the baronet was in a financial crisis, that’s why Eva and Cecil had to fill in their vacancy. This coupled with Pamela’s unpredictable behavior and Todd’s indecent words aimed at Eva, it got to her day after day.

Her beautiful hands and hair had gotten rough as well, as the days of living in Bale Castle faded until it seemed like it had only been a dream. Cecil kept teaching her and talking about hope. But Eva was skeptical. In reality, she was just a scullery maid who helped with household chores.

“Did mom hit you again? I’m sorry Eva. I’ll apologize on behalf of her.”

Another fresh memory showed up.

Pamela, it was her.

It was her who made that hole in the outdated dress in order to be bought a new one.

‘Fine by me. I’d rather die like this.’

She thought in despair just before she lost consciousness. She would gladly die like this and go to where her father and mother are. She has had enough of the pain and humiliation.

But what about Cecil? That meant she would have to leave her nanny who had sacrificed so much for her. Something like that should never happen.

She gathered the last of her strength and prayed for the last time.

‘Please help me, help me get back to Cecil’s side.’

And right at that moment, a strong grip held her by the waist as she was pulled upwards.