Chapter 13

The Sleepless Night of the Maid — Chapter 13

“What do you think you’re doing? Let me go!”

Eva screamed and shook her arm, but she couldn’t wriggle away from his iron grasp. Even as she kicked her feet and scratched the back of Todd’s hand, he dragged her harder as if it didn’t affect him one bit. It hurt so bad that it felt like her wrist was being crushed. However, if anything, the fear and disgust got to her more.

“What are you doing, Todd!?”

As tears pricked Eva’s eyes, Pamela showed up and shouted. Still in an underdressed state, Pamela’s eyes were wide open with fury at the sight of Eva and Todd together.

“Today, Lord Holland is going to visit. I’ve already told you to stay out. Don’t you understand how important this is?” With both hands, Pamela pushed Todd’s chest out of anger. Once he withdrew and released Eva’s hand, she quickly fled to the corner of the room with jagged breath. She couldn’t bring herself to relax. The sense of humiliation made her sick in the stomach.

She was glad that Pamela appeared, but at the same time, she didn’t feel grateful. Pamela wasn’t angry because Todd forced himself on Eva. She just didn’t want to show her disheveled brother to her guests. That’s why she wanted to drive him out since he might ruin this chance with his impolite and vulgar words.

Eva’s mind went blank in disillusion. It wasn’t only directed toward Todd, who seemed to have just come back from wallowing in the sewer, but also to the humiliation she got from both him and Pamela, who was not genuine in helping Eva.

“Oh? Did you just look down on me? You better watch it. If I win a big jackpot, I won’t even look at this house!”

“Shut your mouth and scram. Do you really not get it that if I become the Countess, you can live well and people will acknowledge our house?”

“That sounds funny. The bad-tempered Countess? Much better if you’re called the wild dog Countess.”

With his pride hurt, Todd glared at Pamela then turned around. Before leaving the room, he glared at Eva and spoke in a warning tone.

“Flirt with that Count or something, then I’ll make sure to tie you and Cecil together and throw you both to the water.”

As if Eva was his, Todd growled at her and kicked the floor roughly, then disappeared.

“What’s that insane guy saying? Eva, come to my room and help me get dressed.” Pamela left the room along with a smile, unbothered as if nothing had happened. She didn’t ask how Eva was feeling, wearing an uninterested face.

Now left alone, Eva lifted her trembling hand in front of her eyes. The stinging part on her wrist was dyed red. When she saw it, she remembered the nightmare from a while ago and her whole body began to tremble. If she was tainted by Todd for real, she would never be able to erase the shame, no matter how much she vomited.

She sat on her bed, crossing her arms to her shoulders, wrapping her upper body. At this moment, she wanted to run to Cecil, hugging and confiding about it. But she couldn’t bring herself to. She simply closed her eyes, fighting back the tears, and comforted herself. ‘It’s fine. Hang in there a bit more, and everything will be fine.’ Five months to adulthood will come in a flash. As always, time would always wash away the remnants of the day. All she could do was be careful and patiently wait for the time.

Even though she knew that, even though it was no different than any other day, today particularly stung.

* * *

“More… tighter. Make it look slim.”

Pamela, who put her hand on her stomach, screamed with her face twisted in pain. Even though it was already tight, her desire to look pretty seemed to have no end.

“You see, the Count is very charming. To tell you the truth, I was worried because he seemed a bit aloof at first, but later he said that he was looking forward to tonight, and smiled! He said that tonight is going to be great.”

“Is that so?”

Eva answered casually and secured the corset tightly. Even if she was feeling down, she had to do her job properly. Or the Baronetess will scold at the top of her lungs all night in wrath. If the flame was directed only at her, she might pretend not to care, but the problem was that she also brought Cecil to stir the fuss. Even now, the Baronet and his wife gave the remark that Cecil didn’t work and was just a freeloader.

“Oh, right. How about that man?”

“Who…?” Eva asked in sincerity as Pamela’s words entered from one ear and left from another ear.

“I’m talking about Sir Ruth! He’s been so nice to you. How’d it feel to talk to him?”

“Oh… He looked like a great person.”

Without her realization, her voice grew fainter. It reminded her of her long-forgotten shock, his face, and Cecil’s words.

Judging by how he treated her, it was obvious that he was a good man. Saving her, massaging her barefoot, giving her a ride on his horse to her home. Not everyone is willing to do that. However, after listening to Cecil, that aspect becomes strange and suspicious. Whether he did it out of sincerity or because he knew her identity and gladly gave her a hand. Either he was the Crown Prince or he wasn’t.

She didn’t know.

If he was the Crown Prince, she shouldn’t get involved with him. But, if not, he was just someone who comes and goes quickly. In other words, there was no need to keep reminding herself or be concerned about it.

“Right? Besides, he’s so handsome that it left me speechless.”

“…Yes.”

“Sigh. I can’t give him up. I should get both of them.”

“What? What do you mean?” Eva asked with trembling lips as it caught her attention. She felt trouble hiding behind Pamela’s serious confession.

“I’m going to seduce Sir Ruth. After marrying the Count, I’ll make him my lover.” Pamela replied lightly, as if it was the most obvious and easy answer, like holding bread and wine in both hands.