Chapter 14

The Sleepless Night of the Maid — Chapter 14

Translator: Eonnicorn / Editor: Scarlet

Eva couldn’t breathe for a moment. It felt like her lungs had shrunk.

Why didn’t she notice this before?

How much Pamela drooled while looking at Ruth, and how much her pride was wounded by his indifference to her beauty. Above all, it must have been Ruth’s excessive kindness toward Eva that made Pamela end up with this decision. After all, Pamela couldn’t stand people who gave their attention to Eva.

“That’s why, Eva, you have to keep Sir Ruth company outside until the dinner ends and I have gotten to know Lord Holland. Later, I’ll give you a signal to bring him to my room.”

“What… are you going to do?”

“What else? I’m going to seduce him, of course.” Pamela smiled like an innocent child as she slid her dress on from her feet.

“…”

Although Eva thought that Pamela’s words were false confidence, she couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling inside.

In fact, Pamela once stirred up several men’s hearts altogether. There was never a day that passed by without love letters and gifts, the front hall crammed with invitations and visit cards that piled up. She was never really interested in Pamela’s love affairs, but this time it bothered her.

If Pamela really made a move on Ruth, would he accept it? If that was the case, should she support them genuinely?

An unknown heat arose in Eva’s heart as if a meteorite struck her.

* * *

By the time dinner was ready, Count Holland and his friend arrived at the residence. Baronet Biti, his wife, and Pamela, along with Eva and the staff, lined up in the hall to greet them.

“Welcome, Lord Holland and Sir Ruth. It’s such an honor to have you visit this humble place.” Baronet Biti took a step forward, offering them a flattering smile. For him, their visit was like an unexpected godsend.

He had heard that there were visitors in Bale Castle, but didn’t know that it was Count Holland, the Lord of the castle. Had he known, he would have ran straight to him to plead what he desired. He didn’t understand why there were no rumors about his arrival, it was as if a mouse had snuck in, but he met with him nevertheless. From Pamela’s story, they helped her by chance, though it must not have been the full story. His pretty, smart daughter would have noticed their existence and made a connection on purpose. He was proud of her.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you, Sir Biti.”

Count Holland responded politely and took off his hat as a courtesy. Standing behind him, Sir Ruth followed suit with a brief bow. In contrast to their casual attire during the day, both of the men dressed up in modest style, glowing blindingly as they caught everyone’s eyes.

“Oh, and this is Laura, my wife and my daughter, Pamela, who you’ve already met. As for my son, well… He’s out of town planning a new business.”

The lie about Todd’s absence easily rolled out from the Baronet’s mouth, perhaps embarrassed people would find his son’s condition.

“Nice to meet you, Madam and Lady Biti.”

“Such an honor to meet you, Lord Holland.”

The Baronetess extended her arm toward Count Holland, expecting him to kiss the back of her hand, only to be met with him dipping his head politely, leaving her in bewilderment.

Eva stepped back with the maids as they greeted each other. She wasn’t confident to greet them and act like nothing was happening. Especially because Ruth, who stood behind the Count without a word, sometimes stared at her intensely as though he knew her.

She wanted to ask him.

If he really was the Crown Prince? Had he been so kind to her because he knew she was his ex-fiance?

No. I don’t want to ask, I don’t want to know. He had already cut ties with her, it didn’t matter anymore if he was the Crown Prince or a Knight. Whether Pamela seduced Ruth or not, whether he succumbed to it or not, that was none of her business.

Eva kept silent as if she wasn’t there, too engrossed by her thoughts.

“Now, shall we go in? We didn’t serve anything fancy, but we did our best to prepare it.”

Fortunately, Baronet Biti and his wife led Count Holland and Ruth to the dining room, with no intention of introducing Eva.

Then, just as everyone began moving in pairs and the staff started to scatter to their assigned work, Ruth, who had been standing without a word, stopped them in a firm tone.

“Wait.”

People’s eyes, including Eva, turned toward him in unison.

“I believe there’s one person you haven’t introduced yet.”

“Pardon?”

The Baronet frowned as he asked Ruth. While Ruth searched for the one he meant, the others also looked around the room.

“This lady over here, you haven’t introduced her yet.”

“…”

Ruth’s gaze caught Eva off guard, making her swallow her breath, and bite her lip. Like a spear, everyone’s gazes pierced her. Seeing Eva hide in the dim light space, Ruth pulled her into the light.

‘For the love of God, why is he doing this to me?’