KFBRV Ch 5

She turned her head to identify the intruder. It was Mrs. Becker, a maid the Countess had brought with her from her own family estate.

[Odette] "Mrs. Becker."

[Becker] "How dare you be in here, My Lady?!"

Odette furrowed her brow at the shrill, piercing voice.

[Becker] "Are you deaf, My Lady? Honestly! Why have you entered the Master's study without permission?!"

[Odette] "This is a study. Lower your voice."

The attitude of the servants at the Albrecht estate was remarkably consistent.

Every single one of them treats me as an inferior. They look down on me with such blatant contempt.

[Becker] "I shall inform the Madam at once! How dare you trespass in the Master's study?! You won't get away with this!"

[Odette] "Very well. Go and tell her whatever you like."

Mrs. Becker's eyes went wide, clearly not expecting such a composed, nonchalant response.

She likely expected me to fall to my knees and beg for mercy.

Despite her status as the Count's daughter, it was actually Mrs. Becker—a mere maid—who was being insolent by acting as though she owned the Master's private place.

[Odette] "If even a servant like yourself is permitted to enter, is there any reason a daughter of the house cannot?"

Odette sat back leisurely on the study's sofa. Since she knew exactly why the woman had come here, her huffing and puffing appeared utterly ridiculous.

She is quite brazen herself, sending someone to handle my identification documents.

Odette remembered the sound of the mail carriage from the previous day.

Yesterday was the day for the settlement of the human trafficking funds. You've come to return my identification card and my personal seal, which were required to collect that money.

Kidnapping, human trafficking, illegal drug trade, and the systematic oppression of the Fenrir Clan—relegating them to third-class citizens and confining them to camps. These were the many atrocities the Count had committed using Odette's name.

He had concealed the fact of her adoption, playing the role of a "doting father" who could not bear to discipline his "spoiled daughter," even as she supposedly committed these crimes. He had ensured his own reputation remained spotless while hers was dragged through the mire.

Mrs. Becker had come here today because Odette's personal seal, sealing wax, and identification were kept in this room.

They've been used like public property—dragged out for every act of villainy that required my signature.

They were a lazy bunch, yet they were undeniably diligent when it came to committing sins.

[Becker] "Oh, how amusing! Do you think I won't do it?! If I bring the Madam here this instant—"

[Odette] "Then I shall inform Mother immediately about the location of her cherished garnet earrings and that opal necklace she lost."

[Becker] "...!"

[Odette] "I know those items are hidden beneath your bed."

Mrs. Becker's face turned ashen.

She must be shocked. It's a secret she thinks no one could know.

In her previous life, while hiding from the male leads among a gang of beggars, she had encountered Ferdinand's former nanny.

Three years prior, the Count had attempted to permanently silence anyone who knew the truth of Odette's adoption by ordering a mass execution of the household staff—maids, servants, cooks, and even stable hands.

The nanny had narrowly escaped and survived in the slums under a false identity. That resentful woman had spilled every secret of the Albrecht house, rambling for hours even though Odette, who had lost her tongue, could not even offer a response.

How comical. Out of all the secrets I know, this is the most trivial, yet she reacts like this.

How could someone with the courage to steal jewelry lack the nerves to handle a simple confrontation?

I wonder... was there ever a shred of actual trust between you and Mother?

In her past life, the butler, Paula, and Mrs. Becker had stood together as a united front to frame Odette.

Now, she was curious: without her acting as the household's collective punching bag, would they remain so tightly knit?

If there was genuine trust between them, Mrs. Becker would leave this room immediately. If the Countess believed in her maid, Odette's accusations would carry no weight.

Odette watched with an intrigued expression, waiting for the woman's choice. Depending on the outcome, she would know exactly how well her future attempts to sow discord would work.

Mrs. Becker fidgeted and hesitated, while Odette watched the pathetic display with poise.

Though the answer is already quite obvious.

If there were any real bond of solidarity between them, Mrs. Becker would never have stolen from her mistress in the first place. Ultimately, the maid could not bring herself to leave. She could only glare at Odette with bulging eyes.

[Odette] "What are you doing? Go on, call Mother."

When Odette gave her a mockingly encouraging nod, Mrs. Becker bit her lip and asked in a voice thick with suppressed humiliation.

[Becker] "What is it you want from me?"

See? I knew it.

A sneer threatened to break across her face.

She felt a surge of disgust for her past self—the girl who had once longed to be accepted by people as base as this.

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Mrs. Becker glared at the loathsome girl.

How dare a filthy orphan blackmail me?

The resentment was nearly unbearable.

How could this creature, who ranked lower than the estate's livestock, act as if she were a true lady of the house?

For her, who had been raised as the daughter of a reputable lawyer, this was an unparalleled humiliation.

And where did that dress come from?

The navy fabric made Odette's pale skin and teal eyes look mysteriously enchanting. Her calm aura appeared both alluring and ruthless.

Had her features always been so... aristocratic?

It was infuriating to feel a sense of elegance emanating from a mere toy meant for the Young Master.

No one in this house would have given her a single coin. Where did she get the money for such an expensive garment?

To her, who knew exactly how poorly Odette was treated, this display was nothing but a sickening facade.

She ground her teeth in fury.

I will endure this for now, but once this is over, I will tear her limb from limb.

She planned to move the stolen jewelry to another room the moment she went upstairs. In this situation, it would be best to frame someone else.

Lize. I'll hide them in that annoying laundry maid's wardrobe.

As long as there was no direct evidence, Odette would be powerless.

I'll get that stupid laundry maid kicked out, and then I'll have the Madam beat this girl within an inch of her life.

This was merely a momentary disgrace. She would pay Odette back for this humiliation with interest. Yet, her pride remained wounded.

How dare Ferdinand's plaything humiliate me?

[Becker] "Well?! Speak up! I asked what you want from me!"

Her voice came out sharp and shrill. Since she knew how insignificant this girl was, she assumed her goals were equally petty.

She probably wants me to look out for her or say something nice to the Madam to keep her from being disowned.

Even her life's ambitions were likely pathetic and low. Becker vividly remembered the way Odette used to cling to her skirts, begging her to convince the Madam not to throw her out.

To think she'd use my weakness for such a ridiculous request.

An irritated tone slipped out before she could stop it.

[Becker] "If you have something to say, say it quick—"

[Odette] "The key to the safe is in your hand. Hand it over before you leave."

What?

A chill ran down her spine. How could Odette possibly know about the safe?

Only the Master, the Madam, the Young Master, and I know of its existence.

Even the butler and the housekeeper were unaware of it. And if there was one person in this house who should never have known about that safe, it was Odette.

[Becker] "What are you talking about, My Lady? Have you taken ill?"

[Odette] "What a dull performance. Don't waste my time and hand it over. I know exactly why you've come here."

[Becker] "Don't speak nonsense! I came to the study to find a book! The Madam asked me to fetch one for her! I am merely running an errand!"

Mrs. Becker feigned ignorance.

She's too frail to win a physical struggle against me.

As long as she didn't let the key go, that was that.

[Odette] "You are indeed a loyal maid to my mother."

It was when a mocking smile curled Odette's lips that she realized something was terribly wrong.

[Odette] "It's quite fascinating. I wonder how you balanced that loyalty with becoming my father's mistress."

Her face drained of all color. How could this girl possibly know her greatest secret?

[Odette] "Shall I ask again? Do you have the key, or do I go to Mother?"

[Becker] "..."

She had no choice but to quietly surrender the small piece of iron. She also handed over the identification card and personal seal she had been carrying. She stood there, dazed and overwhelmed by the transformation in Odette's demeanor.

Because of her shock, she failed to notice Odette inserting the key upside down into the safe—a specific maneuver required to unlock the double-security mechanism. Nor did she see Odette slip several documents and a recording stone, which only the Count was supposed to know about, into her sleeve.

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