Chapter 17
“It’s you! You’re the one who killed Lady Deborah! That’s why you’re trying to shamelessly steal everything she had!”
Ash-grey hair and black eyes, filled with fury.
I remembered when those very eyes used to shine with admiration.
Why would Luena do something like this?
“What are you doing?”
Before I even realized he’d approached, Abel had already grabbed Luena’s wrist—still holding the bucket.
Me, drenched. My former maid, trembling with rage. And Abel, who witnessed it all.
Suddenly, my head throbbed painfully.
“Ugh…”
Clatter. The bucket hit the ground with a hollow sound.
I looked down at myself.
Soaked to the bone. I really did look like a drenched little mouse.
‘She’s small and quick on her feet—like a mouse.’
‘…Was that a compliment?’
Luena had always been good at her job. And she’d been loyal, too.
Maybe that’s exactly why this happened.
“Do you even know who you just threw water at? That alone could cost you your hand.”
Despite Abel’s cold warning, Luena didn’t flinch.
Instead, she stood there, breathless with anger she couldn’t contain.
“Seems like you’re the one who needed a cold bath.”
What could’ve made her so furious? It was almost absurd.
That her anger toward me came entirely from how much she had cared for Deborah.
“I’m the one who got splashed—so why are you the one shaking?”
It wasn’t fear.
Sometimes, when people were consumed by rage, their bodies trembled from it.
I grabbed the heavy, soaked hem of my dress and took a step toward Luena.
“You demon! Murderer! I’ll never forgive you!”
Her eyes, stripped of the affection they once held, were dark—deep and black.
“Luena.”
At the sound of her name, she flinched.
I looked her in the eye and walked forward with steady steps.
Then, when I was close enough, I raised my hand and slapped her.
Smack.
“….”
Her head turned from the impact.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure who it hurt more—her cheek, or my frail hand.
Can a palm really be this weak?
Surprised, I glanced at my hand for a moment.
“Get a grip. No matter how much water you throw or how loud you scream, no one’s going to be moved by it.”
“So you’re admitting it! That you took everything from her!”
“Shh… Keep your voice down.”
In this hallway, sound traveled far too well.
“Do you want revenge?”
When I asked, Luena clenched her jaw.
She looked like she might lunge at me at any moment—but Abel still had a firm hold on her wrist.
“If you really want to do something meaningful, then do as I say.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?!”
“Go back to your room. Take a warm bath. Get some rest. Deep, uninterrupted sleep.”
“You’ve completely lost your mind!”
And just like that, my sincere advice was written off as insanity.
To think—just changing bodies could strip my words of their weight like this.
Luena was the kind of girl who would’ve believed me if I said I made soup with dirt.
“Cool your head and think clearly. If you told Lady Deborah, you wanted revenge, what do you think she would’ve advised you to do?”
She’d spent ten years by my side.
Which meant one thing: Luena was a clever girl.
“I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t have told you to throw a bucket of water.”
I nudged the bucket with my foot. It clattered noisily as it rolled across the floor.
“The guards are coming. I don’t plan to have you arrested—but would you consider listening to me?”
“So now you’re saying I should…”
“Yes. Wash up with clean water. Have some warm tea, too—if possible.”
Luena always loved tea.
Whenever I received a gift of fine leaves, she’d look at it with envy. And I always shared a bit with her, happily.
“Jasmine would be nice.”
Just as I finished speaking, the sharp sound of boots echoed down the corridor.
“What’s going on here?!”
“Let her go, Abel.”
At my words, Abel released Luena’s wrist.
“You’re just going to let her go?”
“Since when were you the one enforcing laws? Isn’t this my matter to handle?”
“You’ve lost your mind.”
“You sound just like her. Seems like you’re both on the same page, so maybe don’t be so harsh with each other.”
I glanced at Luena, who was now shifting her gaze anxiously down the corridor.
“Go on. If this gets any more annoying, I might actually lose my temper.”
Only then did Luena turn away.
She lifted her skirt slightly and sprinted down the hallway.
That disappearing figure… didn’t feel unfamiliar to me.
“You should have punished her properly.”
“Didn’t you see me slap her?”
“You should’ve issued real discipline—not just a slap. Honestly, the way you did it, it looked more like a softhearted gesture to help her.”
“According to military law? This isn’t the army, Abel.”
“Do you think what you did was merciful? No. What you did only further disgraced the name of Mergen.”
“Hm.”
Isn’t that a bit much?
“You really think the family’s honor weighs the same as my so-called hypocrisy?”
“If the family name can be soiled by a single maid, maybe it deserves to be dragged through the mud.”
At my smirk, Abel’s face hardened.
“To me, that wasn’t a crime—it looked more like grief.”
“So now grief gives you a free pass to harm your master?”
“She had a knife at her waist. She was close enough to stab me if she’d wanted to. But instead of the knife, she chose a bucket of water.”
“And knowing that, you still stood in front of her?”
Abel, as always, looked down at me.
But this time… his eyes didn’t hold the same indifference as before.
No, he looked far more on edge than usual.
“So what—you’re grateful she didn’t stab you? That she settled for just a bucket of water? And next time, when she draws the knife instead, will you forgive her too, because she’s sad?”
“Some wars don’t need bloodshed. Sometimes, all it takes is warm water. A warm cup of tea.”
“Ha.”
Abel let out a dry laugh.
As if he truly found me pathetic.
“In that case, maybe you should stop walking around the mansion with that sword on your hip.”
I glanced at the weapon always strapped to his waist.
Just then—
“What happened here?!”
The guards came rushing in, staring at my soaking wet clothes as they asked,
“Is everything alright?”
“It’s nothing. The weather’s warm, you know. Sometimes cold water does the trick.”
I answered as if it were no big deal, and the guard’s exchanged glances, clearly puzzled.
“Go on. Get back to your posts.”
“Uh—y-yes, my lady!”
They bowed awkwardly, glancing around one last time before retreating down the hall.
Once they were gone, I, too, glanced around.
The floor was a complete mess, soaked through.
“…Ah, I forgot to call someone to clean this up.”
Even if I’d let the mistake slide, I should’ve at least ordered someone to handle the aftermath.
“Given the state I’m in, I’d appreciate it if you could call a maid to clean up.”
Dragging the heavy, soaked hem of my dress, I walked past Abel.
My hand still stung.
I wondered—did her cheek hurt as much as my hand did?
“Honestly…”
Some days just refused to go right.
I couldn’t help but wonder if this moment was actually a dream.
“You look like you could use a handkerchief.”
Why is Henry here?
Before I even noticed him, Henry was already in front of me, pulling a handkerchief from his coat and holding it out.
I didn’t even think to accept it. Instead, I responded blankly,
“Looks like you stumbled into something entertaining.”
“I took a wrong turn—and ended up with quite the view.”
Can so many coincidences really pile up like this?
“Seems I made a spectacle of myself.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. If anything, it was… interesting.”
Henry’s eyes swept over me from head to toe.
“You look cold.”
Water was still dripping from my dress, clinging uncomfortably to my body—but strangely, it felt more like I was completely exposed.
Not embarrassed, exactly.
Just… humiliated.
“I can manage.”
I pushed the wet hair from my cheek and replied.
“Well, this saves me a trip. As you can see, I’ve got a good reason to go change, so I’ll have to ask you to wait a bit.”
“Of course. I understand completely.”
Henry gave me a small smile.
“Take your time. I don’t mind waiting.”
And even though I hadn’t taken the handkerchief, Henry took my wrist and pressed it firmly into my hand.
The soft cloth was warm in my grasp.
So… I was cold, after all.
“…Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
I wondered if Henry realized—
That this small act of sympathy had cost me one less hand to hold up my soaked skirt.
* * *
“Well now, Abel Mergen. Fancy seeing you again.”
Henry approached Abel with a broad, easygoing smile.
“You’ve arrived.”
Abel gave him a polite nod.
“I never thought I’d see the day when visiting this mansion actually became interesting.”
“Is that so.”
Henry stared straight into Abel’s indifferent eyes.
