Chapter 23
“Ahem! I was merely reprimanding her for damaging the silver candlestick.”
Jovern gestured with his chin toward the maid, who was still kneeling on the floor, sobbing.
“Give it to me. Where exactly is the damage?”
As Odette extended her hand, Jovern hesitated before handing over the silver candlestick with both hands.
“…The holder for the candle has a scratch. The marble floor was also chipped.”
“So, you were planning to make her pay for the damage?”
“She caused a loss to the Count’s household. It is only fair.”
“You never change, do you?”
Jovern had always found ways to extort money from the maids.
Breaking a plate cost them ten silver coins. Tearing the laundry or damaging the lace trim of a dress? Fifty silver.
He even imposed fines for trivial things—like not coming quickly enough when summoned.
He pocketed every bit of money he took, stuffing it into his own purse.
Odette herself had fallen victim to this extortion twice.
Back then, she had no choice but to endure it as a mere maid. But now, she was Jovern’s superior.
Which means… I can do as I please.
Without hesitation, Odette swung the silver candlestick, shattering a decorative porcelain vase.
A loud crash echoed through the room as shards of porcelain scattered in all directions.
“W-what are you—no, what is it that you are doing, my lady?”
“I tried to return the candlestick, but I lost my grip. Should I compensate for it as well?”
“T-that will not be necessary.”
“So, that means this is acceptable, isn’t it?”
She swung the candlestick again—this time at a painting hanging nearby.
The frame shattered, and shards of glass flew everywhere.
Then, raising the candlestick high above her head, she made it clear she was ready to tear the canvas apart next.
“M-my lady!”
“What?”
“…You cannot! That painting is an invaluable masterpiece. The Madam went to great lengths to acquire it. It was painted by an artist so famous that even money cannot buy his work!”
“What happens if this painting is destroyed? Will the butler lose his position? In that case, I have no reason to hesitate, do I?”
Jovern finally seemed to grasp why she was behaving so recklessly.
“…I-I was wrong.”
Of course, he was not truly remorseful.
A man like Jovern had no conscience to begin with.
With a resounding tear, Odette hurled the candlestick at the painting, ripping the canvas apart.
“Nngh!”
Jovern clutched his head and groaned.
“Return all the money you extorted from the maids. If you don’t, I will ruin something even more valuable.”
“……”
“And if the Countess asks why I did such a thing, I will simply tell her that I was furious after learning about your theft and extortion. So, I suggest you hurry.”
With that, Odette set the silver candlestick down.
“Ah!”
Unfortunately for Jovern, she dropped it right onto his foot.
“Really? Wow, that’s incredible! I swear, I’m completely in love!”
“Hey, show some respect! She’s a lady of the Count’s household now.”
“Oh! You’re right.”
“Anyway, who would have thought Lady Odette would help us get back all the money we lost?”
Odette had dozed off for a moment in the warm, rippling water of the bathtub.
But the sound of her name being spoken pulled her from her sleep.
“Oh! My lady, you’re awake?”
“S-Susan?”
Hearing the senior maid address her so formally, Odette blinked in confusion.
The maids she once worked alongside stood before her, holding baskets of rose petals and vials of scented oil.
“My lady, we were waiting to help you with your skincare routine.”
“I will trim your nails.”
“And I shall apply fragrant oil to your hair.”
It seemed they had all been waiting for her to wake up for this very reason.
“T-there’s no need for that…”
Feeling embarrassed to be the only one unclothed, Odette sank deeper into the bubbles.
“Nonsense! Now that you are the Count’s adopted daughter, you must take proper care of yourself.”
“You are already the most beautiful lady in the region, but wouldn’t it be wonderful to enhance that beauty even further?”
“Just close your eyes and relax. We’ll take care of everything.”
Just then, the bathroom door swung open, and Emma entered, carrying a large bucket.
“Make way! I’ve brought the milk.”
Odette’s eyes widened in shock at the sight of the bucket filled to the brim with milk.
“Emma, what are you planning to do with all that milk?”
“I’m giving you a milk bath. The head chef gave it to me. He was so grateful to you—thanks to you, he got back all the money he lost paying for broken dishes!”
“But why are you suddenly speaking so formally? It’s unsettling.”
“As your friend, I must set an example by addressing you properly. That way, the others will follow suit.”
At Emma’s words, Susan and the other maids nodded in unison.
“That’s right, Emma. You must do your part well.”
“If I get back the money the butler took from me, I’ll bake you a delicious cake, my lady. Thank you.”
“I’ll make you a hat.”
“I’ll bake cookies! Thanks to you, my lady, I can finally buy my younger siblings some nice treats.”
“I want to buy my mother a new dress.”
Seeing their joy warmed Odette’s heart, and for the first time in a long while, she smiled brightly.
“Well then, shall we begin the milk bath?”
“Why don’t you all join me? Hmm?”
With a mischievous grin, Odette playfully splashed water at them.
“Kyaa! My lady! Haha, you’re such a troublemaker!”
“So, let’s bathe together.”
Encouraged by Odette’s teasing, Emma and the other maids started splashing milk at one another, turning the bath into a playful scene.
Well, wasting all that milk would only drain the Count’s finances—so in a way, it made it all the more enjoyable.
“Haha!”
“Hohoho!”
Laughter echoed through the bathroom without pause.
A sharp gust of wind swept across her face, making both her cheeks sting. The howling wind filled her ears, jolting her awake.
Wait… am I on a horse?
Odette had never learned to ride. And yet, here she was—on horseback, slicing through the wind as they galloped forward.
I took a bath and then fell asleep…
So, was this a dream?
She felt something firm pressing against her back, strong arms wrapped securely around her.
A familiar scent filled the air, and warm breath brushed the crown of her head.
“C-Caesar?”
“What?”
The familiar voice made Odette flinch.
Caesar pulled the reins, making the black stallion rear up with a loud whinny.
She had no idea why she always ended up in Caesar’s subconscious whenever she fell asleep.
She wasn’t carrying any of his belongings. She hadn’t even been thinking about peering into his mind.
“Odette, do you miss me?”
There was a faint tremor in Caesar’s voice.
She wasn’t sure if she was imagining it, but his arms around her felt unusually tense.
“Not a chance. But where exactly are we?”
Instinctively, she glanced around—then nearly flung herself off the horse in shock.
In the distance stood the grand estate of Count Anderson.
What? Is Caesar heading toward where I am?
She hadn’t gathered the money yet. She hadn’t obtained the magic elixir either.
Panic swelled within her as she looked again to confirm their location.
…But it was gone.
The Count’s estate had vanished, replaced by an endless, open plain.
Caesar brought the horse to a stop, gracefully dismounted, and then turned to her with burning eyes.
“Get down.”
“……”
“Or should I pull you down myself?”
“I-I’ll do it… but I don’t know how.”
The black stallion Caesar rode was a warhorse—massive and towering. Without a foothold, the only way down was to fall.
“Throw yourself.”
Caesar extended his arms.
Left with no choice, Odette shut her eyes tightly and leaned forward.
He caught her effortlessly, holding her for a moment before striding over to a colorful picnic blanket and setting her down.
When did this appear?
Odette subtly glanced at Caesar’s attire.
A black military uniform with golden epaulettes?
The same outfit he had worn in Raon Town.
A deep sense of unease gripped her chest.
It felt as if she had stumbled into his memory—right at the moment when he was furious from searching for her.
But… where is this place?
It was an unfamiliar landscape, yet Caesar seemed at ease here.
So, this must be a place he cherished, a memory he was reliving in his dream.
A breeze rolled across the open fields, making the ripening wheat and barley sway like golden waves.
“Why are we here? What do you want?”
“To talk.”
Caesar unfastened the buttons of his jacket.
…Was he referring to that kind of talk?
Odette’s heartbeat pounded wildly, as if threatening to burst through her ribs.
