Chapter 66 : Beneath the Surface of Shadows

Chapter 66 

I am not a just person.

People may think my father raised me with virtue and iron values—yet the truth is, he never truly raised me at all.

Outwardly, I lived in accordance with his teachings. I mirrored the morals he cherished. But inside… a great void remained, gnawing at my soul.

Poverty sharpened my instincts. I lived with desperation—to survive, to shield my family. Yet in the end, I lost my father.

Even though my marriage to Johannes was anything but ordinary, a part of me, buried deep and silent, longed to preserve this family—to forge a home untainted by envy or shame.

What a fool I was… to only understand that now.

“…Ha.”

I clutched my throbbing head, heart caught in a vortex of dread.

What if Johannes truly is the killer?

At this point, two warring desires contended within me: the desperate urge to reveal the truth to the world—and a quiet, selfish hope that I might prevent another murder by staying close.

But I couldn’t predict how I’d react the moment I became certain he had blood on his hands.

Perhaps I’d never live long enough to decide.

Maybe I’d pretend ignorance, inch away from him in silence, and—if fortune allowed—secure a safe divorce and vanish into peace.

He wouldn’t kill his wife, would he? I whispered comfort to myself.

Yes… perhaps he isn’t the murderer.

And yet, if the novel insisted on branding him with such a role, how easily could that be undone?

“…Phew.”

A sigh broke from my lips, heavy and bitter.

The path ahead was treacherous, but one thing had crystallized in my mind.

‘The basement. I must check the basement first.’

Only when I uncovered its secrets would my next steps become clear.

But I must do it discreetly.

If there truly were corpses down there, and I were caught—

I might die that very day.

I had to wait until Johannes left the estate.

It would be best if Sir Fret Gunner were also absent—otherwise, he might shadow my every move.

Fortune, it seemed, favored me.

The chance came sooner than I expected.

That morning, I sat at the breakfast table—alone. I sipped my tea, feigning calm, while my eyes flicked toward Sir Fret, whose expression was unusually placid.

Does he know about Johannes? I wondered.

And when Johannes failed to appear even after the meal, I tilted my head and asked Fret innocently,

“Where is the Duke?”

“Ah. I suppose he didn’t tell you. He left earlier this morning.”

His tone was light, offhanded. He added that Johannes had been increasingly occupied lately, pursuing a case—one devoid of a body, but dripping with speculation.

This morning, he had left again for work.

My heart lurched.

Today is the day.

“Do you have other duties, Sir Fret?” I asked casually.

“Hmm.” He lifted his shoulders in a mild shrug—then paused, as though remembering something.

“Oh, right. I’m supposed to go into Barden later today. My younger brother’s expecting me. Will you be staying in the mansion, Madam?”

His voice was friendly, but his eyes glinted with quiet concern—almost pleading that I remain within these walls.

Something must have happened.

I had never seen him this unsettled.

He was nervous that I might go out… perhaps because if I did, he’d be forced to follow.

That’s why I couldn’t even be sure anymore—was Fret Johannes’ aide, or mine?

Maybe… neither.

Or maybe both of us were simply pawns in a game neither fully understood.

Still, he smiled gently and added,

“Looks like you’re staying in. Well, don’t worry about anything. Have a pleasant day, Madam.”

I was lucky.

Having once worked as a maid in the Schultz household, I knew the staff’s routines well—their patterns, their blind spots.

Slipping past them was easier than expected.

The western annex was rarely visited—old, shadowy, forgotten. The perfect place to hide something.

And yet, when I entered, my chest tightened. An eerie silence clung to the air.

Though the place appeared untouched by time, there wasn’t a speck of dust. That made it even more unsettling.

All the grand windows were sealed off. Only a sliver of daylight slipped through a narrow crack, casting the hallway in ghostly gloom.

‘It’s more terrifying than I imagined…’

With slow, deliberate steps, I moved forward, my every motion greeted by the moan of old floorboards.

Then—I reached it.

The door to the basement.

I stood there for a moment, heart pounding, then reached out and tested the handle.

It was locked. Of course it was.

A place so fiercely guarded would never be left unbarred.

Still—

I pressed my ear to the door.

No sound.

‘So at least… no women are trapped down there.’

I exhaled, quietly, in relief.

Today hadn’t been in vain. One terrifying possibility had been crossed off the list.

I cast a final glance around me, then slipped out undetected.

Preparations for the ball at Heibenstein Castle had begun in earnest.

Marilyn was relentless—pinning, measuring, adjusting my dress as if the fate of the nation depended on every inch.

Each day, she scrutinized my figure with military precision, all while flipping through catalogs of the latest gowns from prestigious boutiques.

Even Ahin joined her, bustling around me like a seasoned stylist.

“This will be Madam’s first proper appearance in high society—apart from the wedding,” Marilyn mused.

“I never had a proper debutante ball,” I admitted. “But given my background, this will serve as my formal entrance.”

“I used to think I’d never teach anyone again,” Marilyn said with a wistful smile. “But these days… I find myself looking forward to every lesson with you.”

She added that, save for dancing, I’d already mastered everything. Her strictness on day one had only been because she feared I might grow overconfident.

“I can’t tell you how grateful I am. I could’ve embarrassed myself horribly if not for you.”

At my words, a rare blush touched her cheeks. She cleared her throat awkwardly.

“The first dance must be with His Grace. And as you’re married, it’s best to avoid dancing with any other gentleman. Unless, of course, it’s the Prince—then it’s a different matter.”

“Of course. But I don’t know anyone else. And I doubt any gentleman would pay me much attention.”

Marilyn’s eyes lit up.

“Oh, but I do hope to catch a glimpse of Eden Blanc…”

She said it so wistfully that I couldn’t help but nod.

“If I see him, I’ll bring back whatever I can.”

“Truly? Thank you, Madam!”

Soon after, I changed into the dress Marilyn had selected and made my way toward the dining room.

I stopped at the threshold.

Johannes was already seated inside.

Ever since that day… facing him had become a quiet war.

A shadow crept over me each time I looked at him.

And with it came the thoughts I tried so hard to suppress.

Is Johannes truly a murderer?

Please… let him not be.

He may be blunt, even cold—but I’ve seen tenderness in him too. I remember the pain in his voice when he spoke of fallen comrades—his sorrow, his empathy.

Such feelings can’t be feigned.

The Johannes I know… could he really be someone who kills without remorse?

No. I must observe him objectively. Let emotion wait.

And just then, his voice called me back.

“Madam, why are you standing there instead of joining me?”