Count reloff was poring over the docunts. The frantic pounding of footsteps shattered the silence of his study. Before he could even lift his head, the butler burst through the door, his face a mask of panic. The man always knocked, treating formality like a sacred law. A very bad sign.
"What is it?" reloff asked sharply.
"M-My Lord! Disaster has struck!"
"Word ca from the trade caravan... All the wagons have been burned to ashes."
"What?!" reloff shot to his feet, his mouth gaping in disbelief. How in the blazes could the wagons...?
"A man nad Colin set fire to the wagons, My Lord, and tried to kill everyone. It seems he was after the gold the guards were carrying. He died while our n were trying to stop him."
"That pittance of gold? What madness is this?"
Most of the transactions were handled through Hyman’s Bank, with checks and promissory notes. The gold those guards carried wasn’t the paynt for the goods—it was just petty cash for the journey.
"To commoners, it is a large sum, My Lord."
"And? So what? What am I supposed to do about it now?"
"The wagons are completely destroyed, and there are reports of injuries—n who inhaled smoke inside the cave. A ssenger bird arrived saying they’ll head to Sheiron first, but there’s no telling how long it will take."
And that wasn’t the end of it.
With the wagons gone, they’d need to find replacents to transport the food. Setting aside the cost, it was doubtful they could even find any this late in winter. Every scrap of wood was being used for fuel.
"...Ha. Hahaha. Ha!" Count reloff let out a series of short, bitter laughs.
"I knew that Colin was trouble. If the caravan goes to Sheiron, they’ll incur even more expenses. Wouldn’t it be better to order them back, My Lord?"
They couldn’t just sleep on the ground or live on water alone. And with the injured, they’d need a physician.
reloff pressed a hand to his forehead, groaning.
’Worst. Year. Ever.’
"...Why fire of all things!"
Crash!
Count reloff, unable to contain his rage, grabbed the nearest object and hurled it across the room.
And out of all those n, not a single one could stop him? Were those living under the reloff na such a pathetic rabble?
Indeed.
The incompetence hidden beneath the veneer of peace had reared its ugly head, seizing upon this crisis. The state of the reloff household was truly... a disaster.
"Colin’s family. Kill them all."
"...Yes, My Lord."
"That wretched family, seize everything they have. Every last scrap. Man, woman, and child—string them all up. Kill them, kill them all..."
The relentless string of misfortunes was suffocating. The burned wagons were bad enough, but now he was reduced to worrying about his next al. If Sheiron and the Hawan Kingdom couldn’t provide, only one option remained...
Thump! Crash!
"Damn it! What in the hell is going on? Do I need to consult an oracle? Huh?!"
"Aaaah!"
Count reloff slamd his fist on the table, then, out of habit, grabbed the hair of the servant standing nearby. He vented his fury with all his might.
The servant’s emaciated body swayed back and forth, but the butler could only lower his eyes and remain silent.
"I’m s-sorry, My Lord. I’m sorry."
"Haaa. Really, Butler. I told you to choose people more carefully!"
"...Please, spare !"
Smack!
The butler bit his lip, bowing low. If he didn’t appease the Count’s anger sohow, an innocent child might pay the price today.
"Get out."
"M-My Lord."
"Go and kill every last one of those bastards with Colin’s blood!"
Creeeak.
The servant’s hair was tangled in Count reloff’s grasp. The butler had no choice but to back away, exiting the office. The servants waiting outside the door looked up at him, their faces pale with fear.
"B-Butler."
"Everyone, step back. You’ll get caught in the crossfire."
"W-What about him?"
"Shhh. Do you want to be punished as well?"
Fear flooded the servant’s eyes at the butler’s words, deepening the tears that welled up. The servants hesitated, pretending not to hear the screams coming from inside the office.
Tap. Tap.
The clear sound of heels echoed, like a crack forming in the icy atmosphere. The butler and the servants turned their heads simultaneously. Countess reloff stood there, her expression calm.
"What are you all doing?"
"M-My Lady..."
Crash! Thump!
Instead of answering, the Countess glanced at the noisy door. Then, she looked at the butler and let out a faint sigh.
"Open the door."
"My Lady, n-now is not..."
"It’s fine. Open it."
The Countess lightly pushed aside the servants who tried to stop her. Her eyes were resolute yet infinitely calm, and the servants couldn’t dare to guess her intentions. This had happened many tis before, whenever servants had t their end.
"Hngh..."
"Do I have to open it myself?"
When one of the servants couldn’t hold back his tears, Countess reloff gave him a sharp glance.
In the end, it was the butler who reached for the doorknob.
Creeeak.
The door slowly opened. A bloodied servant lay prostrate on the floor, and blood splattered the wooden furniture. Countess reloff raised her head high and entered with an air of authority.
"Husband."
At her call, the Count turned around, panting.
He had beaten the servant so badly that sweat was dripping from his hair. The servant kept desperately rubbing his palms together.
"Let that child go."
"Hngh... S-Spare ... please..."
"Play with instead."
A radiant smile blood on the Countess’s previously emotionless face. She tilted her head slightly and t the butler’s eyes, who was standing by the door. The servant seized the opportunity and quickly crawled out.
’Close the door.’
Creeeak.
Light seeped through the slowly closing gap. The butler, as always, felt a heavy weight in his heart as he closed the door.
Countess reloff gently took her husband’s hand and made a suggestion.
"My dear, instead of this, why don’t you ask Bratz for help?"
But the wild, panting breaths of her elderly husband, flashing with madness, did not easily subside. She whispered again, softly.
"If it’s too much for your pride, I’ll go and talk to them. We’re around the sa age, and wouldn’t it be better for both of you if I went instead of you?"
"You?"
"Yes. Leave it to ."
Count reloff grabbed his wife’s flowing hair, growling. The woman’s expression was, as always, serene.
"You’re not planning to run away, are you?"
"Of course not. How could I?"
At his wife’s calm words, the Count roughly shook her hair. Her gaze was fixed on the full moon, shining brightly behind her husband.
Four days later, Countess reloff arrived at Bratz. Ian, having received advance notice, was waiting for her at the mansion’s main gate. As the carriage door opened, a woman in luxurious traveling attire erged, smiling and extending a hand.
"Welco, Countess reloff. It’s a pleasure to see you."
"Ian, oh, forgive . I almost made a mistake right off the bat. I should call you Viscount Ian now, shouldn’t I?"
"Was the journey difficult?"
"Not at all. Are we such strangers?"
Countess reloff subtly reminded him of their proximity as neighbors. Ian smiled without answering and led her to the drawing-room.
"I was honestly a little surprised to hear you were coming, My Lady."
"Both the Count and I were concerned that we hadn’t properly congratulated you on your appointnt. It weighed on our minds."
The Countess removed her thick coat and handed it to a servant. Her nose was slightly red, suggesting the carriage had been cold.
"Please, don’t ntion it. I understand you’re busy with your duties."
"Thank you, Viscount Ian. The Count wished to co as well, but, as you said, he simply couldn’t find the ti."
"You were kind enough to send a gift."
Ian subtly ntioned the Dripper.
"It’s such a valuable item; I’m not sure I’m worthy of it."
Was it possible they knew the Dripper’s true value? Or was this, as he suspected, a deliberate attempt to insult him, and he’d taken the bait?
Ian carefully observed the Countess’s expression, but she only offered an enigmatic smile.
"Was it perhaps a bit... unconventional? I did suggest sothing else, but the Count insisted it would be of great use to you, Viscount Ian. What do I know? The Count insisted..."
’Her origins might be unknown, but she’s certainly a noblewoman now.’
What an absolutely infuriating way of speaking.
The Count’s insistence implied the item’s value, but if Ian didn’t appreciate it, it was his lack of discernnt that was at fault. Classic passive-aggression.
"Not at all. I’m delighted with it. You’ve given sothing truly extraordinary."
This wasn’t re politeness; he genuinely was pleased. Judging by its condition, it seed to be a newly developed model. Where else would he find sothing like this?
The Countess smiled faintly and nodded.
"I’m glad to hear you say that. The Count will surely be pleased. We’ve prepared another gift as well, so please look forward to it."
"I’m honored, My Lady."
"But, Viscount Ian, the reason I’ve co today..."
Countess reloff trailed off. Ian had naturally assud they would discuss the Gulla trade. But what ca out of her mouth was sothing he hadn’t anticipated at all.
"I’d like to have a look at Lady Mary’s room. You see, didn’t I ntion it before? I lent sothing to Lady Mary and never got it back."
"Ah."
Ian paused, surprised. The Countess’s eyes sparkled—a plea for his permission. And, it seed, a hope that Ian hadn’t cleared out Mary’s room. Normally, one would have completely overhauled the room of a condemned stepmother...
"Please, be my guest. It’s your belonging you’re looking for; how could I refuse? I’ve been so busy that I haven’t touched that room. If Lady Mary had it, it should still be there."
He’d kept the room as it was due to the strange behavior of the two Countesses, though, to be more precise, he hadn’t paid it any particular attention.
The instant Ian granted his permission, Countess reloff sprang to her feet and urged the servant on.
"Then it’s best to get this done first."
"I’ll show you the way."
"Will you be joining , Viscount Ian?"
"Yes, of course. I’ll help you look. If you’ll just tell what it is."
At Ian’s words, Countess reloff’s face stiffened slightly. But it was so subtle that Ian wondered if he’d imagined it, and he watched her expression even more closely. The way she held her back straight as she walked was the epito of elegance.
"This way, Countess."
The servant respectfully guided Countess reloff and Ian. The room at the end of the hall, directly below the office. The firmly closed doorknob turned, and the distinctive sll of an old mansion wafted out.
"I had it cleaned, but since it hasn’t been used, there’s a strong sll of wood. I’ll air it out imdiately."
Thud.
A gust of cold air entered through the window, but Countess reloff didn’t seem to mind. She carefully looked around the room, then began searching through the drawers and wardrobe. Ian watched her from a respectful distance.
"My Lady, if you tell what you’re looking for, I can have the servants assist you."
"No. It’s sothing that shouldn’t be handled by others."
Rustle.
Countess reloff’s hands moved swiftly through the clothes. Fine and colorful fabrics were quickly pushed aside on the hangers, but it seed she couldn’t find what she was looking for.
"Viscount Ian."
"Yes, My Lady?"
"I apologize, but could you please step outside for a mont? I need to look in a more... private area. I’ll let you know when I find the item."
The Countess was pointing to a chest of drawers where undergarnts were kept. Ian gestured to the servant to keep watch and left the room without a word. Countess reloff waited until the door was completely closed before resuming her search of the drawers.
"E-Excuse , Countess... Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Open every drawer. Every single one. I’ll search myself."
The Countess rummaged through a drawer, then suddenly stopped and muttered sothing under her breath. The servant flinched at the cold, cruel expression reflected in the vanity mirror.
She seed to be deep in thought for a mont, then began to frantically tear through the drawers once more.
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