Chapter 67

### Part 2.

### The Truth About Dora's Disappearance

"…What business do you have in the young lady's room, Miss Dora?"

"Just came to check on her a bit."

"Is that so? To me, it seemed like you were deliberately creating a dark place that Lady Albertina dislikes."

"Oh, you were watching?"

Dora laughed without a hint of shame. It was an unpleasant expression, with her nervous, thin eyebrows raised and a twisted smile.

"After all, it's unbecoming of a lady to be afraid of small and dark places for so long. I think she should get used to it."

"The Duke has instructed us to prioritize Lady Albertina's safety and recovery above all else. What right do you have as a noblewoman?"

"That's for Grail's sake. Grail has always been preoccupied with Albertina. Albertina is too dependent on Grail. She always clings to him, and it's not proper for a duke's daughter. No matter how much Grail is her father, it's excessive."

In her eyes, a hateful jealousy was evident. It was well-known among the servants that Dora had long harbored feelings for the Duke, Grail. After Christina's death, Dora sometimes acted like the lady of the house. However, there was no room for Dora between Grail and Christina, who had a rare love marriage among the upper nobility. Even after Christina's death, Grail's love for her daughter never wavered, and he never showed interest in other women.

For Dora, who had hoped for a chance, it was unpleasant to see Grail dote on Albertina, who resembled Christina. If Grail showed interest and made a move, it would be one thing, but for Dora to seduce Grail was out of the question. At best, she would be dismissed, and at worst, Grail might have her killed.

Since she couldn't voice her opinions to Grail, she took it out on Albertina. Perhaps she hoped to become Grail's intermediary and use Albertina as a puppet.

"Since the Duke has allowed it, it's not our place to comment."

"Even so, she's not a baby. To be so pampered as a duke's daughter… it's a disgrace."

A disgrace? The young lady is still a young girl, a child. She needs protection and help from those around her. Moreover, she is a victim who has been kidnapped and suffered both physically and mentally. What's wrong with a daughter who lost her mother and clings to her father? It's much better than the superficial relationship they had before, where Grail showed little interest despite giving her everything. But now, Grail is much more affectionate towards the endearing Albertina, who looks up to him. This has helped Grail, who was devastated after losing his beloved wife Christina, to calm down.

Dora probably finds this intolerable. She doesn't understand the significance of this miraculous change. Even young Anna understands this, but Dora denies it. What is Dora saying? Does she not realize that her actions are just a vent for her frustrations? As a lower noble and a servant, Dora has no right to belittle Albertina.

Anna cast a cold glance at Dora. Finally, Dora seemed to realize that Anna's gaze was not one of flattery but of coldness.

"I will speak to Mr. Sebastian about this."

Of course, it might reach the Duke's ears. Sebastian Tyan, the head of the Latitche household, is a middle-aged butler directly under the Duke. His role is to evaluate events in the mansion and report them to the Duke, Grail. If a servant is trying to harm the Duke's only daughter, something should be done. Sebastian, who now looks at the adorable Latitche's daughter with warmth, would certainly take action.

When Albertina holds her favorite red storybook and shyly asks for a reading, Sebastian's face lights up. It's clear which side Sebastian would take between the scheming Dora and the young Latitche's daughter.

"Wait! Anna, you don't have that authority!"

"It's not authority but duty. As a maid serving the young lady, reporting a harmful servant is part of my job."

As Dora became agitated, Anna sharply retorted. Dora's shrill voice was annoying. Albertina might wake up.

"Why are you protecting such a little girl! Didn't you suffer a lot too!?

She's not as harsh as she used to be, but she has a terrible temper!"

"The young lady—"

Indeed, she is timid and cries easily, and sometimes she becomes violent. "Scared, help me."

But

"She apologizes. When I get hurt or a servant gets hurt, she says 'I'm sorry.' When I make tea, she says 'thank you.'"

When Albertina becomes violent, it's because she is overwhelmed by fear and can't control her emotions. Once she calms down, she understands and is careful not to cause such severe panic attacks. Albertina is kind to the servants. She no longer looks for faults, ties them up, or throws cups. After being kidnapped, the demon was killed, and the girl who returned was young and kind.

"…Do you forgive her for that? Just because she resembles Christina and is related by blood, she monopolizes and troubles Grail so much!"

"Is that your true feeling? It's ridiculous."

"Ridiculous!? Grail is not someone to waste on such a child! Christina could only leave such a child! A nuisance who only troubles Grail! She couldn't produce an heir as a duchess and left only a burden behind!"

As Dora became more heated, Anna's heart grew colder. With Albertina around, they could take in a son-in-law. If that was still a concern, they could adopt from a branch family. Dora, with her shoulders tense and bloodshot eyes, glared at Anna. But Anna was unfazed.

"―――――Aaaaaaaah! Aaaah! Nooo!"

At that moment, the girl's scream echoed, awakened by the commotion in the hallway. Anna, startled, pushed Dora away and opened the door. She lit the magic stone lamp in her pocket to its maximum output for Albertina, who was screaming in the dark. During this time, Dora fled. Anna opened the heavy curtains and canopy and embraced Albertina, who was trembling and thrashing on the bed. Julius and Sebastian rushed to the scene.

After a while, Albertina's frenzy finally subsided. Anna, with scratches on her face and hands, watched as Julius held Albertina, who was hiccupping and sniffling.

"…Why do you calm her, Anna?"

"It's this mantle. I borrowed it from the Duke. The scent and residual magic help the young lady calm down."

"Oh, if it's not you, that's fine."

Ignoring Julius's meaningful gaze, Anna nodded. Recently, Julius has been much kinder to Albertina. Initially, he was wary and confused by her changed personality after the kidnapping, but he soon realized she was just a timid young bird. One reason is that Albertina has become affectionate towards Julius. As she grew more comfortable, she started to ask for impossible things from Grail, Julius, and Sebastian in a cute manner. Dora, in response, expressed a mix of exasperation and jealousy, and distanced herself from Albertina even more. By then, Albertina had become the angel of the Latitche household.

"She's persistent, isn't she?"

"Again, you? If you don't help, go somewhere else."

"Even after being reprimanded by Mr. Sebastian, are you still going to continue?"

"No, I'm doing this for the Duke's household, for Grail."

"That's not true. It's your desire, not the Duke's wish."

That's why Dora is in a difficult position. The newcomers, Kistaria and Latine, are much better at navigating the household. They understand who to avoid angering and who to avoid hurting.

"You! What do you know about Grail? I've always watched him! I've always loved him! I truly love Grail! I'll get rid of that woman Latine!

Then I'll get rid of you and that boy Julius!

If that child, that child just listens to me—!!"

"Lady Albertina is not your toy.

You are a parasite who mocks and uses people. That's the reality."

"No! I will become the Duchess!"

"No, you won't. You are a servant who is not recognized by the Duke or Lady Albertina. That's who you are now."

Dora, emotionally, raised her voice. When Christina died and the weakened Albertina came to the household, Dora's long-suppressed desires were stirred. If her methods had been more supportive of Albertina, the future might have been different.

"Because of that child, Albertina…! Christina was finally gone! Why didn't that brat die too…!"

That's probably her true feeling. Dora has always hated Albertina. She envied the resemblance and despised her. Her love for Grail was unrequited.

"If she dies…!"

Saying this, Dora smiled maniacally and swished her navy skirt. Her ugly emotions were not hidden, and she seemed to have lost herself. Her maid's uniform looked like a witch's robe.

I know who 'that one' is. Anna immediately understood. Even if Albertina were harmed, Grail's heart would not turn to Dora. But Dora sees Albertina as the reason Grail doesn't notice her.

"What are you going to do!"

"I'm going to kill her! For Grail!"

In her hand was a knife. Small, but it would cause serious injury if thrust into a small child's body. Even without a knife, if she strangled that slender, white neck, it would break easily. Anna tackled Dora to stop her. Caught off guard by Anna's action, Dora fell but didn't let go of the knife.

"Let go of that!"

"No! I'm going to kill that demon! The demon who deceives Grail!"

The demon is you. Dora, who burns with abnormal jealousy over the father-daughter relationship, is wrong. Despite being known as a cold and fearsome demon, Grail softens in front of Albertina. Albertina, in turn, looks up to Grail with a relaxed and content smile. A father and a daughter, both having lost their beloved wife and mother, comforting each other—what's wrong with that?

As they struggled over the knife, Anna managed to take it from Dora. Dora, with a hateful look, quickly stood up. Her bloodshot eyes were still fixed on Albertina's bedroom. Her eyes showed no sign of giving up.

"I, I… for Grail—"

As she took a few steps towards the room, Dora suddenly stumbled and collapsed, as if all her strength had drained from her.

"Huh…?"

When she touched her side, it was wet. Her hand was stained red. Anna looked down at Dora's shocked face. In Anna's hand was the knife, its blade dripping with fresh blood. Strangely, her heart was calm. In fact, she felt relieved. Now the young lady, Albertina, would not be harmed.

"It hurts, it hurts…! Anna, get a doctor!"

Ah, she's still screaming. I need to take care of this before the young lady notices. What should I do after I kill her? I should throw her out the window and move her somewhere. I mustn't let the young lady see this. I need to clean the hallway so she doesn't find out in the morning.

"Hey! Hurry up—"

At that moment, polished leather shoes stepped on Dora's head. The voice that was about to shout was silenced. The foot that pressed down on Dora's head belonged to Julius. Through the gaps in his black hair, his glasses reflected the lamp, hiding his expression.

"The young lady will wake up. Be quiet."

His voice was chillingly mechanical