Chapter 85

Ariadne carefully examined the skeleton that remained. She stripped away everything that could potentially identify the remains, such as clothing and small ornaments. There was nothing decisive, only some clothes and a few trinkets. She rolled them up and threw them into the Tiber River on her way home in a hired carriage.

Ariadne entrusted Giuseppe to a gypsy woman and sent her directly to the port. The task she gave Giuseppe was to keep an eye on the gypsy woman. Not only was he to put her on a ship, but he was also to stay by her side until the ship set sail to ensure she didn’t escape.

Ariadne thought Giuseppe might not return home for three or four days, but fortunately, there was a ship leaving for the 'Black Salt Sea' that afternoon. Giuseppe confirmed the gypsy woman’s departure before returning home in less than half a day.

Sancha, who was deeply shocked, stayed close to her mistress. Ariadne, sitting in the hired carriage, hugged Sancha and muttered, "I’m really glad I didn’t take you in there."

Sancha guessed that this was related to the disappearance of Giada. Something terrible must have happened inside.

"Miss, don’t see what you shouldn’t see. Let me see it. Whether it’s Giada or a gypsy fortune-teller, I’ll handle it all! There’s no need for you to dirty your hands!"

Ariadne didn’t respond to Sancha’s words. She just smiled faintly. Everyone has their own responsibilities to bear. This judgment and the mysterious future were burdens that only Ariadne could carry.

When Ariadne returned home, she called the butler, Niccolo.

"Niccolo, Giada has fled. Tell her family that she has gone far and not to look for her anymore."

Niccolo, who had already gauged the situation, nodded.

"Yes, Miss."

Giada was his sister-in-law, but he couldn’t protect everyone in the family. Honestly, this time, his sister-in-law had practically walked into her own death. If the Inquisitors stormed into Cardinal de Mare’s residence and threatened to put all the servants who practiced black magic on trial, not only Lucrezia and Giada but also the entire family and many servants would be burned at the stake. Niccolo himself was likely included in this group. He wasn’t the kind of person to be so loyal. His life was far more important than his sister-in-law. Many people in this era could easily turn a blind eye to injustice for the sake of their own safety.

"Miss, I’ve heated the bath water."

Ariadne turned to Sancha.

"Thank you."

"Whatever happened, try to pull yourself together."

Ariadne could only smile at Sancha. There are inevitably secrets that no one can share with others. Ariadne was only now realizing this. In her past life, she struggled to find someone to share everything with. In her previous life, she thought Cesare would be that one person. She clung to him and couldn’t let go. Isabella couldn’t be ignored either. Being recognized by her popular and beautiful sister felt like being affirmed as a person.

But in the end, it was all a mirage. Cesare and Isabella, she had chosen the wrong people. But it wasn’t about the people; humans are inherently lonely and isolated.

Ariadne only realized this in her second life, after she had a strange secret that she couldn’t share with anyone.

"It’s okay. Thank you."

Ariadne shook her head. She didn’t like being alone, but she was used to it. Humans are ultimately alone, but they can still live. It’s impossible to share every joy and sorrow with others. Everyone has their own burdens to bear.

"I’ll take a bath and then go see Arabella."

"Yes."

It was painful that she couldn’t be completely honest with Sancha. But Ariadne could still share her daily life, laughter, and warm bath water with Sancha. And there was more to protect in her daily life. Ariadne had the young Arabella.

- Knock, knock.

"Come in."

Ariadne opened the door and entered Arabella’s room. Arabella didn’t seem to have been crying, but she looked deeply shocked. Ariadne approached Arabella, who was curled up on the bed, and hugged her.

"There was nothing you could do today."

"…!"

Ariadne, who had cut straight to the chase, stroked Arabella’s amber hair. She spoke in a calm, soothing voice.

"Mother only received the consequences of her actions. There was nothing you could do about it."

"…!"

"It’s okay even if you didn’t step in."

Tears finally welled up in Arabella’s eyes, which had been stiff with guilt all day. Arabella had been trying to freeze herself like a statue, not wanting to think about what had happened. Time had moved slowly, her head was numb, and she felt continuously bad. Finally, at the end of the day, a warm hand stroked her hair. Feeling the warmth of another person, Arabella shed a few tears and then, unable to hold back, began to cry like a child.

"Ari…! Ari, sister…! I…!"

"Shh, it’s okay. Cry it out. It’s fine."

Holding Arabella, who was sobbing, Ariadne stroked her hair and spoke softly.

"We shouldn’t worry about sins we didn’t commit. Let’s each bear our own responsibilities. Mother only received the consequences of her actions. You can feel sorry for her, but don’t think it’s your fault."

And after that, Ariadne couldn’t say anything more to Arabella, but she swallowed it down.

'I’ll take on your share of the burden. I’ll protect you until you grow up healthy and strong. We can move forward together. Let’s do that.'

If she had a 'future sight' as the gypsy fortune-teller said, she would use it for those close to her, the innocent, and those she loved. For their sake, she was willing to bear the consequences, even if it meant carrying a heavy burden.

This life was enough to protect them. She didn’t want anything more.

* * *

The de Mare family’s mansion, without Lucrezia, surprisingly ran smoothly without much discord. This was partly due to Ariadne’s competence in managing the household, but also because Lucrezia was a figurehead who did little.

The vacancy left by Giada was quickly filled by Sancha after a few minor adjustments.

"You really are rising fast."

Ariadne clicked her tongue at Sancha. Sancha, who had become Ariadne’s close maid within a year of escaping the Langbue orphanage, was now effectively the acting head of the household.

"Hehe, all thanks to good connections! Who would have thought my mistress would become the household’s real power so quickly?"

Sancha twirled the key to the main kitchen storeroom and proudly said in a sycophantic tone. Looking at her fondly, Ariadne glanced around and whispered to Sancha.

"But Miss, have we really defeated Lady Lucrezia…?"

Ariadne chuckled. She wished it were true, but the chances were slim. She didn’t consider a battle won until the enemy’s breath was cut off. It was a lesson learned from long court life.

"Lucrezia has Ipolito. He’ll be back soon."

Seeing Sancha visibly disheartened, Ariadne smiled and encouraged her. If they weren’t in the kitchen, she would have tickled her.

"But for now, we have a valuable time. Let’s prepare to win solidly. I don’t start battles I can’t win. By this time next year, no one, including Cardinal de Mare, will look down on us."

With Lucrezia gone, the de Mare family’s entire financial power was in her hands. The plague next year was the time to invest. Investment wasn’t just about stockpiling goods that would be expensive after the plague. The personnel structure also needed to be reorganized.

Ariadne, who had taken control of the household, fired most of Lucrezia’s loyal servants, both female and male. She then gathered the remaining servants and lined them up in the first-floor grand hall.

"There has been an unpleasant incident in the household, so I will be taking full control for the time being."

She could have euphemistically mentioned a 'health issue,' but Ariadne openly hinted at Lucrezia’s misdeeds. The story of Lucrezia’s involvement in black magic was a secret, so Ariadne suggested a more believable story.

"Anyone who has seen a strange young man recently entering or leaving the house must report directly to me."

The servants were already speculating about why Lucrezia had been suddenly dismissed. This hint would lead them to suspect she had been caught in an affair.

"I will enforce strict discipline."

As the servants began to whisper among themselves, Ariadne glared at them. In reality, the only reason a cardinal’s mistress would be dismissed from the household was for infidelity. Who would imagine a cardinal’s mistress practicing black magic in the house?

"To enforce this, I will recruit personnel to patrol inside and outside the house."

This was to plant her own people. There were already guards outside the house, but Ariadne wanted to create her own dedicated force. She needed an excuse.

"Since it’s inappropriate for the external guards to enter the house, I will select some internal personnel to form a new security team."

Ariadne nodded. Giuseppe, the coachman, straightened up.

"Giuseppe."

"Yes, Miss!"

"You will be in charge of the new security team."

Young people often become passionate when given a purpose. Giuseppe’s refusal of Ariadne’s 'offer' left a deep impression on her. People who would do anything for money were useful in the short term but unsuitable as loyalists. So she spent time convincing him to join her side.

"Chu! Cheng!"

Though they had already discussed it, Giuseppe’s eyes and face shone as if he had just been knighted. Ariadne smiled at him and scanned the remaining male servants.

"The new security team will receive a monthly salary of 70 florins (about 700,000 won)."

Even the most experienced third-floor maids earned less than 20 florins. A close maid to the mistress might earn up to 40 florins. In a big city like San Carlo, people were cheap. Male servants earned about 25 to 30 florins. The only person in the house who earned in ducats was the butler, Niccolo. Even the former head of the household, Giada, earned less than her official salary, relying on side income and petty embezzlement.

70 florins was a generous offer. Murmurs spread among the servants.

"Those who want to apply should talk to Giuseppe. Not everyone who applies will be accepted. If there are no suitable candidates, I will have to hire from outside, but I will ask you first out of respect. I’m looking for capable and loyal people. Think about it carefully."

A clear message to align with her. Ariadne then looked at the maids. Those who had long served under Lucrezia flinched and avoided her gaze.

"The head of the household will be vacant for the time being."

Some of the experienced maids had hoped for the position. They tried to hide their disappointment.

"For the time being, Sancha will handle the duties. She’s young, so you will need to help her a lot."

As she said this, Ariadne stared intently at a few of the maids.

"It can’t be left vacant forever. Sancha is my close maid and has many duties. Eventually, someone will need to take the position. I will be watching to see who is suitable. Sancha will let me know."

In other words, don’t even think about making Sancha’s life difficult. She will be the one evaluating the next head of the household.

"Yes, Miss!"

The experienced maids answered forcefully. The competition would intensify later, but for now, they seemed eager to show their loyalty.

By the time Ipolito returned with Lucrezia, the de Mare family’s mansion would be filled with Ariadne’s people. Once the accounts were in her hands, it would be hard to take them back.

'Let’s see how it goes. This house is mine in this life, Ipolito.'

* * *

- Hoo.

Unaware of the thorough preparations being made for her in San Carlo, Ipolito de Mare took a deep puff from his pipe and exhaled.

A tall young man with his mother’s high cheekbones and a cold demeanor, his short hair was a rough ash color, unlike either of his parents. His eyes were the same purple as his mother’s and his sister’s.

"Ipolito! What’s wrong?"

A lively voice called out to him. Ipolito, lying on the sofa, slowly turned his head toward the voice.