The Fake Madam Disappeared

“I’m telling the truth,” Marinda protested her innocence.

“So Marinda, what you’re saying is Madam lent you her carriage, her clothes, her jewelry, and even gave you money?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I am saying.”

The Chambermaid sighed deeply, unsure how to handle this difficult situation.

Marinda, quick-witted as she was, had always maintained a good relationship with the Chambermaid, who was generally tolerant of her mistakes. But this time, the issue was a bit different. When Marinda returned in the carriage that she claimed the Lady of the house had lent her, the Young Lord mistook her for the Madam herself.

Upon realizing she was merely a maid, he became furious, accusing her of mocking the Duchy by treating it lightly.

With the Young Master and the Duke involved, there wasn’t much the Chambermaid could do.

“I’ll take your word for it, but it would be different with the Young Master.”

Running out in a hurry because of the commotion, it was the first time in a long time that the Chambermaid heard the future heir raise his voice. The last time he raised his voice was when the Madam broke the only thing left by the his late mother.

Meanwhile, Marinda felt wronged. She hadn’t lied about anything. It was true that Madam had lent her everything. True, the Madam hinted to her that only the Mistress’s carriage could safely brave the blizzard, but still, it was the Madam that lent it to Marinda.

_‘That’s expected.’ _

Can someone even blame for her actions, being trapped in this dreary northern region for five years? Daphne’s change of attitude from being cold initially caught Marinda off guard, but it only gave her confidence.

As soon as she returned from her joyous trip, it was Damian who greeted her. Marinda blushed at Demian’s handsome appearance, reminding his striking resemblance to the Duke.

‘Why is he out here?’

‘Could it be… for me?’

But Marinda’s expectations were quickly shattered. As soon as he saw Marinda, his face twisted in anger.

“Did… something happen while I was away?” Marinda cautiously asked.

“Marinda, don’t be surprised. Madam disappeared.”

“What?”

“It had already been two weeks ago.”

The search party had been scouring and retreating through the blizzard for five days already, but all they found was a piece of blood-soaked robe.

The Chambermaid told Marinda everything that had happened over the past few days.

“They found Madam’s robe in a mutated monster’s den? Madam is dead?” Marinda blinked blankly.

“We can’t be sure… but that’s what everybody thinks. The search party is not looking for Madam anymore, but her body.”

‘I’m sure that had been a big shock.’

Although Marinda wasn’t the Madam’s personal handmaid, she was the only person in the mansion who still cared for her. When all the servants turned their backs on the Lady of the house, Marinda was the only one who sympathized with her.

“Does this mean… His Excellency is remarrying?”

The Chambermaid caught the underlying meaning in Marinda’s question.

_‘She’s planning to send a message to the Bled Family.’ _

Bled – one of the founding families of the empire, renowned for its first patriarch, who was a saint. Though the divine power had long faded, the family’s reputation endured.

However, since evidence of their involvement in a rebellion was uncovered five years ago, the family had been in decline. Daphne, the esteemed daughter of the Bled family, narrowly avoided the family’s complete downfall by marrying into the Winter family.

Although the Marquis of Bled was imprisoned on a remote, heavily guarded island, there would be a way to communicate, and news of his daughter’s death would reach him. If the Marquis had been sent to Ruvuz Prison as originally intended, this wouldn’t have been a concern.

Ruvuz Prison is unlike any other. It’s where those who threaten the safety of the Imperial Palace are confined – a place where neither money nor power has any influence. But Daphne’s brother, Sergei, the heir to the Bled family, had volunteered to take his father’s place in Ruvuz, allowing the Marquis to be imprisoned elsewhere. Thus, the Marquis would inevitably hear of events outside.

“I don’t know either. What matters the most is the Duke’s decisions.”

The Chambermaid ambiguously answered. But despite this vague answer, the Chambermaid knew that the Duke would surely remarry.

With the disappearance of his wife he wasn’t on good terms with and his young age, countless women would eagerly throw themselves to the Duke like moths, even with a history of previous marriage and a son.

‘Perhaps a noblewoman? The Imperial Princess even?’

Even without considering his outstanding achievements, there were many who had been infatuated with the Duke solely for his looks. Among them were the flowers of the high society, Lady Vevelokh and the Imperial Princess.

“In any case, I’ll let you know once a decision is made. Stay out of trouble until then.” The Chambermaid added, looking weary.

Marinda realized that the Chambermaid’s worries stemmed not only from the Madam’s disappearance.

“Is something else the matter?”

“Of course, there is.”

The Chambermaid answered vaguely again, recalling what happened a few hours ago.

Although the Duke was generally even-tempered, he had always been an uncomfortable presence, making it difficult to serve him, So, it was only natural that the Chambermaid felt more anxious than usual when her Master, now even more on edge since the Madam’s disappearance, summoned her.

The reason the Duke called for the Chambermaid was rather unexpected.

“Why? What’s the matter?”

The Chambermaid sighed deeply,

“Well, the thing is…”

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

It was desolate.

Edmund thought as he looked around Daphne’s room. Except for when he found out a few days ago about Daphne’s disappearance, this place rather felt unfamiliar, as he had not visited it ‘even once’ in the past five years.

Sparse furniture and a thick layer of dust. To put it nicely, the room was neatly arranged; but to speak the truth, there wasn’t a single trace that suggested someone had stayed there. A letter and the divorce papers – that was all. It was as if she decided not to leave her traces behind.

Edmund stood still in the middle of the dusty room, rooted in place.

After staring at this room through the window all day, he came inside as if he was possessed by something.

Edmund took a deep breath. There was no trace of her scent, as if there was no existence of her presence.

Feeling suffocated, Edmund pulled out a cigarette. Just before lighting it, he looked up and surveyed the room. The scent of the cigarette was strong, and even one puff would likely fill the entire room.

“...”

Edmund shoved his cigarette back into his pocket, closed his eyes and tried to remember the owner of this room. Nothing came to mind. It was only natural – Edmund knew nothing about Daphne.

“I never thought of you as my wife.”

Edmund slowly opened his eyes, searching through his memories.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

A month before the coming-of-age ceremony, the celebratory banquet held in the capital continued late into the night.

The lively atmosphere, buoyed by the rare public appearance after five years and the banquet’s purpose of celebrating the future Duke Damian’s coming-of-age, showed no sign of waning even past dawn. After the banquet ended, Edmund massaged his stiff neck.

“Phew…”

He was more tired from dealing with people than from doing his work.

“Your Excellency has worked hard.”

“Benjamin.”

At that moment, Benjamin, the butler of the villa in the capital where the banquet was held, appeared. Benjamin, like Vent’s family, had dedicated his life to Duke Winter’s household for generations.

“Thank you for the hard work.”

The Lady of the house was usually the one in charge of the banquet. But upon hearing the words from Edmund, Benjamin quietly prepared for the banquet in such a tight schedule.

“I heard from Johann that you will be returning to the main estate.”

“Yes, I plan to return before I get any older.”

Benjamin cast a fond glance around the mansion.

This villa, which he had taken care of since his youth, held great significance for him. That was why, five years ago, he chose not to leave with Edmund when he got married and left this villa. But now, it was time to let go of his attachments.

“Then let’s go back together.”

“Yes, understood. Your Excellency.”

“What is it?”

“Did Madam…”

“Daphne?”

“Ah, forget about it. Your Excellency might be tired. Please go in and rest.”

Hesitating, Benjamin shook his head in the end. As he retreated, Edmund, weary, made his way to his room. When he reached the door, someone was crouching in front of it.

“... My Lady?”

Her head buried between the knees raised. With the hallway dark making him unable to see her expression, he knew it was Daphne.

As he resumed walking after a momentarily pause, Edmund wondered to himself. Why is someone, who claimed to be unwell and left the banquet early, here? Moreover, Daphne arrived at the capital she had missed so much and had been out of contact for three days, even staying out overnight.

Daphne staggered to her feet as Edmund approached. Edmund’s hand twitched, but Daphne managed to steady herself by leaning against the wall before he could react. Edmund stopped.

“What’s the matter?”

There was a long silence. Fatigue washed over him.

Edmund glanced at her disheveled hair and sighed. The room was full of documents that needed to be handled. Even if he started now, he wouldn’t finish until dawn. Edmund tried to pass by Daphne, who still hadn’t said a word, to enter his room.

“Edmund,” but a desperate hand grabbed his sleeve. The grip was so weak that he could shake it off if he wanted to. “I have something to tell you.”

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