The Madwoman's Resolve
Head maid Mcdalin's announcement that new staff would be assigned did not alarm Odeliana in the slightest. She had assumed the fresh personnel would be maids carefully selected through Blair's influence.
Her expectations, however, were spectacularly mistaken.
“Hello, miss. It’s been quite some time.”
The newly assigned staff member—who had even been granted the special title of exclusive head maid of the annex—was none other than Adela.
What a deranged household.
It was bad enough that they had summoned the chief architect of their daughter’s abuse back into the mansion. But to install her as close personal staff? Was this a notion any sane mind could accept?
Adela had received no punishment whatsoever. Had every sin been forgiven simply because she shared a close relationship with the mistress of the house? Odeliana doubted the woman had shown any belated remorse or repentance.
I knew she was arrogant from the moment she strutted back in, but I never imagined it would go this far.
She had returned as an autumn viper, venom fully ripened and ready to strike.
Rest easy, miss. I shall serve you with the utmost devotion and care.
Adela began by seizing absolute control of the annex.
“Your change of clothes, miss.”
“…Why do the garments look like this?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“You expect me to wear these rags?”
“You used to wear far worse without complaint. Why the sudden fuss? Is there a problem?”
The clothes were frayed at the seams, visually appalling, and the fabric itself was of such poor quality it held no commercial value. Finding garments this cheap within the estate would have been nearly impossible. The deliberate effort required to procure them was almost impressive.
“…Bring me new clothes.”
“Regrettably, these are the cleanest items you currently possess. If they don’t suit you, perhaps you could sew something yourself? I recall fabric among the gifts you received earlier. You hoard so many usable things yet hide them all, then demand we prepare everything anew… Your greed truly knows no bounds.”
These were childish antics born from a simple desire to torment. For someone staring down old age, such petty games were beneath contempt.
“How utterly infantile.”
“Shall we compare it to the games you played, miss?”
“……”
“Because of your little games, the children who served you their entire lives were cast onto the streets overnight. Is it really so terrible that we repay you with this much?”
“What touching loyalty. If even a fraction of the care you show your comrades had been directed toward me, would I have been forced to treat you so harshly?”
“They weren’t colleagues—they were comrades in arms. People who wasted their youth trapped in this isolated villa, attending to someone no one else would visit.”
“Anyone listening would think I held a blade to their throats and forced them into service. If it was truly so awful and repulsive, why didn’t you simply quit?”
The real victim stood right here, yet these people wore the faces of the aggrieved. It was revolting. How could human beings feel not even the slightest guilt after their crimes had been exposed?
“What would you know, miss? Who in their right mind would choose to stay by your side? We are servants who have attended the Gruisevald family for generations. This is our inherited duty. For us, this is a lifelong workplace. Leaving the Gruisevald estate is tantamount to being thrown onto the street. Whether we like it or not, we must endure in silence. How could someone like you possibly understand the hearts of those beneath her?”
“How laughable. You pocket the living expenses meant for me, fail to fulfill even the most basic duties, and then have the audacity to play the victim. Why didn’t you spout this nonsense in front of Brother Blair? You couldn’t even open your mouth back then. Do you really believe your excuses now will change the fact that you are the perpetrators and I am the victim?”
Adela clicked her tongue in mock regret.
“What would you know? The only ones to pity are myself and the children who wasted our lives on an idiot like you.”
It was like speaking to a wall. No words reached her. Adela smiled and rose from her seat.
“Didn’t I tell you before? Nothing will change.”
“……”
“There is no one on your side in this place. Everyone despises you. They loathe you. To them, you are less than an insect crawling across the floor. Born human yet unable to walk on your own two feet, and still you demand noble treatment? Know your place. You are not the duke’s daughter.”
Look forward to what comes next. It will be most entertaining.
Having made her arrogant declaration, Adela kicked over the medicine bottle beside her and strode out. For the first time since awakening in this body, Odeliana felt genuine dread. A cold certainty that things were spiraling out of control.
Adela’s childish cruelty continued through mealtime.
“I distinctly ordered portions for two people.”
“Lady Adela instructed us to prepare only for you, miss… I’ll bring the rest shortly.”
The maid responsible for the meals never returned, even after an hour.
Odeliana’s food had long since gone stone cold. Mathias glanced at her grave expression and spoke softly.
“Shall I deal with it?”
“…I’m not sure.”
Once Adela seized real power, the nightmare Odeliana had feared unfolded. The servants obeyed Adela’s commands rather than hers. They watched Adela’s mood, not Odeliana’s. As everything began moving according to Adela’s whims, anger slowly began to boil inside her.
If this continued, the past would simply repeat. She would be locked in a filthy room unfit even for livestock, fed scraps, and forced to live each day like a creature lower than a beast.
“Eat, at least. You should eat first.”
“This is Master’s portion. Please eat, Master. I am fine.”
“You’re still growing. You eat.”
“You must eat more than I. Your body is frail, Master. You need to take better care of yourself.”
Mathias’s gaze lingered on her slender wrist, visible between her sleeves. Embarrassed for no reason, Odeliana tugged her sleeve down to cover it.
I’d rather avoid any major disturbances if possible.
While pondering how to remove Adela from the picture, Odeliana scooped a spoonful of the cooled stew and offered it to Mathias.
“Let’s share it.”
Even a single bean could be divided. She could not allow her young disciple to go hungry. She had not brought him here to be treated this way. A dry sigh escaped her again and again.
Mathias stared at the troubled Odeliana for a long moment before reluctantly opening his mouth to accept the spoon.
This time, as Odeliana lifted her own spoon, Mathias—who had spat out his food—caught her wrist.
“Don’t eat that.”
“…Is something wrong?”
Mathias offered no explanation. Odeliana stirred the stew with her spoon and let out a disbelieving laugh.
Beneath the ingredients lay a generous helping of sand and pebbles.
Mathias calmly took the spoon from her hand and began clearing the tray.
Odeliana called out to him as he carried the food away.
“You’re not going to kill her, are you?”
Mathias turned slightly, a faint chuckle escaping him.
“Give the order and I will bring you her head.”
“Leave her be for now. You’ll return soon?”
“Yes. Please wait just a little while.”
Yet Mathias did not return until the sun stood high in the sky.
Odeliana finally understood how serious the situation had become. Today it was sand and stones. Tomorrow the meal might contain poison. With all authority now in her grasp and the maids under her command, what atrocity was beyond Adela?
Odeliana waited in growing anxiety. Only after lunchtime had long passed did Mathias return, carrying a tray laden with freshly prepared dishes. The food radiated warmth and carried an irresistibly savory aroma.
Odeliana stared in blank amazement.
“What… is all this?”
“It is lunch for you, Master.”
“Why did you…”
“I could not trust them. If they tried any more tricks it would become troublesome, so I waited in the kitchen and brought the food myself.”
“……”
“I have also prepared fresh clothes for you to change into.”
He looked like a puppy awaiting praise.
He had no tail, yet she could have sworn he was wagging one.
Rather than feeling glad or proud, Odeliana’s heart grew heavy at the sight. Why should he be forced to endure such trouble? He already carried burdens as heavy as mountains.
The other party was beyond reason; conversation was impossible. Yet she could not simply stand by and watch. If she allowed Adela’s atrocities to continue unchecked, the consequences would fall squarely on Mathias.
“…A mad bitch should act like the mad bitch she is.”
Ignoring Mathias’s puzzled gaze, Odeliana picked up a blunt knife. It was meant for spreading butter—the tip was rounded, the edge dull. Under the current circumstances, however, it would serve as a perfectly adequate weapon.
Butter knife in hand, Odeliana rose from her seat.
“Will you support me?”
“Where are we going?”
Gripping the knife tightly, Odeliana stared coldly ahead.
“Let’s go. It’s time to do something mad.”