Chapter 30
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 30: A Gift For Only One Person
A few days have passed since the Renoa abuse incident broke out.
Although quite some time has passed, I haven't been able to escape the shock yet. The scene of Renoa being abused was that violent.
Because of that, I couldn't grip the sword, so I skipped training.
Instead, I focused on obtaining information.
I obtained various information from the maids who are interested in others’ affairs.
[Information Gathered]
01. Birth Secret
Renoa is an illegitimate daughter born between the Duke and a concubine, not the legal wife.
02. Residence Status
Renoa is confined here, not at the main residence.
03. Domestic Violence
The Madam, who dislikes Renoa, visits occasionally and exercises violence.
‘So this is it to summarize....’
To think there was such a backstory. It was information that didn't appear even when playing the game.
‘Game company, these crazy bastards. There is a separate story to hide.’
Are they saying they will never allow emotional selling and washing machines (redemption arcs) for the villain?
If so, it’s a huge success.
Even I didn't know at all until this incident happened.
To think Renoa was a victim of domestic violence. Is that why the kid became twisted?
I just thought she was a psychopath villainess, but turns out she was a psychopath villainess with a story.
Whether that story can justify her wrongdoings is another story though.
‘But it’s strange. How can there be no rumors?’
Finding out the secret, there are a few foreshadowings that come to mind, but even considering that, information was abnormally blocked.
If she is an illegitimate child treated poorly in the family, it’s strange that rumors don't spread outside.
It was like that in the game, and even when Renoa visited the arena recently, Bardick welcomed her enthusiastically.
The reason could be obtained from the maids this time too.
“Irion doesn't know because you are a slave? We sign a contract when first hired at the mansion. Divulging affairs in the mansion to the outside is prohibited.”
“There is such a toxic clause?”
“Yeah. Instead, the salary is muuuuch higher than other places. They give five times more than the noble family I worked for before. Although uncomfortable, it’s bearable.”
“Quite not bad, right? I feed my family right now too, and thanks to this, I can feed my family meat every week.”
It was that reason.
Prohibited to divulge affairs in the mansion to the outside. If violated, one won’t escape trouble according to the contract.
The reason for such a confidentiality clause wouldn't simply be to torment Renoa comfortably.
Nine out of ten.
‘It must be because of Black Magic.’
Coming this far, there is something that comes to mind. The incident where they captured and interrogated an associate of the Ducal family and died without knowing the reason.
Not only servants. The children of nobles in this mansion, that is, apprentice knights, are also no different from being held hostage.
‘Although the parties involved don't seem to know yet.’
Giving lots of money, reviving the family, wouldn't they have contracted happily? Not knowing they walked into a pit of evil on their own feet.
‘What should I do...?’
Head is complicated.
Can’t get a sense of what to do.
It’s not like I, a slave with insufficient skills, can invade the Ducal family alone.
“Hmm....”
Then shook my complicated head and shook off distracting thoughts.
‘First, let’s do something about Renoa.’
Ultimately, I am Renoa’s slave.
She holds the power over my life and death. Renoa’s well-being is much more important than the survival of Edelheid.
In the worst case, even if the Ducal family is exterminated, I just have to take Renoa and run away. Then at least survival is possible.
‘Good.’
If decided, action should be faster than that. Visited Renoa’s study immediately.
Roxy-noona was standing in front of the door.
“Irion? What brings you to the study?”
“I came to see the Princess. Can you tell her I came?”
“I don't know the reason, but it would be better not to come for the time being. There is nothing good about touching her mood for no reason.”
I know. I know better than anyone.
Still, it bothers me. Because it bothers me, I can’t grip the sword.
In a position doing a time attack for 3 years, I can’t allow even a day’s waste.
“Please, I ask you.”
“...I warned you.”
Roxy-noona sighed shallowly and knocked on the door.
“My Lady, Apprentice Knight Irion has come to visit.”
Silence.
There was no reaction.
“See. I told you no. Go for today, and later again.......”
“Come in.”
Permission fell. I shrugged my shoulders at Roxy-noona who couldn't believe it.
—Creeeak.
As the heavy door opened, the old paper smell unique to the study wafted in with the wind.
The refreshing feeling of the forest instantly purifying that mustiness. The curtain hanging by the window swells into the air and dances.
Like a white ghost, or like the wing of a giant bird.
In the middle of it was Renoa.
Renoa sitting at the desk with her back to the window. Behind her, the forest and lake stretch like a background.
Every time the wind blows, her long hair scatters in the air.
A very mysterious appearance. I forgot the reason for coming here for a moment and looked at her quietly.
“Did you come to stand like that?”
The appreciation wasn't long. Renoa’s urging that followed soon dragged me back to reality.
“No, I have something to tell you.......”
“Sit.”
Sat on the sofa hesitantly.
Renoa still not taking her eyes off the book. Such her complexion was unnaturally white.
As if she applied makeup thickly to hide something.
Seeing that, the time I took a walk with Renoa in the past came to mind.
Even then, I felt the same heterogeneity from her face as now.
The words Renoa said to me then.
‘You and I are in no different positions... was it.’
I thought it meant mocking me, but now I think I can understand the meaning a little.
“What did you come to say?”
“I haven't given thanks yet after going out. Thanks to the Princess, I could have a good time.”
“Yeah.”
“Walked the streets, looked around the market, and bought a gift for my benefactor too.”
“Yeah.”
A calm answer with no highs or lows, where emotion cannot be found. Her gaze was still fixed on the book.
“Finished?”
“On the way back, I stopped by a general store in the city. Buying gifts for Noona... maids, suddenly the Princess came to mind.”
Rose from the seat. Fumbled and took out the bookmark from inside the uniform and slid it onto the desk.
For an instant, Renoa’s gaze fell from the book.
“...What is this?”
“Pressed flower bookmark. Made by attaching a four-leaf clover. Since the Princess always reads, I bought it thinking there might be a use. Of course, bought with the Princess’s money though.......”
“.......”
Renoa picking up the bookmark. Flipping it front and back and examining it.
Indeed what reaction will she show.
Without exaggeration, I don't expect anything at all.
Whether tearing it up or throwing it in the trash can, I am preparing for all possible cases.
I won’t be hurt.
….
‘Still, I hope she doesn't do it in front of my eyes.’
Renoa fiddling with the bookmark for quite a long time. If throwing it away, just throw it away, why examining it for so long.
Eventually, unable to endure, I spoke first.
“I apologize. Bookmarks must be overflowing, I think I did something presumptuous. I will throw it away so give it he——”
“Enough.”
“re....... Yes?”
“I said enough. Is your business done? Then get out. Since I’m going to read a book.”
An order to leave that was firm yet somehow seemed urgent fell.
Did it go well, or not.
Not understanding the reason, what came into my view was Bibi. She nodded slowly and gave a thumbs up.
It seems it went well somehow.
Came out of the study. Roxy-noona looked with eyes full of curiosity.
“What did the Lady say?”
“She told me to get out because she’s going to read a book.”
“End?”
“Yes.”
“What on earth.”
Reaction that she can’t understand.
I wasn't much different from her, but still, my heart was much more comfortable than before entering the study.
‘Should I go train again.’
***
The study left by Irion.
As soon as he left, Renoa’s gaze headed to the bookmark again.
Nothing special bookmark. Scattered all over the market, and Renoa has dozens of them.
Comparing immediately with the silver bookmark embedded with jewels Renoa usually uses, it is an item no different from a fallen leaf rolling on the street.
But why. Renoa couldn't take her eyes off that cheap item.
“Did Bibi order it?”
“No. Cadet Irion brought it up first. Choosing the bookmark was also his idea.”
“Hmm.”
Renoa’s finger slowly scanned the rough texture of the bookmark. Naturally, the quality wasn't that good.
Should say commendable, or fearless. To think a mere slave dares to think of giving a gift to a noble.
If it were an ordinary noble lady, she would have taken it as an insult and thrown it in the trash immediately.
But Renoa didn't do that.
A gift received for the first time in her life.
That unfamiliar and ticklish sensation was spreading to her chest riding her fingertips.
“Wait a minute.”
Renoa, who was fiddling with the bookmark, suddenly raised her head.
“I think he said he bought maids’ share earlier too.”
“Correct. I received one too.”
Bibi rolls up her sleeve and boasts the bracelet. Renoa’s brow narrows minutely.
“...Did he choose that too?”
“No, I chose this. Because I wanted it.”
“Then it’s not a gift but you just bought it with my money. I’ll deduct it from your salary.”
“Ah.”
Bibi appealing with unfair eyes. Renoa laughed a hollow laugh as if absurd.
“Other maids? Don’t tell me he distributed bookmarks to them too?”
“He gifted moisturizing ointment to maids and Cadet Helena.”
“All of them?”
“Yes, chose the same thing for all. Unified with a practical one saying hands get chapped.”
“So that means.......”
A strange sense of relief grazed Renoa’s lips.
Ointment is a consumable that wears out and disappears. Moreover, he distributed it equally without distinction of person.
Only she received something different.
That trivial difference gave Renoa a small sense of satisfaction.
‘...Strange.’
Why does her heart feel at ease at this insignificant piece handed by a slave.
Suddenly, the memory of a few days ago flashed through her mind.
When Duchess Florencia’s blue violence tormented Renoa. It was like that then too.
Cursed child.
Family’s disgrace.
When everyone turned away from Renoa and neglected her, even in the moment when those who swore loyalty usually lowered their heads.
Only Irion intervened between Florencia and her.
What was the emotion felt then.
Longing?
Gratitude?
Jealousy?
No, it was none of those. It was hard to describe. Because it was an emotion felt for the first time in life.
Even now that time passed, she doesn't know well, but this one thing was certain.
That it’s not a bad emotion.
“Bibi.”
Renoa called in a low voice.
“Do you remember where this bookmark was bought?”
“It is a general store in the city.”
“How much stock was remaining?”
“There seemed to be dozens.”
“Buy them all and burn them.”
Renoa ordered dryly.
Even if half, she is nominally a daughter of a Ducal family. Using an item scattered all over the market doesn't uphold dignity.
If the item’s intrinsic value is low, just raise the scarcity.
Bibi bowed her head and retreated.
Renoa, left alone again, lifted the bookmark and held it up to the sunlight.
Pressed flower bookmark.
Engraved is a four-leaf clover.
Green similar to Renoa’s eyes.
Commonly called a symbol of luck, but in fact, a four-leaf clover belongs to deformity biologically.
A mutant born among normal three leaves.
“Mutant....”
Renoa spilled a self-mocking smile.
Among ordinary people scattered everywhere, she herself, born receiving a curse alone, is also an existence no different from a mutant.
Did Irion know perhaps.
That this mutant leaf resembles her more than anyone.
“Is that why he gifted this?”
Impudent, but not that bad.
The world calls this a deformity, but people call this luck.
Can she, a cursed mutant, also become luck to someone?
Or is he trying to become my luck?
“.......”
Renoa quietly inserted the bookmark between the book.
That maybe, this insignificant slave might take her out of the cage.
Such a vague expectation was quietly sprouting in a corner of her heart.
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