Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Translation: godsn
"There was nothing."
"What did you say?"
The assembly erupted in murmurs. Lady Pinatelli bowed deeply and continued her report.
"We thoroughly searched every space belonging to Her Highness—the bedchamber, the reception hall, and all others—but found no evidence whatsoever that could be considered proof."
"That's impossible!"
The Head Maid raised her voice without thinking.
Only then did she realize she'd dared to shout at the Queen Dowager's confidante and quickly corrected herself.
"Th-that can't be. Lady Pinatelli, you must have missed something. Did you search the Princess's wardrobe and bedchamber thoroughly?"
So shocked was she that she couldn't even gather her thoughts to refine her words.
"Are you suggesting I handled the task Her Majesty the Queen Dowager personally entrusted to me carelessly?"
Lady Pinatelli retorted with an icy glare.
"N-no, that's not what I meant—"
"Given the limited time and the gravity of this matter concerning Her Highness the Princess's honor, we conducted a simultaneous cross-search with a hundred maids. We left no stone unturned. I swear by my faith, we didn't overlook even a single mouse. No evidence was found."
Lady Pinatelli's sharp reply cut through the air.
"And Lady Cuisine—did you just say 'the Princess's wardrobe'? Don't you find that terribly insolent for someone of our station? Address Her Highness properly."
She even pointed out the Head Maid's impropriety.
"Compose yourself. I see no trace of the dignity befitting the Royal Head Maid in your current words or actions."
Lady Cuisine was utterly flustered.
'Why is she cornering me like this?'
Her face turned deathly pale with anxiety.
'No evidence? What in the world is going on?'
She couldn't fathom why Lady Pinatelli was being so aggressive toward her.
After all, the lady was clearly the Queen Dowager's person—she had no reason to bear any grudge against either the Regent or herself.
Medeia smiled inwardly.
'Why else, Cuisine? The lady has her sights set on your position.'
She quietly observed Lady Pinatelli. Beneath the lady's dress was faint starching—just like that early morning.
The morning after Medeia had rescued Neril and returned, she had gone to the northern garden of the palace at dawn.
"Your Highness, what brings you here at this hour?"
A place so deserted even mountain birds avoided it.
But she knew of one quiet visitor who frequented this spot.
"It's been a while, Lady Pinatelli."
The one Medeia had chosen—
The one who would topple Cuisine in her stead.
"How about it? I believe I can fulfill your wish."
'Her birth name was Sachin.'
Long ago, Prince Claudio had used the late king's royal seal to frame and oust Minister Sachin of the Imperial Household Department.
After the Queen Dowager's passing, her true identity became headline news:
[Queen Dowager's Confidante's True Identity Revealed After Death!]
Lady Pinatelli had survived alone after her father's execution and her family's downfall.
She had laundered her identity, changed her surname, and entered the palace. After years of service, she had become the Queen Dowager's most trusted person.
Yet her true desire wasn't to remain by the Queen Dowager's side.
'To become the Royal Head Maid and clear my father's name of the disgrace that was unjustly cast upon him.'
Moreover, the one who had framed him was none other than the Regent.
No matter how much the Regent had tried to win over Lady Pinatelli, he could never succeed—because he was her sworn enemy.
How could Lady Cuisine, a commoner who had entered the palace late in life to become Head Maid, possibly know this backstory?
Thus, she could never have anticipated the alliance between Medeia and Lady Pinatelli.
The strictest confidante of the Queen Dowager joining forces with the disgraced princess—such a scenario would never have appeared in Lady Cuisine's script.
"But... but that can't be..."
"How strange. Head Maid, why are you so certain? As if the evidence must absolutely be there?"
Lady Pinatelli's sharp remark struck a nerve, freezing the Head Maid's expression.
The lady turned and bowed deeply to the Queen Dowager.
"I stake Her Majesty's honor on this truth: there was no evidence whatsoever. However—"
Lady Pinatelli took a deep breath.
Like an actress waiting for the perfect moment when the audience was fully immersed, her voice was solemn and commanded attention.
"Mariyu, was it?"
Then she turned to address Mariyu directly.
It certainly wasn't because she couldn't remember the name. It was to imprint Mariyu's presence upon the gathered nobles once more.
"The evidence was found in that maid's quarters."
"That's impossible!"
Mariyu shrieked.
Ignoring her, Lady Pinatelli presented a sky-blue object to the Queen Dowager.
It was a sky-blue handkerchief, bulging as if wrapped around something.
At its edge, embroidery stitched in golden thread was visible.
"...L. Larc... Etienne..."
The Queen Dowager slowly read out the embroidered letters. The air in the room instantly grew tense.
Was she referring to Etienne, the Minister of Palace Affairs?
Had the princess—no, the princess's maid—fallen in love with that old, repulsive man?
Everyone was horrified.
The image of the minister's glistening eyes flashed in their minds, sending shivers down their spines.
This can't be!
No one was more shocked than Mariyu herself.
Why is that here?!
Why was the handkerchief that should have been found in the princess's chambers discovered in her room instead?
"No! That's not true! That handkerchief isn't mine! Someone must have planted it!"
"Oh? Then is this not yours either?"
Lady Pinatelli revealed what the handkerchief had been concealing.
A bracelet adorned with a dangling trumpet-shaped ornament glimmered brilliantly.
Why is that... there?!
The moment she saw Samon's lost bracelet, Mariyu felt as though she might faint.
Not just one piece of evidence, but two. The nobles exchanged meaningful glances.
"Several maids have testified to seeing you wear this."
"No, no! This is—"
"So the bracelet is yours, but the handkerchief found with it isn't? Is that what you're saying?"
Lady Pinatelli pressed Mariyu relentlessly.
"That bracelet wasn't given to me by the minister!"
"Then who gave it to you?"
"Th-that is..."
"Don't even think of lying and saying you bought it. Everyone knows a royal maid's wages could never afford such a thing."
"...I-it was a gift... from someone else."
"From whom? Didn't you boast to the other maids that it was your mother's heirloom?"
"Th-that... That was..."
Mariyu's eyes darted nervously.
"This trumpet insignia is strictly regulated by the Empire."
As someone who had handled countless jewels as the Queen Dowager's confidante, Lady Pinatelli recognized the bracelet's true worth.
"The power to obtain this emblem and the wealth to gift something so extravagant—there are only a handful in Valdina who fit that description. If not the minister, then who are you accusing?"
With every escape route blocked, Mariyu's eyes trembled in shock.
Her heart pounded as if it might burst, and her lips quivered uncontrollably.
She couldn't possibly admit that she had received the bracelet from Duke Claudio's youngest son.
Not when the Duchess of Claudio—Samon's mother—was standing right there in this very room.
No...
It was well known just how fiercely protective the Duchess was of her son.
Mariyu herself had witnessed, on multiple occasions, the Duchess disposing of maids who dared approach her angelic-faced son with that same angelic smile.
If I reveal my relationship with Samon here... She'll tear me apart.
Would the Duchess, who barely tolerated noble daughters of respectable families, ever accept someone like her? Wouldn't she rather silence Mariyu quietly to keep her mouth shut?
All to ensure no blemish tarnished her flawless son's reputation.
If I speak, I'll never see him again...
So she absolutely couldn't say it. She mustn't say it.
Clutching her fading consciousness, Mariyu bit down hard on her lip. Then—
"It seems the one sharing a secret affection with the minister isn't me after all. Isn't that right, Mariyu?"
Medeia's voice cut through the tension.
A voice without a single tremor. Her calm expression showed no sign of surprise despite the commotion. Like the undisturbed surface of still water.
As if she had known the minister's handkerchief would be tied to her.
As if she had foreseen this entire situation.
Mariyu's face turned deathly pale.
Then she... knew everything...
Only then did she realize.