Chapter 26 - A Little Harmful Present

“Sir! It’s a lie. She didn’t put clothes on me, t, this person is harassing me!”

“Lady Fanora?!”

“Please help me! Seir always treats me badly. Help me! It’s all lie!”

Seir was greatly taken aback because she couldn’t cover her mistress’ mouth in front of Ronwey. She thought she had made Fanora obedient after investing a long time, so she couldn’t believe that Fanora still had the energy to do such a daring thing like this. “My Lady! You’re going too far today, falsely accusing me again…”

“Sir Ronwey, you’ve just seen what she’s doing, haven’t you? M, my father… No, at least my mother! Please let her know about this. Or please change my maid. I’m begging you!” 

Ronwey was shocked at Fanora’s scream of life-and-death and froze as he broke out in a cold sweat. I didn’t know that maid would’ve been doing this!

No matter how Fanora was treated as a mistake in her family, she was still a noble. Seir wouldn’t be able to avoid punishment if it got known that Fanora was treated with contempt by a commoner. This was a serious crime, Seir could easily be sentenced to flogging if this was brought to court. 

However… 

“Seir…”

In the Kashus kingdom, a series of processes of bringing perpetrators to justice were all entrusted to the parents of minors. In other words, if the parents in this family had no intention to punish the maid, then there was a high possibility that it would come to nothing.

I don’t know when it started, but seeing Lady Fanora’s reaction, it must’ve happened a lot. Do her parents really not know at all what Seir has been doing to her for such a long time? Maybe this is something that’s happening under their permission to some extent. A complicated thought flashed through Ronwey’s mind. So he ended up making a choice he shouldn’t have. Moreover, say I’m solving this problem. Madam doesn’t like her so I might lose Madam’s trust if I step in…

The steward glanced over his monocle at Fanora and soon nodded after confirming that there were no noticeable wounds on her body. Other families also often discipline their disobedient children by whipping anyway. It’s… it’s just that the person punishing is a little different here.

The cowardly steward turned a blind eye in the end, afraid it would cause him trouble.

“Sir, Sir…?!”

“Don’t be too harsh, Seir. Put down the dress there… and come out because I have a few things to ask regarding the equipment maintenance last time.”

“Sir Ronwey!” 

Upon hearing the cry, Seir glared at Fanora as she left the room. Fanora began to be afraid of the aftermath at that moment. But more than anything, what made Fanora fall in despair was the back view of Ronwey, who had ignored her courageous call for help.

“Why… Why…” At that time, Fanora thought that the retainers of the count family wouldn’t listen to whatever she said. However, if the steward who was the most trusted in this mansion also spoke with her, her words definitely wouldn’t be taken as lightly. Now she finally had a witness. He only had to say something about it. She could live quietly if only the abuse stopped that way, but why? 

“Why…” 

At that moment Fanora felt how this mansion was dirtier than a dirty barrel swarming with maggots. The old servant that she considered her last hope was the same in the end. She hated him so much. 

She tried to talk with Ronwey after that when he was passing by, but he said not to make it hard for him–with a grimace as if he had seen something worthless. She hated it so much it could rip her heart apart.

* * *

It had been years, but shame and anger still raged when she thought about those times. Fanora was in trouble trying to hide the boiling emotions inside her. 

Aware or not of her efforts, the steward named Ronwey said while still lying down, “But what brings the Celsius’ esteemed daughter here?”

“Ah, I know it’s rude to make a sudden visit…”

First of all, Ronwey was honorably on the list of people she was going to take revenge on. There was a minor difference between Ronwey and her other enemies; Fanora didn’t have to handle him since he didn’t have much time left before he died. I don’t know when he will be diagnosed, but it seems like the disease started around this time.

The steward had taken a few days off from yesterday for health issues. Ronwey had recently been suffering from minor fatigue, headache, and weight loss to the point he thought that it was because he was old. However, the number of times his health issues disrupted his work would increase gradually in the future, and soon after, Ronwey would notify the Count Celsius family of his intention to retire.

The disease was ‘Gustav disease’. It occurred mainly in wealthy classes and had no treatment until Fanora was 17 years old. The cure for the disease was developed with the scholars’ efforts a few years later, but unfortunately, Ronwey died earlier.

Fanora tried to recall for a moment. Was it autumn when Ronwey witnessed it? If it was autumn…’ After calculating it roughly, Ronwey could live for about 400 days from now. ‘If I can send him earlier than that, why would I refuse?