NLBWM 05

Chapter – 05

Mary, carrying a basin, moved like a rusty machine, avoiding Evelyn’s gaze.

“What? That can’t be! I must have the shakes!”

Noticing Mary’s unnatural movements, Rose snatched the basin from her hands and murmured, humming slightly.

“Hmmmm~ My lady only cares about the Duke~”

Her playful tone didn’t hide the trembling in her voice, which quivered like a goat’s bleat.

Seeing the maids acting unusually made Evelyn feel a sudden unease.

Wait. Am I the only one who knows Casian?

Could it be…

‘Does this mean Casian is cheating on me?’

But that didn’t seem like him. Just a few days ago, he had been feeding me soup with his own hands!

A husband so determined to make sure only the best things enter my mouth… could he really be meeting another woman behind my back? Does that make sense? Especially when we’re newlyweds?

A whirlwind of speculation tangled in her mind, leaving her more confused than ever.

‘Ugh, my head hurts. I’ll stop thinking about it.’

If she couldn’t figure it out no matter what, the only option was to ask directly.

“Hey, are you hiding something from me?”

Clang!

“What? No, of course not!”

Startled, Mary, carrying some perfume, dropped the glass bottle.

As it shattered, the cap separated and the perfume spilled across the floor.

White carpet stained with the rose-scented liquid, creating a wave-like pattern.

Mary quickly bent down to pick up the broken pieces, trying to hide her panic.

How did she know? Truly, a villainess’ intuition is on another level.

She wanted to run away immediately, but through the brooch disguised as an artifact, the voice of the head maid, Sophia, reached her.

—Rose! You blabbered, didn’t you? First, both of you deny it!

To prevent a mishap, Sophia handed Rose and Mary each an artifact disguised as a brooch.

Fortunately, the magic within the artifact only allowed the wearer to hear her voice, so Evelyn wouldn’t hear a thing.

—Mary, Rose. Be careful! If you can endure just two more months, you’ll become official maids.

Snapping out of her daze, Mary quickly steadied herself.

‘Right. There’s no other job like this! Stay calm. Just two more months…’

She could almost make it to becoming an official maid.

But standing before Evelyn was terrifying.

[Lady Selredian reportedly slaps any maid who shows tangled hair while brushing!]

[If another lady takes a dress for the banquet, she gathers the maids and beats them until she’s satisfied!]

[She carries a cane and strikes any maid who displease her!]

Hearing such rumors before, she had scoffed. But now, seeing Evelyn’s sharp gaze, she realized they weren’t lies.

“Speak honestly.”

“Ah! My lady! Don’t say such hurtful things!”

“Yes! We’d never have any secrets from you, my lady~”

Even the usually sly Rose avoided eye contact and shook the basin.

Water splashed everywhere, but there was no time to scold them.

“You’re trembling too much for someone who says that.”

The sharp pressure didn’t ease, even if they showed signs of difficulty. Evelyn’s interrogation didn’t stop.

When first assigned to serve Evelyn, they had begged the head maid to place them elsewhere.

“Oh my, are you my personal maids?”

Evelyn herself shone as if a halo was behind her.

When she smiled innocently, they thought a living angel had descended—but now she seemed like a demon.

What to do? If they got caught, it would be disastrous!

“Mary… we….”

“…should confess, right?”

Exchanging a glance, the two maids grabbed Evelyn’s skirts and spilled the truth.

“Ugh! So, um!”

“The truth is, my lady!”

—No!!!

The head maid’s shriek came through the artifact, but it was too late. Survival took priority.

‘Your Excellency, forgive us! We had no choice!’

“Duke, you should head to the study immediately.”

Head maid Sophia hurriedly sought Casian.

Casian frowned at the sudden urgency.

“What is it this time?”

“I’m sorry, Duke. The maids blabbed.”

Blabbed…?

Curious, Casian checked the information sent by his agents, then summarized it.

After tying a note to a bird at the bridge in the western district and letting it fly toward the palace, he left the hunting grounds near the main house once he confirmed the bird had departed.

“My dear.”

Entering the study, Evelyn was sitting on the sofa with her arms crossed.

“Evelyn?”

“Evelyn? Where did you leave out my title?”

Her sharp eyes immediately pierced him.

Casian’s gaze was caught in her snake-like, penetrating stare.

“That’s impossible. I just wanted to call you by name.”

Evelyn squinted suspiciously but let it slide and sipped her tea at the table.

Even though this was his space, why did he feel like he had to watch his step? Evelyn was holding court with the maids right in his study.

“Sit, my dear.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Anyone looking would think she owned the place.

Casian smiled faintly as he sat across from her.

“What brings you here?”

“Would I even be coming if I had no reason?”

Bang!

Before he could answer, Evelyn slammed her teacup down.

Some tea spilled onto the ornamental cloth beneath, but neither seemed to mind, staring at each other in silence.

After the uncomfortable stillness, Evelyn asked slowly, trying to suppress her anger.

“Why have you been hiding this?”

Oh no, she had already found out.

Despite his repeated requests, it seemed there was no escaping this.

‘Maybe it’s for the best. This ridiculous farce can end quickly.’

Knowing the truth, he had no choice but to show his true colors.

“Well….”

Just as Casian prepared to explain, Evelyn’s shocking words came out.

“I heard the Ducal House is poor!”

“Poor?”

Casian felt as if he’d been hit over the head.

The Hetis Dukes’ House, flourishing more than ever, was supposedly poor? Even compared to the royal family?

“Rose, Mary.”

He called the maids to understand what was going on.

The two hiccupped in response to his imposing tone.

“Don’t say anything to the maids.”

He tried to signal for an explanation, but Evelyn blocked him.

She hadn’t regained her memories yet, so the charade could continue, leaving him looking inept.

‘Does she really see me as a husband who can’t even take care of his household?’

As he pondered how to clarify things, Evelyn muttered to herself, serious in expression.

‘I should have noticed sooner.’

She drifted into a brief recollection.

[Your Excellency has no time to stay at the Ducal House because of earning money!]

[Yes! Due to our frugal life, the Ducal House is currently facing hardship!]

After hearing the truth from the maids, Evelyn realized the source of the subtle unease she had felt.

‘No wonder it felt off.’

Even bedridden, he was her husband. There had to be a reason why his visits were scarce despite their being newlyweds.

Fortunately, after hearing the maids, a sudden headache came with flashes of information about the southern territories.

She remembered vividly events as if she had witnessed them: the granaries destroyed in fire years ago, abruptly halted imports, trade routes seemingly sabotaged.

It was strange to only acquire specific pieces of information, but it was an unexpected benefit.

‘Anyway, the fact that Casian is earning money himself means the Ducal House’s finances are serious.’

“My dear, um, wife.”

“Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

“I knew it! Even if you’re busy, you must keep your meals on time. Mary, Rose, go to the kitchen immediately and prepare food!”

She was concerned about his meals while he himself hardly ate.

How hard it must have been, worrying about a sick wife in front of everyone while earning money behind the scenes.

Even through others, there would be countless ways to make money.

‘My husband is too kind. It’s almost a flaw!’

Sigh, well, I must protect him with my strength.

“Don’t worry, my dear. From now on, I’ll be by your side!”

Evelyn’s sharp demeanor changed in an instant, as she held Casian’s hand and blinked, smiling warmly.

Her eyes were filled with blind affection.

Looking at her, Casian felt uneasy for some reason.

He slowly withdrew his hand and avoided her gaze awkwardly.

“Thank you, at least for saying that.”

“No, we’re married. We should face crises together!”

Facing a threat together…

He, who had always dealt with things alone, found comfort in her words despite knowing she was his rival’s lover.

As his guard eased, Evelyn tilted her head, diving straight into the main point.

“But my dear, where is the ledger?”