Chapter – 13
The next day.
“Did you call me, Madam?”
“Yes. You know why I called you, don’t you?”
Evelyn’s calm, even-toned voice echoed through the drawing room.
Summoned without warning, Sebastian and Sophia exchanged glances, their expressions saying, “So, the moment has finally come!” as they looked at the teacup-holding Evelyn.
“I feel that we should properly finish the discussion we started.”
Ah, this means: hand over the ledgers.
They had expected it, but the timing of the summons was far too sudden.
As they searched for a way to prepare, they were suddenly called in, facing what felt like a dead end. Concern shadowed Sebastian and Sophia’s eyes.
“Do not worry. I am not asking for the ledgers as punishment.”
“Then…?”
“I simply want us to find a mutually agreeable solution.”
After a brief pause, Evelyn put down her teacup and calmly delivered her point, neither too fast nor too slow:
“Allow me the opportunity to verify.”
“Verify?”
“By opportunity, I mean this… As in any noble house, there are always one or two troublesome matters. I shall be tasked with solving these problems. If I succeed, I earn the right to view the ledgers. At that point, surely you would hand them over willingly.”
The choice is yours.
Sending such a gaze, Evelyn sipped the freshly brewed tea with a face showing no particular emotion.
At this unexpected proposal, Sebastian momentarily fell silent before realizing its meaning.
She deliberately considered our position!
It was a wise decision.
A method that avoids force while preventing resentment. A solution that allows everyone to comply peacefully—something no one else would dare propose.
Speaking rashly could have been seen as a challenge to the master’s authority, risking a severe beating or expulsion from the mansion. Most noblewomen routinely ignored their servants’ advice, often striking down any attempts to intervene as insolence.
Hence, Sebastian had entered the drawing room bracing for a harsh reprimand.
Yet, something completely unexpected happened.
“How do you respond?”
Though he had maintained a practiced neutral expression, Sebastian could not help but ask:
“Why do you show us mercy?”
Evelyn put down her teacup and faintly smiled.
“I admire your loyal attitude. You could have easily ignored the matters of the Duke’s household, saying it has nothing to do with you, yet you did not. That deserves recognition.”
Indeed.
They could have skillfully avoided the situation with their words, but they did not, having served the Hetis family for generations. Sophia had done the same.
Yet Evelyn’s unexpected judgment left Sebastian and Sophia dumbfounded.
I know it might be wrong, but perhaps the current lady can be entrusted with the ledgers.
Though one would normally look upon her with suspicion, Evelyn had extended her generosity. The moment Sebastian realized this, his loyalty deepened.
People are said to be understood only through long experience, but he never imagined it would be Evelyn who revealed this.
Looking back, Evelyn was the perfect mistress for the Hetis household.
If only she weren’t a false duchess…
He could not yet accept Evelyn’s proposal fully, fearing what might happen if her memories returned.
As Sebastian pondered, Sophia spoke sharply.
“We need assurance, Madam.”
“Assurance?”
“Yes. Please promise that whatever happens in the future, you will not hold the current matters against us.”
To prevent future complications, Sophia set forth a new condition. The current Evelyn might be trustworthy, but the future Evelyn might not be. She worried that once her memories returned, the lady might punish them.
Ah, she’s thinking the same way I am.
Even a lenient mistress would not forgive deceit. Sophia’s strict stance was justified as a measure to protect the Hetis household.
A tense silence fell over the room.
Evelyn, sipping her tea, suddenly grew sharp-eyed.
Sebastian tensed.
I wonder how she will respond.
Would she extend generosity once more, or enforce her authority as mistress? Either way, Evelyn would be justified. Sophia, too, had spoken, prepared for the consequences.
At the peak of tension:
“Mary, Rose. Bring the pen and parchment.”
Evelyn suddenly called the maids.
They quickly handed her the items, and she took the pen.
Scratch, scratch.
Writing something on the parchment, Evelyn finally looked up and called Sophia.
“Check this, please.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Sophia carefully took the parchment and examined it alongside Sebastian.
Ledger Authorization Contract
This contract was drafted during the process of Evelyn Hetis requesting access to the household ledgers from Butler Sebastian and Head Maid Sophia.
Article 1 – Purpose of Contract
Evelyn Hetis shall be verified for eligibility to view the Hetis household ledgers through a series of tests.
Article 2 – Procedure
- Evelyn Hetis shall complete tasks presented by the Hetis household staff.
- The household staff shall assist Evelyn Hetis as much as possible if she requests help.
- Any mistakes occurring during the task shall be Evelyn Hetis’s responsibility.
…
Both parties pledge to maintain the confidentiality of this contract, and any violation shall incur legal responsibility.
“This… this is incredible!”
“Are you really allowed to do this!?”
The two were stunned. A contract filled with clauses unfavorable to Evelyn herself. Normally, no one would dare attempt such a thing. Yet Evelyn casually nodded, sipping her tea as if it were no issue.
“Doesn’t matter. Meeting expectations comes first.”
Even after multiple readings, the contract remained astonishing. Both its content and her bold, flowing handwriting reflected her personality: clear, decisive, and confident.
After carefully reviewing the contract several times, Sophia only relaxed once she confirmed there were no issues.
“Thank you for agreeing to this unreasonable request, Madam.”
Sophia bowed formally, showing utmost respect. Whether or not she would truly serve Evelyn as her mistress remained to be seen, but the woman before them certainly deserved respect.
Why, then, is she called a villainess?
So poised, graceful, and composed—how could such a person attract a negative reputation?
“We shall take our leave, then.”
Snapping out of her reverie at Sebastian’s movement, Sophia bowed again and left the drawing room.
“Are you sure this is okay?”
“The Duke will decide,” Sebastian said with a gentle smile to Sophia.
Sophia returned the smile, then headed to the office to carry out the contract.
“Evelyn proposed a contract?”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Hearing the events from Sophia, Cassian shook his head, dumbfounded.
“Why go through all this trouble?”
If she needed money, he could provide jewels or dresses—whatever she wanted. Yet Evelyn stubbornly insisted on doing it herself.
[It’s fine, darling! I’ll do it on my own.]
No one forced her to take on the ledgers, yet her persistence remained a mystery. Cassian, glancing at the contract, clicked his tongue.
She piled all the unfavorable clauses onto herself.
The content was excellent—except for that minor detail.
Definitely not someone you can bet against.
If she ever ventured into the underworld, he would have to stop her. Cassian meticulously reviewed the contract again and found it perfect from the head of the Hetis household’s perspective.
Just then:
“Wait.”
Cassian’s brow furrowed as he noticed something unexpected.
