Chapter 31

The liquid in the glass vial was green.

I’d been taking that medicine every day, but the green color would make me feel sick every time. Although it didn’t taste disgusting or smell awful, it was really bitter.

Raymond made it with a special mixture of herbs.

I heard it was an excellent formulation because it contained all kinds of medicine that were good for the body and was helpful for conception.

Of course, no matter how good this conception medicine was, it didn’t have any use unless a proper marital relationship was achieved…

This was why every time I took the medicine, I used to feel bad at all the money being wasted with those expensive herbs going into my body for nothing.

At the same time, I felt guilty about deceiving people by drinking it—So, this time of the day when I ingested it was particularly painful for me.

“Now then, please drink it all at once.”

Holding some chocolate with her, Rona stood next to Greta.

I didn’t want to, but I drank the medicine in one gulp. Then, I quickly downed a glass of water to rinse the bitter taste away.

What exactly did they put in there? I drank it every day, but I still couldn’t get used to it.

“Well done.”

Even after wiping my lips with a handkerchief that Rona gave me, the bitter taste still lingered.

“Ah, please eat this.”

As I rolled over the chocolate in my tongue to savor its sweetness, I waited for Greta’s gaze to move away from me.

‘Well, isn’t that weird?’

Normally, as soon as I emptied the vial, Greta would pick it up then leave right away, leaving behind a chilly air from her cold shoulder.

However, this time she was staying here for quite a bit longer. Even more, she was staring so intently at me.

‘What is this? I’ll get a stomach ache right after taking the medicine…’

I stared back at her as if to ask what her problem was, but she was adamantly staring back without saying anything.

‘…What does she want with me?’

I could hardly taste the chocolate in my mouth. No, if anything, was this what it felt like when people say you’re being stripped bare by such a sharp gaze?

I wasn’t the only one who was intimidated by that glare. The other maids and servants also couldn’t speak to Greta properly whenever she’d direct that deathly glare at them.

Between us, my gaze was that of a docile cow.

Even though I didn’t exactly want to win, that didn’t mean I wanted to look away first either.

…How long has it been since this meaningless showdown started?

“There’s something I must tell you.”

Finally, Greta broke the silence.

“Go ahead.”

I leaned back against the couch, smiling as if I was very relaxed, but truthfully I was in turmoil inside.

“I heard that the chef spent money autonomously.”

“Yes, that’s right. I made it that way.”

I nodded slowly.

“He bought valuable ingredients without my permission.”

“That’s also true.”

I nodded again, then rebutted. “What’s wrong with that?”

“The Ducal residence’s internal affairs are managed by me, the head maid.”

“I know.”

Once again, I nodded obediently.

“So?”

At that, I scratched the back of my head while asking this. Disapproval flashed before Greta’s eyes.

“It is Madam Camilla’s job to manage the household’s management. And, in extension, it is my responsibility and duty.”

“Right, I know how hardworking you are more than anyone else. It must not be easy to manage an estate this big.”

I smiled while praising her.

“…Then, why did you grant autonomous authority to the chef without consulting me?”

I took a moment to answer as Greta pointedly glaring at me.

“Of course, this was to prepare better food for the Duke. There’s nothing more important in this mansion than to take care of my husband’s health.”

With her expression growing darker, she continued.

“Absolutely, but before you do that, you should have consulted me…”

“I already had a discussion with Mother.”

My upturned lips twisted higher. As Greta’s expression grew darker, mine in turn became brighter and brighter. I continued, “I’ve been granted full control over the supervision of my husband’s health. Didn’t you hear, Greta?”

It was the power that could be granted by Camilla and Camilla alone. So, it wasn’t a decision that any maid could refute.

It must be hard for her to believe this since I wasn’t exactly the same ‘Selena.’

“Of course I heard about this, but… You even ordered the kitchen to be moved?”

“The current kitchen is far too rudimentary. The mansion has been renovated repeatedly, but it feels like the kitchen was built a century ago.”

I maintained eye contact with Greta.

“The kitchen is where everyone’s meals are prepared. I ordered it to be moved because I want the food to be made in a cleaner environment, And…”

I could see Greta’s neck turning red as she strained it, veins threatening to pop any second now.

“I also know that the kitchen is the Chef’s domain. I just gave control back to him. Greta, as the head maid, I want you to back down from this.”

“….”

“The kitchen isn’t like any other place here. Fire, water, knives, skewers… It’s the most dangerous, but also the most important section of the estate.”

I continued my explanation with a tranquil smile.

“Greta, you must have such a hard time managing the entire Ducal estate. You should let Jean take full responsibility of the kitchen and—”

“I follow only Madam Camilla’s instructions.”

I wonder why that line didn’t sound so convincing anymore.

It was always the same rebuttal whenever she wanted to say no to me. Still, it wasn’t like I didn’t expect her to say this again, but somehow, I wasn’t threatened by it anymore.

Visibly relaxed, I replied to her.

“Yes, she’s the one who told me to take care of my husband’s health, and the kitchen is also connected to that. Do I really need to spell it out for you?”

“….”

“I want to provide a better environment for the person who’s in charge of my husband’s food. If you find anything wrong with this, then go ahead and take this matter to Mother. Right now.”

In one corner of the room, Rona’s eyes went back and forth between me and Greta, her hands over her gaping mouth. She had an expression that said, ‘You’re so cool!’

Dumbfounded, Greta had nothing to say in return. It was as though she was nervous.

‘That’s because I never stood up for myself like this before…’

Even though she was only the head maid, she had power on her side because of her knack for intimidation and because Camilla gave her authority. If we went by the natural order, my position was higher than hers. But, since Greta had been living that way for a while, she grew complacent.

She must be surprised that I was acting this way now.

That’s why she’d been staring at me like that all this time. Her scowl seemed more formidable because she was standing, and I was sitting.

Not backing down, I raised my chin, even though it felt like my jaw was about to fall off from the ‘relaxed’ smile I’d been maintaining for so long.

“Since you explained, then I understand.”

With tight lips, she smiled in return. It looked quite strange because her eyes were still so vicious.

“Then, I shall be on my way.”

“Ah, one more thing.”

Greta turned back.

“Were you the first one to say something about the snake incident?”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

She was nonchalant.

“I was far from the garden at that time. How could I have told the Madam about it right away?”

“…Okay.”

“May I know why you asked, Young Madam?”

“It bothers me that Mother was worried needlessly. It made me wonder whose feet managed to run so fast.”

To be honest, though, I was horrified by the thought that everything that went on between Amoide and me was being reported in great detail.

“I’m not sure.”

“All right, then.”

Greta finally left the room after taking the empty vial with her.

As I watched her walk away, it felt like all the strength in my body dissipated.

Ka-chack.

As the door closed, Rona sighed deeply.

“Hooo.”

Her eyes were still wide, even as Greta had already disappeared. She hurriedly came by my side and said, “Why is the head mead such a busy body. Right, Milady?”

“Rona.”

“Yes?”

“Is Greta monitoring me?”

Rona thought for a moment before answering.

“…Maybe?”

“Haaa.”

At that moment, I sank back into my seat, my body entirely drained. It was a small exchange where our weapons were only words, but why did it feel like I really exerted my body?

I’d been anticipating Greta’s confrontation for some time now because I really wanted to ensure that Jean could buy as much food as he wanted.

So, even if I never wanted her to actually face me like this, it was inevitable. At the end of the day, I really would be bumping into other people.

“I think the head maid crossed the line, Milady. She is only good-natured in front of Madam Camilla.” Rona grumbled.

“She was still quite polite.”

On the surface, at least.

‘But, I still don’t know who’s watching me.’

I didn’t know who ‘negatively’ reported to Camilla about the snake incident.

Camilla said she didn’t attach someone to me, and I wasn’t sure if I should remove my suspicion on her because Greta was very good at pretending to be clueless.

And there’s one more person—

Someone who wanted to antagonize me.

On the table was the leftover chocolate. When my eyes descended upon it, the bitter taste in my mouth resurfaced.

Medicine.

“….”

The medicine that Amoide flashed in my mind. Then, the vials that Emma brought me every day.

‘That medicine is really bothering me.’

Whether it was made according to the prescription Raymond showed me or not, I needed to check.