“New staff will be assigned, miss,” Magdalene, the head maid, informed Odelliana. Blair’s decision to recruit additional staff had already been communicated, so Odelliana paid little attention to the announcement. Naturally, she assumed the new hire would be another maid, likely someone influenced by Blair.
However, her assumption was entirely incorrect. “Hello, miss. It’s been a while,” greeted the newly appointed head maid of the annex, none other than Adella.
This household is utterly insane, Odelliana thought. Not only had they brought the primary perpetrator of her daughter’s abuse back to the mansion, but they had also placed her in a position of authority. Was this truly a sensible decision? Adella faced no repercussions for her actions. Could it be that all her sins were forgiven simply because of her close relationship with the lady of the house? It was evident she hadn’t shown any remorse.
I should have known, Odelliana realized. Her arrogance was a warning sign, but I foolishly dismissed it.
Adella had returned, as cunning and venomous as ever, like a snake emerging from hibernation.
“Rest assured, miss. I will serve you with all my heart and do my best,” Adella declared, her words dripping with false sincerity as she quickly asserted her dominance over the annex.
“Here are the clothes for you to change into,” she continued, holding up a bundle.
Odelliana examined the garments with growing disbelief. “Why are the clothes in this condition?”
Adella shrugged nonchalantly, “Who knows?”
“You expect me to wear this?”
“Haven’t you worn even worse clothes before? What’s the problem?” Adella’s tone was laced with contempt.
The clothes were in deplorable condition, frayed and made from inferior fabric. Such poor quality garments were virtually nonexistent in the mansion, suggesting deliberate effort to procure them.
“Bring me new clothes,” Odelliana demanded, her patience wearing thin.
“Unfortunately, that’s the cleanest outfit available. If you don’t like it, why don’t you make your own? You have plenty of unused fabric from past gifts. You’re always demanding new things. You’re too greedy,” Adella retorted, her childish spite evident.
Odelliana couldn’t believe the pettiness of a woman approaching old age. “How incredibly childish,” she remarked, her voice dripping with disdain.
“Is it any worse than the pranks you’ve pulled?” Adella countered, her voice rising. “Because of your actions, children who served you faithfully ended up on the streets. Is this all it takes to make you complain?”
“What touching camaraderie,” Odelliana retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “If you had invested even half of that care for others in me, would I have been so harsh?”
“They’re not just comrades; they’re comrades-in-arms,” Adella defended, her voice rising. “They wasted their youth tending to you in this remote mansion, where not a soul visits, all for you.”
“Anyone would think I held a knife to their throats to make them serve me. If it was so terrible, why didn’t they quit?” Odelliana demanded. It was infuriating how they acted as victims when she was the one who had suffered. Their audacity knew no bounds.
“What would you understand, miss? Who would want to stay by your side willingly? We are servants who have served the Grüsewald family for generations. It’s a lifelong job for us. Leaving the Grüsewald family is like ending up on the streets. You wouldn’t understand the feelings of underlings who have no choice but to endure it, whether they like it or not.”
“That’s laughable,” Odelliana scoffed. “You act as if you’re the ones wronged when you pocketed the money meant for living expenses and failed to fulfill even your basic duties. Why didn’t you say any of this in front of Blair? You couldn’t even open your mouths then. Do you think your excuses now will change the fact that you’re the perpetrators and I’m the victim?”
Adella clicked her tongue, feigning regret. “What do you know? It’s pitiful that I and the children had to waste our lives on a fool like you.”
Talking to Adella was like speaking to a brick wall. Her mind was completely closed. With a triumphant smile, she stood up. “Didn’t I tell you before? Nothing will change,” she sneered.
Odelliana remained silent, her frustration growing.
“No one here is on your side. Everyone despises you. You’re less than a bug crawling in the dirt. Do you expect to be treated like a noblewoman when you can barely walk? Get over yourself,” Adella mocked. A malicious glint appeared in her eyes. “Look forward to it; it will be fun,” they said.
With a contemptuous kick to the medicine box, Adella stormed out. For the first time since waking up in this body, Odelliana felt a genuine sense of crisis. Something was undeniably wrong.
