As Malena delved into the life of the young lady, which had initially seemed so comfortable and peaceful, she uncovered one tragic story after another. While everyone carries their own burdens, the life of Odelliana that Malena glimpsed was particularly tragic. Beneath the veneer of a noble lady living under the protection of the Grüsewald family was a lonely soul, abandoned by her family and deprived of proper care, growing up in isolation.
“The truth is, the young lady is practically imprisoned here. She can’t freely leave, and she’s forbidden from even approaching the main residence. She’s destined to spend her entire life here. The master didn’t keep her out of parental love but out of concern for the consequences.”
“Why not just kill her then? Malena, I didn’t realize you had such a cruel side. No matter what, how could a parent kill their own child?”
“Isn’t this treatment worse than death? Who knows? I can’t pretend to understand the master’s mind. One thing is certain, though—the master and mistress have been watching the young lady for a long time.”
“Please deliver this letter to Brother Blair.”
Malena, lost in thought, snapped out of her reverie.
“Malena?”
“Oh, yes.”
Taking the letter, Malena quickly regained her composure.
“You’ve been daydreaming a lot lately. Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing at all. Shall I deliver this right away?”
“Yes. And make sure to remind him not to delay with the knight exam registration.”
A hint of doubt crept into Malena’s voice.
“…Are you truly planning to make that boy a knight?”
“Of course. Making Matthias a knight isn’t that big of a deal.”
Hiding her mixed feelings, Malena rose with the letter clutched to her chest.
Now that she understood the young lady’s situation, Malena began to comprehend the peculiar behavior she had witnessed. Born into this place, yet just as much an outsider as herself, the young lady was a thoroughly rejected and isolated figure, struggling to survive within this vast household. The bitter taste in Malena’s mouth grew as she reflected on it.
To be born into such a grand family yet be treated worse than the daughter of a lesser noble… Even Malena, who had spent her life rolling in the dirt as a mercenary, at least had her freedom. But this young lady didn’t even have that.
It was almost laughable, a lowly mercenary with nothing to her name feeling pity for a noble lady of such a grand estate.
“Stop right there.”
A towering man with a massive build blocked her path.
It was their first encounter, yet Malena quickly recognized him as the eldest son of the renowned Grüsewald family, thanks to a few distinctive features. She hastily corrected her posture and bowed in respect.
“I don’t recall seeing your face before. Why are you coming out of the annex?” he asked.
“I’ve been working there for the past three weeks,” Malena replied.
“Are you from outside?” he inquired.
“Yes, I am,” she answered.
“Who brought you here?” he questioned.
“The young master,” she said.
“…Blair, that fool,” he muttered.
The eldest son’s eyes narrowed, his already stern and keen demeanor becoming even more intense as he scrutinized Malena. Then, he gave a command to the knights who accompanied him.
“Search her,” he ordered.
The eldest son of Grüsewald was quick-witted. He easily deduced that Malena was acting as a messenger between Blair and Odelliana, given that the path she was on led directly to Blair’s quarters and that she had come from the annex, where Blair’s external recruits were known to stay.
Malena was searched by the knights, and the letter that Odelliana had entrusted to her with great care was snatched away right before her eyes. As Hermann tore open the letter and his expression twisted with anger, Malena, for the first time, felt a twinge of worry for Odelliana.
“That damn woman! I warned her repeatedly not to stir up trouble with Blair….” he cursed.
Hermann, seething with rage, turned on his heel and headed toward the secluded annex that he usually paid no mind to.
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