Married Couple’s Qualifications

*Riv’s POV*

***

“You knew I was coming, didn’t you?”

“I spread the word so noisily, I figured there would be at least one person who would take the bait.”

I didn’t reject Bake’s favor because it was the only chance I had to contact the outside world.

Margaret and Bake both believed I had lost my memory, but that didn’t stop me from being vigilant.

Bake used my health as an excuse to control my actions, and most importantly, Margaret was always by my side like a limb, acting as my watcher.

It wasn’t easy to avoid their surveillance and communicate with the outside world.

“I just wanted to trust you one last time.”

“……… Anyway, I’m glad you’re okay. There have been some crazy rumors going around lately about sister losing your memory, but I really ……….”

Unable to bear the rising emotions, Cheshire lowered his head, hiding his face with his hands.

He seemed to have gone through a lot of hardships, and his appearance was a mess, unlike usual, and I could even see the scars between his torn shirts.

I stared straight at him.

“I’ve never lost my memory. I just pretended that I did.”

“Why would you do that?

“I’m going to kill them.”

“…”

“I’m going to make them suffer so much pain that they’d rather be dead.”

Cheshire turned pale, but I didn’t care and continued with my next words.

“But not now. Although I’m disgusted, Marquis of Clayton is Bake.”

Everything in Clayton was already in Bake’s hands, and he took full advantage of it to expand his power. His power was no longer easily touched by even the Emperor.

It wasn’t for nothing that the Emperor wanted to divide Clayton through me.

I had to come up with another way to deal with Bake, instead of fighting with a standard method.

I approached slowly towards Cheshire.

“I don’t have much time, so I’ll keep this short and to the point. Can I trust you?”

“There’s something wrong with the situation, but I…”

“No, no. Just say one or the other. I’m good with that.”

Cheshire’s eyes went wide, but only for a moment.

He quickly put his weapon on the floor and knelt down in front of me.

“I would give my life for sister, even right here.”

His golden eyes shone brightly as if it was glass.

I looked into those strange eyes and held out my hand to him.

“Get up. And tell me…What exactly has happened so far?”

Cheshire hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a determined expression.

Some of the stories he told me I knew, some I didn’t, but at least one thing was clear.

Bake had tried to hide the truth of Mariel’s death from me for the sake of his lover, and the child his lover was carrying.

At the fact, a ridiculous laugh came out.

If I had known that such a person was the father of my daughter, I would have broken his neck sooner rather than giving him a chance.

But it was no use regretting it.

The reality was that my daughter was dead and the murderer who had caused her death was alive and well.

“I don’t know how it sounds, but the Rose I knew wasn’t like that. There must have been some circumstances.”

“It was strange…….”

I almost scoffed, but I held back.

I said “believe” in words, but the truth was I couldn’t fully believe in anyone anymore.

I knew who had killed Mariel, but that didn’t mean that everything was clear, because it wasn’t.

Everyone was suspicious and no one could believe it until I fully uncovered the truth about my child’s death.

And Cheshire could not be free from the suspicion either.

In the first place, what I believed was evidence, not him.

Cheshire could have left the capital for as long as he wanted to escape. If he had anything to do with Mariel’s death, it would be understandable for him to flee to avoid pursuit instead of coming to visit me. 

For a skilled mercenary, crime was not that big of a problem, and he could have as much life as he wanted in his new land. 

Still, instead of running away, he searched for me. That was what I believed. 

“Please wait a little bit. I’ll find the missing Rose somehow and reveal the truth about Mariel’s death.”

“No, don’t do that. Because it won’t make any difference if you do.”

Bake had passed the blame for Marial’s death to Rose and to the Mercenary Corps that she was a part of.

This had resulted in a wanted warrant being issued for the entire Mercenary Corps, and countless troops in the capital were on the lookout to find them. 

Moving hastily at a time like this would only make things more dangerous. I stared at Cheshire, who wanted to rebut, but dare not speak.

“Don’t think nonsense, just turn yourself in.”

“Sister.”

“You said you would do anything for me. Didn’t you?”

“….”

Cheshire was terribly confused, but I didn’t have time to talk anymore.

I whispered the important last words and turned straight around because there was a knock on the door.

“Marchioness Clayton, I’m sorry to keep you waiting. The tea you asked for is ready, if you don’t mind me coming in. Why doesn’t it open?”

“I can’t believe it won’t open. Get out of my way. I’ll do it.”

“What’s wrong? Is something wrong?”

I pretended not to know what was happening outside and nonchalantly motioned for Cheshire to leave.

Cheshire looked at me with a worried gaze as he departed, but he had no choice but to turn away at my urging.

So he left, and after some commotion flowed for a while, the door was finally opened.

I found Margaret standing at the head of the line and smiled, pretending everything was fine.

“Margaret.”

“Rivianna, are you alright? Did something happen?”

“I don’t know. I was just waiting as I was told…”

“I’m sorry. Maybe our staff member accidentally closed the door with the lock on.”

The shop owner who answered on behalf of the store hurriedly bowed his head.

Having dealt with nobles for a long time, he knew very well how to solve problems when they occurred.

When dealing with nobles, even if they make a mistake, it should not be their fault, especially if it was a high-ranking noble.

If something happens, rather than avoiding responsibility, it is better to go ahead and make up an appropriate excuse and suffer the fault instead, which is the secret method to continue doing business comfortably.

“I apologize again for offending the Marchioness of Clayton like this. Please forgive me, and I will make a reasonable compensation.” 

“No, you don’t have to. There is no need to apologize excessively.” (Riv)

“What do you mean, it’s okay. I can’t believe you’re treating Marchioness Clayton like this! If Marquis Clayton finds out about this, he won’t stay still.” (Margaret)

“Please don’t. I’m the one who said it was okay.”

It was fortunate that I was higher in status than Margaret at times like this.

I shook my head resolutely, keeping my hand on Margaret’s shoulder as she stood in front of me like my spokesperson, which made her gaze waver.

She looked more flustered because she had been selfishly bullying me so far.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want you all to feel too bad. My friend was too worried about me. As you all know, I haven’t been feeling well lately.” (Riv)

“No, Marchioness Clayton. I’m sorry about that too.”

“And don’t worry about this. I’ll tell my husband well. People can make mistakes.” (Riv)

Margaret’s expression became more subtle as she looked at me smiling at the employees.

But I just pretended not to know and crossed my arms.

* **

“Madam, you look very beautiful.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

‘’Please don’t be so welcome. I’m just a maid.”

“Oh, I see. I’m sorry. It’s been quite a while since I woke up and I’m still not used to living in the mansion, so I’ll have to be careful with every word I say. I know it’s not in accordance with etiquette, but it makes me nervous.”

“No, there’s no need for you to apologize to me. Of course, you can do as you please. You’re the owner of Clayton.”

The maid hastily lowered her head.

She looked afraid that she might have offended me.

No wonder Clayton has replaced by its servants several times in recent years.

For the servants who didn’t know what was going on, they were afraid that they would be fired at any moment. 

“Don’t be nervous, I’ll speak comfortably now. I didn’t mean anything else, I just wanted to talk a bit.”

“A noble is talking to a person like me?”

The maid seemed so horrified and stepped back, her eyes went wide.

“Lucy, it hasn’t been long since you entered the house.”

“How did Madam know my name……?”

“There’s a name tag there.”

“Oh …….”

I pointed to the name tag on Lucy’s chest and smiled, and her cheeks turned red.

“Can I call you Lucy?”

“Of course. In fact, I’d be honored if you did.”

Lucy rubbed her nose and smiled shyly.

The maid’s face, filled with freckles, showed a passion that only that age could have.

I watched the days carefully, but it seemed that there was no one as good as her.

“In fact, I kept looking at you because I thought you look a bit like her.”

“Resemblance? Me? To whom?

“You’ve only just moved in, so you were at a loss. It’s just like me.”

“Oh.”

“Actually, I still am.”

Sympathy crept into my words as I added a few more. I smiled kindly at Lucy, then pulled out a faded wedding ring from my jewelry box.

“So here’s the thing, if it’s okay with Lucy, I’d like you to be my maid full time.”

“Me? I’m not sure I’m capable of something so important. Besides, I’m not very good at talking.”

“I’m happy to talk about anything. I just need someone. Not someone who remembers my past self, but someone who only knows me now.”

“Is this difficult for you? If it’s difficult, you don’t have to do it.”

 “Oh. No, no! I’ll do it! I’ll try my best, even though something like me might be useful!”

“Thank you for saying that. And I’ll greet you in advance. I hope you’ll take care of me from now on.”

It may not be a lot of information that a maid would know, but even that was solicitous to me now.

When I came to my senses, there were no Cheshire’s people left whom I had already planted.

I needed new eyes and ears, as I had already changed servants too many times so bringing in new ones for the time being was not an option.

“I’ll do the finishing touches myself, so could you go down first and tell His Excellency I’m ready.” 

“Because there’s a lot to do.”

“I can do it myself. Look, I have hands too.”

I held out my hands. Lucy seemed quite distressed, but her worries were short-lived when there was a knock at the door.

 “Can I come in?”

“Please, come in.”

As soon as my permission was granted, Bake, who had entered  my room, met my gaze and blushed.

Perhaps my loss of memory had given him a new feeling; lately, he had been acting like a boy in love.

I barely suppressed a mocking laugh and sent Lucy out first. Perhaps very surprised by Bake’s appearance, she hurriedly left without hesitation this time.

“I’m sorry. I got ready too long, didn’t I?” (Riv)

“No, I didn’t come here to rush you! I just want to see you sooner. You’re not offended, are you?” (Bake)

 “It can’t be. I just need this for a while, please wait a minute.” (Riv)

I pulled out a pair of earrings from my jewelry box.

The new earrings had ornaments dangling from them, and the slightest movement grazed my neck.

The coldness of the metal against my skin made me choke reflexively, but I didn’t take the earrings off until the end.

The feeling of something against my neck was still awful, but even that was much less than when I lost my daughter.

This was also the only punishment I could give myself now.

After putting on my earrings, I took out the necklace and put it on my neck.

I had my back turned, but in one corner of the mirror I could see the exact reflection of the man’s gaze watching me.

I attempted to fit the clasp of the necklace several times to be done with it, but quickly turned to Bake.

“Can you call a maid?” (Riv)

“Huh? Why?”  (Bake)

“Cause it’s a little hard to do it by myself. I can’t keep you waiting like this forever.

“…..”

I touched my neck with the tip of my thumb, keeping my gaze downward.

I realized that ever since he walked into the room, Bake hadn’t been able to take his eyes off of me.

I raised my chin at the man who was looking at me with lust and unable to swallow, worrying I would hear the sound.

At that moment, Bake’s eyes shook.