Chapter 28: Heilon (1)
The chirping of birds woke me up. The unfamiliar ceiling reminded me that I was not in Heilon Castle, but at Count Green’s house. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Yesterday, I arrived at an ambiguous time and ended up just sleeping here. Fortunately, they assigned me a decent room.
‘If they had given me the attic I had before, I would have turned this house upside down.’
The shocked expressions of the Countess and my half-brothers came to mind. They looked at me as if they had seen a ghost. I had no interest in the Green family’s property, so I debated whether I should come to this house or not. But I was glad I did—I enjoyed seeing the stunned expressions of those three. In fact, when I decided to come, I intended to make my appearance a sarcastic response to their letter.
‘But they’re calmer and a bit kinder than I expected.’
It was clear they still harbored resentment toward me, but I had anticipated a more intense reaction. I expected them to be more annoyed. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
As expected, this wretched family ended up fighting over the inheritance and was on the brink of splitting up. I hoped that their ugly conflict would lead to the complete destruction of the family.
However, I certainly didn’t want to be implicated in it. I felt it would be best to sign the letter of renunciation and leave this house quickly, either today or tomorrow.
‘I don’t want to stay here.’
“I brought the washing water,” a maid’s voice was heard outside the door.
“Come on in.”
The maid opened the door and entered, setting the wash water down in front of me. The basin was full of water, and some of it spilled onto the floor because the maid had placed it roughly. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
This maid should have been more careful. In Heilon, such a mistake was rare. Abel was a perfectionist, so all the maids at the castle were exceptionally meticulous. However, I wasn’t picky enough to complain about this minor issue. Without thinking much of it, I reached to put my hand into the washbasin but stopped when I noticed a bad smell.
‘What is this strange odor?’
Upon closer inspection, I saw that the basin was rusted in several places. Additionally, the unpleasant smell was coming from the water.
‘I take back the thought that they’re kinder than I thought.’
No noble family would provide such washing water to ladies or guests.
‘This is mop water.’
It was obvious that this was intentional.
When I looked up, the maid who had brought the washing water had her face bowed. The corners of her lips trembled as she tried to stifle her laughter. I recognized her as one of the maids I had seen frequently five years ago. She was among those who had been particularly harsh on me for being an illegitimate child. It was clear that she acted this way with the tacit approval of the family, including Count Green and his wife. This time, she had received that unspoken permission from the Countess. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I managed to suppress a sigh.
Apparently, everyone in this family was still under the illusion that I was a thirteen-year-old child with no money, no place to go, and no power.
‘If you all treat me like this, I don’t think I could hold back my desire for revenge.’
Feeling the anger swelling inside me, I touched the area near my lips. I had to endure this situation. After all, I now had the perspective of an adult living in society.
“….”
After taking a deep breath, I looked up at the maid and asked in a soft tone as usual.
“You, what is your name?”
***
“It’s May.”
The maid said her name while staring straight at Fiona. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Okay, May. It’s a face I remember seeing before.”
In a noble family, a maid should generally avoid making eye contact with the nobles they serve. However, there was a reason May acted so daringly—she was one of the Countess’ favorite maids.
The Countess had always hated Fiona intensely. Now, with the family embroiled in a dispute over inheritance and the position of head of the family, the return of the illegitimate child they thought was dead was a thorn in their side. It wasn’t just the Countess; other family members felt the same way. The Green family was so worried that they feared even a single jewel might be taken by the lowly illegitimate child.
‘The Countess seems to want to get rid of this girl.’
With the Countess backing her, May had nothing to fear. Even if she treated Fiona harshly, no one would blame her. This was the unwritten permission. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Fiona Green.
May laughed inwardly. The girl in front of her was just a grown-up with no real power—only half noble blood.
‘She thinks she’s lucky to come back and attach herself to this family. What a delusion.’
While the Countess had instructed her to serve Fiona, May saw this as an opportunity. If she could drive Fiona out of the house, the Countess’ trust in her would increase. Driven by greed, May faced Fiona with confidence.
Fiona looked at May for a moment and then said kindly, “May, I believe you are aware of your own faults.”
May shook her head and replied fiercely, “What are you talking about?”
In response, Fiona quietly raised her hands to cover her face. At first glance, it seemed like her shoulders were shaking. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
‘What? She’s crying over this?’
Seeing Fiona like that because of her, May laughed inwardly.
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