14.
“So that’s where you got the money; you latched onto an old man from a wealthy family.”
Oxanda sniffed, her gaze darting between Butler Sebas Chen and Marin.
Zorno pulled her back, his bravado crumbling under the weight of the butler’s cold, commanding aura. “We got the money, so let’s just get out of here.”
“No. They cannot leave.”
Marin, having moved to stand beside Butler Sebas Chen, spoke with firm resolve. All three sets of eyes converged on her. She met the butler’s gaze and asked earnestly, “Where exactly is this place?”
For a fleeting moment, a sharp light flickered in Butler Sebas Chen’s eyes. But, as if testing her, he feigned ignorance. “I don’t know what you mean by—”
“I am asking who owns this mountain.”
“As this is the Vines Duchy, it is naturally the mountain of the Vines Ducal Family.”
The corners of the butler’s lips twitched, as if he were stifling a laugh.
“Yes, exactly. And yet, these people have been collecting rent without the permission of the owner, His Grace the Duke.”
Zorno, catching the drift of their conversation, interjected desperately. “No! We built that cabin. We were just collecting rent for lending it out!”
“I see. So, when you built that cabin and began renting it, did you receive express permission from the owner of this mountain, His Grace the Duke?”
Butler Sebas Chen’s voice dropped to an icy, eerie register.
“Th-that is, well……”
Sweat poured down Zorno’s forehead, slicking his skin. Oxanda, sensing the sudden, dangerous shift in the atmosphere, quickly chimed in.
“His Grace the Duke said we could build cabins for hunters to rest in!”
“I am aware of that. Because this mountain is treacherous, He allowed for cabins to be built at the entrance for shelter. He permitted free space for travelers to rest; He certainly did not authorize you to build them and extort rent.”
“I—I only meant to rest here myself, originally…” Zorno stammered, his face draining of color.
“Wait, who are you to threaten us while throwing around His Grace’s name?” Oxanda demanded, her voice shrill.
“I am—”
Before Butler Sebas Chen could finish, a carriage bearing the grand crest of the Vines Ducal Family rumbled into view. Moments later, a wave of servants appeared, surrounding the clearing.
“Butler Sebas Chen.” A young attendant approached and bowed deeply.
“……It’s the butler of the Vines Ducal Family.”
Ignoring the servant’s greeting, Butler Sebas Chen kept his icy focus fixed on Zorno and Oxanda.
“Eek! Butler Sebas Chen?!”
Zorno’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to the dirt. In the Duchy, Sebas Chen was a legendary figure—formerly the Vice-Captain of the Knights, now the iron-willed butler of the estate.
“H-husband!” Oxanda cried out, terrified, tears welling in her eyes.
“Take them away.”
“Oh, please, Butler! Just forgive us this once!” Zorno scrambled to grab the hem of Sebas Chen’s coat, but the servants pinned his arms, dragging him back.
“Husband! Husband!”
Another servant seized Oxanda with equal force.
“Wait a moment.”
Marin, who had watched the scene with steady eyes, stepped forward. As the servant paused, Marin walked up to Oxanda. She snatched the money pouch from her grasp, counted out the exact sum stolen, and tucked it away.
“You will be properly punished for your recklessness.”
Oxanda stared down at her empty hands, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Save me! Butler! Please!” Zorno wailed, his voice fading as he was hauled away into the trees.
Marin watched until they were gone. While her revenge against those who had tormented Roanna was complete, the victory left a bitter taste. Seeing with her own eyes the cold efficiency with which those who offended the Duke were disposed of, her heart began to hammer against her ribs.
The moment her own lies were discovered, she would end up exactly like them.
Marin swallowed hard. She had to keep her wits.
“Since when did you know this was a place where rent should not be collected?” Butler Sebas Chen asked, cutting to the heart of the matter with a disarmingly gentle smile.
Marin hesitated, but seeing no path around the truth, she confessed. “……From the beginning.”
“And yet, you’ve been paying it all this time?”
“There was no place cheaper. And even if I had reported them to the Ducal Family, my words would never have reached the higher-ups. The landlord has a network of cronies; my report would have vanished, and we would have been evicted. It was safer to just endure and pay.”
Marin looked at the dilapidated cabin with hollow eyes.
“Then why change your mind today?”
“I can forgive insults, or even physical blows, depending on the circumstances.”
Butler Sebas Chen frowned slightly. “You shouldn’t be so forgiving of such things.”
Marin smiled, a small, grateful expression. “Yes. That is why I said it depends on the situation. But there is something I cannot forgive, no matter what. It is when someone touches my mother. She is strictly off-limits.”
Her light green eyes shone with a sudden, sharp determination.
“Is there anything I can help you with? Have you gathered your belongings?” The butler asked, his demeanor shifting back to his usual, polished helpfulness.
“There isn’t much to pack. I’ll fetch my mother and be out momentarily.”
“Take your time.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Marin bowed and stepped into the house. Because Oxanda had smashed the furniture and utensils the day before, she only had a few clothes to gather.
Roanna sat on the bed, clutching a small bundle of belongings.
“Mom, let’s go now.”
“Yes.”
Roanna carried the light luggage, while Marin shouldered the small vanity her mother had protected the day before. As they exited, Butler Sebas Chen immediately stepped forward to take the heavy piece from her.
“You didn’t have to bother, Butler.”
“It is light.”
“I will have this loaded onto the carriage.” A servant stepped up to relieve him.
“Thank you. Mother, this is Butler Sebas Chen of the Vines Ducal Family.”
With her hands now free, Marin took her mother’s luggage.
“Hello. I am Roanna, Marin’s mother.” Roanna lifted her skirt in an elegant, practiced curtsy.
Butler Sebas Chen paused, his eyes widening in surprise at the display of aristocratic grace, before he quickly smoothed his expression.
“Yes, hello. I am Sebas Chen, butler of the Ducal Family. Lady Marin, would you like me to take that luggage as well?”
“It is truly light, really.”
“Haha. I am stronger than I look.”
Marin glanced at his thick, muscular forearms and smiled awkwardly. *You certainly look strong enough.*
As he held out his hand, she had no choice but to relinquish the bags. He took them and gave the cabin one last, clinical scan.
“Is there anything left behind?”
“No. That is all.”
“Then let us depart.”
“Yes. Mom, I’ll ride the horse I tied up last night. Please, get in the carriage.”
“Yes. I understand.” Roanna nodded, her eyes sad as she realized why Marin wouldn’t be riding inside.
“I will see you at The Duke’s Estate.”
As if he had already anticipated the arrangements, Sebas Chen helped Roanna into the carriage. As the vehicle pulled away, only Marin and the ruins of her old life remained. She whispered a quiet goodbye to the cabin, then mounted her horse without a shred of regret.
* * *
Marin kept pace with the carriage as they rode toward the horizon.
The thick, white stone gates of The Duke’s Estate stood wide open, and they passed through without a single challenge. Deep within the glittering, expansive grounds, they arrived at a quaint, three-story stone annex.
Olive was already waiting.
As Marin moved to dismount, Olive reached up a steadying hand. She took it, hopped to the ground, and greeted him warmly.
“Hello, Mr. Olive.”
“Welcome, Lady Marin.”
The carriage door swung open, and Butler Sebas Chen stepped out, reaching back to assist Roanna. She expressed her gratitude with a refined nod.
Marin took her mother’s hand and led her forward.
“Mother, this is my superior, Secretary Assistant Olive Lion.”
“Hello. I am Roanna, Marin’s mother.” Roanna performed the same graceful curtsy.
“A pleasure to meet you. I am Olive Lion.”
A strange, sharp glint appeared in Olive’s eyes, but it was immediately veiled by a polite, professional smile, leaving the moment unnoticed by all but him.