Chapter 98
Emma quickly disappeared with her light steps. Swoosh— The cool wind blew, gently brushing against her face. As she silently observed the floating lights in the air, she heard the sound of someone approaching.
She listened for a moment to the unfamiliar, light footsteps, assuming it was just a passing maid, and paid no further attention.
“Excuse me….”
Leila, expecting the maid to pass by, responded with a blank expression when the maid addressed her.
“What is it?”
“I’ve been trying to give this to you for a while. I’m really sorry for the delay.”
“…What is it?”
Unable to understand the maid’s words, Leila tried to lean back but was stopped by the bench’s backrest. The maid suddenly approached and handed her a letter.
“Anna insisted that I give this to you directly. Even when I refused, she practically threw a gold coin and the letter at me before disappearing. I’ve been worried and couldn’t bring myself to throw it away, my lady.”
Leila’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Anna?”
“Yes, she was a bit tall and thin, with common brown hair.”
“…It sounds like Anna. But is she in the capital?”
“I’m not sure, but wouldn’t it be best to read the letter?”
Leila hurriedly opened the envelope at the maid’s suggestion but realized she couldn’t read it herself. She couldn’t simply ask the maid to read it, as she might not be literate.
Sensing her hesitation, the maid, who had been about to leave, cautiously asked,
“My lady?”
“Uh, no… thank you. I don’t have anything to give you right now, but…”
“It’s not that. I can’t read well, but I can manage simple text. Shall I read it for you?”
Grateful but conflicted, Leila wondered if she could trust the maid. Given that she had faithfully delivered the letter, she decided she could.
She couldn’t ask Emma or Lucas to read it, as she didn’t know what it might contain.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Leila made a hesitant request.
“…Could you, please? But first, can you promise me something?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Please don’t tell anyone about the contents of the letter. Not even Emma.”
Leila mentioned Emma instead of directly referring to the mansion’s master, thinking that Lucas wouldn’t listen to a mere maid if Emma didn’t know.
“Unless it’s something really serious, I promise to keep it secret.”
Relieved by the maid’s cleverness, Leila nodded, thinking Anna’s letter wouldn’t contain anything harmful to the duchy.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll open it now.”
The maid opened the envelope and took out the letter. She wanted to read it quickly and leave before Emma returned, knowing she’d be scolded for approaching Leila like this.
“My lady, I returned to the capital but couldn’t go to the duchy. The Este family’s servants were chasing me. I hid for now, but I’m really worried about you. Please visit me at this address. I’m very concerned about you. From Anna.”
The letter was short and written simply enough for someone with basic literacy to read. After listening, Leila subtly asked the maid,
“Is there anything else next to the sender’s name?”
Leila had been mocked often by the Este family and their servants. To be safe, she and Anna had devised a secret sign. It was a symbol related to an incident from their childhood that they had promised to keep secret forever.
“Um… oh, there’s a tiny drawing. It looks like a soup pot? But it’s upside down, so it’s a bit confusing.”
In their childhood, Leila and Anna had once overturned a pot of soup the cook had been making for her mother. No one ever found out it was their doing, so only they knew about it.
Hearing this, Leila realized that Anna had indeed come to the capital.
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