Chapter 64
As the situation only worsened, it was the butler who spoke up. He stepped forward with a cough.
“My lady, allow me to apologize in her stead. She’s newly brought in, it seems she made a mistake out of ignorance. I will see to it she’s thoroughly disciplined, so please—quell your anger.”
“Discipline—I can administer that myself, butler.”
At Panae’s calm reply, worry deepened on the butler’s face.
“Might I ask that you entrust her to me?”
“The reason?”
“His Grace has been deeply concerned—there are many watchful eyes regarding the recent movements of the Council of Nobles.”
Panae’s expression, docile as a lamb just moments before, shifted in an instant. Her limpid eyes turned cold as a serpent’s.
“And so I should watch my step as well?”
“Rumors, no matter how tightly blocked, will always find a small crack to seep through. Now is an unfavorable time, so I earnestly urge you, my lady—please act in accordance with His Grace’s wishes.”
The butler bowed low, as if even ten mouths would not be enough to plead his case. Panae fixed her eyes on him.
“What happened to that girl—the one who made a fool of me last time?”
“She was dealt with according to my lady’s orders.”
“Starved for a fortnight and beaten until her skin scarred, then sent out?”
“Just so.”
Panae looked down at the maid trembling at her feet. After a moment, the face in the mirror softened.
“Very well. I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll let it pass. I’ll entrust this one’s discipline to you, butler. You mustn’t disappoint me.”
“Thank you for your boundless generosity, my lady. His Grace will be most pleased as well.”
“Surely.”
Not bothering to hide her hollow laugh, Panae announced she was tired and ordered everyone out. Rising from the vanity, she crossed the room and settled onto a chaise longue where she could stretch her legs out long, and whispered.
“You’re there, aren’t you?”
She waited a moment. Beyond the balcony, steeped in red evening light, a large black shadow flickered.
“You may come inside.”
Only once permission was granted did the shadow cross the balcony. It was a man—a black cloak draped over a rough-spun tunic. He was built close to a giant, yet strangely devoid of presence, like a living patch of shade, standing beside the curtain.
“Your work on the carriage was excellent. The wheel was so cleverly damaged that no one suspected it was an act of malice.”
“It is a relief if it pleased my lady.”
At the sight of such loyal devotion, Panae’s expression softened with benevolence. She gazed down at the scratch remaining on the back of her hand and traced back the events of the day. The moment she recalled Hitaon’s two smiles, the tips of her fingers tingled.
Whatever it was, things that tormented you by hovering just out of reach always provoked a crueler desire than things that fell into your hands at once. And today, the smiles Hitaon had shown had stirred exactly that cruel desire.
Panae wanted it.
When she wanted something, she had to have it. From some moment of awakening and realization, Panae Tourso had lived by that rule.
“Sir Glair smiled for the first time today. Twice, even.”
“…….”
“But those smiles were not meant for me.”
“…….”
“What do you think, Id?”
“Naturally, they ought to belong to my lady.”
As if he would cut the throat of anyone who dared deny it and silence all objection, his unwavering devotion colored Panae’s smile with satisfaction.
She gathered up the hem of her dress where it had spilled over the chaise longue. A flawless, smooth calf and a knee formed of delicate bone were revealed. She had no hesitation about baring her skin, even with a lowly creature before her eyes.
Not just less than a man—he was treated as less than a person. Yet Id’s face remained composed. He kept his hands clasped behind his back and merely lowered his gaze in acknowledgment.
“Id, there’s something I need you to look into.”
“Command me.”
“In the square—the shopfronts. Find out whether there’s a woman connected to Sir Glair there. Any clue will do. Even the smallest thing.”
“Is there a deadline?”
“As quickly as possible. The sooner, the better.”
“I will not disappoint you.”
By the time Panae lowered her dress and finished tidying herself, Id had already vanished. He had left to keep his word—that he would not disappoint.
Once again, he would faithfully carry out the task entrusted to him. He had never once failed a mission she had given him. He was a loyal hound, ready to sink his teeth into anyone, for Panae Tourso’s sake.
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