Chapter 6

In order to sue Howl, I first need to investigate the full extent of the embezzlement.

I instructed Andel to arrange for the past ledgers and records of the marquis family and to prepare the necessary personnel. It seems we will have to use a sea of people to search through the entire Howl family's house.

Next, I moved to the room where the maids who had committed theft were being held.

I asked the knight standing in front of the door to open it, and faced the two maids sitting on the other side of the table.

They glared at me with the same expression as Howl, as if they had done nothing wrong. But I wasn't afraid.

"Lady Elizabeth!" "Young Lady!"

They shouted my name when they saw my face, but I couldn't help but smile wryly at their calls.

"Even though it was a simple ceremony, I have been officially recognized by God and the royal family and have become a member of the marquis family. Didn't you, who serve me, receive such important news?"

When I told them this, they looked guilty and corrected themselves to call me "Madam."

I sat down in the chair opposite them to start the conversation.

"Now, do you know why you were locked in here?"

"I don't know! Since the day Madam came to this mansion, we have been devotedly serving you... It's too much!"

She answered immediately. If she was serious, she must be either very stupid or a villain.

"By 'devotedly,' do you mean that when I asked for water in the morning, you brought me the leftover water from the kitchen instead of fresh water?

Or that you made me bathe in lukewarm water by skimping on the firewood and limiting the amount of hot water? When I asked for milk at night, you brought me old milk that smelled bad.

...And searching my room while I was away? What a wonderful devotion."

This was relatively mild compared to the harassment I had experienced before, and it was a scene that had been repeated many times in my daily life.

So I told them what they had done in a flat voice. They looked guilty, especially when they realized that Maria, who was not on their side, had heard it.

...They didn't think their careful replacement of items in the room would be noticed, and their faces changed dramatically.

As I calmly recounted the maids' misdeeds, a vein appeared on Maria's forehead.

"These are the things that were in your rooms. Do you recognize them?"

When I said this, Maria took out a small bag and laid out its contents on the table. The maids' faces turned pale.

"Th-those..."

"Even in a marquis family, a simple housemaid's salary wouldn't be enough to buy these in several years."

"These were given to us by the previous lady as a farewell gift when she left for the estate, they are not stolen..."

"Huhuhu..."

I couldn't help but laugh at the childish lie they were telling in front of the owner.

"Madam, it's too much to laugh at us. We were favored by the previous lady!"

"Then why weren't you taken to the estate with her?

...Well, never mind. The stones used in those rings and earrings are not even available in the capital stores yet.

Do you know that trade with a new country has started, introduced by the envoy of a country with which we have newly established diplomatic relations?

The permission to trade the minerals mined in that country has been granted, and they have arrived at the port of Roswell.

These were created by the jewelers of Roswell after a certain process was applied to the minerals.

So, these are trial pieces made from the minerals, and only a few exist in Roswell and in my possession.

...These are the trial pieces.

I was asked by the heads of the chambers of commerce of both countries to bring them to the capital to expand their market. Why would the former marchioness have them?"

...Oh, good, they were found.

I'm trying to keep a calm face, but I was so worried when I realized they were missing...

"That... that..."

"...By the way, for the story to hold that you received these from someone else in front of the owner, there would have to be more than one of the same item.

But, does the former marchioness wear mass-produced items that are sold in stores for lower nobility or wealthy commoners?

Every time I met her, she boasted about new accessories, and she only wore unique pieces made by top craftsmen, even though her finances were in a dire state and her assets were dwindling."

"I might ask her the next time I meet her."

Now, if I only accuse her of theft, it would be fine, but if I accuse her of insulting the current marchioness, it would be added as a charge of disrespect. Well, before that, I could accuse her of her past actions and lies to me, the current marchioness, and it would also be a charge of disrespect.

Last time, after Avan took everything I had, he abandoned most of the servants, including me, because of his greed.

Since they were going to be dismissed anyway, it would be easier to dismiss them a little earlier.

Still, the two maids reacted strongly to my whispered words... They must have been afraid of the stern former lady.

"Please forgive us, we will return what we stole... Please have mercy on us."

"Well, ...if you tell me what I'm about to ask you honestly, I'll consider it."

I smiled at the two maids who finally bowed to me and asked.

"What were you looking for in my room? It wasn't just the accessories, was it?"

"Um, ah... Avan-sama ordered us to search for the certificate of dowry in your belongings. But we didn't find it, we didn't touch anything, please believe us."

"That's fine, I believe you because I was carrying it with me."

The accessories have not yet been sold, so the crime is just theft of items without permission. However, if they had stolen the certificate of dowry, it would have been theft and embezzlement.

They seemed relieved not to be accused of the more serious crime.

Last time, I handed over the dowry when I was told to do so... I believed it was the norm when surrounded by the adults of the marriage family, and it was taken from me when I was told it was for the marquis family's use.

So, I opened an account beforehand and put the money there. This time, were they trying to find it and demand more if they were lucky?

Or did they search for it last time but couldn't find it?

"So, what about your punishment? Would it be okay to be expelled from the marquis family?"

"What! You said you would forgive us if we told the truth...!"

Did I say that? I don't remember. As I was about to say, "Well, it can't be helped," Maria's angry voice echoed through the room.

"Enough! It's shameful to behave like this in front of Madam! Have some shame!"

Maria, who had been a maid in my grandmother's household and later married into a viscount's family, was asked by my grandmother and mother to become my wet nurse and return to the border baron's household when my mother was pregnant with me. She continued to serve as my mother's maid and eventually became the head housekeeper of the border baron's household. She dislikes servants who are not well-mannered.

Ah... Listening to her scolding brings back memories of my childhood, and I feel like shrinking even though it's not about me.

"Madam forgave you for searching for the certificate of dowry, even though it was ordered by the head of the household, and for the attempted embezzlement.

There might be some sympathy if you were just following orders... But stealing Madam's accessories was not ordered, was it?

Since they were found in your belongings, it means you stole them on your own. We can't keep such thieves in the marquis family!

You are allowed to stay for one hour to pack your things and leave. If you are seen in this mansion after that, you will be arrested and taken to the military police."

After Maria warned them to prepare, the slightly intimidated knights supervised the maids as they packed their things and left the mansion, completing today's cleaning.

There is still a lot of garbage left, but it can't be cleaned up all at once.

Let's work on it gradually.

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