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Chapter 57
After three days of arduous travel, Iona and her party finally arrived at Modrov's estate.
Although they made a stop in a village halfway to rest and replenish, the accumulated fatigue in their bodies couldn't be ignored.
Fleur, who got off the carriage, headed straight to the house where she would be staying without looking back. It seemed like she might be changing her day and night routine for a while.
“Shall we leave for the lord's manor?”
"Yes."
At the coachman's question, Iona stopped watching Fleur through the window and turned her head.
She was worried because it was a private house on the outskirts, but the building was not as shabby as Iona thought.
It felt like a small villa built by nobles on purpose to enjoy an idyllic life.
It was fortunate for Iona, who was even thinking about changing the lodging at her own expense. She couldn't let a woman who was the count's favorite concubine live in a shabby house.
'It's a bit of a problem to be in a location that is not visible to others... …'
For the time being, it occurred to her that she should pick out people who were light-mouthed and put them under Fleur.
In a small community, the words about Fleur would quickly spread. It was to be expected, as the Modrov's estate was a dull neighborhood filled only with fields and farmland.
It was only after driving for a long time that the wagon entered an area where buildings were concentrated.
Iona checked her outfit lightly and then looked outside.
The sight of the towering lord's manor became visible from afar.
Thanks to the message sent in advance from the village where Iona and her party had stopped by last time, it seemed that they were ready to welcome the guest in time.
As soon as the coachman informed the gatekeeper of Iona's arrival, the gate in the fence opened.
It was a place where attention was gathered, so Iona hid her tired face and stepped outside.
Baron Franz, who had personally come to meet her, greeted her with a pleased voice.
“Hello, Iona Modrov. My name is Robert Franz, the deputy lord. It is an honor to meet you.”
He seemed to be a man who had passed his thirties.
With reddish hair that leaned towards orange, he gave off a somewhat disheveled impression.
It was not an evaluation based on prejudice. Iona already knew this man.
“Nice to meet you, Baron Franz. I don't know if the sudden visit in the middle of a busy day has caused trouble for you.”
“No inconvenience at all. What could be more auspicious than seeing the people of the Modrov family remembering and visiting this land?” Robert said with a wry smile.
It sounded like a well-rehearsed remark, but the man had a knack for making it seem quite genuine.
That was why he was able to take on the role of acting lord for nearly 10 years and achieve success.
"Well, you must be tired. Let's go inside for now. I'll show you to your room. Should I prepare some food for you to eat first?"
"That won't be necessary. I'm not particularly hungry."
“That's fortunate. It's hard to enjoy a meal properly if you have filled your stomach with snacks. Please look forward to the welcome dinner we prepared it with great care soon.”
Robert was talkative and quick in his speech.
Amidst his conversations filled with various topics, the other person would sometimes unknowingly reveal a gap.
However, Iona gave only necessary answers from time to time and did not give him any space.
Robert looked down at Iona's profile with an observing gaze.
'As expected, she's not one to talk much.'
It was a fact that He already knew that she was a gloomy woman.
Since the Franz family had worked for the Modrov family for generations, Robert had seen Iona a few times from afar a long time ago.
A girl who lost her mind while being abused under the guise of training.
That was his evaluation of young Iona.
'She doesn't look like an idiot like then... …But I still don't know what she is thinking. Or, maybe she's not thinking anything at all?'
It was rational speculation because Iona whom Robert knew was a woman with no sense of self.
Perhaps this time, she was only acting under the command of Count Modrov, and it was clear that she had no interest in the affairs of the estate.
Then, on this side, he should treat her in the same way as he always did with the Count.
“Ah, here it is. I prepared the room my father originally used... … Since the genders are different, you may feel a little uncomfortable. If you need anything more, feel free to let me know through the maid.”
Saying that, Robert waved his hand toward the maid who was waiting.
The maid who stepped forward nodded and greeted Iona.
“Hello, Miss Iona. I'm Sophia. Although it is a short period of time, I will serve you wholeheartedly.”
Iona, who had been looking around the room, slowly turned her head toward her. She greeted her with a slight nod of her head and then walked inside.
Arriving inside the room, Iona said, holding her hand on the smooth wooden desk.
“I’d like to spend some time relaxing alone before dinner time.”
“Ah, I have been talking too long about someone who has come a long way. sorry."
Robert apologized with an exaggerated look of regret.
He hurriedly left the place after leaving the words to rest comfortably. He was impeccably behaved on the outside.
After confirming that the door was closed, Iona sat down on the desk.
Marsha then began to unpack the luggage that the servants had moved as if her real work had begun.
Sophia, the maid Robert had assigned to her, also naturally went to Marsha's side to help.
Iona, who was watching them, suddenly opened her mouth and asked.
“Your name is Sophia, right?”
Sophia, who suddenly got up from her seat, responded by politely clasping her hands together.
“Yes, lady.”
"If you're entrusted with important tasks like this, you must have quite a long working experience here. Were you also in charge when the Count visited?"
"Yes, I was."
Sophia answered with a proud expression on her face.
Whether she thought she needed to gain Iona's trust or not, she provided sincere answers to Iona's continued questions.
“What did the Count do when he came here?”
"Usually, he would examine the documents that had been put aside and briefly survey the territory. Sometimes, he would review business proposals suggested by visitors."
"I see. The documents must have been well prepared, and he probably didn't pay much attention to the affairs of the territory... He would have been more interested in prominent businesses or investments without any variables in small-scale farming."
At Iona's leisurely explanation, Sophia's smiling face froze.
“… Yes?"
“What did you get in return?”
"Return… …What?”
"I asked a plain question about money, knowing that it must have been money anyway. Let me change the question then. How much did you receive from the baron?"
"My lady, I'm sorry, but I really don't understand what you're talking about... I... I don't understand. I simply served the Count sincerely under the baron's orders. Suddenly, money..."
Sophia started to tremble, feeling unjust.
At that moment, Marsha sighed and stood up from her seat. Sophia flinched and subtly distanced herself from Marsha.
What came out from the baggage Marsha was unpacking was Ionas' sword.
Marsha handed it to Eiona and said, "She seems to have no intention of talking, should I just kill her? It would be troublesome if this matter spreads elsewhere."
“… Hmm, should I?”
"If you dismantle her properly, I'll bury her in a nearby field at night. It won't be easy to find until you leave for the capital anyway. By then, the missing person won't be a big deal."
Marsha said in a non-trivial tone and dragged Sophia into the bathroom.
Wanting to do something, Iona followed Marsha as if possessed.
Marsha asked Sophia no more useless questions.
She just spread a black cloth over the tiled floor, then took out some cleaning supplies and laid them out nearby. She then grabbed Sophia's trembling arm and pulled her toward the center of the fabric.
Realizing what that meant, Sophia threw Marsha away with all her might.
She hurriedly hugged the bathtub and screamed desperately.
“Wait a minute! I'll tell you! I'll tell you everything! Please save me!”
--- End Of The Chapter ----
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