𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔𝟖: 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
Apparently, for three years, the Marchioness was unable to enter this room.
She had it locked, keeping everyone out.
ㅤ
“I suppose it’s probably dusty. I’m sorry, could you help me clean?”
“I will handle the cleaning.”
“Let’s do it together, okay?”
“Y, Yes.”
ㅤ
So with cleaning supplies in hand, I entered Irma’s room.
The Marchioness unlocks the door, her hand trembling.
ㅤ
“Marchioness, if not today, we could do this another day. . . . . .”
“No, it’s okay. Let’s get it over quickly.”
ㅤ
Apparently, three years ago, the knights tried to inspect Irma’s room, but it seems the Marchioness turned them away.
This means this room is the only place not covered by the knights’ investigation.
ㅤ
“There might be evidence you and Leon wanted to find here.”
ㅤ
Regarding Irma’s passing, did she leave behind any kind of message, I wonder.
To check that, we start with cleaning.
ㅤ
A room that hasn’t been entered for three years was immensely dirty.
I escaped immediately after entering.
Coughing hard, my eyes got irritated. I open the window in the corridor and breathe in fresh air.
ㅤ
“Lara, let’s change clothes once. Do you have an apron dress that fits me?”
“Yes, I do.”
ㅤ
Changing into work-friendly clothes like the maids wear, I tie a cloth to cover my mouth and put on glasses to protect my eyes.
Holding a broom, I challenge Irma’s room. I opened the window fully and started sweeping the floor.
ㅤ
“Why are there grains of sand in the room?!”
“They may have fallen from the ceiling.”
ㅤ
Ga-chan made a cloth with a string, and polished the furniture such as tables and chairs.
After two hours of cleaning together, the room finally becomes clean.
ㅤ
“I haven’t cleaned this much since the charity work I did three years ago.”
ㅤ
Though I suggested we take a break, the Marchioness shakes her head.
ㅤ
“I think if I sit down once, I won’t be able to stand up again. What about you?”
“The same goes for me.”
“Then, let’s start tidying up as it is.”
ㅤ
I check the shelf where small items are stored. Marchioness was opening the dresser.
It seems Irma liked cute items. Rabbit ornaments, bear plush toys, squirrel ceramics, and a variety of miscellaneous goods were lined up.
These seem to be donated to the orphanage. They are carefully packed in a wooden box wrapped in cloth so they don’t break.
ㅤ
Once the shelf check was done, I was asked to check the desk.
ㅤ
“Excuse me, Marchioness. Is it okay for me to look here?”
“Please. I’m still a little scared of places where her presence is strong.”
“Understood.”
ㅤ
A lot of personal items came out from the desk Irma used: a diary, a letter in progress, materials about the wedding, a guest list, and so on.
I was ordered to go through all of these.
ㅤ
I didn’t find anything like a suicide note.
Considering Irma’s personality, if she chose to die, she should have left some kind of message.
It seems she was killed by someone.
ㅤ
I was allowed to read all the texts written by Irma, but I couldn’t find any description related to the incident.
ㅤ
The last thing I picked up was a letter addressed to Lord Leon・Von・Montyver.
This was the only thing in the drawer that was locked.
The key was not in the room, and Marchioness didn’t have it, so I ended up prying it open using Ga-chan’s thread.
ㅤ
“Marchioness, what should we do with the letter to Lord Montyver?”
“Open it and read it.”
“Is that okay?”
“Yes. If it’s a love letter, Leon who receives it would feel awkward, wouldn’t he?”
ㅤ
I felt somewhat sorry, but if Marchioness says to investigate, there’s no choice.
With such thoughts, I used a paper knife to open the seal.
There were several sheets of stationery neatly folded inside.
ㅤ
“To my dear Leon――I hesitated whether or not to share this, but I have been contacted by a reporter who claims to hold scandalous information about you. Perhaps I may be approached with a proposition for an exchange of the information I hold.”
ㅤ
The moment I read out that sentence, I felt a chill run down my spine.
ㅤ
“Marchioness, is this by any chance, the letter written by Irma the night she passed away?”
“I’m not sure. Is there more?”
“Yes, there is.”
ㅤ
I take a deep breath and continue reading the letter.
ㅤ
“It seems the individuals whom I inadvertently saw when I unknowingly wandered into the royal family’s exclusive garden, have been in a relationship for many years. I was strongly advised to keep quiet, but depending on your information, I might end up speaking out. I will write more when I return.”
ㅤ
The letter ended here.
ㅤ
“Marchioness, the contents of this letter, are they indeed――?”
“Yes, it appears to be without doubt. But who on earth was Irma seeing in the royal palace garden?”
ㅤ
I remember a warning that Irma had previously given to Rachael.
It was to avoid the royal family’s garden while serving as the queen’s maid during her bride training because ghosts of a man and a woman appear there.
ㅤ
“Ghosts of a man and a woman? That’s impossible. Rachael probably made it vague to keep her away.”
“I was also thinking that might not be the case.”
ㅤ
I had already known that one of the two was the queen. When I shared this, Marchioness let out a deep, long sigh.
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