Chapter 4

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: The Weapon of Tears
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“Having worked in this mansion for so long, you must have seen many maids over the years. That’s why you can now discern how well-suited someone is to this estate just by observing their actions. Of course, that is the job of a head maid. So I find it suspicious that you truly didn’t know Marie was unqualified. Was it her lack of ability, an intentional act, or has your mind truly grown feeble from illness?”

At my words, my stepfather nodded. As if he found my reasoning sound, his eyes grew colder still.

“The head maid holds a very busy position. How could she possibly check every single maid? Or perhaps the paperwork was delivered incorrectly… No one knows the truth yet. Don’t you think so, Cisse?”

Roena’s defense seemed plausible enough. Considering the trust Mago had earned through her diligent work in the mansion, it wasn't unreasonable. Moreover, the fact that ‘Roena’ was taking her side had already tipped the scales. Most unfairly.

My stepfather looked at me, confused. He wore a deeply troubled expression, as if he didn't want to hurt anyone.

So, I bit my lip for all to see and spoke in a low voice.

“Certainly, the people here know the head maid better than I do. They know what kind of abilities she possesses. Above all, since Roena has spoken, I don’t believe my thoughts are very important.”

“Cisse?”

“What is certain is that she failed to thoroughly check the maid assigned to me, not even once. Had she done so, she would have noticed easily. Oh, please don’t look at me like that. I’m quite all right. Truly.”

The moment I finished speaking, my mother clung to me and burst into tears. I stroked her back and whispered.

“It’s all right, Mother.”

“This is all my fault.”

My stepfather said in a hollow voice.

“I never dreamed I would cause you and Cisse such pain. It is my failure for not managing this household properly. Please, forgive me. I swear this will never happen again. Please, do not shed tears from that beautiful face. It feels as though my heart is being torn apart.”

My stepfather came over and embraced my mother and me. He begged for forgiveness with a sincere heart.

“It seems I’ve spoken out of turn. How did something that started with Roena offering to help me end up like this? I should have just kept it to myself.”

“No. You did well to speak up. I will ensure this never happens again, but even if it does, do not hide it. Tell me. I swear that no one in the House of Vischwartz will ever look down on you again. This applies even to my own daughter, Roena. Do you understand?”

At my stepfather’s declaration, Mago’s expression hardened. The same was true for the maids around her.

I watched them and smiled faintly. My stepfather’s favor, now more solid than before my return, instilled a sense of caution in everyone while confirming where his affections lay.

In other words, things were unfolding just as Mago had feared. To my great delight.

“Cisse, I just hope you can feel better. And I hope you’ll clear up this misunderstanding about Mago.”

“Roena, I respect your opinion. That will continue to be the case. So please, don’t say such things.”

At my words, Roena smiled brightly. She didn't seem to grasp the gravity of our stepfather’s declaration. She only watched my expression, anxious and restless.

The funny thing was that others saw her behavior and thought, ‘Ah, Lady Roena must truly be sorry.’ Even though that wasn't the case at all.

Based on my past experiences, this was nothing more than an act to justify her earlier defense of Mago. It was merely an expression of her minuscule conscience.

Therefore, if you peeled back the veneer, you would surely find no trace of apology for me on that face.

Still, I couldn’t miss the opening she had given me. I placed a hand on Roena’s shoulder and spoke.

“Alright, Roena, instead of tutoring me, how about helping me in this way?”

“What kind of help? I’ll do anything for you, Cisse.”

I gave Roena the sweetest smile I could muster and said.

“Send me a maid who can assist me well.”

“What?”

“You’d be lessening the head maid’s burden. To ensure she doesn’t make the same mistake again. I think one of the maids currently assisting you would be fine. What do you think?”

I still haven’t forgotten. Her maids, who, along with Mago, had pointed fingers at my mother and treated Roena like a saint.

And just how much fun I had with those maids after our stepfather died.

“My maids?”

Roena asked again, as if she couldn't believe it. I looked at her with the triumphant expression of a general who had just won a war.

***

Roena had a strong attachment to what was hers. That feeling didn't distinguish between people and things. The maid I mentioned was one of those precious things she could not bear to have taken away.

Thus, even if she felt no affection for them, as long as they were labeled ‘hers,’ she was bound to react sensitively.

That was why my words must have struck her with a great sense of loss. She would shrink back and despair, like a child about to have her teddy bear taken away. I could see it in the pain that filled her eyes.

But that was only for a moment. As always, she sought to overcome the situation with a single tactic. Through the weapon of tears.

Roena had never been good at controlling her crying. Once she started, she would weep sorrowfully, her angelic face and cheeks becoming soaked with tears.

When she was hurt, sad, or upset, she would shed fat tears and sob deeply. The same was true when she wanted to justify her own actions.

That was why no matter how absurd a situation she created, no matter how rude she was to the point of being a nuisance, people always forgave Roena.

No, they would feel sorry for Roena and curse the one who had made her cry. For the tears that flowed from between her trembling lashes were as brilliant as jewels. For she was as pure and beautiful as a lily drenched in morning dew. For when she cried, she was an angel incarnate.

This time was no different. Her clear eyes swelled in an instant, and her reddened lids soon began to drip large tears. Her slender shoulders trembled pitifully, emphasizing her sobs. From beneath her bowed head, the pale nape of her neck flaunted its dazzling form, subtly asserting its presence.

Everything was like a painting. Something so lovely you had to embrace it, so pitiful you had to console it.

The dining hall was instantly filled with silence. The only sound was Roena’s stifled weeping. A fragile cry that she tried to swallow but which slipped past her pressed lips. Roena’s greatest weapon, capable of swaying anyone’s heart, had made its appearance.

As she cried, everyone turned to me, their expressions varied. My stepfather looked troubled, my mother looked uncomprehending, and Mago and the other maids glared with eyes full of hostility.

I bit my lip. A hollow laugh threatened to escape, so I chewed on my lip again and again. How could I have been so drunk on this paltry victory that I forgot her true nature?

But first, I had to swallow the bitter taste rising in my throat. I had to paint a smile over lips trembling with rage. Feigning a calm voice, I asked her.

“Did I ask for something unreasonable?”

As if she had been waiting for it, Roena stopped crying. And from between her red, moist lips, she endlessly uttered the words, “I’m sorry.”

I barely suppressed the urge to rip those lips apart and gently wiped Roena’s cheek with my handkerchief. Then, blinking slowly, I asked as if I truly didn’t know what was wrong.

“No, I’m sorry. To be honest, I don’t understand why you’re crying. So I don’t know how to comfort you.”

“That’s not it. It’s just… I hate myself.”

“Roena. If you just say that, I can’t possibly understand. Could you explain in more detail? That way, I won’t repeat the same mistake.”

As I asked this, I once again swallowed the scorn that threatened to erupt. At the same time, I tensed. Her second weapon was coming out. That disgusting act of making the other person out to be a fool by blaming herself.

“It wasn’t an unreasonable request. No one could look after you as well as my maids. They’re so kind and gentle. But I don’t know why I’m crying like this. We’re not parting ways, so I don’t know why I feel so sad and upset. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I hate myself for being this way. I’m sorry, Cisse. I’m truly sorry. That doesn’t mean I won’t send one to you. It’s just, it’s just…”

Unable to overcome the surging emotions, Roena covered her mouth and burst into sobs again.

I hid my fists, veins bulging, beneath the hem of my dress and trembled. I was astonished by how she could disguise a childish tantrum about not wanting to share her things in such a way.

But people couldn’t see through Roena’s act. There was something subtle about her demeanor that made the other person feel like the villain.

When a beauty so pure it makes you want to embrace her starts crying and blaming herself because of something you said, who wouldn’t feel guilty?

Her actions had the power to turn a reasonable request into an impertinent demand, a gentle tone into oppressive verbal abuse, and a fleeting touch into an assault.

That’s why a third party, unaware of the exact circumstances, would always blame the other person. Even if they knew the truth, they would scratch their head with a troubled look and say, ‘Still, couldn’t you just yield a little?’

Thanks to that, the one who didn’t yield was treated as the most cold-hearted person in the world, a brute who had no consideration for others. It was astounding.

Look now. Everyone except my mother sees me as nothing but a thief. As an insolent girl who dared to covet something precious to her.

So I smiled faintly. At the same time, I shrugged, as if I still couldn’t understand why this was upsetting enough to cry over.

“Since you’re so sad, I suppose it can’t be helped. Fine, Roena, you don’t have to grant my request.”

“Cisse?”

“It’s fine. I’m truly not bothered. Just stop crying instead. You’re ruining your pretty face.”

Roena’s expression became visibly flustered as she stopped crying. Perhaps she had never encountered someone who reacted to her tears this way, for she couldn’t even think to hide her feelings.

“It’s not that I won’t send one to you. I just…”

“As I said, I’m really fine. The matter with the head maid earlier, and this now. You come first, don’t you?”

At the same time, I lowered my gaze and murmured in a placid tone.

“It seems everyone else thinks so, too.”

At that, Roena waved her hands in dismay.

“Cisse, don’t think that. I didn’t mean that I wouldn’t send one.”

“Roena, you don’t have to try so hard. I’m really fine. Now that I understand you always come first, it’s enough. From now on, I’ll also consider you first in my thoughts.”

I calmly watched Roena, who wore an anxious expression and didn’t know what to do. Then, I asked with my eyes.

*Do you see? I don’t sob like a child. But I will speak in the calmest tone, as if I’m pitifully blaming myself for my own shortcomings, as if I don’t resent you for reminding me of them. That’s how I’ll make you feel guilty.*

“So please, I hope no one else misunderstands.”