Chapter 85

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Solitude
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Ariadne meticulously examined the skeletal remains. She stripped the skeleton of anything that could be used to identify Giada. There was nothing definitive, just clothes and a few ornaments at best. She rolled them up and, on her way home in a hired carriage, threw them into the Tiber River.

Ariadne assigned Giuseppe to the gypsy woman, sending her straight to the port. The mission she gave Giuseppe was to watch the woman. He was not merely to see her onto a ship, but to stick right by her side until the vessel departed, ensuring she didn't slip away elsewhere. Ariadne had thought Giuseppe might not return for three or four days, but fortunately, there was a ship leaving for the 'Black Salt Sea' that very afternoon. Before half a day had passed, Giuseppe confirmed the gypsy woman's departure and returned home.

Sancha, deeply shocked, stayed close by her lady's side to assist her. Once in the hired carriage, Ariadne hugged Sancha and murmured.

“I’m so glad I didn’t take you in there.”

Sancha surmised this was related to the disappearance of the head maid, Giada. Something terrible must have happened inside.

“My lady, don’t subject yourself to such sights. Let me see them for you. Whether it’s Giada or the gypsy fortune teller, I’ll take care of it all! You don’t need to dirty your own hands!”

Ariadne didn't answer Sancha’s words. She only offered a faint smile. People had different responsibilities to bear. The Scales of the Golden Rule, the mysterious foresight—these were burdens Ariadne had to carry all by herself.

Upon returning home, Ariadne summoned the butler, Niccolo.

“Niccolo. Giada the head maid has run away. Tell her family she’s gone far away and that they should stop looking for her.”

Niccolo, who had already guessed as much, nodded his head.

“I understand, my lady.”

Giada, the head maid, was his wife’s older sister—his sister-in-law. But one couldn’t protect everyone just because they were family. Frankly, in this incident, his sister-in-law had walked straight into her own grave. If an inquisitor were to enter the Cardinal de Mare’s residence and declare that all household members who practiced black magic would be brought before a religious tribunal, it wouldn’t just be Lucrezia or Giada on the pyre, but the entire family and a great many of the servants. And within that group, there was a high probability that Niccolo himself would be included. He was not a particularly loyal man to begin with. His own life was far more important than his sister-in-law’s. In this era, many people were willing to turn a blind eye to injustice when their own safety was at stake.

“My lady, I’ve drawn you a bath.”

At Sancha’s words, Ariadne turned to her side.

“Thank you.”

“I don’t know what happened, but please cheer up.”

Ariadne could do nothing more than smile at Sancha. It was inevitable that a person would have secrets they could share with no one. Ariadne was coming to realize this fact, albeit belatedly. In her past life, she had struggled desperately to find someone with whom she could share her everything. Back then, she thought Cesare would be that one person. That was why she had clung to him, why she couldn't let go. Isabella, too, was impossible to ignore. Gaining the approval of her beautiful, popular older sister felt like an affirmation of her very existence. But in the end, it was all a mirage. Cesare and Isabella—she had certainly chosen the wrong people. But it wasn’t a matter of who she chose. Human beings are, by their very nature, solitary and lonely. It was only now, in her second life, after acquiring such a strange secret she could never divulge to anyone, that Ariadne was beginning to understand this.

“I’m alright. Thank you.”

Ariadne shook her head. She didn't like solitude, but she was used to it. In the end, a person was alone. And still, she could live. It was impossible to share every single joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure with others. Every human being ultimately had their own burden to bear.

“I’ll wash up and go see Arabella.”

“Yes, my lady.”

The fact that she couldn't be honest even with Sancha was painful. But Ariadne could still share her daily life, her laughter, and a warm bath with Sancha. And that wasn't the only daily routine she had to protect. Ariadne had young Arabella.

- Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

A choked voice granted entry. Ariadne quietly opened the door and stepped inside. It was Arabella’s room. Arabella didn't look like she had been crying, but she seemed to be in deep shock. Ariadne approached Arabella, who was curled up on the bed, and took her younger sister into her arms.

“There was nothing you could have done today.”

“……!”

Getting straight to the point, Ariadne stroked Arabella’s flaxen hair. She spoke in a calm, song-like voice.

“Mother simply paid the price for her actions. There was nothing you could have done about it.”

“……!”

“It’s okay that you didn’t step in.”

Tears finally welled up in the eyes of Arabella, who had been frozen with guilt all day. She had been trying so hard not to even think about what had happened today that she had turned herself into a statue. Time had moved slowly, her head felt numb, and a persistent foul mood had clung to her. Finally, at the end of the day, another’s warm hand was stroking her hair. As the human warmth spread through her, Arabella began to shed tears, drop by drop, until she could no longer hold back and began to weep like a child.

“Ari…! Sister Ari…! I…!”

“Shh, it’s okay. Cry as much as you want. It’s alright.”

Holding the sobbing Arabella in her arms and stroking her hair, Ariadne said quietly.

“Let’s not worry about sins we didn’t commit. Let’s each take responsibility for our own actions. Mother simply paid the price for her sins. You can feel sorry for her, but don’t think it was your fault.”

And after that, there was one more thing Ariadne wanted to say to Arabella, but she swallowed the words.

*I’ll carry your share of the burden for you, sister. Until you grow up healthy and strong, I will protect you. We can move forward together. Let’s do that.*

If, as the gypsy fortune teller said, she had ‘foresight,’ she would use it for those close to her, those who were innocent, those she loved. If she had to bear the karma for it, Ariadne was willing to make that sacrifice for the ones she loved. In this life, it would be enough to protect them. She desired nothing more.

***

The de Mare mansion, now without Lucrezia, ran with surprisingly little discord. This was firstly because Ariadne, who had taken the helm of the household, was competent, but also partly because Lucrezia had been a superior who did nothing. The vacancy left by the head maid, Giada, was also quickly filled by Sancha after a brief period of trial and error.

“You really are getting a rapid promotion.”

Ariadne clicked her tongue as she looked at Sancha. Not even a year had passed since Sancha had escaped the Rambouillet Almshouse to become Ariadne’s personal maid, and now she was acting as the de facto head maid.

“Hehe, it’s all thanks to choosing the right side! Who would have thought the lady I serve would become the real power in this house so quickly?”

Sancha said proudly, twirling the key to the main kitchen pantry and deliberately mimicking the tone of a sycophant. As Ariadne watched her with a fond smile, Sancha glanced around slightly before whispering.

“But my lady, have we really… won against Lady Lucrezia like this?”

Ariadne smirked. She wished that were the case, but the chances were slim. She didn't consider money earned until the gold coins were actually in her vault, and she didn't consider a battle won until the enemy’s last breath was drawn. It was a piece of wisdom learned from a long life at court.

“Lucrezia has Ippolito, doesn’t she? He’ll be back soon enough.”

Seeing Sancha’s visible disappointment, Ariadne smiled encouragingly. If they weren't in the kitchen, she would have tickled her.

“But this is precious time we’ve gained. Let’s prepare ourselves to win decisively. I don't start fights I can't win. By this time next year, no one, including His Eminence Cardinal de Mare, will be able to look down on us.”

A state of no-man's-land without Lucrezia. The entire financial power of the de Mare family in her hands. The plague coming next year. It was time to invest. Investment wasn’t just about hoarding goods that would sell for high prices after the plague. She also had to restructure the personnel. Having received full authority over the household, Ariadne used various excuses to fire most of Lucrezia’s confidants. Not only female servants, but a significant number of male servants were dismissed as well.

Then, Ariadne summoned all the remaining servants. She gathered every servant in the house in the first-floor grand hall, stood before them, and looked them over.

“Due to some unpleasant business in the household, I will be taking full authority for the time being.”

While she could have easily alluded to ‘health issues,’ Ariadne openly mentioned Lucrezia’s fault. The story that Lucrezia had dabbled in black magic was an absolute secret. Instead, Ariadne hinted at a story people would most readily believe.

“Anyone who has seen a strange young man entering or leaving the house frequently of late must report directly to me.”

The servants were already gossiping amongst themselves about why Lucrezia had been so suddenly kicked out. Tossing out just this little bit of bait would lead them to speculate that Lucrezia had been caught having an affair.

“Discipline will be strictly enforced.”

As the servants began to whisper among themselves, Ariadne shot a glare across the assembly. In truth, for a mistress of a cardinal with Lucrezia’s standing, there was hardly any reason other than adultery for her to be suddenly thrown out of the house. Who would ever imagine that the cardinal’s mistress had been practicing black magic within the mansion?

“To that end, to crack down on suspicious individuals, I will be hiring personnel to guard the interior and exterior of the house.”

This was a pretext to plant her own people. There was already staff for guarding the exterior of the mansion. But what Ariadne wanted to create was her own personal unit. All she needed was an excuse.

“It is not appropriate for the external security personnel to enter the mansion, so I will select some individuals from the internal staff to form a new security force.”

Ariadne gestured with her chin. The coachman, Giuseppe, straightened his posture.

“Giuseppe.”

“Yes, my lady!”

“You will be in charge of the new security force.”

Young men often burn with passion when given a purpose. Giuseppe had managed to leave a deep impression on Ariadne by refusing her ‘generosity.’ People who would do anything for a handful of money were useful in the short term, but unsuitable to be made her own. So she had taken the time to persuade him and bring him to her side.

“Loyalty! And honor!”

Though they had already discussed this beforehand, the light shining in Giuseppe's eyes and the glow on his face upon hearing the official appointment made it seem as if he had just been knighted.

Ariadne gave Giuseppe a slight smile, then swept her gaze over the rest of the male servants.

“The new security personnel will be paid a monthly salary of 70 florins.”

Third-floor maids, no matter how long their service, rarely received even 20 florins. A lady’s personal maid, at most, earned 40 florins. In a large city like San Carlo, labor was exceedingly cheap. The male servants were no different in terms of pay. Coachmen and gardeners received between 25 and 30 florins. The only person in this entire mansion whose salary was measured in ducats was likely the butler, Niccolo. Even the late head maid Giada had padded her pockets with back-door deals and petty embezzlement; her salary had been less than his. But 70 florins—this was an exceptional offer. A murmur immediately spread through the servants.

“Anyone who wishes to apply should speak to Giuseppe. Not everyone who applies will be chosen. If there are no suitable candidates, I will have to hire from outside, but I am asking you first out of consideration for the time we’ve known each other. I am looking for capable and loyal individuals. Think it over carefully.”

It was an open invitation to align themselves with her. This time, Ariadne looked at the maids. Those who had long enjoyed a sweet life under Lucrezia flinched and avoided Ariadne’s gaze.

“The position of head maid will be left vacant for the time being.”

Among the long-serving maids, a few had been hoping for the head maid’s title. She could see them trying to manage their expressions so as not to show their disappointment.

“For now, Sancha will handle the duties. She is still young, so I expect you all to help her.”

As she said this, Ariadne stared pointedly at a few of the maids.

“I can’t leave it empty forever, of course. Sancha is my personal maid and has much to do. Eventually, we will need someone to fill the head maid’s position. I will be watching closely to see who is suitable. Sancha will report to me.”

In essence, she was telling them that Sancha was the one who would be evaluating them for the next head maid position, so they shouldn't even dream of tormenting her and had better make a good impression.

“Yes, my lady!”

The long-serving maids answered vigorously. It was unclear what would happen once the competition intensified, but for now, they seemed full of intent to pledge their loyalty.

By the time Ippolito returned with Lucrezia, the Cardinal de Mare’s mansion would be teeming with Ariadne’s people. And by then, it would not be easy to snatch back the account books that had once fallen into Ariadne’s hands.

*Let’s see you try, Brother Ippolito. In this life, this house is mine.*

***

- *Hwooo.*

Oblivious to the thorough preparations being made against him in San Carlo, Ippolito de Mare took a long drag from his fully packed pipe and then removed it from his lips.

He was a tall young man with high cheekbones and a cold expression, just like his mother. His short-cropped hair was a coarse ash-gray, resembling neither of his parents, and his eyes were the same violet as his mother’s and his sister’s.

“Ippolito! What’s going on?”

An energetic voice called out to him. Ippolito, who had been lying on the sofa, slowly turned his head in the direction of the voice’s owner.