Red Tape

Mary was so shocked by the unexpected words that her grip on Penelope’s hair loosened and slipped away.

“W-what, what do you say? What am I doing with the young master…?”

The murmuring around them grew louder, and soon, all eyes were on Penelope.

“What exactly do you mean by that?”

The usually kind and gentle Jeffrey’s expression turned severe.

It is already a grave offense for a servant to gossip about their master’s private life, but fabricating lies could lead to a formal trial and, depending on the severity, even capital punishment.

Jeffrey gave Liam a small nod, and in response, Liam stepped forward, grabbing Mary and pulling her away from Penelope.

Mary, still in shock from what she had just heard, stood dumbfounded, her mouth agape, making no effort to resist as she was dragged aside.

But of all the people present, the most surprised is none other than Penelope herself. She had spoken the words, yet she was the first to be shocked and flustered by them. Her whole body trembled violently in distress.

But once the words had left her mouth, she couldn’t stop. Her mind becomes messed up. To mask her initial panic, she blurted out words that should and should not be said.

“It’s true! Do you think I’m the only one who knows? Even Lady Motier is aware of it!”

“What? Is that true?”

Having never faced such an intense situation before, Penelope couldn’t handle it properly.

If she had simply claimed that everything was a delusion or a slip of the tongue, she might have gotten away with it. But the pressure of so many eyes on her made her desperate to prove her point, leading her to present circumstantial evidence instead.

“Fifteen days ago! The day Lord Erwin went horseback riding! That day, in the stables, I saw them rolling around together!”

As she speaks, Penelope looks at Mary with trembling eyes.

Liam, who happened to be standing right behind her, felt his heart nearly drop to the floor because, on that very day, the person who had been in the stables with the young master was him. His face turned ashen, hardening like stone.

His face slowly turned a pale, shade of gray.

“Mr.Jeffrey! Do you actually believe this nonsense? She’s completely insane!”

Mary protested, her voice filled with fury.

Jeffrey surveyed the murmuring servants gathered around before letting out a long sigh.

“Then, about checking Mary’s bedding—”

“I have to check if she is on her cycle! You never know! What if this lewd girl is carrying an illegitimate child—”

“What? Are you out of your damn mind?! What did you just say?!”

Liam barely managed to hold her back as she screeched like a wild animal, leaping forward with her nails bared and ready to claw at Penelope.

Even as she was lifted off the ground, Mary flailed her arms and legs violently, thrashing against Liam’s hold.

Mary flailed her arms and legs violently even as she was lifted off the ground by Liam.

“Let go of me! You wretched girl! You’re just running your mouth because no one can stop you?!”

Jeffrey pressed his fingers to his temple, messaging as he watched the chaotic scene unfold.

“It’s clear that this isn’t a conversation that should be held here.”

The situation had spiraled far beyond expectation. Too many people had heard Penelope’s words, and even the name of Eloise Motier, the viscountess, had been dragged into the mess.

“This has gone too far. We have no choice but to inform the Duke.”

The matter, which had begun in the underground servants’ quarters, is now being taken to the second floor.

Jeffrey immediately reported the issue to the Duke, and soon, everyone involved was summoned to his office. Worried about Mary, Liam accompanied her like a guardian.

Unlike Mary, who walked in with a straight back, confident in her innocence, Penelope visibly trembled from head to toe.

The Duke sat at his usual grand, leather-clad desk, casually smoking a cigar.

Behind him stood two attendants, serving as both his guards and his personal enforcers for more discreet matters.

Mary and Penelope stood side by side, with Jeffrey and Liam positioned a step behind them.

Lastly, Lady Eloise entered the study. The moment she saw the scene inside, her face turned pale. She instinctively pressed her back against the bookshelves, as if realizing what had happened.

The Duke rose slowly from his seat.

The atmosphere felt like a predator, sharp-beaked and clawed, was preparing to strike.

He walked leisurely toward Mary and Penelope before slapping them both across the face one by one in a swift motion.

A sharp slap rang through the air, followed by their screams as they collapsed to the floor.

“How dare you sully my son’s name with your filthy mouths?”

The Duke then stepped toward Penelope, pressing his boot firmly onto her outstretched hand.

His voice is devoid of any emotion, so chillingly calm that it is more terrifying than outright rage.

“Tell me. What exactly do you think you know about my son?”

Tears streamed down Penelope’s face as she hiccupped uncontrollably. The pain in her crushed hand was overshadowed by sheer terror.

“I-I just thought… that the young master… has feelings for someone in the household… hic …”

“And who told you that?”

Penelope’s trembling gaze darted toward the Duke’s back—where Eloise stood.

Eloise’s face turns even paler, and she shakes her head subtly. Then she turned away, avoiding eye contact with her own maid, who had followed her from the Viscount’s house to handle her affair.

Even if she mentions Lady Motier’s name, the woman will deny it, and no one will believe her over Eloise.

“I-it was just… just my own thoughts…”

“You must have had a reason to say such things.”

“T-the young master returned from horseback riding that day… with straw in his hair… And she came down from the same area, all disheveled…”

The Duke’s cold gaze shifted to Mary.

Mary, holding her swollen cheek, desperately defended herself.

“I never even ran into the young master that day! I swear on my life! I was in Liam’s cabin, just talking with him and napping!”

The Duke’s sharp eyes turned to Liam.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. I remember clearly. Mary was definitely in my cabin that day.”

Jeffrey nodded to confirm Liam’s words.

Only then did the Duke’s tense expression relax slightly.

“Of course. My son is raised to know only the best.”

Erwin has grown into a man old enough to marry. Yet, he had never shown interest in anyone.

Perhaps that is why ridiculous rumors have begun to spread.

Though the situation is understandable, the Duke cannot tolerate having his son’s name tarnished by mere servants’ gossip.

“This is the filthiest nonsense I’ve ever heard. Jeffrey, stay behind. Everyone else, leave. And that one—”

He pointed to Penelope.

“Lock her up somewhere.”

The room quickly emptied as if everyone was fleeing for their lives.

One of the Duke’s attendants seized Penelope by the arm, dragging her away.

She clawed at the staircase, gripping the railing, screaming toward Eloise.

“L-Lady Motier! Please! Save me!”

But Eloise gave no answer.

If she intervened now, she would only draw the Duke’s suspicion and ire.

From the stairwell, Liam caught sight of the viscountess watching her maid being dragged away.

Her eyes flickered with something unreadable.

Her expression seemed to say:  “Then who is it?”

She knew something.

She didn’t know who exactly.

But she knew Erwin was interested in someone in this household.

A chill ran down Liam’s spine, and his throat went dry.