Chapter 29

“New staff will be assigned, miss,” Magdalene, the head maid, informed Odelliana. Blair’s decision to recruit additional staff had already been communicated, so Odelliana paid little attention to the announcement. Naturally, she assumed the new hire would be another maid, likely someone influenced by Blair.

However, her assumption was entirely incorrect. “Hello, miss. It’s been a while,” greeted the newly appointed head maid of the annex, none other than Adella.

This household is utterly insane, Odelliana thought. Not only had they brought the primary perpetrator of her daughter’s abuse back to the mansion, but they had also placed her in a position of authority. Was this truly a sensible decision? Adella faced no repercussions for her actions. Could it be that all her sins were forgiven simply because of her close relationship with the lady of the house? It was evident she hadn’t shown any remorse.

I should have known, Odelliana realized. Her arrogance was a warning sign, but I foolishly dismissed it.

Adella had returned, as cunning and venomous as ever, like a snake emerging from hibernation.

“Rest assured, miss. I will serve you with all my heart and do my best,” Adella declared, her words dripping with false sincerity as she quickly asserted her dominance over the annex.

“Here are the clothes for you to change into,” she continued, holding up a bundle.

Odelliana examined the garments with growing disbelief. “Why are the clothes in this condition?”

Adella shrugged nonchalantly, “Who knows?”

“You expect me to wear this?”

“Haven’t you worn even worse clothes before? What’s the problem?” Adella’s tone was laced with contempt.

The clothes were in deplorable condition, frayed and made from inferior fabric. Such poor quality garments were virtually nonexistent in the mansion, suggesting deliberate effort to procure them.

“Bring me new clothes,” Odelliana demanded, her patience wearing thin.

“Unfortunately, that’s the cleanest outfit available. If you don’t like it, why don’t you make your own? You have plenty of unused fabric from past gifts. You’re always demanding new things. You’re too greedy,” Adella retorted, her childish spite evident.

Odelliana couldn’t believe the pettiness of a woman approaching old age. “How incredibly childish,” she remarked, her voice dripping with disdain.

“Is it any worse than the pranks you’ve pulled?” Adella countered, her voice rising. “Because of your actions, children who served you faithfully ended up on the streets. Is this all it takes to make you complain?”

“What touching camaraderie,” Odelliana retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “If you had invested even half of that care for others in me, would I have been so harsh?”

“They’re not just comrades; they’re comrades-in-arms,” Adella defended, her voice rising. “They wasted their youth tending to you in this remote mansion, where not a soul visits, all for you.”

“Anyone would think I held a knife to their throats to make them serve me. If it was so terrible, why didn’t they quit?” Odelliana demanded. It was infuriating how they acted as victims when she was the one who had suffered. Their audacity knew no bounds.

“What would you understand, miss? Who would want to stay by your side willingly? We are servants who have served the Grüsewald family for generations. It’s a lifelong job for us. Leaving the Grüsewald family is like ending up on the streets. You wouldn’t understand the feelings of underlings who have no choice but to endure it, whether they like it or not.” 

“That’s laughable,” Odelliana scoffed. “You act as if you’re the ones wronged when you pocketed the money meant for living expenses and failed to fulfill even your basic duties. Why didn’t you say any of this in front of Blair? You couldn’t even open your mouths then. Do you think your excuses now will change the fact that you’re the perpetrators and I’m the victim?”

Adella clicked her tongue, feigning regret. “What do you know? It’s pitiful that I and the children had to waste our lives on a fool like you.”

Talking to Adella was like speaking to a brick wall. Her mind was completely closed. With a triumphant smile, she stood up. “Didn’t I tell you before? Nothing will change,” she sneered.

Odelliana remained silent, her frustration growing.

“No one here is on your side. Everyone despises you. You’re less than a bug crawling in the dirt. Do you expect to be treated like a noblewoman when you can barely walk? Get over yourself,” Adella mocked. A malicious glint appeared in her eyes. “Look forward to it; it will be fun,” they said.

With a contemptuous kick to the medicine box, Adella stormed out. For the first time since waking up in this body, Odelliana felt a genuine sense of crisis. Something was undeniably wrong.

Adella’s childish games continued at mealtime. “I specifically said to prepare for two people, didn’t I?” Odelliana demanded.

“Miss Adella instructed us to prepare only your portion… I’ll get it ready right away,” the maid stammered.

An hour passed, and the maid still hadn’t returned. Odelliana’s food was now cold. Sensing Odelliana’s growing distress, Matthias spoke softly, “Shall I handle it?”

“I…” Odelliana hesitated. “I don’t know.”

As Adella tightened her grip on the annex, the inevitable happened. The servants obeyed Adella, ignoring Odelliana completely. Their eyes were fixed on Adella, their actions dictated by her every whim. With each passing moment, Odelliana’s anger burned brighter.

If this continued, she would inevitably find herself trapped in a squalid room, subsisting on scraps and enduring a life worse than an animal’s.

“For now, you should eat,” Odelliana insisted.

“This meal is for you, Master. You should have it. I’m fine,” Matthias replied, her voice filled with sincerity.

“You’re at an age when you need proper nourishment,” Odelliana countered.

“You need it more than I do, Master. You’re frail and must take better care of yourself,” he insisted.

Matthias’s gaze fell upon her thin wrist, visible beneath her sleeve. Embarrassed, she pulled her sleeve down. She wanted to avoid any unnecessary commotion.

While pondering a solution to rid herself of Adella, Odelliana offered Matthias a spoonful of the cold stew. “Let’s share,” she suggested. The adage about sharing even a single bean came to mind. She couldn’t allow her young student to starve. Having brought him into this situation, she felt a deep sense of responsibility.

Matthias, his expression filled with concern, reluctantly opened his mouth. Just as Odelliana was about to take a bite, he spat out the food and grabbed her hand. “Don’t eat,” he said urgently.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, confusion evident in her voice.

Matthias remained silent. Odelliana stirred the stew, her disbelief growing with each movement. Beneath the chunks of meat, she discovered a disturbing reality: the stew was filled with sand and stones.

Matthias calmly retrieved her spoon and began cleaning the tray. As he carried it away, Odelliana called out, “You’re not planning to kill someone, are you?”

Matthias glanced back, a smirk playing on his lips. “Just give the order, and I’ll bring you their heads.”

“Leave it for now,” she replied. “Will you be back soon?”

“Yes, just wait a bit,” he assured her.

However, Matthias didn’t return until the sun was high in the sky. The gravity of the situation dawned on Odelliana. It had started with sand and stones, but the next attempt could be far more sinister. With Adella holding complete control over the servants, there was no telling what she might do.

Anxiety gnawed at Odelliana as she waited for Matthias’s return. When he finally reappeared, he carried a neatly arranged tray filled with fresh food. Its warmth and enticing aroma suggested it had been freshly prepared.

Odelliana was stunned. “What is… that?” she managed to articulate.

“It’s your lunch, Master,” Matthias replied.

“Why did you…?” she began, but trailed off.

“I couldn’t trust anyone,” Matthias explained. “I waited in the kitchen and brought it directly to avoid any more tricks.”

A complex mix of emotions washed over Odelliana.

“I’ve also prepared a change of clothes for you,” Matthias added, his demeanor suggesting a puppy seeking praise. He might not have had a tail, but his body language certainly implied one.

Rather than feeling happy or proud, Odelliana was filled with a growing sense of trouble. Why should he go through such lengths for her? He was already burdened with far too much responsibility.

Rational conversation was impossible with Adella; she was beyond reason. Yet, Odelliana couldn’t idly watch as Adella’s malicious actions continued to harm Matthias. The consequences would ultimately fall on him.

With a grim determination, Odelliana picked up a butter knife, ignoring Matthias’s puzzled expression. It was hardly a formidable weapon, but at this moment, it seemed like the best tool available.

Odelliana stood up, her grip tightening on the butter knife. “Can you help me?” she asked Matthias.

“Where are you going?” he inquired, his voice laced with concern.

Odelliana clutched the butter knife more firmly, her gaze hardening. 

“Let’s go do something crazy.”