Eine leaned against the seat, heaving a deep sigh. She did not lie to Cecil. Spending the entire day wearing Estel's personality and calcuting each step exhausted her.

  Outside, the sun began its descent, casting a soft ember glow on the amorphous clouds and across the skies. Lights streamed through the antechamber's windows, bathing Eine in its warmth and rexing her body. She closed her eyes, momentarily escaping the scheming and infighting, the terrifying and unknown monsters hidden in the shadow, and the arduous path ahead. Eine knew once her eyes reopened, all her dreads and worries would return, constantly poking her mind and whispering unpleasant thoughts in her ears. However, no matter how enticing the tranquility was, Eine could not remain in the state forever. She forced herself to return to reality and rose from her seat.

  Eine ambled to the writing desk at the back of the antechamber and pulled a drawer. She traced the drawer's bottom to a secret compartment and removed a lone, small journal, pcing it on the desk's surface, then sat down and turned its pages. Written on each page were details of the book's original events, its characters, and their traits—all transcribed in her world's nguage. She scanned through the journal. Though the middle section was bnk, words again occupied the pages toward the end. She grabbed a pen, flipped to a clean sheet, and started recording the information she learned from today's interactions.

  Agnes Rossi's confession was fwed, and her words seemed to contradict her actions. Her accusation was nothing less than a death sentence for Azalea, yet she also appeared worried for the child's well-being. Why would she push Laeticia's daughter over the edge if she cared about her? Was she pressured? If so, who was her puppet master?

  Only one mistress from the Summer Manor, Isabel de Valois, pleaded for the child's life after Liviane's verdict. What was her retionship with Laeticia? Why would she risk the Duchess' wrath to protect Azalea? Isabel's suggestion of exile would save the child from execution. However, someone was scheming to eliminate the little girl. Thus, sending Laeticia's daughter away would only further endanger her, creating more opportunities for assassination attempts. Because of that reason, Eine disagreed with the mistress' proposal. Her investigation hinged on Azalea's survival—the child needed to remain in the Summer Manor as bait to lure out the culprit.

  Eine failed to notice at first. However, she recognized Tasha when the maid stepped out from behind Liviane. The original Estel had encountered Tasha several times since she was little. With high combat ability, the maid doubled as the Duchess' guard, always on standby and waiting for orders—a simple task or even to kill. She never interacted with other servants, nor did anyone dare to approach her. From Estel's memories, Eine could not recall changes in the woman's expression—a twitch in the brows or a frown from the lips. Tasha resembled a hollow doll, devoided of emotions. It was as if her entire existence was only to serve her master.

  Tasha's appearance provided Eine with an opportunity—a perfect pawn to utilize in her next step. It was the primary motivation for her to covet the maid despite angering Estel's mother. Eine exhaled and closed the journal, returning it to the drawer's secret compartment. She then departed from the writing desk and snapped her fingers, allowing the maids waiting outside to trickle in and prepare her for bed.

  Tomorrow will be another busy day.

  It was a moonless night, and Eine immediately succumbed to sleep the moment she touched the mattress. The following morning, a series of light, slow knocks awakened her. "Come in." Eine sat on the bed, wiping the crusts from her eyes.

  "Thank you, midy." The maids entered Eine's bedchamber, ready to dress her for breakfast. She stood in awkward silence, still not used to having many people tending to her hygiene after waking up. Eine's discomfort was the main reason she appointed Mariam as her only personal maid after arriving in the book's world almost a year ago. However, because of the young maid's current demotion, she had to return to Estel's previous routine.

  After breakfast, Eine tasked a servant to retrieve the head maid, then summoned the carriage back to Laeticia's former residence, accompanied by Cecil and Tasha. The Summer Manor's servants expected her visit, and many stood outside to welcome her. "Take me to the child," Eine ordered while stepping down from the carriage.

  Without her eborating, all the servants understood. "Please follow me, midy." A maid bowed.

  Eine trailed the maid up the grand staircase, veered left through the gallery, and entered a long hallway, finally stopping before a door guarded by two men. "We have arrived, Lady Estel," the maid reported.

  Eine nodded and dismissed her. The guards inclined their bodies and opened the door, allowing Eine and her servants inside. She entered the chamber and halted after only a few steps, absorbing the chaotic scene within—upturned furniture, shredded fabrics, and smeared food scattered everywhere. Her gaze panned the area and ended on the bed where Laeticia's daughter sat with ropes tying her hands and feet while a handkerchief secured her mouth. An intense resentment permeated the little girl's eyes, directed at Eine. Beside her stood the older maid, tattered and out of breath. Minor scratches filled the old woman's face and body while her dress uniform was stained and crumbled—she reminded Eine of a worn soldier emerging from the battlefield.

  "Midy." The older maid bowed, greeting Eine in a hoarse voice.

  "You may leave," Eine said. "I will reward your efforts ter."

  "Thank you, midy." The older maid sighed in relief. At st, Lady Estel freed her from watching the little devil.