'The Madam couldn't have done anything wrong...'
It seemed the Madam's family had made unreasonable demands, and that must have been the root of the problem.
Bill never believed that Rose would harm Dane or go against his wishes.
That was how much Rose had proven herself as the perfect lady of Schmaichel during the time he had observed her.
'She never once said a harsh word.'
Rose blended in naturally as if she had always been a part of this place, without encroaching on the roles of the existing retainers.
She rarely used her personal allowance. The dresses and jewelry Rose owned had all been gifted by the master.
The only area that incurred expenses was the laboratory, and even then Dane would tell her to buy whatever she needed, providing the budget generously.
Rumors that the Madam's Magical Device had revolutionized the Kalmar Mine had spread prolifically, even reaching here.
'Thanks to the Madam, the atmosphere among the servants has improved as well...'
Perhaps inspired by the master couple's affectionate relationship, more and more of the staff were secretly starting romances.
Romance within the castle wasn't specifically forbidden, and as long as it didn't interfere with work, it was actively encouraged.
After all, there was nothing better than servants marrying, having children, and settling down here.
'Even Fabri was completely smitten with the Madam.'
Rose was the first lady of the house who had never criticized Fabri's monster cuisine. Thanks to her, Fabri's monster cuisine was growing more diverse by the day.
Moreover, with the master couple dining together every evening, the dining hall brimmed with vitality. The dining hall attendants walked with more pride than before.
'You figure out a way to get the two of them to eat together again, and quickly!'
Before Bill came here, the image of Fabri fretting and urging him on was still vivid in his mind.
'Joel was also doing well.'
The previous wives would pretend to be ill to somehow draw Dane's attention.
Because of that, Joel had to take the pulses of perfectly healthy wives and, unable to withstand their pestering, prescribe medicine for them.
Some wives even demanded love potions or aphrodisiacs. Since Rose's arrival, such embarrassing situations had disappeared.
Although the poisonous herbs Rose had purchased in the past had been a concern, upon Joel's careful examination, they didn't appear to be intended for His Excellency's body.
'It would be best if someone like her stayed as long as possible.'
Even Joel had said as much before Bill came to the office.
'Selma was full of praise as well...'
Rose never lost her authority when dealing with the maids, yet she never threw unnecessary tantrums either. She entrusted Selma with managing the storage keys and household affairs, showing proper respect for Selma's position.
Thanks to that, to Selma and the other maids, Rose was an easy-to-serve mistress and a precious master they wanted to protect.
"Dear, when you go today, you must absolutely take His Excellency's side."
"Hm? Not the Madam's side?"
"Go and take his side as if you're about to criticize and drive the Madam out. If you get angrier than His Excellency, he'll probably calm down and think, 'Well, it's not that bad.'"
"Oh, that's a good idea... wait, then won't I be the one driven out instead of the Madam?"
"But the Madam will speak up for you."
"...Dear?"
Bill recalled Selma's questionable advice once more and steeled his resolve.
'But if this brings about their reconciliation...'
This old butler would sacrifice his very body for their reconciliation...! And he would restore peace to Schmaichel!
Bill clenched his fists with that resolution.
"Your Excellency, I beg your pardon, but I can hold my tongue no longer and must speak my mind."
Rose flinched and looked at Bill.
A swift motion.
Dane also turned from the window and began fixing his gaze on Bill.
"From the moment the Madam first set foot in this castle, there were countless things that struck me as suspicious. I should have realized it from the start when she arrived carrying nothing but a single shabby, worn-out bag—not even a proper dowry. Was that tasteless modesty, devoid of any dignity, actually a facade to deceive Schmaichel?"
"...?"
A question rose across Rose's face.
The look that seemed to say, "How could a butler say such things to me?" made Bill's chest ache as if it were being torn apart.
'Madam, I'm sorry.'
Bill clenched his jaw, tearing his gaze from Rose and shifting it to Dane.
"The Madam's notorious reputation in social circles... at first, I thought it was mere rumor. But seeing this arrogant attitude of hers, defying Your Excellency, the rumors were entirely accurate. Moreover, despite her noble status, she dines on head chef Fabri's dubious monster cuisine, meddles in the affairs of lowly miners, and fabricates Magical Devices—her dignity as the lady of the house has already hit rock bottom!"
"……."
Dane raised an eyebrow. His face was gradually twisting into something menacing.
'Have you lost your mind?'
That was what his expression said.
...Frankly, it was terrifying. Even if he drew his sword and came at him right now, Bill would have nothing to say.
But there was hope that His Excellency would soon take the Madam's side.
Recalling Selma's advice, Bill played his final card.
"Your Excellency! I can no longer stand by and watch discord tear through this household. I entreat you to cast the Madam out of the castle this instant and decree that she never set foot in Schmaichel again!"
Having finished his speech, Bill gasped for breath and watched for Dane's reaction.
'Please, someone stop me!'
He screamed that desperate cry inwardly.
That was when it happened.
"...Bill."
Rose, who had been watching Bill with a bewildered expression, opened her mouth.
"Did Selma put you up to this?"
"Gasp, how did you kn— *cough*. Ahem, hrmph!"
Bill broke into a violent fit of coughing.
*Cough, cough.*
Watching him cough with his face turning beet red, Dane let out a sigh.
"...It seems you played your part too well."
"Pardon? *Cough*, acting, *hack*, what?"
Toward Bill, who couldn't finish his sentence,
A swift motion.
Rose extended a glass of water. As if to tell him to drink some cold water and gather his wits.
"...Thank, *cough*, you."
Bill received the glass of water with an awestruck expression and gulped it down.
He had expected her to be angry at his words, but Rose's smiling face was entirely composed. It was an attitude that perfectly covered for Bill's rudeness and disgraceful behavior.
It was astonishing how she had become so adept at hiding her true feelings.
'As expected, there is no one better than the Madam to be the lady of Schmaichel.'
Bill drained the glass completely and renewed his resolve. Since he'd already been caught, he decided to press forward with brazen audacity.
"Your Excellency, please forget what I just said. The truth is—"
*Clack!*
As if he had no intention of hearing any more of Bill's words, Dane tossed something onto the desk.
"Read it."
"……."
Bill absolutely did not want to check those documents. They had to be divorce papers sending Rose back to the Vikander family.
As he hesitated, unable to bring himself to reach out,
"Bill."
Dane's sharp gaze shot out like an arrow.
"...Yes, Your Excellency."
Bill had no choice but to grudgingly snatch up the documents.
The thought that he would have to help with their divorce proceedings would tear the old butler's fragile heart into a thousand pieces.
Even if another new wife were to come, he couldn't bring himself to truly serve her in earnest.
"*Sob*..."
Bill's hands trembled as he unfolded the documents.
The next moment,
"...Hmm?"
Bill's eyes went wide.
"What... is this..."
Bill lost his words for a moment and focused solely on reading the documents.
He flinched and snapped his head up, glanced at the candle and other objects placed beside the documents, then looked back at the documents.
"...Your Excellency."
After reviewing all the documents, Bill's expression turned grave.
"Unless there's something wrong with my eyesight, these documents..."
"That is correct."
Dane crossed his arms and gazed at Bill.
Before these pieces of evidence that revealed a long-time retainer's betrayal, Dane's face was as cold as the grim reaper's.
"Joel has been on Henrik's side for a long time."
"How... no, why..."
Bill stammered, unable to believe it.
There was no reason for Joel to...
"His daughter is being held by Henrik."
"Joel is unmarried. I was under the impression he wasn't involved with any woman."
"That's what we all thought. Every one of us."
Dane's voice carried absolute certainty. Bill realized that his master had noticed Joel's betrayal long ago.
In that instant, before shock and horror could set in, a different emotion struck Bill in the pit of his stomach first.
"...I apologize, Your Excellency."
Bill hastily threw himself to the floor, prostrating full-body.
"I should have noticed before Your Excellency did... I truly have no words. I beg your forgiveness."
The mistake of letting his guard down, trusting in Joel as a long-serving retainer of Schmaichel, cut deep. His vision swam as if the floor were shaking beneath him.
"Please, take my life, Your Excellency."
What pulled the trembling, prostrate Bill to his feet was,
"Stand up, Bill."
Rose's calm voice.
"You have much to do. Repay this with loyalty, not death."
"...Madam."
Bill rose hesitantly and studied Rose's face. Her coldly settled expression was so stern he could have mistaken her for Dane.
"Bill."
Bill turned his head toward Dane.
The fact that Dane said nothing in response to Rose's words just now meant Dane and Rose shared the same intention.
"From this point on, what my wife and I say must not pass beyond the threshold of this room. Even if it be the head maid or the head chef."
"...Yes, Your Excellency."
"The court physician—I'm sure you understand without me saying."
"Of course."
Bill swallowed hard and waited for Dane's next words.
"We're going to put on an act. As if my wife and I have grown to hate each other and separated."
At the same time Bill's eyes widened,
*Click.*
Rose took a step closer to Dane's side. The sound of her dress hem brushing the floor rang out particularly sharp.
"It's bait to hook Joel, and Henrik, who's hiding behind him."
Rose leaned against Dane and affectionately linked arms with him.
"You'll help us. Make sure we deceive everyone."
In contrast to her gentle voice and soft gestures,
"Can you do it?"
Rose's gaze toward Bill was sharp as a blade. As if she would cut him down if he refused.
"……."
Bill's body began to tremble finely.
It wasn't because he was startled by Rose's unfamiliar demeanor. It was trembling born of awe, admiration, and deep reverence.
'She has truly become the lady of Schmaichel.'
Rose standing beside Dane looked so natural. As if she had been there from the very beginning.
The fact that there was a secret between the two that even Bill hadn't known was not a problem.
Feeling his heart race with joy, Bill slowly rose to his feet.
"I shall give my utmost, upon my name, Madam."
And he bowed deeply to his new master.
A swift motion.
Dane reached out and pulled Rose into an embrace.
Not a single glance or touch suggested they were a separated couple. They were simply warm and affectionate.
"Thanks to my wife's efforts, Joel's poison has been nearly neutralized. Joel, unaware of that fact, is waiting for my birthday."
"He plans to pin the poisoning on me once Your Excellency collapses."
Bill shuddered at Rose's following words.
"It's because once your birthday passes, Your Excellency will become the sole master. And to frame the Madam for it... what a vile scheme."