Chapter 7: The Villainess Plays Her Brother Like a Fiddle

At Claudia’s reply, Virgil lightly furrowed his brows.

According to their mother’s teachings, there was no need to grow close to the servants.

Maintaining an appropriate distance as a master was understandable, but Claudia believed that building trust was equally important.

At the brothel, she had gathered detailed information about customers even from the servants.

At times, their ideas had saved her.

In this second life, Claudia decided to refine her mother’s teachings in her own way.

Above all, many of the maids working in the ducal house were daughters of lower-ranking nobles.

Especially the younger ones, who served as part of their training, later seeking employment or marriage with letters of recommendation from the ducal house.

There was no reason not to make use of them to gather information about Helen.

“Martha does not look pleased about it.
But the ones who spend the most time with me are the maids.”

By implying that when Virgil was absent, the maids filled her loneliness, he could not press the matter further.

Now sixteen, Virgil had begun attending the academy that year and only returned home in the evening.

Though he had promised to stay by her side, the time they spent together had not increased by much.

His guilt was stirred, just as Claudia had anticipated, and he could not deny her actions.

But that was not the most important point.

‘If you think about it, Martha’s relationship with the older maids of the ducal house is somewhat delicate.’

Martha had been brought from their mother’s family and made head maid of the ducal house.

To those who had long served the ducal family, she was a newcomer who had suddenly become their superior.

Of course it would not sit well with them.

Claudia had once believed Martha was dismissed solely at her father’s whim, but perhaps there had been pressure from other servants behind the scenes.

‘If only Martha were better at maneuvering socially, but she does not seem suited for that.’

Much like her mother, Martha was simply strict.

As a result, Claudia had no choice but to extend a helping hand without making it obvious.

The improving atmosphere within the estate was largely due to Claudia’s efforts to ease the servants’ dissatisfaction.

‘If the next duke acknowledges their work, their resentment will surely subside.’

That was why Claudia expressed her gratitude not directly to the servants, but to Virgil in their presence.

And she did not forget to lift Virgil’s spirits afterward.

“Thanks to them, I have had the leisure to reflect on many things.
It was because of their inspiration that I wished to learn embroidery.
Oh, if I embroider a handkerchief, would you accept it, Brother?”

In truth, she had already learned embroidery at the brothel and was confident in her skill, which was why she chose to take it up again.

“For me?
Of course, I would gladly accept it.”

“Yay!
I will do my best!
If you have the handkerchief with you, you will think of me at the academy, won’t you?”

“Even without a handkerchief, I always think of you.
But I shall look forward to it.
In return, I will give you something as well, Dee.”

When asked what she wanted, she replied that anything he chose would please her, yet she gently hinted that she would be happiest if it were something she could use daily.

Having his sister seek a connection with him so openly, Virgil was in high spirits as they enjoyed their tea.

At that moment, the butler appeared, unusually flustered.

“What is it?”

“The master has returned.”

There was only one person in the estate referred to as “the master.”

‘He usually settles matters through written reports from the butler.
What could he possibly want?’

Even after their mother’s funeral, their father had seldom set foot in the estate.

At the sudden news of his return, Claudia and Virgil exchanged glances.

“For now, let us greet him.”

“Indeed.
How soon will he arrive?”

As she listened to the exchange between Virgil and the butler, Claudia tilted her head.

‘The mourning period is not yet over, so he cannot be bringing the mistress and Fermina…’

Virgil seemed equally at a loss, and without arriving at an answer, the two of them rose from their seats.