Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 100
Cecilia vehemently shook her head.
‘No, it can’t be. She died in childbirth. The doctor diagnosed it. With the midwife and her eldest daughter present, they couldn’t have fabricated an illness.‘
Even if Caroline was vexing to her, she wouldn’t have overlooked her own mother’s death.
‘Yeah… it’s all baseless worries.‘
Maybe she was just sensitive because too many unexpected things had been happening recently.
The death of the former countess.
The evident illness.
The wedding dress in Lilith’s closet, which must have been in the same place in the previous life too.
Adam and Bernarda’s marriage.
“…”
Louise Cléon’s intentions.
“…”
Cecilia bit her lip habitually. Her throat was dry. She hastily grabbed a cold teacup and took the first sip of the tea.
“…?”
The confusing thoughts in her head cleared up. It was that shocking.
‘This black tea…’
Cecilia put down the cup and furrowed her brows.
“What’s wrong?”
Mary asked as she had been eagerly eating her dessert.
“Mmh…”
Cecilia handed the tea to Mary.
“Want to try?”
“Yes? Sure, thank you!”
Mary, whose throat was parched, quickly accepted the tea.
And then, at that moment.
“Ack! Ptooey, ptooey!”
She turned her head to the side and pretended to spit.
“What is this? It’s just a lump of salt!”
“Is it?”
“Yes. Is this your taste or…”
“….”
“Haha, I guess not.”
Mary scratched her head. Then, realizing the situation a bit late, her face gradually reddened.
“Who could have done such a terrible thing…!”
The impulsive Mary, with crumbs around her mouth, suddenly stood up.
“Where’s the chef? I need to confront him right now.”
“Why would the chef make the tea…”
Does she not know what he does every day?
Mary did not prepare the afternoon tea today because she accompanied Cecilia to the boutique that afternoon.
Another maid must have made the tea.
“I don’t know who it was, but they need a talking-to!”
“Why don’t you know…”
Did she forget the face of the person who just brought out the dessert?
Mary laughed awkwardly.
“I was distracted for a moment…”
“It’s fine. I knew this would happen eventually.”
“What…?”
“It’s about time for some rage to build up.”
So, the one who did this childish act is probably…
‘Margaret.’
Even if Caroline lacked experience, it’s not to this extent. This was exactly the kind of prank children would pull.
‘Is holding grudges hereditary…?’
It was a comment that included herself.
“Just leave it.”
“What? But…”
“It’s fine. It’s not like salt is poison. Taking one sip won’t cause any harm.”
“Poison? That’s a grim thing to say.”
“It actually happened recently, right? The case Hannah Linfitt orchestrated.”
“Ah, that crazy woman?”
Mary scoffed as she recalled Hannah Linfitt.
“Don’t even mention the name of such a vile person. It’ll just dirty your mouth, Miss.”
“My mouth is very clean right now. I just disinfected it thoroughly.”
“She sounds crazy…! After all I’ve done for her, for her to do this to me…!”
“Would you calm down if I ask nicely?”
“…”
“Thank you. It’s nice and quiet now.”
Cecilia sighed with a hint of amusement and threw the tea out the window.
That takes care of the evidence.
Taking Mary with her wasn’t completely without fault on her part either. The sense of loss from losing someone close at a young age is indescribable.
Just in case, she opened the teapot lid and found it full of settled salt.
‘What kind of nursery maid allows herself to be manipulated by a child?’
Her clumsy actions would most definitely lead her to being caught. There were too many witnesses; there’s no escape.
‘This is really… too clumsy to even cover up.’
Cecilia ordered Mary to rinse the salt out of the teapot and bring it over.
“Miss, will you overlook this?”
“Mm-hmm.”
You still don’t know who the real culprit is.
Cecilia smiled lightly.
“Karma should be carried out in moderation.”
If you can’t even endure this much, you’re no better than a thief.
“Rebutting blindly only increases enemies.”
Compared to Guinevere or Bernarda, this was nothing but cute and childish.
Cecilia, uncharacteristically unfazed by the trickery, got up with a refreshed face.
“Where are you going, Miss?”
Mary, who was clearing the dishes, asked.
“The hallway.”
“The hallway?”
“Yes.”
What could she be planning to do in the hallway?
‘Um… better not to ask.’
Mary decided not to care anymore.
Trying to follow her master’s thoughts would only split her in two. It’s easier to just accept things as they are.
