If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 124
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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If he didn’t speak kindly to his wife or showed her any affection, how could the servants possibly hold her in respect? The attitude of those in higher positions naturally influences the behavior of those below them. If he hadn’t even opened his wife’s bedroom door, he likely wouldn’t have noticed her absence at all.
Teschen bit her lip.
“Are there only five maids serving the Madam?”
“Yes, Marquis. She specifically requested no more than that.”
“Shouldn’t there be one more?”
“Excuse me?”
Cain looked down and scrutinized each of the standing maids. He noticed the small maid who had always been by Agatha’s side, like her right hand, was missing.
What was her name again? Liana?
“Ah, the maid that the Madam brought with her has quit and left the estate.”
“Quit? When?”
What was this about? Cain’s expression twisted in confusion.
“So you’re telling me that while the maid suddenly quit and left, neither the head butler, Patricio nor you reported this to me?”
“We couldn’t stop a girl who suddenly said her family back home was sick and needed her. I didn’t think it was worth reporting to you that one maid was leaving. We can easily hire another maid to replace her.”
Half of that was the truth, and half was a lie. Teschen had always regarded Liana, the maid that Agatha had personally brought from her family home, as a thorn in her side. If given the chance, she would have kicked Liana out of the estate herself.
But since Agatha was so fiercely protective of her, she hadn’t done it.
Now that the thorn had voluntarily left the estate, Teschen saw no reason to stop her. She thought it was for the best and practically pushed Liana out the door with her words.
But now, she wondered if that was part of Agatha’s preparation to escape.
A sense of dread crept over her, and she felt the color drain from her face.
Knock, knock.
The sound of someone tapping on the bedroom door echoed. It was likely the butlers.
“Come in.”
At the timely sound of the knock, Teschen secretly sighed in relief. The first to face repercussions for the absence of the Marchioness would be her direct attendants, but the butlers would follow closely behind in responsibility.
The fact that not a single guard had encountered the Madam as she left her bedroom and walked out of the estate indicated a serious problem.
This meant there were red flags regarding the discipline among the estate’s servants, as well as the overall safety of the Marquis’ residence. With the butler’s arrival, she could momentarily distance herself from Cain’s wrath.
The one who entered was Havel, the head butler.
“Marquis, a message just arrived from the temple.”
“What?”
Cain, who had been deeply buried in his chair, lifted his head. A message from the temple? The unexpected news caused the attendants to blink in surprise.
“A message from the temple? Who sent it?”
“Bishop Nober.”
It was quite uncommon for a bishop to send a message directly to the estate. Such communications were typically reserved for high-ranking nobles of a certain status, usually delivered for significant events like the birth or death of an heir, to convey congratulations or condolences.
However, nothing of that nature had occurred within the Vernat family. So why was there a message? Cain’s mouth felt dry as he realized that his plan to keep the details of Agatha’s absence from leaking out was unexpectedly disrupted by the bishop’s message.
The attendants were also aware of the implications of a message from the temple. The current Vernat family was not one formed through normal succession. Naturally, the previous Marquis had not passed away, nor had the current Marchioness given birth to an heir.
Thus, the arrival of a message from the temple could only imply one thing: the impending divorce of the Marquis and Marchioness. As this thought solidified in Cain’s mind, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.
Just where had Agatha begun, or rather, when had she started preparing for their separation? At that moment, he recalled Agatha’s earlier words about giving her a divorce as a birthday gift. Could it be that she had meant it sincerely?
When Cain first discovered the documents, he thought it was just a petty prank. He dismissed it as a momentary escapade, perhaps an act of rebellion borne from the weariness of their prolonged marriage. It seemed like a playful stone thrown to create a ripple in the monotony of their lives.
He had thought that by tightening the servants’ lips and releasing the knights, he could quickly wrap up this charming little diversion. Breaking through the vigilant guards and escaping the estate was indeed commendable, but he figured she couldn’t have ventured far outside. After all, how far could a delicate woman flee?
Yet, after receiving the message from the temple, he had to reluctantly admit that Agatha was far more clever and resourceful than he had imagined. He felt a sense of shame for having once thought her silence and reticence were merely traits of a quiet personality.
Now, reflecting on those moments of silence, he felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that they had all been laying the groundwork for her departure.
