If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 92
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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Breakfast and lunch.
Agatha only caught fleeting glimpses of her husband during those times. Even then, she couldn’t bring herself to speak to him. His cold and indifferent demeanor felt like a chilling wind cutting through her skin.
Another difficult month passed as she waited for him, not far away. Agatha had the feeling the tenuous relationship bound by their contract was nearing its end.
“The Marquis has gone to bed early.”
Agatha closed her book with a snap. She wondered if his earlier instruction to communicate through the butler was now an absolute order to stop any contact. Cain hadn’t responded to any of her messages, no matter how many she sent.
“….so early?”
“Yes. He seemed tired and instructed that no one disturb him, sending all the attendants out of the guesthouse.”
Patricio’s face briefly showed a smirk. He had come to the mansion four years ago with Teschen, serving as the Grand Duchess’s butler.
Now, although he acted as the Vernat butler in Havel’s absence, he was more aligned with the Norfolk Duchy than with the Bernate estate.
Agatha often wondered why Cain allowed him to oversee the mansion.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
Patricio said, retreating without waiting for her dismissal. It was a clear sign of disrespect.
Agatha didn’t reprimand him when she should have scolded his insolent behavior. She wasn’t the true mistress of the mansion, any reprimand would be meaningless.
In frustration, Liana glared daggers at Patricio’s back as he left.
With Izelle gone due to health issues, Teschen had become the highest-ranking servant. It gave the Grand Duchy’s people control over the mansion. Among them, Teschen and Patricio still acted as if they were envoys of the Grand Duchess.
They believed they had nothing to fear from a mistress without a powerful family or her husband’s favor. Though they never said it outright, their contempt and disregard were clear in their expressions and behavior.
She had endured, believing that the master’s return would bring justice to those who mistreated her. But what a bitter revelation. Cain seemed to care even less for Agatha than they did.
No, it wasn’t just a lack of interest. He appeared to be using the convenient excuse of busyness to encourage their behavior even further.
Following Patricio’s lead, the other attendants also withdrew without seeking her permission, turning their backs freely.
If her rank were a bit higher, she would have disciplined them thoroughly instead of the good hearted Miss. Liana sighed in frustration.
“It’s evening now. I’ll bring your meal, Miss.”
Liana said, trying to sound cheerful, worried that Agatha’s feelings might be hurt. But Agatha, in a barely audible voice, replied.
“There’s no need.”
It occurred to Liana that Teschen had stopped serving meals on time for quite a while. Even if tea and desserts required a direct order, not serving the main meals was unacceptable. How far had the dignity of the Marchioness fallen?
Liana wished Agatha would one day reprimand them until they realized their place.
Some of the attendants had even whispered that Agatha was a foolish noblewoman who couldn’t do anything on her own. It wasn’t that Agatha didn’t know how to reprimand them; it seemed she simply saw no reason to.
It felt as if she was preparing herself to leave this place, which filled Liana with anxiety. No, it can’t be. It’s just her imagination, Liana tried to reassure herself.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Today was the memorial day for the late Duke Kristin. The morning was more hectic than usual, with Agatha’s attendants bustling about in a flurry of activity.
The memorial was held on the late Duke’s birthday, not his death anniversary, as per Agatha’s wish when she became the head of the Kristin household. Upon taking her position, Agatha had immediately arranged for this memorial to honor the late Duke.
Today’s memorial service, the fourth one, had something different from the previous three. This time, there was an expectation that the head of the Kristin family would attend with Marquis Vernat.
“He wouldn’t really skip showing up today, would he?”
“Well, his workload is quite overwhelming…”
Although the Marquis had been away during the first memorial, preventing him from attending, there was a growing hope among the attendants that he would accompany the Lady Kristin this time.
While Agatha busied herself with preparations, Liana cast a wary glance towards the silent annex.
Despite Agatha’s orders to prepare for the memorial service regardless of whether Cain would notify them, she couldn’t believe he would truly ignore such an important occasion.
“No matter how busy he is, it doesn’t make sense for him to remain so quiet on a day like today.”
