The Nanny of House Herzen - Chapter 24
“Yes, the master has made it clear. He said to send her in four days, so let the nanny know by tomorrow.”
At the mention of ‘nanny,’ Evelyn stopped in her tracks as the head maid continued.
“So soon, this week? Sending the little one to the far Akarna Monastery…”
Evelyn’s feet sprang into action.
The Akarna Monastery, a place her stepmother always threatened her with when she was being particularly cruel. She had been told that once there, women’s hair was cut short, right above the ears, and they had to wear the same uniform and live out their lives among other similarly dressed girls.
Adults there, the smartest ones, might become governesses in someone’s house, while the rest had to work in dye workshops until they died to repay their upbringing.
Had he decided to dump the unexpectedly surviving daughter at the monastery? She was still…in need of care.
Evelyn left hastily. As she hurried up the stairs towards Johanson, her gaze fell on the empty corridor.
The scary door at the end
On impulse, she wanted to open that door. She wanted to truly understand the depths of the Duke’s intention to abandon the child.
With uncertain steps, she walked slowly down the corridor. She dared to open the room that had been off-limits, a room valued more than some people’s lives.
Even then, she had hoped.
The animals she had glimpsed through the crack of the door last time were horrific enough. They were robbed of life and displayed. It was a sin worthy of hell… She had hoped that was all there was.
Was her hope too great?
“Ugh…”
Evelyn collapsed to her knees as tears streamed down uncontrollably.
Against the tightly curtained windows stood rows of glass jars filled with a yellowish liquid.
Locked inside were indistinguishable masses… hideous, grotesque shapes she wished she didn’t understand.
But she couldn’t know. Raised in nobility… she was taught too much useless knowledge.
Those were human organs.
Evelyn ran from the room and vomited in the hallway. As she did, any last remnants of affection for the Duke drained away with her sickness.
* * *
Pale with fear, Evelyn returned to the nursery where Johanson, oblivious to everything, was happily sucking on her fingers.
In haste, Evelyn rummaged through the drawers. Compared to when she came with a rag and empty handed, she now had at least some money.
She had never really checked her salary before, but the head maid often mentioned that the Duke was generous. Peeking into the pouch where she’d loosely stored coins confirmed it.
Yes, he was generous when it came to money. There was only about five months’ wages inside, but it seemed enough to sustain her and the baby for half a year.
She couldn’t leave with the baby empty-handed. Evelyn packed only the essentials for Johanson. It was minimal enough to carry on her back.
Fortunately, it was still autumn.
After feeding Johanson, she dressed her in as many layers as possible. The baby fussed at the discomfort, so she left the window wide open.
She thought about eating something before leaving, but the sight she had witnessed earlier still made her stomach churn.
She considered taking off her dress but decided against it as there were no suitable clothes to change into. After all, it was said to be clothes kept by the former Duchess for the nanny.
Thankfully, no one came to the room while she was busy preparing.
As night fell and darkness enveloped everything, Evelyn used a thin blanket to securely tie the sleeping baby to her shoulder.
“Don’t cry, Johanson. It’s just for a little while… you need to be quiet.”
Johanson was deeply asleep, not stirring at all.
Evelyn slowly pushed the door open. Light seeped from the Duke’s room across the hall.
She hoped hundreds of times that he had already forgotten about them and wouldn’t care whether they left or not.
She quietly descended the stairs.
The mansion was always silent at night. The usual stillness was a relief.
* * *
At the top-floor of the mansion, across Evelyn’s room was the Duke’s chamber.
Carius stood by the window, arms crossed with a somber expression.
Soon, the shadow on the wall flickered slightly before daringly pushing the gate open.
Did she think she could leave just as freely as she entered? Behind him, the steward fidgeted uncomfortably as Carius sneered softly.
“Bring her back.”
His command was icy as ever. The guards stationed at the door moved silently and swiftly.
5. Carius Demik Herzen
Carius Demik Herzen.
Born into the kingdom’s most prestigious noble family, he was a man of honor, bestowed with a name given by the king himself. In his youth, Carius received such praise.
However, the inner workings of a great noble family are unknown to the masses.
Carius was unhappy from birth.
His father never loved his mother, not even a speck. He had children only for the sake of succession, but the siblings born after Carius all died in their infancy.
Then, his father went out and fathered several half-siblings.
Carius had actually met a few of them. They had come to the Herzen mansion, attempting to prove their relationship.
