Chapter 12: 12

“Sorry, I don’t have much of an appetite.” 

 

“You’ll get sick if you keep this up. Anyways, you should wash up before we get ready for breakfast,” Suzanne spoke, clutching her hand stubbornly. 

 

Madenna was forced to get up and walk as her reflection on the hanging mirror on the wall followed her.

 

She was donning a black dress, her hair was tangled, and her eyes were hollow.

It would be a delightful view for her enemies.

 

‘That’s right.’ 

 

It had only been a month since Madenna’s mother, Luciola, had died. 

 

Still unable to fully overcome the pain of losing her mother, whom she had admired and loved, she shut herself inside the mansion while mourning the loss. 

 

Suzanne was the only one who took care of Madenna, who slept all day long as her way to cope with the painful reality. 

 

All the maids, who had originally looked after Madenna and had good relationships with her, had stopped working because of various reasons. Some were caught in acts of thievery, while others had some mishap befall them. 

 

Now that her mother had passed away, Suzanne was the only one who could take care of Madenna. 

 

The breakfast was laid in the sunlight-filled drawing-room. Some of the dishes were already served on the table.

 

Madenna sat down on the chair Suzanne had pulled out for her, and soon the servant came out with egg and juice. 

 

When Suzanne saw Madenna simply stabbing her food with a fork, she spoke in a soft voice, “You must regain your composure, Countess. You are now the head of the Rodenherg family.” 

 

“…yes.” 

“Do you want to go shopping with me today? We can take off your mourning clothes and put on a pretty dress!” 

 

It was a rather presumptuous remark. However, Madenna thought she said that out of concern. 

 

“We kept getting letters of invitation to nobles’ parties. What are you going to do, Countess? Will you refuse them all?” 

 

“Yes, please do…” 

 

“If only I could attend, I’d act as your substitute. It’s such a shame that I’m not qualified yet.” 

 

After listening to Suzanne, Madenna suddenly realized, “Ah…right. I’ve been preparing your debutante ball for a couple of years, but I’ve been distracted by my mother’s funeral.” 

 

“Of course, it’s understandable.” 

 

“Anne, I’m sorry. You must have expected a lot. You must be disappointed.” 

 

“You’re welcome. Never mind me, Countess, you need to take care of your health first,” Suzanne said Hearing her selfless decision, Madenna felt even more guilty. 

 

It was true that she was heartbroken by her mother’s death, but that didn’t mean she could neglect Suzanne. 

 

“No. It’s already been a month. I need to get a grip,” Madenna shook her head as she leaned against the chair.

 

“First of all, I’ll have to change my clothes. After that, let’s go out to the boutiques.” 

 

“Thank you, Countess.” 

 

“Let’s buy the most beautiful and expensive dress. Suzanne, you have to look better than anyone else.”

 

“Thank you for your words, but I’m sure everyone will point fingers at me if I wear fancier clothes than the Countess.” 

 

“You don’t have to mind what others say. I’d be happier if you wore the dress instead of me. It looks more beautiful on you.” 

 

“Not really, Countess also has a great figure. But Countess has bright hair, and so a neutral color would be better. How about a navy or brown dress?” 

 

“Yes, let’s do that.” 

They were rather monotone colors for Madenna, who was not old yet. However, she didn’t question Suzanne’s decision. Because it was deeply rooted in her mind that she had to be the wallflower to make Suzanne stand out. 

 

“We have to sort out parties that we are going to attend. You have a lot to do. I’m sorry to trouble you, Suzanne.” 

 

“No, it is only natural since sister has been grieving-” Suzanne’s words halt as she covered her mouth.

 

“Oh, my God,” Suzanne gasped in horror, her face paled with fear. It was a rude title for her to call Madenna, the countess, her sister.

 

“I’m sorry, Countess. I always think of you as my sister, so I let it slip out by mistake.” 

 

“No. It may not be good for you to call me your sister in front of others, but you can call me that when we’re in private. I also think of you as my sister.” 

 

“Sister…”

 

“My mother has passed away, and you’re like a family to me. I will rely on you a lot in the future.” 

 

“Me too, sister!”

 

Close people around her gradually disappeared, her mother passed away, and Madenna became increasingly isolated without being aware of it. Susan’s words about regarding her as family were bound to make her joyful. 

‘…Yes, I only have Susan.’

 

It was pathetic and unstable trust.

 

But for Madenna at that time, there was no way to know the truth.

 

***

“…heuk!”

 

Madenna eyes widened, and her body was trembling as she breathed hard. Her whole body was perspiring with cold sweat.

 

“It was only a dream…”

 

She wrapped her arm around her body. The room was not cold, but chills ran all over her.

 

The dream led to the unanimous reaffirmation of her previous foolishness.

 

The fact wasn’t very pleasant.

 

Her dream felt very peaceful. However, now it was a nightmare for Madenna.

 

Her ignorant past self who was unaware of what’s going on behind her back. Her mother’s death. People who she held dear disappeared in a flash. In the end, even her life became the payment.

 

Madonna’s finger fumbled unconsciously around her neck. Relief washed over her as she realized she was still alive. 

 

‘…it’s all right, calm down. Nothing has happened yet,’ Madenna muttered to herself as she soothed her anxious heart. Donned in pajamas, she slowly rose from her bed and quietly headed towards a study room by her bedroom.

 

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When she opened the study desk’s drawer, a green envelope peeked from underneath it.

 

There was a black wing emblem on the outside of the envelope. It was a symbol of the Stained Raven.

 

The envelope contained a regular report of Susan’s life.

 

「Nothing special about the target. Please refer below for the details.」

 

Written in the report were the details of how Susan had been doing lately. 

 

Susan’s condition, her trip, and the people she met with were written intricately; however, there was no other notable point.

 

She re-read the content that she had checked yesterday, and the nightmare was the result of her action.

 

After calming down, her thoughts went cold again.

 

It might seem okay, but Madenna didn’t believe the “silence” that was reported in the letter.

 

Susan was quick-witted and cautious. She was behaving well now, but no one knew when and how she would reveal her claws.

 

Things would be different even if Madenna was from  the future since she had decided not to sponsor Suzanne. Starting from then , everything had changed course.

 

Madenna wasn’t confident in her knowledge regarding the future.

 

‘…but it’s okay.’

 

Madenna tapped lightly on her cheek and laid the letter back on its original position.

 

“Today’s the day I’m going to sign a blood contract. I guess that’s the reason I’m on edge.”

 

Now Susan wasn’t in her life.

 

Farren had replaced her. A person who Madenna found reliable.

 

Along with Farren, Madenna was determined to create a future of her own.

 

***

When Madenna was ready, she headed downstairs towards the entrance hall.

Farren, who had finished his preparations, waited for her calmly.

 

He was dressed in silver clothing, just as Madenna had instructed the maids.

The indigo coat made his features more attractive even despite his young age.

 

While in contrast, Madenna wore a dark navy dress embroidered with silver thread, and adorned with silver accessories.

 

There was no such rule that they had to wear similar clothing as they signed the contract, but it made the event feel more formal.

 

Farren came running towards Madenna with a broad smile when he saw her coming down the spiral staircase.

 

“Good morning, Countess.”

 

“Good morning.”

 

“You look beautiful today as well.”

 

He had praised her with pure admiration, but Madenna’s reaction was blunt.

 

“You don’t have to praise me. You look amazing today.”

 

“…I’m telling you the truth.”

 

“…Are you…”

 

“Yes.”

 

Farren started sulking when he saw her stony reaction.

Although when Madenna reached out her hand, his hand did immediately settle in her hold.

 

“Miss always wears dark clothes. Do you like their color?”

 

“Well, rather than like… it’s because I don’t look good in bright colors.”

 

“What?”

 

Farren blinked as if he had heard something unexpected.

 

“I don’t think so at all. Of course, your dark clothes give off a mature feeling. They also look good on you, but I’d love to see Miss wearing a bright and colorful dress.”

 

Madenna was stunned. Wearing clothing of dark colors was her habit.

 

‘Since when did it happen…?’

 

Before sponsoring Susan, she would wear bright and light-colored dresses.

 

But after sponsoring her, at some point, Madenna’s choice of clothing slowly changed to those of darker colors. 

 

Of course, their material and design would be of the highest quality and made by first-class craftsmen, but all of them would have a dark tone.

 

‘When I went shopping with Susan, she would always suggest dark colors.’ 

 

Madenna didn’t make any objection nor another choice because she thought she looked best in dark colors.

 

Slowly, without her realizing, it became part of her habits to wear such clothing.

 

On the other hand, it felt awkward and unusual for her to wear bright clothes now.

 

“Well, the last time I wore a bright dress was a long time ago, so I’m afraid it’ll look awkward on me.”

 

“It won’t be awkward at all. It’ll look good on you. Let’s try new colors and designs next time we go shopping, alright?”

 

Madenna nodded at Farren’s persistent request.

 

He had a proud expression as if he had done a great job.

 

“Now, let’s stop chatting. We should get going. It’s better for us to arrive at the temple before the appointed time.”

 

“Yes, Countess.”

She walked out of the porch, holding Farren’s hand as if by doing so, she could reverse what Suzanne had done to her.

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