MHHC Chapter 104

White Hands

Margaret's face grew increasingly grim as she examined Adelheid's body from various angles.

Unable to speak properly, only her lips moving wordlessly, she seemed to be cursing viciously inside.

Her loyalty to the Grand Duke apparently prevented her from saying it outright.

"What in the..."

Margaret's eyes blazed as if demanding explanation. Adelheid couldn't withstand that intense gaze and turned her head slightly.

"All my undergarments were torn... I couldn't keep wearing clothes."

"..."

"Does it show that much?"

"Are those words you should be saying right now..."

Margaret let out an exasperated breath and swept her gaze over Adelheid's entire body. Even looking again seemed to leave her speechless.

"When you're weak to begin with, and you were unconscious for days..."

Margaret's lips trembled like someone utterly betrayed.

At this rate, Valentin would be branded as a shameless scoundrel of the century in her mind. Adelheid hurriedly waved her hands and offered an excuse.

"I-it's not like he forced me or anything. I asked His Grace first."

It took tremendous courage just to say those words.

Adelheid's neck flushed bright red all the way to her nape. Margaret sighed deeply, looking at her. The gaze that said 'I'm sure you did' came as a bonus.

"Let me prepare bathwater first. Come this way."

Adelheid gathered the sheet to cover her chest and let Margaret lead her into the bathroom.

When she saw herself in the large mirror placed beside the bathtub, she was momentarily speechless.

"..."

Reddish marks bloomed profusely wherever Valentin had gripped in excitement or bitten with his teeth. Especially around her neck and collarbone...

Each time her fingertips slowly traced the bruised skin, a stinging pain she hadn't noticed before rose up.

'So that's why he couldn't meet my eyes properly and attended to me.'

Considering the grip strength that had crumpled iron... it was a miracle nothing was broken.

Soon maids entered carrying steaming water and filled the bathtub to the brim.

The maids' attitudes remained respectfully deferential as toward nobility, and Margaret commanded them with her fingertips as if it were natural.

Adelheid sidled up beside Margaret and asked cautiously.

"Is it all right to order the palace maids around like this? Currently I'm a criminal undergoing trial..."

Margaret shook her head and answered firmly.

"The words 'criminal' aren't accurate since the final verdict hasn't been reached yet. Moreover, His Grace repeatedly instructed us not to neglect serving Your Grace no matter what happens."

"..."

"Your Grace is the mistress of Ansgar. And whatever 'power' you used... I believe a power that saves lives can't be so wicked."

Margaret looked straight into Adelheid's eyes and enunciated each word carefully.

"Margaret..."

Those words brought immeasurable comfort. Perhaps because she now knew what someone's small faith could accomplish.

Immersed in the emotion the words gave, Adelheid suddenly had a thought.

"Then... does that mean I still have no restrictions on my actions?"

"As far as I know, it's possible as long as you share your destination with the inspector in advance and travel with the imperial knights. Of course, our knights will also be attached as Your Grace's escort."

Adelheid pondered thoughtfully, then raised her head sharply.

"Then could you convey a message to the inspector now? I'd like to visit the palace archives and the Grand Cathedral briefly."

"The Grand Cathedral and palace archives?"

"There's something I want to look into. I know all the trial records are stored there. Examining them would be very helpful."

"That much should be entirely possible."

Adelheid walked to the table and wrote her outing schedule on parchment, handing it to Margaret.

"Do I need any other proof of identity?"

"Let's send Sir Donovan as messenger. He's been insisting he'll do anything, saying it's his fault Your Grace's safety was compromised."

"Um... excuse me for interrupting your conversation, but the bathwater will cool..."

One of the maids cautiously raised her voice while shrinking into herself.

She knew she needed to move quickly, but the temptation to immerse her fatigue-soaked body in warm water was difficult to shake off.

Margaret offered a suggestion as if reading her hesitation.

"Soak for a bit first. It'll take time for the inspector's permission to come through anyway."

"Is that all right?"

"Of course."

Adelheid released the sheet she'd been clutching to her chest and slid into the water-filled bathtub.

"Ah..."

As water touched where Valentin's lips had been, stinging pain arose.

She carefully traced the swollen skin with her fingertips. A maid who'd approached asked with a timid face.

"How's the water temperature?"

"Very nice. Thank you."

Adelheid answered gently, but at those words the maids' expressions hardened even paler.

Apparently rumors that the Grand Duchess of Ansgar was a demonic creature had already spread thickly.

"I don't need help bathing. I'll do it myself."

"Y-you will?"

The maids competed to thrust the sponge and soap at her and quickly fled the room.

Margaret looked displeased, but for Adelheid, facing trembling maids was more uncomfortable.

'I used to do this alone every day before anyway.'

She carefully scrubbed her shoulders and arms with the soft sponge.

She thoroughly soaped her hair until it lathered well, then rinsed it clean until it squeaked.

Adelheid spent sufficient time until the water cooled completely, then rose from the bathtub. After drying herself with a towel, Margaret approached holding a small bowl of medicine.

"This is medicine to fade bruises on your skin. Try it. I'll apply it where you can't reach."

Adelheid carefully spread the medicine Margaret handed her over each bruised mark.

As soon as she applied it, a tingling, cooling sensation struck, and she could feel even the light bruises quickly fading. It was very effective.

'From the smell, it seems like Otilla herb. I think I glimpsed it in an herbal medicine book—so it's used in ointments like this too.'

Adelheid momentarily forgot the situation and examined the ointment with curious eyes.

By the time the medicine applied to her body dried, Margaret brought an ivory dress and helped her into it.

"How should I do your hair?"

"Any way is..."

She'd almost answered out of habit that 'any way is fine,' but bit her lip slightly.

She'd remembered Valentin's instruction to find what she liked and disliked.

'Though it's a leisurely concern for such a time, wouldn't it be good to try new things little by little from now on?'

Adelheid hesitated, then asked honestly.

"I don't really know hairstyles. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Then how about braiding just the side hair lightly and letting the rest hang down? If we do an updo, your neck will show too much today."

Just as Margaret held the brush and was carefully measuring through the mirror, a commotion sounded from outside. Adelheid and Margaret's eyes met through the mirror and widened simultaneously.

"..."

It was the sound of an argument in the corridor.

"What commotion could this be—"

Margaret was about to grumble. Then suddenly, all sound ceased. Adelheid's eyes trembled slightly with anxiety.

"...The sound stopped. Right outside our door."

Margaret looked anxious as well, then forced a smile at Adelheid's expression.

"Maybe some rascal is playing tricks."

"Is that really it? What if something happened outside?"

"...For now, Your Grace, please stay still. I'll go see what's happening."

Was it because she'd only recently awakened from the dream? Betitha and Nadia overlapped with that face. Adelheid grasped Margaret's hand tightly with an anxious face.

"Be careful, Margaret."

Margaret nodded and rose from her seat with a resolute face.

In a normal situation, she would have dismissed it as merely someone's prank.

But now, the Grand Cathedral's knights might have attacked, targeting Valentin's absence.

"I can't stand this. I'm coming with you."

Unable to overcome her anxiety, Adelheid followed Margaret out to the reception room.

Margaret pressed her finger to her lips, then frowned and gestured for Adelheid to stand back.

"Your Grace, please hide yourself."

"But..."

"If something happens to Your Grace's safety, His Grace might be put in a difficult position too. Hurry."

Once she even brought up Valentin, there was no way to hold out.

Adelheid stepped back several more paces and watched Margaret open the door.

Margaret poked only her head out and examined the corridor. Adelheid asked anxiously.

"What do you see?"

"It's too dark, nothing..."

For an instant she thought she saw a faint light beyond the door crack.

It was then that Margaret's eyes swelled wide, startled by something.

"G-good heavens..."

The old woman's lips turned deathly pale as she gasped.

Her jaw trembling, her body unnaturally stiffening—it was visible to the naked eye.

The very next moment, Margaret's body slowly toppled sideways.

As she collapsed toward the side table, Adelheid ran forward and barely blocked it with her own body.

"Margaret?"

The old head maid seemed pitifully frozen with eyes wide open.

Adelheid hurriedly brought her fingertips beneath Margaret's nose. Fortunately, faint breath could be felt regularly.

'She fainted. In an instant.'

The relief lasted only a moment.

'What did she see?'

Creeeak.

The instant that thought reached her, the door opened with a grating hinge sound.