MPBAGS Chapter 108

"Marchioness Totten, we have arrived safely."

Kinder's carriage arrived at the Totten marquessate. Kinder expressed her gratitude to the knights who had escorted her to the marquessate. Though it was late at night and she should have properly entertained them, Kinder was reluctant to let outsiders into the estate, and the knights were also eager to hurry back to their Commander Gabriel's side, so after a brief exchange of greetings, they were able to part ways immediately.

"My lady!"

When Kinder returned to the estate, Weder was the most delighted to welcome her mistress. Considering that they had only just introduced themselves for the first time today, despite sharing a great secret together, it was excessive hospitality. Weder was simply pleased to have escaped from the demons' incomprehensible chatter, but Kinder, unaware of the circumstances, thought that Weder was just naturally good at getting along with people.

"You've worked hard, Weder. Why are you out here instead of being by Ryder's side?"

"Well..."

Weder, who had been about to confess how eventful things had been while her mistress was away, opened her mouth wide upon seeing Henna following behind Kinder.

"Aren't you Lady Rohanson's maid?"

Weder stammered as she addressed the fellow maid with honorifics. Strictly speaking, Weder, who worked at the marquess's house and had been promoted to head maid today, was of higher rank, but there was something extraordinary about Lady Rohanson's maid that naturally prompted the use of honorifics.

"Don't tell me Lady Rohanson came with you too?"

"No. I came alone."

Henna shook her head with an extremely weary tone. Kinder answered on her behalf, thinking she would have much to teach Weder as head maid.

"There were circumstances that brought us together."

Before being detained by the imperial knights, Evangeline had asked Kinder to ensure her maid's safety. So when Kinder hurried to find the maid, sure enough, Henna was being vented upon by a knight. Just as Evangeline had worried, if Kinder hadn't claimed Henna as her own maid, she would have had her head cut off like Rohanson's coachman.

The thought of the decapitated corpse made her stomach queasy. When Kinder pressed for answers, she was told that the coachman had committed suicide, but it was clearly a lie to cover up the truth. At least she was fortunate to have saved the maid. Kinder thought of a pale face that would soothe her churning stomach.

"Where is Ryder?"

"He's in his room, but... well, something happened. Lord Diess suddenly entered the room and tried to harm the young master."

Before Kinder could ask in surprise, Weder explained in detail what had happened in the meantime. After hearing the general flow of events from Weder, Kinder pressed her brow.

"I told you so firmly never to help Diess..."

Still, it was fortunate that what had been inside Ryder's body wasn't human, so Diess hadn't posed a great threat.

Kinder first organized the estate. She promised medical expenses and bonuses to the servants who were injured while trying to stop Diess. The servant who had opened the door pleaded for mercy, saying he had only been deceived by Diess, but there was no way such an excuse would work. Kinder was extremely tired and postponed the punishment, ordering that he be confined for now.

Then she went up to the room to find Diess. At the sound of the door opening, Melech, whose cheeks were flushed from how enjoyably he had been chatting, came running to Kinder.

"Mrs. Kinder! You've come!"

Kinder had never seen Ryder run in her life. What if he fell and got seriously hurt! She unconsciously restrained Ryder and pulled him into a protective embrace.

"Mrs... Mrs. Kinder?"

"It's dangerous to run like that."

"Ah, I almost injured the young master's body. I'm sorry..."

"...Please be careful."

Though he wore her son's face, because the contents were different, there was also a very big difference in the expressions that showed on the surface. Ryder didn't smile as much as Melech, wasn't as talkative, and didn't act so clumsily.

Kinder set Melech upright and looked down silently at Diess lying collapsed on the floor.

"Fortunately, he's still alive."

Though he was sprawled out as if dead, his chest was still rising and falling regularly, indicating he was still breathing. It was fortunate he wasn't dead. She hadn't even announced yet that Ryder had recovered his health. If Diess died in this situation, the elders would view Kinder with displeasure, saying she had been scheming behind the scenes to devour the Totten marquess house.

So Diess's death would have to wait until after Ryder had safely solidified his position as heir.

"This Melech kid kept pleading and begging to spare his life."

At the voice that suddenly interjected, Kinder turned her eyes. The one who had spoken so cheekily was the man who had attended to Lady Rohanson and used strange abilities. She should have scolded him for staying in the estate without any notice when there was no master present, but the other party was Lady Rohanson's retainer. Moreover, remembering being choked for being noisy, Kinder kept her mouth shut in fear.

"Mr. Jelly."

Instead of Kinder, Henna welcomed Jelly.

"I was waiting to take you away. Let's go quickly. Your sister looked like she was about to die."

Henna cast off her previously gloomy demeanor. She had been unable to meet Kanna and had to stay at the Totten marquessate, but now that a way to move while avoiding others' eyes had appeared, how could she not be pleased?

"Marchioness Totten, thank you for bringing me to the marquessate."

Though Evangeline had made a request of her, Henna thanked Kinder for looking after her and bringing her along, then disappeared with Jelly while holding Pudding. Kinder felt greatly relieved when the two people and the extraordinary cat disappeared. Being with the Rohanson people was mentally exhausting just by their presence.

Now it was time to focus on organizing the household until a separate message came from Evangeline or Gabriel.

She called the servants who had been waiting outside the door and ordered them to take Diess to the basement. Since he had escaped on his own after being placed in the room, this time there was no choice but to confine him in the basement. Melech, who had been watching Diess being carried away in a limp state, grabbed the hem of Kinder's dress.

"Are you going to kill that person too, Mrs. Kinder?"

"Yes. After Ryder's position becomes secure. Because we can't have any future troubles after you return."

At the words spoken with determination, Ryder hesitated, then asked while gauging Kinder's reaction.

"If... if I don't return, would you spare his life?"

"Do you plan to live in my son's body for the rest of your life?"

"No, no. That's not what I meant..."

When Kinder pressed him sharply, Melech stammered and waved his hands in denial.

"That person and Mrs. Kinder are family, aren't you? It's too sad to kill family. My friend once harmed people who were like family to her, and I know how much she suffered afterward. In the end, Mrs. Kinder will be destroyed."

Melech hoped his concern would reach Kinder. Kinder calmed her excitement at his worried tone and apologized.

"I'm sorry for taking my anger out on you, Melech. You're trying to help me."

It was none other than Kinder herself who had lent Ryder's body.

"But you don't need to worry. Diess and I weren't that close anyway. You can tell just by looking at how Diess tried to harm Ryder, can't you? My only family was Ryder, and now that Ryder is dead, no one remains."

What moved Kinder was only the will that Ryder had left behind and her sense of duty to protect the marquess house.

Melech patted Kinder's hand comfortingly. Kinder felt somewhat melancholy about the fact that she really liked this kind monster. Feeling the cool skin touching the back of her hand, she thought of Weder's grandmother. Perhaps Kinder too had found a doll to replace her son.