Chapter 3

Chapter 3

1. Just after I finished cleaning up the scattered fragments, I was stopped by someone from the minister's residence. "Miss Nicola, the minister requests your presence."

I maintained a calm exterior as I agreed, but inwardly, a smile tugged at my lips.

The minister had finally discovered that it was I who had been slipping notes into his books.

When I arrived at the study, I feigned ignorance and respectfully greeted the minister.

The minister took out a piece of paper and asked me to write the word "traitor" on it.

I looked up in fear, repeatedly bowing deeply to the minister, insisting that I was not the traitor.

The minister then produced the previous note. "Did you place this note in my book?"

I bit my lip, as if making a significant decision. "Minister, it is true that I wrote the note."

"The lady of the house treats you poorly, so you decided to inform on her?" The minister looked at me suspiciously.

I shook my head. "The lady treats everyone generously. However, as a servant of the minister's residence, I felt it was my duty to be loyal. I believed it was inappropriate to secretly pass information to outsiders, so I took the bold step of informing you. Now that you have discovered it, I am willing to accept any punishment you deem fit."

The minister sighed deeply. "Even a servant understands this principle, yet she does not. It is a shame given her noble background." He then asked me to rise. "Your loyalty is admirable. Since you are literate, you shall work in the study from now on, guarding its entrance."

From that moment, I was assigned to the study. Having done this in my previous life, I was well-versed in the tasks. I organized the study meticulously and guarded it diligently. No information leaked out again, and the minister grew increasingly satisfied and trusting of me.

The minister spent a great deal of time in the study handling official documents. After categorizing his documents and books, preparing ink, and serving tea, I would quietly step aside.

One night, the minister worked late into the night. Exhausted, he stretched, and I promptly served him chrysanthemum tea.

The minister took a sip and praised, "You handle things so efficiently. With you managing everything in the study, I feel much more at ease."

I bowed to the minister. "It is my honor to help lighten your load, given your numerous responsibilities."

In a good mood after finishing his work, the minister said, "Such a loyal servant deserves a gift." With that, he began to remove an ornament from his person to give to me.

Seeing this, my face changed dramatically, and I quickly knelt before him. "Minister, please spare me. If you reward me with something from your person, I will surely lose my life."

The minister was puzzled. "How could a mere trinket endanger your life?"

I bowed deeply repeatedly, tears welling up in my eyes as I looked up. "Do you remember Rita, who used to work in the study?"

The minister nodded. "Didn't she get married?"

I shook my head vigorously. "She was suspected by the lady of having an affair with you because of your reward. She was sold to a brothel. Please, for the sake of my dedication, do not put me in grave danger!"

Hearing this, the minister's face darkened. He slammed the table. "What a malicious woman!" He then gently helped me up. "I will have this matter thoroughly investigated. If it is true, I will ensure justice for you all!"

I lowered my head to wipe away my tears, a smile forming on my lips. Theresa, I wonder how the minister will react when he sees your true, ugly nature?

A few days later, the minister's men reported back, saying they had rescued Rita from the brothel. She had been tortured beyond recognition.

The minister's face turned ashen. He ordered his men to find a place to settle Rita and then angrily sat down to write a divorce letter.

I quietly found someone to inform Theresa and then began to prepare ink for the minister.

Estimating that Theresa would arrive soon, I softly spoke, "Minister, I feel this matter is not quite appropriate."

The minister paused his writing and frowned at me. "As the head mistress of the minister's residence, she has a hypocritical demeanor. Treating servants so cruelly, if word gets out, it will not only damage the minister's residence but also tarnish the reputation of the Marsh family and my elder sister."

The study door was forcefully pushed open, and Theresa walked in with a cold smile. "Isn't it just selling a maid? How does that affect the Marsh family and the Empress? I can't bear such a heavy accusation. You might as well say you have feelings for that lowly maid!"

The minister was furious, his finger trembling as he pointed at Theresa. He swept the books off the table with one hand. "I merely spoke a few more words to Rita and rewarded her with some items, yet you were so cruel. You even lied to me, saying you found her a good family to marry into. Such a malicious woman is unworthy of being a wife of the Marsh family!"