The Serpent of Paradise - Chapter 71

Ilya read the letter again from the beginning. The unknown patron seemed to know more about the Lauderdale family than Ilya expected. After recounting memories of the Lauderdale women that even he didn’t know about, the patron also expressed sympathy for Anastasia.

…As it wasn’t my place to speak carelessly about another family’s affairs, she was merely a young lady I regarded with pity. But I never dreamed that Mikhail Sokolov would be trifling with her in such a manner. Though she may not be their biological child, she bears the surname of my dear friend, so I cannot continue to turn a blind eye. I apologize for asking this of you, but could you help guide Miss Anastasia into the wider world? I intend to provide for her life after she leaves Edenhurst. I believe your compassion could offer new hope to that poor woman. And the Countess and her two daughters as well….

The letter appealed to Ilya’s sympathy and conscience while also expressing pity for Anastasia. Yet it was also filled with sympathy for the Lauderdale women, which put Ilya somewhat more at ease. The other person was clearly a wealthy and broad-minded noble.

The letter ended by urging Ilya once more to persuade Anastasia to leave Edenhurst.

Ilya folded the letter, placed it inside the Bible he carried with him, and closed the book.

Now that he had a patron willing to help, he felt that helping Anastasia rested entirely in his hands.

Ilya felt a strange thrill and fear at the same time at the prospect of rescuing the poor woman from the clutches of a scoundrel. In his life, which had always been quiet and uneventful, this was a righteous and proper plan that also demanded secrecy. Unable to conceal his excitement at being given a mission like something out of a book, Ilya sank into thought with trembling hands.

Edenhurst wasn’t a fortress atop a cliff, nor was it an isolated place where entry and exit were controlled. Even today, merchants delivering food had come and gone since morning, while the servants also moved busily about to inspect the areas belonging to the estate. Carriages delivering goods from Sokolov also came and went frequently.

It was a place with no particular restrictions on entry or exit, so anyone who decided to leave could do so at any time. Therefore, only one thing was necessary to carry out the plan.

‘How can I persuade Anastasia?’

That was the most difficult part of this.

Ilya thought back to what happened after that humiliating dinner. He thought Anastasia would resent Mikhail and protest to him. He believed she would be angry about being treated that way for at least a few days. But even afterward, Mikhail continued to stay in the annex, and there was no particularly noticeable change in the two of them whenever they were occasionally seen together.

After pondering for a long time, Ilya rose from his seat. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out how to persuade Anastasia.

‘I haven’t even spoken to Anastasia since that day.’

It became extremely difficult to meet Anastasia because not only Mikhail but even the servants subtly blocked him. Anastasia also rarely showed herself.

After stepping into the corridor, Ilya wandered aimlessly along the corridor near the annex. It would be nice if he happened to meet Anastasia….

But contrary to his hopes, the person he met at the end of the corridor was Elizabeth.

“Ilya.”

Unusually, Elizabeth greeted him first and approached. She spoke with a sympathetic expression.

“You don’t look well. Is something wrong?”

“Well….”

When Ilya hesitated for a moment, Elizabeth instructed the maid beside her to prepare tea in the drawing room. Once the maid withdrew and the two of them were alone in the corridor, Elizabeth asked again.

“Something is troubling you, isn’t it?”

Ilya hesitated as he looked at Elizabeth, who spoke gently with an expression of utmost concern. Come to think of it, Elizabeth pitied Anastasia. Before lamenting her own plight of having to marry a vulgar merchant for money, hadn’t she first spoken of how sorry she felt for Anastasia?

‘She didn’t say anything at dinner either.’

In truth, Elizabeth was the person who must have felt the greatest humiliation and shame at that table. But unlike the Countess and Catherine, who looked upon Anastasia with contempt, Elizabeth remained silent until the very end without saying a single insulting word to her.

‘In that case….’

Ilya spoke cautiously in a low voice.

“It concerns Miss Anastasia….”

At his words, Elizabeth looked around the corridor once more to make sure no one was listening, then said to him

“I think it would be best if we spoke at length over tea in the drawing room, Ilya.”

Ilya nodded at Elizabeth’s attitude, which was more serious than he expected. It seemed he had finally gained a single ally in this estate.

After they moved to the drawing room and dismissed even the maid, Ilya cautiously told her about his patron. Elizabeth listened carefully and asked him various questions. This made Ilya feel even greater trust and camaraderie toward her. As a result, Ilya gradually told her everything about the situation without holding anything back.

“…I see.”

When his explanation ended, Elizabeth remained silent for a while. Then, at last, she said, “Persuading Anastasia so she can leave this place….”

Elizabeth’s eyes gleamed as she continued, “I think I can help you with that.”

***

Two days after the coachmen collapsed, the men who used to work at Edenhurst returned. After hearing from the new underbutler what they needed to be mindful of, they headed to the stables. They clicked their tongues in amazement at the stables, which were much larger and finer than when they worked there.

“They said the new master was rich, and all the horses are fine ones too.”

“All the tack is new. And it all looks expensive.”

There were smiles on their faces as they spoke. It was good that the stables had better facilities than before, and that they could care for finer horses, but best of all was the fact that the wages were much higher than before.

“I feel sorry for the sick men, but what a stroke of luck this is.”

“That’s true.”

As the coachmen laughed and rejoiced over their good fortune, someone appeared at the entrance to the stables. Thinking the underbutler had more instructions for them, they turned their heads, then hurriedly bowed in surprise.

“M-Miss!”

The person standing there was Elizabeth. She covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief as though the smell disgusted her, then gestured for them to come out. At her arrogant manner, exactly the same as before, the coachmen remembered how they used to serve the Lauderdale family and walked out of the stables with their waists bent.

Only after reaching a place where the smell of the stables couldn’t reach them did Elizabeth lower the hand covering her nose and mouth. Then she spoke to the men bowing before her.

“It’s been a long time.”

“It’s been a long time, Miss.”

Then the coachmen suddenly thought of something. Their master was now Mikhail Sokolov. Elizabeth was no longer their employer, and now she was merely a descendant of a fallen family. So there was no need for them to bow like this….

“I was the one who asked Mikhail to employ you.”

“What?”

Their eyes widened at the unexpected words.

“Mikhail is cautious in all matters. That’s why he fills the estate with trustworthy people from Sokolov whenever possible. Do you think you could’ve entered this estate so easily without my recommendation?”

She wasn’t wrong. When they heard that a new master was coming to Edenhurst, the people in the nearby village hoped they might be hired as servants there. But no additional servants were hired from the village. Because of that, those who quit working at Edenhurst regretted not holding out a little longer.

“Thank you very much, Miss.”

The coachmen expressed their gratitude upon learning they received help from an unexpected source. They also realized that the Lauderdale lady, whom they thought was merely still living off the estate, possessed enough influence over Mikhail Sokolov to make such a recommendation. They bowed even more deeply.

“I didn’t call you here to receive your thanks. Since my reputation is at stake after recommending you again, I merely came to ask that you apply yourselves diligently. You may return to work now.”

At Elizabeth’s words, they repeatedly bobbed their heads before returning to the stables. Though none of them said it as they went back, they understood. If Elizabeth was the one who got them hired, she could also get them dismissed.

The coachmen realized they needed to show Elizabeth even greater loyalty than they did in the past.

***

Anastasia sat in her room, fidgeting with her fingers. Undisguised anxiety rippled across her face.

‘Those men… came back….’

That morning, Anastasia saw the coachmen who briefly stopped by the estate last time arriving with their belongings. She felt uneasy ever since she heard that the coachmen at the stables were ill with food poisoning, and in the end, the men who used to work there returned.

Anastasia placed a hand over her chest. Her heart had been pounding rapidly all day. Still at a loss and glancing around, Anastasia rose and approached the window. Afraid that the men who returned might see her, she slightly drew back the curtains she kept closed since morning. Edenhurst looked as beautiful as ever. Even the forest in the distance.

The forest was always a cozy refuge for Anastasia. A place where she endured the cold until just before the snow fell, spending her time covered in fallen leaves. A place she could never cross beyond.

‘I have to run away.’

Startled by the thought that suddenly occurred to her as she looked at the forest, Anastasia covered her mouth. But the thought remained unchanged. She had to leave Edenhurst. That way, she could prevent the past from pursuing her any longer.

‘I’ll be able to cross it soon.’

She had to cross that forest, the boundary between paradise and the world, to cast everything aside.

Recently, she learned that Igor and Yuri were preparing to leave for Sokolov. The day Mikhail promised was drawing near.

Just then, a sound came from outside, and Mikhail entered the room. He closed the door and immediately approached Anastasia and kissed her. Then he swept her into his arms and headed straight for the bed. Flustered by his actions, Anastasia grabbed his shoulders.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Why so suddenly…?”

“Because I want to do it now.”

At Mikhail’s manner, as though asking whether he needed any other reason, Anastasia couldn’t say anything. Mikhail’s hands skillfully undid the buttons of her blouse. When her white skin, covered in marks, was revealed, Mikhail made a satisfied sound and grasped as much of her body as his large hand could hold. He was bringing his face close to Anastasia’s to give pleasure to his lips as well when she spoke.

“Mikhail, when are we leaving for Sokolov?”

Mikhail’s movements stopped at her sudden question.

“Ah, that.”

He remained still for a moment, then released her and drew back. After seeming to hesitate slightly, he said, “I think it will be somewhat delayed.”