The Whipping Maid of House Calley - Chapter 107

“So why do you need that much money?”

“There’s something… I’ll only use it for two months.”

“You really won’t tell me, will you?”

Molly narrowed her eyes and pressed Sheila.

“I’m sorry… I’ll use it briefly and pay you back.”

Even when Molly persistently asked why she needed as much as five solid, Sheila only repeated her apology.

Molly knew better than anyone how little Sheila normally spent money. She must have saved quite a bit through various side jobs. That was why Molly couldn’t help but ask for a reason when Sheila held out her hand to borrow money.

Since Sheila was still unmarried and didn’t seem to rely on her older brother back home, Molly couldn’t help but worry whether she had fallen into some kind of trouble alone.

But Sheila remained unmoved.

“Sigh, alright. Are five solids really all you need?”

“Yes….”

Sheila’s expression brightened at Molly’s resignation.

In truth, she needed a bit more, but she couldn’t place too much burden on Molly, who was newly married.

At least she could borrow half of what she needed from Molly, so she had no choice but to borrow the remaining five or six solids from the other maids.

An advance on her wages was her last resort. She intended to resolve it as much as possible without it reaching the ears of the head maid or her superiors.

She had to bring this month’s entire salary to the guild, but starting from next month’s wages, she could use it to repay her debts. After that, whatever she earned would finally be hers.

After receiving Molly’s firm answer, Sheila next went to find Paula, the kitchen maid.

“What? One solid?”

“Yes. I’ll pay you back immediately once I receive next month’s salary.”

Paula didn’t ask why she needed the money. Instead, she looked like she was deciding whether to lend it or not.

‘If I knew this would happen, I should’ve been more considerate before.’

Sheila regretted being so strict before, but it was too late for regrets now.

“I don’t know if I have that much. Wait a moment.”

When Paula returned from her room shortly after, she held ten denises, half of one solid.

“I’m sorry. This is all I can spare. I still need to live until next payday.”

Contrary to Sheila’s expectations, Paula willingly lent her money and instead felt apologetic that the amount was small.

“Thank you, Paula!”

Though the amount was disappointing, Sheila’s gratitude overflowed regardless.

“I wouldn’t do this for anyone else, but since it’s you, Sheila, I trust you.”

Despite how strict she usually was, Sheila had somehow earned the trust of the other maids.

“Later, when you need someone to cover your morning shift, I’ll repay you in advance.”

Sheila made promises without knowing when that would be, or whether she would even remain here until then.

“It’s fine. It’s better to repay money quickly, that’s all.”

As if to say why all the fuss over such a small thing, Paula responded coolly.

After thanking Paula once more, Sheila went to find the other maids who had once been her clients and borrowed small amounts from each of them.

Their reactions were all similar to Paula’s. Their shallow purses were the same as well….

The day after Fred left, Sheila calmed down and began going around to borrow money.

Surprisingly, Cedric’s help played a large role in calming her mind.

On that day when something absurd happened, with the Young Count lying on a maid’s bed, what Sheila needed most was the warmth of another person.

As she told Cedric, the attic was Sheila’s most precious space. But that day, the time she spent curled up alone in the attic felt endlessly lonely and miserable. Until he came in….

After waking up in his warmth, much of the anxiety that had made her tremble in fear had subsided.

Of course, it wasn’t as if all her anxiety disappeared before the job was safely finished.

Perhaps not even after finishing it.

‘I’ll become a murderer now, without any escape.’

She once heard that organizations connected to the guild never made mistakes.

Besides, a man who lived recklessly like Fred wouldn’t raise suspicion no matter how he died.

But regardless of how much of a piece of trash Fred was, and how much he deserved to die, the fact that she would become a murderer didn’t change.

‘I’ll carry my sin for the rest of my life, Brother. But I won’t choose to die in your place.’

For some reason, Sheila thought of Cedric.

It wasn’t out of some pitiful pride that she had no intention of becoming his mistress.

What pride could a mere maid have….

She simply didn’t want to become even the smallest stain on Cedric’s promising future.

If her crime were ever exposed, it would harm everyone connected to her. Even more so if they were in an illicit relationship.

Of course, since he clearly had no intention of that either, there was nothing for her to worry about.

And above all, it was truly fortunate that she wouldn’t have to commit a sin against the lady who would become his wife.

Every time Sheila borrowed money, she carefully recorded who she borrowed from and how much in her ledger.

Including the money needed to travel back and forth to the guild, the remaining shortage was now around three solids.

She’d already borrowed from everyone she could, and the only options left were shamelessly asking Molly for more or requesting an advance on her wages.

Neither option appealed to her, and Sheila let out a sigh. She would have to decide before payday, regardless.

Sheila looked down at the ledger again.

‘Once everything is finished and I’ve repaid all the money, I’ll burn this first.’

On the day she burned the ledger, she would cast everything away.

The past that bound her, the attachment she developed in this mansion, and even her lingering feelings for a man beyond her station….

And the problem of the remaining money was resolved in an unexpected place.

***

“Thank you for coming, Sheila.”

“There’s nothing to thank me for. I’m just happy to see you again, my lady.”

Sheila said to Sylvia, who welcomed her warmly.

After the banquet ended, they parted without properly exchanging farewells. Sheila knew Sylvia would remain in the County of Calley longer, but there was no reason for a maid like her to meet Sylvia again.

Then the day before, Cedric asked if she could go to the hotel and assist Sylvia.

It was also the day she returned to the punishment room for the first time since Fred’s visit and repaid the debt she owed Cedric.

“If it’s difficult, you don’t have to go.”

“No! I wasn’t able to properly say goodbye last time, so I wanted to see her again. She was kind to me during the banquet. I really want to help her.”

Rather than a command, it was an offer of choice, and Sheila gladly agreed to go.

“Then use the carriage tomorrow. I’ll inform Rufus.”

“Yes, Young Count.”

The carriage stopped at the Clarisis Hotel, where Sylvia was staying long-term.

Following the hotel staff’s guidance, Sheila entered Sylvia’s room, and Sylvia greeted her warmly.

“I’m sorry. It’s in such a state.”

Sylvia led Sheila into the suite’s living room and showed an embarrassed expression.

All kinds of unpacked belongings were scattered throughout the living room.

In addition to what she originally brought, her luggage had increased during the nearly three weeks she stayed at the hotel.

Including the appointment ceremony period, she’d remained in the County of Calley for almost a month.

In the end, Sylvia visited the newly opened casino with Marquis and spent time in a private room, had clothes tailored, and toured various places.

But now it was time to return.

She had her final meal with Cedric the day before, but there was no particular outcome.

“I could ask the hotel for help, but I don’t like having strangers handle my things…. Then I ran into Cedric, and you came to mind.”

“Good call. I’ll organize everything quickly.”

Sheila placed Sylvia’s existing clothes into her original luggage, and packed the new clothes and souvenirs into the new luggage Sylvia had purchased.

She carefully packed the remaining belongings, setting aside the items Sylvia would use until the next day.

“You can put the things you’re still using over here,” Sheila said, pointing to the space she left empty.

“Thank you, Sheila. Come here and have some tea for a moment….”

Sylvia, who had ordered refreshments through room service and approached to call Sheila, trailed off.

Between the collar of Sheila’s clothes, reddish marks were visible.

“Wait, Sheila? Your neck is injured….”

As Sylvia stepped closer, Sheila flinched and quickly covered her neck as she stood up.

“Ah! A bug! I think a bug bit me.”

Sheila’s face turned bright red in an instant.

The place Sylvia pointed out was clearly where Cedric bit and sucked her the day before.

Since his caresses had increased, marks were appearing more often on her delicate skin.

Seeing Sheila’s reaction, Sylvia’s expression changed slightly.

“Is that so? What a nasty bug.”

Sylvia spoke kindly again.

“I’ve prepared tea, so let’s drink first.”

Sheila shared refreshments with Sylvia and enjoyed a pleasant conversation.

After finishing the packing, she prepared to return to the Calley mansion.

“My lady, then I’ll take my leave….”

“Sheila, wait a moment. You came all this way to help, so come here and take this.”

Sylvia, sitting on the sofa, opened her clutch.

Sheila, who knew better than anyone what it was, unconsciously swallowed as she approached the sofa.

At a time when she desperately needed money, five gold coins gleamed in Sylvia’s hand.

At a glance, it was far too much to be considered a tip.

While Sheila hesitated, the gold coins in Sylvia’s hand slipped and scattered onto the floor at her feet.

“Oh my, sorry. My hand slipped. Will you pick them up?”