The Countess's Body Has Disappeared - Chapter 72

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 72
When she struck a nerve, Davion’s mind went white for a moment. Cecilia smiled at his vacant expression, then gently caressed his cheek where her red handprint lingered.
“Don’t worry so much. I’ll be fine as long as you’re here.”
She cupped his face in her hands and tilted her head, bringing her lips to his slowly.
“I only need you, darling.”
.
.
.
And so Cecilia found herself standing before Blake.
It had been her own choice. She’d come steeled for it, and yet fear was beyond her control.
Cecilia stood with her hands clasped tightly, her shoulders trembling with anxiety. Blake circled her slowly, like a beast before tearing into its prey.
Davion sat hunched at the edge of the sofa, unable to relax his vigilance for even a moment, watching the scene with sharp attention.
At last Blake stopped directly in front of Cecilia and opened her mouth.
“When was your last menstruation?”
“Mother!”
Cecilia swallowed dryly, her throat parched, before answering.
“Two weeks ago.”
“What is the exact date of your marriage?”
Davion’s brow furrowed with displeasure. He dragged his hand roughly across his face like washing with cold water, then pressed his palm to his forehead as he spoke.
“I told you it wasn’t like that. We’ve been careful with contraception every time.”
“How am I supposed to trust you two in this situation? If she’s even pregnant, we can’t live in this city anymore. A maid with a child out of wedlock? There can only be one!”
Blake let out an angry, bitter laugh and turned toward the telephone by the window.
In the sound of the dial spinning repeatedly, Davion’s and Cecilia’s eyes met.
To reassure Cecilia, who was now pouring cold sweat, Davion forced his rigid face to relax and managed a smile. Meanwhile, Blake, receiver pressed to her ear, spoke up with affected brightness.
“It’s me. I need about eighty outfits tailored. Could you come to the house today? Since they’re not my clothes, we’ll need to take new measurements.”
She turned to look at Cecilia and Davion. When their eyes met by chance, Cecilia quickly lowered her gaze as though pricked by thorns.
“Yes, that’s right. Undergarments included.”
It seemed the person on the other end offered some clever remark, for Blake chuckled softly, her chest heaving.
“Oh, and I’ve heard something—that you were the one spreading rumors about Lady Adela? That woman is fortunate to be so hopelessly kind, or I would’ve made sure she never set foot in this world again.”
She let out a soft sound of agreement, then added,
“So when you come to my house, you’d better keep that mouth of yours in check.”
Click. The moment the receiver came down, Blake’s sharp gaze returned to Cecilia.
“The only reason I’m accepting an ungrateful creature like you is because I cannot abandon my son. Be grateful that I have only two sons, and that one of them left this house long ago.”
Feeling Davion stir, Cecilia quickly formed a fist to signal him not to intervene. She tried to nod, but fearing even that would upset Blake, she could only stare at her toes.
“You should count yourself lucky that you’re getting off with just five slaps across the cheek. Go apologize in person to Esmeralda and Lady Rene!”
Blake strode past them, her high heels grinding against the floor.
For a moment it seemed the suffocating atmosphere might finally ease—it truly would have, if only she hadn’t remembered some errand she’d forgotten and spoken up again.
“And I’ve dismissed all the maids who worked here.”
“…What?”
Davion sprang to his feet. This time shock settled visibly on his face as well.
“Did you think I would simply overlook those who turned a blind eye to your relationship?”
“Those people are blameless. No one knew about Cecilia and me!”
“All the more reason they had to be cast out. There’s no use keeping incompetent fools around.”
Blake’s gaze bored into Cecilia’s chest.
“They lost their livelihoods and were thrown out because of you.”
Leaving those words like poison behind her, Blake left the room. As Cecilia’s breathing grew increasingly ragged, Davion grabbed her shoulders and turned her around urgently.
With her color drained and her whole body trembling, Cecilia looked as though she might collapse at any moment.
“What about Aileen? What about Kate? Kate is my friend!”
Davion quickly pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. As he soothed Cecilia, he pressed his face into her hair and steadied his own breathing.
“I’ll take responsibility for finding them new positions as soon as possible.”
* * *
1. Exercise discretion and restraint in words and conduct
2. Refrain from drinking
3. Forbid contact with outsiders
4. Always dress modestly and expose no flesh to any man but your husband
5. Respect and defer to your husband at all times
* * *
Cecilia folded the paper and looked up.
A maid with an unfamiliar face stood before the door.
Her expression held no warmth whatsoever, and her manner was as cold as ice. Even from the outset, her eyes betrayed open contempt.
Blake’s blocking wouldn’t stop water from seeping through. At least within the Manor, rumors about Cecilia’s origins had already spread far and wide.
For the housemaids of such a grand estate—women who’d shared in each other’s joys and sorrows—loyalty was an especially precious virtue. Among the newer staff, Cecilia had become a traitor who’d destroyed her colleagues’ lives and usurped the lady’s position.
“Is that all?”
“Don’t use formal speech with an employee.”
Blake, passing behind the maid, issued the warning.
“You’re nothing but a babe taking her first steps in this world. That will change soon enough. And from now on, be ready to join me at eight o’clock for meals together. We’ll take lunch as a pair today.”
At her gesture, the maid followed silently behind.
Cecilia waited long after they’d vanished from sight before slowly closing the door and turning back into the room.
Early morning had settled a calm silence over the bedroom.
Through the gap in the curtains, pale sunlight spilled across the room, and fine dust motes drifted lazily. Listening carefully, she could make out Davion’s steady breathing.
He lay face-down on the pillow, asleep.
At Cecilia’s insistence, they’d decided not to redecorate the marital bedroom. Part of it was to avoid provoking Blake, but they’d both also found the familiar space more comfortable.
As Cecilia approached, a snake that had been hidden beneath the bed flicked its tongue and lifted its head slightly. A framed photograph of Cecilia sat on the nightstand beside the bed.
Cecilia perched on the edge of the mattress and carefully traced her fingertips across his broad, muscular back. Davion stirred with a drowsy murmur, then shifted, his eyes still closed, and smiled languidly.
“Why are you up so early? You only fell asleep late last night……”
“Just. My eyes opened.”
He drew a deep breath, his brow furrowing.
Pushing himself up with his hands, he buried his forehead in her shoulder and pulled her close by the waist, murmuring into her ear.
“Stay here today. Don’t go out.”
“But I should maintain my responsibilities. There are matters I need to attend to.”
Davion had planned to extend his leave and transfer to the Staff Office to avoid being deployed again.
“Ah, I don’t want to go. Getting married has made me not want to deal with the outside world anymore……”
“Stop acting like a child and get up, will you?”
Davion chuckled. Running his fingers across her belly and pressing his lips repeatedly to her exposed collarbone, he soon rose and pulled on his trousers.
“So what’s your plan for today?”
Davion grasped the waistband of his trousers and asked as he searched the drawer for a razor.
“I need to spend it with Blake. I should go to the lunch meal in any case.”
Beneath his disheveled hair, Davion’s brows gradually narrowed. He stopped short of closing the drawer and turned to study Cecilia’s expression.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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