Chapter 131: A Glimmer of Freedom

In the dim basement, Raymond lit a faint yellow light, which illuminated his cold, ruthless face.

This was the underground granary, located deep within Astria Villa.

As the butler, Raymond had the duty to inspect it regularly, ensuring the proper storage of provisions and verifying the accuracy of all incoming and outgoing stock.

Today, however, he was clearly unconcerned with such matters.

Clutching the candlestick, he stood in silence for a moment before a rhythmic series of footsteps echoed from beyond the door.

Ah—

The heavy wooden door swung open without a sound, and a figure swiftly slipped inside.

As soon as Nomnom entered, she immediately closed the door softly behind her, then offered a slight bow.

“Raymond-sama.”

Raymond turned, his sharp gaze scrutinizing the young girl dressed in a black and white maid’s uniform before him.

Nomnom kept her head lowered. Though her face was obscured by the darkness, her cool voice suggested a complete lack of expression.

“Hmph… it’s been a long time.”

Raymond snorted coldly.

“My apologies, there are many watchful eyes in the house now, so opportunities to meet have been scarce.”

Nomnom stated in a deep voice.

With the Academy Festival approaching, many outsiders would flood into Ailanmia, creating a chaotic mix of people, some of whom undoubtedly harbored ill intentions.

To safeguard the Young Miss, the family’s high-ranking members had specifically dispatched numerous elite guards from the royal capital. Furthermore, the previous night’s attack had put everyone on high alert.

Almost every day, countless eyes secretly monitored everyone’s movements within the villa.

In such circumstances, frequent contact between the butler and a maid, who outwardly had no special connection, would undoubtedly arouse suspicion.

For many days, they had been forced to feign unfamiliarity, only now seizing the chance to briefly converse under the guise of inspecting the granary.

“Such a bother.”

Raymond scoffed.

He took a step closer, casting deep shadows across his face from the candlelight.

“To be brief, why did you fail that night? According to the original plan, Luluti should have died then.”

As soon as the Young Miss had slipped out of the villa, Raymond had immediately devised what he believed to be a perfect plan of assassination by proxy.

After all, this was an excellent opportunity: she had run off on a whim, unnoticed by others. Thus, even if she met her demise outside, no one would suspect him, who had remained within the villa the entire time.

He had contacted the mysterious Black-robed figure, instructing them to manipulate Fav into ambushing Luluti on her way home, creating the illusion of a revenge killing.

Not only that, but he had also arranged for Nomnom to serve as the final insurance. If Fav failed, she was to deliver the fatal blow amidst the chaos.

It was meant to be a flawless plan, with Raymond even setting up double safeguards, yet it had ultimately failed, much to his exasperation.

“Apologies, it was my incompetence—”

Nomnom was about to lower her head in confession when Raymond impatiently cut her off.

“I have no interest in hearing the obvious.”

“Yes…” Nomnom paused, then continued, “It was Yalin who disrupted our plan and saved the Young Miss.”

“Yalin? That tutor?”

Raymond frowned. “Didn’t you say he was a useless man who couldn’t even use magic?”

“Yes, he genuinely lacks magic, and his physical constitution is ordinary, but…”

“But what?”

Nomnom pondered for a moment, then slowly articulated her thoughts.

“But he is cunning and quick-witted. First, he deceived Fav, circled behind them, and launched a sneak attack. Then, he selflessly shielded the Young Miss from my arrow.”

“He used entirely ordinary methods, yet he maintained such composure in a moment of extreme danger… I truly underestimated him before.”

Nomnom offered this assessment.

Raymond stared at her face, a slight frown deepening on his brow.

Although the aforementioned actions might not sound particularly extraordinary, to execute such a series of reactions in such a short time was truly not something an ordinary person could achieve.

“Are you certain that’s all? Was there nothing else noteworthy about him?”

“No.” Nomnom shook her head, her expression unwavering.

“Hmph… very well, it seems he was hiding something.”

Raymond did not press further.

There were no loopholes in Nomnom’s words, and she had never lied. It seemed he had indeed underestimated that pretty boy.

‘To think he would be willing to pay the price of his life to protect Luluti…’

Raymond sighed, rubbing his aching temples.

Given the situation, dwelling on Yalin’s involvement was pointless; he could only seek another opportunity.

“Speaking of which, today is your last day here?”

“Understood. That is correct,” Nomnom said calmly. “Tonight, I will officially resign from my position as a maid.”

“What of it? There’s nothing to be done.”

Raymond thought for a moment, then waved his hand. “Since that’s the case, once you’ve completed the formalities, leave Ailanmia directly. Go wherever you please.”

Nomnom froze. A crack of bewilderment appeared on her perpetually unchanging face.

She looked up, asking tentatively, “Raymond-sama, do you mean…”

“Haven’t you always yearned for freedom? Then I shall grant it to you.”

Raymond glanced at her, his expression darkening.

“Krokor… that old fox, has identified a traitor in the household and is investigating everyone’s background one by one. Someone of unknown origin like you would surely be to his liking.”

“So, you may get out of here. Find a secluded place to hide, and never appear before me again.”

“However…”

Raymond’s tone shifted, the threat in his voice unmistakable. “You would do well to remember, the curse mark has not been removed. If you dare speak of our affairs to anyone…”

As he spoke, he subtly clenched his right hand in the empty air.

In the next instant, Nomnom’s face turned instantly ashen. She let out a choked groan of pain, clutching her chest tightly, and collapsed to the cold floor.

Her heart felt as if it were being fiercely pierced by iron nails, an excruciating agony that made her wish for death.

Sweat dripped incessantly from her forehead. Nomnom curled into a ball, her voice trembling as she pleaded brokenly, “Please, please rest assured, Raymond-sama… I am forever your s*ave, I swear… I swear… I will never do anything to defy you…”

“Hmph, good that you know.”

Watching the girl writhe in pain like an insect at his feet, Raymond finally released his grip, and the piercing pain slowly began to dissipate. Her vest was completely soaked, the maid uniform clinging tightly to her body. Nomnom lay limp on the ground, gasping for breath.

*Thump, thump…*

The violent thumping of her heart echoed frantically in her ears. It took a full half-minute before a sliver of strength returned to her weakened limbs. Nomnom braced herself against the wall and shakily stood up.

Raymond had already vanished. She took several deep breaths, wiped the sweat from her face, and composed her expression, which had been twisted by agony.

‘I… am I free?’

Recalling Raymond’s words, she still found it somewhat unbelievable.

Five years had passed since she, a s*ave, had been bought by Raymond.

Throughout these five years, she had lived under the shadow of death. Due to the curse mark etched upon her heart, her life was entirely in Raymond’s hands, forcing her to obey his every command.

Even a hint of defiance would be met with a death a hundred times more agonizing than what she had just experienced.

But now, Raymond had actually agreed to let her leave? To set her free?

It felt utterly like a dream.

‘I just don’t know how much truth there is in what he said…’

After all, the curse mark remained. If Raymond decided to go back on his word, she would be completely helpless.

‘Never mind, I won’t think so much for now…’

Nomnom tidied her appearance, then left the granary. After locking the door, she ascended the steps to the ground floor.

As soon as she reached the villa’s main hall, she saw the head maid slowly approaching her.

“Where have you been? The Young Miss is looking for you.”