The Regret Novel Female Lead with Unbreakable Mentality Chapter 39

I smiled brightly and delivered a blow. “Huh? Do I need a reason?”

 

“…What?”

 

“I just guessed!”

 

“What?”

 

“Caitlyn already dislikes me, and she’s a bad person. So she must have stolen the brooch, right?”

 

The first rule of dealing with an annoying villain: Smile sweetly and insist on nonsense.

 

“Is that all the evidence you have?”

 

As expected, Yuliana looked disappointed. Even Neslan, who had always been warm towards me, seemed somewhat let down this time. He must think I’m incompetent too. Please continue to think that way from now on.

 

At that moment, Caitlyn spoke with a triumphant smile. “Actually, I have a separate issue I wanted to discuss with Big Madam regarding Madam Giselle. It’s about the widespread rumors in the social circles concerning Madam Giselle’s moral lapses.”

 

“What do you mean by moral lapses?”

 

“Yes. As you know, Madam Giselle is known in social circles as ‘everyone’s sweetheart.’ It’s truly disgraceful, but… it’s all true.”

 

“Uh-huh, so?”

 

At my words, Neslan, who was unfamiliar with the social scene, looked worried but didn’t interfere further.

 

Caitlyn continued in a mocking tone. “Perhaps Madam Giselle was trying to regain her past reputation. More than a few servants have seen her wandering the garden late at night. There’s even talk that she met a male servant separately at dawn yesterday.”

 

Duke Kalinos let out a sarcastic chuckle and said, “Caitlyn Ronus. Do you think I’m a fool to listen to such nonsense?”

 

Even if I’m not intimidating, Duke Kalinos certainly is.

 

Caitlyn flinched. “…But there are more than enough maids who can testify.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Why would Madam Giselle be anywhere other than her bedroom? Would I bring this up without a good reason? Please don’t see it as slander. As the head maid who has loyally served Big Madam for many years, I’m speaking out of devotion.” For a moment, she looked like the female lead.

 

The other blood relatives gathered around the table were also looking at me with surprised eyes, whispering among themselves. Most seemed to be questioning the facts, but Caitlyn’s followers were also present.

 

I remained silent for a moment, then propped my chin on my hand and smirked. “If you’re done talking, come here, Rudensha.”

 

“I have something to say.” The maid, Rudensha, stepped forward with a clear and firm voice.

 

“Rudensha?”

 

“Madam Giselle was in the outdoor garden because of Lady Caitlyn.”

 

“What?”

 

“She was there to confirm that Lady Caitlyn had been stealing other servants’ belongings.”

 

I nodded slightly and glanced around. Rudensha, the maid, and Rud, the servant, bowed on either side and handed me a brooch. Under the sunlight, the black gemstone brooch sparkled brightly.

 

“You know why Giselle kept quiet all this time? It’s because she knew everything about what you’ve been up to.”

 

“W-What?”

 

“I’m talking about you. You seem to have gotten too arrogant and conceited.”

 

As everyone looked puzzled, I tapped the magical item I received from Rudensha and Rude.

 

“This has a transformation spell on it. It’s disguised as a brooch, but it’s actually a magical recording device.”

 

“What do you mean… a magical recording device? What is that?”

 

“Yep! Since you don’t seem to know, let me show you!”

 

With a click, I pressed the hidden activation line inside the brooch. The brooch transformed into a square box, revealing a video screen on top.

 

“What is this…”

 

“It’s a record of your extremely despicable actions.”

 

―It looks beautiful. Hand me that brooch.

 

―This was given to me by the madam…

 

―Madam? You called that foolish woman a madam?

 

The scene clearly showed Caitlyn snatching the brooch away.

 

“There’s more right after this.”

 

Caitlyn muttered, trembling. “Don’t lie! I’ve never heard of an item that can record other people’s actions!”

 

The other servants also whispered among themselves, as if they’d never heard of a ‘magical recording device.’ But I responded firmly. “Yes, it’s right here. An item that recorded your actions.”

 

The previously dark screen showed a servant and Caitlyn.

 

―So stressful.

 

―I-I’m sorry…

 

―If you’ve been slapped on one cheek, isn’t it only right to offer the other?

 

―T-That…

 

―Or you could hand over the valuables you’re wearing.

 

―D-Didn’t you take them last time as well?

 

―Yes, that’s right. But I want it this time too.

 

―Ma-Madam Yuliana wouldn’t w-want that.

 

―Are you sure you know Madam Yuliana better than I do? No, Madam Yuliana condones all my actions.

 

Several sharp slaps followed. The shameless act of stealing from a servant and striking their cheek was captured on screen. The unbecoming behavior of a head maid was exposed to the world, leaving the room in stunned silence.

 

Even though Yuliana said she condoned all Caitlyn’s actions, having it revealed so openly is a different matter.

 

I shook the brooch in the silence that followed after the screen went dark. “Giselle absolutely cannot tolerate such actions!” Dusting my hands off, I smiled slyly at the maids and servants who pretended to be meek and pitiful.

 

Honestly, I can’t read everyone’s mind. It’s not like I have some kind of mind-reading ability. But I do know very well the feelings of disgruntled part-time workers towards their superiors. Because I was one of those part-time workers who secretly harbored rebellious thoughts.

 

Every time I saw Caitlyn, I wore a service industry smile, but inside, I was compiling a list of servants and maids who wanted to report her to the labor board. Among them, I provided a brooch that would serve as a CCTV just two. The ‘black ribbon brooch,’ to be precise. Just in case they got taken away too, I distributed regular brooches to everyone else.

 

Thanks to Ivanka, I learned their dispositions in advance, making it easier.

 

At that moment, Caitlyn, quick to grasp the situation, hastily composed her flustered expression and shouted. “It’s a fabrication!”

 

“…Huh? Fabrication?”

 

“What kind of garbage is this? This is… this is a fabrication! I don’t know how it was done, but it might be showing scenes acted out by others! You all know, don’t you? There’s no such magical artifact in this world!”

 

Yes, I expected her to claim it was a fabrication due to the unfamiliar magical artifact. But was that really the best choice?

 

“A fabrication?”

 

“Yes!”

 

Neslan Kalinos spoke up with a troubled expression. “No, it’s not a fabrication. I made this artifact.”

 

“What?”

 

“So, I know very well what happens if someone tries to tamper with an artifact. This one isn’t manipulated.”

 

“And there’s this too!” I waved the note Ivanka had given me with a sly grin.

 

[Auntie, Marquis Berto will be arriving soon. Don’t forget our promise for prosperity. Count Ronus.]

 

“What business would the head maid of the family have with Marquis Berto?”

 

“The recipient is ‘Marquis Berto’? It’s collusion then.”

 

Correct! I chuckled inwardly.

 

“…B-Big Madam. It’s a frame-up!”

 

But the advantage was on my side. Oh, her life is completely ruined now, isn’t it?

 

Yuliana’s gaze was fixed on me. She was probably quite troubled too. I don’t know why she hired Caitlyn, but after all, the head maid is by her side. I must be quite annoying for not quietly reporting to her and causing this mess.

 

To add to her irritation, I whispered sweetly, pretending to be considerate. “In Giselle’s opinion, at the very last Caitlyn should be~ put on probation~♡”

 

At that moment, Yuliana stood up and cast a cold glance. Slap! Caitlyn’s cheek was struck in an instant.