Scarlett sipped a cup of warm tea as she waited in the east wing’s guest parlor. It was nearing late afternoon. She had spent much of the morning training, dealing with paperwork and reports sent over by Evelyne, and reviewing her current strategies after receiving new information from Mirage.

After that Cullen fellow had visited her two days earlier, she’d sent out a letter to Beldon Tyndall the day after, asking about as much information on her different ‘associates’ as she could get. The reply arrived this morning. The letter itself had been filled with vague pleasantries and Beldon wishing her well, saying he hoped they would have the chance to meet again soon, which had confused her at first. She was embarrassed to admit it had taken her a while to realize there was a hidden message. In a nutshell, some of the words hinted at her using magic to heat the letter up, after which the actual contents had revealed themselves on the paper.

And what she learned had left an unpleasant taste in her mouth. In full, the letter had described some of the known dealings of Vern Cheek, Bodil Pudges, and the Blue Skulls, all of who were supposedly tied to the original Scarlett. None of it had been quite as bad as the child trafficking the Grey Dog Gang had been involved with, but it was still far from good. The cleanest was probably Bodil Pudges, who ‘only’ ran several illegal gambling dens and similar in Elystead.

Things were a bit vague regarding the Blue Skulls. They were a group that was said to raid specific ships moving outside the empire’s waters, mostly to the west and south, but there wasn’t much more beyond that, other than that they were wanted on several charges over in Voneia. Why Mirage thought Scarlett was related to them wasn’t entirely clear.

As for Vern Cheek, it appeared he acted as a loan shark of sorts over in Kilsfell, and was linked to several deaths in the region. From what Scarlett gathered, Mirage seemed to suspect the original of having cooperated with him to get rid of certain individuals, as well as moving money around in what essentially boiled down to some kind of money laundering. Though they didn’t say as such in so many words.

There was more info, of course. For example, who Vern Cheek was believed to work with, and some of his close subordinates’ names, as well as the names of some of the ships the Blue Skulls targeted and Bodil Pudges’ places of business. But suffice it to say, none of these were groups you wanted deep ties to if you had goals of being an upstanding citizen. Or just not getting thrown into jail.

A knock sounded out from the door.

Scarlett looked up as it opened, revealing Gaven in the same blond disguise as last time. Skulking in the hallway behind him was a slightly hunched figure covered in dark brown robes. There was no servant with them. Scarlett had arranged it so that a guard would lead Gaven to the wing’s side entrance, from where he’d find his own way. No other people should be present in this part of the mansion at the moment.

The man entered the room. The robed figure followed soon after, their head fretfully moving back and forth as if they were watching every corner.

“Welcome,” Scarlett said to the two. “I am glad no issues appear to have arisen, despite the demand for subterfuge.”

Gaven pulled off his disguise, revealing his thick, dark-brown hair and well-kept beard. “No difficulties is one way of putting it,” he said with a small scoff. “But we’re here at least.”

Scarlett chose to ignore the small complaint as she turned to the other individual, studying them closely. “I take it you are the Countess?”

The person froze, their head slowly shifting towards her. Beneath the hood was the face of a woman, dirty and partially covered by loose-hanging bandages. Grimy, soot-colored locks with hints of gold hung down messily over a pair of bright blue eyes that had an almost crazed look to them.

A sense of revulsion filled Scarlett as they stared at her, and she fought to maintain a neutral expression.

After a few seconds, the woman blinked.

“Ah, ah.”

She performed a clumsy curtsy where she stood. Scarlett’s hair stood on end from the mere sight. “Good morning, Baroness. I-I’m so…thankful. I-It’s an…honor to meet you.”

“…The sentiment is mutual.”

The response this woman provoked in Scarlett wasn’t quite on the same level of disgust as Evelyne, but it was still difficult to control her tone. She pointed towards the leather couch opposite her. “Take a seat.”

The Countess walked over, then stopped to stare at the piece of furniture. She furtively glanced around the room for a moment, before eventually sitting down with an awkward movement, head turned downwards.

Scarlett scrunched up her nose as the stench reached her, a mix of wet alley and stale bread.

Gaven circled the couch to sit down on the other end, his eyes meeting hers. She could tell his annoyance at the situation.

She turned back to the Countess. “Do you wish for some tea? Or something to eat?”

The woman stilled, looking up at her. “…Tea?”

Scarlett gestured towards two silver trays with lids that stood on the table between them.

After a few seconds passed without a reply, Gaven leaned forward and removed the lids, revealing plates filled with steaming soup, bread, and three cups with tea in them.

The Countess’ eyes widened as she stared at the food, then turned to Scarlett. “I-Is…it ok?”

Scarlett nodded. “By all means.”

“So…kind.” The woman’s words were almost a whisper. Two bandaged hands appeared from beneath her robes and snatched up a piece of white bread. The woman immediately began scarfing it down.

What had remained of Scarlett’s appetite faded as she saw the woman’s filthy fingers grasping the bread, with half-broken nails that looked to have been chewed down to size, yet were still too long. Within seconds, the Countess was licking the crumbs from her fingers.

“…You may eat as much as you wish,” Scarlett said. “There is no need to fret.”

The woman paused with her hands in the air, gaping at her. “Y-You’re truly kind… Thank you for your…generosity.”

She picked up another loaf of bread.

Scarlett looked away as the woman started gorging on this piece as well, turning her attention to Gaven. “It would seem as if you have accomplished the task I assigned you, Ridley. Well done.”

“Yeah, well, you were right. Turned out to be surprisingly simple.” The man shrugged his shoulders. “Ain’t been easy, though. Just glad it’s over now.”

“As agreed upon, your performance will be rewarded,” Scarlett said. “Can I also assume you are willing to continue your work for me?”

He let out a short laugh. “Lady, I’d be willing to kill for what you’re paying, as long as it doesn’t get me killed.”

Scarlett scowled at him.

He raised his arms. “Sorry, sorry. My Lady.”

“Good.” Scarlett nodded her head. “There is still much that I have in store for you, after all.”

She turned back to the Countess, who was in the process of devouring her fourth loaf of bread. “If you are starved, you can also try the soup. I believe it will be more appetizing and filling than mere bread. You may use the cutlery on the tray.”

Gold and silver spoons were lying next to the plates.

The woman looked at them uncertainly, but soon picked up a plate and an engraved silver spoon that she held gingerly in her hand.

“Perhaps I should formally introduce myself,” Scarlett continued, after ensuring the woman actually seemed to know how to use a spoon. “I am Baroness Scarlett Hartford, the holder of this estate and Lady of Stagmond Keep. As Ridley here might have informed you, I heard of the plight wrought upon you and could not sit idly still while such injustices were allowed to stand. That is why I have invited you to my home. I wished to meet with you, and aid you in seeking retribution for these wrongs.”

“Ah…” Small tears formed at the edge of the Countess’ eyes. “You’re right… You’re right,” she said in a frenzied tone. “I’ve fallen to this state. They took all from me… They took it all. They’ll pay. I want them to pay…” She stared at Scarlett from beneath the hood. “…You’ll really help me? Thank you! Thank you…so much! I can tell… You’re a true noble. You won’t allow them to do this… Thank you.”

The woman’s words continued, soon trailing off into an unintelligible ramble as her head turned downwards, towards the soup plate before her.

Scarlett noticed Gaven rolling his eyes. It appeared he’d already grown used to this during the short time he had spent with the woman. He pulled at his ear like he was waiting for it to end.

A loud crash sounded out as the table in front of Scarlett suddenly split in two and caved in on itself.

The Countess was leaning over where her soup had been, a half-broken and bent spoon in her hand as she stared down at the chaos. “Ah, ah, n-no, no.”

She threw herself to her knees, right on top of the destroyed table and shattered plates, crawling towards Scarlett. “Ple-Please forgive me! I di-didn’t want to—please, please, I’m sorry. I’ll replace—I’ll replace it!”

“Stop,” Scarlett commanded before the woman could clamber over the whole table. “There is no need for you to beg forgiveness. It is evident it was not your intent to damage the table, nor do I intend to hold it against you. Do not lower yourself so.”

The Countess froze, gaping up at her with a beholden expression. “Ah… You’re truly…a kind woman. A…saint. Thank you. So generous… Thank you… I will repay you.”

The look in the hysterical woman’s eyes told Scarlett enough. Those words were filled with nothing but honesty. Like a child who trusted everything the adults said unequivocally.

She turned away, gauging the damage to the room. It wasn’t too bad, thankfully. There was a tear at the bottom of the couch Gaven and the Countess were on, where a piece of the table had hit, and clear indentations on the floorboards, but the table had taken the brunt of the damage.

“Ju-Just wait,” the Countess continued. “I will definitely repay your kindness… I look like this now, but… I am actually a countess.” She nodded her head slowly. “Once I return to my land… Once I regain everything… I will definitely repay you.”

“There is no need for repayment,” Scarlett said. “My aim is to aid you, but there are also certain matters where I might require your help as well. Some of these are related to your restitution, and are worth well more than this table.”

“…R-Really?” the Countess asked.

“Yes.” Scarlett nodded. “Now, raise yourself from the floor. That is no way for a noblewoman to carry herself.”

The Countess stared at her for a moment longer. Then she put her palms on the broken remains on the table, ignoring the splinters and shards of plate, and pushed herself up. Glancing around fitfully for another second, she lightly touched the bandages on her hands and sat down on the couch again.

After the woman seemed to have settled herself, Scarlett turned to Gaven.

“Ridley. Do you recall the key you brought me previously?”

The man’s eyes narrowed at her. “Yeah…”

“I wish for you to procure the other one.”

“…There’s one more?”

“There is.”

“…Is it in a similar place to the last one?”

“The locations are of a comparable nature, yes.”

The unenthusiastic expression on his face spoke volumes.

“I can assure you that your reward will be more than satisfactory this time as well.” Scarlett met his eyes for a moment, then turned back to the Countess. “This is also part of why I wished for you to come here, Countess. Would you be willing to accompany him on this assignment? Your aid would be greatly appreciated, and I believe it would be vital in securing other conditions required for restoring your title.”

Gaven wouldn’t be able to clear Abelard’s Doll Pavilion by himself. But with the Countess helping him, it shouldn’t be an issue.

“You want…my…help?” A strange smile grew on the woman’s face. “Ah, ah, I’ll help. Of course…I’ll help the Baroness. Yes…I am a countess, so of course I’ll help…” She trailed off into an incoherent ramble once more.

Scarlett waited for the woman to calm down again. “Thank you. I must warn you, however, that this location has some discomforting elements present. It is best that you be careful when there. Although I am certain Ridley will be able to provide any further guidance when necessary.”

“Ah, thank you, thank you. So kind.” The Countess fervently began nodding her head, some of the bandages on her face swaying with the movement.

Scarlett’s eyes passed to the woman’s clothes. While the robes appeared relatively new, the lower half was now covered with crumbs and soup from crawling over the table earlier. Not to mention how the woman herself looked like she’d just been picked up out of a dark alleyway somewhere.

Maybe they should get her cleaned up. And either get rid of or replace some of the bandages.

“If you wish, you may remove your robes,” Scarlett said. “They are no longer necessary.”

The Countess froze, an agitated glint appearing in her eyes. “No…No…Nononono.” She pulled the robes closer around her, hiding her hands and much of her face. Whispering escaped her mouth. “…hideous… Scars… It’s hideous… I can’t…”

Scarlett frowned. The woman had always worn the same garbs in the game as well, but so did most of the characters. It was a game, after all. She hadn’t known there was another reason behind it. Just from looking at her, however, the Countess didn’t look ‘hideous’. Her appearance was certainly filthy, yes—to the level where it made Scarlett’s skin crawl—but she didn’t look much older than Scarlett herself, and the parts under the bandage that were visible looked normal. But the bandages were also haphazardly applied, so there was no telling which parts they were actually intended to cover.

“…Very well. I will not force you if you do not wish to,” Scarlett said. “But there is no need for you to remain in such an unwashed state. I have taken the liberty of having a warm bath drawn in the connecting room, so that you may at the very least clean yourself and take some time to relax.”

The Countess stared at her. “A…bath?”

“Yes.” Scarlett gestured towards a door in the room’s corner. “It is through there. Everything has already been prepared, so there is no need to worry. You can take as much time as you require.”

The woman remained still for several seconds, before glancing towards the door.

“If you do not wish to take it right now, I can have another bath prepared later.”

“Ah, ah. No.” The Countess shook her head. Her hands emerged from beneath the robes, clamped over her lap. “…A bath,” she mumbled and stood. “I’ll…become clean…”

It was as if their existence had been completely forgotten by the woman now. Rambling to herself, she drifted past Gaven and across the room towards the door. Soon, she disappeared into the next room without leaving another word to them.

A few seconds of silence passed.

“Blasted crazy woman…” Gaven muttered.

“…Watch your words,” Scarlett said.

“What? She’s insane. Don’t act like you weren’t put off by her either.”

She met his eyes for a moment.

It wasn’t as if he was wrong. Even discounting the original’s traits, that was an uncomfortable experience. It was the first time she’d ever interacted with a person like that. In either world. Even knowing exactly what she needed to say to convince the Countess, there was still a certain sense of unease one got from interacting with the woman, feeling like you couldn’t be sure what she’d do next. Or whether it was okay to get irritated at a person who clearly wasn’t entirely…’there’.

Scarlett shifted her gaze towards the door the Countess had left through.

“…I am expecting you to cooperate with her regularly from now on, so I would recommend that you refrain from using such language. It serves no one.”

“You’re really expecting me to work with her?”

“I do, yes.”

“Why? I’ll just do the work by myself, like last time.”

“You would fail. Her aiding you will make matters easier for all parties.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. This is what I am paying you for. I expect you to be able to tolerate some inconveniences.”

And the Countess was needed for a lot more than just muscle. If it was just pure strength, Scarlett probably wouldn’t have risked it with the woman.

She leaned back on the couch, resting her arm against the armrest to her left. “In addition to acquiring the second key, there is one more task that I have for you.”

“Does this one also include ‘the Countess’?”

She tapped her finger against the soft leather. “…No. This is to be carried out by you alone. No other person should learn of it.” She shifted her eyes to him. “Have you heard the name Vern Cheek?”

Gaven shook his head. “Can’t say that I have.”

“He is a moneylender, among other things, residing in Kilsfell,” Scarlett said. “One that seemingly does not understand his place.”

She paused for a moment.

Was this really ok? It wasn’t too late to turn back. She could try to find another way. Or just let things play out and go into hiding.

She didn’t need her position as a baroness. And with her knowledge, she’d probably be able to find a few safe spots where people wouldn’t be able to find her. It’d probably make things easier with the Cabal as well.

So saying she didn’t have much choice would be nothing but an overindulgent lie.

What scared her wasn’t that she was going to have regrets, but that she wouldn’t have any.

…But no. She had already decided how she would progress with things. It didn’t matter how she felt about it. Or her lack of feelings on the matter. She would go through it and not look back. That was what she was going to promise herself.

She eyed Gaven for a moment, steeling herself.

“I want you to deal with him.”