[Clafford Mansion]
Inside the kitchen, Mariam was focused on preparing lunch when Kira's voice broke the silence.
"Aunt, where do you think Madam goes every day?"
Mariam froze, her hand hovering mid-air. Her heart gave an anxious thump.
"H-How would I know?" she stammered, quickly turning to grab the spice box as though the sudden task excused her hesitation.
Kira's eyes narrowed, her lips twitching with irritation. This old hag… lying right through her teeth.
If she hadn't overheard their little secret, she might have believed her aunt's innocence. But she knew better now.
"Of course. How would you know," she muttered, her voice a low, deliberate drawl.
But she didn't stop there. "Still, I think Madam is risking her marriage by keeping secrets. Didn't you see how she came home drunk that night? And how she dared to demean Master?"
