✦✦✦Idle Asides, No. 4: Behind the Scenes — from Rohtas’ Perspective✦✦✦

This tradesman cannot possibly know that Madam is sitting right in front of him, but even still, gossiping in here of all places is simply careless. It could result in a serious scandal for the Fisalis family.

Madam seems shaken, but the maids appear to have eagerly accepted the opportunity to speak ill of their master. I cannot just stand by while this mess unfolds right before Madam’s eyes. I will have to have a word with them later. For the time being, I need to ascertain the validity of this rumor.

I gave the maids a warning before I took leave of Madam and left the kitchen. I knew Madam would be in good hands with Dahlia; the woman was the most level-headed of anyone there.

I was on my way to the greenhouse. Upon quietly opening the door, I called out for the man I was looking for.

“Bellis, I have a job for you,” I announced bluntly, my chocolate-brown eyes surveying the scene. The gardener was a clever man and would not need further clarification.

“I understand. Spies.”

“Three... maybe four.”

“Yes.”

Bellis gave me a small nod and disappeared into the garden.

He’ll be at my office in just a few minutes with his apprentices, no doubt, so I’d best make haste there myself.

Just as I anticipated, I had but a moment to spare when I returned to my office before Bellis appeared with his ‘spies.’ Although they usually worked as gardeners, those lads actually functioned as a hidden defense system for the Fisalis family.

“One of our regular tradesmen came in today with a rumor that Master has purchased a house on the outskirts of the capital and is keeping a mistress there. I want to know if there is any truth to this,” I briefly explained.

“That seems unlikely, considering how Master has been acting lately,” Bellis replied, incredulous. Even Bellis himself had the mind of a spy.

“I agree with you, but where there’s smoke, there’s fire, as they say. So for the time being, we must investigate.”

“You’re right.”

“I will contact you as soon as I find any evidence against Master, so work as quickly as you can.”

“Understood.”

“Thank you.”

Bellis and his spies nodded silently and left my office.

Just as Bellis said, Master has been desperately trying to win Madam’s love as of late, so I cannot help but wonder if this is a false report. The possibility that it may be something we need to quash, however, means that investigation is the only way to know for sure.

I suppose I’ll need to have a word with that tradesman, too... for causing our most beloved Madam distress!