The Hated Lady (HIATUS)

Chapter 24: Mysterious Paper(3)

Merrie was commenting on Lisya's messy office where papers was covering the floor. Lisya face flush in embarrassed.

"My apologies, I didn't expect you to come.." she said as her hand quickly pick up the fallen paper one by one in fast pace.

"No no no," Merrie walk to Lisya's and stop her rough hand from cleaning the floor. "You're not the maid anymore, you're a knight! I was just saying it cause I thought it was funny, I didn't really mean for you to clean it."

"It's okay. I didn't like it when others clean my things, especially when it's important." She continues to clean the spot but now with a slower pace.

"Umm.." Merrie nod her head. "I'll help."

Merrie didn't expect her time with Lisya would be spend by cleaning but she didn't mind it. She don't remember when did she ever clean things with someone for the past years.

Lisya clean her table and Merrie clean the opposite side of hers. She picked up the paper one by one, she didn't want to peak on the writing just in case it was something she shouldn't know... though mainly because it's boring. But a name caught her eyes, Kaven Bechkam.

Unconsciously, she reads through the paper, when finished, she look around to find the continuation. Finding nothing she turn to Lisya, "Lisya..."

Lisya turn to her call, seeing the paper she walk and slowly took the paper off Merrie's hand. "Oh, this is where it's been hiding."

Merrie hand play with her hair as she was hesitant to speak out her mind. "So... He was mother's servant?..."

The surprised on her face was easily seen by the naked eye. But what surprised Merrie was that what she had in mind was completely not what she expected or do she was prepared to, "....How do you know how to read?"

Merrie blink rapidly, she only managed to keep her expression calm but not her actions. "Uh... Just.." She learned the lesson about this world language before, but at this timeline, she haven't learned it yet. Having no ideas, she fake a frown, "No, you answer my question first."

The curiosity never leave Lisya's mind, but she remain obedient to her Young Lady's order. "... As your command, Milady. Kaven Bechkam, he's the one that was always royal to Madam Zedia as she was alive. He was like a family to Madam Zedia." Lisya said as her eyes trail to the writing.

"If he's so royal to Mommy, then why did he try to murder me?" Merrie said.

"The higher-ups suggest he was threatened or he was manipulated by 'that man'. It was the more likely reason why that old man betray us after years of service." The anger hadn't leave her tone.

Merrie observe her expression, she was hesitate but she asked, "What do you think?"

Lisya stare at her for a moment before answering, "I never like that old hag. He was controlling, narcissistic, unfeeling, short-tempered and closed-minded, but despite that he do actually care for Madam Zedia.

She continue, "From what I learn about him, he may blame you for her death, even though it's completely unreasonable, he's the kind of person who would shift the blame to someone else when there is no one is there to be blame."

"..... You know," Merrie was hesitant.

"What?" Lisya raise a brow.

"I never asked you both about this because I want to things to calm down first but you were like her traveling companion and her most royal followers. So you lied about our promise to find the truth about Mommy?" Merrie wasn't angry, but she weren't happy either. She too also forgot about the promise they both made because too many things had happened. If she were to be mad that's hypocritical adding to the fact she had met Zedia and never asked.

Lisya grasp her both hand, "At the time I was reckless, i thought I could hide the fact that I know her forever and I was wrong to think that. No secret can be hide forever. But believe me when I say that like any other people who was involved, I didn't know why she did what she had done." She said with an earnest tone as she look right at Merrie's eyes as if begging to be believed in.

Merrie smile. "I believe you." Her body moved away to continue cleaning the room as she rose up, "Let's get this thing over with first, shall we?"

Lisya stand up as well, "We shall." She chuckle.

Merrie was happily organizing the book, she reach her hand up to place a book and a piece of white paper fall from her pocket. Lisya pick it up, she was about to give it back to her but she instantly stop as she took a glanced at the black inked map.

"What are you looking at?" Merrie asked.

Lisya quickly fold the paper and tuck it in her pocket, "It was one of my important... letters. Looks like i won't be here tomorrow, so remember to not come visit."

Lisya didn't look at her in the eye, if it were someone else she would've thought they were lying but it's Lisya, she would never lie— Merrie thought. She tilt her head and sigh,"Just after we clean the room."

Lisya unconsciously let out a sigh of relief, "I told you to leave this to me."

"I never said I regret it." Merrie smile cheerfully.

At sundown, Merrie leave Lisya's office. Lisya took the time to carefully inspect the map and frown deeply. "Who in the bloody hell give this to her."

Without wasting any second, she write

(A/N: This time it short because the next update will be on Wednesday. Give me your opinion, do you like the usual update or this one?)