Philippa turned her head as if bewitched.
"I won't tell father. So, there won't be any trouble for the nanny."
It sounded like a reference to the violence that had just occurred, but it was actually about embezzlement.
Philippa quickly understood and her eyes changed.
Navia really had no intention of reporting the embezzlement.
Even if Nikan, in his fury, dealt with Philippa for now, there would be future problems.
'It's dangerous if I give the impression that I'm manipulating him to eliminate his own people.'
Navia willingly offered Philippa an escape route.
That escape route would lead to another dead end.
Seeing the devilish Navia turn gentle, Philippa felt a small relief in her heart.
'What is she plotting?'
Was it just a childish defiance?
That's how children are.
Cunning and devilish at times, but surprisingly content with the smallest of rewards and become docile.
Perhaps Navia was resentful of her recent unfair treatment?
'Yes, that's it. Just feed her properly for a while and scold her less, then she'll quickly think she's won and become foolishly arrogant.'
Navia was always that kind of child.
Overwhelmed with small attentions and tears of joy for being so lowly born.
'This is why low nobility is so!'
Philippa deeply empathized with Wood's contempt for the low nobility. Forgetting that she was merely a noble's nanny and in reality a commoner.
'The master always gave appropriate rewards to such lowly beings. It makes them even more foolish.'
As Navia relaxed, Philippa planned to hide the evidence of embezzlement.
A task she could complete in three days.
The problem was that the maid, Charlotte, had heard about this...
'How should I deal with her?'
Philippa's eyes glinted maliciously when Hans shouted again.
"The lady has spoken to this extent, how can you hesitate!"
Unable to dawdle any longer, Philippa made a pitiful expression, pretending to be convinced by Navia's victory.
"I trust your words, lady."
Navia just listened quietly, without responding.
Her motionless and serene appearance somehow stirred unease in Philippa's heart, but she dismissed it as a needless worry.
This fear wasn't because of that wench but because the master might find out.
Philippa reassured herself and then left the bedroom.
"Lady, I'll take you to bed."
Charlotte helped Navia to bed and gestured towards the nightstand.
Pointing exactly at the tray where the meal was placed.
Charlotte was certainly a capable maid.
Even knowing Philippa's weakness, she still pretended to be her person, carefully preparing for any unforeseen situations.
'After Philippa is caught embezzling and dies, Charlotte will snatch the pie and start embezzeling.'
Charlotte had already bought off most of those opposing Philippa.
Navia planned to use this to her advantage.
"Then I'll start the examination."
The examination ended more simply than expected.
Navia was advised to rest, eat well, and was prescribed some medicine.
With a dull expression, Navia asked Hans a favor.
"Could you... keep what just happened a secret? I don't want the nanny to be punished because of me..."
Hans clicked his tongue inwardly.
'Tsk, nobility can be so foolishly proud.'
Hans thought Navia deserved the contempt she got and nodded.
"Understood, my lady."
Soon after Hans left, only Charlotte remained in the room.
"I'll leave now."
Just as Charlotte was about to leave, Navia stopped her.
"I didn't say you could go."
Navia faced Charlotte with a completely different expression than she had with Doctor Hans.
A cold smile unfittingly drew across her angelic face, which was unusually beautiful for a child.
"Did you really think I'd just let you go?"
Charlotte involuntarily swallowed.
"Is there something you want me to do?"
"Philippa being caught for embezzlement won't go unnoticed. Don't you think some action is needed?"
As long as Navia was here, she had to act as a ‘gentle and useful’ foster daughter.
That’s why she needed someone to be her limbs behind the scenes.
The enemy of the enemy is said to be a friend.
If Philipa is Charlotte's enemy, then they could easily join forces.
‘To be precise, I should say that she’s a hyena aiming for the money in Philippa’s hands.’
It was not even Navia’s job to fulfill that wish. Trust should be accompanied by each other’s interests, so a cheap alliance could be maintained.
‘I don’t want to be trusted a lot anyway.’
"I will not expose the governess's crime as I promised."
Although she realized that Navia had suddenly changed, Charlotte found it hard to understand her motives due to her limited experience.
Philippa, who directly harmed Navia, deserved punishment and to be removed from her side.
But not exposing her? Charlotte couldn't fathom the reason.
Charlotte asked cautiously, "Why not?"
"Besides me, you're the only one who knows about the governess's embezzlement, Charlotte. So, what do you think she'll do?"
Navia asked with an innocent smile, "Will she risk everything to deal with me first?"
"……."
"Or will she go after you?"
Charlotte bit her lip.
Her heart pounded, and sweat seeped from her clasped hands.
Even when facing Philippa, she had felt it, but the child before her had indeed changed overnight, as if her soul had been replaced.
"I don't quite understand what you mean…"
"Just a heads-up, but don't go telling the Duke that Philippa has been embezzling my upbringing expenses."
If Philippa's embezzlement were true, Nikan would uncover it no matter what.
But Navia was saying that wasn't an option.
"The Duke might deal with Philippa. But wouldn't he wonder how you came to know about it?"
"…You mean, I might be accused of conspiring and then turning whistleblower?"
"Exactly."
Charlotte, having spent a year or two here, guessed Nikan's character.
He would suspect that they conspired together but then betrayed each other.
No ruler keeps a potential threat close.
"The Duke is cruel and swift in his actions. Dealing with you would be no trouble for him."
Charlotte's breath hitched.
Navia's voice was calm as she stated the facts, yet it was menacing.
When the tension reached its peak, Navia suddenly smiled brightly.
"But leaving Philippa be would be foolish, right?"
Charlotte recalled the thought she just had.
'No ruler keeps a potential threat close... That applies to the person before me too.'
"Are you asking for my help?"
At this, Navia shook her head.
"Help? I'm using you."
Charlotte was momentarily stunned but soon agreed. Navia held the upper hand.
'Today's incident, being called up to the third floor, it wasn’t a coincidence.'
It was an intuition without logical basis.
But she was certain.
"In the process, Charlotte, you could gain what Philippa has been enjoying."
Realizing it was about money, Charlotte's eyes narrowed.
What Philippa enjoyed was embezzling Navia's upbringing expenses.
If Charlotte took over, she would be just as vulnerable to Navia.
But the offer was irresistible.
'There must be more than just upbringing expenses that Philippa has been pocketing. If all that becomes mine...'
Charlotte's excitement was palpable, but she maintained her composure as she looked at Navia.
Navia seemed confident she wouldn't refuse.
How could she be so sure? Charlotte hadn't even begun to guess what kind of person she had been serving.
Moreover, Navia referred to Nikan as 'the Duke' instead of 'father' unless necessary.
What did that imply?
Charlotte voiced the thought that came to her mind.
"You don't seem fond of the Agnes family."
In truth, it was as if Navia had openly hinted at her intentions.
'Not fond' was a mild way to describe the cold smirk that briefly passed beneath Navia's calm expression.
"I can never be a true daughter of this family, so the limits of our relationship are clear."
She was needed but not cherished, raised like a dog.
The relationship between a master and a hunting dog. Navia was that hunting dog, beaten to an inch of her life.
'Now Agnes will learn that even a beaten dog can turn on its master.'
The thought of their horrified reactions brought a pleasant smile to her lips.
Navia added a realistic touch to her story, making sure Charlotte understood.
"As an adopted daughter of low birth in a noble household, I could be discarded anytime. Even now, things are like this, but will there ever be a good day for me?"
Charlotte deeply empathized with the realistic narrative but felt a dissonance hearing such worldly wisdom from such a young child.
She thought Navia possessed extraordinary insight, far beyond that of a mere culprit.
"Now, Charlotte. I've told you everything. What are you going to do?"
