Mary

Chapter 58 - Mary

Mary went straight to the head maid after Pascal left. She had hoped that reporting what happened would bring her some relief, but the head maid’s reaction only left her more confused. Instead of showing concern or asking whether Pascal had hurt her, the woman listened with a cold expression and reminded her to be careful about what she said.

By the time Mary’s shift finally ended, she was exhausted. She changed out of her work clothes, gathered her belongings, and headed downstairs, eager to leave the mayor’s house behind for the day.

However, she stopped halfway down the stairs when she noticed something strange in the hall.

Pascal was standing behind his stepmother, moving his hips against her in a slow, deliberate rhythm. The woman was busy preparing food, her hands occupied with the ingredients on the counter. She neither turned around nor told him to stop, behaving as though nothing unusual was happening.

A short distance away, the head maid stood watching them. She showed no surprise and made no effort to intervene. In fact, she seemed so accustomed to the sight that Mary began to wonder whether this was something she had witnessed many times before.

Mary stared at them, struggling to make sense of what she was seeing.

What kind of family is this?

She had already suspected that something was wrong with Pascal, but seeing the head maid stand by without saying a word made the situation even more disturbing.

And what is wrong with the head maid? She knows exactly what kind of person he is, yet she keeps protecting him. Does she really think he can do whatever he wants just because his father is the mayor?

Mary pressed her lips together. She wanted to say something, anything, but the memory of what had happened earlier that day held her back. She could still remember Pascal’s threatening voice and the way he had looked at her when he ordered her to pick up the dirty panty.

She had no intention of giving him another reason to target her.

Just as she began to move again, Pascal glanced over his shoulder.

Their eyes met.

For a moment, Mary forgot to breathe. She expected him to look surprised or perhaps annoyed at being seen, but instead, he smiled at her.

He did not even stop what he was doing.

That smile made her stomach turn. It was as though he wanted her to understand that he had nothing to hide and that her presence meant absolutely nothing to him.

Mary immediately lowered her gaze and hurried down the remaining stairs. She walked through the front door without looking back, then quickened her pace until the mayor’s house was well behind her.

Only after putting several streets between herself and the house did she finally feel comfortable enough to slow down.

I am never going to understand these people.

She shook her head, trying to push the unpleasant scene out of her mind. Whatever happened inside that house was none of her business, she told herself. She had her own goals to worry about, and she certainly did not intend to get involved in the affairs of a family that seemed determined to keep its problems hidden.

Just then, a familiar voice called out from behind her.

“Mary?”

She turned around.

The irritation on her face disappeared almost immediately, replaced by a bright smile when she recognized the person approaching her.

“Oh, Torin! Hey!”

Torin walked toward her with a polythene bag hanging from one hand. He had apparently been walking in the same direction, though he looked a little surprised to find her there. Mary stopped by the side of the road and waited for him to catch up.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I am training to become a high-class butler,” Mary replied proudly, straightening her back as though she were announcing an important achievement. “I have to work hard if I want to get somewhere in life.”

She then glanced at the bag in his hand before looking back at him.

“But what about you, Torin? Why are you here?”

Torin lifted the bag slightly.

“I just went to buy some meat. My father and sister are returning today, so I thought I would prepare something nice for them.”

Mary blinked.

Then her cheeks puffed out, and she turned her face away from him.

“Oh, is that so?”

Torin looked at her, confused by the sudden change in her expression.

“Yeah. Why?”

Mary let out a small huff.

“And what is the point of telling me that now?”

He frowned.

“W-What? What did I do?”

“You didn't even invite your favourite neighbour!”

Torin stared at her for a moment before the meaning of her words finally sank in. Then he burst out laughing.

“Hahaha! Favourite neighbour? You must have hit your head somewhere. You are my devil tutor, not my favourite neighbour.”

The instant those words left his mouth, Torin realized he had made a mistake.

Mary slowly turned her head toward him.

A dangerous smile appeared on her face.

“Devil tutor?”

Torin's laughter faded.

“Wait, Mary—”

She reached out, grabbed his ear between her fingers, and twisted.

“Ow!”

“Who are you calling a devil?” Mary demanded, pulling him closer. “Come on, say it again! Let me hear you!”

“I—I was joking!”

“Oh, you were joking? Then let me show you what this devil can do!”

She twisted his ear a little harder.

“Ow, ow, ow! Mary, stop! I'm sorry!”

“Sorry for what?”

“For calling you a devil!”

“And?”

“And for not inviting you!”

Mary held his ear for another moment, making sure he understood the seriousness of his crime. Only then did she release him.

Torin immediately stepped away and rubbed his sore ear.

“You are seriously violent,” he muttered.

“What was that?”

“Nothing!” he replied quickly.

Mary folded her arms, satisfied with the result. “Good. At least you can learn.”

Torin sighed and looked at the sky. The sun was already sinking toward the horizon, spreading a warm orange glow across the rooftops. People were returning home from work, shopkeepers were beginning to close their stalls, and the streets were gradually taking on the quieter atmosphere of evening.

He adjusted the bag in his hand and glanced at Mary again.

“So, are you going to keep complaining about the invitation, or are you going to let me get home before my father starts wondering where I am?”

Mary tilted her head, pretending to consider the matter.

“Hmm. I suppose I can forgive you this time.”

“How generous of you.”

“Of course. You should be grateful to have such a kind tutor.”

Torin shook his head, unable to stop himself from smiling. “There you go again.”

The two continued walking together, exchanging jokes and arguing over the smallest things as though they had known each other their entire lives. For a little while, Mary forgot about the mayor’s house and everything she had witnessed there. Walking beside Torin felt refreshingly ordinary, and after the strange events of the day, ordinary was exactly what she needed.

Eventually, they reached the point where their paths separated.

“Well, I have to go this way,” Torin said, pointing toward his street.

Mary nodded. “Then go on. And don't forget to invite me next time.”

“I'll think about it.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“I mean, of course I'll invite you!”

“Much better.”

Torin hurried away before she could find another reason to punish him. Mary watched him go, a small smile lingering on her face, before turning toward her own home.

The sun continued to sink beyond the rooftops as the two figures walked in opposite directions, each heading home to their own family and their own evening.

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