Chapter 3: Remove the Fire from the Bottom
◎ Melia felt relieved, chuckled, raised the bell on the bedside, and rang it vigorously.◎
The room was very quiet.
A few seconds later, Melia raised her hand and shook her finger in front of Muala's body. "He's really dead, just like before." But no one had retreated yet; they were all waiting for the bell to ring.
Her gaze returned to the bell by the bed. Should I ring it now?
Taffy was standing in the shadow of the closet, perhaps squatting or kneeling.
The child was only fourteen, but her killing moves were familiar and ruthless. About three minutes ago or half an hour later, she would draw the dagger at her waist.
Melia felt her throat was dry and couldn't help but touch her neck: it was smooth and there were no wounds.
If I insist on saying that I had a dream while falling asleep next to my father's bed, it would make sense.
But she didn't want to deceive herself. Whether it was the severe pain at that moment or the "Rose Princess" floating in her mind, they all proved that this was a real thing that happened.
Why was she resurrected... Was it the same as in "Rose Princess"? She was obviously just a supporting character with a few more scenes, and not the ultimate villain. Wouldn't it be better to just give the heroine a new mortal enemy?
The floating book did not answer. Melia cleared her mind of distractions and returned her gaze to what was before her.
The most urgent problem to be solved now is Taffy.
"You are not my lady."
Her heart trembled slightly. Was this the reason why the child killed her? Why didn't he do it in the first place?
She had clearly pretended to have amnesia when she just woke up, and all her habits and personality were different.
If he was unsure or harbored resentment, why did he kill her before the Muala family was destroyed? Wouldn't it be better to let the imposter bear the pressure and torture of the young lady?
So decisive, without hesitation.
I can’t figure it out... Is it because of the difference in status?
It is not the difference between slaves and masters, but the difference in thinking between slaves in slave society and free people in modern society.
It hurts so much when your head is cut off, I hope it doesn’t happen again!
Melia's mind was working at high speed, slave...if I were a loyal servant who grew up with the young lady...what reason would I have to kill the young lady who had become strange?
Remember those [wrong] parts in the conversation, remember them quickly!
"It's too dangerous to stay here."
[“You will be free—”]
Is it because... here!
Melia suddenly realized:
In the original novel, Taffy never betrayed her mistress Melia until her death.
But the person she is loyal to is only Melia from Muala's family, and maybe also the guy with a changed core. I wonder if it's Melia or someone else?
But when "Meliya" decided to abandon the Muala family and her identity as Meliya, she became just a stranger to Taffi who occupied the body of his own lady.
Under this logic, Taffy's killing her was as natural as revenge.
"Taffy."
Melia suddenly spoke, and even she was startled by the sound.
"Yes, miss."
Taffy stepped soundlessly across the carpet, her feet burying in the fur.
It turns out she wasn't wearing shoes...why didn't I notice that before?
She was waiting for the lady's instructions, as always.
Taffy is a human being, but also a slave. His slave side is even deeply ingrained in him.
If you want to escape the hands of a slave holding a weapon, you must become the master.
Taffy had first carried out the command to "bring the jewelry" before killing her. Slaves always tend to obey their masters' orders first, and they actively or passively give up thinking.
As long as she didn't let Taffy think, she would be safe. Even if she ordered Taffy to commit suicide now - no, she couldn't.
Why not? Taffy just killed her. Taffy is a murderer.
Because... I don't want to do this.
Melia reached up and touched the top of Taffy's head. The furry touch reminded her of children walking with their parents in the park.
"Go, search this house! Some cunning slave must have hidden my father's things! Especially the contract books, bring them all to me!"
"Yes!" Golden brown eyes flashed.
Taffy climbed the marble steps briskly, and with a few leaps he disappeared onto the platform on the second floor.
"Huh~" Melia breathed a sigh of relief, and the haze of being killed finally dissipated a little.
This order wasn't just to get Taffy out of the way and give her something to do. Someone must have hidden Muala's relics.
According to the plot of the original book, the elders led Muala's partners during his lifetime and opened a large pile of IOUs in front of everyone at his grand funeral to demand payment of the debts.
This makes sense. After all, according to the tradition of the imaginary Rome, the debts belonging to a person will naturally be eliminated after his death. Of course, debt collectors do not agree with this result. Therefore, Roman law stipulates that debts can be collected from relatives, but the deadline for notifying the debt is before the end of the funeral.
Every wealthy Roman would hold a funeral that lasted several days, with tables of feasts spread out, actors and even gladiators invited to perform for the entire city.
The funeral is not over until the body, dressed in its best clothes, is placed in the temple of the deity to be worshipped.
The book explicitly states that the partners were attacked unexpectedly on the last day: this was extremely disgraceful and strange behavior.
It is normal to collect debts at a funeral, but usually people rush to the host's house early the next morning, play music and dance outside, and discuss the debts behind closed doors.
The moment the body is dragged into the temple, it is either a grudge or a ghost.
Although she couldn't rule out the possibility that the novel deliberately created contradictions, based on what she had seen and heard in the past few days, Muala had a good reputation.
In this environment where slave masters compete with each other for the worst, even if he is bad, his badness is not obvious. There are even many concubines who remember his good qualities and secretly sob when they think that the young lady will inherit the family business.
Uh, maybe "she" is just too bad?
No matter what, the IOU must be passed.
And there are those contracts that the original owner couldn't find no matter what - she is still the head of the family now, right?
Melia came out of her thoughts and bravely felt around the huge bed in front of her.
There is a strange material under the brocade, is it a mat made of bamboo boards?
She walked across the white and smooth mat and knocked towards the corner.
Click
Got it!
The patterns on both sides were pressed down a little by the fingers, and the secret compartment inside was slowly revealed.
She pulled the paper out by the corner with her fingertips and unfolded it to the light. Although the characters were from another world, she could understand them perfectly. It should be the title deed to this manor.
Very good, since the contract for the manor has not been lost, there should be many contracts that have not been taken away in time.
Most modern contracts are made in duplicate or triplicate, but "The Rose Queen" is set during the Roman monarchy, where the conclusion of a contract only requires the presence of several witnesses.
Even if some businessmen jointly write a contract in duplicate, they would not think of keeping a copy with the notary.
No one has filed it, and if I lose the contract... haha.
If slaves' identities were not registered and most masters left indelible marks on their slaves, slaves could easily steal their own indentures and escape.
The bedroom was large and might contain other valuables. She bent down and searched carefully.
…
"Miss, it's all here."
Taffy held a box and opened it carefully.
Melia couldn't help but hold her breath: Fortunately, there were rolls of sheepskin and copper contracts inside, instead of a box full of gems.
"here you go."
She praised it while checking the contents.
Most of them are land deeds with shops and orchards attached. The most valuable ones should be manors in various places and investments in foreign caravans.
There are a lot of things and they are very diverse, but something is definitely missing.
Even without the original book's reminder, Melia intuitively realized that something was wrong: the ratio of investment and real estate was very disproportionate.
The vast majority of the deeds here are properties and land that are difficult to move or replace.
On the contrary, there are very few investment contracts. If we only rely on these working capitals, it will be difficult to maintain the current luxury consumption, let alone further purchase real estate.
We are not afraid of discovering problems, but we are afraid of covering them up too perfectly. It seems that these deeds have not been transferred yet.
Melia felt relieved, chuckled, picked up the bell on the bedside and rang it hard.
Ding-dong-dong, ding-dong-dong!
The people outside waited for a long time, and Ali came in with the people he had gathered.
Clang.
The bell was thrown onto the edge of the wooden cabinet, making a harsh vibration.
Ali raised his head and said in a humble voice, "Miss, please don't disturb the master..."
Everyone knows how much Muala trusts Ali. Although they are all slaves, this housekeeper is a different person in Muala's family.
He served his master for decades, married and had children under his master's witness, and assisted his master in managing his complex business.
It is very special to have such a loyal servant like him who dedicated his whole life to seeing his old master off.
Even Melia had never dared to whip him before, and when she got angry she would just pretend he didn't exist.
"Disturb the master?"
Melia raised an eyebrow, and Ali quickly lowered his head in obedience, "Please allow me to restrain my master first, the head of the family."
This request is reasonable and loyal.
Under everyone's gaze, Melia chuckled and walked out of the room, followed closely by Taffy holding the box.
That box... The moment Ali saw the sandalwood box, his heart skipped a beat.
Melia's sharp voice came from outside the door: "Close the gate! Seal the courtyard gate! Lower the iron gate! Everyone come to me. Guards, divide into groups of three!"
Taking into account the ubiquitous bandits and possible wars, Muala Manor has three doors. Usually, only the wooden door and the nailed wooden door are closed and locked.
But in extreme moments, the strong men in the manor can use the mechanism to drag the outermost iron wall to completely seal off the manor.
Ali looked at his trembling fingers and shook his head.
"Ali, it's your turn." The collector had already packed Muala's clothes, and now it was Ali's turn to put the metal plate symbolizing love and loyalty on him.
Mualla loved gold the most, so Ali took the gold piece carved into the shape of a shield and carefully placed it on his master's chest. He then bowed his head humbly and kissed his master's fingers.
Bang, bang, bang.
A heavy metallic sound came from behind the door, it was the sound of iron boots trampling on the floor.
Ali stood up straight, as respectful as ever, and bowed to the ground: "Master, what can I do for you?"
Even when the elderly butler addressed him as master, there was no trace of joy in those emerald eyes.
Melia clapped her hands. "Ali, you're my father's most trusted person. So tell me—what are your responsibilities? Safekeeping the contracts?"
Ali lowered his head, feeling a sense of foreboding. "Yes, the contracts are divided between me, Bella, and Orr. I also manage some of the backyard chores, such as travel arrangements. Most of the outside business is handled by Aisha and Idido."
The answer was very sincere. Everyone knew that Miss Melia knew nothing about household affairs or other matters.
She didn't understand the concept of cost and benefit. Even staying home to entertain business partners could easily lead to mistakes. The team left by Master Muala couldn't be moved, otherwise the young lady would be cheated out of everything.
"Really? Let them come over."
"yes."
After Ali finished replying, Melia raised her hand as if she had just remembered.
"Send the torturer along, and bring your tools."
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