"Yes, that was the only solution I could think of at the time, but I'm still not sure whether Edessak or whoever is behind him might rather kill an innocent than let anyone slip away. It's best not to let Annie leave the villa for now."
"All right, I understand!"
Annie was her personal maid, who had grown up alongside her. Although they were mistress and servant, their affection was genuine. When Audrey officially moved out of the Hall Earl Family's home someday, Annie would most likely become her housekeeper.
At that thought, Audrey said indignantly:
"That Demoness is absolutely despicable! She didn't care whether anyone else lived or died, as long as she could escape!"
"In the Beyonder world, Demonesses are often symbols of calamity. Their advancement comes with death, slaughter, and disaster, so if you encounter one, stay as far away as possible!"
"What about that lock of hair she shoved into your hand?"
"I found some random sewer and hid it there. She said it would only work if I lit it, but I don't trust her. What about you? What else did that princess say to you afterward?"
"Well, she's determined to find evidence, expose that Demoness's 'true colors,' and drive her out. But as you just said, Edessak was probably behind the maidservants' disappearances, so her efforts are doomed to be fruitless."
"Yes, the waters behind the Demoness Trissy run very, very deep. My advice is... from now on, forget what she told you, and don't meet Helena again."
Audrey hesitated for a few seconds before saying:
"But... she's offering thirty thousand pounds."
"Thirty thousand pounds?"
Edward swallowed. He did have quite a bit of money on hand now, but thirty thousand pounds was still a considerable fortune to him.
*Thirty thousand pounds... just to