Everyone knew that Helena was an adopted daughter. Her biological father died when she was young. After his death, Helena and her mother fell into destitution. They worked as maids from one house to another. In a cold winter season, her mother was employed by a nobleman. The Count was a single parent who lost his wife during childbirth, and he lived with his only daughter. He was mesmerised by Helena's mother and married her. As a result, Helena and her mother rose from being commoners to nobility.
Helena was indebted to her mother. She was aware of how challenging it was to bring up a child in poverty. That woman could have abandoned Helena in an orphanage or on the street, but she decided to live for her daughter. Perhaps this was why the Count and her mother got on so well. They understood each other because both raised their daughters on their own.
Helena and her mother were initially met with a cold response after the marriage, but eventually received the respect they deserved. Her mother was kind to the servants. She never mistreated them or took advantage of her position as the new Countess. She helped them because she had once been in their position herself. She was well-liked because she listened to their troubles and concerns.
Helena followed her mother's example, but perhaps she was too generous. She should have established clear boundaries. Although the servants bowed their heads as she walked through the hallway, some glared at her out of envy. It was clear that they did not treat her as the lady of the house.
Helena was annoyed by their behaviour and opened the dining room door with a loud bang. Her parents were surprised by the noise.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, dear." Her father greeted her. "I see you're already up. Are you feeling better now?"
The family had a tradition of sharing a meal together. They always gathered to eat. However, given what had happened the previous day, her father was worried about her condition. He preferred that Helena have her meal in bed and rest properly.
She smiled at him. "Thank you for your concern, but I'm fine now."
The food was served once Helena and Ethel had taken their seats. Helena had no appetite, but forced herself to eat. She would need the energy for the day ahead. While she was eating her appetiser salad, her mother complained about her behaviour.
"Helena, you must never go out without notice again! You almost gave me a heart attack yesterday!"
Helena stared at her mother. Astrid Blackmoore was an attractive woman. With her youthful looks, shining soft black hair, refined jaw, ivory skin, steel blue eyes, and sensual red lips, no one would think she was in her mid-thirties. Her beauty alone was enough to enchant nobles and high society, ensuring that no one opposed her marriage to the Count. Although Lady Astrid was slightly vain, she was a clever woman. She thrived in the world of nobility, applying the knowledge she gained from her experiences.
"Mother, you are gorgeous."
Lady Astrid was astonished by her daughter's words. It came out of nowhere. She feigned a fake cough to hide her flushed cheeks. "Flattery will not appease my anger."
Helena's father steered the conversation back to the main topic. He agreed with his wife. "Listen to your mother, Helena. The street is getting dangerous nowadays."
Next to Lady Astrid was Count Melvin Blackmoore, Helena's stepfather. He had the same limelight green eyes as Ethel. His short, golden-brown hair was slicked back. His moustache made him look older and wiser. Count Melvin was responsible for imperial land and the financial affairs. He was a rare noble who never misused citizens' taxes.
"I know. I will ask for permission next time I go out."
Her father was right. There had been reports of missing people, and some were found dead in the street. The authority investigating this case was still pursuing the murderer. Helena recalled it because this incident occurred in both of her previous lives. She remembered reading about a little girl who was found dead in a gutter. Her living portrait was published in the newspaper. They did not include her family name, but she was a pretty little girl named Daisy.
"Can I go to the church? I will go with the guards."
Her father sighed. "Fine, you can go as long as you bring the guards. However, they will watch you. You cannot disappear from their sight."
Helena's face lit up when she heard this. "Thank you, Father!"
He smiled at his stepdaughter. Although she was not his biological daughter, Count Melvin cherished her.
Helena stole a glance at Ethel to gauge her reaction to the conversation. Her stepsister ate in silence, but she was clearly annoyed. Helena ignored her deadly glare and continued eating her greens.
After breakfast, Helena went to church. As she stepped into the carriage, she remembered something.
"I almost forgot. Adham's reward is still in my room."
Helena could not ask Violet to get it. Even though the maid was accompanying her, she still prepared for their journey. Helena ordered the coachman to wait for her. She went upstairs to her room to retrieve the gold pouch from the table. Helena was shocked when she opened the door. A maid was rummaging through her jewellery set. The maid panicked when her misdeed had been discovered.
"Please forgive me, my lady! I need to—"
Helena slapped her. The maid would lie about everything she said. Helena had caught her doing the same thing before. She claimed that the money was for her brother's treatment. The naïve Helena believed her and let it go. She later learnt that the maid had no siblings. To make matters worse, after her mother's death, the maid joined in harassing Helena. She even dared to steal an heirloom from her deceased mother.
What should she do to the lowly maid? Should she cut off her finger? Pouring hot water on her until she received a third-degree burn? Scarring her cheek permanently? Whipping her until she was paralysed? Helena had done all of these things. The maids who mistreated her in her first life were tortured in her second life. She prevented maids from resigning, even resorting to blackmail to prolong their employment.
"Lady Helena, the coachman is waiting. Are you—" Violet saw a maid kneeling on the floor with a red cheek. It was obvious that Helena had slapped her. "What is going on in here?"
The guilty maid was terrified. Helena was known to be gentle and timid. Every servant exploited this weak personality for their own benefit. She never expected Helena to resort to violence. There was no hint of kindness in her eyes.
Helena wanted to torment the maid further. However, she gritted her teeth and turned around. This was not the right time.
"Violet, tell my father that this girl is stealing from me. I'll allow him to decide the most fitting punishment."
The maid was shocked and begged her. The Count would not give her a recommendation letter. "My lady, please have mercy! If I were fired from this household, I would not be able to find a new job!"
Helena sneered and kicked her. Her gaze towards the thief was cold. "Then you should think twice before stealing from me. This is my mercy to you. You will regret it if I am the one who punishes you."
Helena left without looking back. What she said was true. The same maid committed suicide in the summer due to Helena's abuse. She was found hanging in her room. Helena only laughed when she heard about it, allowing the story of her wickedness to spread throughout the kingdom.