65 Crime and Punishment

This is not what I expected after my return, when my first anger passed me, I tried to think logically. Kowalski told me that Sveta was arrested and has been in custody for several months. Apparently, some pearl necklace belonging to Teofila was found in her room.

It seemed highly suspicious to me. Sveta did not leave Jazłowiec, if she started wearing some expensive jewelery at once someone noticed. If she wanted to sell it, it would arouse the merchants suspicions, because where can a maid get a necklace for a dozen or so ducats? She probably robbed her employer. In order to gain my favor, someone would probably report it. Kleptomania was also out of the question, because nothing in the castle had ever been stolen before, kleptomaniacs do not steal typically valuable things, but they take everything that stimulates them to steal, usually worthless trinkets.

Of course, I also cannot exclude one hundred percent that she did not. She saw the necklace, she liked it and she took it, and then she didn't know how to get out of this situation. However, I was more convinced that she was not guilty. I don't believe in coincidences, Teofila doesn't like Sveta, Teofila is robbed, the stolen things end up in Sveta's room, and Sveta is arrested. Possible? Yes. Likely? No. I ordered Kowalski to release her from this arrest, and I will have to question Teofila myself.

"No matter how, dealt with it immediately." (MC)

"Lord, it's already late hour, I doubt if ..." (Secretary Kowalski)

"I didn't use the word "please" or "do what you can"... I gave the order and I expect results. Refusal and excuses are not an option. Did you understand?" (MC)

"Yes, Lord." (Secretary Kowalski)

Even though I was calmer, the anger has not completely faded away, there was also a lot of Kowalski's fault in this whole situation, he allowed the situation to escalate instead of suppress it and wait for my return. However, I did not know how to deal with Teofila and decided to take care of it the next day. Before I went to sleep, I checked Piotr and Katarzyna, but other servants were taking care of them, so everything was fine.

I couldn't sleep, I was tossing from side to side ... Sveta's case was bothering me. I got up, dressed, took the jar with the count's head with me and went to Teofia bedroom. The door was open as always, I walked over to the bed, her dark hair ... She looked cute. I woke her up gently.

"Wilkomir ?! I heard that you came back, but ..." (Teofila Tarło)

"It doesn't matter, I have a few questions for you and I want to introduce someone to you ..." (MC)

I was going to use the count's head as a method of intimidation ... I took the head out of the jar, even though I kept it in wine, it was already starting to deteriorate. Teofila screamed in terror... I calmed her down ...

"Meet the man who thought that he can lie to me with impunity, and when he was caught lying, instead of confessing his sins, he lied even more ... Where is the crime, there is also the punishment. I had to kill him, I can forgive a lot, anyone can make a mistake... but only one." (MC)

I said it in a calm and friendly tone, Teofila looked at me silently.

"I know what you did and I know why you did it... Jealousy. Tell me was it worth it? Did you think I wouldn't find out? A perfect crime does not exist, mistakes are always made, sometimes there is also a witness who... chose not to reveal himself until my return. Confess the truth and you will be forgiven." (MC)

"Who?" (Teofila Tarło)

"Anna, the maid saw you, but out of fear she preferred to remain silent and not say anything to anyone." (MC)

" Lie... She couldn't see me, she wasn't there." (Teofila Tarło)

I didn't need any more infirmation, Teofila was not a super criminal, but just a jealous woman. I stroked her cheek, she nestled into my hand, I lay down next to her on the bed ... and I covered her nose and mouth with my hand, she kicked and tried to free herself, but I was stronger ... after a few minutes she stopped moving. I got up, adjusted the sheets, put the Count's head back in the jar, and went back to my bedroom. This time I fell asleep quickly.

The next morning the maid raised the alarm that Teofila had died. Everything looked natural, as if she fell asleep and never woke up again. I went to my office ... Teofila had to die, not because she falsely accused Sveta, but showed a lack of loyalty to me. She also saw a lot of things I do in Jazłowiec and it was another nail in her coffin... A few hours later, secretary Kowalski came back with Sveta ... he was shocked that Teofila had died, but nothing seemed to arouse his suspicions, I ordered him to organize a funeral.

A few minutes later Sveta came to my office ... she fell to her knees, started kissing my hands and thanking me. I stroked her head ... her hair was dirty and matted, I suspect she may have had lice too. Dirty clothes, many stains ... torn in places.

"Enough, go wash well and change into clean clothes ..." (MC)

I picked up two pouches from the desk.

"Here you are paid for these few months, and here is twice as much as compensation... When you have cleaned up, eat something because I can see that you have lost weight and go to our children because they probably miss you." (MC)

"Lord... I ... thank you, I don't know what I would do..." (Sveta)

"Don't say anything, do what I told you. We'll talk when you are in better shape." (MC)

When Sveta left my office, at last I could take care of the count's head, Khan Temir looked very lonely.