Chapter 04
The city’s excitement over the public execution faded quickly.
A lot had happened in the meantime—like the sudden disappearance of the young Duke Schultz.
I stared blankly at the newspaper headline delivered to my doorstep.
“Young Duke Schultz Vanishes Without a Trace—Where Is He?”
Johannes Schultz…
I frowned without realizing it.
He had seemed fine, but it was clear that he, too, couldn’t escape the weight of his father’s death.
Of course, it could have been for a different reason.
I sighed, crumpling the newspaper and tossing it onto the table before slumping into a chair.
Defeat in war, reparations, a public execution, and now even the young duke’s disappearance.
The once-peaceful city of Müssen was being hit with more hardship than it could bear.
At first, everything was chaotic. But reality doesn’t wait for those who dwell in the past.
People soon returned to their daily lives, and though Müssen was not as vibrant as before, it was regaining its energy.
So I, too, needed to pull myself together.
How much would be left after paying the overdue taxes?
I counted the life insurance money the government had given me after my father’s death, only to realize it wasn’t even enough to last a month.
“Looks like I won’t be able to study for a while.”
I had been studying pharmacology, but tuition was expensive, and even in normal times, money was tight.
Until now, my father had supported me, allowing me to continue my studies, but…
“I need to find a job.”
Crying wouldn’t help anymore. My father hadn’t raised me to be weak.
I never knew my mother—she passed away when I was born—but I never felt her absence. My father raised me well, giving me a life filled with love.
We weren’t rich, but I had never felt lacking.
I just hadn’t realized that would make things harder for me now.
“I don’t have many skills.”
I had some basic knowledge of pharmacology and was good at housework, but that was about it.
With no close relatives to turn to, I had to figure things out on my own.
So, I decided to ask for help from Mrs. Pensler, my kind neighbor.
“Do you know where I can find job listings?”
“Why are you looking for a job all of a sudden?”
“Oh… I just need to earn some money.”
I scratched my neck awkwardly, and Mrs. Pensler’s eyes widened in concern.
“Edith, you’ve been out of sight lately, and now you look so down.
What’s wrong? What do you mean, money? Didn’t your father send you some? He’ll be back home soon anyway, so why worry?”
“Well…”
“Oh, don’t even get me started. My friend’s husband was just declared dead by the army the other day. Can you believe that? A sudden tragedy, just like that.”
I didn’t respond—just smiled bitterly.
Her expression changed. The cheerful look on her face disappeared, and her lips twitched slightly as if forcing a smile.
“Edith, no…”
Her voice trembled. When I neither confirmed nor denied her suspicion, she seemed to understand.
“Oh, my dear… What a terrible thing…”
“It’s okay.”
“Oh, my… I didn’t know… I should have realized something was wrong…”
She averted her gaze, as if ashamed.
“It’s okay. I’m doing better now. It was hard at first, but I’m managing.”
“Oh, Edith…”
“This was bound to happen someday. No one lives forever. I just… had to go through it a little earlier, that’s all.”
I smiled at her, trying to reassure her.
“Nothing has to change. We can still have meals, go shopping, and chat like before. The only difference is that now I need to earn some money—”
Before I could finish, she pulled me into a tight hug.
I was fine.
Forcing a smile, I rested my head on her shoulder and gently patted her back.
It felt like the right thing to do.
Strangely, I found it both foolish and comforting at the same time.
Then, I felt something warm and wet against my cheek.
“Oh…”
I was crying.
“Oh, my dear… The world can be so cruel.”
“…”
“Stay strong, Edith.”
Her sigh-filled words melted into the air, pressing the weight of reality onto my shoulders.
I wasn’t okay after all.
People in Dochilia often think of Müssen as a wealthy and peaceful city—one that is always lively and full of job opportunities, where people are kind and easygoing.
But that was in the past.
“Things have changed since the war. The whole country is struggling, and Müssen’s reputation has taken a hit because of the Schultz family.”
Mrs. Pensler frowned as she spoke.
Most factories were filled with men, and the jobs available to women were limited.
“Most women end up working in taverns or as maids in noble households. Some become housekeepers for rich families.
But most of those positions are already filled, so only the taverns have openings. Edith, you must never go near those places!”
That left me with just one option.
“There’s a job opening at the Russell Marquisate in Böhlen. They’ve been looking for a personal maid for the old marchioness for over a month, but no one has applied.
Probably because it’s a live-in position.”
The Russell family in Böhlen.
The family was run by a sharp-minded old woman who had built a fortune in the railway business.
She was also a major financial player, known for her ruthless calculations—so much so that even the royal family tread carefully around her.
A person like that would be difficult to work for.
“I heard the marchioness is incredibly difficult to please. Many have quit already. Are you sure about this?”
Mrs. Pensler asked several times, but I didn’t have the luxury of being picky.
The job paid well, and the Russell family covered train expenses, even though it was a three-hour ride away.
All I had to do was sacrifice a little sleep.
And if the old woman was difficult, I just had to endure it. If I got hired, I could afford my living expenses and even continue my studies.
Before I knew it, my feet had carried me to the post office.
The streets were just as busy as before the war.
“Fresh tulips in winter! Half-price today only!”
“Latest high-society gossip!”
Hearing the lively shouts, my heavy heart lightened a little.
Inside the crowded post office, I waited an hour for my turn.
“I need to make a call to the Russell Marquisate in Böhlen.”
“Calls to other regions start at 30 rubles. Is that okay?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“After ten minutes, it’s one ruble per second.”
After paying the fee, the operator connected my call.
The Russell family’s butler was extremely strict.
He interrogated me about my background, my health, and even whether I was on any medication.
He also warned me that any lies would result in immediate disqualification.
After answering everything truthfully, I finally secured an interview.
Before hanging up, the butler sternly reminded me that the marchioness despised lateness and might cancel the meeting without notice.
When the call ended, I felt as exhausted as if I had done hard labor.
Now I understood why their job listing had remained open for so long.
But I wasn’t afraid. Instead, I felt motivated.
Facing reality was terrifying, but at least working hard would keep me from dwelling on my pain.
“Yeah, I can’t stay like this forever.”
I steeled myself and turned to leave the post office.
That’s when I saw it—a newspaper headline pinned to the wall.
“Royal Family Strips Schultz Duchy of Financial Authority.”
“Disappeared Young Duke Schultz—Will He Return the Stolen Fortune?”
People were still obsessed with Johannes Schultz.
They blindly believed the royal family’s claims and criticized him.
Did they just need someone to blame? Or did they truly believe those accusations?
Frowning at the thought, I lifted my head—
And stopped in my tracks.
A tall figure blocked my way.
I blinked, glancing between the headline and the man before me.
Golden hair shining in the sunlight, deep blue eyes like the sea, and flawless, unforgettable features.
“But… he was supposed to be missing?”
It was Johannes Schultz.
