Chapter 12
“He left because he has an external appointment in the evening.”
“I see… Oh, that must be his carriage. I wonder where he’s going. Maybe for some cool business discussion or something like that…”
I muttered while pressing my forehead against the window, watching the lavish carriage pass through the front gate.
“He’s probably going to annoy someone, either the Longfall Duchy or the Imperial Palace. He’s been really stressed lately.”
Ah.
My heart shattered.
Sigh. A long sigh escaped from my mouth.
“Anyway, I guess I can’t just meet him whenever I want anymore…”
Even though he’s no longer the affectionate and sweet father he used to be.
‘But it’s okay.’
Although love is something invisible, my father’s love was still present here in a definite form.
As a person, in this very place.
‘That’s why, no matter what happens, I must protect my father with my own hands!’
Isn’t that the greatest form of repayment I can offer?
Alright.
I’m fully recharged with motivation, fighting spirit, and observational power at 100%.
‘I succeeded in safely entering the Duke’s residence!’
So now, I just have to work even harder! Let’s go!
Chapter 2
“Yawn, I’m so sleepy, Theo!”
After Secretary Ruska left, I quickly collapsed onto the bed.
“I’m also hungry, and I need to wash up…”
It was quiet next to me, so I turned to see a small round head already sound asleep.
“Well, yeah. It was a long day for me too, so Theo must be tired as well.”
We visited the temple, attended the funeral, and came all the way to the Duke’s residence.
Ugh. My body felt heavy like a ton of bricks, but I got up anyway.
I planned to soak a handkerchief in water to wipe Theo down. It reminded me of how my father used to do the same for me on days I would fall asleep after playing outside.
That was when it happened.
“Huh?”
The firmly closed door quietly slid open.
Through the gap, unfamiliar faces popped up one by one.
“Who are you?”
“There’s really a baby here…”
Whisper, whisper.
“There are two of them.”
“Wow, there are really two babies.”
“My goodness. Does that bed really look that spacious?”
‘Maids?’
The maids, dressed identically, stood at the doorway, observing us.
I blinked and gave them a nod. Since they worked with my father, I had to make a good impression.
“Um, hello?”
“She greeted us.”
“She greeted us!”
“Hello? Wow, have we ever heard such clear and proper greetings before?”
Hmm, I wasn’t sure what they wanted.
I gathered my strength and asked in a loud voice.
“Are you ladies working at Wintervalt?”
“The ladies!”
The maids suddenly flung the door open and rushed inside. There seemed to be about ten of them.
‘Whoa, they seem intense.’
Their faces all had an air of seriousness.
The one leading the group crossed her arms and looked down at me. Her sharp, slanted eyes were intimidating.
“So, it’s you?”
“Me? What about me?”
“The one who said she wanted to join our gang.”
“Huh? Me? When did I say that?”
At that moment, a hand from behind the maid slapped her.
“Why would you say ‘gang’ so recklessly?”
“Head maid!”
“That’s why people outside keep saying Wintervalt maids are like a gang.”
The middle-aged woman, clearly the head maid, lightly reprimanded her.
“Geez, head maid. It’s because other maids from different houses keep stealing the tableware and tablecloths I’ve claimed.”
“Did you place an order for them?”
“No? I just had my heart set on them.”
“…”
Dad… How are you managing your staff?
‘Ah, right, my dad is a villain.’
The saying goes, ‘The fish rots from the head down,’ and unfortunately, my dad’s slightly murky waters seem to have trickled down.
The head maid cleared her throat and directed her sharp gaze at me.
“I’ve heard from Mr. Ruska. You’re the one who’s helping treat the master’s ‘condition,’ correct?”
By ‘condition,’ she was probably referring to my father’s amnesia.
“I was also told that you’ll be staying as a guest here at the Duke’s residence for a while. Is that correct?”
“Yes… I’ll only be staying for a short while. Maybe around 80 years or so…”
I fidgeted with my hands as I answered.
“That sounds good. But for some reason, I heard that Lady Lirin underwent a ‘maid recruitment physical exam’ a little while ago. Is that true as well?”
I blinked in confusion.
Then, seeing the gathering maids, I nodded my head vigorously.
“Oh, right! That’s true!”
From the beginning, I didn’t expect to be recognized as the duke’s daughter at the estate.
‘After all, if even my father doesn’t acknowledge me, why would anyone else?’
Still, I didn’t want to be in the ambiguous position of a ‘guest’ who could be kicked out at any time.
I always wanted to be a child with a strong presence who had a proper place.
‘Whether it’s as a maid or something else, having a role is a good thing!’
And, well… To inherit a successful family business properly, it’s only right to start at the bottom so no one can talk behind your back.
“Lirin Valt!”
I smiled bashfully and straightened my posture.
Thinking of the head maid and the maids in front of me as my direct supervisors and seniors, I suddenly felt a little nervous.
“You’re lucky.”
The head maid curled her lips upward.
“Why is that?”
“Normally, the process involves a recommendation letter > document screening > personality test > practical interview > hiking interview > overnight stay interview (1 night, 2 days) > executive interview (with a dinner) > and finally, the physical exam.”
“Um, sorry, but hasn’t anyone reported this yet?”
“Ahem. Anyway, Lady Lirin—no, Maid Lirin—you should be grateful that you only had to undergo the physical exam thanks to the master’s special recommendation. Of course, you’ll need to receive proper training if you want to move beyond the apprentice stage. Also—”
“…?”
“Since you’re now part of our maid association, I won’t be using honorifics with you anymore.”
“Eek.”
I suddenly felt worried.
I was good at gardening, but useless at everything else. Since Alec, my father, wouldn’t let me handle household chores, I couldn’t even mop properly.
‘Will I be able to survive?’
I suddenly hugged Theo, who had woken up and was blinking.
Others might have comfort items like stuffed animals, but I found peace by hugging Theo Valt, who smelled like a sweet baby.
“Society is truly harsh, huh? Right, Theo? Did you sleep well?”
“Oo-oo!”
“….”
I could feel all the eyes staring at me like arrows.
What is it? Why are they staring?
Have they never seen a baby respond before?
“Well… since it seems you’ve passed the physical exam, we’ll proceed with the initiation.”
“What? But it’s almost dinner! Can’t we do it tomorrow? I’m sleepy!”
At that, the maids around me murmured in shock.
“Hah! Quite bold for a newcomer, huh?”
“Back in my day, we couldn’t even step on the head maid’s shadow! Kids these days!”
“Isn’t it okay since she really is a kid?”
“True.”
Feeling I had no choice, I cautiously asked, “What’s the initiation…?”
As if waiting for me to ask, a blue glint of madness flashed in the head maid’s eyes.
“Aisha, Kate.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Take these newbies to the bath immediately. It’s time to clean the small bath next to the grand bath anyway.”
‘What? Cleaning lessons from day one?’
Once again, I realized that the notorious Wintervalt family was indeed different.
No dinner, no chance to wash up—just straight to cleaning!
“Scrub them thoroughly in the small bath!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Oh no. Truly, the villainous Wintervalt family.
“So harsh!”
Swoosh, splash, splash.
Scrub, scrub.
“…?”
“…?”
Theo and I, sitting far apart in the baby bath, locked eyes.
“So, how’s the water?”
A stream of milky water was being poured continuously over my body. The water was mixed with all kinds of medicinal herbs and fragrances, making it incredibly soft and fragrant.
“How about my scrubbing?”
Someone was pressing my scalp with just the right amount of pressure, stimulating it perfectly. It felt refreshing.
“…?”
The maids were giggling mischievously as they clung to me like a swarm of ants. The same was happening with Theo.
“Nice. The small bath and baby bath are finally clean!”
“These ones are perfect for scrubbing the baths with!”
“Kyahhh!”
A baby’s delighted scream spread through the air.
“….”
My first job wasn’t cleaning the baths…
“I’ll polish you up thoroughly, no mercy.”
It was an ordinary bath.
Wait, am I really cut out to be a maid at this rate?
***
Around the same time.
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
“…Hmm?”
Deep in a dark forest, inside a shabby hut belonging to a mountain keeper.
An old man with bulging muscles stopped what he was doing. Rumor had it that he was a wild mountain bandit, beast, or demon who roasted and ate children who wandered into the forest.
The man, known by many terrifying nicknames, raised his blue eyes.
Knock, knock.
At the sound of something tapping on the window, a small carving knife dropped from his hand.
“A letter?”
Opening the window, he found a small blue magical bird holding a letter in its beak, cutting through the snowstorm.
[My dear.]
Seeing the familiar handwriting, he pursed his lips into a thin line.
“Eliza….”
Boom, boom!
The sound of a distant avalanche. No, it was the sound of his own heartbeat.
[I’m on my way to meet you now. I was going to leave earlier, but a little trouble came up…]
The old man quickly read the letter, then suddenly frowned in confusion.
“…What is this?”
Kalec made a strawberry? Why?
No, upon closer inspection, it said ‘daughter.’
“Hmm. It seems it’s time to leave the mountain.”
He looked around his hut, filled with all sorts of carved treasures, and grabbed the one he was most satisfied with, stuffing it into his pocket.
‘Will this child recognize its value?’
If so… If so…
That was why the giant of the North was on a carriage bound for the capital.
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
