Chapter 4
Ivan, the all-around but enigmatic butler, was the most mysterious figure in the house, shrouded in secrecy about his past.
Undoubtedly handsome, his face was oddly forgettable when turned away, making it difficult to determine his background.
At times, he looked like he was in his early thirties, while at others, he appeared to be in his late teens, making it hard to guess his age.
Perhaps his most distinctive feature was the combination of the common silver hair and the rare black eyes, typical of Rosellote?
Rumors had it that he was scouted by the viscount from his early days working as a bureaucrat, but there was never a definitive confirmation, adding to the mysterious rumors.
As I watched Ivan stand beside me with impeccable posture, skillfully polishing the silverware, I murmured involuntarily.
“I wish someone would polish my mask too.”
“Please wash your face yourself.”
Not washing my face!
I spread my hand under my chin, gripping the edge of the mask slightly and pulling it downward. This way, it would detach neatly under my nose, becoming a half-mask.
I tucked the lower piece of the mask into the pouch at my waist and lifted the teacup I had set down to sip the chamomile tea.
Of course, if the ladies-in-waiting of the viscount’s mansion in the capital heard that a maid like me was drinking such tea, they would all laugh…
“Our lady is not generous enough to give clothes or tea leaves to a despised maid.”
In these borderlands, luxury items are expensive, so even minor nobles like those in Einarin enjoy drinking flower or herbal tea.
The fragrant golden tea flowed down my throat. It had a sweet and tangy aftertaste, almost like it had slightly burned wildflower honey.
“Really, Ivan Reus. You’re my number one talent to steal away when I get married.”
I’m sorry for being grumpy earlier and thinking about running away if the viscount broke his promise. You enjoy and excel at this job!
Oh, right. Come to think of it, didn’t the lady mention something about the viscount coming today? Maybe I should ask Ivan about it.
“Marigold, about tonight’s dinner, is there anything special we should pay attention to?”
“Oh my, how did you know? A messenger arrived from the station a while ago. And since the viscount is about to arrive, what could possibly be happening in this remote area at this time of year?”
“No way… No way!”
Even if the lady’s words were true and he really is coming, that can’t be the basis for such crazy talk! Even if they don’t tell us, they could have sent a letter to their daughter beforehand!
“Come to think of it, the lady mentioned the viscount, didn’t she? Did she send a messenger saying he’s coming?”
“Oh my, where did you hear that? Even if he suddenly comes and goes, it’s not like he would suddenly appear out of nowhere. He might get stabbed on the road, haha.”
“…”
That’s true.
Viscount Einarin is stationed at the central agency of the Foreign Ministry, and his territory includes the border, so he deals with both domestic and international affairs…
Just as my thoughts were spiraling, the side door connected to the dining room suddenly creaked open.
“It’s all because of you!”
It was Zedeiji, who had announced the mealtime earlier.
Boldly appearing, she stood on the threshold, unable to contain her anger, rolling her eyes wildly and starting to yell.
“All of it, all! It’s all because of you! Why aren’t you working and gossiping with the butler here!”
What am I supposed to do? I’ve been grinding makeup ingredients until now.
She’s a serving maid at the entrance, so it’s rare for us to even run into each other. She’s been quiet for a while, so why is she acting up again?
“Zedeiji, tell me so I can understand.”
“Because you, because you’re fooling around, there’s no one by the lady’s side….”
Oh? She’s crying. Zedeiji, who had a fairly refined face for a serving maid, wiped her wet face vigorously with the lace apron.
“They, they told me to, become a common maid, starting today. Miss, okay, but, you, even, to you, they said, sob…!”
Merigold and I looked at each other simultaneously. Wow, really? I can’t tell if she likes the lady or not?
“Oh, will that happen as the lady wishes? I’m the housemaid, and the viscount must agree too. Surely the lady’s feelings will change before that.”
“Just now, you said he’s coming for dinner, right?”
Although Merigold tried to reassure her, Zedeiji, who may have already heard our conversation as she came in, wailed, shoulders heaving.
“I, I can’t serve the lady! Monet got a severe burn on her hand before and was chased out to the laundry room! Ugh….”
Being the lady’s attendant is one of every maid’s dreams. Merigold seemed to understand Zedeiji’s distress and tried to comfort her, but as Zedeiji continued to whine and list Eve Rose’s faults, her expression gradually hardened. It was the face of a stern housemaid.
“You naive thing, with your light words and actions, you think you’ll sprout wings and fly away! Do you know what happens when your whining goes too far beyond the threshold?”
“Ugh, Ma’am, I’m, s-sorry, I’m sooooorrry!”
“Where’s the annoyance coming from? It just won’t stop!”
“This, this is, sniff, sob, even if I die, I’ll only listen to the lady, I’m, I’m just a maid, only, Aunt, Aunt, I’m all alone, no, no nanny, so, sniff!”
Zedeiji didn’t stop. Instead, she cried louder, then ran out through the back door with a bang.
“Oh, I raised her so poorly….”
Merigold murmured, touching her forehead.
“She was raised so politely, even though her parents died early, so she’s pitiful. She’s even too good for her niece.”
“She said she didn’t want to get married right away, so I introduced her to a job, and I helped her become a serving maid. She should be grateful.”
“She just grew up dreaming big, always greedy for attention and praise.”
Though there was no subject in her lament, everyone in the room knew what it meant.
I picked up the tea cup, the object of jealousy for Zedeiji, and Ivan, the target of greed, pretended not to notice, only checking the silverware for any oil stains.
“Just make sure to firmly tell Zedeiji not to make any mistakes later. The lady…”
“Huh? The lady?”
“…You know her personality. If Zedeiji says something like she’ll handle it herself or something she doesn’t like, then…”
“Ugh, ugh.”
As if it were difficult to speak openly, Merigold replied with a wink and a heavy sigh.
Okay. Smoothly blended in.
“I almost blurted out that the lady kept saying strange things and wanted to change her prescription.”
I can tell Ivan, but there are things I can’t tell Merigold.
There’s nothing wrong with her. Like many people in the mansion, Merigold is too good to suffer here.
Her gentle demeanor and genuine concern, typical of the Einaian local dialect, embraced me on lonely days after losing my family.
Even I, who had been thoroughly educated by my mother, had briefly mistaken that Merigold would support me when the lady started to torment me.
“It was a naive misconception.”
Well, no matter how she acted like a nanny, she wasn’t my nanny after all, and no matter what mischief she made, I always saw her as a pitiful and young lady.
Merigold was only irrational to me when it came to the lady’s issues.
Well, anyway, she was a nanny to Eve Rosa before becoming a lady’s maid, right?
“So what Zedeiji said while crying earlier wasn’t entirely wrong.”
“Aunt will only listen to me, even if I die!”
If Eve Rose had killed someone, Merigold would be the one worrying whether the delicate lady’s hands were injured or not.
“Just as I thought. These days, everyone’s attitude seems so unpredictable. Every time someone speaks up, I feel anxious…”
Clatter.
Just as Merigold’s lament was about to drag on, Ivan finished clearing away the utensils and stood up.
With a few movements of his hands, the tableware quickly returned to its place, and the table, which had been worked on just a moment ago, was now immaculate without a trace of moisture or dust.
In just about 5 minutes, Ivan had efficiently completed his tasks without any waste or mess, reaching the pinnacle of artistry in his work process. Taking advantage of the moment when Merigold was completely captivated, I quietly rose from my seat.
“If someone twists the words I was about to say, they could easily turn it into a story about Eve Rose, who is about to marry, being so insane that she needs to take medicine.”
I’ll have to be careful with my words for a while. I put the mask fragment back on my face, gathered the remaining flower petals and the bowl, and headed towards the hall.
Let’s see. Has the lady finished her meal?
“I feel like I’m going crazy because of Dad!!”
Hmm, she definitely finished her meal.
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