Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 77

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 77

* * *

The previously quiet front of Blanche Annex bustled with workers.

They were loading all sorts of travel supplies onto a massive four-wheeled carriage, and the maids watching this scene whispered among themselves.

“What’s all that for?”

“I heard the young lady is going on a trip?”

“Then… will she take one of us along?”

At those words, a strange tension began to circulate among the maids.

As Belinda began actively employing Mary, a subtle hierarchy started forming among the maids of similar ages.

Moreover, since the Maid Supervisor had no interest in manor affairs and was rarely seen, whoever gained Belinda’s trust could wield power in the Maid Supervisor’s place.

The maids’ eyes gleamed with ambition.

Work at the annex wasn’t as arduous as expected, and most importantly, gaining Belinda’s trust meant being invited to the Sunset Tea Party.

Sunset Tea Party.

This was the maids’ private term for the luxurious tea party that Belinda hosted at the annex.

The reason they eagerly anticipated being invited to this tea party was because the guests were comprised of employees.

The maids were filled with hope that if they gained Belinda’s recognition, they might someday attend that tea party and at least catch a whiff of the sweet sugar scent.

And among them, if there was someone closest to the honor of being invited to the Sunset Tea Party…

“Mary, the young lady is calling for you.”

It was Mary.

Three days ago as well, Belinda had called only Mary aside like this to handle her grooming.

She headed confidently to Belinda’s room, receiving attention from her colleagues.

“Mary, sit down.”

Ah, finally!

At last, Mary could attend the Sunset Tea Party that everyone so envied.

She carefully sat at the tea table that Belinda indicated.

Though unusually she was the only one invited, Mary suppressed her excitement and took a bite of the crème brûlée prepared for her.

“From your expression, it seems palatable.”

“Yes, yes! It’s really sweet, young lady.”

Mary’s smile was innocent, but her mind was working busily.

If only she could become a maid that Belinda trusted and relied on, she could pass more confidential information to Schubel, and then receive more money as information fees.

‘I must follow along on this trip and gain recognition in front of everyone.’

When she judged the atmosphere had become somewhat relaxed, Mary spoke up.

“Young lady, I heard you’re going on a trip this time. If you’re considering which maid to employ, I could…”

She had gotten exactly that far.

Knock knock.

The sound of knocking was heard, and as soon as Belinda’s permission was given, the annex maids filed in one after another.

Whether they had been suddenly summoned, they all stood in a line with bewildered expressions, then spotted Mary being served fine desserts and widened their eyes.

“Ah, young lady, as you commanded, I’ve brought all the maids working at the annex.”

“I see.”

Belinda answered indifferently while picking at her pie with the tip of her knife.

Then, as if mentioning her afternoon schedule, she continued in a monotone voice.

“Among these, there’s a rat bastard who’s been reporting my every move to that mongrel in the main building, isn’t there?”

“…!”

Mary nearly choked and almost spat out what was in her mouth.

The maids’ faces turned equally pale.

Undisguised shock crossed everyone’s faces except Belinda’s.

Mary especially couldn’t breathe properly.

Because Belinda’s gleaming violet eyes were staring directly at Mary.

As if she knew Mary was the culprit.

Suppressing the rising nausea, Mary quickly stood up and bowed respectfully.

Her mind was spinning. Perhaps what she’d just eaten would be her last meal.

“I’ve been pondering for three whole days how to deal with that rat bastard.”

Screech.

Belinda stood up from her seat, dragging her chair irritably.

She passed by the bowing Mary and slowly walked in front of the maids lined up in a row.

“It was amusing to watch the rat bastard squeaking around, unaware of its fate, but now it’s getting rather boring.”

Click clack.

Mary squeezed her eyes shut as she heard Belinda’s heel sounds moving away and then approaching again.

Then, the moment Belinda stood right behind Mary.

“Did you enjoy your three days of freedom sufficiently?”

Belinda, with her back to Mary, gently whispered while lifting the chin of the maid standing in front of Mary with the tip of her fan.

‘Ah…’

“Ah, young lady! No, not me! I, I, I’m not the culprit!”

Mary unconsciously clasped her hands together as if in prayer.

‘I’m saved!’

“Everyone except this rat bastard may withdraw.”

At Belinda’s verdict, the maids, terrified of getting caught in the crossfire, hurriedly left the room.

Mary was also trying to slip out among them when.

“Mary, where are you going.”

“Pardon?”

Belinda called her back.

She sat back down at the tea table, elegantly tilting her teacup and speaking calmly.

“You know well what you must do to become my personal maid.”

Mary looked at the maid who had been identified as the culprit, Tanya.

Tanya looked up at Mary with a frightened face, shaking her head pleadingly.

“Mary, no. I really didn’t do it.”

Clever Mary instinctively realized she was at a crossroads.

She could either plead innocence together with Tanya, or…

‘If I frame Tanya as the culprit, I can escape suspicion.’

The moment that thought dominated her mind, Mary’s hand lost all hesitation.

Smack!

The sharp sound of a slap echoed through the room.

“How dare you betray the young lady? Confess everything right now and beg the young lady’s forgiveness!”

Not having expected to be hit, Tanya held her cheek with a stunned expression.

“Why… why…”

Unable to speak properly and only staring wide-eyed, Mary ignored Tanya and first gauged Belinda’s reaction.

Still not satisfied, she showed no sign of contentment and only focused on cutting her cake.

Just as Mary gritted her teeth and raised her hand again.

“Stop.”

Belinda’s gentle voice stopped Mary.

Only then recovering from shock, Tanya immediately crawled on her knees to Belinda’s feet.

“Ah, young lady! I really didn’t do it! Please believe me, please. This is a false accusation! It’s all a misunderstanding!”

“False accusation?”

Only then did Belinda look at Tanya. The berry juice on her knife looked exactly like blood.

Thinking this was her last chance, Tanya desperately pleaded.

“Yes, yes! I will definitely uncover the real culprit! So I’ll surely drag that bitch who betrayed the young lady…”

“Can’t you be quiet? How dare you lie before the young lady!”

Mary, who had been watching from behind, suddenly intervened and roughly grabbed Tanya’s shoulder.

“Let go of me! What lie are you talking about? I’m being wronged! Miss! Just once, if you give me just one chance, I will definitely find the traitor!”

Belinda leisurely watched the dogfight unfolding before her eyes.

At that moment, the door opened hastily without Belinda’s permission, and Terry entered the room.

“What is all this commotion in front of Master!”

“B-Butler…”

At the appearance of the butler who was usually kind to the maids, Tanya looked up at Terry with relief, tears welling up in her eyes.

Surely he would save her from this absurd false accusation.

“Master, I have heard the situation from the maids. Please reconsider. Tanya is diligent and has an excellent reputation…”

“If I say she’s a rat, then she’s a rat. And yet the butler tells me I should consider this lowly thing’s circumstances and reconsider?”

“…I apologize.”

Clang.

Belinda irritably threw down her fork and clicked her tongue.

“I’ve lost my appetite. Lock up that insolent thing since I can’t stand the sight of her, and don’t give her even a drop of water. Tell the main building that I won’t be sending her back for a while.”

“…!”

Tanya tried to open her mouth to say something, but Terry shook his head to stop her.

Terry bowed so as not to go against Belinda’s nerves, then supported Tanya and left the room.

Tanya, who was half-dragged out, was immediately moved to an empty room.

She grabbed Terry’s trouser leg and shouted with a tear-stained face.

“Butler, it really wasn’t me. I didn’t do that. Please believe me. Please save me, I beg you.”

“Of course I believe it wasn’t Miss Tanya’s doing. But… there was actually a witness, so Master has been troubled about this for several days.”

“A witness? Who is that? Who on earth would…”

“I cannot tell you that. However, Master trusts the witness’s words. She’s a maid she cherishes.”

At that moment, seeing Tanya’s face lost in thought, Terry hurriedly changed the subject as if he had made a slip of the tongue.

“Oh my, I’ve said too much. Don’t worry too much. I’ll try to speak well of Miss Tanya’s situation to Master.”

“…”

“I’ll come with something to eat at night. If Tanya isn’t the culprit, then there must be someone who framed you. You must endure until we find that person.”

“…Someone who framed me.”

With those words as his last, Terry left without lingering.

Click.

The door closed and the sound of the latch being set echoed, but Tanya remained sitting in place without moving for a long time.

Eventually, a certain name spilled from her lips.

“…Mary.”

The accusation that supposedly happened three days ago.

The maid that Belinda cherishes.

The sudden participation in the Sunset Tea Party as if receiving some reward.

And even her suspicious attitude of desperately trying to stop her.

“That bitch was blinded by power…”

In the dark room, Tanya’s eyes flashed, filled with venomous intent.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————