I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 3

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 3
It was a peaceful morning.
It would have been, if not for Theodore thrashing about beneath my grip, threatening to meet his end by my hand.
“You said the butter knife went missing during dinner—and here it is.”
I seized Theodore’s wrist with an iron grip, forcing the knife to clatter free, then kicked it across the floor with my foot.
“I’ve brought your meal.”
“Get out! Eat it yourself!”
“No. This is the Young Master’s portion.”
I wasn’t so destitute as to covet the meager rations of a scrawny raccoon.
“It’s a sandwich with mushrooms. I’m told minced venison was added as well.”
It did sound appetizing. Perhaps taking it outright was too much, but eating what he left behind would be acceptable?
As I unconsciously drooled, I caught Theodore’s hand before he could gouge out his own eyes.
“I would be grateful if you would hold the sandwich instead of your eyeballs.”
This raccoon required far too much supervision.
I hoisted Theodore up and planted him firmly in his chair. In response, he snatched the metal kettle from the table and swung it toward my head.
“Pardon me.”
With an expressionless face, I caught the kettle in one hand, seated Theodore once more, and turned my attention to the vessel itself.
Just yesterday, I had replaced the ceramic teapot with this sturdy metal kettle after Theodore had repeatedly shattered the porcelain and attempted to wield it as a weapon.
“Using the kettle as a means to strike people is unacceptable.”
As I spoke, I gripped the kettle with both hands and applied pressure.
Crunch.
The iron kettle crumpled like paper, liquid spilling through my fingers.
I set the flattened kettle back on the table and offered a faint smile.
“Shall we eat?”
Theodore’s gaze trembled as he stared at what had once been a kettle.
After a moment’s hesitation, he quietly reached for the sandwich, and I released a silent breath of relief.
‘Breakfast duty complete.’
What I had learned from dealing with wild animals on the Mountain was simple.
‘When fear of defeat takes hold, one naturally yields.’
So, when facing madness, one need only respond with greater madness.
I hid the damaged kettle in my apron pocket.
‘I’ll say the Young Master broke this one.’
* * *
After finishing my service, I pulled the trolley down the Corridor.
‘At least he ate well today.’
More than half the sandwich consumed—Theodore’s highest intake in a single meal all week.
As I gazed down at the dishes with satisfaction, someone blocked my path and spoke.
“You there.”
A bold voice reached my ears. I lifted my eyes from the dishes and turned my head.
A girl who appeared to be about nine years old, with a youthful face, red hair, and blue eyes, dressed in a pink one-piece that matched her coloring.
The familiar shade of her eyes stirred a memory within me.
‘The youngest of House Voltier… was it Isabella?’
The way she held tension in her eyes and brow, making no effort to conceal her displeasure, reminded me of Theodore.
‘Siblings, so their expressions are alike.’
Claire bowed respectfully to Isabella, but the girl merely stared at her with a frown, saying nothing.
‘Should I speak first?’
I considered it quietly, but no suitable words came to mind.
‘I’ll simply remain silent.’
A brief silence passed between them before Isabella finally opened her mouth.
“Are you the Young Master’s new attendant maid?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“How are you still in one piece?”
The result of repetitive hierarchical conditioning, I suppose.
The words nearly escaped my lips, but I held them back, thinking of Angela.
“The Young Master is merciful.”
“My brother?”
Disbelief gleamed in her stubborn gaze. I waited silently for her next words.
Isabella glanced at a plate bearing traces of food before speaking.
“Those who served my brother before couldn’t last three days.”
She fixed me with suspicious eyes.
“You’ve managed over a week, but I don’t think you’ll be much different.”
I gazed down at Isabella, who barely reached my chest.
Watching the small girl strain her voice was honestly amusing.
‘She’s just as stubborn as he is.’
In truth, Isabella’s fierce glare seemed trivial compared to Theodore’s. Her trembling was evident despite her attempt at strength.
‘She’s like a hissing red fox kit.’
I couldn’t fathom why these humans, not even beast-folk, resembled young animals so closely.
If Theodore was the type to bare his teeth and growl without fear of the world, she was the opposite—so frightened that she performed ferocity like an act.
‘But they’re all just foxes in the end.’
No matter how much they fluffed their fur, before a great bear they were nothing but playthings.
“If you’re thinking of neglecting your duties while pocketing money, leave now. Otherwise you’ll face something unpleasant. And don’t even think about leeching off my brother.”
It’s legitimate wages, not scraps.
Anxiety and indignation rose within me simultaneously.
‘Surely this isn’t a dismissal?’
On reflection, she was still a member of the Mansion’s family, however young.
If this continued, I might lose my comfortable first position. Panic seized me as I hastily spoke.
“I won’t leave. All I desire is to serve Theodore Young Master with care. That’s all.”
If I could properly manage and feed this fierce fox kit, the wages would sustain me for years. I had no intention of squandering this opportunity.
But Isabella’s expression shifted strangely at my words.
Her blue eyes held a mixture of resignation and hope.
“······We’ll see if that’s really true as time goes on.”
Fortunately, I escaped immediate dismissal. At her curt remark, my expression softened. I bowed my head to Isabella as she turned to leave, then straightened my posture.
‘That was close. I really thought I was going to be fired.’
The moment I lifted my head in relief, something about Isabella’s gait caught my eye.
‘Hmm? She seems to be limping.’
It wasn’t obvious at first glance, but when I focused, I could see that Isabella’s steps were uneven—the rhythm of someone enduring pain.
“Ah.”
My gaze shifted to Isabella’s shoes as I realized the cause.
The shoes were too large; with each step, the heel scraped against her delicate skin, leaving marks.
‘That must hurt.’
Watching this with concern, I reached out and stopped Isabella.
“Miss.”
When Isabella halted and turned, I approached quickly and sat down on the floor.
“Your feet are getting injured. It must hurt quite a bit, doesn’t it?”
“W-what do you—”
Flustered, Isabella stammered. She soon composed herself and spoke in a cold tone.
“This doesn’t hurt at all.”
“But your walking seemed uncomfortable.”
Isabella pressed her lips together firmly.
“So what? If it amuses you, you can just walk past.”
“No? I just wanted to help. Your walking is clearly difficult.”
At my matter-of-fact words, Isabella’s expression suddenly softened. Beneath her sharp facade, her gentle and delicate round eyes were revealed.
In a daze, Isabella leaned her back against the wall as I guided her, only coming to her senses when I lifted her left foot onto my lap.
“You!”
“Just a moment.”
I tore off a long strip of my apron, removed her shoes, and carefully wrapped her feet with the cloth.
“I don’t have medicine, but this should at least ease the pain. Since your shoes are too large, you should change them as soon as possible.”
After tending to both feet, I stood up.
“There, all done.”
The cloth peeking out from between her shoes looked odd, but it certainly wasn’t painful. Isabella stared down at her feet, her face flushing crimson.
She opened her mouth as if to say something, then gave up and fled down the corridor, leaving me behind.
“Hmm, seems like it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
As I watched her go with satisfaction, my expression gradually hardened.
“That’s strange.”
The House of Count, presided over by the Count—a prestigious family with enough wealth to pay even a maid a generous salary.
‘The young lady of such a household is wearing shoes that don’t even fit her feet?’
Even someone like me, who had lived in the mountains my entire life, could easily sense that something was amiss.
‘I don’t know. It’s all too troublesome.’
But that was as far as it went.
I was someone who would leave once I had earned my target amount of money. Taking any further interest would only lead to mutual exhaustion.
Claire placed her hand on the trolley once more. The afternoon’s duties still awaited her.

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