It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 136
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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500 Years as Just an Extra,
The Original Story Still Won’t Begin
Episode 136
The next morning, Sophia, who had been working in the laundry room with a somewhat haggard face, was summoned by the Head Maid.
“Did you call for me, Head Maid?”
“…How has the work been treating you?”
At the Head Maid’s question, which seemed tinged with sympathy, Sophia simply bowed her head.
Ever since issuing the disciplinary action, the Head Maid hadn’t even acknowledged Sophia’s existence. Even when they occasionally encountered each other in the dining room, she would turn away with a cold expression.
“You’ve had a hard time. From your attitude, it seems you’ve reflected sufficiently.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Return to the break room. There are many things to attend to due to preparations for the Grand Duchess’s birthday banquet.”
“Ah…”
“Punishment is important, but we can’t keep capable talent idle indefinitely.”
It was just as she had expected. Sophia, who had been keeping her head down, smiled slightly, but immediately hardened her expression and spoke with a cautious attitude.
“But Head Maid, when I have committed such sins, how could I…”
“Everyone makes mistakes. This incident did go a bit too far, but fortunately the Grand Duchess Dowager has withdrawn her anger, so continue to show a quietly repentant attitude going forward.”
“…I understand.”
“The demotion and salary reduction will remain in effect, so keep that in mind.”
Having finished speaking, the Head Maid rose from her seat and strode forward.
Gone was the businesslike attitude from just moments before, as she gently embraced Sophia.
“I’m sorry for treating you so coldly all this time. It was unavoidable to maintain discipline among the other servants, so don’t feel too hurt.”
“Head Maid…”
“Do you think I was comfortable either? You’re the child I was even considering as the next Head Maid.”
“Sob…!”
At the comfort delivered in such an affectionate voice, Sophia, overwhelmed by sudden grief, finally shed tears.
“Today, just finish the morning work you were doing and rest. Take a walk outside for the first time in a while and catch your breath. Starting tomorrow, report to the break room.”
“Thank you.”
“Yes, enjoy your lunch later.”
The Head Maid, having seen Sophia off, closed the door and immediately lowered the latch.
“I think you can come out now.”
As the Head Maid murmured quietly toward one side of the office, the tea room door opened and an elderly woman appeared.
“Well done.”
“Were you uncomfortable?”
“What do you take me for, someone who won’t last another day? Sit for a moment.”
“Shall I bring you a cup of tea?”
“That’s fine. I’m about to go see the Grand Duchess Dowager directly.”
Upon hearing the response, the Head Maid sat on the sofa with a rather tense expression.
Though it had been nearly thirty years since she started working for the Retis Family, the elderly lady before her was still a formidable person.
Whenever she faced her like this, she thought it would be better to serve the Grand Duchess Dowager instead.
“What do you think? Did that child truly seem repentant to you?”
“…To be honest, it’s fifty-fifty.”
“Fifty-fifty.”
“She was originally a child whose reputation was divided among the servants. Thanks to the position she’s held, the retainers seem to view her favorably though.”
“The old folks have been fooled by flattery, tsk.”
Lady Herman clicked her tongue briefly, looking quite displeased.
After the Previous Grand Duke and Duchess passed away, she had been focused solely on managing the Town House, so discipline within the Grand Duke’s Castle had become somewhat lax.
It wasn’t feasible for Iolene to personally step in and supervise every single servant. Fortunately, the Head Butler and Head Maid were exceptionally capable, so they could manage without major problems.
“It’s all my negligence.”
“Don’t say such nonsense. Without you, it would have been a complete mess.”
“Sophia… are you planning to leave her as she is?”
“That’s right. Tell the other maids to stop surveillance as well. They’ll receive sufficient compensation for their efforts.”
“Understood.”
Despite her answer, the Head Maid couldn’t hide her worried expression. Noticing her thoughts, Lady Herman continued in a calm voice.
“Sophia’s matter has already left our hands.”
“What do you mean by that? Then is the Grand Duchess Dowager still…?”
“That’s not it. I can’t reveal the details, but this is something the Grand Duke himself has ordered, so just know that much.”
Lady Herman’s words were both an answer to the question and a warning. It meant there was nothing good to be gained from digging deeper.
“…I’ll be especially careful.”
“Just focus on your duties as you have been doing. That’s enough.”
With those words, Lady Herman rose from her seat. As the Head Maid hurriedly stood up, Lady Herman smiled gently and patted her shoulder.
“You always work so hard. Please bear with it a little longer. It’s not such a serious matter, so don’t worry too much.”
“Yes, Head Maid.”
“I’ll be going. Good work.”
After leaving the Annex, Lady Herman deliberately took the back route toward the Main Building. She planned to take a quick look at the Training Ground before meeting Iolene.
Charrrring-
A wind carrying cold energy swept by, creating a clear, bell-like friction sound.
Among the ice fragments flying through the air, Elenora was emitting blue light from her hands.
“What comes next?”
“Rumble crash!”
Despite Elenora’s spirited shout, the ice fragments that collided with each other turned into fine snow and scattered in all directions.
A little distance away, the Second Prince was swinging a wooden sword.
“You must maintain your grip strength until the very end.”
“Like this?”
“Straighten your back a bit more. Very good.”
As Rebecca corrected his posture from the side, the Second Prince showed an unusually serious look for a child.
“You’re soaking wet.”
“Ugh, Elly can’t do it as well as Teacher. It keeps melting.”
“It would be strange if you could do as well as Teacher already. If that were the case, you’d become the continent’s greatest mage, wouldn’t you?”
Hilda, who was brushing the snow off Elenora’s hair and clothes with a towel, seemed quite cheerful. Her eyes were full of affection as she looked at the child.
“Elly’s going to be a super strong witch, not a mage!”
“I told you that’s not something just anyone can do.”
“Why not?! Elly wants to become a good, pretty, super strong witch too! Just like Teacher!”
“Alright, alright, let’s continue and try again. Give me your hand.”
“Yes!”
And the woman who made this heartwarming scene possible took Elenora’s hand and smiled brightly.
‘…The more I see her, the more mysterious and amazing she becomes.’
Ailesia Milenov. That beautiful tutor had become an indispensable person in Retis.
She had restored the smile that Elenora had lost for so long, and melted Termion’s heart that had been cold as ice.
She was also a reliable ally that the core figures of Retis—including the Grand Duchess Dowager, herself, Baron Gavin, and Kubera—could trust and depend on.
“Thank you, Teacher.”
Lady Herman, who had quietly bowed her head from a distance, began to move her steps again after pausing briefly.
* * *
“When they’re sleeping, they really… look like angels.”
“If only they were like this during the day too…”
The two women who met eyes beside the bed let out silent chuckles.
After gently stroking Elenora and Kalior’s heads, Ailesia left the room with Hilda.
Today marked the seventh day since Kalior had come to visit the Grand Duke’s Castle.
Not only Elenora, who was always full of energy, but even Kalior, who had now completely adapted to life at the Grand Duke’s Castle, was starting to reveal his mischievous nature.
They were quite diligent when it came to their respective magic and swordsmanship training, but the rest of their time was nothing short of chaos.
The number of rooms that Elenora and Kalior had already turned upside down exceeded ten.
It had gotten to the point where the servants no longer screamed when they saw the two children riding around on Whitey’s back.
“Still, it’s fortunate, isn’t it? Your Highness the Prince seems to have brightened up a lot.”
“Well, Elly is naturally wild and free-spirited. She probably got even more excited having an accomplice to cause trouble with.”
“It is a bit unexpected though. I thought Your Highness the Prince would be well-behaved.”
“Right.”
Though she casually agreed with Hilda’s words, Ailesia felt she could roughly understand Kalior’s feelings.
‘He must have always been watching others’ reactions. With no adults to take responsibility for him, survival would have always been his priority.’
What would there have been to do in that desolate Second Prince’s Palace anyway? Far from having things to play with, he probably couldn’t even eat properly.
“Are you going to sleep right away, Teacher?”
“No, I have some business to attend to. Why?”
“If you have time, I thought I’d serve you some tea. A new product arrived yesterday.”
“Then I’ll have to make time even if I don’t have any.”
A new tea from the Porthen family? This was something worth paying extra to drink.
The tea personally blended by Hilda’s parents was truly a masterpiece worthy of artisans. It was literally the essence of soul-stirring taste and aroma.
After enjoying such a luxurious tea time, Ailesia headed to the fifth floor. In her hands, she carried a tea pot filled with freshly brewed tea that she had asked Hilda to prepare.
“Knock knock.”
“Are you knocking with your mouth now?”
Termion, who had personally opened the door, let out a quiet laugh.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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