The Grand Duke's Maid Writes a Consultation Log Today - Chapter 39

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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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The Exclusive Maid Writes a Counseling Log Today as Well – Episode 039
Even though it was her turn, Elysia only stared at the chessboard.
“Sister!”
“Huh?”
“Why are you just spacing out and staring at it!”
She barely snapped back to reality at Joshua’s shout.
She smiled nonchalantly and moved her piece.
“Maybe it’s because I’m a bit tired today.”
Tap, tap.
Sheila, who had been watching Elysia, tapped Joshua’s arm and pointed at the board.
“Oh! I won!”
“Really? I lost again.”
Elysia was smiling as usual, but even the two children could tell she looked quite exhausted.
After returning to the Lady’s room.
She had played chess at the invitation of Joshua, who had welcomed her back as usual, but there was no way she could concentrate.
‘I really am tired, though…’
While the two turned their attention to the bookshelf, she packed up the chessboard with practiced familiarity.
Perhaps it was because so many things had happened all at once today.
After finishing the tidying, Elysia looked down at her hands for a moment.
Since she had washed away all traces of blood and even changed her clothes, no matter how much she inspected herself, there was nothing wrong with her current state.
Maybe that was why the previous situation felt even more like a dream.
However, every time she fiddled with the contract inside the pocket of her work uniform, she was forced to realize once more that it was a stark reality.
At that moment, feeling someone tugging at her clothes, Elysia turned around.
“Yes?”
[Are you sick anywhere?]
Sheila asked, staring intently at her.
Elysia placed a hand on her own forehead, not wanting to make her worry.
“Um… I’m not sick. Were you worried about me?”
Sheila stared blankly for a moment, then went back to Joshua’s side as if to say it was fine if she wasn’t.
Now she could tell that such behavior wasn’t simply ignoring her, but rather because she was shy.
Looking at the clock, the late evening had already slipped into the night.
It would soon be time for all the servants to gather and give their evening reports.
She should tell Joshua to go back to the quarters first, right?
Since he knew how to wash up by himself, if he took a shower first and stayed in the room, he wouldn’t bump into anyone else.
“Joshua.”
It was just as she was calling out to her younger brother, who had been chatting away with Sheila while looking at a book for a long time.
Knock, knock.
At the sound of a knock on the door, the three of them turned their gazes simultaneously.
“Lady, it is Hilmaiten. Are you with Elysia?”
Sheila looked toward the door, then nodded her head at Elysia.
It was a sign of affirmation that she could go.

* * *
“Yes. She is here.”
Elysia replied as she opened the door.
As expected, Hilmaiten was standing there.
She stepped out into the hallway when he asked if they could speak for a moment.
“It is regarding the Grand Duke. For your information, this matter is not his command. I have come to you with a proposal, and as a personal favor.”
“Please speak.”
Is it a private matter? Usually, in cases like that, wouldn’t the person in question come themselves?
At the very least, you would think he’d call me to the office.
Elysia harbored a brief doubt.
But thinking about it, she didn’t have the confidence to face Yulias awkwardly right now anyway.
“Do you remember that the Grand Duke’s condition visibly improved when he was with you?”
“Ah, yes…”
Elysia replied half-heartedly.
Could Hilmaiten also have come to ask about ‘mana’?
However, as if anticipating her reaction, what Hilmaiten proposed was something else entirely.
“Until the Grand Duke falls asleep, can you stay by his side, Elysia? Of course, if you feel uneasy, we can station guards, and I will be there with you as well.”
“……Pardon?”
“I expect the duration to be about two to three days. When sleeping, I believe you could use the room next to the Grand Duke’s bedroom…”
“Wa-Wait a moment, Hilmaiten.”
Elysia hurriedly cut him off.
“The way you’re phrasing this… it doesn’t sound like you simply mean for me to just stay by his side.”
“You’re quick-witted.”
Hilmaiten smiled.
“You just need to hold his hand. And usually, the Grand Duke finds it difficult to fall asleep at night.”
“Is it because of the pain?”
“There are several symptoms, but insomnia is likely one of them.”
Elysia closed her mouth, which had opened without her realizing.
To think that it didn’t stop at coughing up blood and headaches, but even extended to insomnia.
Is daily life even possible like that?
Elysia recalled his face in the office earlier, which had looked in better condition than usual.
“You said it was a proposal and a favor, not a command.”
“Yes, that’s correct. If you require compensation for it, please feel free to speak.”
She had even officially signed a contract.
The money she received as a salary was sufficient, and her debts were gone.
If there was anything more she needed here…
“Actually, I was meaning to talk to you about my brother.”
“Do you mean Joshua?”
“Yes. Since it was for a month when I was a temporary worker, you showed consideration so that I could stay with my brother in the quarters. But now that I’m officially employed, I’m worried about my brother’s living arrangements…”
Of course, if she paid regularly, she could entrust Joshua to a trustworthy villager.
For instance, Madam Denmins, who had advised her to go to the Demint Grand Ducal House.
However, Hilmaiten replied nonchalantly.
“From what I can see… your brother is so close with the Lady that separating them might actually be worse.”
“But we can’t keep imposing forever…”
“Usually, an exclusive maid who has completed an official contract is meant to use the room next to the Lady’s room.”
That must be because, unlike other servants, she has to spend a lot of time by the Lady’s side.
“In a way, it’s a benefit. Since you’ll be using a room larger than the quarters…”
Hilmaiten paused to choose his words for a moment, then added another proposal.
“Let’s do this instead. Since you’ll be moving to the room next to the Lady’s, how about you share that room with your brother, Elysia?”
“Still… would that be alright?”
“There’s no issue. In fact, this is closer to providing a convenience rather than compensation, and the Grand Duke will thoroughly agree as well. Because the person the Lady trusts as much as you, Elysia—no, even more than you—is Joshua.”
That was true.
Perhaps even more than Elysia herself, the one Sheila trusted more was Joshua.
Because Joshua was the only one who knew the Lady’s inner thoughts that even she didn’t know.
When her brother’s housing issue was resolved more easily than expected, she couldn’t quite grasp what she should receive as compensation instead.
Hilmaiten studied her expression for a moment, then asked again.
“Do you think you will accept the proposal?”
“Um…”
As Elysia hesitated, he seemed to think this was the perfect time and offered an idea regarding the compensation.
“Can Joshua use the Imperial Language?”
“Yes. He can manage daily conversations.”
There was no problem with him reading books and speaking.
Communication was possible, but realistically, she hadn’t had the leeway to care about her brother’s education.
Because she had been too busy just making a living right away.
It had stopped at the extent of what she could teach him in her spare time.
“Then how about doing this? We can arrange for Joshua to receive basic education together with the Lady.”
It wasn’t a bad proposal.
As Elysia looked at him with an interested expression, Hilmaiten didn’t miss it and naturally persuaded her.
“Since he will be with the Lady, the tutor assigned to the lessons will also be of a corresponding level. You do not need to worry about that part.”
“……Alright.”
When she finally agreed, Hilmaiten smiled as if relieved.
“Then, please do so starting tonight.”
“Understoo… starting tonight?”
“Yes. We will take care of moving your luggage, so do not worry, and you may come to the Grand Duke’s bedroom tonight.”
To think it starts this very tonight.
Elysia stared at him blankly, but Hilmaiten had already walked away after saying, “See you later,” in a refreshing voice.

* * *
When night came, Elysia stood in front of the door and took a deep breath.
The guard watching the door showed no particular reaction, as if he had already been notified that she was coming.
She had rather hoped that Joshua would throw a tantrum, saying, “I don’t want to sleep apart from you.”
Instead, her brother had seemed excited, saying, “I like sleeping alone in a big room. Besides, Sheila is right next door!”
She didn’t think she had trembled this much even when entering the office.
After pacing for a bit, she swallowed hard and knocked.
“Um, Grand Duke. It’s Elysia.”
However, she tilted her head at the lack of response from beyond the door.
“Is the Grand Duke still in his office?”
“He entered the bedroom thirty minutes ago.”
The guard only relayed the facts he knew and didn’t add any personal remarks.
Rather, when she looked at him with eyes asking if she could enter, he merely kept his post as if it were out of his authority.
Creak.
When she carefully opened the door, contrary to her expectation that it would be dark, the inside of the bedroom was brightly lit by candles.
“……I thought you would be asleep.”
Of all things, it was late at night.
Elysia stood awkwardly in her place, then stiffened at the sound of a voice suddenly coming from afar.
“Who is it?”
It was Yulias’s voice.
Because the bedroom was so spacious and several other doors were visible, Elysia absentmindedly looked around.
“Your Grace, it’s Elysia.”
“……Elysia?”
A moment later, a clattering sound was heard from inside.
At the clamorous noise, Elysia reflexively approached the door and asked.
“Are you hurt? Shall I help you?”
“Don’t open it.”
Yulias said in a hurried voice, uncharacteristic of him.
“I am currently in the middle of washing up.”

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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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