The Villainess's Exclusive Maid Is Too Good at Her Job - Chapter 2

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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 2

“This is a contract developed exclusively by Ilinia. It’s rarely used due to its scarcity and binding force—reserved only for the most significant transactions.”

I recalled the explanation from the man who had introduced himself as Theo, vice-commander of Ilinia, and swallowed hard.
‘Significant transactions.’
The phrase echoed through my mind.
Since we had used a magical contract reserved only for significant transactions, my agreement with Ilinia must qualify as one.
But.
‘Why, exactly?’
Why would they enter into such an important transaction with me?
To be honest, until I had gone to Ilinia to request their assistance, I had anticipated only two possible outcomes.
They would accept the request, or they would refuse it.
I had never imagined—not even in my wildest dreams—that I would become bound to Ilinia through a formal transaction.
And certainly not one with terms like ‘protect Julietta Ludwig, the Grand Duchess’s daughter.’
‘Could there be some connection between them?’
Between Ilinia and the Grand Duchess’s daughter.
Or.
Between Theo and the Grand Duchess’s daughter.
‘…No. What does it matter to me?’
It didn’t matter which was true—or if neither was. The answer was irrelevant.
What mattered was that I had seized an invaluable opportunity.
I exhaled.
A wave of relief washed over me.
‘He said he would submit the application and recommendation letter on my behalf, and I should simply wait.’
Yes. I would wait.
My task now was not to question the contract, but to anticipate good news.

***

And then.
A few days later.
“A letter has arrived for Janet Graham from the Ludwig Grand Duchy.”
“…Thank you.”
I accepted the envelope with a somewhat dazed feeling.
I stood outside the front gate for a long while, watching the postman bow and retreat into the distance.
‘It’s real.’
It actually came…!
Inside the elegant envelope was an employment contract sent from the Ludwig side.
The employment signing bonus was 30 million Ecles.
Monthly salary of 6 million Ecles.
Bonuses and additional allowances paid separately.
Salary increases along with accumulated years of service.
Free room and board provided.
I quickly ran the numbers in my head.
‘Just the base salary alone comes to 72 million Ecles in a year.’
Combined with the signing bonus, I could earn over 100 million Ecles in a single year.
Add to that the success bonus from Ilinia, the 500 million Ecles that essentially amounts to a severance package…
‘…Perhaps I could actually purchase a baronetcy.’
Purchasing a baronetcy was the ultimate goal of my plan to gain independence from Graham.
For now, I’d managed to escape the crisis by becoming Lady Julietta’s maid, but this was merely a temporary measure.
While unmarried women over eighteen could engage in free economic activity, marriage decisions rested entirely with the head of the household.
‘What kind of law is this anyway…’
The moment I was dismissed from my position as a maid or Julietta married, Earl Graham would push forward with arranging my marriage.
Perhaps by then.
‘He might bring someone even worse than Count Berdin.’
I needed a way to escape Graham’s grasp completely.
A legal way to gain independence from Graham.
And that’s what I came up with—purchasing a baronetcy.
The Ashleade War, which had occurred roughly six years ago.
It was a conflict that began when the Empire and the Hyperion Magic Kingdom each claimed ownership of the Ashleade Region, which lay on the border between them.
The war, which lasted a full three years, ended in the Empire’s victory, but the military expenditures were staggering.
To cover the deficit, the Emperor began selling baronetcies.
Of course, the price was astronomical.
Even if it was a non-hereditary title, one was still purchasing a noble rank with money.
Even as I devised the plan to purchase a baronetcy and gain independence, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a hollow dream.
But now.
‘It’s no longer an impossible dream.’
I swallowed hard.
My eyes sparkled with hope.
I clutched the contract tightly against my chest as I turned back toward the house.
But it was only for a moment.
I paused mid-step and looked up at the Graham Mansion.
‘Come to think of it, the Earl and Countess said they’d be away from home today.’
The couple had left early this morning after dressing impeccably, and they wouldn’t return until tomorrow evening.
‘In that case….’
A faint smile played at the corners of my lips.
I withdrew the employment contract from the envelope I’d been holding, verified the remaining contents, then resealed it and placed it in the mailbox.
After confirming the envelope’s corner protruded just right.
‘Perfect. This should catch their eye immediately.’
I leisurely made my way into the empty house.

***

That evening.
“Janet! Janet!”
At the loud summons, I stopped eating.
…I’d lost my appetite anyway.
I glanced at the half-finished meal and was just about to rise from my seat.
“Where are you?! Oh, there you are!”
The owner of that raucous voice appeared even more loudly than his voice suggested.
Simon Graham.
The precious only son of Earl Graham and his wife.
“Brother. What brings you—”
“Wow, wow! How clever and dutiful of you!”
“…Pardon?”
What a dreadful way to address someone.
My brow furrowed at the mere sound of such an unpleasant epithet.
Regardless.
The excited Simon thrust a rolled paper toward me and exclaimed.
“When did you arrange something so clever?! A maidservant for the Ludwig Grand Duchy! And a personal attendant to the princess no less?!”
Tsk.
His eyes gleamed with avarice as he marveled with exaggeration.
“An employment contract fee of 30 million ecus? That’s so like the Ludwig Grand Duchy. They really do spend lavishly, don’t they?”
He spoke as though the money were his own.
As expected.
“Say, Janet. How about we keep this money secret from our parents?”
“Keep it secret from them?”
“That’s right!”
At Simon’s enthusiastic response, I blinked once. It appeared to be a gesture of surprise, but my true thoughts were entirely different.
‘As expected, things are unfolding exactly as I predicted.’
Simon proved to be utterly predictable, deviating not an inch from my expectations.
“If our parents find out you received such a substantial sum as a signing bonus, they’ll strip you of every last coin, won’t they? So don’t let them know—entrust it to me instead. I’ll triple it for you… no, actually, I’ll make it triple! What do you say?!”
He was being ridiculous.
I barely managed to suppress a scoff.
Simon was a gambling addict.
A severe one at that—the kind who would steal his parents’ very clothes and sell them just to scrape together money for another game if his hands were empty.
The real problem was that he possessed virtually no skill at gambling whatsoever.
He never won a single hand, and it was a blessing if he merely failed to accumulate new debts.
Simon’s addiction had undoubtedly played a significant role in the Graham family’s financial decline.
I fell silent for a moment, as though deliberating.
And then.
“…Yes. Let’s do it that way.”
“Huh? Really? You’ll truly keep it secret from our parents?”
“Yes. You said you’d triple it for me, didn’t you?”
“Ah, yes! Of course, of course. I’ll triple it and return it to you! Just trust me!”
As Simon nodded vigorously, I offered him a subtle smile.
“In that case, you’ll need to sign my guardian consent form.”
“Guardian consent form?”
“I haven’t reached my eighteenth birthday yet. To seek employment while under eighteen, guardian approval is mandatory. There should be documents inside that envelope—didn’t you notice?”
At my question, Simon tilted his head and examined the envelope more carefully.
It appeared he had only reviewed the section explaining the signing bonus and hadn’t even removed the guardian consent form.
“The guardian consent form also includes information about the signing bonus. If you ask our parents to sign it, they’ll naturally learn of the bonus’s existence.”
“Ugh. That won’t do.”
“Exactly. So I’m asking you instead. The adult heir of a family is recognized as a legal guardian for their siblings.”
I handed Simon a pen, watching his expression shift to one of bewilderment—as though he’d never heard such a thing in his life.
“Here. Sign it now.”
“O-okay.”
Simon accepted the pen hesitantly and signed the guardian consent form with visible uncertainty.
‘Something feels… oddly off about this.’
…No, it must be my imagination.
The Janet I knew could never be the type to manipulate someone.
Whenever he asked her to do anything, she’d simply respond with a vacant “Yes, yes”—wasn’t that just how she was?
“All done.”
“Thank you so much, brother.”
Seeing me smile with my usual guileless expression, Simon dismissed his fleeting doubts and moved on.
Soon, his mind was consumed entirely by thoughts of the 30 million Ecles that would soon be within his grasp.
‘That money will never find its way into your pocket, Simon.’
Completely unaware of what lay beneath my surface.

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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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