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

After securing the guardian’s consent form, Janet successfully silenced Simon as well.

“If you find out I’ve taken a position as a maid, you’ll demand the employment contract fee. So please keep my employment a secret until I leave for Ludwig.”

With that rough persuasion, he folded entirely.
With 30 million Ecles held hostage, Simon’s reason had effectively evaporated.

#Chapter. A Solid Backing

The next day.
Janet rushed to the Post Office at first light.
Her plan was to visit the Post Office before Earl Graham and his wife returned, send off the employment contract and guardian consent form, and come back.
‘I hope I have enough money.’
Standing before the Post Office, Janet fingered her coin purse. She had scraped together every last bit of savings she’d accumulated over time.
Though in total, it amounted to merely 10,000 Ecles.
As Janet continued to fidget with her purse, her name was called, and she stepped forward to the counter.
“You wish to send this via express mail?”
“Yes.”
“Express mail costs 10,000 Ecles.”
At the amount that fit so perfectly, as if by fate, Janet released a sigh of relief.
“Here you are.”
Janet carefully extended her coin purse.
But moments later.
“Excuse me. You’re short 1,000 Ecles.”
“Short? That can’t be right.”
“Yes. You are short.”
There was no way she could be short on money.
During the walk from home to here, she had verified the amount repeatedly.
Just before entering the Post Office, she had confirmed 10,000 Ecles in her purse.
“I can’t be short. Please check again.”
“Are you suggesting I’m lying?”
At Janet’s words, the clerk’s expression darkened sharply as he replied.
His gaze swept quickly over Janet—her shabby clothing and the coin purse she clutched so carefully.
By any measure, she was clearly the daughter of some poor household.
The man, now emboldened, shot to his feet and pointed accusingly at Janet, shouting.
“Are you calling me a thief?!”
In truth, the man himself was the culprit who had pocketed Janet’s money. It was his small hobby and specialty.
Preying on the elderly, children, and women who appeared defenseless—skimming small amounts from their money.
Even when they suspected me, the moment I stood up abruptly and acted forcefully, they’d tuck tail and flee.
Since the amounts were trivial, they never bothered calling security to escalate the matter.
The money I’d accumulated this way had already exceeded one million ecles.
“I’m not accusing you of theft—”
“You say the money is short, yet you keep asking me to recount it. Aren’t you calling me a thief?!”
With that outburst, I hurled the money pouch down deliberately.
Clink, clink!
Coins scattered everywhere with a loud clatter. At the same moment, every eye in the Post Office turned toward us.
“Oh my, what’s happening?”
“That woman must be accusing the employee of theft.”
“Good heavens.”
At the murmuring crowd, Janet pressed her lips together tightly.
Humiliation mingled with anxiety in her chest.
‘A scene is the last thing I need.’
She’d barely secured her position as the princess’s lady-in-waiting. If this trivial incident derailed her plans, it would be disastrous.
Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—patience was one of Janet’s strengths. It was a virtue she’d been forced to cultivate to survive in Earl Graham’s Residence.
A sigh escaped her.
Rather than continue the verbal sparring, Janet began gathering the scattered coins.
“Hmph!”
The employee snorted derisively and settled back into his seat.
Janet was clenching her fist, reaching for the last coin, when—
“You intend to let this pass?”
“…?!”
At the quiet question from beside her, Janet startled and turned.
‘Theo?’
A man leaned against the wall next to her, a newspaper held up to obscure his face.
Black hair. Blue eyes.
Features carved as if by a sculptor’s hand.
It was unmistakably Theo, the vice-commander of Ilinia.
When their eyes met, he widened his gaze and smiled. Then—
“When speaking with me, you never backed down once.”
“That was…”
Because back then, I had no choice but to stand firm.
As Janet fumbled for a response, Kendrick shrugged and continued.
“I proposed this arrangement because I believed you were that kind of person.”
“That kind of person?”
“Someone strong enough to meet another’s gaze directly and voice what you truly want.”
Strong. She’d never heard such a word before.
Vermin. Parasite. Leech. A worthless thing beneath contempt.
All that Janet had ever heard throughout her life as Janet was precisely that.
Yes, but…
Why did her heart feel so overwhelmed? Kendrick gently placed his hands on Janet’s shoulders as she struggled to speak.
Then he carefully turned her body so she faced the employee directly.
“There’s no need to stay silent about injustice. Repay whatever you wish to repay. I will have your back.”
That’s what it means to be on the same side.
“I will be your backing.”
At the man’s whisper, Janet’s heart trembled violently.
“Really… truly, is it alright if I repay them? I don’t have to hold back?”
“Of course. And besides, that’s a virtue my contractor must possess.”
He added playfully with a slight smile.
“To become the maidservant of the Empire’s most notorious villainess, shouldn’t you be capable of at least that much?”
“That’s true enough.”
Janet, having regained her composure, laughed along with him.
Soon after, the man’s hand withdrew from her shoulder. The warmth of his remaining hand gently pushed her back.
“There.”
“…What is it? Still—”
“You asked if I was accusing you of theft.”
“Pardon?”
“No. I’m not accusing you of theft—I believe you’re an actual thief.”
“How dare you speak such nonsense!”
The male employee shot to his feet once more, glaring at Janet menacingly.
But instead of retreating, Janet straightened her spine and lifted her chin high.
She fixed the employee with an intense, unwavering gaze.
She hadn’t avoided him earlier out of fear. She simply hadn’t wanted to escalate the situation.
Now, circumstances were different.
“If you’re so aggrieved, call the guards.”
“G-guards? You’d call the guards over a mere 1,000 ecles?”
“What does the amount matter? What matters is whether theft occurred or not.”
“B-but still…”
“Any person who unlawfully extorts another’s money or possessions shall be fined 10 million ecles and sentenced to two years imprisonment.”
The man visibly flinched at the Imperial law recited with such confidence.
Seeing his anxious expression, Janet became even more certain. This man was the culprit.
Yet the man did not back down easily.
“E-evidence! There’s no evidence, is there?!”
“If this isn’t your first time, we could gather testimonies from multiple similar cases. That should provide sufficient evidence.”
She tilted her head slightly and added with a subtle smile.
“We could also summon the Postmaster for interrogation. To ask whether he’s heard of similar incidents and remained silent.”
At the mention of the Postmaster, the employee’s face drained of all color.
‘If the Postmaster is summoned…’
Would he truly take the side of a mere subordinate like myself? He would likely admit guilt quickly, citing the inconvenience, and distance himself from me entirely.
Which meant I would face an inescapable fine of 10 million Ecles and two years of imprisonment.
The employee, his thoughts reaching that grim conclusion, bowed deeply at the waist.
“I-I’m terribly sorry, madam! Now that I think about it, I believe I’ve made a mistake.”
“A mistake? What sort of mistake?”
“Well… actually, now I see the 1,000 Ecles right here. I must have carelessly dropped the money and failed to notice it. I sincerely apologize!”
Janet looked down at the bowing man with a cold gaze.
“It’s absolutely not theft. I simply made an honest mistake… Would you perhaps find it in your heart to show me mercy?”
“I see.”
“Please, I beg you, madam! I’ve apologized sincerely—won’t you overlook this just once? I implore you!”
As the man groveled before her, Janet’s eyes narrowed slightly.
With a soft sigh, Janet nodded as though she had no choice.
“Very well. I’ll let it pass this time.”
“Is that… truly so?”
“Yes. But do be more careful going forward. You mustn’t cause customers trouble with careless mistakes, after all.”
The employee nodded vigorously at her advice, delivered with a faint smile.
“Express delivery.”
Janet placed the document envelope before the man with a decisive gesture.
“Process it as quickly as possible.”

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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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