The Villainess's Exclusive Maid Is Too Good at Her Job - Chapter 30

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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 30

“I’ll pray for your success, Miss Graham.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Sinclair.”
With warm farewells behind me, I left the Library.
As I made my way back to Julietta’s Annex with books cradled in my arms, my gaze drifted toward Jeron’s Annex.
Before leaving the Library, the words Mrs. Sinclair had shared came flooding back.

“If you’re preparing for the examination, why not seek assistance from Joanna, Master Jeron’s governess?”
“From Master Jeron’s governess?”
“Yes. Joanna was originally a professor at the Academy.”

After her early retirement, she had become renowned as a private tutor, instructing Academy examination candidates.
Not a single student under her guidance had ever failed the Academy entrance examination, earning her the epithet “Joanna the Infallible.”
‘Yet how did she come to serve as Master Jeron’s governess?’
While a position as governess to the direct Ludwig line was certainly prestigious, it seemed a far cry from teaching.
My curiosity lingered only briefly.
‘What does that matter now?’
What truly mattered was that I had only a month remaining before my special entrance examination.
The thought of approaching Joanna for guidance flickered through my mind, only to be extinguished by the memory of our disastrous first encounter.
‘No. Seeking her help seems rather impossible.’
Yet I still had a reliable ally at my disposal.
I redirected my steps away from Julietta’s Annex and headed toward the Northern Library instead.

***

“A special student entrance exam?”
“Yes.”
The day after I left a note requesting a meeting at the Northern Library.
The two of us met in a corner of the Northern Library.
The Northern Library, built for servants, had few visitors during weekday hours.
It was rare for anyone to finish their arduous work and come all the way to the library to borrow books.
Thanks to this, the empty library became an excellent secret meeting place for us two.
I relayed to Theo exactly what Julietta had told me.
That if I passed the special student entrance exam, Julietta would also return to the Academy.
“So that’s what happened.”
“Yes. But I don’t know much about Academy exams, and it seems Miss Julietta doesn’t know much about the special student entrance exam either.”
“So you asked to meet because you wanted my help?”
“That’s right.”
Janet nodded and added as if making an excuse.
“After all, this is something for Miss Julietta’s sake too. Isn’t it?”
“Of course. Naturally.”
In truth, regardless of Julietta, if Janet wanted to attend the Academy, I would have been willing to help her in any way.
Since meeting Janet, I had been able to smoothly eliminate those who were harming Julietta.
Moreover, I could feel that Julietta was changing for the better.
Janet was already like a benefactor to me.
How could I refuse anything my benefactor desired?
And….
…And?
“Theo?”
At Janet’s call, I came to my senses.
“Yes, Miss Janet.”
What was that? I felt a very strange emotion just now.
However, I pretended nothing had happened and opened my mouth.
“As you said, I will do my best to help you pass the entrance exam.”
“Thank you, Theo.”
At Janet’s grateful smile, my eyebrows twitched slightly.
Then.
“Or, what if we did it this way?”
The words I blurted out were born half from impulse.
“Let’s study together until the Academy exam.”
“With you, Theo…?”
“Yes. Actually, I was planning to take that exam myself.”
At my words, Janet’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Really? So you’ll attend the Academy with me too?”
Well, of course I’d have to pass first.
Janet added with an embarrassed tone, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at Theo.
“Yes. I think that’s how it will be.”
“That’s wonderful. I was worried about whether I could adapt to Academy life.”
Janet, speaking with genuine joy in her voice, extended her hand toward Theo.
“Let’s study hard and pass together.”
Theo stared blankly at the offered hand, then smiled stiffly and clasped it.
“Yes. Let’s do that.”

***

Thud.
An enormous stack of reference books piled onto my desk.
Julietta Ludwig appeared behind the servants carrying the load, speaking with a satisfied expression.
“How is it? You won’t need anything else at this rate, will you?”
“No. It seems more than sufficient.”
“When I do something, I do it properly.”
Hehe.
Julietta Ludwig laughed softly and tapped my arm lightly.
“If you need to, study even during work hours. We have less than a month left now, so I’ll allow that much.”
“…Yes. Thank you for your consideration, Miss.”
Of course, I had no intention of doing such a thing.
I was, after all, Julietta Ludwig’s maid. I had to do my duties properly and study as well.
But such thoughts were fleeting.
Suddenly, I realized this might be a good opportunity.
After Sien and Nova Morgan’s arrest and the drug discovery incident.
Julietta Ludwig’s dependence on me had noticeably increased.
As a maid, it was gratifying that my mistress had grown closer to me, but if she continued to rely solely on me, it would have long-term negative effects on both of us.
“Miss, what if you kept some girls nearby to assist with my duties?”
“Girls to assist with your duties?”
Julietta Ludwig’s brow furrowed immediately.
“Is that really necessary?”
“It would help me focus on my studies with peace of mind. I truly want to attend the Academy with you, Miss.”
At my appeal, Julietta Ludwig’s eyes widened. She glared at me with displeasure, then let out a shallow sigh.
And then.
“If you insist like that, well…”
“You’re allowing it?”
“Only for one month.”
“Yes, Miss.”
At my delighted response, Julietta Ludwig pouted her lips and turned her gaze toward the window.
The blue sky and verdant greenery came into view.
“What lovely weather.”
“Isn’t it? It seems we’re entering early summer now.”
When I first arrived at Ludwig, the air had still been crisp, but over the past two months, the world had transformed into verdant hues and the days had grown considerably warmer.
“Alvin mentioned that this is when the Garden is at its most beautiful. Would you like to take a look around?”
“Who is Alvin?”
“The gardener of the Young Miss’s Separate Residence.”
“…I see.”
So the gardener’s name was Alvin.
Janet let out a hearty laugh watching Julietta voice this newfound realization.
And then.
“Since he’s tended the Garden so diligently, the Young Miss will surely be delighted to see it.”
“Why would I be delighted to see a garden?”
“Well, because this Garden is the Young Miss’s Garden. If the owner is pleased, wouldn’t the gardener be happy as well?”
“…You certainly have a talent for making things sound plausible.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“Hmph. Compliment, indeed.”
Despite her coy protest, Julietta readily followed Janet toward the Garden.
‘Come to think of it, when was the last time I took a stroll through the Garden?’
I wondered as I surveyed the well-maintained grounds.
At some point, I had begun to dread going outside. Even a simple walk through the Garden no longer brought me joy.
Meeting people, facing others—it had become terribly uncomfortable and frightening.
What if they turned their backs and whispered about me? What if they were the ones who had created and spread rumors about me?
Weighed down by the anxiety and fear I had cultivated alone, even breathing felt suffocating.

“You must not trust people, Young Miss. They are all enemies. They are nothing but facades!”
“The moment you turn away, they’ll all be busy slandering you, won’t they?”

Nova, who had cared for me all those years, had spoken in much the same way.
But.
‘Now that I think about it, something seems off.’
She would say I mustn’t trust people, yet always insisted, “The only person the Young Miss can trust is me, Nova!”
And yet that very ‘Nova’ had been tormenting young servants and extorting bribes from them.
After Nova’s arrest, I was somewhat surprised at how unfazed I felt.
I was shocked, certainly, but only to that extent.
In the past, I would have thrown a tantrum, insisting this was impossible.
But now, with Nova confined, my heart was gradually becoming lighter.
It was as though a puzzle that had been misaligned was slowly falling into place.
I had suffered believing Nova’s words were the truth, but now I was beginning to realize they might not have been the answer at all.

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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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