The Villainess's Exclusive Maid Is Too Good at Her Job - Chapter 33

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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 33

“We must have him recovered before the birthday celebration.”
“Indeed. Now that I think about it, we have only two weeks left until the birthday celebration.”
The Ludwig Family was already bustling with preparations for the youngest prince’s birthday celebration.
Since it was the Grand Duke’s only late-born child’s birthday, the scale of the celebration was considerable.
‘…I’ll be better by then, won’t I?’
If I were to attend that grand celebration looking pale and haggard, all manner of rumors might follow in my wake.
No one loved gossip and speculation quite like the nobility.
“I should pay him a visit.”

***

That night.
After parting with Janet, Theo returned to Kendrick’s Separate Residence.
“How is the little one doing?”
“Neither improved nor worsened, it seems. The abdominal pain persists.”
“I see.”
At Kendrick’s response, Owen’s eyes narrowed.
“May I ask what brings this on?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why the sudden interest in your other brother?”
Kendrick did not answer Owen’s question.
He merely gazed silently at the dirt-smudged letter resting upon his desk.

“I want to be… I want to be a hero too…”
“Do you wish to become a hero as well, Master Jeron?”
“What’s so great about being a hero? A hero is someone who stands at the front and fights risking their life. If you’re lucky enough to survive that fight, then you become a hero! But what good is surviving like that? You become a coward and cower at home. What does a coward like that want to become…!”

…Why did I have to witness such a pointless scene?
The small child who yearned to become like me, and Julietta Ludwig screaming that she must never become that way.
And Janet standing motionless between them, keeping watch.
Having witnessed all three of them working together to push the letter beyond the Fence, I couldn’t shake the nagging concern about that frail little thing.
Owen, who had been staring at the letter alongside Kendrick, tilted his head and asked.
“Will you be attending the birthday celebration as well?”
“I’m not sure. Let me think about it.”
“That means….”
At Kendrick’s ambiguous response, Owen’s eyes widened noticeably.
For someone who perpetually wore dark circles, it was rare to see him open his eyes so clearly.
“Are you finally ending your seclusion?”
“Didn’t I just say I’d think about it?”
“My, the Guild Master will be delighted!”
“Enough.”
“I see. So that’s why you decided on the Academy enrollment? I thought perhaps you were just going to follow Janet along since she’s attending the Academy.”
…
“I mean, isn’t it suspicious? The Guild Master used to push you every year about attending the Academy, and you’d refuse so vehemently. But the moment Janet says she’s going, you suddenly agree?”
“It’s because Julietta Ludwig is re-enrolling at the Academy—”
“I must inform the Guild Master of this joyous news!”
“Try it. I’ll demolish the entire Underground Laboratory that very day.”
At Kendrick’s sincere threat, Owen belatedly regained his composure.
“Understood. I shall remain silent for the time being.”
The phrase “for the time being” grated on Kendrick’s nerves, but he nodded anyway.

***

The next day, Janet informed Julietta Ludwig about Jeron’s condition.
“The little one is bedridden?”
“Yes. He’s not feeling well, and apparently he can barely eat.”
“That scrawny thing is getting even more skeletal.”
Julietta Ludwig clicked her tongue, worry creasing her brow.
She glanced toward Jeron’s Annex and muttered curtly.
“A bedridden little thing. I wonder how pathetic he must look. Perhaps I should go see for myself.”
“Are you going to visit him while he’s ill?”
“I said see for myself, not visit.”
Julietta Ludwig quickly corrected herself and rose gracefully from her seat.
“Lead the way, Janet.”

The two of them made their way directly to Jeron’s Annex.
“Is it alright to visit without prior notice?”
“Why would I need to send word before visiting my own blood relative’s residence? That’s absurd.”
Janet simply nodded at Julietta’s confident response.
‘He won’t turn away a direct family member who’s come to check on his health.’
Just as the two of them were passing in front of Kendrick’s Separate Residence, Julietta came to an abrupt halt.
She fixed her gaze intently upon Kendrick’s dark Separate Residence.
“My lady?”
At Janet’s call, Julietta tilted her head slightly.
“This is truly exasperating. I can’t bear it any longer.”
“What do you mean—”
Before Janet could even finish her question, Julietta, arms crossed, began walking toward Kendrick’s Separate Residence.
“My lady?”
Janet’s eyes widened in surprise.
Surely she wasn’t about to visit Kendrick directly?
The thought gave her pause.
But then Julietta spun around and headed toward the Fence instead.
It was the very spot where, days before, Jeron, Janet, and Julietta had slipped a letter through.
‘Ah, she’s checking on the letter.’
Quickly grasping her mistress’s intention, Janet hurried to her side.
Bending at the waist, Julietta peered beyond the Fence.
“How is it? Is it still there?”
“No. It seems to be gone.”
Julietta’s eyes darted about frantically. No matter how carefully she looked, there was no sign of the letter.
…That’s strange. It shouldn’t be like this.
‘Did he really take it?’
Kendrick Ludwig?
To be honest, I was certain it would still be there. How would someone who confined himself to his room ever bother to pick it up?
‘No, that’s not it. His aide probably collected it, thinking it was trash.’
That explanation felt far more plausible. How could someone who shut themselves away from the world, living in isolation, possibly take interest in an invitation from a child?
Yes, that had to be it.
“…What does it matter if he took it? He won’t attend the birthday celebration anyway.”
Tsk.
Julietta clicked her tongue and straightened up, glaring at the rusted Fence with displeasure.

***

“I apologize, but visitation is not possible at the moment. You cannot see the young master now, so please return another time.”
At Joanna’s words, delivered with a respectful bow, Julietta’s eyebrows twitched.
No matter how courteous the tone, this was unmistakably a dismissal.
“Visitation is not possible?”
Her face made it clear she was barely restraining her anger. Julietta clenched her teeth and tilted her head askew.
“I’m his sister. Why would visitation be difficult? We may share different mothers, but we share the same father, don’t we? I’m Ludwig, and he’s Ludwig. What sibling needs permission to see their own brother?”
“Master Jeron requires absolute rest at present. Moreover—”
Joanna’s sharp gaze fixed directly on Janet.
“Since meeting this maid, the young master’s condition has deteriorated significantly. Would it not be wise to keep potential threats away from a patient’s bedside?”
I was somewhat taken aback by such blatant hostility.
I had known she harbored ill will toward me, but I never expected her to speak so openly before the young lady herself.
An insult directed at a servant was, after all, an insult directed at her master.
And indeed.
“Are you saying my maid is responsible for the boy’s illness?”
Julietta’s brow furrowed as she raised her voice.
At the sudden rise in her tone, all the servants’ eyes turned toward us. Whether they shared Joanna’s sentiments or not, their gazes held unmistakable hostility as they looked between Janet and Julietta.
I observed the shifting atmosphere and lowered my head to whisper.
“Young lady, please calm yourself.”
“Do I look calm to you? How dare she insult my maid before me?”
At Julietta’s words, I offered a faint smile.
I felt deeply grateful that she was taking my side.
But.
“Master Jeron is just beyond that door. If he becomes frightened by raised voices, what then?”
At my words, Julietta flinched and shot a glare toward the door.
Tsk.
“What a troublesome brat. Always causing nothing but annoyance.”
Despite her grumbling, her voice had lowered considerably.
Having quieted Julietta’s tone, I turned a cold gaze across the room.
My icy stare swept slowly across the servants.
I would remember every face of those who had glared at Julietta—every single one.

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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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