The Villainess's Exclusive Maid Is Too Good at Her Job - Chapter 37

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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 37

“Perhaps I’ve been projecting my son onto Jeron.”
“I understand. So whenever Jeron shows even the slightest sign of illness, you worry greatly. In case something goes wrong again, like with your son….”
“Yes. I fear that something might go wrong again, just as it did with my son.”
Tears streamed down Joanna’s cheeks.
I quietly handed her my handkerchief. She accepted it with a soft “thank you” and dabbed her eyes.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. It’s just been so long since I’ve spoken of my son….”
Since her son’s death.
Joanna had compulsively avoided speaking of him. She lacked the strength to bear that immense sorrow.
Naturally, the distance between her and her husband had grown. Words became sparse, conversations rarer.
Merely seeing each other’s faces made the grief unbearable—facing one another had become agony.
Eventually, when Joanna settled in Ludwig, the two of them saw each other perhaps once a year.
There was no ill will between them.
Yes, all of it stemmed entirely from pain.
“It’s strange. Somehow, speaking of it has lightened my heart. I thought it would be unbearable once I let it out.”
Joanna smiled bitterly, gazing at the damp handkerchief.
“Pain left unspoken festers within.”
“…I suppose so.”
I recalled the first time I sought out Kendrick.
‘I need money to leave the Mansion.’
I cannot describe how relieved I felt when I first spoke those words aloud.
Though I had worried it might sound absurd, once I voiced it, such doubts vanished.
“I think true progress begins when we confront our pain. That’s when courage to move forward emerges.”
“Move forward… courage.”
Joanna murmured softly.
“I wish to remain by Jeron’s side for a long time.”
“You will be able to. You’ve already faced your own failings and pain.”
As I watched Joanna nod gently, I fidgeted with my teacup.
Looking at her, I was reminded of Julietta from before.
That cowardly version of Julietta, bristling with thorns like a hedgehog.
I genuinely hoped Joanna would find peace. The same for Jeron.
“Did you know? Anxiety is contagious.”
“That might very well be true. It seems Jeron has caught my anxiety….”
“Then conversely, if you were to let go of your anxiety, wouldn’t Jeron find peace as well?”
It was spoken lightly, yet it became a comfort nonetheless.
Had it been too heavy-handed, it would have suffocated her.
“Is that possible?”
“Of course. With the courage you found when facing your pain, you simply move forward, one step at a time.”
The two of them exchanged a silent smile.
“Still, I do hope Jeron’s health improves soon.”
“Yes, indeed.”
“I hear he was particularly ill this time. Is there anything you can think of that might have changed? Perhaps the environment or his usual circumstances?”
Since the primary symptom had been abdominal pain, the most obvious suspect was something he’d eaten.
“I’m not sure. The head chef remains the same, and I typically eat the same meals as Jeron, so…”
“You seem perfectly fine, though?”
“Yes.”
“Then, could it be an allergy of some kind?”
“I’ve considered that too, but there are no allergic reactions like rashes. Most of the foods are dishes he’s eaten before, and just to be safe, I’ve been avoiding ingredients with high allergy potential.”
At Joanna’s explanation, I furrowed my brow.
‘That level of care seems quite thorough, actually.’
From what I could see, there didn’t appear to be any significant issues.
Then perhaps food wasn’t the answer?
I stood with my arms crossed, lost in serious thought.
“I heard it was you, Janet, who discovered the suspicious medicine hidden in the young lady’s tea leaves. Is that true?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes. That’s right. I did find it, but…”
So the rumor had already spread to Jeron’s Annex.
Well, it had been a significant incident that even drew the direct attention of the Grand Duke himself.
“However, I only discovered it by chance…”
As I said this, my gaze drifted to my left wrist.
‘…Yes. I found it by chance.’
By observing how “Blessing” reacted.
So perhaps I could also solve Jeron’s health problem by chance as well.
Of course, it wasn’t certain.
‘I don’t even know when or where Blessing will react.’
At my peculiar expression, Joanna swallowed hard.
Somehow, she felt certain that I could solve this troublesome problem.
One had to seize opportunity when it came.
In a flash.
Joanna grasped my hesitant hand with both of hers and appealed desperately.
“Please, could you help me? I’m begging you, Miss Janet!”

***

“So, you want to help that little one?”
“Yes, Miss Julietta.”
At my response, Julietta’s eyes narrowed.
Noticing her displeasure, I quickly added more.
“Of course, I arranged to visit after work hours. You are always my first priority.”
“…First priority? Hmph, as it should be.”
Julietta muttered with a petulant tone, then tilted her chin up and asked.
“What about your studies?”
“Ah, actually, I’ve arranged to receive help from Joanna regarding that.”
“Help from Joanna?”
I explained Joanna’s background to Julietta.
That she had once been a professor at the Academy, and after leaving the position at a young age, had been working as a private tutor.
And that every student she had taught passed the Academy entrance examination.
“She agreed to help me study in her spare time.”
“Ah, I see?”
“Yes.”
I felt a bit disappointed thinking that the time I spent studying with Theo would decrease….
‘Hm? Why am I disappointed?’
…Why indeed. It’s only natural to feel disappointed when time spent studying together with close friends disappears.
To the question that suddenly surfaced, I quickly provided an answer to myself.
Having regained my composure, I added further.
“And she also said she would write a letter of recommendation to submit to the Academy.”
“A letter of recommendation?”
“Yes.”
“…Hmm. That’s quite good.”
A letter of recommendation from someone who had held a position as an Academy professor would certainly carry considerable weight.
Though I hadn’t told Janet, a letter of recommendation was just as important as test scores for a special student to pass.
“Fine. I permit it. However, don’t go after work hours—go during work hours.”
“Yes? But….”
My gaze drifted toward Julietta’s teacup.
Due to the shock of discovering that poison had been in the tea she was drinking, Julietta had struggled even to eat for quite some time.
Now she managed meals fairly easily, but my concern remained.
Since I began my exam preparations, I had brought Sandy and Mary to assist with supplementary tasks, but serving tea and meals was still my responsibility.
“I can simply go after work hours—.”
“Enough. As I’ve said before, I absolutely want you to pass the exam. Do you not want to attend the Academy with me?”
“…That could never be the case.”
To her firm refusal, I answered meekly.
“Right. So just go during work hours and devote the remaining time to your studies. As you know, there isn’t much time left until the exam?”
Her words struck home, and I hesitated for a moment.
Then I slowly nodded.
“I shall do as you say. Thank you, Miss Julietta.”
“Spare me the gratitude. Rather—”
Julietta Ludwig hesitated for a moment, then turned her head with a sharp motion as she spoke.
“Since you’re going anyway, do something about that little one. Her frailty bothers me.”
At those words, spoken with a gruff exterior yet unmistakably warm, I allowed myself a faint smile.

***

“Listen carefully, both of you.”
At my serious tone, Sandy and Mary straightened with visible tension.
“Yes, Miss Janet.”
“Yes, yes!”
“You both understand that you are indebted to Miss Julietta, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Yes, I do.”
Though it was Nova Morgan’s coercion that drove it, Sandy had once attempted to poison Julietta Ludwig’s tea leaves.
Fortunately, conscience had stayed her hand before the deed was done.
Yet the mere fact of harboring such intent constituted a transgression.
It was an unmistakable debt of the heart.
Mary, learning the truth belatedly, had come to share in that same burden of conscience.
“Even in my absence, you must serve Miss Julietta with your utmost devotion. Is that clear?”
“Yes. We shall give our very best!”
“We… we shall remember this…!”
In the eyes of both girls as they looked upon me burned an infinite loyalty.

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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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