The Villainess's Exclusive Maid Is Too Good at Her Job - Chapter 38

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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 38

Sandy and Mary had come to understand that Janet was making every effort to protect their safety.
In truth, there had been another path—one where they confessed everything and allowed themselves to be taken away.
But if that were to happen….
‘Nova would have suffered terrible retribution at that frightening woman’s hands.’
The mere thought of such an outcome filled them with dread.
Had the Maidservant chosen to abandon them without protection, the result would have been identical.
Someone would have silenced them both.
Janet, who was nothing less than their savior, and Julietta whom she served—neither would ever entertain the thought of betrayal.
“We’ll work hard, so please trust us with this.”
“Please entrust us with this, Maidservant…!”
Witnessing the renewed determination in both their eyes, Janet offered them a warm, contented smile.

***

The following day, Janet’s routine shifted slightly.
Ordinarily, she would rise, wash, dress, and then report to Julietta’s Room to attend to her duties until the day’s end, but today—.
“I’m heading out now.”
“Go on then. Give my regards to the little one.”
“Safe travels, Maidservant!”
“Safe travels, Janet.”
With farewells from Julietta, Sandy, and Mary behind her, Janet made her way toward Jeron’s Annex.
“Good morning, Jeron. Thank you for having me these next few days.”
The first thing Janet did was to greet Jeron properly.
Young as he was, Jeron remained the master of this residence.
Now that she would be coming and going from the Annex, it was only proper to pay her respects.
“…!”
Upon spotting Janet, Jeron’s eyes sparkled as he attempted to sit up.
But he seemed to lack any real strength.
His upper body trembled with effort, and eventually he gave up, instead waving his hands weakly from where he lay in bed.
‘His complexion looks worse than it did the day before.’
It seemed he had suffered another episode sometime yesterday.
“Thank you for coming, Janet.”
“Oh, Joanna.”
Joanna greeted her warmly with a smile, though her own face bore the same worn exhaustion as the day before.
As Janet regarded her with concern, Joanna’s expression grew strained, and she spoke in a hushed voice.
“Last night, he brought up everything he’d eaten again.”
“…Oh dear.”
“I’m truly worried that he’ll develop malnutrition at this rate….”
Joanna’s eyes glistened with tears. Yet, as she glanced at Jeron, I could see her deliberately suppressing her emotions.
“I made a promise to try.”
She dabbed the corners of her eyes with her fingertips, then offered a faint smile as she spoke.
Shortly after, several Maidservants wheeled in trays and entered the room.
“Is it lunchtime?”
“Yes. I deliberately called you during mealtime. I thought you’d want to see what Jeron eats.”
She was right. Joanna, who had deftly read through my thoughts, led me toward the bed.
“If you don’t mind, shall we dine together?”
“Me too? Is that alright?”
“Of course. Once we observe the food, finding the reason will be much easier.”
Three servings of meals were quickly arranged on a small table near the bed.
I took it upon myself to move Jeron to the table.
It would be difficult for Joanna, who was elderly, to carry a seven-year-old Jeron.
Well, from what I’d seen before, she seemed quite strong, but still, I insisted on doing it myself.
‘If I stay close, the blessing might react.’
However, even as I carried Jeron, the blessing showed no significant response.
“Let me eat well—”
Jeron mumbled through his mealtime greeting. But it was only brief.
“…Mmm.”
The child paused for a moment, then clasped his hands tightly together and opened his mouth again.
“Let me eat well… thank… you.”
Only after he’d labored through the words did he separate his clasped hands.
A satisfied smile bloomed across his face.
Joanna, who had been watching this with affection, leaned in and whispered to me.
“Ever since Lady Julietta visited, he’s been making an effort to complete his sentences.”
“Really?”
“Yes. We’re truly grateful to the Lady.”
My goodness.
The Lady who once faced nothing but scorn had become someone who could positively influence others.
My heart swelled.
“I’ll tell the Lady. She’ll surely be delighted.”
As the two of us put our heads together and laughed, Jeron’s eyes widened in bewilderment.

#Chapter. The Source of the Ache

The next day, and then the day after that.
Janet shared meals and lived together with Jeron in Jeron’s Annex.
But.
‘From what I could see, there was nothing wrong with the menu.’
Warm soup and a slice of bread.
Warmed milk or sweetened milk tea.
For a nobleman’s meal, it was remarkably simple, yet appropriate for someone who complained of stomach pain and nausea after every meal.
‘The seasoning wasn’t irritating either, and just as Joanna said, there were no foods with a high probability of allergies.’
Things like nuts or peaches.
Even the dessert that came after meals was nothing but finely ground apple purée.
‘Then what on earth could be the problem?’
Perhaps the issue lay somewhere other than the meals.
‘…Hmm? Wait a moment.’
Janet’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt as she crossed the corridor of Jeron’s Annex, lost in thought.
Having stopped, Janet slowly turned to look to the side.
A strangely familiar face appeared in the corridor of Jeron’s Annex.
“….”
“….”
Their eyes met directly.
The other person adjusted their glasses slightly without any reaction.
Since Janet had no glasses to adjust, she could only hold the other person’s gaze.
“….”
“….”
After that meaningless moment passed.
“Well. I suppose I’ve been caught after all?”
“That’s right, isn’t it? You’re Theo, aren’t you?”
“Shh, you should call me the Doctor here.”
Theo fluttered his doctor’s coat for emphasis.
“You came in as a Doctor…?”
“Yes.”
“Didn’t anyone notice? A doctor is too conspicuous.”
“No one noticed. Many doctors come and go to the Fourth Prince’s Annex.”
He gave a light shrug and flipped through the chart in his hand.
“Even if one more is added, people assume a new person has arrived, or that I’m someone’s assistant.”
A moment of doubt arose as to whether such a thing could really pass unnoticed.
‘But this is Theo we’re talking about.’
The Deputy Director of the Information Guild, Illinia.
I was certain he would know how to hide himself well.
“But what brings you here?”
At Janet’s question, Kendrick smiled faintly.
“I came to visit. I have some personal interest in the Fourth Young Master.”
“Personal interest?”
“I was curious since Janet would be working here for a while.”
…The latter sounded more like an excuse.
‘Personal interest, he says.’
I wondered what kind of interest that could be, then remembered that it was Theo who had brought me news of Jeron.
‘It must be similar to what Julietta Ludwig has.’
Whatever their relationship, there seemed to be some connection between Theo and the Ludwig Family.
With the thought that I shouldn’t dig too deeply into this either, I was nodding vaguely when Theo continued.
“By the way….”
Theo paused mid-sentence.
And then.
“…Did Princess Julietta Ludwig perhaps come with you?”
“No. I came alone.”
“Ah, I see.”
There was something peculiar in Theo’s tone as he answered.
He sounded both relieved and disappointed at once.

***

I gave Theo a brief explanation of what had happened with Joanna.
“So I decided to help.”
I mentioned that I would be working at Jeron’s Annex for a while, but this was the first time I was explaining the details.
Theo’s eyes narrowed as he listened to my explanation.
“Oscar suggested that Joanna ask for your help?”
“Yes, that’s what she said.”
“That’s strange. He’s not the type to do that.”
“What? What did you just say…?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
Theo answered with a faint smile, his gaze turning toward the corridor beyond.
“Were you heading to the Kitchen?”
“Yes. I wanted to check on the food preparations more thoroughly first.”
“Then I’ll go with you.”
“With Theo?”
“Perhaps I could be of some help, don’t you think?”
It was certainly a plausible suggestion.
Theo was someone who knew everything.
“Then let’s do that.”

The two of them made their way together to the Kitchen in Jeron’s Annex.
Fortunately, the staff at Jeron’s Annex seemed to regard Theo merely as a newly arrived Doctor or the Doctor’s assistant.
“Here it is. This is the young master’s dietary schedule for this month.”
The head cook who handed over the schedule wore a disgruntled expression.
“I assure you, there’s nothing wrong with the food! We always cook with only the freshest ingredients!”
“Please don’t worry. I’m not suspecting the kitchen staff.”
At Janet’s calm response, the head cook gave her a skeptical look.
“Everyone has foods that don’t agree with them. I simply wanted to see if there might be something like that.”
“Ah, if that’s what you mean….”
Hmm.
As if deciding to ponder the matter together, the head cook tilted his head thoughtfully.

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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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