The Villainess's Exclusive Maid Is Too Good at Her Job - Chapter 4

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 4

Inhale. Exhale.
I stepped out of the Post Office and drew a deep breath.
Something felt strange.
One moment I wanted to burst into laughter, the next I felt tears threatening to spill over.
I pressed my lips together firmly, struggling to contain the turbulent emotions swirling within me.
“You haven’t forgotten I exist, have you?”
“Of course not.”
“Thank goodness. I was afraid you’d forgotten me.”
The man who spoke with a playful tone approached with long strides and took his place beside me.
“This is surprising, though.”
“What is?”
“That you forgave me so easily.”
“Did you really think I’d call the guards?”
“Yes.”
At Theo’s firm response, I laughed and shook my head.
“If I did, there’d be statements and all sorts of tedious complications. I wanted to avoid such hassles before even starting my shift.”
“That’s reasonable enough.”
“Right? So I’m going to find someone to repay the debt for me instead.”
Theo’s eyes narrowed at my words.
“That person wouldn’t be…?”
“Yes. I’m going to file a report with the Information Guild. Will you gather evidence of his crimes and report him?”
Theo couldn’t help but burst into genuine laughter.
She really was an amusing woman.
Just moments ago, she’d been silent at the Post Office Clerk’s insolence, ready to leave.
I’d merely given her a gentle push, yet she returned like a soldier from war, victorious.
And that wasn’t all.
The way she avoided the tedious situation and cleverly orchestrated a far grander revenge was masterful.
After laughing for a while, Theo nodded and replied.
“Very well. I’ll file the report for you. No fee necessary—it’s been a long time since I’ve laughed this genuinely.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“And thank you for helping me today as well.”
At my careful addition, Theo tilted his head slightly.
“Did I help you with something?”
As I recall, you left on your own and fought brilliantly before returning.
But I was resolute.
“You did help. You told me not to endure injustice.”
“I merely stated the obvious.”
At Theo’s words, Janet offered a bitter smile.
“That kind of certainty never existed in my world.”
He was the first person to ever say such a thing to me. Theo’s expression went blank at Janet’s confession.
But it was only momentary.
“And there’s one more thing I’d like to request.”
“A request?”
“Yes. For this one, I’ll pay the proper commission.”
The firmness in her voice sharpened Kendrick’s gaze as well.
“Very well. Let’s hear what this request is about.”

***

Within the sprawling Ludwig Grand Duke’s Mansion—vast enough to rival an entire village—
Inside one of the white-painted annexes among the scattered residences of his six children,
“Honestly, I don’t even need a maidservant.”
A pale-skinned beauty whined with petulance.
As brilliant sunlight poured through the expansive windows, her golden hair gleamed dazzlingly in its rays.
Eyes of golden radiance brighter than the sun gazed out the window with displeasure.
“Miss Julietta. I’ve gathered the information you requested regarding your personal maidservant.”
The maidservant who approached her side reported carefully.
“Go ahead.”
At Julietta’s indifferent response, the maidservant who bowed her head recited information about Janet in succession.
“Here. The documents with the details.”
Julietta glanced through the materials perfunctorily and nodded.
“…Janet Graham, then.”
Graham?
She’d never heard of such a family before.
‘Fine. It’s obvious anyway.’
Some obscure noble house had forcibly pushed their unwilling daughter into the position.
Otherwise, who would willingly become her maidservant?
‘A vile temperament, finicky, misanthropic—a wicked woman.’
As her thoughts reached this point, her mood grew increasingly sour.
Julietta’s desire for a personal maidservant had not been her own will.
Weeks ago, during a rare family dinner, her father’s offhand remark—”Perhaps it’s time Julietta had a maidservant”—had set everything in motion.
It was merely a passing comment, but the problem was that nothing her father said could be easily dismissed.
At least not here in Ludwig.
Crackle.
The paper containing Janet’s personal information crumpled within her pale, delicate hands.
“Take it away. I don’t want to look at it.”
Julietta tossed the crumpled paper aside carelessly, her tone devoid of interest.

#Chapter. First Day of Work

“All right.”
Janet woke early, gripping the travel bag she had prepared the night before.
The small suitcase, barely larger than the petite woman’s torso, was only half-filled.
Though three years had passed since arriving at the Graham Family Home, there was scarcely enough to pack.
Cradling the light bag, Janet slipped quietly from the house.
Fortunately, no sign of life stirred within.
‘Of course. Everyone would still be asleep at this hour.’
Standing beyond the gate, Janet gazed upward. Pale dawn light filtered across the early morning sky.
I was lost in contemplation of that subtle shift in luminescence.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
The distant sound of hoofbeats drew my attention.
A pristine white carriage approached slowly toward me.
Presently.
“Miss Janet Graham?”
The carriage came to a gentle halt before her.
“Yes, I am Janet Graham.”
Upon answering the coachman’s question, he broke into a broad smile and bowed his head.
“I’ve come to collect you.”
Before his words had even finished, the carriage door swung open.
Startled by the door opening without a hand to touch it, the moment passed quickly.
Through the gap emerged a pair of long legs.
Gradually, the owner of those legs revealed himself.
The man’s jet-black hair suited the dawn perfectly.
“Do board, Miss Janet.”
“Vice-Captain Theo?”
Ah.
I gasped the name without thinking, then caught myself and closed my mouth.
My bewildered eyes flickered toward the coachman’s face. At my transparent display of emotion, Kendrick and Theo let out soft chuckles.
“He is one of my people, so there is no need for concern.”
Ah.
With a brief sigh of relief, I nodded.
“That’s fortunate. I was startled, thinking I’d misspoken his name in front of an outsider.”
“There would be no issue regardless. After all, it is a name that may be used even in public.”
He answered with ease, extending his hand toward Janet.
“An alias, then?”
“Precisely. Given the nature of my profession, it’s best not to use my true name.”
“True enough. That’s a fair point.”
It was indeed peculiar for the Information Guild’s vice-commander to use his real name.
Janet, accepting his explanation without resistance, took Theo’s hand and climbed into the carriage.
The interior was spacious and immaculate. The carefully cushioned seats and backrests proved remarkably comfortable.
“Is there anything that troubles you?”
“No. It’s quite pleasant, actually.”
“I’m relieved. I considered bringing something grander, but I thought drawing too much attention might be unwise.”
…Debatable.
This seemed conspicuous enough as it was.
Janet swallowed her thoughts and regarded Theo with wary eyes.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect you to come personally.”
“I believe I mentioned I would send a carriage.”
“But I never imagined the vice-commander himself would be in it.”
At Janet’s candid reply, Theo’s lips curved into a gentle arc.
“Before you formally set foot in Ludwig Grand Duke’s Mansion, I thought it wise to see your face once more.”
Tap, tap.
His large hand rapped lightly against the carriage wall.
“There’s also something I should tell you beforehand.”
Something to tell me?
Meanwhile, the carriage began moving slowly forward.
Perhaps because it was such a well-sprung conveyance, there was no discomfort even as it rolled along.
“I should have mentioned it when we last met, but it slipped my mind.”
Last met—he must mean our encounter at the Post Office.
‘Now that I think about it, I wondered why he was following me.’
So he’d had something to deliver all along. What Theo produced was a small notebook.
“This is….”
“A notebook containing information about the interior of Ludwig Grand Duke’s Mansion.”
Information about Ludwig’s interior?
Janet accepted the notebook and flipped through it lightly to verify its contents.
The pages contained detailed descriptions of Ludwig Grand Duke’s Mansion—both its layout and notable personnel.
“With this as reference, you should adapt to Ludwig Grand Duke’s Mansion far more easily.”
“That’s certainly true. Thank you for your consideration.”
“Please, don’t mention it.”
Theo smiled lightly and shrugged.
“We’re partners now, aren’t we? Since we’re in this together, there’s no need to thank me for such trifles.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————