The Villainess's Exclusive Maid Is Too Good at Her Job - Chapter 45

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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 45

While Joanna and Betty conversed, I smiled quietly to myself and surveyed my surroundings.
The crowd had subtly grown denser around the three of us. Though people pretended to engage in their own discussions, I could feel their eyes stealing glances in our direction.
Well, it was hardly surprising.
A gathering of the High Society’s renowned etiquette instructor and the governess of Jeron, the evening’s guest of honor, naturally drew attention.
I maintained my smile, acutely aware of the scrutiny.
The mere association with such distinguished individuals would prove beneficial to me.
‘Not that I particularly care about High Society’s reputation.’
A lady’s maid’s standing inevitably reflected upon her mistress’s standing.
“Ah, by the way, how is the oat milk project progressing?”
Joanna, who had been conversing with Betty, suddenly posed the question to me.
“Oat milk?”
“Yes, that.”
Joanna gave Betty a brief explanation.
Unable to divulge every detail, she merely mentioned that Jeron’s stomach troubles stemmed from milk, and that I had provided the oat milk recipe as a solution.
“Making milk from oats—how fascinating.”
“I was quite astonished myself.”
“So when will the oat milk be available for purchase? I should very much like to try it.”
Mrs. Betty’s eyes sparkled with interest as she asked.
“Truth be told, milk has never agreed with my constitution. As I’ve grown older, the symptoms have only worsened, so this is most welcome news.”
“In that case, I shall share the recipe with you separately.”
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly accept. It’s such a precious recipe—you’ve even patented it.”
I shook my head at Betty’s objection.
“It will take some time before it can be commercialized and released to the market.”
“Even so, to share such a recipe so freely….”
“Freely?”
I responded to Betty’s point with a hint of wounded feelings.
“I believed we were dear friends. Did you not consider me a friend, Mrs. Sinclair?”
“Oh my. How could you say such a thing? You are my treasured friend.”
At Betty’s words, I smiled softly.
“Then, as a friend, I shall give you the recipe as a gift.”
“Truly, the Graham heiress is irresistible.”
Joanna, who had been watching our warm exchange with satisfaction, gently interjected.
“If it’s no trouble, might I also join your circle of friends?”
“Of course, Joanna. We have been dear friends since long ago, have we not?”
“Oh, but I was asking Janet, not you, Mrs. Betty.”
Subtly, her form of address had shifted from “Miss Maid” to simply “Janet.”
“What do you say, Janet? Will you be my friend?”
“Of course. I’ve always wanted to be your friend as well, Governess.”
For the first time, Joanna smiled softly at her young friend.
“By the way, you can call me Joanna too.”
“Of course. I will, Joanna.”
“Me too, Janet! You can call me Betty as well!”
“Haha. I will, Betty.”

Janet, Betty, and Joanna.
As the three of them deepened their friendship, the party reached its full bloom.
It was around then that the direct members of the Ludwig Family who had been holding their positions began to scatter in all directions.
“Oscar!”
“Rosina, I have something to tell you—”
“Zephyr. Could you spare a moment—”
Those who had been watching for their chance seized the opportunity and rushed toward them.
They wanted to exchange even a single word and make their presence known.
Among them, only Julietta Ludwig maintained her composure.
In the past, she would not have endured an atmosphere where attention was not solely upon her.
She would have felt as though the world was shunning her alone, and if anyone happened to glance her way, she would have anxiously wondered, ‘Are they mocking me?’
But now.
‘Where is Janet?’
That was all that occupied her mind.
She even felt a strange relief at not receiving as much attention as her siblings.
It was a natural realization that others’ regard mattered little.
And then.
“My lady.”
At the welcome voice, Julietta Ludwig turned with a radiant smile.
“Janet!”

***

Janet and Julietta Ludwig were not the only ones who shared a joyful reunion.
Joanna, too, had swiftly made her way to Jeron once she confirmed that the direct members of the Ludwig Family had dispersed.
‘I mustn’t overact or make a scene.’
“Are you well, Young Master? Is there anything uncomfortable? If you’re in pain anywhere, you must tell me at once. Do you understand, Young Master?”
As I moved forward with measured steps, pushing away the meaningless worries that crowded my mind.
‘Hmm?’
In the distance, I saw Jeron sitting in a chair, swinging his legs. A man was crouched before the child.
At first, I thought it might be Oscar, but Oscar was elsewhere, surrounded by people in conversation.
‘Then who is that?’
The two appeared to be conversing about something.
Though the distance muffled their voices, I could sense that Jeron was unusually animated.
Shiver.
The man gently caressed the child’s cheek, trembling with joy.
Joanna stopped in her tracks, startled.
Young as he was, Jeron remained a direct heir of the Ludwig Family.
How dare someone touch a direct heir of Ludwig’s cheek so freely!
This was unthinkable.
Joanna resumed her steps, her displeasure evident in her expression.
A couple of people crossed her path as she advanced.
Only for a moment.
In that brief instant, my view was obscured, then cleared again.
But then.
“…What? Where did he go?”
The man who had been before Jeron had vanished. Only Jeron remained, his body quivering with excitement.
“Young Master.”
“Jo, Joanna!”
Joanna grasped both of Jeron’s outstretched hands and lowered herself to meet his eyes.
“Happy birthday, Young Master.”
“Hehe. Thank you, N, Nanny.”
The spirited reply from Jeron was utterly endearing.
With tender care, Joanna adjusted Jeron’s clothing and glanced around before asking.
“But who was that person you were just speaking with? I don’t believe we’ve met before.”
“Huh? You s, saw?”
Behind the mask, the child’s eyes were wide and round.
Joanna nodded and asked as calmly as she could.
“Was it someone you know?”
“Uh-huh. Well, you see….”
Giggle, giggle.
The child laughed with delight, then lowered his voice as if sharing a secret.
“A hero.”
“Pardon?”
“A h-hero came by.”
A hero? What on earth did that mean?
In that instant, it struck Joanna—the identity of the “hero” Jeron had mentioned.
“Surely not…”
“Shh. It’s a s-secret. The hero’s visit is a secret, so only you should know… about it, okay?”
Joanna could only nod blankly as Jeron pressed his index finger solemnly to his lips, sealing them shut.
Yet she found herself glancing nervously about, her eyes darting across the room.
‘If it really was him…’
Had Kendrick stepped outside the Separate Residence?
Finally?
Joanna was lost in troubled thought, unable to conceal her agitation.
“Little one.”
“Jeron.”
“Oh! S-Sister! Janet!”
Joanna flinched at the arrival of Julietta and Janet.
‘Could Julietta possibly know as well?’
Everyone knew the relationship between Kendrick and Julietta was strained.
Yet they remained the only true siblings in the Ludwig Family—not twins, but siblings nonetheless.
“Happy birthday once more, little one. I’ve sent your gift to the Separate Residence, so do check it when you have a moment.”
“Oh!”
“My gift is this one, Master Jeron.”
Janet produced a small brooch shaped like a cat’s face.
It was an adorable feline design, though upon closer inspection, jewels were embedded throughout.
“When did you prepare something like this?”
“I managed to put it together whenever I had spare time.”
In truth, she’d had no time to procure a gift herself, so she’d asked Theo to find one instead.
A brooch that a young child would adore.
“…You must have three bodies to manage all of this.”
Unaware of the truth, Julietta spoke with genuine admiration.
Helping to cure Jeron’s illness, performing her duties as a maid.
Studying as well—yet she’d still found time to craft such a thoughtful gift.
Janet offered an awkward laugh as she carefully placed the cat brooch into Jeron’s hands.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes! I l-love it!”
The child nodded his head vigorously, his fingers tracing the adorable feline face as he murmured softly.
“It’s similar to what the hero gave me.”

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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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