The Villainess's Exclusive Maid Is Too Good at Her Job - Chapter 51

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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 51

Kendrick found the current situation absurd. More precisely, Lishar’s attitude was absurd.
‘What is this? Why is he suddenly acting like that?’
Here was a man who showed no interest in others whatsoever, whose cold and utterly discourteous manner drained the spirit from everyone around him. Yet his treatment of Janet seemed subtly different.
One might even call it cautious.
Cautious, perhaps?
‘I thought he’d disapprove of Janet.’
Lishar and the Marquis had grown distant from one another.
It had happened at some point in the past.
Their relationship wasn’t as antagonistic as Julietta and Kendrick’s had once been, but it was clear they weren’t close. Not by any measure.
Lishar in particular seemed to disapprove of the Marquis’s actions.
So naturally, I had assumed he would dislike the fact that the Marquis had written a letter of recommendation for Janet.
‘…What was that reaction?’
Well, it was fortunate that he didn’t dislike Janet, but….
Why did I feel an inexplicable sense of unease?
Harboring this mysterious doubt, Kendrick quietly inserted himself between them.
“So. The Marquis was looking for me?”

***

“Oh! How long has it been, Kendrick!”
At the sound of the door opening, a burly middle-aged man sprawled across the sofa sprang to his feet.
The man lightly vaulted over the sofa and rushed to stand before Kendrick.
“How did the exam go? You didn’t foolishly turn in a blank paper, did you?!”
“What do you take me for, a commander?”
“Ha! You’re saying something funny, aren’t you? If it were me, I’d get a perfect score, a perfect score! How brilliant am I!”
“First, please lower your voice. My ears are about to fall off.”
“Ahahaha! This volume is proof of good health!”
Though Kendrick irritably covered his ears against the booming voice, the corners of his mouth were subtly turned upward.
The commander of Ilinia.
Count Liam Ortea.
He was also the Marquis who guarded the boundary between the Northern Region and the Demon Kingdom.
If Kendrick had been the small hero lauded in the Aeshlaide War, then Liam was the great hero.
Liam, bursting into hearty laughter, took his seat.
Kendrick naturally settled into the chair across from him.
“So. Did you do well on the exam?”
“I did reasonably well.”
“If you say so, then passing is certain.”
Thanks to the years Liam and Kendrick had known each other, Liam could easily discern the meaning behind Kendrick’s words.
Liam’s expression, which had been nodding contentedly, shifted into something sinister.
A premonition of trouble flickered through my mind.
“So, how did that Janet do on her exam?”
“Why are you asking about that?”
“My son’s interested in her, so naturally I should know! Who else would?”
Ahahaha.
He let out a boisterous laugh, his eyes glinting with mischief as he studied me.
“When I told you to attend the Academy, you complained endlessly. But the moment Janet decided to go, you followed right along.”
“That’s not what happened.”
“That’s not what happened? Every single report you’ve brought me—I’ve never seen one where ‘Janet’ wasn’t mentioned.”
….
At Liam’s words, I found myself momentarily speechless.
‘Did I really do that?’
Now that I thought about it, he seemed right. Ever since I’d made that deal with Janet, her name had appeared in every report without fail.
But there was a reason for that.
After Janet became Julietta’s lady’s maid, one incident after another kept unfolding.
Yes. The reason her name never failed to appear in my reports was purely circumstantial.
“Anyway, what brings you to the Capital?”
“Hmm? I came because I was curious about your exam results.”
“What about the Northern Territory?”
“Oh, I left it to my deputy. Benjamin should be handling everything perfectly by now.”
Benjamin was one of Liam’s retainers—trustworthy, efficient, and precise in his work. He was frequently entrusted with acting as lord in Liam’s absence.
Whether during times like these when Liam wandered elsewhere, or when he departed for war.
Thinking of Benjamin, who was surely working diligently in the Count’s stead, I shook my head with a wry smile.
“By the way, I heard the news. You’ve finally made peace with your brother?”
“Peace? We were never fighting in the first place.”
At my casual response, Liam let out a hollow laugh.
I thought he’d grown up by now, but it seemed childish stubbornness still lingered.
“So you’re stopping the seclusion now?”
“No. I’ll continue.”
“What? Why?”
“To keep watch over the Grand Duchess.”
I had already informed Liam, the commander of Illinia, about everything concerning Nova and the Grand Duchess.
“I suppose that does make things easier.”
To confront a powerful opponent, one must first hide and observe the situation.
“If I reveal myself, the Grand Duchess will certainly begin her interference again.”
I hadn’t told Janet this, but in truth, the likelihood that the Grand Duchess was responsible for my early participation in that war was quite high.
Most of those who had influenced the Grand Duke to send me to war were people from the Grand Duchess’s faction.
The Grand Duchess had hoped I would die on that battlefield.
At the very least, she hadn’t hoped for me to return with an honorable title like “youngest war hero.”
Despite three years of seclusion, Kendrick remained etched in people’s memories as a ‘hero’.
I couldn’t predict what the Grand Duchess would do if he emerged from isolation and returned.
If the fallout reached those around Kendrick—Julietta Ludwig or Janet, for instance—it would be troublesome.
“Hmm. I should investigate the Grand Duchess more thoroughly myself.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Huh?”
“You should focus on your duties as Commander.”
At the mention of his duties as Commander, Liam Ortea faltered momentarily. A bitterness he couldn’t conceal flickered across his face.
“Right. That’s what I should do.”
“Did you find no significant clues from the place you visited last time?”
“No. There were no clues whatsoever.”
At the listless response, Kendrick regarded Liam Ortea with worried eyes.
“I’m certain you’ll find something. So please don’t give up.”
“Hey now! Who said anything about giving up! Do I look like someone who would give up?”
“No. You don’t appear that way.”
“Right, right. I won’t give up.”
Liam Ortea forced a cheerful smile and nodded as he asked, “By the way, have you met Lishar?”
“Yes. I saw him. It was Lishar who informed me that you were in the Capital.”
“That fellow. He acts indifferent, yet he does what I ask quite well.”
Affection softened his expression as he thought of his grown son.
“Then, has Janet also met Lishar?”
At that question, Kendrick flinched.
“….”
“Kendrick?”
“Yes, we met.”
Kendrick’s answer was curt, his eyes narrowing.
“Why does your expression look like that? Did something happen between Janet and Lishar?”
“Nothing like that.”
The denial was far too emphatic.
There was a saying, wasn’t there?
Excessive denial is affirmation.
But.
‘Did something really happen between Lishar, Kendrick, and Janet?’
…I couldn’t quite imagine it.
However, one thing was certain—this situation was quite amusing.
‘Hmm. Perhaps it’s time I met with Janet.’
After all, I was her patron and the one who recommended her.
Liam Ortea chuckled softly, and Kendrick watched him uneasily.
#Chapter. A Good Benefactor
Chapter. A Good Guardian

Jeron’s Birthday Ball and the Academy entrance examination.
With the major events looming ahead now behind us, a peaceful everyday life stretched out for a time.
The exam results were scheduled to be announced two weeks before the summer semester began.
With the announcement of acceptances and the start date of the semester drawing near, time was tight for preparations, but given the special admission circumstances, it couldn’t be helped.
“Summer will be here before we know it.”
“Tell me about it. I absolutely despise the heat.”
“The Academy will be cool.”
“Hmm. Speaking as though you’re guaranteed to pass, are you?”
“The Grand Duchess showed me consideration, and I have Joanna’s letter of recommendation as well. I think I performed reasonably well on the exam.”
Janet, continuing her words, offered a gentle smile.
“I used to think I was an incredibly unlucky person.”
“What? You?”
“Yes. But after meeting the Grand Duchess, my perspective changed. I think I’m actually a very fortunate person.”
At Janet’s sincere words, Julietta Ludwig blinked rapidly.
“Ugh, well. How embarrassing, saying such things….”
Despite her curt words, a smile graced her face.

And then, several days later.
“Pardon me, Miss. You have a visitor.”
At Sandy’s words, Janet tilted her head in confusion.
A visitor for 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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