The Villainess's Exclusive Maid Is Too Good at Her Job - Chapter 53

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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 53

“I-I’m so sorry, Maidservant. I was trying to stop them, but….”
“It’s fine. You can go now.”
“Yes, Maidservant.”
After sending out the startled Maidservant, who was on the verge of tears, Janet turned around.
The mysterious uninvited guest who had burst in so suddenly was already seated comfortably, as if he owned the place.
‘Who on earth is this person?’
Janet wasn’t the only one taken aback.
“I fail to see what courtesy demands such rudeness.”
“Precisely. To interrupt a family’s precious time together like this is absolutely unforgivable.”
The Earl and Countess Graham spoke in rapid succession, their voices sharp with indignation.
Rather than respond, the man leaned back against the armrest of the sofa with casual arrogance.
“Family time? That’s laughable.”
“What did you just——!”
“What kind of parents say such nonsense to their own daughter? Children are treasures so precious that even placing them in one’s eyes wouldn’t hurt!”
His voice thundered with such overwhelming force that the Earl and Countess fell silent in an instant, completely overwhelmed.
“Excuse me.”
“Hmm? Why are you calling me, Janet?”
The man who had been radiating killing intent just moments before broke into a bright smile at Janet’s voice.
‘What is this sudden shift in temperature?’
Regardless of what was happening, Janet sensed that this person was not her enemy.
“May I ask who you are?”
“Oh my, how rude of me to introduce myself so late. My name is Liam Ortea.”
Liam Ortea—that name meant….
“The Marquis?”
“Ha! How cold. Don’t call me Marquis so formally! Just call me uncle, Janet.”

***

At the sudden arrival of the Marquis, the people of Earl Graham’s Residence fled as if escaping.

“I’ll write to you, so be sure to reply.”

He left behind words that were almost like a threat.
“Thank you for your help, Marquis Ortea.”
“Tsk. I told you to call me ‘sir’, not Marquis Ortea.”
Janet laughed awkwardly at Liam’s words.
No matter what, how could she address someone of such high standing as ‘sir’?
However, the Marquis’s expression seemed so sincere that it felt wrong to flatly refuse.
“Later, perhaps. Once I’m more comfortable, I’ll call you that.”
“Hmm. Very well. I wouldn’t want it to seem like harassment if I push too hard.”
“But what brings you here?”
“I came to see how you were doing, of course.”
“Me?”
“Well, I did write your letter of recommendation, so I was curious to see how you were getting on. However—”
With a displeased expression, the Marquis glanced toward the door and shook his head.
“I never expected to witness such a scene.”
“…I’m sorry you had to see such an unpleasant display.”
“What? There’s nothing for you to apologize for. Anyone could see you were the victim here.”
Liam, who had been clicking his tongue in indignation, paused for a moment. Noticing Janet’s bitter expression, he asked hesitantly.
“Did my words seem too harsh? Perhaps you care for them despite everything, considering them family…?”
“No! That’s absolutely not it.”
Her swift and resolute answer made Liam exhale with relief.
For some reason, from the moment he first met Janet, he found himself not wanting to be disliked by her.
His heart felt strangely moved.
‘Is it because I overheard that conversation between the Countess and Earl?’
He had known about her family circumstances long ago. As the commander of Ilinia and someone with whom Kendrick had made a contract, it was only natural that he would be informed.
Until now, he had simply thought of her as a somewhat pitiful child.
“…You said you were eighteen?”
“My birthday hasn’t passed yet, so I’m still seventeen. Though it will be soon.”
“When is your birthday?”
“August.”
“Hmm. That truly is soon.”
Though there were still about two months left, time always seemed to slip away in an instant.
“So, eighteen years old…”
The Earl murmured as if lost in thought.
A certain child came to mind—someone who would have been around Janet’s age.
He cleared his throat.
The Marquis forcefully suppressed the welling sadness and let out a hollow cough.
“By the way, have we met somewhere before?”
“Pardon?”
“You seem somehow familiar to me.”
At Liam’s question, Janet racked her brain. Yet no matter how hard she thought, today was her first meeting with the Marquis.
I had met his son, Richard Ortea, before….
“No. This appears to be our first meeting.”
“Is that so? Hmm. How strange….”
As he tilted his head repeatedly in puzzlement, Janet added carefully.
“Perhaps I simply don’t remember. As you may know, I have no memories before the age of fifteen.”
“Ah. That’s right, of course. I’ve already heard about that.”
I had anticipated as much.
‘The Marquis seems to be connected to Ilinia as well.’
When I had once asked Theo, “Are you from Ilinia too, Marquis?” he had evaded the question, but I was not unaware that his evasion was an affirmation.
I simply kept silent, understanding that for some reason, the Earl’s connection to Ilinia had to remain secret.
“You said you were a victim caught up in the Ashleyde War.”
“That’s likely the case. In truth, I don’t even remember that much….”
“War is terribly cruel. Kend-, ahem. That scoundrel Theo suffered dreadfully from the aftereffects of war as well.”
“…Theo too? Is Theo also a victim of the war?”
“Eh? Wait. Didn’t Theo tell you?”
“No.”
Oh, dear.
Liam, realizing his slip of the tongue, laughed awkwardly and shook his head.
“Please forget what I just said. If Theo finds out, I’ll be in for a terrible scolding.”
Janet let out a soft laugh at his playful plea.
“Of course.”
I felt infinitely more at ease with the Marquis, whom I had met for the first time today, than with the people of Earl Graham’s Residence, my family by registry.
“Miss Janet.”
“Yes, Marquis.”
“From now on, you may think of me as your guardian.”
“I beg your pardon? What do you mean….”
“Exactly as I said. Publicly, am I not already your patron?”
That was certainly true.
He had written the maidservant’s recommendation letter and sent gifts.
It would be natural for people to regard the Marquis as my benefactor.
In fact, it was not uncommon for wealthy nobles to sponsor young nobles as if they were their own children.
“Upon meeting you today, Miss Janet, I find myself quite taken with you. I would genuinely like to become your guardian and protector. What do you think?”
“That is….”
I was at a loss for words.
I didn’t know how to answer. That someone as kind as the Marquis would become my guardian and patron.
It was overwhelming and something to be grateful for merely to contemplate.
‘…Can I really accept this?’
Since arriving in Ludwig, I had known adults who became friends, but never an adult who would take on the role of ‘guardian.’
In a way, it was a relationship similar to family.
Since I had never experienced such a thing, I found it difficult to readily answer ‘yes.’
Liam’s eyebrows drooped as he watched Janet hesitate.
“I’m not forcing you. There’s absolutely nothing sinister about this. I simply feel as though you’re like my own child, so even if you refuse—”
“No. I don’t dislike it!”
“Oh, truly?! Then, from now on, whenever you need a guardian somewhere, call me. Don’t call those people who don’t even feel like family.”
Janet blinked as Liam quickly regained his spirits and spoke with renewed energy.
He had seemed quite dejected just moments ago…
A feeling of having been deceived mingled strangely with a sense that perhaps being deceived wouldn’t be so bad after all.
“You’ve already met my son, haven’t you? Lishar, I mean.”
“Yes. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him.”
“Just think of him as an older brother and treat him comfortably! If anyone bothers you at the Academy, tell Lishar about it. Understood, Janet?”
Janet briefly imagined herself calling Lishar “older brother” in her mind.
It would certainly be better than calling Simon that, but…
‘Still, that’s a bit much.’
Liam laughed even louder as he watched Janet awkwardly laugh her way out of the situation.
#Chapter. An Eye for an Eye

When good and bad things happen together, why does the mind always dwell more on the bad?
On the day the people from Earl Graham’s Residence and Marquis Ortea departed.
Janet had a peculiar nightmare.
The sudden visit from the Earl’s household had apparently left behind stress in ways she hadn’t realized.

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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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