The Villainess's Exclusive Maid Is Too Good at Her Job - Chapter 54

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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 54

Beneath the azure sky, young Janet stood alone.
Below her cropped hair, her exposed neck felt the chill of the air.
From all around came the sound of leaves rustling in the wind.

‘No. That’s not it.’

It wasn’t the wind at all. It was the sound of people moving.
The noise of those lying in ambush throughout the grass, shifting their bodies with each passing moment.
Cold sweat streamed down my back.
I don’t want to die.
I want to live.
My grip tightened on the sword—a blade nearly as tall as myself. Soon, my left wrist, bound with a handkerchief, glimmered faintly.
Looking up at the blue sky, tears threatened to spill over.
The sky was so brilliantly, painfully blue it stung my eyes. Beneath this expanse, how many lives and deaths would intersect today?

“…What beautiful weather.”

It was too fine a day to die.
So today, like all the others, I would simply have to survive.
With renewed resolve, my small frame began to sprint toward something in the distance.

***

“Why do you look so pale?”
“I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“You do that sometimes. Is it because of those guests who came yesterday?”
My, she’s perceptive.
Though she’d struck the mark perfectly, I masked the situation with a smile, pretending ignorance.
“More importantly, is it really alright for me to be here?”
I naturally steered the conversation elsewhere.
“This is a meeting between you and Kendrick. Wouldn’t it be better if the two of you talked alone?”
“No. I don’t want that.”
“Pardon? Why not?”
Today was the day Kendrick was supposed to meet with Julietta.
Following Kendrick’s request to keep the meeting secret, we’d arranged to meet in Julietta’s private study rather than the Reception Room.
Since they’d only just begun improving their relationship, it seemed better for the siblings to have an intimate conversation between themselves.
Yet Julietta remained resolute.
“You absolutely must be here with me, Janet. What if it becomes awkward with just the two of us?”
“But you said the two of you had a good conversation before.”
“That was different—it was at the Ballroom. We were both wearing masks.”
Of course, only Kendrick had actually worn a mask.
Still, there was a significant difference between wearing a mask and not wearing one.
Just thinking about facing him directly and speaking made my tongue feel twisted already.
“You’re my emotional anchor. So you need to stay by my side.”
Should I be happy about this, or not?
Caught between conflicting emotions, I laughed awkwardly.
“And besides, I want to introduce you to Kendrick.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You’re my one and only maid. You also helped us reconcile.”
“What did I do to deserve such credit…?”
“What do you mean, what did you do? You did everything. If you hadn’t been here, I never would have apologized to Kendrick.”
Catching sight of my touched expression, Julietta added with a sly smile.
“I’m someone who acknowledges what deserves acknowledgment.”

Time passed, and soon the appointed hour arrived. It was the moment Janet placed three teacups on the table right on schedule.
Tap, tap.
A light knock—softer than a knock on the door—came from somewhere.
“What in the world… Huh? What is that?”
Julietta, searching for the source of the sound, caught sight of a familiar silhouette hanging from the window and let out a heavy sigh.
“Why on earth is he out there?”
“Could that possibly be Kendrick… sir?”
At Janet’s question, Julietta squeezed her eyes shut and nodded.
“Sigh. Did I reconcile too soon?”
Barely had we made peace when my own family was already embarrassing me like this.
Click.
Janet unlocked the window, and Kendrick climbed through the sill into the room.
“So this is what you mean by coming in secret?”
“Yeah. This window faces the Northern Forest, so there shouldn’t be anyone watching.”
“Fair enough. You’re probably right about that.”
Kendrick casually wiped the soles of his shoes with a cloth he’d brought along.
“Coming through a window and still maintaining manners—impressive.”
“Of course.”
Watching the siblings exchange words so naturally, Janet smiled faintly.
She’d worried whether it might feel awkward, but there was no trace of that at all.
Well, how could it be awkward when she’d just witnessed him climbing through a window?
Besides.
“But why are you wearing a mask again today?”
That was right. Kendrick was wearing a mask on his face today as well.
It wasn’t as ornate as the one from the ball, but his face was hidden above the bridge of his nose.
“I’m embarrassed.”
“…What?”
“Truth is, after staying cooped up at home, I couldn’t speak properly. But last time, when I wore the mask, I was able to talk comfortably with you.”
“So you wore the mask because of that?”
“Yeah.”
At his straightforward answer, Julietta found herself at a loss for words.
What could she say when he’d already admitted it?
Moreover, it felt wrong to scold him when he’d worn the mask precisely because he wanted to have a comfortable conversation with her.
Still.
“You’re insane.”
The curse that slipped out was something she couldn’t hold back.

***

Kendrick, now masked, took his seat.
Across from him, Janet and Julietta sat side by side.
“This is my maid. Janet Graham.”
“Hello, I’m Janet Graham. Thank you so much for helping me the other day.”
At Janet’s greeting, Julietta tilted her head in confusion.
“Kendrick helped you?”
“Yes. A small problem came up, and Kendrick helped me through it.”
Janet deliberately refrained from mentioning what had happened with Samuel to Julietta.
She didn’t want to burden her with unnecessary worry when she was so delighted about reconciling with her twin brother.
‘Besides, it’s already been resolved.’
Of course, I never imagined I’d encounter Samuel again at the Academy’s examination hall afterward.
“It wasn’t anything serious, was it?”
“Of course not. It was nothing at all.”
Janet answered brightly.
“Your maid was nearly attacked by a man, and you don’t consider that serious?”
“What?! Is that true, Janet?! Who threatened you?”
At Julietta’s shocked response, Janet blinked.
Soon after, she cast a sidelong glance at Kendrick.
To anyone watching, that was clearly the moment she was tattling to Julietta.
Of course, she hadn’t asked him to keep it secret, but…!
“Samuel Berdin. He was Count Berdin’s grandson.”
“How dare he threaten a woman late at night in Ludwig territory?”
Watching Julietta grit her teeth with fury, Janet cast another resentful glance at Kendrick.

***

“Not long ago, the young lady introduced me to the Third Prince.”
“…I see.”
At Janet’s report, Theo paused.
Today was Janet’s day off, so they met at Soluna.
Theo had brought her here because he had a menu he particularly wanted to show her.
“So, how was it?”
“Well, I suppose. He wasn’t a bad person, really.”
At Janet’s vague response, Kendrick swallowed hard.
‘Did I needlessly tattle to Julietta?’
But in that moment, I couldn’t help myself.
Being threatened by a large man in a desolate, dark place, nearly struck by a stone—
watching her calmly say it was ‘nothing serious’ made my mouth move of its own accord.
In the end, Julietta spent over thirty minutes interrogating Janet and cursing Samuel.

“Just let her show her face. I’ll rip every last hair from her scalp. Let her witness the true power of a villainess.”

Janet found herself alternating between delight and bewilderment at Julietta’s fierce protectiveness on her behalf.
‘That was actually rather endearing… wait?’
Kendrick’s lower lashes trembled slightly as an unconscious smile played across his lips.
What was I just thinking about?
It was at that moment.
“Your order has arrived.”
The timely arrival of the food allowed Kendrick to cut off that bewildering train of thought.
“Is this cream pasta?”
“It’s not just ordinary cream pasta.”
“Then what is it?”
“It’s cream pasta made with oat milk instead of regular milk.”
At those words, Janet’s eyes widened as she glanced back and forth between the pasta and Kendrick.
“You’re saying oat milk is in this?”
“Yes. Several restaurants operated by Ilinia are currently testing new menu items as a trial.”

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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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