The Villainess's Exclusive Maid Is Too Good at Her Job - Chapter 6

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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 6

The carriage continued for quite some time after passing through the main gate before finally coming to a halt.
Before I could open the door, a footman who had rushed from somewhere opened it for me instead.
“Mind your step, my lady.”
The footman extended his arm toward me.
I was taken aback by such attentive treatment, though only for a moment.
“Thank you.”
I took the footman’s arm as if accustomed to such courtesy and descended from the carriage. The moment my feet touched the ground, he hurried away with quick steps.
I made an effort not to look around too much.
Yet even keeping my gaze fixed forward felt overwhelming.
The oppressive weight bearing down on me through the very air was considerable. Today was the first time I realized one could feel such pressure from a space itself.
‘Yes. This is Ludwig.’
The reality of where I had stepped suddenly became clear.
The Grand Duchy—the only one of its kind in the Empire, with the current Emperor’s elder brother as its head.
The sovereign of Western High Society, and counted among the wealthiest noble families in the Empire.
I straightened my spine and took a measured step forward.

***

“Good. The documents are in order.”
Nova Morgan.
The Head Maidservant of Ludwig Grand Duchy.
Her family, the Morgan Count Family, was one of the meritorious clans that had sworn loyalty to the Emperor for generations.
Born as the eldest daughter of the Morgan Count Family, she had become a maidservant to the current Grand Duke when he was still a prince, and after coming to Ludwig, she had briefly served as a nanny to the second and third princes.
With her steadily accumulated experience and the Grand Duke’s trust backing her, Nova had ultimately succeeded in securing the position of Head Maidservant.
Having never married and having devoted herself entirely to Ludwig, her dedication had borne fruit.
Though it had been only just over a year since she assumed the position of Head Maidservant, her authority within Ludwig was considerable.
‘—or so it was written in the notebook Theo gave me.’
The information from the original work that I recalled was extremely limited.
It meant there was almost no information that would help me in my duties as a maidservant.
In contrast.
‘It’s truly useful. It was worth reading in advance.’
The notebook Theo had given me proved remarkably practical.
Thump.
Nova stamped the documents I had brought with the Head Maidservant’s official seal.
“Janet Graham.”
“Yes, Head Maidservant.”
“From now on, you will work as the personal maidservant to Lady Julietta Ludwig. You understand, yes?”
“Yes. I understand, Head Maidservant.”
Nova’s preference for those with refined manners was also noted in my handbook.
Her preference for being called “Head Maidservant” rather than simply “Maidservant” was likewise information from the handbook.
“Your quarters have been arranged in Lady Julietta’s private residence. Unlike other servants, maids are to reside with their mistress in the separate wing. Do you know why that might be?”
“I believe it is so that I may serve Lady Julietta from the closest proximity.”
“Correct.”
Nova answered with elegant composure.
“Your working hours are from eight in the morning to seven in the evening. However, should Lady Julietta require it, you must attend to her beyond those hours.”
In other words, I might find myself working day and night, but that posed no difficulty.
During my time at the Graham Family Home, I had grown accustomed to all-nighters.
“For today, simply unpack your belongings in your room and wait. If Lady Julietta calls for you, go and pay your respects. If she does not, there is no need to seek her out.”
“Yes, Head Maidservant.”
“Your formal duties begin tomorrow. As a maidservant of Ludwig’s pride, do your utmost to serve Lady Julietta well.”
At Nova’s stern warning, I bowed deeply.
“I shall keep that in mind.”
As I remained bowed, Nova’s gaze fixed upon my crown, and one corner of her mouth curved upward slightly.
“And.”
Her voice, which had been sharp throughout, softened considerably.
“Should any problems arise during your duties, you may come to me. Despite appearances, I do take good care of those under me.”
“Yes. Thank you for your consideration, Head Maidservant.”
At my greeting, Nova nodded with a warm smile.
This was the moment when a dismissal would typically follow.
Instead, Nova suddenly began stroking her own neck.
“My, my neck feels rather bare today.”
As she deliberately touched her neck, Nova observed my expression.
The girl before me was…
“Hmm?”
Simply blinking her large eyes and tilting her head in confusion.
Her innocent expression seemed to say, “I wonder why your neck feels bare?”
‘Good heavens. A simpleton without a shred of perceptiveness has arrived.’
Most would have taken the hint by now and removed some piece of jewelry to offer her.
Even those less astute would have sent some signal of “I shall repay your kindness.”
A faint sigh escaped Nova’s lips.
Her eyebrows twitched irritably.
‘Looking more closely, she appears to have no money at all.’
I had expected her to be from a wealthy family, given that she carried a letter of recommendation from the Border Count, but her appearance was utterly shabby.
Nova clicked her tongue and opened her eyes wide as she spoke.
“Have you not left yet? Your business here is concluded, so be on your way now.”
“Ah, yes! Then I shall take my leave. I look forward to working with you, Head Maidservant.”
I departed the room with a respectful bow, my hands folded across my abdomen.
The door closed with a heavy thud.
After the door closed, Nova’s expression crumpled entirely.
She leaned back irritably against the chair’s backrest, running her well-manicured fingers along her elongated nails as she muttered to herself.
“Dull and stupid, with no money to speak of? That princess and her maidservant are truly a matched pair.”
No matter how I looked at it, there seemed to be no source of funds whatsoever.
Tick, tick—as Nova flicked her nails, a bitter smile curled at the corners of her lips.
‘But it doesn’t matter.’
Janet’s mistress was none other than Julietta Ludwig herself.
That temperamental, wicked woman!
By enduring her fastidious nature, there would eventually come a moment when she’d be desperate enough to seek my help.
And if that didn’t happen—
“There are so many ways to torment a person.”
Extracting money from the purses of naive children who arrived at the Ludwig Grand Duchy with starry-eyed dreams was both her hobby and her specialty.
She would torment them relentlessly until they came begging for her assistance of their own accord.
Of course, she never granted favors to those who came empty-handed.
Nothing in this world was free, after all.
Maidservants and servants.
Attendants and handmaids.
No matter how penniless a child appeared, desperation had a way of making them conjure money from nowhere.
Mm-hmm.
A pleased hum escaped from between her wickedly curved lips.

***

「Nova Morgan – Susceptible to Bribes」

So that was real, then?
Leaving Nova’s room, I marveled once again at the accuracy of my notebook.
‘But I never expected her to demand it so brazenly.’
Since it had only been written tersely as “accepts bribes,” I couldn’t have known the method of her request.
Seeing her mutter so openly, “My throat feels parched,” took considerable effort to keep my expression composed.
Now, what should I do?
By conventional standards, giving Nova a bribe wouldn’t be terrible. There was nothing wrong with winning the head maidservant’s favor.
However, I found that approach utterly unappealing.
‘Bribes are wrong!’
—It wasn’t such a naive sentiment.
Of course, I felt uncomfortable with the act of bribery itself, but there was a deeper reason.
Namely.
‘Isn’t she being far too shameless? Just like the Grahams.’
Earl Graham, his wife, and Simon Graham.
Their manner of taking money from the weak without doing anything, simply to satisfy their greed, resembled them perfectly.
I didn’t harbor any grand, righteous determination to eliminate her.
‘But I really don’t want to give her a bribe willingly.’
Hmm.
Deliberating, I quickly reached a decision.
I wouldn’t give it.
Since my employment was already confirmed, dismissing a maidservant fell under each employer’s jurisdiction.
Dismissal during an ongoing contract wasn’t common, so there was virtually no risk of being let go.
As long as I wasn’t dismissed, there was little to worry about.

#Chapter. How to Respond to Territorial Behavior

The next morning.
The moment the sun rose, I pulled myself from bed.
I’d worried I might not sleep well, nervous about my first day, but the plush mattress and soft blankets eased my concerns.
I could count on one hand the times I’d slept so refreshingly in my life.
Stretching with a groan, I gazed blankly around the room.
Clean wallpaper and curtains, a rather spacious personal wardrobe, and a sturdy-looking desk and chair.
Moreover, the room itself wasn’t small.
It took eight steps just to walk from the bed to the desk.
“…A room this nice is actually mine.”

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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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