The Villainess's Exclusive Maid Is Too Good at Her Job - Chapter 7

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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 7

At the Graham Family Home, Janet’s room was in the attic. There wasn’t even a proper staircase—I had to climb up using something akin to a wooden ladder.
The window that allowed me to see the sky was pleasant enough, but everything else was utterly inadequate.
‘Well, it used to be a storage room anyway.’
To them, I was worth exactly that much—a useless object to be tucked away in a warehouse.
Now, at least, I had finally obtained a room where I could rest comfortably.
“Let’s do this with all my heart.”
With my resolve firmly set, I moved with purpose.
After washing myself, I gathered my long, unruly hair and tied it neatly. I also retrieved the clothes I had prepared the night before.
Though somewhat worn, they were the most presentable outfit I had brought with me.
‘Once I earn some money, I’ll buy new clothes first.’
Or perhaps I should ask the payroll manager if an advance were possible?
Given the vast scale of the Ludwig Grand Duchy and the large number of people working there, each department had its own dedicated staff.
That was fortunate.
Since I had resolved not to give Nova anything she wanted, it was certain she would become troublesome otherwise.
Being able to speak directly with the payroll manager without having to go through the head maid was a significant advantage.
‘I’ll visit tomorrow or the day after.’
Once I finished deliberating, I adjusted my outfit one more time.
Catching sight of my neat appearance in the full-length mirror, I curved my lips into a smile.
“Good.”
This seemed more than acceptable, if not quite perfect.
It was finally time to meet the master I would soon be serving.
The Empire’s notorious villainess.
Julietta Ludwig.
‘Oh, wait, before that….’

「The Empire’s most prestigious noble family, the Ludwig Grand Duchy.
The history of the Ludwig Grand Duchy was not particularly deep. After all, the current Ludwig Grand Duke was the founding patriarch, so it was only natural.
Maverick Ludwig.
Originally, he was born as the First Imperial Prince and was considered by all to be a prime candidate for Crown Prince.
The current Emperor, the Second Imperial Prince, also possessed exceptional abilities as an imperial prince, so many speculated that a bloody struggle for the throne would inevitably ensue.
However, instead of waging war with his younger brother over the imperial throne, Maverick chose peace.
Having no interest in the throne, he made a request to establish his own independent family instead.
Thus, the Ludwig Grand Duchy came into being.
Of course, it was purely through Maverick’s power that the family rose to such prominence.
Yet this seemingly capable man harbored one fatal flaw.
He was far too fond of women.
The Grand Duke had six children in total, but only two shared the same mother.
The First Prince, Oscar, born to the deceased former Grand Duchess.
The Second Prince, Zephyr, born to the current Grand Duchess.
The First Princess, Rosina, born to the illegitimate daughter of the Helden Count Family.
Twins born to a famous actress from a traveling theater troupe—the Third Prince Kendrick and the Second Princess Julietta Ludwig.
And finally, the youngest prince, Jeron, born to a young widow.
The one saving grace was that with the youngest prince now six years old this year, there would be no further additions to his children.
The Emperor, who had peacefully relinquished the throne and even endured his elder brother’s debauchery after departing to the frontier and waging war, finally exhausted his patience.
Moreover, the former Grand Duchess was also a younger relative of the current Empress. No matter how much time had passed, how could the Empress’s heart not ache upon learning that her former husband had fathered illegitimate children one after another?
The Emperor ultimately issued an imperial decree.
‘Please restrain yourself, Brother!’ was its essence.
Fortunately, the Grand Duke accepted his younger brother’s imperial decree without significant resistance.
But even if no more children were to be born, the existing children would not disappear.
The Grand Duke’s children were distant from one another. If anything, they were closer to being at odds.
With different mothers and raised under a Grand Duke who showed virtually no interest in his offspring, it was inevitable.
Their practice of maintaining separate residences stemmed from this very reason.
In any case, to summarize the conclusion:
The Ludwig Family was a household that gleamed only on the surface—a fractured mess beneath.
」

Before I set out in earnest to find Julietta.
‘…Looking at this, it really does seem like something written by someone who holds a grudge against Ludwig, doesn’t it?’
Janet tilted her head as she reviewed the information related to Ludwig once more.
Could it be that Ilinia dislikes Ludwig?
Or perhaps Theo?
‘Maybe this is somehow connected to the contract terms about protecting Princess Julietta.’
…No.
I’d decided not to dig into unnecessary matters.
With a sharp snap, she closed her notebook and hid it deep within her desk drawer before leaving the room.

***

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”
Upon meeting Julietta for the first time, Janet struggled to suppress her astonishment.
It was because Julietta’s beauty was overwhelmingly exquisite.
Her skin was pristine as flour, unmarred by a single blemish. Her jawline traced a gentle curve, and her prominent nose possessed perfect symmetry.
Her moderately full lips curved upward even in repose, while her similarly upturned eyes, combined with their considerable size, emanated a feline, aloof elegance.
‘I had heard rumors of her beauty, certainly.’
For the rumors surrounding Julietta’s misdeeds were invariably accompanied by the epithet “more beautiful than a rose.”
I wondered just how lovely one must be for even scandalous gossip to be followed by praise of one’s appearance….
Julietta was truly a beauty beyond imagination. Her mere presence was enough to make one’s heart race.
At this point, a certain suspicion arose.
Could it be that people were mistaking their hearts racing from shock at Julietta’s beauty for fear?
Just as Janet was internally cataloging her admiration for Julietta’s appearance.
“So. You’re to be my lady’s maid?”
“Yes. I am Janet Graham, and I shall have the honor of serving as Your Highness’s lady’s maid going forward. I am grateful for the opportunity.”
Janet, snapping back to attention with a start, completed her introduction with a smile.
“Hmm.”
Julietta, sprawled half-reclined upon the sofa, gave Janet a cursory once-over. Her slippers dangled precariously from her swaying feet.
Presently.
“I’ve never even heard of the Graham Family. What, did you come up from some backwater village or something?”
The corner of her mouth twisted upward in a sneer before dropping sharply.
“I’m not pleased. That someone like you should be my lady’s maid.”
Julietta clicked her tongue and closed her eyes.
“At a glance, you don’t seem capable of doing anything properly. I wonder if you’ll be of any use at all.”
“….”
At Janet’s silence, Julietta let out an internal scoff.
‘She’s frightened, I see.’
By so little, no less.
Julietta absolutely despised lady’s maids. If she could, she would never want one for the rest of her life.
But.
‘I can’t very well dismiss her with my own hands, either.’
Bringing in a lady’s maid had been Father’s wish. To dismiss her arbitrarily would risk appearing as though I were defying his intentions.
So there was no choice.
I would have to make her leave of her own accord.
‘Judging by her reaction, it shouldn’t take long.’
After hearing just a few harsh words, she’d frozen and couldn’t even respond—that much was clear.
Yet this was entirely Julietta’s miscalculation. Janet’s silence carried a meaning utterly different from what she’d anticipated.
‘She’s quite quick on her feet, isn’t she?’
To find so many faults in such a short span of time—that was a talent in itself, if nothing else.
Or perhaps these were rehearsed lines? If so, her preparedness was thorough indeed.
‘I was braced for something far harsher. I’m relieved it was milder than expected.’
Julietta’s words had left no mark on Janet whatsoever.
For three years, she had grown up hearing abuse from the Graham Family every single day.
Unlike Julietta’s cutting remarks, which lacked vulgar language, their tirades had often included words no nobleman should utter.
Janet had endured and borne even those without flinching.
Now, to be wounded by someone’s harsh words would be a betrayal of the grueling life she had survived.
“As you say, I still have much to learn. However, I shall do my utmost to study and improve so that I may serve you with comfort, Miss Julietta.”
“What?!”
Julietta’s eyes snapped open wide, and she stared at Janet with an expression of utter disbelief.

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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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