The Villainess's Exclusive Maid Is Too Good at Her Job - Chapter 81

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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 81

「To Kendrick

Hello. How have you been, Kendrick?
I’ve been doing well enough myself.
Life here is so bustling that I found myself thinking of you, so I decided to write this letter.
…But, what are you supposed to write in a letter anyway?
I have no idea. I’ll just say what’s on my mind.
Besides, you won’t be able to write back anyway, right?
Janet’s birthday is coming up in a few days—she’s my lady’s maid and my dear friend.
But when have I ever remembered anyone’s birthday before? What kind of gift would make her happy?
There are actually two other men vying for Janet’s affections right now, but I want to give her the most magnificent gift among them all!
Janet is my best friend, after all.
Not theirs!
Now that I think about it, it makes me furious. Why do they keep pestering Janet like that?
Just because they’re tall and presentable doesn’t mean anything—Janet is worth a thousand times more than those fools!
Anyway, that’s all I needed to say.
Take care, Kendrick.
I’ll come visit again someday.

Julietta Ludwig」

“…Did Julietta Ludwig never even learn how to write a letter?”
Kendrick sighed in genuine exasperation after reading the entire letter.
The convoluted route by which the letter had reached him only deepened his bewilderment.
Julietta Ludwig had sent the letter from the Townhouse, and Hobbs had intercepted it before it could arrive at Ludwig, bringing it to him instead.
Since Kendrick had relocated his residence to the Capital, Hobbs had decided to remain there as well for the time being.
As long as he was heading to the Capital anyway, Hobbs had taken on the task of letter delivery as well.
“Why not? I found it quite spirited and charming. If you read carefully, it’s packed with recent updates.”
“True. It certainly qualifies as an update.”
“Yes. There’s information about the people around her too. I was particularly struck by the phrase ‘tall fools with nothing but decent frames.'”
Watching Hobbs grin widely, Kendrick couldn’t help but smile back, his eyes crinkling with amusement.
“It seems your life has grown rather dull lately? Your nonsense is increasing. How about I find you something to keep you entertained?”
“…Ah, I should get to unpacking my things. I have mountains of work waiting. Busy, so busy!”
Hobbs made a hasty exit, deliberately ignoring the threat, and Kendrick clicked his tongue in mock disapproval.
‘A birthday gift, then….’
In truth, Julietta Ludwig’s dilemma was his own as well. He harbored no intention of outdoing Lishar or Julietta Ludwig herself, but….
‘…Still, it would be better if it were the finest gift possible.’
Hmm.
Kendrick carefully folded Julietta Ludwig’s letter back to its original state and slipped it deep into a hidden drawer.
Then he retrieved the gift list he had prepared beforehand and began a rapid review.

***

And so Janet’s birthday finally arrived.
“Happy birthday, Janet.”
Naturally, it was Julietta Ludwig who was the first to wish her a happy birthday.
“Your Highness…?”
“Don’t you know you’re on medical leave? You should call me Julietta, not Your Highness.”
“Oh, right. Julietta.”
Janet called her name awkwardly, staring at Julietta Ludwig with a dazed expression.
“Here, this is a gift for you.”
“A gift? For me?”
“Of course for you. Who else would I give it to?”
“…A birthday gift?”
“Yes. A birthday gift.”
In truth, this was Julietta Ludwig’s first time celebrating a friend’s birthday, and she felt rather embarrassed about the whole affair.
“…Can I open it?”
“You want to open it right here in front of me?”
“Yes. Is that not allowed?”
“No, well. There’s nothing wrong with it. Go ahead and open it.”
At Julietta Ludwig’s words, Janet nodded and began unwrapping the gift.
Ugh.
Though Janet was the one examining the present, her own heart raced far more intensely.
What if she doesn’t like it?
Did I choose something too childish?
Should I have picked something more expensive and luxurious instead? You know, like those things.
A necklace dripping with jewels, perhaps…
Dozens of thoughts flickered through her mind as the gift box opened.
At last.
Pop.
Janet carefully removed all the ribbons and opened the box.
“This is…?”
Janet’s eyes widened as she pulled the item from the box.
The gift was a teddy bear with soft, fluffy fur.
It was from one of the most popular brands in the Empire, famous for its advertising slogan: “Your one and only friend!”
“You have no memories before you were fifteen. And even after that… well. I thought you probably never had a proper stuffed animal like this.”
Janet stared at the bear with an expression of utter bewilderment.
Whether she liked it or not remained unclear.
Julietta Ludwig, nervous at the ambiguous response, asked anxiously.
“Do you… do you like it?”
Do I like it?
Of course I do.
“…Yes. I like it very much.”
With a heartfelt response, I clutched the small bear plush deep into my embrace.
The toy was a bit small for an adult to hold, but somehow, it felt as though this tiny bear was cradling me instead.
“Thank you so much, Julietta Ludwig. Truly, it’s the most wonderful gift. I’m so happy.”
At my beaming smile, Julietta Ludwig mirrored my joy with her own radiant laughter.

***

My birthday had only just begun.
“Miss Janet! Where should I put this?”
“Could you set that on the desk for now?”
“Of course! I’ll place this box lower so it’s easy for you to check?”
“Yes, please do.”
“Sandy! Another one just arrived…! Miss Janet, where should I put this?”
“Then place that one over there…”
I blinked blankly mid-response.
What on earth was happening?
I’d begun the day in high spirits from Julietta Ludwig’s surprise celebration and gift.
‘I never expected anything for a birthday like this…’
I’d naturally assumed it would pass quietly as always. Though much had changed since arriving at Ludwig, the prejudices already ingrained within me were terrifyingly persistent.
In any case, I felt I’d already savored my birthday simply from Julietta Ludwig’s congratulations alone.
Yet, as the morning wore on.

“Happy birthday, Miss Janet.”
“Happy birthday, Miss Janet.”
“Oh? Thank you both.”
“We’ve prepared a small gift for you as well.”
“I-I did too…!”

Mary and Sandy arrived at work as usual, presenting Janet with birthday wishes and gifts.
A lace handkerchief embroidered with flowers and a ribbon hair ornament, respectively.
Janet accepted the presents with a somewhat bewildered feeling.
‘After Julietta Ludwig, now Mary and Sandy too?’
Was it really acceptable to be celebrated this extravagantly?
Yet Janet had no way of knowing this was merely the beginning of an endless gift avalanche.
Boxes stacked neatly filled half the room.
I settled into my seat calmly and examined the sender of each gift one by one.
“This one was sent by William.”
Along with a brief note wishing me a happy birthday and urging me to take good care of myself, the gift was an elegant tea set.
The next gift came from Jeron and Joanna.
“Oh, how adorable.”
Jeron’s birthday card bore a drawing he had made himself.
A small child and three adult women were depicted, and it was immediately clear who was who.
‘The one on the far right must be Julietta Ludwig, Joanna in the center, and the one on the far left is me, I suppose?’
In the drawing, Jeron stood before Joanna with both hands raised brightly, smiling.
In crooked letters, it read: “Happy birthday, Janet!”
‘It’s a relief to see he’s doing well.’
Joanna’s gift was a summer parasol, accompanied by a note saying that while the Capital’s summer was less intense than the Western Region’s, it was still quite hot and I should be sure to use it.
There was also a gift from Madam Betty.
A fairy tale book the size of a palm, with exquisitely detailed and beautiful illustrations.
I flipped through a few pages and found myself so captivated that I finished reading it right there in my seat.
And the remaining gifts….
‘Were all the rest sent by Oscar and the Marquis of Byeon?’

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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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