Because my parents were sick, my family suddenly had to move to the countryside, and I ended up getting married to the person I had promised my future to for a long time.
The reasons were different for each person, but with so many people suddenly quitting, the atmosphere at home was bound to become tense.
The vassals who had served the Duke's family for generations, descended from the Weishaffen estate, were still there, but... this huge capital mansion could not be maintained with just that number of people.
“...I see. It must have been hard for you alone.”
Roderick furrowed his brow, as if he felt sorry for leaving her alone in such a difficult situation.
“It’s a bit awkward. I have to save someone...”
Even the nanny they trusted so much disappeared with Aila. Can they really trust and rely on someone they don't know?
But since it was impossible to keep the mansion in such a mess, it was necessary to hire someone.
“Let’s discuss it together and select a few employees who are trustworthy and likely to do a good job, Roderick.”
Ophelia smiled, gently stroking her husband's hand.
This time, she pledged to never let the same tragedy happen again.
“You said your name was Laura?”
“Yes, Duchess, this is Laura Spencer.”
And a few days later, Ophelia and Roderick were sitting side by side, interviewing applicants for the position of maid.
Usually, these minor interviews were handled by the butler, but Ophelia and Roderick wanted to see and judge the applicants themselves, so they stepped forward as interviewers.
In fact, the attractive woman sitting in front of them was the first applicant to make it to the interview stage. Because the selection process was so rigorous, there weren't many applicants, and most were eliminated at the document screening stage.
“You worked for the Marquis of Caenis?”
“Yes, I have served the Young Lady Ceinis for the past five years.”
Ophelia and Roderick exchanged secret glances.
The Marquis of Caenis was a long-standing noble family, and although he had no connection with them, he was trusted by the Emperor to the point of serving as the Minister of Finance.
Wouldn't someone who has worked in such a place for a long time be trustworthy?
Even the application form included a letter of recommendation from the Marquis.
They liked the fact that she didn't seem overly nervous, even though she was in front of the Duke and Duchess, and that she answered calmly.
In situations like this, don't you tend to make mistakes because you're overly nervous or excited about looking good?
But no matter how much she liked Laura, something was bothering her that made it hard to make a decision right away.
She was curious as to why she suddenly left her previous job, where she had worked for five years without any problems.
Neither Roderick nor Ophelia was usually inclined to delve into the details of their employees' circumstances, but now was the time to thoroughly examine every issue.
“By the way, may I ask why you left the post of Marquis?”
When the Duke, who was having a silent conversation with his wife, asked cautiously, Laura looked at the Duke and Duchess with a slightly embarrassed expression.
She looked like she hadn't expected to be asked such a question.
“Is it a reason that is difficult to say?”
When Ophelia wrinkled her nose slightly, she raised her palms, which she had neatly placed on her lap, and denied it.
“No, that’s not it...”
Then she began to explain the reason in a whisper.
The young daughter of the Marquis of Caenis, whom she had been serving, had to leave the country because she was marrying a foreign nobleman, and she had decided to give up because it was difficult for her to follow her abroad due to circumstances.
“So, thankfully, the Marquis wrote a letter of recommendation... and I am looking for someone new to serve.”
“Hmm, now that I think about it, I did hear something like that. It was about Marquis Caenis’s daughter being engaged to a high-ranking nobleman from Ropelstein.”
Ophelia said, tucking her flowing hair behind her ear.
If it was a rumor that Ophelia, who had been keeping a low profile since losing Aila, heard, it was likely true.
“If you don’t mind, may I ask what the circumstances are?”
When a noble lady married, it was customary to take her beloved maid from her parents' home with her. It was understandable why she didn't do so.
“Oh, I’m an only child... My mother doesn’t want me to be far away from her.”
Laura's face, which had remained largely unchanged until then, blushed a rare blush. She seemed embarrassed, as if she were a grown adult being overprotected by her parents.
“It looks like a harmonious family. It’s nice to see.”
And Ophelia nodded with a pleasant smile at that human appearance.
She thought she had seen enough interviews.
“Could you please go out and wait for a moment? I’ll get the results back to you shortly.”
“Yes, Duchess.”
At Ophelia's words, Laura left the room politely.
And the couple left alone talked in small voices.
“What do you think, Ophelia? I think I’m fine.”
First of all, he liked the impression she gave off of someone who seemed like a diligent worker. And if she had been too dignified, he might have been suspicious, but her occasional flustered, human side made her even more trustworthy.
“Well, me too. And... since she's been serving a noble lady for a long time, perhaps...”
Ophelia, who was about to answer her husband's question, looked around and closed her mouth.
Although she couldn't finish speaking, Roderick could understand what she was trying to say.
It seemed like he was thinking that maybe he could entrust the child to Aila when she returned later.
“Yes, then let’s hire her.”
It was a quick decision.
And Laura, who received the notice of acceptance, smiled shyly, as if in disbelief. She seemed genuinely happy.
It was only natural. Everything she had shown the Duke and Duchess was merely a pretense to enter this house as a maid.
That wasn't all. The fact that the Duke's servants were quitting one by one was also the work of Marquis Caenis's subordinates.
This involved injuring the maid's father and forcing the daughter to quit her job to take care of him, or pretending to give a large sum of money to the maid's fiancé, who was working to save up for the wedding, to bring the marriage forward.
In addition, she used her hand in the human resources office to block competitors who wanted to apply for the job.
Spencer was her mother, Capella's maiden name. It was true that she had served the young daughter of Marquis Caenis, but only for a very short time after she had entered the Empire from the Kingdom of Inselkov.
She'd already expected to be asked why she'd quit her job as a maid, but she deliberately feigned confusion. It would seem more humane that way.
Laura Spencer, or rather Laura Air, smiled wryly as she unpacked her simple belongings in the room the Duke had provided for her.
She achieved her purpose of entering Venator first.
Now all she had to do was wait for Aila Weishaffen to return home.
While dinner preparations were in full swing, Aila left Debbie and Scott's cabin to gather some sticks for firewood.
“You must return before dark, Aila! Be careful not to get lost.”
Debbie had been nagging Aila, her worries filled with worry. To her, it was all for nothing.
Not only does she know the geography of this area well, but she also has the strength to deal with strangers and wild animals on her own.
Still, Aila didn't dislike Debbie's nagging. Her words were so full of affection that they actually made her feel good.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Aila walked into the forest with light steps.
It was truly a comforting life without Laura, who watched her every move suffocatingly, and without Byron, whom she had to please.
To the point where she found herself humming without even realizing it.
Of course, whenever she went out like this, there were always watching eyes on her, but knowing that those eyes belonged to Cloud didn't weigh too heavily on her mind.
Although she still couldn't completely trust him, seeing that she was still alive and well, it was certain that he hadn't told Byron her secret.
In the end, it felt like a futile effort to insist on not trusting Cloud, who was barely keeping his mouth shut.
As Aila was picking up some dry branches, snorting at the thought, she heard the small rustling of leaves behind her.
"...Who are you?"
She looked around with a very nervous face.
The branches she had been holding clattered to the ground. She had set them down to grab the dagger she had hidden away in case it was someone other than Cloud or Scott.
“It's me, Miss.”
Despite such worries, Cloud peeked out. With a deflated expression, she crouched down and began picking up the fallen branches.
She felt a little annoyed at having to start over again from the beginning, something she had done out of fuss.
“I was surprised. Do you have something to say?”
“...Capella will come to pick up the young lady tomorrow.”
The reasons were different for each person, but with so many people suddenly quitting, the atmosphere at home was bound to become tense.
The vassals who had served the Duke's family for generations, descended from the Weishaffen estate, were still there, but... this huge capital mansion could not be maintained with just that number of people.
“...I see. It must have been hard for you alone.”
Roderick furrowed his brow, as if he felt sorry for leaving her alone in such a difficult situation.
“It’s a bit awkward. I have to save someone...”
Even the nanny they trusted so much disappeared with Aila. Can they really trust and rely on someone they don't know?
But since it was impossible to keep the mansion in such a mess, it was necessary to hire someone.
“Let’s discuss it together and select a few employees who are trustworthy and likely to do a good job, Roderick.”
Ophelia smiled, gently stroking her husband's hand.
This time, she pledged to never let the same tragedy happen again.
***
“You said your name was Laura?”
“Yes, Duchess, this is Laura Spencer.”
And a few days later, Ophelia and Roderick were sitting side by side, interviewing applicants for the position of maid.
Usually, these minor interviews were handled by the butler, but Ophelia and Roderick wanted to see and judge the applicants themselves, so they stepped forward as interviewers.
In fact, the attractive woman sitting in front of them was the first applicant to make it to the interview stage. Because the selection process was so rigorous, there weren't many applicants, and most were eliminated at the document screening stage.
“You worked for the Marquis of Caenis?”
“Yes, I have served the Young Lady Ceinis for the past five years.”
Ophelia and Roderick exchanged secret glances.
The Marquis of Caenis was a long-standing noble family, and although he had no connection with them, he was trusted by the Emperor to the point of serving as the Minister of Finance.
Wouldn't someone who has worked in such a place for a long time be trustworthy?
Even the application form included a letter of recommendation from the Marquis.
They liked the fact that she didn't seem overly nervous, even though she was in front of the Duke and Duchess, and that she answered calmly.
In situations like this, don't you tend to make mistakes because you're overly nervous or excited about looking good?
But no matter how much she liked Laura, something was bothering her that made it hard to make a decision right away.
She was curious as to why she suddenly left her previous job, where she had worked for five years without any problems.
Neither Roderick nor Ophelia was usually inclined to delve into the details of their employees' circumstances, but now was the time to thoroughly examine every issue.
“By the way, may I ask why you left the post of Marquis?”
When the Duke, who was having a silent conversation with his wife, asked cautiously, Laura looked at the Duke and Duchess with a slightly embarrassed expression.
She looked like she hadn't expected to be asked such a question.
“Is it a reason that is difficult to say?”
When Ophelia wrinkled her nose slightly, she raised her palms, which she had neatly placed on her lap, and denied it.
“No, that’s not it...”
Then she began to explain the reason in a whisper.
The young daughter of the Marquis of Caenis, whom she had been serving, had to leave the country because she was marrying a foreign nobleman, and she had decided to give up because it was difficult for her to follow her abroad due to circumstances.
“So, thankfully, the Marquis wrote a letter of recommendation... and I am looking for someone new to serve.”
“Hmm, now that I think about it, I did hear something like that. It was about Marquis Caenis’s daughter being engaged to a high-ranking nobleman from Ropelstein.”
Ophelia said, tucking her flowing hair behind her ear.
If it was a rumor that Ophelia, who had been keeping a low profile since losing Aila, heard, it was likely true.
“If you don’t mind, may I ask what the circumstances are?”
When a noble lady married, it was customary to take her beloved maid from her parents' home with her. It was understandable why she didn't do so.
“Oh, I’m an only child... My mother doesn’t want me to be far away from her.”
Laura's face, which had remained largely unchanged until then, blushed a rare blush. She seemed embarrassed, as if she were a grown adult being overprotected by her parents.
“It looks like a harmonious family. It’s nice to see.”
And Ophelia nodded with a pleasant smile at that human appearance.
She thought she had seen enough interviews.
“Could you please go out and wait for a moment? I’ll get the results back to you shortly.”
“Yes, Duchess.”
At Ophelia's words, Laura left the room politely.
And the couple left alone talked in small voices.
“What do you think, Ophelia? I think I’m fine.”
First of all, he liked the impression she gave off of someone who seemed like a diligent worker. And if she had been too dignified, he might have been suspicious, but her occasional flustered, human side made her even more trustworthy.
“Well, me too. And... since she's been serving a noble lady for a long time, perhaps...”
Ophelia, who was about to answer her husband's question, looked around and closed her mouth.
Although she couldn't finish speaking, Roderick could understand what she was trying to say.
It seemed like he was thinking that maybe he could entrust the child to Aila when she returned later.
“Yes, then let’s hire her.”
It was a quick decision.
And Laura, who received the notice of acceptance, smiled shyly, as if in disbelief. She seemed genuinely happy.
It was only natural. Everything she had shown the Duke and Duchess was merely a pretense to enter this house as a maid.
That wasn't all. The fact that the Duke's servants were quitting one by one was also the work of Marquis Caenis's subordinates.
This involved injuring the maid's father and forcing the daughter to quit her job to take care of him, or pretending to give a large sum of money to the maid's fiancé, who was working to save up for the wedding, to bring the marriage forward.
In addition, she used her hand in the human resources office to block competitors who wanted to apply for the job.
Spencer was her mother, Capella's maiden name. It was true that she had served the young daughter of Marquis Caenis, but only for a very short time after she had entered the Empire from the Kingdom of Inselkov.
She'd already expected to be asked why she'd quit her job as a maid, but she deliberately feigned confusion. It would seem more humane that way.
Laura Spencer, or rather Laura Air, smiled wryly as she unpacked her simple belongings in the room the Duke had provided for her.
She achieved her purpose of entering Venator first.
Now all she had to do was wait for Aila Weishaffen to return home.
***
While dinner preparations were in full swing, Aila left Debbie and Scott's cabin to gather some sticks for firewood.
“You must return before dark, Aila! Be careful not to get lost.”
Debbie had been nagging Aila, her worries filled with worry. To her, it was all for nothing.
Not only does she know the geography of this area well, but she also has the strength to deal with strangers and wild animals on her own.
Still, Aila didn't dislike Debbie's nagging. Her words were so full of affection that they actually made her feel good.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Aila walked into the forest with light steps.
It was truly a comforting life without Laura, who watched her every move suffocatingly, and without Byron, whom she had to please.
To the point where she found herself humming without even realizing it.
Of course, whenever she went out like this, there were always watching eyes on her, but knowing that those eyes belonged to Cloud didn't weigh too heavily on her mind.
Although she still couldn't completely trust him, seeing that she was still alive and well, it was certain that he hadn't told Byron her secret.
In the end, it felt like a futile effort to insist on not trusting Cloud, who was barely keeping his mouth shut.
As Aila was picking up some dry branches, snorting at the thought, she heard the small rustling of leaves behind her.
"...Who are you?"
She looked around with a very nervous face.
The branches she had been holding clattered to the ground. She had set them down to grab the dagger she had hidden away in case it was someone other than Cloud or Scott.
“It's me, Miss.”
Despite such worries, Cloud peeked out. With a deflated expression, she crouched down and began picking up the fallen branches.
She felt a little annoyed at having to start over again from the beginning, something she had done out of fuss.
“I was surprised. Do you have something to say?”
“...Capella will come to pick up the young lady tomorrow.”
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