Episode 53. True Feelings Revealed in Front of Money
“What? Really?”
Rose was chatting with Jane, who had just finished work. The café had a private room, so she could comfortably talk about her ex-husband’s wedding.
The wedding, which she hadn’t seen until the very end, was exciting right up until the very end. The two were filled with laughter.
Jane bit into a cookie on the table and smiled.
“Yes! You have no idea how surprised everyone was to find out.”
“That’s really amazing, really. How did she plan on following them on their honeymoon?”
“I heard she slipped out during the ceremony and snuck into the carriage. She must have been trying to coax the Count into taking her with him. The new Countess must have felt bad, though.”
It was a frightening obsession. It seemed like it took Doana’s level of effort to steal someone else’s man.
“It’s exhausting. Why on earth do you live like that?”
Rose was curious about Doana’s brain structure.
“The former Countess almost collapsed, clutching her back. But she was too busy trying to maintain her composure in front of everyone to even get angry.”
“She must have let her guard down. She probably didn’t know Doana would be joining them on their honeymoon.”
“Why did she do that when she knew it would be so hard for the former Countess when she got back?”
At Jane’s words, Rose lifted her teacup from the table. She quenched her thirst slightly and shook her head.
“I’m curious about that too.”
“The former Countess made this expression and said, ‘Report to me as soon as you return from your honeymoon,’ and it made us all nervous for no reason.”
Jane mimicked Tercia’s expression and even imitated her voice.
Rose’s face broke into a smile at Jane’s absurdity.
“She really is tenacious.”
Doana’s endless, relentless charge was like a moth rushing toward a flame.
She'd known her for ten years, but she'd never known her to have such a vicious streak. If she'd channeled that perseverance into her studies, she wouldn't have been unemployed and living a miserable life.
Well, that was only possible because her family was wealthy.
Jane, who had been laughing and holding her stomach for a long time, suddenly took on a dark expression and sighed.
"...Haa. I think the atmosphere at the Count's house is going to be very tense from now on."
She clutched her head as if she were about to die.
"It's definitely going to be like walking on thin ice. Deceiving Doana was satisfying, but... I don't have the confidence to handle that child."
It wasn't just Jane; the other servants would feel the same. She'd acted with the confidence of Tercia's strong shield, but Doana, knowing the whole truth, couldn't just sit still. She didn't know how long Doana would stay at Count Wence's house.
If only she could have stayed with her until she kicked Doana out...
"Are you worried?"
Jane nodded weakly at Rose's kind words.
“Then should I just quit?”
“No... I can’t quit right now because I have four younger siblings. Honestly, there’s no other job that pays this much.”
Being a maid was about 1.5 times the income of a commoner. Furthermore, while Cedric was quite picky, his employee benefits were better than those of other nobles.
The annual salary was twice that of people in the same position, and the bonuses were quite generous.
Other families didn’t give their servants “vacations,” but this place was different.
The Count of Wence's residence was a dream job.
That’s why everyone stuck to the mansion, enduring Doana’s tyranny. They could change jobs if they weren’t fired, but no mansion could match the Count of Wence in terms of pay and benefits.
“Hmm...”
Rose, who had been listening to Jane’s concerns, looked at her with her mouth agape.
“Jane.”
“Yes...”
“I know this might be rude, but what’s your current salary?”
“Huh? I’m getting paid 2 million.”
It was well above average, usually earning between 800,000 and 1 million won. As expected, Count Wence had a generous annual salary.
Rose smiled at Jane and whispered softly.
“I’ll give you more than that. Come work with me.”
“Huh? But...”
Miss Rose doesn’t have any money.
Jane forced herself to calm the words that were rising to the surface. No matter how close their relationship was, Rose was still her master. She couldn’t say such rude things to her.
Rose smiled as she looked at Jane, who gaped and couldn’t say anything.
“I recently received a large investment. I’m thinking of starting a business.”
“Huh? A business? Then, even Butler Gwen...!”
The puzzle pieces began to come together in Jane's quick-witted mind.
Rose's words about taking the butler with her seemed to imply this.
"How about it? Do you want to come with me?"
The answer was already clear.
Jane shook her head vigorously and replied,
"Of course!"
"Yes. Then let's start negotiating the terms of the contract right away."
Jane's eyes sparkled at Rose's words.
"First of all, the fact that I'm running a business is a secret. I'd like you to not tell anyone until things are clearly outlined."
"Yes, yes! I can keep that much."
“I’m going to the Princess’s birthday banquet, but I don’t know what to buy.”
“Birthday... banquet?”
Jane’s expression hardened for a moment at Rose’s words.
“Oh, are you going with His Highness the Grand Duke of Artaeum?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
Jane’s heart began to pound irregularly at Rose’s words.
Thump—thump.
'The Princess will probably drink the wine the Grand Duke of Artaeum gave her without any suspicion. Even a small amount will be very dangerous.'
'The Grand Duke of Artaeum will absolutely not be able to avoid suspicion of Princess Diana's poisoning.'
The conversations between Cedric and his subordinates.
Memories of that day, which she had tried to forget, came flooding back.
“What? Really?”
Rose was chatting with Jane, who had just finished work. The café had a private room, so she could comfortably talk about her ex-husband’s wedding.
The wedding, which she hadn’t seen until the very end, was exciting right up until the very end. The two were filled with laughter.
Jane bit into a cookie on the table and smiled.
“Yes! You have no idea how surprised everyone was to find out.”
“That’s really amazing, really. How did she plan on following them on their honeymoon?”
“I heard she slipped out during the ceremony and snuck into the carriage. She must have been trying to coax the Count into taking her with him. The new Countess must have felt bad, though.”
It was a frightening obsession. It seemed like it took Doana’s level of effort to steal someone else’s man.
“It’s exhausting. Why on earth do you live like that?”
Rose was curious about Doana’s brain structure.
“The former Countess almost collapsed, clutching her back. But she was too busy trying to maintain her composure in front of everyone to even get angry.”
“She must have let her guard down. She probably didn’t know Doana would be joining them on their honeymoon.”
“Why did she do that when she knew it would be so hard for the former Countess when she got back?”
At Jane’s words, Rose lifted her teacup from the table. She quenched her thirst slightly and shook her head.
“I’m curious about that too.”
“The former Countess made this expression and said, ‘Report to me as soon as you return from your honeymoon,’ and it made us all nervous for no reason.”
Jane mimicked Tercia’s expression and even imitated her voice.
Rose’s face broke into a smile at Jane’s absurdity.
“She really is tenacious.”
Doana’s endless, relentless charge was like a moth rushing toward a flame.
She'd known her for ten years, but she'd never known her to have such a vicious streak. If she'd channeled that perseverance into her studies, she wouldn't have been unemployed and living a miserable life.
Well, that was only possible because her family was wealthy.
Jane, who had been laughing and holding her stomach for a long time, suddenly took on a dark expression and sighed.
"...Haa. I think the atmosphere at the Count's house is going to be very tense from now on."
She clutched her head as if she were about to die.
"It's definitely going to be like walking on thin ice. Deceiving Doana was satisfying, but... I don't have the confidence to handle that child."
It wasn't just Jane; the other servants would feel the same. She'd acted with the confidence of Tercia's strong shield, but Doana, knowing the whole truth, couldn't just sit still. She didn't know how long Doana would stay at Count Wence's house.
If only she could have stayed with her until she kicked Doana out...
"Are you worried?"
Jane nodded weakly at Rose's kind words.
“Then should I just quit?”
“No... I can’t quit right now because I have four younger siblings. Honestly, there’s no other job that pays this much.”
Being a maid was about 1.5 times the income of a commoner. Furthermore, while Cedric was quite picky, his employee benefits were better than those of other nobles.
The annual salary was twice that of people in the same position, and the bonuses were quite generous.
Other families didn’t give their servants “vacations,” but this place was different.
The Count of Wence's residence was a dream job.
That’s why everyone stuck to the mansion, enduring Doana’s tyranny. They could change jobs if they weren’t fired, but no mansion could match the Count of Wence in terms of pay and benefits.
“Hmm...”
Rose, who had been listening to Jane’s concerns, looked at her with her mouth agape.
“Jane.”
“Yes...”
“I know this might be rude, but what’s your current salary?”
“Huh? I’m getting paid 2 million.”
It was well above average, usually earning between 800,000 and 1 million won. As expected, Count Wence had a generous annual salary.
Rose smiled at Jane and whispered softly.
“I’ll give you more than that. Come work with me.”
“Huh? But...”
Miss Rose doesn’t have any money.
Jane forced herself to calm the words that were rising to the surface. No matter how close their relationship was, Rose was still her master. She couldn’t say such rude things to her.
Rose smiled as she looked at Jane, who gaped and couldn’t say anything.
“I recently received a large investment. I’m thinking of starting a business.”
“Huh? A business? Then, even Butler Gwen...!”
The puzzle pieces began to come together in Jane's quick-witted mind.
Rose's words about taking the butler with her seemed to imply this.
"How about it? Do you want to come with me?"
The answer was already clear.
Jane shook her head vigorously and replied,
"Of course!"
"Yes. Then let's start negotiating the terms of the contract right away."
Jane's eyes sparkled at Rose's words.
"First of all, the fact that I'm running a business is a secret. I'd like you to not tell anyone until things are clearly outlined."
"Yes, yes! I can keep that much."
"Yes, I'll trust you. You'll be in a mid-level management position."
"What exactly will my duties be?"
"You'll be working in distribution. You'll be responsible for handling customers. You'll listen to their complaints and compensate them accordingly."
It was a demanding job, but the idea of a management position sounded quite appealing to Jane.
"Yes. I'll give it a try."
"I'll raise your salary to 2.1 million. How about that?"
Rose's words sent Jane's mind racing.
“Wait a minute.”
She gave a businesslike look and stated her opinion clearly.
“A mid-level manager and 2.1 million?”
Jane folded her hands and placed her face on them.
“Shouldn’t you give me 2.5 million?”
2.5 million!
At Jane’s request for a six-month living allowance for ordinary citizens, Rose immediately entered into negotiations.
“Hmm. That seems excessive. Let’s go with 2.15 million.”
Seeing Rose raise her salary at Jane’s suggestion, Jane agreed and spoke to Rose once more.
“How about 2.3 million?”
“2.2 million.”
“Then 2.25 million!”
“Hmm.”
Rose stroked her chin and looked at her. Then, with a mischievous smile, she spoke brightly.
“That won’t do. Let’s call this negotiation off.”
“...Huh?!”
Jane, who had been looking very serious, suddenly turned rabbit-eyed and looked at Rose.
“It’s just that the conditions just don’t match.”
Rose stood up without hesitation. Then she gestured for Jane to say goodbye.
Jane followed Rose and grabbed her sleeve.
“Huh! Wait a minute,”
She sobbed, unaware that Rose was joking.
“You don’t have to give me a raise, so just don’t go.”
"What exactly will my duties be?"
"You'll be working in distribution. You'll be responsible for handling customers. You'll listen to their complaints and compensate them accordingly."
It was a demanding job, but the idea of a management position sounded quite appealing to Jane.
"Yes. I'll give it a try."
"I'll raise your salary to 2.1 million. How about that?"
Rose's words sent Jane's mind racing.
“Wait a minute.”
She gave a businesslike look and stated her opinion clearly.
“A mid-level manager and 2.1 million?”
Jane folded her hands and placed her face on them.
“Shouldn’t you give me 2.5 million?”
2.5 million!
At Jane’s request for a six-month living allowance for ordinary citizens, Rose immediately entered into negotiations.
“Hmm. That seems excessive. Let’s go with 2.15 million.”
Seeing Rose raise her salary at Jane’s suggestion, Jane agreed and spoke to Rose once more.
“How about 2.3 million?”
“2.2 million.”
“Then 2.25 million!”
“Hmm.”
Rose stroked her chin and looked at her. Then, with a mischievous smile, she spoke brightly.
“That won’t do. Let’s call this negotiation off.”
“...Huh?!”
Jane, who had been looking very serious, suddenly turned rabbit-eyed and looked at Rose.
“It’s just that the conditions just don’t match.”
Rose stood up without hesitation. Then she gestured for Jane to say goodbye.
Jane followed Rose and grabbed her sleeve.
“Huh! Wait a minute,”
She sobbed, unaware that Rose was joking.
“You don’t have to give me a raise, so just don’t go.”
She had only been joking, but she hadn’t expected her to burst into tears like this. Rose urgently spoke to Jane.
“Oh, Jane. Don’t cry. I was joking.”
“Huh! This is so bad! I really don’t want to go back to Count Wence’s house.”
Jane’s shoulders shook as tears flowed sadly. Rose tried to comfort her.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to take you from the beginning, no matter what. I’ll even raise your salary to 2.3 million. So stop now!”
At Rose's words, Jane's crying stopped as if it were a lie.
"Really... Are you going to raise it to 2.3 million?"
"Of course."
Jane, who had been looking up at Rose with innocent eyes, suddenly changed. At Rose's answer, Jane's mouth twitched with a capitalist smile.
"What's with that expression!"
Jane spoke brightly to Rose, as if asking when she had cried.
"Good. I won't go back on my word later!"
"..."
It seemed Jane had taken advantage of her.
Jane was a cut above Rose.
She hurried back to the sofa and sat down. Then she picked up the bread on the table.
"Mmm, this is delicious."
She swallowed the bread in one bite and said to Rose.
"Miss Rose, your legs must be sore. Come on, sit down."
Jane's bright expression as she gestured was almost annoying.
Rose stared at Jane with narrowed eyes, then snickered and smiled.
Because of Jane's passion, which even involved tearful scenes to raise her salary, Rose feigned defeat and turned away. Then, she sat down on the sofa opposite Jane.
"By the way, when did you become so close to His Highness the Grand Duke of Artaeum?"
After the deceptive salary negotiations ended, Jane returned to her original appearance.
"Hmm? Do I seem close to the Grand Duke?"
"Yes. He even escorted you to the wedding today."
Jane had no idea that Rose's parents, the Serviats, had a connection with the Grand Duke.
"Oh, that's true, but we're not close."
“Huh? Really?”
Jane’s eyes widened in surprise at Rose’s words.
‘But it seemed like he was putting in quite a bit of effort for Rose.’
Visiting the wedding of the Count Wence family, who had no connection to him, and making Doana kneel in front of Rose...
‘Well, even if it wasn’t because of Rose, if there was someone who treated him like that, he would have done it to anyone.’
Jane nodded, thinking that she might have been mistaken in Rose’s words.
Rose and Jane didn’t know that the Grand Duke rarely touched commoners.
The Grand Duke's sword was pointed at the nobles who were trying to bring him down, not the powerless commoners.
Therefore, everything he did at the wedding was for Rose.
“It’s already gone by so fast. I should probably go.”
The clock had already struck 9 o’clock. The shop where Jane and Rose were was also preparing to close.
“If anything happens, call me.”
Rose gave Jane the address of the Serviat couple.
“Quit working today.”
“I’m planning to go and pack my bags right away.”
Jane nodded at Rose’s words, her expression grave.
“I think my business will only progress if I meet the Princess first.”
“Are you even meeting the Princess?”
“Yes. The Grand Duke of Artaeum has decided to set up a bridge between the Princess and me.”
“Wow, that’s really amazing.”
Jane looked at Rose with awe.
When did she become so mature... Looking at Rose, tears of emotion welled up in her eyes.
“Oh, Jane. Don’t cry. I was joking.”
“Huh! This is so bad! I really don’t want to go back to Count Wence’s house.”
Jane’s shoulders shook as tears flowed sadly. Rose tried to comfort her.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to take you from the beginning, no matter what. I’ll even raise your salary to 2.3 million. So stop now!”
At Rose's words, Jane's crying stopped as if it were a lie.
"Really... Are you going to raise it to 2.3 million?"
"Of course."
Jane, who had been looking up at Rose with innocent eyes, suddenly changed. At Rose's answer, Jane's mouth twitched with a capitalist smile.
"What's with that expression!"
Jane spoke brightly to Rose, as if asking when she had cried.
"Good. I won't go back on my word later!"
"..."
It seemed Jane had taken advantage of her.
Jane was a cut above Rose.
She hurried back to the sofa and sat down. Then she picked up the bread on the table.
"Mmm, this is delicious."
She swallowed the bread in one bite and said to Rose.
"Miss Rose, your legs must be sore. Come on, sit down."
Jane's bright expression as she gestured was almost annoying.
Rose stared at Jane with narrowed eyes, then snickered and smiled.
Because of Jane's passion, which even involved tearful scenes to raise her salary, Rose feigned defeat and turned away. Then, she sat down on the sofa opposite Jane.
"By the way, when did you become so close to His Highness the Grand Duke of Artaeum?"
After the deceptive salary negotiations ended, Jane returned to her original appearance.
"Hmm? Do I seem close to the Grand Duke?"
"Yes. He even escorted you to the wedding today."
Jane had no idea that Rose's parents, the Serviats, had a connection with the Grand Duke.
"Oh, that's true, but we're not close."
“Huh? Really?”
Jane’s eyes widened in surprise at Rose’s words.
‘But it seemed like he was putting in quite a bit of effort for Rose.’
Visiting the wedding of the Count Wence family, who had no connection to him, and making Doana kneel in front of Rose...
‘Well, even if it wasn’t because of Rose, if there was someone who treated him like that, he would have done it to anyone.’
Jane nodded, thinking that she might have been mistaken in Rose’s words.
Rose and Jane didn’t know that the Grand Duke rarely touched commoners.
The Grand Duke's sword was pointed at the nobles who were trying to bring him down, not the powerless commoners.
Therefore, everything he did at the wedding was for Rose.
“It’s already gone by so fast. I should probably go.”
The clock had already struck 9 o’clock. The shop where Jane and Rose were was also preparing to close.
“If anything happens, call me.”
Rose gave Jane the address of the Serviat couple.
“Quit working today.”
“I’m planning to go and pack my bags right away.”
Jane nodded at Rose’s words, her expression grave.
“I think my business will only progress if I meet the Princess first.”
“Are you even meeting the Princess?”
“Yes. The Grand Duke of Artaeum has decided to set up a bridge between the Princess and me.”
“Wow, that’s really amazing.”
Jane looked at Rose with awe.
When did she become so mature... Looking at Rose, tears of emotion welled up in her eyes.
“I’m going to the Princess’s birthday banquet, but I don’t know what to buy.”
“Birthday... banquet?”
Jane’s expression hardened for a moment at Rose’s words.
“Oh, are you going with His Highness the Grand Duke of Artaeum?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
Jane’s heart began to pound irregularly at Rose’s words.
Thump—thump.
'The Princess will probably drink the wine the Grand Duke of Artaeum gave her without any suspicion. Even a small amount will be very dangerous.'
'The Grand Duke of Artaeum will absolutely not be able to avoid suspicion of Princess Diana's poisoning.'
The conversations between Cedric and his subordinates.
Memories of that day, which she had tried to forget, came flooding back.
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