Chapter: 06
Fortunately, it seemed she had passed. The iron gate screeched open, and a maid who had been waiting nearby rushed out.
“You’re here for the interview, aren’t you?”
Just as she was about to introduce herself, the maid quickened her pace and moved ahead of Luise.
“The head maid has been waiting since morning. Please, come this way.”
Luise quickly closed her slightly parted lips. Seeing that she would be interviewed not by the Countess but by the head maid made her wonder if there was more than one barrier to get through.
A dry swallow slid down her nervous throat.
“This is Head Maid Verena Burger.”
After passing through a seemingly endless garden, they finally reached the main building, where the head maid, roughly the age of her mother, guided Luise to the reception room and spoke.
“The elderly Count of the borderlands has retired from active duties for health reasons. For several years now, his son has been acting in his stead, and from now on, he will be publicly referred to as Count of the borderlands. The title will soon be officially transferred, so please be aware of that.”
Her confident tone wasn’t the only indication of her status—the way she carried herself made it obvious how much influence she had in this mansion.
Even Verena’s apron was made of finer material than Luise’s dress.
“However, the current Count is still unmarried, so I am responsible for the care of the young lady, who is a minor.”
While explaining, the head maid’s gaze briefly scanned Luise’s dress, seemingly indifferent. She didn’t question her plain mourning attire either.
Instead, she began simply:
“So, what is your name, ma’am?”
Holding the letter of introduction neatly open, the name clearly visible, Luise answered politely, as one would to a future employer.
“I am Luise Henriette Ermollira.”
Only then did Verena give a meaningful smile.
“Could you be the Ermollira I know?”
“…Perhaps.”
Everyone in the Imperial nobility knew of the glory and fall of the Ermollira family, so it made sense that a noble’s staff would recognize the name. Verena nodded even without Luise giving further explanation.
Seizing the moment, Luise added quickly,
“Recently, I taught a fourteen- and twelve-year-old at the Engel Marquis household.”
By this point, she had to showcase as much as she could to increase her chances of being hired.
“You’ve left that household?”
“Yes, circumstances arose at the marquis household.”
Though she briefly feared she might have to reveal the Engel family’s disgrace, the head maid showed little interest.
Instead, she closed the introduction letter and spoke.
“Burg is a very secluded place. This time, we held a public recruitment because the young lady’s previous teacher fell ill and returned home suddenly, but generally, we do not let outsiders into the mansion.”
Then, she placed silver coins on the table in two neat rows of five, making a crisp clinking sound. It was equivalent to a week’s pay at a marquis household.
“This is your interview fee. Even if, after meeting the young lady, you decide to refuse the teaching position, we ask that you keep what you see here confidential.”
Luise looked at Verena and the silver alternately, bewildered. She had only come for an interview, yet the tone suggested that if she wished, she could be hired immediately—a strange way to speak.
Before she could inquire further, Verena stood. Steam still rose from the tea she had brought along.
“First, you should meet the young lady. Your compatibility with her is what matters most.”
Compatibility.
So she was a young lady not easily handled.
Verena and Luise ascended to the upper floor and stopped in front of the room farthest from the stairs. Verena knocked on the door.
—Knock, knock, knock.
The slightly impatient knocking grated on Luise’s ears.
However, the room’s occupant didn’t seem to notice, giving no response as if she hadn’t heard.
“Miss Miriam?”
Verena called again.
—Knock, knock, knock, knock.
This time, she knocked five times.
Was it acceptable to knock so mercilessly at the door of a young lady attended by her staff?
Luise felt like a fool. Unless an intruder had broken in, this made no sense.
Yet still, no response came.
Verena turned from the door to Luise and shrugged lightly.
“She probably heard you. It seems she doesn’t really want to respond…”
Only then did Luise realize she knew nothing about the young lady inside. Contrary to the prejudice that came with being the Count’s sibling, she might be very young.
“How old is she, may I ask?”
The answer came promptly.
“Miss Miriam recently turned eighteen. But in many ways, she is no different from an eight-year-old.”
Despite the shock implied in the statement, Verena’s tone was casual.
So Luise was standing in front of the room of an eighteen-year-old who, for some reason, pretended not to know that a new tutor had come.
Perhaps the young lady’s mind or body was unwell. If not, that was also a problem.
Indeed, it seemed like a situation worthy of paying a week’s wages for just one day of visiting.
She was nearly of age, of marriageable age, and if her condition became known, it could cause various complications.
Or perhaps it was already rumored, requiring proactive advertising even to recruit a tutor. Many tutors took pride in claiming their students’ reputations as their own.
Still, Luise had no need to blush in embarrassment.
Her own mother had often returned home at the age of eighteen in poor health, and she hadn’t always been gentle.
At times, her mother had completely reverted to being an immature, sensitive Count’s daughter.
Complaining about bad food or old furnishings, speaking sharply, crying until hoarse, or throwing things in disbelief at reality.
Having stayed by her mother’s side for many years, Luise knew she could manage a real eighteen-year-old girl.
Luise steadied herself and looked the head maid squarely in the eye.
“If you permit, I will try entering. I will meet the young lady first and then report back to you, Head Maid.”
Verena’s olive eyes widened in surprise. Then, with a faint smile, she gently tapped Luise’s arm.
“Well, good luck?”
It was not a particularly sincere encouragement.
Luise even wondered if the head maid had already decided on another candidate, giving her the interview fee just to toy with her.
Suppressing the urge to frown, Luise turned to the door and knocked softly, unlike the head maid.
—Knock.
Still, no answer.
She almost thought she could hear the head maid’s quiet chuckle behind her, fading as small footsteps retreated.
Luise persisted, knocking once more.
—Knock.
Then, in a clear voice, she spoke:
“Miss Miriam, are you inside? I am the new tutor, Luise. If you don’t mind, I’d like to come in briefly and introduce myself.”
Still, no response.
She stared at the unmoving doorknob. The young lady inside was likely displeased, and unauthorized entry would probably not please her.
Sighing, Luise looked around. The corridor was empty.
The imposing, high walls were lined with expensive decorations and paintings, but if she would never return to this mansion, did it matter?
The noblewoman in the portraits wasn’t judging her anyway.
Relaxing at being alone, her tension finally eased. Having traveled far since dawn, she was exhausted, and her calves trembled as soon as she let her guard down.
Ah, she thought, maybe getting hired isn’t possible. At least she can fulfill her duty for the pay she received.
Leaning against the silent door, she eventually slid down and stretched her legs.
In that position, she turned toward the door and spoke again.
“You don’t really want to meet anyone right now, do you? Perhaps I should have arrived earlier. But Miss, I live far away in a small estate called Melk.”
A suspicion crept in that perhaps the room was empty, but Luise continued.
“I made you wait from the first day, so that’s my fault. I will wait here until you feel better. But you must keep it a secret that I collapsed onto the floor, okay? Otherwise, Luise, your tutor, won’t be able to marry.”
She whispered the words like a secret to the door.
“And it’s a secret from my late mother too.”
