Chapter 8
Somehow, peaceful days continued.
The baseless rumors about the Schultz Ducal House gradually began to die down.
In the meantime, I moved the items around the house that were filled with memories of my father to places where I wouldn’t see them.
I still thought of him from time to time, but it was more bearable than before. I was trying to keep myself so busy that I wouldn’t have time to dwell on him.
When I visited the post office and contacted the Russell Marquess family to inform them that I could no longer attend the interview, I was met with cold and harsh criticism.
Only after apologizing several times did the butler finally let me go.
Anyway, as I kept myself busy like that, the day of my first day at the Schultz Ducal Estate arrived.
I woke up earlier than usual and got ready to head there. As soon as I boarded a carriage, a sharp voice rang out.
“Hey, why are you heading to the Schultz estate when there’s no master there? Don’t tell me you’re some hidden lover of the young duke?”
“No, absolutely not.”
Even though I firmly denied it, the coachman kept giving me a hostile look, so I hastily made up an excuse that I was a newspaper reporter.
He still looked suspicious, but seemed to believe me at least a little.
Next time, I should just get off nearby and walk.
The view outside the window wasn’t as peaceful as before, but it was still lively in its own way.
After a while, the carriage left the crowded streets and entered a quiet road. Only after climbing a steep hill for quite some time did we reach the entrance to Evanstein Castle.
“Wow…”
I stepped down from the carriage and looked over the cliff below.
A winter landscape blanketed the surrounding forest. Beneath it, I could see Müssen, the river running through it, Popfsen Lake, and even the distant sea—all at once.
Only then did I truly realize how high the castle was situated.
When I turned around, I saw the main gate with a raised roof. Cream-colored pillars stood between tightly stacked red bricks.
I stared blankly at the eagle emblem of the Schultz family engraved above the gate before slowly stepping inside.
The buildings rose layer upon layer in all directions like a fortress. Overwhelmed by the grandeur, I instinctively shrank back.
After walking quite a distance and climbing milky-white stone stairs, I was greeted first by the ducal household’s butler.
“Miss Edith Prim? You must have had a long journey. I am Fret Gunner.”
Good heavens.
I simply stared blankly at the man in front of me, forgetting even to greet him.
Do you have to be handsome to work for a ducal house?
Fret Gunner was so handsome that I almost forgot my exhaustion. However, his charm was different from Johannes Schultz.
If I had to describe him in one word, he was simply a pleasant-looking handsome man.
His warm, easygoing smile looked like it could charm any woman at first sight, making his appearance stand out even more.
On top of that, his neatly styled dark brown hair and tidy attire only increased his already high likability.
Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—he seemed used to this kind of reaction. Maintaining a polite smile, he continued speaking.
“I serve as both the butler of the Schultz household and the aide to the master. I will explain most things, but if there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me anytime.”
“Oh my…”
His consistently respectful attitude made me instinctively cover my mouth. His eyes widened slightly.
“Did I make a mistake?”
A mistake? Of course not.
Despite being nothing more than a mere servant, he treated me with respect—even though I had stared at him rudely and failed to greet him properly.
I quickly waved my hands and blurted out whatever came to mind.
“No, not at all. I was just unsure how to address you.”
“Ah. You may call me by my name comfortably.”
He smiled even more perfectly.
“Yes, Sir Fret. My apologies for the late greeting. I’m Edith Prim.”
In reality, personal circumstances don’t matter much.
In other words, appearing gloomy in an interview is not a good strategy—especially for a job you truly want.
So I put on a bright, cheerful smile as if I had no shadows at all.
“There’s no need to add ‘Sir.’ But if that’s more comfortable for you, it’s fine.”
“You’re very kind.”
“I am simply behaving appropriately toward my master’s guest.”
“I’m not a guest…”
“You haven’t signed the employment contract yet.”
Sir Fret smiled faintly. I returned an awkward smile.
In any case, he remained kind throughout. I didn’t know much about noble households, but I doubted there was another butler who treated a mere servant so respectfully.
Sir Fret then showed me around various parts of Evanstein Castle and began explaining my duties.
“Your task will be to sort the documents arriving at the Schultz estate by date.”
“Is there anything else? That sounds too simple…”
“You’ll understand once you see. I’ll show you inside. Please follow me.”
With that, he began walking ahead. I followed closely, tense.
The castle’s architecture was as chaotic as its grand size—ranging from simple styles to the height of extravagance, reflecting trends from different eras.
Even so, it was a place worthy of being called the most beautiful castle in Dochilia.
The grand hall, the atelier, the banquet hall—there wasn’t a single place that hadn’t been meticulously crafted.
Sir Fret showed me numerous private rooms, as well as the library.
Finally, we headed to the drawing room to complete the contract. Even that room was magnificent—its walls formed into ornate arches, and every small ornament placed with care.
As I looked around in awe, Sir Fret handed me the contract.
“The servants’ quarters are in the east annex. Since you’ll be commuting, I won’t show you there.”
As promised, the weekly wage was 1,000,000 Berk.
Seeing the amount written down made it feel all the more real. As I stared blankly at the number—
“If the amount is incorrect, please let me know. And if there are any terms you wish to revise, I will consult the master.”
“No, not at all. This is more than enough.”
“That’s a relief.”
Come to think of it, was the young duke not coming? I glanced around and asked.
“Then, the young duke…?”
“You may need to correct that title.”
“Huh?”
As I tilted my head, Sir Fret explained.
“Our master inherited the title immediately upon the former duke’s passing.”
“Ah…”
My face flushed bright red.
How would I have known how noble titles were inherited?
So really, it was partly the Schultz Duke’s fault for not correcting me sooner.
“There’s no need to feel embarrassed. Most families require a formal succession process.”
As expected, Sir Fret kindly added an explanation.
“As you know, our master is currently considered missing publicly, so I would appreciate it if you kept this confidential. Do you have any questions regarding him?”
“Yes, just one.”
He gestured for me to continue.
“Then… was the rumor about him being missing deliberately spread by the ducal house?”
“Creating a new topic is a rather classic method, but it works quite well.”
“I see.”
I nodded slowly.
That was certainly true. At first, articles focused on embezzled funds supposedly hidden by the young duke, but now everyone’s attention was on his disappearance.
Rumors like someone kidnapping Johannes Schultz for the money, or him fleeing abroad, had practically become accepted facts.
Once again, I marveled at the ways of the nobility and signed the contract.
“Just in case, may I ask you something?”
After being assigned my office and preparing to return home, Sir Fret spoke.
I turned to him with a puzzled expression.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Have you ever formally learned etiquette?”
“…Pardon?”
My face turned red like a tomato.
I wondered if he was indirectly saying I lacked manners.
Maybe he was about to cancel my employment.
Had I made a mistake?
With nowhere else to go if I lost this job, I hurriedly responded as if making an excuse.
“Of course. Enough to get along with others. But since I don’t usually think about it, I have to make a great effort in formal situations like this.”
In truth, I had been putting in a lot of effort to appear decent.
If I made a good impression on the butler, there was a higher chance that favorable words would reach my employer.
My father had spoken highly of me—I couldn’t afford to disappoint.
But if my etiquette was still lacking…
I wouldn’t just lose this job—I’d never be able to step into another noble house again.
With a trembling heart, I asked,
“Did I make any mistake or act rudely?”
Sir Fret shook his head slightly. I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
But his next words left me even more flustered.
“No, that’s not what I meant… What I meant was—have you ever learned high society etiquette specifically?”
