IBDF 05

Chapter 5

Melissa’s voice, laced with anger, made Mary shut her mouth before she could argue any further.

“This matter is, of course, serious enough to warrant strict punishment. However, considering the hard work you’ve put in at this mansion so far, I will not fire you immediately.”

At Melissa’s words, Mary and Dorothy sighed in relief—but Melissa wasn’t finished.

“However, for abandoning your workplace without permission and even lying, your salaries will be cut in half for the next three months.”

“Head maid!”

Mary and Dorothy’s shocked cries filled the break room.

“Furthermore, from now on, you will work directly under my instructions on the first floor. Stay away from the young master’s room. I cannot allow children like you near him.”

“Head maid, no!”

“Please, just once, forgive us!”

“You will keep your mouth shut! You should be grateful that you’re not being fired! Consider this a warning—if this happens again, you’ll be spending the whole day doing laundry!”

Melissa’s voice was firm. No maid anywhere could overturn a decision once she had made it.

Mary and Dorothy, more aware of this than anyone, had no choice but to leave the room quietly, sniffling.

I had planned to leave before they came out, but I was a step too slow.

“You…”

Mary and Dorothy, seeing me standing outside the door, spoke with voices full of hostility.

But wasn’t it them who disappeared during work without permission? Shouldn’t they be apologizing to me instead?

A tense silence fell. They said nothing, but I could feel it—their inexplicable hatred toward me was enormous. And then…

Thunk.

I felt a deliberate, forceful bump on my shoulder. Startled by the sudden contact, I staggered slightly.

After intentionally bumping into me, Mary and Dorothy brushed past me without a word.

Seriously… why are they making such a fuss over me?

I rubbed my shoulder in disbelief.

“People like this exist in every world.”

I muttered to myself, recalling those who had been unnecessarily cruel to me in my previous life.

More than the pain in my shoulder, what stung was the bitter realization of an unpleasant truth once again.

“…Last time, you were giggling to yourself in a bad mood.”

“Huh?”

“And now, why are you sighing so heavily?”

In the darkness, Kalios asked.

Since we started this work, it was the first time he had spoken to me first.

Maybe he was worried about me…?

“I don’t want to hear it. Go out and rest.”

He said it coldly.

“Yes, sir.”

Of course. He wouldn’t care about me.

“…Sigh.”

“What? Are you doing that on purpose?”

“No, it’s not that…”

I couldn’t tell Kalios exactly what had happened in the break room, so I trailed off.

Since clashing with Mary and Dorothy, my mood hadn’t bounced back easily.

The thought that I would have to continue working with people who openly disliked me made me sigh repeatedly.

“Then why?”

“Because… working is hard.”

Faced with his pressing question, I accidentally revealed my true feelings.

“What?”

Kalios asked briefly, then fell silent for a moment.

Ah, right. The contract stated that employees shouldn’t show their emotions through words or actions in front of their employer!

I hurriedly tried to fix it.

“I’m sorry. I just… have a complicated feeling… sigh. Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to, it just slipped out. I won’t sigh anymore, sir.”

Kalios let out a big breath, as if suppressing his frustration.

“…Then why is working so hard for you?”

“It’s nothing, sir.”

“Speak quickly. Or I’ll shut your mouth so you can never sigh again.”

Why does he suddenly care so much? When did he start worrying about my work?

Failing to dodge the question, I faced his persistent interrogation with curiosity.

But I couldn’t tell him the truth about Mary and Dorothy.

Kalios was already practically confined to his room due to illness. If he found out that most of the staff had been forcibly moved and that the remaining maids were unreliable, his pride could take a severe hit.

“Well…”

“Come on.”

I decided to just skirt around the truth.

“…Because, there are maids who pester me even when they say they don’t care…”

“What?”

After spouting a ridiculous excuse, Kalios fell silent again.

…Did I skirt that too carelessly?

I could almost see his expression—probably looking like he had just chewed a hundred bugs.

After an awkward, sweaty silence…

“What did I just say?”

Hmm?

Breaking the silence, Kalios let out a laugh of exasperation and I heard him flop onto the bed. Then, the sound of him pulling the blanket over himself, as if to sleep, followed.

Hmm?

Even though I had lied to avoid the truth, his reaction was oddly annoying.

“…Sir, why didn’t you respond after asking me first?”

“Are you imagining things?”

“Huh?”

Kalios yawned as if to make a point.

“I don’t think you need to worry about that. You’re probably ugly anyway.”

What?! Why are you suddenly saying I’m ugly? Did you even look at my face?

I clenched my teeth.

“…Sir, you haven’t even seen me properly.”

“I can tell without seeing. Don’t you know the saying, ‘A person’s appearance follows their heart’?”

He said calmly, his words sinking directly into my ears.

“A kind-hearted person will have a kind face. A wicked person will have a face to match their wickedness.”

“Maids like you, who talk back to their master and only have perverted thoughts during work, are obvious. You’re probably ugly.”

Huh?!

“Though it feels weird saying this myself…”

I tried to hide my irritation while explaining.

“Even a fellow maid told me recently that I’m quite beautiful.”

I emphasized the word ‘beautiful’.

“Tell that maid to see a doctor.”

“I’m serious! I’ve never been told I’m ugly anywhere!”

“Well, there’s no way to confirm that.”

Kalios even chuckled.

He’s doing this on purpose. He’s deliberately teasing me.

“…Why can’t I confirm? You can check for yourself.”

I reached out to find his hand on the bed. Then, I pulled his hand toward my face.

“Touch it yourself!”

“What are you doing!”

Startled, Kalios shook off my hand.

But I grabbed it again and said,

“I’m giving you the chance to check personally!”

“Are you crazy? Get away!”

Suddenly, my face was squished like a steamed bun. Kalios was pushing it roughly with his palm.

“Ahh, Tilda said so! My nose is sharp! My lips are full too!”

“Get away!”

Kalios shoved me off again. I fell dramatically to the floor beneath the bed.

Ouch, my butt!

I rubbed my sore butt and groaned.

Kalios, fuming, shouted at me:

“You! Don’t come near me again. Off-limits! Got it?”

Seriously.

I’m unfairly treated! I just wanted to tell the truth about my face!

“Not answering?”

“Yes, sir.”

But what choice did I have? As a mere maid, I could only obediently say yes.

In the end, the stigma placed on my face would never be lifted.

Ouch, my butt.

Even after some time, the spot I hit on the floor still hurt.

“Hopefully it’s not bruised… or a cracked bone?”

I muttered to myself as I took Kalios’ finished meal dishes down to the kitchen.

“Wait a moment there.”