Chapter – 09
“They say the clothes and shoes that girl was wearing from head to toe were all bought by the Madam?”
If she kept listening any longer, it seemed like nothing but more gossip about Lilliana would come out.
Anriche, who had been about to step in and stop the maids, unknowingly paused.
At some point, the topic had shifted to Anriche herself.
“By the way, why did the Madam suddenly bring that girl here?”
“Exactly. It was easier when we just followed Head Maid’s orders…”
“Don’t tell me the Madam is planning to get directly involved in housework from now on?”
“Oh my, I hate that! What on earth is the Madam thinking, suddenly acting so capriciously!”
Anriche felt a strange sense of discomfort.
In truth, hearing maids gossip behind her back was not something that bothered her much.
After all, even royalty was said to be criticized behind their backs.
Besides, before possessing this body, Anriche had been a villainess who only cared about her own safety and comfort.
It was only natural that she had no popularity among the maids.
However, one thing did bother her…
‘…The maids seem to be following Magg more than I expected.’
Even if Anriche had left the household affairs unattended until now, it was strange that they would feel uncomfortable with the very idea of the lady of the house getting involved.
Somehow, it felt like Magg had more influence than even herself…
Was it just her imagination?
‘I should probably address this issue properly.’
Taking a deep breath, Anriche stepped into the kitchen.
“Seems like you all have plenty of free time, gathering here and chatting like this.”
“M-Madam!”
“You’re here, Madam?!”
The startled maids jumped up in panic.
Their faces had gone pale, clearly showing fear of Anriche.
That was only natural.
In the original story, Anriche was a woman who did not hesitate to punish maids if she disliked them.
And Lilliana was a child Anriche herself had brought in.
If they were badmouthing that child…
…Did that mean they disliked Lilliana that much?
Anriche felt her mood sink further.
“I’m sorry for suddenly making you prepare food even though it wasn’t mealtime.”
“M-Madam, that’s not it…”
“If you were unhappy, you should have come to me instead of talking behind my back like this.”
At her calm question, the maids could not respond.
Because it was, in fact, their duty.
Preparing meals, serving the masters, maintaining the townhouse.
They were paid accordingly, so they had to do their jobs properly.
Besides, the Valois household paid far more generously than other families.
“You may have forgotten, but Lilliana was at the dining table with me as well.”
“P-Pardon?”
“And it was I who ordered you to prepare the meal.”
At those words, the maids flinched.
Anriche continued firmly.
“Then why are you only speaking about Lilliana, and leaving me out of it?”
“……”
“……”
Silence filled the kitchen.
Only Anriche’s voice echoed sharply.
“In my eyes, it looks like you are only talking behind the back of Lilliana because she seems easier to target.”
“M-Madam…”
“Yet you don’t dare to say a word about me, who has always been strict with you.”
Struck at the core of the issue, the maids lowered their heads.
Anriche continued calmly.
“Lilliana is Elliot’s fiancée, and will become the future lady of Valois.”
A faint shock appeared in their eyes.
Until now, their Madam had treated anyone of lower status as less than insects.
And the Averitt family was objectively far below the House of Valois.
So they had assumed—
‘Even if the Madam brought Lilliana here, she wouldn’t truly care for her.’
And yet…
She had just declared that Lilliana would become Elliot’s fiancée and the future lady of Valois.
“You are all competent and intelligent maids.”
Anriche’s cold voice pressed into their ears.
“So I trust you understand what happens to maids who gossip behind their masters’ backs.”
It was a graceful warning.
The maids swallowed hard.
But Anriche wasn’t finished.
“And as for what you were saying about me…”
The maids stiffened in fear.
She heard that too?!
Anriche looked at them quietly and continued.
“I will not punish you for this incident.”
…What?
Not punish them?
The Madam?
The maids looked confused.
“I admit I have been negligent in household affairs until now.”
They trembled as they watched her carefully.
Normally, she would have ordered them to be dragged out and beaten.
“But from now on, remember this well.”
Anriche straightened her posture and looked at each maid.
“I am the mistress of Valois. And I am the one with final authority over this household.”
That should be enough.
She let out a quiet breath inwardly.
Since she had decided to change her image, there was no need to excessively punish them.
That would only reinforce her reputation as a villainess.
However, hierarchy had to be made clear.
Just in case someone might prioritize Magg’s orders over hers.
“…Yes, Madam.”
“We will keep it in mind.”
The maids nodded nervously.
Anriche shifted the topic.
“Enough talk. Make me two cups of cocoa.”
“C-Cocoa?”
“Yes. What, is making one or two cups of cocoa too much trouble for you?”
“N-No, Madam!”
The maids hurried into action.
Watching them heat milk and prepare cocoa, Anriche fell into thought.
‘I misjudged this. Not everyone will treat Lilliana kindly.’
Until now, she had assumed everyone would naturally adore Lilliana.
Because Lilliana was the heroine of this world.
So she thought being loved was natural…
“…Sigh.”
Her thoughts tangled like a knotted thread.
‘Do the other maids in Valois think the same as the kitchen maids?’
At the very least, one thing was clear.
It would not be easy for Lilliana to be recognized as a proper “young lady of the house.”
Anriche walked toward Elliot’s room, holding a tray with two cups of cocoa.
‘…If Elliot sees me, he might have a seizure.’
Suppressing her complicated feelings, she knocked.
Knock knock.
After a moment, the door opened with a click.
It was Magg.
The moment their eyes met, Magg widened hers in surprise.
“Madam?”
Again, Magg.
Anriche felt uneasy.
She knew Magg had taken on a nanny-like role due to her negligence toward Elliot.
But a child’s room was usually private space for parents only.
Elliot was seven years old—old enough to live independently.
“…Are you always in this room?”
“Of course. I am the young master’s nanny as well.”
Magg smiled gently.
“I stay by his side until he falls asleep.”
Her tone sounded almost like she was proudly claiming closeness with Elliot.
Anriche frowned slightly.
‘Even if she’s a nanny, isn’t this too much involvement?’
At that moment, Elliot peeked out from behind Magg.
“Hello, Elliot?”
“Ah, Mother?”
His eyes widened.
Clearly surprised.
“Were you getting ready for bed?”
Anriche carefully placed the tray on the table, keeping her distance.
Elliot was staring at her cautiously, like a kitten with its fur raised.
“You don’t need to be so wary.”
Anriche gave an awkward smile.
“I just brought you a cup of cocoa.”
“…Cocoa?”
