Chapter 10
Elisia looked back and forth between Joshua and Hilmighton.
She did not know what had happened between the two of them, but Joshua’s gaze was different from usual.
It was almost as if he were looking at an idol.
“Your Grace, both of them have arrived.”
“Send them in.”
Yulias’s voice came from inside, and the office door swung wide open.
As Elisia took Joshua’s hand and entered, he was, as always, looking over documents at his desk.
“I was told you summoned us, so we came.”
“Sit down comfortably. We need to draft the contract.”
Even though the employment period was only one month, they still made a contract.
It made sense that each noble who owned a domain had a different personality.
That reminded her of a merchant from another region who had complained that, if he did not make an official contract, he would not even have the chance to write one.
Elisia sat on the sofa and checked the contract Hilmighton had brought.
It stated that for one month of employment, lodging, meals, and an advance payment would be provided, and that the contract could be extended afterward.
“Would you like to revise anything in the contract?”
“No, it is fine. I just have a habit of checking things carefully…”
“Good.”
Yulias’s eyes remained fixed on the paperwork, but it felt as if he had already noticed everything about her.
No matter how many times she read it, there were no illegal or immoral clauses in the contract.
It was a neat, spotless contract.
Elisia signed both copies with the pen Hilmighton gave her, then received one of them back.
“Is this mine?”
“In case something happens, you should have something to take to court.”
Yulias said it indifferently, placing the contract Hilmighton had brought onto the empty space on his desk.
“That is all, so you may leave. You start working today, so for the explanation…”
Yulias trailed off, then continued.
“You can hear it from the head maid. Hilmighton, show them the way.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I shall take my leave, Your Grace!”
At Joshua’s spirited reply, Yulias gave a nod. His gaze did not change, but he seemed to be listening with his ears all the same.
Huh, did he… maybe smile a little?
Elisia fell into the illusion that she had seen the corners of his lips lift faintly.
At that moment, sensing her gaze, he asked back.
“Is there anything else you wish to ask?”
“No. I will go now.”
Elisia bowed first, and Joshua followed suit. She heard Hilmighton let out a small chuckle.
As they left the office and moved along under his guidance, Elisia remembered something she had forgotten.
“Ah, um… Officer. What happens to my younger brother?”
“You were told to stay together for one month, but… if the lodging is too cramped, I will mention it separately to the head maid.”
Hilmighton gave a subtle hint, seeming to think of the maids’ quarters. Startled, Elisia waved the hand holding the contract.
“No, no. Just being provided lodging and meals is more than enough. In fact…”
It feels almost too generous.
Lodging and meals, and money too…
And on top of that, she was allowed to stay with her younger brother.
“I am only deeply grateful for everything the Grand Duke is doing for us.”
As Elisia carefully expressed her thanks, Hilmighton smiled.
“I think he is only treating you this well because he wants something from you.”
“Something he wants?”
Elisia’s eyes sparkled.
Could this, in a way, be an investment? She would have to work hard in return for everything she received.
Hilmighton shrugged as though asking whether she had forgotten.
“Lady Elisia, because you will be working as the young lady’s exclusive maid.”
“Ah…”
“Usually, maids assigned exclusively to the young lady do not last more than a month. They are either reassigned or leave the manor.”
That much?
Elisia adjusted her grip on Joshua’s hand, looking puzzled.
The Sheila she remembered used paper rather than speech when communicating with people, and she did seem guarded… but she did not seem fierce enough to make someone quit within a month.
Meanwhile, Hilmighton took out the pocket watch he had tucked inside his clothes.
“It is mealtime now, so everyone should be gathered in the dining hall. That works out well. We can go there, introduce you, and give you a brief explanation.”
“May my brother come too?”
“No problem.”
While Hilmighton put the watch away again, they had already arrived in front of the dining hall. Loud chatter spilled through the door.
When he opened it, the boisterous noise gradually died down, and one gaze after another shot toward them like arrows.
Elisia swallowed hard and gripped Joshua’s hand a little tighter.
“Head maid, over here.”
The woman at the center of the group stood up.
Elisia recognized her at once. She was the middle-aged woman who had brought refreshments when she first met with Yulias alone.
With brown hair neatly pinned up and secured firmly at the back of her head, the woman approached them.
“This is Greta, the head maid. The steward is currently away on leave. Head maid, has there been any set date for the steward’s return?”
“Not yet. I received word that there was a problem at the main house. I have already reported it to the Grand Duke.”
“Understood. I will check again and make contact. As for work-related questions or issues, it will be faster to ask Greta.”
As Hilmighton introduced her with a gesture, Greta’s gaze moved from him to Elisia and Joshua.
Elisia quickly bowed in greeting, taking care to read the room.
“I am Elisia. I have been assigned as the young lady’s exclusive maid for one month. This is my younger brother, Joshua.”
Greta’s gaze, which examined them thoroughly in a different way than Yulias’s, was so cold it was almost frigid.
Elisia straightened her back and kept smiling, hoping to make a good first impression.
Greta gave a slight nod without changing her expression.
“If any problems arise, do not hesitate and report them immediately. As for the explanation beyond the lodging, we will go over it after the meal.”
“Then, I will excuse myself for now.”
Hilmighton backed away, apparently judging the atmosphere to be acceptable. Once he closed the dining hall door and left, the quiet mood turned restless.
“How long will this one last? A month?”
“In my opinion, not even that. That girl is definitely…”
“But where is she from? Do you know her?”
Even though she could hear the murmuring voices, no one asked Elisia directly.
Forcing a smile, she stroked Joshua’s shoulder.
Greta glanced at Joshua, then said, “We prepared food according to the number of people, so there may not be enough. Is that alright?”
“Yes. I am grateful just to be given any.”
“Pfft!”
A laugh of ridicule rang out somewhere.
Elisia, who had been smiling in thanks, froze.
The one who had laughed was a woman seated among the maids.
“How little do you have to eat to be grateful for that?”
Even as whispered mockery continued, Elisia said nothing.
She could feel with her own body that she had to endure by reading the room.
The one saving grace was that, because the voices were so noisy, Joshua only tilted his head.
“Sis, what are they saying? They are talking, right…?”
“No. No one is saying anything.”
When Joshua whispered cautiously, Elisia answered in a low voice as well.
Seeing that, Greta pointed toward the kitchen.
“We usually get our meals ourselves. You can manage that, right?”
“Of course.”
Elisia kept smiling stubbornly. Greta nodded and returned to her seat.
Unable to stand there blankly, Elisia led Joshua toward the kitchen.
The path to the kitchen required passing by the maids.
However, just before entering the kitchen, Elisia’s steps suddenly stopped.
“She probably even lacks an extra blanket for the night, judging by how she looks.”
“Did you see how that kid acted? From the way she seemed to be visiting a noble manor for the first time, she reeks of the countryside even if she keeps her mouth shut.”
“Could that kid be… not a younger brother, but…?”
It was a line she simply could not ignore.
