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“Is there anything else you’d like to ask?”
The interviewer looked at me with an elegant air.
I swallowed dryly and asked her, “Um… How much is the usual salary that an average person receives?”
“You’re quite straightforward about money,” the woman said, chuckling lightly as she continued, “It would vary greatly depending on the job, but for a typical occupation that a commoner might have, they could earn about one gold coin a month. If they’re clever, they might earn a few more silver coins on top of that.”
Her tone seemed to imply, “Do you really think someone like you could earn ten gold coins?”
I swallowed dryly again at the harsh reality of the salary.
“…Let’s just give it a try,” I thought to myself.
From convenience stores to bars, to barbecue restaurants, and finally to working as a café attendant, I learned the value of money through various part-time jobs.
Though I didn’t know where exactly this place was, I knew all too well that such generous wages were not common.
After firming my resolve internally, I straightened my posture and looked at the woman earnestly.
The interviewer’s eyes seemed slightly flustered by my changed attitude.
With determination, I respectfully nodded my head towards her.
“I apologize for my impertinent question. Please allow me to greet the interviewers once again. My name is Alice.”
Even though I had been through many interviews in my past life.
Could it be that I won’t be passing a mere one maid interview?
***
“Please allow me to greet the interviewers once again. My name is Alice.”
Rose, the Stewardess, felt bewildered as she looked at the girl offering courteous greetings before her.
‘…Who is this girl?’
Just a few minutes ago, she had been a girl with dry eyes as if she didn’t care about the interview at all, coupled with inappropriate questions that furrowed eyebrows.
But now, she was displaying a rather convincing attitude.
It seemed as if she had been working for years, with a demeanour that dealt with others adeptly, as if it was ingrained in her skin.
And such an attitude was essential for a maid.
No matter how skilled one may be, if they lacked the mindset to work under someone else, it would be meaningless.
Yet, it still didn’t sit well with Rose.
The girl named Alice had completely changed her attitude the moment she heard about the wages offered here.
It felt too overt, as if she was revealing her true intentions. ‘If I had not spoken, she would have gone overboard.’
With a hint of regret, Rose clapped her hands once, and a maid brought in a large table on wheels.
On the table were various items: a large blanket that could easily cover three adults, assorted fruits and potatoes, alongside a tray of snacks.
Lastly, there were a boiling kettle on a preheated stove and an empty teapot, along with tea leaves and glass cups beside them.
The sudden appearance of these items puzzled the three interviewers as they looked at Rose.
“You may consider this a simple test. Please come forward one by one and demonstrate what you can do,” Rose said, her intentions clear.
It was obvious what they were assessing: the tasks the maids would be expected to perform in the future.
While driving would be rare, basic cleaning and organizing ingredients would be part of the daily routine.
These tasks weren’t anything extraordinary, but then again, being a maid wasn’t about doing extraordinary things.
It was simply about showing diligence and dignity even in light tasks.
“Then, let’s start with Drienne.”
Drienne, the girl who had been displaying signs of anxiety ever since she entered the interview room, slowly approached the table, her body trembling.
She then hugged the large blanket to her chest.
“Um… Do I fold this?”
“Yes, just make yourself comfortable,” Rose replied.
With Rose’s instruction, Drienne started folding the blanket slowly, her small body moving diligently.
She folded the large blanket in half, then folded it in half again.
“Uh… huh?”
However, as she repeated the process once more, a look of confusion began to creep over Drienne’s face.
It was because the blanket was folded to the point where it couldn’t be folded anymore.
‘I guess she kept folding it in half because of its size.’
Watching the scene unfold, Rose inwardly sighed deeply.
She never liked the idea of placing a blanket that people use on the floor in the first place.
There was no need to see more, but to maintain the dignity, she silently watched as she unfolded the blanket and laid it out on the floor.
After struggling for a while, Drienne eventually sat back down, her face flushed.
Without lingering on her, Rose shifted her gaze to the freckled girl.
“Now, it’s Enri’s turn.”
“Uh… y-yes…”
Enri, the girl, picked up fruits and snacks.
She managed to peel the fruits fairly well, but there was a hint of clumsiness, and above all, her visibly tense demeanour wasn’t very reassuring.
‘I’m not impressed.’
While being a maid might be considered a common occupation among commoners, it was different here in Valaxar.
The wisdom of the ancient Duke emphasized prioritizing individuals with abilities and honour regardless of class.
Inherited by the current Duke of Valaxar, Arvian, there was little discrimination between commoners and nobles.
Hence, there were more than simple maids in Valaxar.
This meant that even commoners could find a place in Valaxar, but not just anyone could be accepted.
If a household servant showed an unsightly appearance, it might be tolerated once or twice, but if such incidents recurred, it would eventually bring shame to the family.
As someone who had dedicated 20 years to Valaxar, there was no room for any flaws in the swiftly spreading rumours of the noble society.
As long as one served under the Duke of Valaxar, they had to maintain a suitable dignity.
In that sense, the girl named Enri fell short of expectations.
“Thank you for your efforts. Please return to your seat.”
“…Yes.”
Whether she sensed her failure or not, Enri’s voice sounded greatly subdued.
After confirming that she had returned to her seat, Rose spoke again.
“The next person. Please step forward.”
Alice, the girl who had asked impolite questions from the first encounter.
She was a candidate who didn’t need to be observed.
Considering her personality and demeanour, she was already mentally classified as a failure compared to other interviewees.
Despite that, she called her forth because it was the fair and noble thing to do, as befitting the Duke of Valaxar, to give everyone an equal opportunity.
“Yes.”
Alice stood up and approached the table, grabbing a blanket several times larger than herself.
“Do I unfold this blanket?”
There was an air of curiosity about Alice’s face, more nonchalant than expected. I
t made one wonder if she was hiding something or if she was simply detached.
There was no sign of tension on Alice’s face, not even the slightest bit.
“This is comfortable.”
As soon as her words finished, Alice grabbed one end of the blanket and swiftly flicked her wrist to shake out the blanket.
Then, with the recoil, she grabbed the opposite end of the flying blanket and skilfully began to tidy it up, not just folding it in half but dividing it into sections according to its large size.
In just about 10 seconds, the blanket, big enough to cover three people comfortably, was neatly arranged on the table.
In a moment of unexpected outcome, Alice’s creation left her momentarily dumbfounded.
The blanket was neatly unfolded as if all the wrinkles had vanished.
Moreover, the peculiar angles somehow eased her mind, captivating her gaze.
It seemed to display the skill of tidying up blankets every morning.
“Well, that’s quite impressive.”
Although surprised, she nodded her head, trying to conceal her astonishment.
This interview was merely to assess the basics.
In fact, it was obvious that something as simple as unfolding a blanket wasn’t a big deal.
It was a task maids would have to do several times a day if they became one.
It wasn’t something to be praised for.
“But merely being able to unfold a blanket isn’t enough.”
“Excuse me, interviewer.”
Alice interrupted her, and in her sight, she saw her white palm.
On her palm were neatly peeled raw potatoes.
‘…Did she peel those just now?’
Looking at Alice’s other hand, she noticed unpeeled fruits and perfectly peeled potato skins without any blemishes.
“It’s a shame that I couldn’t demonstrate my cooking skills. I can cook.”
Alice placed the potatoes in front of her with a genuinely regretful expression.
“Yes. When it comes to potato dishes, I’ve tried frying them and boiling them too. Quite a lot, actually.”
Although she was quite taken aback, she soon found herself understanding Alice’s words.
‘She must have worked somewhere before.’
Judging by her lack of airs, she was probably a commoner.
Hence, she might be skilled in household chores, and her confidence in cooking potatoes likely stemmed from her past experiences earning money related to such tasks.
Potatoes were one of the few ingredients easily accessible to commoners, and many commoners started working from a young age to support their families.
But if that was the case…
“Well then, do you happen to know how to make a tea?”
This was an unavoidable question.
Tea was a luxury and a common occurrence among nobles.
It was a beverage that commoners without means couldn’t casually indulge in.
Even if one excelled at their duties, if they couldn’t embody the dignity befitting the Duke of Valaxar, it would be unacceptable.
If they merely wanted someone capable of working, they would have hired laborers from the lower class.
There wouldn’t have been a need for so many noble-born ladies to blush in embarrassment.
“A tea?”
It was only for a brief moment, but Alice’s amethyst-colored eyes lit up as if she had received a gift.
‘Could it be that she knows how to make a tea?’
Alice promptly placed the kettle from the preheating stand onto the coaster on the table.
“I’ll let the water cool down a bit. Boiling water might cause the tea to lose its nutrients.”
“Please do so.”
“Oh, and could you perhaps warm the teapot a bit? If the teapot is cold, it ruins the taste.”
“…Bring the warming tray.”
In response to her words, a waiting maid swiftly dashed off and returned with a warming tray.
While the preheating stand was intended for boiling water, the warming tray served the simple purpose of keeping objects warm.
Normally, the words of the interviewee would have fallen on deaf ears, but due to the sense of anticipation rising from the mysterious Alice, her words were followed.
Alice placed the teapot on the warming tray and, conversely, cooled down the temperature of the kettle containing boiling water.
After a short while, Alice checked the temperatures of both pots, retrieved a certain amount of tea leaves, spread them evenly in the teapot, and poured hot water into it with graceful movements.
As she waited for the tea to steep for another three minutes, finally, she poured the tea into a glass cup and extended it in front of herself.
A rich, savoury aroma wafted from the cup, unlike any tea the other interviewees had experienced before.
As she slowly sipped the tea from the glass cup, she could taste a clean flavour she had never experienced before.
“…How can it taste like this?”
Surely, the method of making tea wouldn’t vary significantly.
So, what could possibly cause such a distinct difference in taste from such a simple action?
“The amount of tea leaves, as well as the temperature of the teapot and water, all play crucial roles. Additionally, the method of pouring water over the tea leaves matters too,” Alice replied with a smile.
She found herself staring blankly at her for quite some time.
Twenty years serving in the Ducal Palace.
Throughout those long years of employing and dismissing numerous maids, she had never felt such a powerful emotion.
This child… I want her.
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“Is there anything else you’d like to ask?”
The interviewer looked at me with an elegant air.
I swallowed dryly and asked her, “Um… How much is the usual salary that an average person receives?”
“You’re quite straightforward about money,” the woman said, chuckling lightly as she continued, “It would vary greatly depending on the job, but for a typical occupation that a commoner might have, they could earn about one gold coin a month. If they’re clever, they might earn a few more silver coins on top of that.”
Her tone seemed to imply, “Do you really think someone like you could earn ten gold coins?”
I swallowed dryly again at the harsh reality of the salary.
“…Let’s just give it a try,” I thought to myself.
From convenience stores to bars, to barbecue restaurants, and finally to working as a café attendant, I learned the value of money through various part-time jobs.
Though I didn’t know where exactly this place was, I knew all too well that such generous wages were not common.
After firming my resolve internally, I straightened my posture and looked at the woman earnestly.
The interviewer’s eyes seemed slightly flustered by my changed attitude.
With determination, I respectfully nodded my head towards her.
“I apologize for my impertinent question. Please allow me to greet the interviewers once again. My name is Alice.”
Even though I had been through many interviews in my past life.
Could it be that I won’t be passing a mere one maid interview?
***
“Please allow me to greet the interviewers once again. My name is Alice.”
Rose, the Stewardess, felt bewildered as she looked at the girl offering courteous greetings before her.
‘…Who is this girl?’
Just a few minutes ago, she had been a girl with dry eyes as if she didn’t care about the interview at all, coupled with inappropriate questions that furrowed eyebrows.
But now, she was displaying a rather convincing attitude.
It seemed as if she had been working for years, with a demeanour that dealt with others adeptly, as if it was ingrained in her skin.
And such an attitude was essential for a maid.
No matter how skilled one may be, if they lacked the mindset to work under someone else, it would be meaningless.
Yet, it still didn’t sit well with Rose.
The girl named Alice had completely changed her attitude the moment she heard about the wages offered here.
It felt too overt, as if she was revealing her true intentions. ‘If I had not spoken, she would have gone overboard.’
With a hint of regret, Rose clapped her hands once, and a maid brought in a large table on wheels.
On the table were various items: a large blanket that could easily cover three adults, assorted fruits and potatoes, alongside a tray of snacks.
Lastly, there were a boiling kettle on a preheated stove and an empty teapot, along with tea leaves and glass cups beside them.
The sudden appearance of these items puzzled the three interviewers as they looked at Rose.
“You may consider this a simple test. Please come forward one by one and demonstrate what you can do,” Rose said, her intentions clear.
It was obvious what they were assessing: the tasks the maids would be expected to perform in the future.
While driving would be rare, basic cleaning and organizing ingredients would be part of the daily routine.
These tasks weren’t anything extraordinary, but then again, being a maid wasn’t about doing extraordinary things.
It was simply about showing diligence and dignity even in light tasks.
“Then, let’s start with Drienne.”
Drienne, the girl who had been displaying signs of anxiety ever since she entered the interview room, slowly approached the table, her body trembling.
She then hugged the large blanket to her chest.
“Um… Do I fold this?”
“Yes, just make yourself comfortable,” Rose replied.
With Rose’s instruction, Drienne started folding the blanket slowly, her small body moving diligently.
She folded the large blanket in half, then folded it in half again.
“Uh… huh?”
However, as she repeated the process once more, a look of confusion began to creep over Drienne’s face.
It was because the blanket was folded to the point where it couldn’t be folded anymore.
‘I guess she kept folding it in half because of its size.’
Watching the scene unfold, Rose inwardly sighed deeply.
She never liked the idea of placing a blanket that people use on the floor in the first place.
There was no need to see more, but to maintain the dignity, she silently watched as she unfolded the blanket and laid it out on the floor.
After struggling for a while, Drienne eventually sat back down, her face flushed.
Without lingering on her, Rose shifted her gaze to the freckled girl.
“Now, it’s Enri’s turn.”
“Uh… y-yes…”
Enri, the girl, picked up fruits and snacks.
She managed to peel the fruits fairly well, but there was a hint of clumsiness, and above all, her visibly tense demeanour wasn’t very reassuring.
‘I’m not impressed.’
While being a maid might be considered a common occupation among commoners, it was different here in Valaxar.
The wisdom of the ancient Duke emphasized prioritizing individuals with abilities and honour regardless of class.
Inherited by the current Duke of Valaxar, Arvian, there was little discrimination between commoners and nobles.
Hence, there were more than simple maids in Valaxar.
This meant that even commoners could find a place in Valaxar, but not just anyone could be accepted.
If a household servant showed an unsightly appearance, it might be tolerated once or twice, but if such incidents recurred, it would eventually bring shame to the family.
As someone who had dedicated 20 years to Valaxar, there was no room for any flaws in the swiftly spreading rumours of the noble society.
As long as one served under the Duke of Valaxar, they had to maintain a suitable dignity.
In that sense, the girl named Enri fell short of expectations.
“Thank you for your efforts. Please return to your seat.”
“…Yes.”
Whether she sensed her failure or not, Enri’s voice sounded greatly subdued.
After confirming that she had returned to her seat, Rose spoke again.
“The next person. Please step forward.”
Alice, the girl who had asked impolite questions from the first encounter.
She was a candidate who didn’t need to be observed.
Considering her personality and demeanour, she was already mentally classified as a failure compared to other interviewees.
Despite that, she called her forth because it was the fair and noble thing to do, as befitting the Duke of Valaxar, to give everyone an equal opportunity.
“Yes.”
Alice stood up and approached the table, grabbing a blanket several times larger than herself.
“Do I unfold this blanket?”
There was an air of curiosity about Alice’s face, more nonchalant than expected. I
t made one wonder if she was hiding something or if she was simply detached.
There was no sign of tension on Alice’s face, not even the slightest bit.
“This is comfortable.”
As soon as her words finished, Alice grabbed one end of the blanket and swiftly flicked her wrist to shake out the blanket.
Then, with the recoil, she grabbed the opposite end of the flying blanket and skilfully began to tidy it up, not just folding it in half but dividing it into sections according to its large size.
In just about 10 seconds, the blanket, big enough to cover three people comfortably, was neatly arranged on the table.
In a moment of unexpected outcome, Alice’s creation left her momentarily dumbfounded.
The blanket was neatly unfolded as if all the wrinkles had vanished.
Moreover, the peculiar angles somehow eased her mind, captivating her gaze.
It seemed to display the skill of tidying up blankets every morning.
“Well, that’s quite impressive.”
Although surprised, she nodded her head, trying to conceal her astonishment.
This interview was merely to assess the basics.
In fact, it was obvious that something as simple as unfolding a blanket wasn’t a big deal.
It was a task maids would have to do several times a day if they became one.
It wasn’t something to be praised for.
“But merely being able to unfold a blanket isn’t enough.”
“Excuse me, interviewer.”
Alice interrupted her, and in her sight, she saw her white palm.
On her palm were neatly peeled raw potatoes.
‘…Did she peel those just now?’
Looking at Alice’s other hand, she noticed unpeeled fruits and perfectly peeled potato skins without any blemishes.
“It’s a shame that I couldn’t demonstrate my cooking skills. I can cook.”
Alice placed the potatoes in front of her with a genuinely regretful expression.
“Yes. When it comes to potato dishes, I’ve tried frying them and boiling them too. Quite a lot, actually.”
Although she was quite taken aback, she soon found herself understanding Alice’s words.
‘She must have worked somewhere before.’
Judging by her lack of airs, she was probably a commoner.
Hence, she might be skilled in household chores, and her confidence in cooking potatoes likely stemmed from her past experiences earning money related to such tasks.
Potatoes were one of the few ingredients easily accessible to commoners, and many commoners started working from a young age to support their families.
But if that was the case…
“Well then, do you happen to know how to make a tea?”
This was an unavoidable question.
Tea was a luxury and a common occurrence among nobles.
It was a beverage that commoners without means couldn’t casually indulge in.
Even if one excelled at their duties, if they couldn’t embody the dignity befitting the Duke of Valaxar, it would be unacceptable.
If they merely wanted someone capable of working, they would have hired laborers from the lower class.
There wouldn’t have been a need for so many noble-born ladies to blush in embarrassment.
“A tea?”
It was only for a brief moment, but Alice’s amethyst-colored eyes lit up as if she had received a gift.
‘Could it be that she knows how to make a tea?’
Alice promptly placed the kettle from the preheating stand onto the coaster on the table.
“I’ll let the water cool down a bit. Boiling water might cause the tea to lose its nutrients.”
“Please do so.”
“Oh, and could you perhaps warm the teapot a bit? If the teapot is cold, it ruins the taste.”
“…Bring the warming tray.”
In response to her words, a waiting maid swiftly dashed off and returned with a warming tray.
While the preheating stand was intended for boiling water, the warming tray served the simple purpose of keeping objects warm.
Normally, the words of the interviewee would have fallen on deaf ears, but due to the sense of anticipation rising from the mysterious Alice, her words were followed.
Alice placed the teapot on the warming tray and, conversely, cooled down the temperature of the kettle containing boiling water.
After a short while, Alice checked the temperatures of both pots, retrieved a certain amount of tea leaves, spread them evenly in the teapot, and poured hot water into it with graceful movements.
As she waited for the tea to steep for another three minutes, finally, she poured the tea into a glass cup and extended it in front of herself.
A rich, savoury aroma wafted from the cup, unlike any tea the other interviewees had experienced before.
As she slowly sipped the tea from the glass cup, she could taste a clean flavour she had never experienced before.
“…How can it taste like this?”
Surely, the method of making tea wouldn’t vary significantly.
So, what could possibly cause such a distinct difference in taste from such a simple action?
“The amount of tea leaves, as well as the temperature of the teapot and water, all play crucial roles. Additionally, the method of pouring water over the tea leaves matters too,” Alice replied with a smile.
She found herself staring blankly at her for quite some time.
Twenty years serving in the Ducal Palace.
Throughout those long years of employing and dismissing numerous maids, she had never felt such a powerful emotion.
This child… I want her.
