23 March 2024
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Playvolume00:00/00:00TruvidfullScreen
The home office of Hanyang, where the refreshing scent of candles wafts gently.
Rose, who used to wear glasses, now looks different, glancing away from the documents to greet me.
“By the way. Did you have a good time at home?”
“Yes. Thanks to the permission for the carriage, I could comfortably return.”
“Hehe. I see.”
Rose chuckled lightly, took off the glasses, and rubbed her tired eyes with her fingers.
“You’ve worked hard. We’ll start working in earnest from tomorrow, so go to your room and rest.”
“Yes.”
Unlike before, when the atmosphere was elegant, now Rose’s face clearly showed signs of exhaustion.
Well, considering she manages all the affairs of this massive mansion, it’s inevitable that she would be busy.
“Alright. Let’s go inside now.”
“Um, Rose.”
“Hmm? Do you need something?”
Rose looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“If it’s not too much trouble… could you have a cup of tea to help with you fatigue? I want to repay your kindness for choosing me, even if just a little.”
Rose’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected request.
I understand manners too.
Seeing how she doubled my salary without hesitation, it seems she think quite highly of me.
So it’s only proper to repay that kindness.
And there was also a part of me that wanted to impress her.
“She’s someone who gives me a six-figure salary… I should do well.”
… My instincts were right after all.”
Rose, muttering to herself, soon looked at me with moved eyes and spoke.
“Then, may I ask for just one cup? I want to taste your tea again.”
Of course.
You must not get sick, Ms. Rose.
That way, I can receive my salary consistently.
While harboring sinister thoughts inside,
I replied to Ms. Rose with a bright smile.
“Yes. I’ll brew it right away.”
***
The mansion and the annex where the maids reside are slightly apart.
Remembering the satisfied smile on the maid’s face as she drank tea, I entered the room.
Although I wanted nothing more than to shower and sleep, I resisted my fatigue and retrieved a scroll from my pocket, unfolding it.
On the white surface of the unfolded scroll, the achievements of the past five days were clearly written:
[Rank: Strength (B), Speed (A), Intelligence (C), Dexterity (A+), Magic Power (D), Charisma (F)]
“Hoho… looking at it like this, it feels quite satisfying.”
I still couldn’t understand why my intelligence remained at C.
However, during the past five days since I informed the maid that I would visit the mansion, I hadn’t actually gone there.
From the start, I didn’t even know where Alice’s house was or whether she had parents.
If Alice had parents, someday she might receive a message… I could think about it when the time comes.
The past five days.
I gathered as much knowledge from the original work as possible and prepared items that wouldn’t disrupt the flow of the original story.
I have thought deeply about it.
The novel “Protect the Saint’s Privacy” was a story about the protagonist Lucy.
It depicted the journey of Lucy, chosen as the Saint, experiencing numerous events, while three main male characters who love her undergo growth, ultimately leading to a confrontation with the Demong King, the ruler of the demons.
Naturally, most of the items I knew were all things that Lucy, the protagonist, would face.
Since it was still eight years before the start of the original work, those items would probably remain exactly as they were mentioned in the novel.
However, I had no intention of letting that happen.
In a situation where I could only return after seeing the conclusion, what would happen if I pre-emptively took away the protagonist’s items?
If the worst-case scenario were to occur, where the protagonist’s growth was lacking, resulting in defeat or even death, it would solely be my fault.
I only wanted to make money and open a cafe.
I had no desire to become a hero and bear immense responsibility for no reason.
After all, I preferred romance novels featuring cute female protagonists over novels filled with heavy content.
Anyway, most of the items mentioned in the novel belonged to Lucy, so the range of choices I could make was very limited, but not non-existent.
Of course, there were plenty of villains in the novel, and although not many, there were also items they would acquire.
As long as it didn’t interfere with the protagonist’s growth, I could obtain the items that villains would acquire without guilt.
Of course, I couldn’t bring myself to take things like top-tier potions or weapons hidden in dangerous places, as they were too precious to risk.
However, I did collect all the easily obtainable low-grade potions and clever items that could be bought with money.
Just so you know, I pulled some money forward from this month’s salary.
Anyway, the result is the current state of my stats.
If my speed is A and my strength is B, I might not be able to wipe out everyone, but at least I should be able to handle myself without getting beaten up too badly.
And as a bonus, I was able to bring along a precious item that could save my life.
‘Open, sesame.’
As I said that, the scroll unfurled, revealing a small black ring inside.
With a satisfied feeling, I slid the ring onto the index finger of my left hand.
It took most of my time to obtain this, but it was still a valuable item.
It’s an intermediate magical tool that allows me to teleport to places shrouded in deep shadows three times a day.
It was a magical tool used by the villain who had been stalking the protagonist.
Early in the story, that sinister villain stumbled upon it hidden in a tomb behind the academy.
Using this magical tool, he relentlessly pursued and harassed the protagonist at every turn.
Of course, he was soon caught red-handed by one of the main characters and promptly imprisoned.
‘Instead of letting a perverted extra use it, I’d rather use it myself.’
That bastard who made our Lucy uncomfortable didn’t sit well with me either.
Anyway, for the past five days, I’ve done everything I can.
Everything.
I’ve even secured insurance to escape from crises if they arise.
Compared to the main characters, I may be infinitely weaker, but I’ve gained at least the minimal power to survive in this fantasy world where dangers lurk at every turn.
Now, all that’s left is to earn money.
I changed into the pyjamas provided to maids to prepare for the upcoming tomorrow and lay down on the bed.
Tomorrow marks the beginning of my official duties.
With a relaxed smile, I closed my eyes.
‘How hard could maid work be, anyway?’
But at that moment, I missed an important fact: there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
If someone’s salary is high, there’s undoubtedly a reason for it.
***
“Alice! Come and help me with serving breakfast.”
“Yes, senior!”
“Alice, I need you to take care of this hallway. Clean it thoroughly so that no dust is visible.”
“Yes, senior.”
“Alice, the laundry needs to be done. Since the laundry magic tool is already full, you’ll have to hand wash them yourself.”
“All of them…?”
“Yes. Hurry up and do the laundry, then clean the room immediately afterward.”
“Yes.”
“Oh, there you are. I need to help with preparing the evening ingredients, so come with me.”
“Yes.”
“Usually, it’s a tradition for newcomers to handle onion preparation in Valaxar. I’m sorry, but could I ask you to do it?”
“Yes, senior.”
***
Inside the kitchen, there was a storage room for ingredients.
“…Sigh.”
Alone in the storage room, while peeling onions, I wiped away a stinging tear.
How many onions had I peeled?
My eyes were already filled with tears.
After putting all the peeled onions into the basket, I set the knife down and sighed deeply.
“…It’s tougher than I thought.”
From the very first day, I had been busy without a moment’s respite.
Except for lunchtime, I hadn’t even had a chance to catch my breath.
I had done many part-time jobs before, but I had never moved around so busily.
From cleaning the rooms and hallways in the morning to washing and individually hanging out the heavy quilts, it was exhausting enough, and then I was immediately dragged to the kitchen to handle cooking preparations.
Moreover, the other maid who had been preparing ingredients with me suddenly handed me everything and leisurely left the kitchen.
Thanks to that, I was left alone, peeling onions now.
‘Isn’t it usually the kitchen staff who do this…?’
If the maids handle the ingredient preparation as well, then what exactly do the they do?
Are all the unpleasant tasks just dumped on the maids?
Or could it be that they’re intentionally treating me like this because I’m a newcomer?
‘I endure it because they pay me well, really.’
Even though it was annoying when my senior maid left me alone with a promise to come back soon and then ran away, I could easily overlook such incidents as they were part of the culture I had already experienced countless times in the military.
And it’s okay.
When I think about the hefty salary in my mind, a sweet hope blossoms in my tired heart.
‘After all, they promised to give me a break until dinner after I finish all this…’
With the determination to quickly finish and lie down on the bed, I picked up the next onion.
And then, it happened.
Creak…
The sound of the storage room door, which had been firmly closed since the senior maid left, opening.
Maybe she came back to help me.
I don’t know if she felt guilty for leaving the newcomer alone or if there was at least a bit of kindness left in her.
Either way, I felt relieved to see her return.
I’ve almost finished peeling them all… but still, it’s nice of her to come back at least.
I turned my head towards the door with a wide smile.
“You came back, senior…”
A shiver ran down my spine.
“Ma’am…”
Survival instinct.
Before even realizing the situation, my survival instinct kicked in.
Without a moment of hesitation, I immediately lowered my head and averted my gaze.
Like prey pretending to be dead in front of a predator, my body froze, not making a single movement.
“!”
I held my breath, afraid to even make a sound.
Even without looking at her face, I could instinctively feel it.
As my eyes caught sight of her long, flowing white hair, a chill ran down my spine.
The mere presence of her sent chills down my spine, as if my body would freeze at any moment.
It felt like my throat could be slit at any moment, such was the coldness in the air.
Thump, thump…
My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would burst.
Cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck.
In this mansion, there were only two people with such long, flowing white hair.
And among them, only one had hair that extended downwards.
Lady Adrielle Valaxar, the Northern Duchess.
It could only be her.
23 March 2024
PreviousIndexNext
Playvolume00:00/00:00TruvidfullScreen
The home office of Hanyang, where the refreshing scent of candles wafts gently.
Rose, who used to wear glasses, now looks different, glancing away from the documents to greet me.
“By the way. Did you have a good time at home?”
“Yes. Thanks to the permission for the carriage, I could comfortably return.”
“Hehe. I see.”
Rose chuckled lightly, took off the glasses, and rubbed her tired eyes with her fingers.
“You’ve worked hard. We’ll start working in earnest from tomorrow, so go to your room and rest.”
“Yes.”
Unlike before, when the atmosphere was elegant, now Rose’s face clearly showed signs of exhaustion.
Well, considering she manages all the affairs of this massive mansion, it’s inevitable that she would be busy.
“Alright. Let’s go inside now.”
“Um, Rose.”
“Hmm? Do you need something?”
Rose looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“If it’s not too much trouble… could you have a cup of tea to help with you fatigue? I want to repay your kindness for choosing me, even if just a little.”
Rose’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected request.
I understand manners too.
Seeing how she doubled my salary without hesitation, it seems she think quite highly of me.
So it’s only proper to repay that kindness.
And there was also a part of me that wanted to impress her.
“She’s someone who gives me a six-figure salary… I should do well.”
… My instincts were right after all.”
Rose, muttering to herself, soon looked at me with moved eyes and spoke.
“Then, may I ask for just one cup? I want to taste your tea again.”
Of course.
You must not get sick, Ms. Rose.
That way, I can receive my salary consistently.
While harboring sinister thoughts inside,
I replied to Ms. Rose with a bright smile.
“Yes. I’ll brew it right away.”
***
The mansion and the annex where the maids reside are slightly apart.
Remembering the satisfied smile on the maid’s face as she drank tea, I entered the room.
Although I wanted nothing more than to shower and sleep, I resisted my fatigue and retrieved a scroll from my pocket, unfolding it.
On the white surface of the unfolded scroll, the achievements of the past five days were clearly written:
[Rank: Strength (B), Speed (A), Intelligence (C), Dexterity (A+), Magic Power (D), Charisma (F)]
“Hoho… looking at it like this, it feels quite satisfying.”
I still couldn’t understand why my intelligence remained at C.
However, during the past five days since I informed the maid that I would visit the mansion, I hadn’t actually gone there.
From the start, I didn’t even know where Alice’s house was or whether she had parents.
If Alice had parents, someday she might receive a message… I could think about it when the time comes.
The past five days.
I gathered as much knowledge from the original work as possible and prepared items that wouldn’t disrupt the flow of the original story.
I have thought deeply about it.
The novel “Protect the Saint’s Privacy” was a story about the protagonist Lucy.
It depicted the journey of Lucy, chosen as the Saint, experiencing numerous events, while three main male characters who love her undergo growth, ultimately leading to a confrontation with the Demong King, the ruler of the demons.
Naturally, most of the items I knew were all things that Lucy, the protagonist, would face.
Since it was still eight years before the start of the original work, those items would probably remain exactly as they were mentioned in the novel.
However, I had no intention of letting that happen.
In a situation where I could only return after seeing the conclusion, what would happen if I pre-emptively took away the protagonist’s items?
If the worst-case scenario were to occur, where the protagonist’s growth was lacking, resulting in defeat or even death, it would solely be my fault.
I only wanted to make money and open a cafe.
I had no desire to become a hero and bear immense responsibility for no reason.
After all, I preferred romance novels featuring cute female protagonists over novels filled with heavy content.
Anyway, most of the items mentioned in the novel belonged to Lucy, so the range of choices I could make was very limited, but not non-existent.
Of course, there were plenty of villains in the novel, and although not many, there were also items they would acquire.
As long as it didn’t interfere with the protagonist’s growth, I could obtain the items that villains would acquire without guilt.
Of course, I couldn’t bring myself to take things like top-tier potions or weapons hidden in dangerous places, as they were too precious to risk.
However, I did collect all the easily obtainable low-grade potions and clever items that could be bought with money.
Just so you know, I pulled some money forward from this month’s salary.
Anyway, the result is the current state of my stats.
If my speed is A and my strength is B, I might not be able to wipe out everyone, but at least I should be able to handle myself without getting beaten up too badly.
And as a bonus, I was able to bring along a precious item that could save my life.
‘Open, sesame.’
As I said that, the scroll unfurled, revealing a small black ring inside.
With a satisfied feeling, I slid the ring onto the index finger of my left hand.
It took most of my time to obtain this, but it was still a valuable item.
It’s an intermediate magical tool that allows me to teleport to places shrouded in deep shadows three times a day.
It was a magical tool used by the villain who had been stalking the protagonist.
Early in the story, that sinister villain stumbled upon it hidden in a tomb behind the academy.
Using this magical tool, he relentlessly pursued and harassed the protagonist at every turn.
Of course, he was soon caught red-handed by one of the main characters and promptly imprisoned.
‘Instead of letting a perverted extra use it, I’d rather use it myself.’
That bastard who made our Lucy uncomfortable didn’t sit well with me either.
Anyway, for the past five days, I’ve done everything I can.
Everything.
I’ve even secured insurance to escape from crises if they arise.
Compared to the main characters, I may be infinitely weaker, but I’ve gained at least the minimal power to survive in this fantasy world where dangers lurk at every turn.
Now, all that’s left is to earn money.
I changed into the pyjamas provided to maids to prepare for the upcoming tomorrow and lay down on the bed.
Tomorrow marks the beginning of my official duties.
With a relaxed smile, I closed my eyes.
‘How hard could maid work be, anyway?’
But at that moment, I missed an important fact: there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
If someone’s salary is high, there’s undoubtedly a reason for it.
***
“Alice! Come and help me with serving breakfast.”
“Yes, senior!”
“Alice, I need you to take care of this hallway. Clean it thoroughly so that no dust is visible.”
“Yes, senior.”
“Alice, the laundry needs to be done. Since the laundry magic tool is already full, you’ll have to hand wash them yourself.”
“All of them…?”
“Yes. Hurry up and do the laundry, then clean the room immediately afterward.”
“Yes.”
“Oh, there you are. I need to help with preparing the evening ingredients, so come with me.”
“Yes.”
“Usually, it’s a tradition for newcomers to handle onion preparation in Valaxar. I’m sorry, but could I ask you to do it?”
“Yes, senior.”
***
Inside the kitchen, there was a storage room for ingredients.
“…Sigh.”
Alone in the storage room, while peeling onions, I wiped away a stinging tear.
How many onions had I peeled?
My eyes were already filled with tears.
After putting all the peeled onions into the basket, I set the knife down and sighed deeply.
“…It’s tougher than I thought.”
From the very first day, I had been busy without a moment’s respite.
Except for lunchtime, I hadn’t even had a chance to catch my breath.
I had done many part-time jobs before, but I had never moved around so busily.
From cleaning the rooms and hallways in the morning to washing and individually hanging out the heavy quilts, it was exhausting enough, and then I was immediately dragged to the kitchen to handle cooking preparations.
Moreover, the other maid who had been preparing ingredients with me suddenly handed me everything and leisurely left the kitchen.
Thanks to that, I was left alone, peeling onions now.
‘Isn’t it usually the kitchen staff who do this…?’
If the maids handle the ingredient preparation as well, then what exactly do the they do?
Are all the unpleasant tasks just dumped on the maids?
Or could it be that they’re intentionally treating me like this because I’m a newcomer?
‘I endure it because they pay me well, really.’
Even though it was annoying when my senior maid left me alone with a promise to come back soon and then ran away, I could easily overlook such incidents as they were part of the culture I had already experienced countless times in the military.
And it’s okay.
When I think about the hefty salary in my mind, a sweet hope blossoms in my tired heart.
‘After all, they promised to give me a break until dinner after I finish all this…’
With the determination to quickly finish and lie down on the bed, I picked up the next onion.
And then, it happened.
Creak…
The sound of the storage room door, which had been firmly closed since the senior maid left, opening.
Maybe she came back to help me.
I don’t know if she felt guilty for leaving the newcomer alone or if there was at least a bit of kindness left in her.
Either way, I felt relieved to see her return.
I’ve almost finished peeling them all… but still, it’s nice of her to come back at least.
I turned my head towards the door with a wide smile.
“You came back, senior…”
A shiver ran down my spine.
“Ma’am…”
Survival instinct.
Before even realizing the situation, my survival instinct kicked in.
Without a moment of hesitation, I immediately lowered my head and averted my gaze.
Like prey pretending to be dead in front of a predator, my body froze, not making a single movement.
“!”
I held my breath, afraid to even make a sound.
Even without looking at her face, I could instinctively feel it.
As my eyes caught sight of her long, flowing white hair, a chill ran down my spine.
The mere presence of her sent chills down my spine, as if my body would freeze at any moment.
It felt like my throat could be slit at any moment, such was the coldness in the air.
Thump, thump…
My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would burst.
Cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck.
In this mansion, there were only two people with such long, flowing white hair.
And among them, only one had hair that extended downwards.
Lady Adrielle Valaxar, the Northern Duchess.
It could only be her.
