Chapter 2

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 2

Chapter Title: The Count's Temperamental Master (2)

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Fortunately, my choice seemed to have been the right one, as she spoke to me.

"My introduction was late. I am Isabella, the one who manages the female servants in this mansion. While you're working here, you'll see me second most often."

"Th-then, who is first?"

"Why, the master you'll be serving from now on, of course."

It was what the Old Gentleman had said earlier. I hadn't known what job I'd been hired for when I came here. My money-grubbing father hadn't even thought to ask, and I, who had no choice but to follow anyway, hadn't bothered to wonder. No matter what the work was—even if it was something horrific—I had to go along with it.

"What should I call you, ma'am?"

"Just Isabella."

"Yes, Lady Isabella."

I engraved her name in my mind. Then I realized my mistake and quickly added,

"I was late with my introduction too. I'm Paula."

"I see, Paula. What can you do?"

"Simple cleaning or laundry and household chores like that. I can do a bit of accounting and write some too. You need the basics for handling money."

"I see."

Isabella's response was utterly flat. That only made me more anxious. What if she thought I was useless? What if she sent me back home? The fear of being chased away gripped me.

Isabella walked ahead at a brisk pace. Worried I'd lose her, I hurried to match her steps.

We turned corner after corner until we reached a door. Just then, it swung open, and a young woman rushed out only to stop dead upon seeing Isabella and bow deeply. A brown-haired woman following behind also froze in surprise, halting abruptly and nodding her head vigorously.

"L-Lady Isabella."

"I told you not to run."

"I'm sorry. Truly sorry."

"Be more careful next time."

Their cautious gazes shifted from Isabella to me standing behind her. As I met their eyes in kind, Isabella stepped sideways, blocking my view. She then ordered them curtly back to their posts.

I watched them scurry away. Meanwhile, Isabella opened the door and called out to someone.

"Lenika."

"Yes, Lady Isabella."

A tall woman with a mature air approached. Isabella nudged my back, urging me forward.

"Do we have clothes that would fit her?"

Lenika's eyes scanned me up and down. After a moment's thought, she nodded.

"She's small. They won't fit perfectly, but we should have something close enough."

"Good. We don't need everything to be perfect."

"Understood. What will her assignment be?"

"She'll attend to the master from now on."

The unexpected answer made Lenika's eyes widen. Her surprised gaze swept over me again, head to toe. My tension spiked, and I swallowed dryly several times.

A moment later, the now-composed Lenika acknowledged it and went back inside.

Soon, she returned with a black dress, holding it up to my body. She gauged the size, fetched a few more identical dresses in different sizes, and handed me one. A crisp white apron and undergarments came with it.

"Your hair..."

Lenika frowned at my long bangs covering my face. I pursed my only visible feature—my lips. Isabella glanced at me briefly, said it was fine, and started walking again. I waddled after her.

Isabella led us back down the corridor. I kept glancing around. As we walked, I spotted people working in open rooms, around corners, or in alcoves. Those coming from the opposite direction bowed deeply to Isabella.

A bit of noisy clamor echoed from nearby. It gradually faded, leaving silence in its wake. Tap, tap, tap. The steady, rhythmic footfalls were the only sound breaking the quiet. I gripped my bag strap tightly and stole a glance at Isabella.

"Paula, how much did you hear before coming here?"

"Just that you would hire me."

"Then you haven't heard the details."

"No."

I nodded emphatically. Isabella's pace remained brisk, faster than a normal walk.

"This is the estate of the esteemed Bellunita Family. And you, Paula, will be solely responsible for attending to the master of this mansion, Vincent Bellunita."

"S-solely? Just me alone...?"

"Yes."

I was speechless. I'd seen a fair number of servants while following her through the corridors. The coachman who brought me, the gardeners tending the pristine lawns, the stable hands, women and men in matching uniforms. There had to be even more I hadn't seen.

And I alone had to attend to the master? A master had to be someone important, right?

I debated whether to ask. Then my lips twitched.

"R-really, no one else?"

"No. If you need anything, tell me right away."

"C-can I handle it alone? He's the master."

In the end, the whiny words slipped out. Isabella stopped short. I bumped into her back and halted too.

She turned, her face as expressionless as ever.

"Paula. Listen well. You alone will attend to the master, and there will be no additional help. If you don't like it, I suggest you leave the estate now. Same if you're not confident. Complain later, and you won't escape punishment."

Isabella warned calmly. If you can't do it, leave now. Her heavy words made my trembling lips press shut.

And I realized. I could never complain again.

I bowed deeply.

"I'm sorry. I'll be careful next time."

Fortunately, Isabella said nothing more and turned away. I straightened up and scurried after her.

"Be mindful of your conduct in everything, and there won't be any problems."

"Yes."

With my reply, the conversation ended.

A short while later, a door came into view. Smaller than the one we'd entered through. Was there a back entrance too? We passed through it, exiting the mansion. A vast garden stretched out, lush and green, its end lost to sight.

Wow, I gasped unwittingly. I'd glimpsed it from the carriage, but up close, the well-manicured garden was breathtakingly beautiful.

Lost in awe, I snapped to when I saw Isabella walking ahead alone. I hurried to catch up.

I wondered where we were going but followed silently since she said nothing. Asking would only earn me harsher words.

Isabella headed to the back of the mansion. A small building stood in the distance. That must be our destination.

It looked dauntingly far to walk. Instead of the path, she led me into the woods beside the mansion.

We pushed through the underbrush, my legs tingling by the time we emerged. We'd somehow reached the front of the small building.

How? I looked back at the thicket we'd just exited. A shortcut? I turned to the structure before me. An annex, perhaps—it was smaller than the main mansion, but both looked equally grand and opulent to me.

Inside, the atmosphere was even quieter than before. The main mansion had felt subdued relative to the people visible, but this place was eerily silent, as if no one lived here.

"Only the bare minimum staff stays here."

So I wasn't imagining it. I nodded in response.

Isabella walked to the end of the corridor and climbed the stairs.

"Breakfast at 6 a.m., lunch at noon, dinner at 6 p.m. Pick up the meals from the kitchen on time and bring them to the master. Dessert comes with lunch, so handle it then. Maintain cleanliness meticulously. Change the bedsheets every morning without fail, same for his clothes. Gather yesterday's laundry and take it out the annex's back door each morning."

"Yes."

"Basic supplies are here, but tell me if you need anything else. I'll prepare it as best I can. Same for any difficulties."

"Yes."

"Also, handle everything at once. Don't go back to finish something later. The master is sensitive about that—treat him as if you're not even there."

"Understood."

I nodded repeatedly, committing her words to memory. As if I'm not there—that was the easiest thing for me.

We climbed another flight of stairs, passed down a corridor, and stopped at the very last door.

"One final thing I must ask of you."

Before opening the door, Isabella turned to me again. I peeked past her shoulder at the door and took a step back.

"From now on, keep everything you see and hear to yourself. Be cautious even with idle chatter. Show no reaction to anything, and don't listen closely either. Speak out of turn, and it won't end with mere punishment. Understood?"

An unexpected warning. But it was as easy for me as breathing.

"Yes, I'll keep it in mind."

At my firm reply, Isabella turned and knocked slowly. Knock, knock, knock. She waited for the master's response, but none came. Familiar with the silence, she knocked again.

Knock, knock, knock.

"I'm coming in, Master."

No permission was granted, but Isabella turned the knob adeptly with practiced ease. Creeeak—darkness seeped from the widening gap.

The room was steeped in utter darkness, pitch black, impossible to see even a step ahead. The air was chill, laced with a strange smell.

I pinched my nose and wrinkled my face. Then I quickly smoothed my expression. No reactions. I glanced at Isabella—she wasn't looking at me. I lowered my hand and held my breath as best I could.

But the moment Isabella took a step inside...

Crash!

"Eek!"

Something flew at us in an instant, shattering against the wall.

Instinctively, I curled up, arms shielding my head. Nothing else came flying; silence returned. Only then did I cautiously open my eyes. Unlike me, Isabella hadn't flinched, standing exactly as before. Shards of broken glass littered the floor by her shoes. It had been a glass cup.

My eyes widened at the fragments, then flicked up to Isabella. As she took another step, something else shot from the darkness and thudded against the wall. Thump! A pillow fell to the floor.

What is this? I uncurled and peered into the room. Still pitch black, but my eyes, now adjusted to the dark, began to make out vague shapes.