Chapter 64

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 64

Chapter Title: Paula of the Strange Count's Family (2)

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Audrey gave us a look.

"Say hello."

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

I bowed at the waist. Fortunately, Alicia caught on quick this time and bowed right along with me. The man who had been facing away spun around in a hurry and bowed as well. But Joelie still couldn't even look her way properly.

As soon as the man finished greeting and turned back around, Joelie shot her gaze straight to the male servant. Her eyes curved even more sweetly.

"What's the name of that cute one over there?"

"Lady Joelie, you should wash up and get dressed first."

"Oh, Audrey. You have no tact."

"If you keep this up, it'll be bad for your health."

"Fine, fine."

Joelie waved her hand dismissively as she got out of bed, giving me and Alicia a once-over.

"I like the pretty ones."

"Pardon?"

Her fingertip touched Alicia with a sly smile. I was baffled, and Audrey pushed Alicia forward toward Joelie. Alicia glanced back at me in panic. I was just as flustered. But there was nothing I could do. Audrey ushered me and the male servant out of the room.

Once outside, I realized it. Joelie had chosen Alicia as her personal attendant. The guy could take that in stride, but I'd been kicked out.

Who would've thought I'd face discrimination based on looks even here. I let out a quiet sigh as I stared at the closed door.

"You two wait here."

With that, Audrey left for other business. Thanks to her, the hallway was left with just me and the guy.

I stared blankly at the door, then glanced at him sidelong. He looked kind of dazed. The events from just now must have shocked him pretty good.

"You seem pretty startled."

"Yeah... a bit. Actually, a lot..."

Watching him stammer, it was clear the situation had thrown him for a real loop. I could tell just how rattled he was from his face alone. The faint flush from before had turned into a full-on blaze of red.

"Your face."

"N-no! I wasn't thinking anything!"

What were you thinking? I was just going to say your face looked like it might explode it was so red, but he freaked out preemptively and shook his head hard. He even flailed his hands around. His reaction was somehow hilarious.

"M-more importantly, why are you being so polite to me?"

"I'm always polite."

"No, why do you keep saying it like that. It's awkward."

"What do you mean?"

His flushed face twisted up.

"You don't know who I am?"

"Who are you?"

"Hey, it's me. Johnny!"

What?

"Johnny... as in, the one who asked me to introduce Alicia...?"

"Yeah! That's me!"

My jaw dropped. Johnny? That grimy guy?

I quickly scanned him up and down. In his neat clothes, he looked perfectly fine. No trace of the black grime or dirt on his clean face.

"No way! You're really Johnny?"

"Yeah! It's me!"

"You're really that grimy Johnny?"

"Yeah, I'm that grimy—wait, hold on."

Johnny, who had been responding energetically, suddenly froze.

"Grimy?"

"..."

I clamped my mouth shut and turned away. I pretended like I hadn't said anything, but the words were already out.

"You're too much! Grimy? What kind of way is that to describe someone? Was I that dirty?"

"Well... a little?"

To be honest, it was more than a little grimy. Johnny's face soured at my answer. I didn't take it back, though. Facts were facts.

"You're the same as ever, even here."

"You've changed a lot. I didn't recognize you."

"That much?"

"Yeah. You look like a different person."

Johnny touched his face. He asked if it was really that much. I nodded firmly. I hadn't noticed when it was covered in filth, but with his hair neatly combed and his face clean, his features looked surprisingly good. I could've believed he was someone else.

I examined Johnny's face closely again. With looks like that, he might actually have a shot at winning over his crush.

"How'd you end up here? Did you get an offer too?"

"Nah, someone else got the offer, but I tagged along. They said the pay was good. You get an offer?"

"Not me, my little sister."

"Ah, figures."

What was that 'figures'? His reaction rubbed me the wrong way, but it was familiar too.

"They said the pay's really good."

I shrugged and stared blankly at the closed door. Johnny perked up beside me, asking "Right?" all chipper again.

"But they cut your hair here. It's shorter."

He pointed at my bangs. That sparked a question.

"How'd you recognize me?"

"Huh?"

"I've been hiding my face with my bangs. Most people wouldn't know me."

"Don't you remember sweating buckets from the heat and smearing ash all over? Your bangs were split and stuck to your face. I've seen your face a thousand times over."

Oh, right. I'd thought I was covering up well enough, but sweat had ruined it. I gave an awkward smile and turned my head. Johnny patted my back happily. I scowled and kicked his shin. He yelped and clutched it.

"Ow!"

"That hurts me too. Quit hitting."

That was when it happened.

The door flew open suddenly, and Alicia came tumbling out, collapsing on the floor. Johnny and I rushed over to her.

With Johnny's help, Alicia propped herself up and glared fiercely ahead. There stood Joelie in nothing but her undergarments.

"You're not my type."

"..."

Joelie tossed her blonde hair back with an irritated look. Even that gesture dripped with annoyance.

What on earth had she done wrong? I glanced at Alicia, who was still shooting daggers at Joelie. A strange tension hung between the two women. I panicked and looked at Johnny. His face was beet red as he whipped around. And in the midst of it all, he was the most pitiful victim.

Suddenly, a pale arm shot out from behind Johnny's back and wrapped around him. Joelie pressed her face right against his back.

"Looking again?"

"Gah."

Johnny's face went ashen, like his heart had stopped. Joelie giggled at his reaction. Then she raised one hand and gently stroked his hair.

"What's your name?"

"Uh, um, uh, I, uh."

"Your name's 'Uh-uh-I-uh'?"

"N-no. No, it's not."

Johnny shook his head frantically.

"Then what is it?"

"Jo-Jo-Jo-Jonny. Johnny."

"Right. Johnny. Nice to meet you. Want to come to my room tonight?"

"Pardon?"

"Hee hee. Your surprised face is cute too."

Joelie tapped Johnny's cheek with her finger. He froze stiff at the touch. She leaned in and blew softly in his ear. Johnny snapped to and screamed, bolting out of her arms to the other side of the hall in an instant.

His speed was so blinding no one could grab him. We watched sadly as his figure shrank to a dot in the distance.

"He's totally my type."

Ecstasy laced Joelie's voice. It felt like an innocent village lad had caught the eye of a mischievous noble miss. I sent silent condolences for the unfortunate times ahead.

Joelie stared long after Johnny had vanished, then turned her gaze to me.

"You. Follow me."

She pointed at me and turned. Caught off guard by the sudden order, I quickly pulled myself together and followed.

Joelie, walking ahead, suddenly stopped and looked at Alicia.

"You can go."

Then she slipped back into the room.

I helped Alicia to her feet and brushed off her rumpled clothes. I glanced at her face, which had been glaring at Joelie nonstop. Her eyes looked ready to pop out. Her tightly pressed lips suggested something had happened.

I sighed and followed into the room. As I closed the door, Alicia's gaze vanished. A servant daring to stare down at a superior like that. I'd have to warn her not to do it again later.

I turned to see Joelie slipping on a robe. She tied the sash at her waist and headed to the wardrobe. I blankly traced her back with my eyes.

Joelie, was it? Was she the lady of the house? Or the countess? I leaned toward the latter. Grace emanated from her simple steps and every little gesture. She had to be a well-bred noble lady.

Standing before the wardrobe, she turned to me. I hurried to her side and opened it.

"Pick something."

"Me?"

"Yeah. Something bright."

Bright, huh... I pondered the tricky command. The wardrobe was lined with a good number of dresses. Colors and designs galore. It felt like every dress in the world was stuffed in there.

I examined them one by one, deliberating carefully. Bright meant light colors, right? I picked a pale sky blue. Even after choosing, I wasn't confident. I sneaked a peek at Joelie. She tugged her lips into a smile and shook her head. Not to her liking.

I put it back and pulled out the white one next to it. But she shook her head again.

I offered up a few more dresses after that. All rejected. When I put back the latest reject—a soft pink one—and held out a yellow, Joelie seemed bored of refusing and waved me off, heading to the chair behind her.

Panicking, I scanned the wardrobe again. Getting shot down every time made me clueless on what to pick next.

"What's your name?"

"Pau... Ann."

"Right, Ann."

Her voice carried a hint of amusement. I could feel her eyes on me. But I kept examining the wardrobe without looking back.

"Where are you from, Ann?"

"A small village, milady. Too small to have a name."

"Is that your hometown?"

"No, my hometown's elsewhere."

"Filton?"

At Joelie's question, I stopped rummaging through the dresses and turned.

"How did you know?"

"The girl who was just in my room mentioned it. Said you two are sisters?"

Ah. I nodded and went back to sifting through the dresses. She'd asked Alicia the same questions I'd gotten. Thinking that, I inspected them diligently. The constant rejections made me even more cautious. Tired of waiting, Joelie kept firing questions at me.

"First time doing this?"

"Not my first."

"Hm. So you've worked elsewhere?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"Nowhere worth mentioning."

I answered absently, too focused on choosing. But for her deeper probes, I picked my words carefully. Meanwhile, my eyes raced over the dresses. This one? That one? After agonizing over the countless options, I finally settled on one.

It was a white dress with a form-fitting design. No flashy patterns, but delicate floral embroidery at the hem kept it from being plain. Looked easy to wear and clean.

Alright, this is it!

"How about this one?"

I turned with a big smile, showing her my carefully selected dress. If she hated this one too, I'd ask if she wanted to pick herself. But as I looked at her, her gaze wasn't on the dress—it was fixed on my face.

And it was sharp. Sharp enough to wipe the smile off mine. Weird. She was smiling, so why did it feel like I was under scrutiny?

"...Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Ann, you're so small and petite."

"Pardon? Oh, yes. I'm on the short side."

"Yeah. Probably the smallest servant here."

She scanned me from head to toe.