Chapter 9

Chapter 9

“Sit down.”

It was considered rude for a servant to sit in front of a noble, but it was a different story if Daisy gave her permission. Therefore, May sat right next to Daisy without refusing.

“Yes! As expected, madam! They told me to sit down because I looked tired! I like it so much! I also overheard them saying that the relationship between master and madam looked pretty good.”

The rumor was spreading well enough just like planned. How satisfying.

“Didn’t I tell you before? Master will eventually fall in love with madam. Look at how attractive you are~”

“That’s enough.” May quickly shut her mouth and fixed her posture at Daisy’s words.

It was quite convenient to hear May spit out all the necessary information without stopping, but she had to put an end to it because she was very busy.

“So, how is the investigation going?”

In fact, Daisy gave May that order as soon as she arrived here.

Keep a close watch on the servants.

It was to determine the working system in Marquis Jean’s residence.

‘There are two reasons.’

First, it was possible to mistakenly fire talented people. She was only human. She might miss out on something as it is only normal that she wouldn’t be perfect every time.

That is why confirmation was essential.

‘Mistakes could damage Marquis Jean’s reputation.’

If she was to fire someone with outstanding ability, they would be hired by other nobles afterward. And those nobles would naturally doubt Marquis Jean’s insight.

If they had that kind of talent, how could they easily leave behind the work they had been doing so far?

Second, what you see might not be everything.

Even if they didn’t do their work properly, they pretended to do so in front of Carlyx and Daisy.

‘But is that really everything?’

If Daisy wanted to know how low they would go, it would be better to use a helper.

“Um, by the way, madam. Is it because I’m your attendant?”

May tapped her lips using her hand with a worried expression, and she added.

“I feel like I was overly cautious of everything.”

“Why do you feel that way?”

“Well, I don’t think the mansion is in good condition. Even if it was a canteen for the servants, it also reflected the dignity of the nobility.”

“That’s right.”

Commoners and nobles. Between them, there was a line that could be crossed at will.

However, they should respect and honor their jobs as well. It’s called noblesse oblige. Those born with dignity should act with dignity.

“But the kitchenware has lost its sparkle and the table is old. I feel like they don’t care about it at all, yet they complain about trivial things.”

Complaint? How undeserving.

After she finished judging the situation, Daisy murmured.

“If they have so many complaints, all they have to do is fix the problem. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, that’s what I thought.”

Carlyx wasn’t someone who hates spending money. He was just indifferent about it. Above all, it’s not like Tyler had no affinity for this mansion.

In other words, the servants purposely showed those flaws in front of May.

“Ah! There’s one more.”

May hesitated to tell Daisy what she was about to say. She made a gloomy expression as if it was a painful story. So Daisy asked tenderly.

“What’s wrong, May?”

“Well, I was surprised to see…”

“Tell me, hurry.”

Daisy spoke in a reassuring tone. Eventually, May began to speak in a low voice.

“Late at night, a maid and a servant were talking during bedtime.”

“What do you mean?”

It didn’t make sense.

The servants’ and maids’ rooms were on the same floors as they both use the top floor and the third floor. However, their rooms were separated by locked doors. There were even separate stairs for men and women.

‘As it should.’

It was a basic rule to follow if they were truly professional. They must not do inappropriate things inside the house of a noble…

“They whispered words to each other and the atmosphere was unusual. Madam, I’m very quick-witted, aren’t I?”

“No, you’re not. But you must’ve seen more, right?”

She got a hunch. The contents of the document she read a few days ago flashed through her head.

It reminded her of a servant. Was his name Tommy?

There was a rumor that he had a secret relationship with a noble lady. If he was involved in such a scandal with other people regardless of his status, it was easy to predict what kind of unwanted brashness he would bring on.

Sure enough, May nodded her head firmly.

“I watched them secretly because I was afraid they would pretend they didn’t do anything if I came out.”

May gulped and straightened her waist as if she was going to make a big announcement. Soon, a voice rang from her seat.

“K-Kiss! They k-kissed! There was a chuu sound!”

K-kiss! Ki-kiss! As if she was electrocuted, she repeated the same intense word several times. The same words did not stop until 30 seconds later.

“I haven’t even ki-kissed once-”

Daisy, who eventually raised her hand, calmly called her.

“May.”

“Yes, madam.”

“Stop.”

“Yes.”

Only then did peace return to the room. If May continued, she might destroy Daisy’s eardrums because of the intense anger present in her voice.

The clock is ticking. Daisy didn’t say a word for a while, seemingly deep in thought. After a long time, a deep smile spread across her face.

“May, tell Tyler to get ready to post an announcement.”

“Announcement?”

“That’s right. Since a new person is entering the mansion, shouldn’t there be a new servant as well?”

“Yes, madam!”

May, who believed in Daisy unconditionally, nodded firmly.

***

In the dark hallway, Carlyx was standing in front of a room. He leaned against the wall and listened to the sounds coming through the gap in the door.

“Ravi! Ravi is Ravi’s name! Belia likes it as well, right?”

Belia was the name of his nanny. Soon, Tyler’s friendly voice was heard.

“Young Master, it’s River, not Ravi. Can you repeat after me?”

“Ravor? No, it’s Ravi.”

“No. Young master’s name is River. It means a calm river.”

A young boy was seen smiling brightly inside the room. The four-year-old boy was Carlyx’s second child. A young noble who had a limited place to run around under Carlyx’s command.

Then, Belia looked at River affectionately and said in a gentle voice.

“Please follow me.”

“Okay!”

Belia used a clear pronunciation as an example to prevent River from making the same mistake.

“Ri.”

“Ri.”

Fortunately, River followed well.

“Ver.”

“Ver.”

“Now put it together, Ri-ver.”

“Ravi!”

River raised his voice with sparkling eyes. He was confident that he made no mistake.

Why does the young master like the name Ravi so much? Belia thought, shaking her head small.

“Shall we try again, young master?”

“Okay!”

His answer was always as energetic as a chick. Unlike Luciana, River was innocent and bright. Just like a pure white living being without any stains on it.

“Ri.”

“Ri.”

River eagerly copied Belia with his mouth wide open. Because of that, a strange smile formed on his tiny face, but it was still lovely.

“Ver.”

“Ver.”

Again, River gave his all to open his mouth up and down, while his pinkish lips spread out widely.

“River.”

“Ravi!”

“No, not River, but Ravi-”

Oops, Belia dabbed her lips for her silly mistake and continued talking.

“Goodness, I almost said that Ravi is right just now.”

“Ravi is waight! Ravi, Rabyii!”

What a mistake! The cute young master finally stopped her.

“That’s enough. It’s time for you to go to bed.”

Eventually, Belia changed the subject with a warm smile. She brought several fairy tale books for River. Because River only falls asleep when he listens to fairy tales.

“What should I read for you today?”

“Today, um, I want a prince.”

“Prince?”

River nodded while pouting and opened the book eagerly. Meanwhile, Belia looked at River closely with curious eyes.

“Young master usually reads adventure books. Do you really want to read a story about a prince and princess today?”

“Yup! Prince. I want to wied the one where the pwince comes out.”

Belia, who put away the other book, asked carefully.

“Why did the young master choose this book today?”

“Because the prince is loved.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yeah! So I want to read the part when the prince appears.”

“Yes, yes. Then, I’ll read this book for you today!”

“Yay!”

River grinned and flapped his arms. Soon, Belia’s calm voice rang smoothly like a song.

Meanwhile, Carlyx, who watched River through the gap in the door, turned around. His purple eyes were glued on the floor, and he couldn’t leave.

After a long time, the small candle flickered. Soon after, Carlyx entered the darkness, devastatingly holding a finished candle. It was so dark that no one could’ve properly seen what kind of expression he wore right now.

***

Carlyx and Daisy went into the dining room in time, unlike their first meeting. He had never been late for dinner ever since, as if it was really a mistake before.

Originally, it was appropriate to come to the drawing room first and enter the dining room together, but the procedure was not followed because it was only the two of them who’ll eat in the dining room together. For the same reason, Tyler, the butler, usually served the meal alone.

‘It will be a different story if the children are here.’

One more servant would be needed to serve in the dining room if that were the case.

Today’s dinner was chicken and beef stew. The meal looked warm and tender judging from the steam alone. But unlike its outer appearance, the taste was just average.

‘It’s not bad, but it could be better. So much better.’

Daisy, who was eating the tender, lean meat with a garnish, glanced at Carlyx. As always, he was eating without even glancing at her.

Not long after, there was a small voice that only she could hear.

“How is your wrist?”