Chapter 9

Chapter 9

“They said that the madam bought clothes and shoes that she was wearing from head to toe?”

If she tries to listen any more than this, there would only be more gossip about Liliana.

Anriche, who tried to go in and stop the maids, stopped again without knowing.

It was because the topic had changed to Anriche herself.

“But why did the madam bring her here all of a sudden.”

“I know…”

“No way, don’t tell me that from now on, she is not going to be directly involved in the housework, right?”

“Oh my god, I hate this so much! What kind of whim is the madam suddenly having!”

Anriche was caught in a strange sense of incompatibility.

In fact, it didn’t matter to the extent that the maids talked behind her back. Well, don’t they swear at her from behind?

Besides, because of the former Anriche, she was a villain who only sought the stability of herself. It was natural that she lost popularity with the maids.

She only cares about herself…

‘…It seems that the maids are following Meg better than I thought.’

No matter how much Anriche does her household chores, she is so uncomfortable with ‘the situation where the mistress participates in her household chores’ herself.

Somehow, it feels like Meg is more influential than herself…

Was she mistaken?

‘I guess I’ll have to take a look at this.’

Anriche, taking a big breath, stepped into the kitchen.

“Looks like everyone’s free? Gathering and talking together.”

“Ma, Madam!”

“You are here, Madam?!” The voracious maids arose from their seats.

Seeing how their faces turn white, it seemed that everyone was afraid of Anriche.

In fact, it was natural.

Anriche depicted in the original was a woman who did not hesitate to punish a maid if she didn’t like them.

And with Liliana that was brought directly by ‘that vicious madam,’ the maids are talking behind their backs?

…Does this mean that the maids hate Liliana as well?

Anriche felt her mood subside even more.

“It’s not even mealtime. I’m really sorry for making you cook all of a sudden.”

“Ma, Madam. That’s not it…”

“But if you were dissatisfied, why don’t you come to see me, instead of talking behind my back?”

At the calm question, the maids couldn’t open their mouths. In fact, that is the job of the employees.

Making meals, serving host families, and managing townhouses.

As they are paid for working, they must be faithful to her job. Even Valois paid far more than other families.

“You must have forgotten it, but I was with Liliana at the dinner table earlier.”

“Yes? That, but…”

“Also, I am the one who ordered you to prepare a meal.” At that, the maids stiffened their shoulders.

Anriche raised her head firmly.

“By the way, why are you talking about Liliana without including me?”

“….”

“….”

While all the maids were silent, only Anriche’s voice rang fiercely.

“In my eyes, it seems like you’re only talking back to Liliana, who seems like an easy target.”

“Ma, Madam…”

“For me, who has been a strict ruler over you so far, I know that your lips cannot be silenced.”

The maids who had been stabbed to the point were now silently looking down at their toes.

Anriche said calmly. “Liliana is Elliot’s fiancée, and she’s the child to be Valois’ next mistress.”

A faint surprise stood above the maids’ eyes. Until now, the madam treated people with lower status than her as if they were worse than bugs.

And Count Aberyt was, objectively, a family that fell far short of the Duke of Valois.

So, because of that, the maids thought this secretly. ‘Although it is true that the Madam brought Liliana directly, she will not spare her like her own child.’

How can a woman who buried her own son, Young Master Elliot, care and love for her low-ranking daughter in law?

By the way, such a madam…

‘Is not affirming that Liliana is Elliot’s fiancee, and she will be Valois’ next mistress?’

“You are very capable and smart maids.” In the confused maids’ ears, Anriche’s cold voice penetrated.

“So, I believe that the maids who talk behind the scenes usually know what kind of ending they will get.”

It was an elegant warning to take care of their mouth.

The maids swallowed dry saliva, but Anriche’s words weren’t over.

“And, about my story that you guys have been talking about…” At the moment, the maids’ faces were shocked.

No way, did she even hear all the stories about the madam?!

Anriche, who was looking at the maids, spoke in a calm voice.

“I will not punish you for this.”

…Did you just say you’re not going to punish us?

Not just anyone, but that vicious madam?

The maids couldn’t hide their puzzled expressions.

“Because it is true that I have been neglecting housework so far.”

The maids, who had been frozen, looked at Anriche with trembling gazes.

If it were the usual Anriche, she would have screamed and yelled, asking those girls to be dragged and beaten right away…

“But, you guys should keep that in mind from now on.” Anriche, who had her waist straightened, looked at the withered maids, one by one.

“I am the Mistress of Valois, and I am the one who makes the final decision for Valois.”

That should be enough.

Anriche gave a small sigh inside while the maids standing in front of her couldn’t even blink.

Since she decided to change her image, there was no reason to treat her maids as if they were rats. If she tries to do that, she will only reinforce the image of a vicious woman.

However, the relationship between the top and bottom had to be clearly arranged.

In the unlikely event of a situation where Mag’s orders are prioritized over Anriche’s orders, it will be difficult.

“Yes, Madam.”

“I, I’ll keep it in mind.” The maids nodded, their whole bodies trembling.

After a while.

Anriche shrugs her shoulders and turns the subject around.

“Then, I’ll stop nagging at this point, so give me two cups of cocoa.”

“Co, cocoa?”

“Yes. Why, you can’t be bothered to make a cup or two of cocoa… is that what you mean?”

“No, that won’t be, madam!” The frightened maids moved busily.

As they warm up the milk and pull out a container of cocoa, Anriche plunges into deep distress.

‘My thoughts were true, not everyone sees Liliana nicely.’

Until now, Anriche thought that everyone would look at Liliana prettily because she was Liliana, the heroine of this world.

She thought it was natural for her to be loved…

“..Sigh.”

Her head is as complicated as a tangled thread.

Anriche exhaled a long breath without realizing it.

‘Would the other maids in Valois have similar thoughts to the kitchen maids?’

But she had at least one premonition.

Until Liliana was recognized as a “Master’s Lady” by the employees of Valois, she felt that it would not be easy.

***

Anriche headed to Elliott’s room, holding two glasses of cocoa on the tray.

‘…If Elliot sees me, it would be fortunate if he didn’t freak out.’

Repressing her complex heart, Anriche knocked on the door a couple of times.

Knock, knock.

After a while, the door opened with a click.

It was Meg who opened the door.

As soon as Anriche and her eyes met, Meg opened her eyes in a wide circle, as if she was unexpected.

“Madam?”

…Meg, again?

Anriche felt suspicious.

Of course, she knows full well that Meg is playing the nanny instead of Anriche, who has been insensitive to her son. However, the child’s room was usually a private space that only his parents could enter.

Elliot was seven years old this year, so it would not be difficult to live without guardians, unlike infants.

That means that Elliot alone can stay in his room…

“…Are you still in this room?”

“Yes, I’m also the nanny of the Young Master.”

Meg smiled.

“It’s natural that I’ll be there for him until he falls asleep, right?”

To her reply, as if showing off her intimate relationship with Elliott, Anriche narrowed her eyebrows.

‘No matter how much you say you are the nanny, living in close contact with the child like this… Isn’t it a little weird?’

Just in time, Elliott poked out his head behind Meg’s back.

“Hi, Elliot?”

“Mo, mother?” At her awkward greeting, Elliott’s eyes widened.

What’s my mother doing here?

Such a meaning was clearly revealed.

“Oh, were you getting ready to sleep?”

Anriche put down the tray on the table, making sure not to get close to Elliot.

It would be a big deal if she approaches him quickly and he bursts into tears as before.

Elliot lit his eyes and was on the lookout for Anriche.

It looks similar to a kitten with its fur uptight.

“Well, you don’t have to be so alert’ Anriche smiled awkwardly.

“I just came to give you a cup of cocoa.”

“…Cocoa?”