Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Revolution of Clothes

“Lily Bathtub, Wendy Bigtoe, Jim Cowdung, Parker Rednose, and John Doorknob, after consideration, you’ve been given a chance to work in the castle.”

After a three-day test, Carter finally announced the names of new footmen and maids that he found suitable for the castle.

The other applicants asked hopefully, “Mr. Carter, please give me another chance! I swear that I will do better!”

“Sorry, the decision has been made. However, for the testing of the past three days, you will be paid three coppers as the standard for the kitchen maid. Also, I’ve remembered you. If the castle needs more servants, I’ll consider you first.”

The servants of the castle were technically Liszt’s property.

However, he had to pay for them. The servants could save the money for themselves or send it home.

The kitchen maid and the assistant footman were paid a copper a day. The maids and the footmen were paid two coppers a day. The first footman and the cook, three coppers. The butler and the housekeeper, four coppers.

Other than Carter and Mason who were by themselves, the servants all sent the money back to their homes.

Also, once the servants were tired of work, they could apply to free themselves with money if the nobles agreed to it.

The young men and women who were screened out left in disappointment. It was a major blow for them that they couldn’t work in the beautiful castle.

The five who were chosen, on the other hand, were too excited to control themselves.

“Dear heavens, I’ve been selected!”

“Am… Am I going to stay in the castle?”

“Mom, I made it!”

Carter looked at the rookies with a smile, remembering how he was chosen as a servant by the viscount when he was young.

Starting off as the lowest assistant footman, he gradually grew into an excellent servant. As the Tulips advanced, he was sent by the earl to manage one of the family’s manors in a different town.

After Liszt’s coming of age, he followed him here as a butler.

It had been such a long time that he almost couldn’t remember how he cheered and danced when he became a servant. For decades, he had been working in the castle, with both regrets and happiness.

His greatest wish right now was to accompany Liszt until the sun did not rise for him anymore.

“Young ladies and gentlemen, please be quiet.” He pressed his hands down and hinted for them not to be excited. “I’ll announce your jobs now.”

Lily and the rest of them hurried to shut up.

“Lily Bathtub, Mrs. Allyn likes you. Your job will be as the kitchen maid. Ms. Allyn will help you get familiar with the job as soon as possible.”

Little Lily immediately nodded. “I’ll familiarize myself with it soon.”

“That’s good, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Mrs. Abby can be… blunt, but you’ll know that she’s a good person after you get to know her.” Carter was worried that the little girl couldn’t handle Abby Spoon’s criticism.

He went on: “Wendy Bigtoe, Mrs. Mason will teach you things required of a maid.”

“Yes, Mr. Carter.”

“Now, Jim Cowdung, Parker Rednose, John Doorknob.” Carter looked at the young, emaciated fellows.

“Mr. Carter.” All of them held their heads high, trying to make themselves look more graceful.

Carter was satisfied with their attitude. “I’ll groom you for the footman job. Very soon, you will be occupied, both in the castle and beyond.”

He looked at the new servants. “You represent not just yourselves but also the castle. You must be civilized and say goodbye to the lazy serfs that you were in the past. Do you understand, ladies and gentlemen?”

“Understood, Mr. Carter!”

“Each of you will be given a half-day holiday. Share the good news with your family. Starting from tomorrow, you will live in the castle.”

…

“Mr. Carter, congratulations. You’re about to become a big butler.” Mrs. Mason chatted with Carter after the new servants left.

“Yes. It feels great.” Carter put on a rare smile. “I have to live longer in case Thomas replaces me. I don’t want to see him enjoy the feeling.”

“I imagine that Thomas prefers to stay by his lordship’s side. He’s indeed smarter than Tom and Jesse.”

Carter said fanatically, “His lordship has inherited the courage of the Tulips and the cleverness of the Taros. Sometimes, it’s better to be silly than to be smart before his lordship.”

He suddenly pricked his ears and said, “Hoofbeats. His lordship is back. I need to make preparations.”

“Go, silly and smart Butler Carter.”

He reached the gate and saw Liszt riding Fire Dragon with the sun behind him. The radiance of the sun glimmered on his curly blond hair like flowing gold.

His lordship is a natural-born noble. He has everything expected of a noble, Carter thought.

He bowed. “Welcome home, my lord.”

“Mr. Carter, have you selected a new servant?” Liszt gave the reins to Thomas and loosened the bow tie. He found the clothes uncomfortable in the hot, damp summer.

The clothes of the archduchy were the same style as those on the continent.

The female nobles mostly wore dresses with crinolines inside that stuck the dresses out like pyramids.

Lvera never wore such clothes. She preferred the clothes of male nobles.

The full attire of male nobles was named Frak Abie, which included a tailcoat-like “Frak,” a waistcoat named “Kire,” and a pair of pants named “Beest,” with boots and stockings.

Also, the male nobles had to wear accessories that represented their noble power on their neck.

They usually wore bow ties at home. On ceremonial occasions, they had to wear “Raff,” a round collar that surrounded the neck.

Loosening the tie, Liszt immediately sensed hot air surging from inside his clothes. He complained to himself, I have to initialize a clothes revolution!