CH 43

Elusiana sighed in despair and shook her head.

“But why do they keep calling me lady?”

Besides, wasn’t this situation too strange? The parlor was decorated with the highest quality, including the guidance of a maid. Tea and refreshments were prepared in advance. Above all, the title of ‘lady’ referred to her. It was too much kindness just for a potential exclusive maid.

“Are all the maids in the Grand Duchy being treated like this?”

Just in case, Elusiana took out the ‘recruitment’ paper that she had folded in her arms and looked at it. It was to see if there were any clauses she hadn’t seen. But when she glanced back, there was nothing special about it.

“It’s only said to search for a maid.”

But what is this nerve-wracking discomfort? Elusiana began to think that she should go back now. I was a little hasty. It wouldn’t be ordinary work to offer such a high salary. She made a hasty decision because of the compulsion to pay her debt.

“I’ll have to think again carefully. For now… let’s go back.”

It was when Elusiana, who organized her thoughts, was about to stand up. The closed-door slowly opened, and a gray-haired man entered. Huh? Elusiana, who was half-standing, jumped up in surprise.

“H-Hello…?”

He approached the other side of Elusiana with a gracious smile. “It’s an honor to meet you, Lady. My name is Louis, the butler of Grand Duchy Sestein.”

“Ah, yes. My name is Lu… Elusiana Lottie Waieos.”

“Looks like I made the Guest wait too long.”

“No, it’s not like that at all.”

When Elusiana, who was stuttering, waved her hand at the awkwardness, Louis said with a friendly smile, “Then, would you like to sit down again?”

“…Yes?”

Elusiana hesitated at Louis’s polite gesture and sat on the sofa again. Even as she sat on the sofa, she thought this situation was too bizarre. It became more and more suspicious as the butler called her a lady, and a maid guided her. And… He even called me a guest. Surely, she wasn’t mistaken for a real guest, right?

In the meantime, the maid put down the prepared tea and refreshments and then left the parlor. For a moment, Louis smiled and talked to her.

“How do you feel about seeing the Grand Duchy Sestein yourself?”

“My feelings…”

“Do you like this place?”

“Ah, that. Yes… I like… it.”

“That’s a relief. I’m glad Lady liked it,” Louis, who raised the teacup, replied casually.

Elusiana awkwardly raised the corners of her mouth and tried to grasp Louis’s intentions. Why did he wonder if I liked it or not? Is he trying to measure my loyalty to this family with that? In Elusiana’s mind, reasonable doubts and incomprehensible questions rose at the same time.

“I wonder which place in particular caught Lady’s eye.”

“Parti…cular? Haha, that’s, I…”

“Don’t feel pressured, and feel free to speak.”

Elusiana smiled awkwardly. How can I not feel pressure when you’re staring at me like that, Grandpa! But she felt like she had to say something.

“…I think… h-hall?” Elusiana forced a smile when she remembered the hall decorated with all kinds of jewels as she entered the entrance.

“The stairs I can see right from the hall… are sparkling. Hmm. Dazzling, i-isn’t it beautiful?”

“Hmm. It’s worth the effort over the past few months.” Fortunately, Louis nodded slowly as if it was an answer he liked.

Elusiana felt relieved inside and stroked her chest. It was a fairly unnatural question, but in a way, it didn’t seem like a very odd question. I’m glad Lady liked it… No! What does it matter if it is something she likes?

A few years ago, Trisha, who was in charge of Grand Duchy Sestein’s work, said that the butler of the Sestein family was very strict, thorough, and cold-blooded. But what’s scarier than that… She said he had the knack for getting everything he wanted with a kind smile on his face.

The interview was quite suspicious from the start. There was no reason to ask such a ridiculous question unless there was an ulterior motive. Could there be another deeper meaning hidden in that causal question? Elusiana unknowingly swallowed her dry saliva.

…I have to get out of here quickly. It was time for Elusiana to come up with some excuse to get out of there.

“Is the salary too low?”

With a slight glance, Elusiana, who had been looking at the door, looked at Louis with a puzzled expression.

“…Salary?”

“Actually, the salary was miswritten.”

“Yes?” What kind of nonsense is this?

Louis said with a gentle smile, “The salary is 20 gold.”

“…!”

That’s ridiculous! That big amount was miswritten? If I save it, isn’t 10 gold worth of living expenses enough for three months’ living expenses? Elusiana heard the sound of money rolling. It wasn’t even 1 gold, but 20 gold. Does this really make sense?

Louis stroked his chin once as if contemplating. “Hmm, but you may ask for more as taboos have been added to the terms and conditions. That is, I will tell His Excellency separately.”

…I beg your pardon? You’re going to give me more? Elusiana involuntarily opened her mouth. The word ‘taboos’ had already been completely forgotten in her mind. Only ‘more than 20 gold’ floating in her mind.

What are these people? Are they pushovers? Why are they giving me more? They were just recruiting for one maid, but why were they willing to pay this generously?

These people… What nice people they are! They must be angels who have received God’s grace. The corners of Elusiana’s lips curled up without realizing it. Her doubtful mind had already become dust and flew away.

What if they are just a little weird? Even so, she would be able to pay off all her damn debt in the next few years.

Really, 20 gold! Elusiana wondered if her ears were wrong, so she asked again. “Are you sure my salary is 20 gold a month?”

“That’s right. And you may ask His Excellency for more.”

“N-no! It’s not like that. 20 gold is enough!”

Elusiana hurriedly dissuaded Louis. Even 20 gold was too much, and she could have lost it all if she had been greedy. Maybe this situation itself was to test her.

“Then, instead.”

“Yes, Lady. Please feel free to speak.”

“C-can I get paid in advance?”

“Of course.”

Elusiana exclaimed in delight at Louis’s reply without hesitation. As a result, she no longer had to worry about being in debt. All she had to do was gain as much as she could and pay off all her debt.

“And this—”

Louis took out a luxurious-looking pouch from his arms. It looked quite heavy, and she could see there was money in it. However, it wasn’t in a small amount.

“20 gold.”

Louis smiled benevolently as he held the black pouch on the table. Elusiana, who was mesmerized, asked back, unable to take her eyes off the pouch.

“…This, why?”

“Grand Duke Sestein pays the worker’s first salary in advance.”

“In… advance?”

Ah, really! They are really angels. What should I do with this, really!  Whether they were giving it all at once to show off or not, she didn’t really care. If you give everything like this, I can’t help but love you with all my heart. Long live Sestein! Prosper Sestein!

Elusiana cautiously reached out her twitching hand and squeezed the black pouch. An uncontrollable laugh escaped from her biting lips.

“The work will start tomorrow at nine o’clock. Is it okay?”

“Yes, I’m okay with it.”

“That’s a relief. Then, I will prepare the contract right away. By the way, it will take some time to prepare the contract. In the meantime, would you like to take a look around the Grand Duchy?”

Elusiana, who was grinning, asked back with her eyes wide open. “Uh, um, is that okay?”

“Of course. Then I’ll call a maid to guide you.”

Louis bowed politely and left the parlor. After a while, the maid who guided her before, entered the parlor.

“Lady, I will guide you.”

“Yes, please take good care of me.”

Elusiana followed the maid out of the parlor. Her steps in the long hallway were as light as walking on clouds. That place was full of paintings and beautiful sculptures by unknown artists. She could enter the room she wanted without restriction.

While looking around the luxurious mansion for so long, Elusiana realized that something was wrong. She quickly scanned her surroundings, following closely behind the maid.

“E-excuse me… Ma’am? Where are we… going now?”