🔊 TTS Settings
The warm, savory aroma of freshly baked bread mingled with the rich, sweet scent of thick caramel syrup. From the oven came the mouthwatering smell of roasting meat and spiced stew. The kitchen was alive with energy, bustling in preparation for the Duke’s return.
Chak chak chak chak—the rhythmic sound of whipping cream echoed as young kitchen maid Meriel vigorously worked a large mixing bowl tucked under her arm.
When she spotted me, Meriel beamed, flashing a bright smile.
“Lady Freya! The eggs are so fresh today! Do you think the hens knew today was special?”
“That’s because they’re cared for with your love, Meriel.”
Her cheeks flushed pink, and she gave a shy little laugh.
“Oh, Lady Freya, you’re too much.”
I gave her a warm nod of encouragement before heading toward Rend, the head chef.
“How’s the lamb?”
“Perfect, Freya. Switching suppliers was the right call—cheaper and even better quality.”
Rend burst into hearty laughter.
The first thing I did after becoming the Duke’s housekeeper was to overhaul the merchant contracts.
Even if my mentor held the position temporarily, there were still limits.
My mentor wasn’t officially the Duke’s housekeeper, but a retainer. Legendary though he was in housekeeper circles, it wasn’t easy to manage both the Millard Count’s household and keep a sharp eye on the Ballot Ducal estate’s inner workings.
Still, his mere presence had kept the trading companies on their toes.
Compared to the time when the position was vacant, not much had gone wrong—just a bit of slackened management here and there.
But I had no intention of overlooking even the smallest negligence. My first example was the food suppliers.
Tampering with food is unforgivable.
I smiled, satisfied.
“That’s good to hear. Please let me know right away if there are any future issues with ingredients.”
“Of course!”
“Oh, and the Duke and his knights will arrive within two hours.”
“That soon?!”
“Judging by their pace, it might even be less. Please have the meal ready to serve immediately upon their arrival.”
“Got it! Don’t you worry—I’ll have everything timed perfectly!”
Rend pounded his chest confidently with a thick fist.
I gave a small smile and turned away.
Kitchen, check.
The annex, then the main kitchen—
Perfect.
I made my way toward the central hall, walking as if I were the Duke himself, imagining his route through the residence.
I ran my gloved fingers over every stair corner and banister curve I passed, inspecting them closely.
At the top of the fourth-floor stairs, just before the fifth-floor entrance, I noted with deep satisfaction that not a speck of dust clung to my glove.
Flawless. Absolute perfection.
From the first floor to the fourth, everything was immaculate. The thrill was electric—like a victorious battlefield moment. Perhaps even more so.
Grinning to myself, I glanced toward a heavy black iron door set a little way off.
The fifth floor.
“The fifth floor of the main building is off-limits. Don’t even think about going up there.”
My mentor’s nagging echoed in my head.
Hmm. Once again, I tested my self-control as I stared at that iron door.
It was just a door, and yet for the past two years, it had ceaselessly teased my curiosity.
The devil itself, that door.
If by some chance it had ever been left ajar, I probably would’ve gone inside without a second thought.
But the door was always securely sealed whenever the Duke was away.
I could’ve sworn I’ve seen his aide go in a few times…
It wasn’t that I thought a housekeeper was lesser than an aide. No—one day, I’d cross that threshold too.
Why else had I become the Duke’s housekeeper?
To gain his trust and uncover the secrets of this body. And to eventually deliver the Duke’s severed head to Serhin.
Becoming housekeeper meant standing closer to the Duke than anyone else—close enough to reach out and feel the pulse in his throat.
That was the sole reason I took this role.
Of course, reaching this point had been anything but easy.
When my mentor switched my training track from maid to housekeeper, he did so with ruthless intent.
He did create the Housekeeper Academy, after all.
They said the number of students who fled his training could fill Lake Redianar behind the manor.
I believed it wholeheartedly.
Without my goal, I might have run too.
“A housekeeper who can’t count spoons, forks, and knives doesn’t exist!”
“Doesn’t exist!”
“If the silver candelabra loses its shine, the house will fall! Polish until your fingerprints wear off!”
“Polish!”
“East annex, second floor, fifth lamp—what color is it?”
“Uh… what?”
“At the garden fountain, 4 o’clock—how many fingers is the goddess statue holding together?”
“…”
I was sure that one day he’d make me count the Duke’s hair strands too.
Eventually, I memorized everything about the Ballot Ducal estate—even the placement of tiny vases tucked in annex corners.
My toenails fell off hundreds of times from running around the enormous manor.
It was physically grueling—so much so that I didn’t even need extra training to build stamina.
I even got nosebleeds from exhaustion more than once.
I endured through sheer willpower.
After all, this wasn’t just any housekeeper’s position—this was one that usually required graduating from the Academy.
With my unknown background, the only way was to prove myself with blood and sweat.
I survived rampaging aura incidents, torn leg muscles, and countless bruises along the way.
Ah… wait.
I leaned against the wall and lowered my head.
Damn it.
Thinking back on all that made my nose sting unexpectedly.
Enough. No use getting sentimental now.
I’d already achieved my goal. And soon, the Duke would return.
All that effort would finally bear fruit.
I cast one last lingering glance at the black iron door.
So, so, so tempting…
But I can’t risk getting kicked out now, not when I’m this close to the finish line.
I took a deep breath, suppressing my curiosity, and turned away.
Sure, I’d fiddled with the lock while “cleaning” a few times. That was enough to keep my impulses in check.
Once I’d finished inspecting everything, I returned to my quarters to do the final and most crucial task: checking my appearance.
This would be my first meeting with the Duke as housekeeper.
I’d officially assumed the role six months ago—
while the Duke was away at war.
“His Grace has already approved it,” was all my mentor had said.
At first, I suspected a trap—maybe they wanted to lure an intruder into the housekeeper role and have the Duke kill them.
But the mentor’s relentless training proved otherwise.
I straightened the frills around my neck, tightened the ribbon at my waist, and checked the gleaming metal chain and pocket watch at my side.
Then I met my own gaze in the mirror.
Two years. It had already been two years living in this new body.
I’d grown accustomed to it.
To running in this body. To using aura and a sword with it.
But still—
“Hide it as much as you can. Hide it again and again. One day, that secret will save your life.”
Following my mentor’s advice, I never revealed the extent of my abilities.
Even the Duke probably had no idea how far I’d come.
Hmph. I let out a small, proud snort and stepped out of the room.
Already, the ground tremors were nearing. The Mars Knights under the Duke’s command had reached the estate gates.
Every servant stopped what they were doing to gather for his homecoming.
Lining the path from the main gate to the manor were rows upon rows of employees, standing in perfect formation.
Seeing them arranged so neatly stirred something in my chest.
Among them stood me.
A complete outsider. An enemy, even.
Clang, creak—!
The massive iron gates of the estate swung open with a heavy metallic groan. Through them came the returning procession.
Knights clad in dark gray armor engraved with the Ducal crest, their helmets shaped into sharp, devilish horns.
The Mars Knights of House Ballot—returning from their victory march in the capital.
And at their head, of course—
Cardian Ballot, the Duke.
The Duke and his knights slowed their pace and came to a halt in front of the main manor.
Thud, thud, thud. The warhorses stamped their hooves in perfect rhythm, shaking the entire estate.
I felt that pulse-like vibration through my entire body as I looked up at the Duke astride his black horse.
Clad in black armor atop a black steed, he looked like a reaper descended to claim my life.
His cool violet eyes weren’t so much surprised as intrigued as they met mine.
I hadn’t expected to face the Duke from the battlefield again—my fingertips tingled.
After a moment of studying me, the Duke raised his hand. Instantly, all movement ceased.
The ground-shaking rhythm stopped, and silence fell.
The air grew heavy with tension.
And then—the Duke dismounted.
