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Chapter 2
“This is a contract developed exclusively by Illinia. Its rarity and binding power are high, so it is only used for important deals.”
Janette recalled the explanation from the man who introduced himself as Theo, the vice-captain of <Illinia>, and sharply inhaled.
‘An important deal.’
Those words lingered in her mind.
Since they had used a magical contract meant only for important deals, it meant the contract between her and <Illinia> was an important one.
But.
‘Why?’
Why would they make such an important deal with me?
Honestly, until the moment she visited Illinia to request help, Janette had only expected two possible outcomes.
Either they would accept the request, or reject it.
She had never even imagined ending up in a transactional relationship with Illinia.
Especially not with terms like, ‘Protect Lady Julieta Ludwig.’
‘Could there be some kind of relationship between them?’
Illinia and Lady Julieta.
Or.
Theo and Lady Julieta.
‘…No. What does that have to do with me?’
It did not matter which was true. It did not even matter if neither was true.
What mattered was that she had obtained a precious opportunity.
Phew.
Janette let out a relieved sigh.
‘He said they would submit the application and recommendation letter for me, so I should quietly wait.’
Right. Let’s wait.
What she needed to do now was not question the contract, but wait for good news.
***
And.
A few days later.
“This is mail sent from the Ludwig Grand Duchy for Miss Janette Graham.”
“…Thank you.”
Janette accepted the mail in a dazed state.
Even after the mail carrier bowed to her and walked away, she stood outside the gate for a long time.
‘It’s real.’
It really came…!
Inside the luxurious envelope was an employment contract sent from the Ludwig family.
The signing bonus was 30 million Eckels.
Her monthly salary was 6 million Eckels.
Bonuses and extra allowances would be paid separately.
The longer she worked, the more her salary would increase.
Food and lodging were provided for free.
Janette quickly calculated in her head.
‘Just the base salary alone comes to 72 million Eckels a year.’
Including the signing bonus, it meant she could earn over 100 million Eckels in one year.
And if she added the success reward she would receive from Illinia, the 500 million Eckels that could practically be considered severance pay…
‘…I might actually be able to buy a baronet title.’
‘Buying a baronet title’ was the final goal of Janette’s plan to become independent from the Graham family.
For now, becoming Lady Julieta’s maid had allowed her to escape the immediate crisis, but it was only a temporary solution.
An unmarried woman over the age of eighteen could engage in economic activities freely, but marriage decisions belonged entirely to the head of the household.
‘What kind of ridiculous law is that…?’
The moment Janette was dismissed from her position as a maid or Julieta got married, Viscount Graham would try to push Janette into marriage.
And perhaps, at that time.
‘He might bring someone even worse than Count Berdin.’
Janette needed a way to become completely free from Graham’s grasp.
A legal way to become independent from the Graham family.
And that was how she came up with the idea of ‘buying a baronet title.’
About six years ago, the ‘Ashlade War’ broke out.
It was a war that began when the Empire and the magical nation of Yuperion each claimed ownership of the ‘Ashlade region’ located between their borders.
The war lasted for three full years and ended in victory for the Empire, but the military expenses spent during the war were enormous.
To make up for the deficit, the Emperor began selling ‘baronet titles.’
Of course, the price was astronomical.
Even if it was not a hereditary title, it was still a noble title purchased with money.
Even Janette, while making the plan of ‘buying a baronet title and becoming independent,’ could not shake the feeling that it was an unrealistic dream.
But.
‘Now, it’s no longer just an impossible dream.’
Gulp.
Hope shone in Janette’s eyes as she swallowed dryly.
She hugged the contract tightly to her chest and turned toward the house.
But only for a moment.
Janette suddenly stopped and looked up at the Graham mansion.
‘Come to think of it, the viscount and his wife said they would be away today.’
The couple had left early in the morning after dressing up, saying they would not return until tomorrow evening.
‘In that case…’
A faint smile formed beneath her narrowed eyes.
Janette took the employment contract out of the envelope in her arms. After checking the remaining contents, she sealed the envelope again and placed it back in the mailbox.
After checking the corner of the envelope sticking out.
‘Mm. This should catch their attention right away.’
Janette leisurely headed toward the empty house.
***
And that evening.
“Janette! Janette!”
At the loud shouting, Janette stopped eating.
…There goes the rest of my meal.
She glanced sideways at the half-finished food and was just about to stand up.
“Where the hell are you—! Oh, there you are!”
The owner of the noisy voice appeared even more noisily than his voice itself.
Simon Graham.
The treasured only son of Viscount Graham and his wife.
“Brother. What brings you—”
“My, my! What an adorable and clever girl!”
“…What?”
What a horrible nickname.
Janette frowned at the title that was unpleasant just to hear.
But regardless.
An excited Simon waved the paper rolled up in his hand and shouted.
“When did you pull off something this impressive?! A maid of the Ludwig Grand Duchy! And an exclusive maid for the young lady?!”
“Khh.”
His eyes were filled with greed as he exaggerated his admiration.
“A signing bonus of 30 million Eckels? As expected of the Ludwig Grand Duchy. They’re really generous, huh?”
He spoke as though the money already belonged to him.
And as expected.
“Hey, hey, Janette. How about we keep this money a secret from our parents?”
“Keep it a secret from our parents?”
“Yeah!”
At Simon’s energetic reply, Janette blinked once. She pretended to be flustered, but inwardly she felt completely different.
‘As expected, this is exactly how he’d react.’
Simon did not deviate from Janette’s expectations in the slightest.
“If our parents find out you got this huge amount as a signing bonus, they’ll snatch it away instantly. So instead, leave it to me. I’ll double it for you… no! Triple it! How about it?!”
What a joke.
Janette barely held back her sneer.
Simon was addicted to gambling.
If he had no money in hand, he would even steal and sell his parents’ clothes just to get money for gambling.
The problem was that he was terrible at it.
He never once brought back winnings, and it was a miracle if he did not come back with even more debt.
Simon’s gambling addiction was likely one of the reasons the Graham family had fallen into decline.
Janette stayed silent for a moment as if considering it.
And then.
“…Okay. Let’s do that.”
“Huh? R-Really? You’re really going to keep it secret from our parents?”
“Yes. You said you’d triple it for me, didn’t you?”
“Ah, yeah! Of course, of course. I’ll triple it and give it back to you! Just trust me!”
Janette smiled softly at Simon as he nodded enthusiastically.
“In that case, you’ll have to sign my guardian consent form, Brother.”
“Guardian consent form?”
“My eighteenth birthday hasn’t come yet. If you want to get a job under the age of eighteen, guardian consent is required. There should’ve been papers inside the envelope. Didn’t you see them?”
At Janette’s question, Simon tilted his head and checked the envelope.
Apparently, he had only looked at the section explaining the signing bonus and had not even taken out the guardian consent form.
“There’s information about the signing bonus written on the consent form too. If I ask our parents to sign it, they’ll naturally learn about the bonus as well.”
“Ugh. That’d be a problem.”
“Right? So please help me, Brother. The adult heir of the family is recognized as the guardian of younger siblings.”
Janette handed a pen to Simon, who looked like he had never heard such a thing in his life.
“Here. Please sign quickly.”
“O-Okay.”
Simon absentmindedly accepted the pen and hesitantly signed the guardian consent form.
‘Why do I feel like I’m getting strangely swept along here?’
…No. It must be his imagination.
The Janette he knew was not someone capable of manipulating others.
Wasn’t she the girl who always foolishly answered, ‘Yes, yes,’ no matter what she was told to do?
“It’s done.”
“Wow. Thank you, Brother.”
Seeing Janette smile innocently as usual, Simon thought, As expected, and let it pass.
Soon, his mind was filled only with thoughts of the 30 million Eckels that would fall into his hands.
Without realizing Janette’s true intentions at all.
