Chapter 10

Elysia looked back and forth between Joshua and Hylmaiton.

She had no idea what had happened between them, but Joshua’s eyes looked different than usual.

It was the kind of look someone gave to their idol.

“Your Grace, both of them have arrived.”

“Send them in.”

Yulias’s voice came from inside, and the office door swung open.

Holding Joshua’s hand, Elysia entered.

Just as before, Yulias was sitting behind his desk reviewing documents.

“I heard you were looking for me, so I came.”

“Have a seat. We need to write up a contract.”

So even for a one-month employment period, there was a formal contract.

Of course, every noble who ruled a territory had a different way of doing things.

Elysia remembered merchants from other regions complaining that some nobles wouldn’t even bother with contracts unless it was official long-term employment.

She sat on the sofa and carefully examined the contract Hylmaiton handed her.

It stated that she would be employed for one month, receive room and board, be paid an advance, and have the option to extend the contract afterward.

“Would you like any revisions to the contract?”

“Oh, no. I just have a habit of reading everything carefully…”

“That’s a good habit.”

Although Yulias never lifted his eyes from the paperwork in front of him, it somehow felt as though he noticed every little thing she did.

No matter how many times she checked, there were no illegal or unethical clauses.

The contract was straightforward and clean.

After signing both copies with the pen Hylmaiton provided, Elysia received one of them.

“Is this copy mine?”

“If something ever happens, you’ll need something to bring to court.”

Yulias answered calmly while placing the other copy on his desk.

“Our business is finished, so you may leave. Since you’re starting work today, the explanation can be…”

His voice trailed off before he continued.

“You can hear it from the head maid. Hylmaiton, show her the way.”

“Understood. This way.”

“We’ll be taking our leave, Grand Duke!”

Joshua answered energetically.

Yulias nodded.

His expression didn’t change, but he seemed to be listening to everything.

Huh…?

Did he just smile a little?

For a brief moment, Elysia thought she had seen the corner of his mouth rise slightly.

Then Yulias noticed her stare.

“Do you still have something to ask?”

“No. We’ll be going now.”

Elysia bowed first.

Joshua immediately copied her and bowed as well.

A quiet chuckle escaped Hylmaiton.

Leaving the office and following Hylmaiton through the mansion, Elysia suddenly remembered something.

“Ah, um… Assistant Hylmaiton. What will happen with my brother?”

“For the next month, His Grace said he can stay with you. If your room is too small, I’ll speak to the head maid.”

Hylmaiton seemed to be thinking of the servants’ quarters.

Startled, Elysia quickly waved the contract in her hand.

“No, that’s not necessary. Providing room and board is already more than enough. Honestly…”

They’re already giving me far too much.

Housing.

Food.

Money.

And now Joshua could stay here too.

“The Grand Duke has been incredibly generous. I’m just grateful.”

As Elysia carefully expressed her gratitude, Hylmaiton smiled.

“I believe he’s giving you so much because he expects something in return.”

“Something he expects?”

Elysia’s eyes sparkled.

In a way, wasn’t this an investment?

If she was receiving this much, she needed to work just as hard.

Hylmaiton shrugged as if she had forgotten something obvious.

“You are serving as the young lady’s personal maid.”

“Ah…”

“Normally, maids assigned exclusively to Her Ladyship don’t last more than a month. They either request reassignment or leave the estate entirely.”

That bad?

Looking puzzled, Elysia adjusted her grip on Joshua’s hand.

The Sheyla she remembered communicated through notes instead of speech and seemed cautious around people…

But she hadn’t seemed frightening enough to drive people away within a month.

Meanwhile, Hylmaiton pulled a pocket watch from his coat.

“It’s breakfast time. Everyone should be gathered in the dining hall. Good timing. You can introduce yourself and receive a brief explanation.”

“Can Joshua come with me?”

“Of course.”

By the time Hylmaiton put away his watch, they had arrived outside the dining hall.

Loud chatter could be heard through the door.

When he opened it, the noisy room gradually fell silent.

One by one, gazes flew toward them like arrows.

Elysia swallowed nervously and squeezed Joshua’s hand tighter.

“Head Maid, over here.”

A woman sitting at the center of the group stood up.

Elysia recognized her immediately.

She was the middle-aged woman who had brought refreshments during her first meeting with Yulias.

Her brown hair was neatly twisted and secured at the back of her head.

She approached them.

“This is Greta, the Head Maid. The Head Butler is currently on leave. Has a return date been decided?”

“Not yet. We received word that there are issues with his family estate. His Grace has already been informed.”

“I see. I’ll check again and contact him personally. If you have questions or problems regarding work, asking Greta will be the quickest solution.”

Hylmaiton introduced her with a gesture.

Greta’s eyes moved from Hylmaiton to Elysia, then to Joshua.

Elysia quickly bowed.

“My name is Elysia. I’ve been assigned as Her Ladyship’s personal maid for one month. And this is my younger brother, Joshua.”

Unlike Yulias, whose gaze felt observant, Greta’s eyes were cold.

Almost intimidating.

Trying to make a good first impression, Elysia straightened up and maintained a polite smile.

Greta nodded without changing her expression.

“If any problems arise, don’t hesitate. Report them immediately. I’ll explain everything else after breakfast.”

“Then we’ll leave her in your care.”

Apparently satisfied with the atmosphere, Hylmaiton stepped back.

Once he left and closed the door behind him, the quiet room immediately erupted into whispers.

“How long do you think this one will last? A month?”

“No chance. I bet she’s just like the others.”

“Where is she even from? Do you know her?”

The whispers continued, but nobody addressed Elysia directly.

She forced herself to keep smiling and gently patted Joshua’s shoulder.

Greta glanced at Joshua before speaking.

“We prepared food based on the usual headcount. There may not be enough for everyone. Is that alright?”

“Yes. We’re grateful for whatever you can provide.”

“Pfft.”

Someone laughed.

Elysia froze.

The sound had come from one of the maids sitting among the others.

“How hungry must she have been to say she’s grateful for food?”

More whispers followed.

Elysia pretended not to hear them.

She could already tell that surviving here would require careful judgment and patience.

At least Joshua only tilted his head in confusion because so many voices were talking at once.

“Noona, what are they saying? It sounds like they’re talking…”

“No. Nobody said anything.”

Joshua whispered cautiously.

Elysia answered in an equally quiet voice.

Watching them, Greta pointed toward the kitchen.

“Everyone serves themselves here. You can manage that, can’t you?”

“Of course.”

Elysia maintained her smile.

Greta nodded and returned to her seat.

Standing there awkwardly wasn’t an option, so Elysia led Joshua toward the kitchen.

To get there, they had to pass by the maids.

But just before entering the kitchen, Elysia abruptly stopped.

“She looks like someone who can’t even afford a blanket for one night.”

“Didn’t you see how that kid acted? Just from the way he looked around the mansion, it’s obvious he’s never even seen a noble estate before. He practically reeks of the countryside.”

“Do you think… maybe that child isn’t actually her brother…”

That final comment was something Elysia simply could not ignore.