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CHAPTER 8
This… she had not expected at all.
If the duke really used this excuse to cut her wages, she had no defense.
“What is he even talking about?”
Eki had warned her clearly: Never go near the duke’s office unless he calls for you. Don’t even look at it.
As for the duke’s private chamber? She didn’t even know where it was.
It wasn’t on the map she had been given.
“Truly disappointing. I expected more from someone so thorough. And yet, you haven’t even cleaned my room or office.”
“…I’m sorry.”
But when an employer gave an order, she had no choice but to obey.
Thinking carefully, it was her fault. Eki might have told her to stay away, but still—
as head maid, she should have asked the duke directly about his rooms.
“This really is my mistake.”
She had always prided herself on being precise and detail-oriented. Yet she had missed the most important place of all.
Her head lowered in shame.
“From today onward, you will clean my office and my room. Every day. Personally.”
“…Yes, understood.”
But his voice was still gentle.
That alone told her he wasn’t truly angry. What a relief.
She lifted her head slightly. The duke was calmly stirring his tea with a silver spoon.
“Then forgive me, Duke, but… I don’t know where your room is.”
“The innermost room on this floor. Black door—you won’t miss it.”
Clack.
The duke flicked his hand. A drawer across the room flew open, and a small object floated toward her.
Her eyes widened. Magic.
“A key.”
“…Pardon?”
The key hung in the air before her, weightless.
“When you enter my room, knock twice. If there’s no answer, use the key.”
“…Yes, sir.”
She carefully plucked the key from the air.
It was important, so she tucked it into her pocket and buttoned it shut. Good thing she had sewn that button on.
But the surprises weren’t over.
“This week, you’ll also receive extra pay. I expect the same next week.”
…What?
Her eyes went round.
Extra pay? Not a deduction?
“D-did you say… extra pay, Your Grace?”
“Yes.”
“…!”
She almost dropped the key.
“I doubted the Duke of Vermanion. I actually thought he was like that rotten Baron Armond!”
Unforgivable. She was the sinner here.
From now on, she would trust him completely. No more doubts.
She would serve faithfully—become his right hand.
She bowed her head again and again.
“Thank you so much, Duke!”
“…Also, clean the office before you leave.”
“Yes, sir!”
She had been planning to anyway.
There was no way she could ignore the dust on his desk.
She immediately pulled two rags out of her apron pocket.
The Duke of Vermanion watched her, resting his chin on his hand.
“Ack! I forgot something. I’ll be right back!”
“…?”
What had she forgotten?
He found out soon enough when Sasha came rushing back, panting, arms full of cleaning tools.
Now she was scrubbing the tall glass panels by his desk.
She had tied a dry rag to a long stick she’d found somewhere. She had already wiped everything down with a wet cloth.
She even hummed as she worked.
The duke leaned back, folding his arms, watching quietly.
When Sasha realized she was humming, she froze for a moment, glanced at him, then quickly pretended to focus harder on cleaning.
But it was too late. He had already seen the way she smiled to herself as she wiped away the sweat on her brow.
“That emotion is… joy. Happiness.”
How odd. He had never seen a human like her.
Even after countless ages, Sasha was still a puzzle to him.
To feel joy while cleaning? What a strange creature.
The real reason he had summoned a new human servant was simple:
The mansion had grown unbearably filthy.
His subordinates, bound to him by race and blood, could be ordered to clean—but laziness was in their nature. He had expected nothing, and indeed, they did nothing.
Centuries had passed. Dust had piled up to an intolerable level.
So, why not hire a human who could actually clean?
And while he was at it, he made her head maid.
Of course, she was only human. He could replace her anytime.
But this one… this one was far better than expected.
Not only did she clean well—
his subordinates also obeyed her. More than that, they were growing calmer, softer.
Especially the weakest ones, those at the bottom of the chain.
“Curious. Very curious indeed.”
There was something here. He was sure of it.
By now, Sasha had moved on to his desk. The once fogged windows sparkled so clearly they almost looked invisible.
He tilted his head.
Echidna seems to like her too, he thought.
He recalled the conversation from dawn.
“You told the head maid your name?”
“…Yes.”
“Explain. In detail.”
“Sasha fixed me.”
Long ago, he had spoiled Echidna. She had overstepped, even dared to bite at his throat.
So he had broken her body, leaving her shattered for centuries.
And yet this human had… repaired her.
Impossible.
His crimson eyes flickered faintly with interest as he remembered the doll-like serpent, restored.
The one who once refused contact with anyone had now not only told Sasha her name but even warned others not to hurt her.
She had even entered Sasha’s dream to protect her.
“How did she tame the strongest of my subordinates so easily?”
Was it careful planning? Or sheer luck?
The duke didn’t know.
But one thing was clear—Sasha was worth observing.
Though one day, she might become troublesome enough that he’d have to kill her.
“Ah, Duke. Where should I put these pens? I usually sort the black ones and colored ones separately, but what about you?”
…Yes. Definitely troublesome.
“Do as you like.”
“Yes, sir.”
He waved her off, walking toward the clean window.
Outside, his subordinates were grumbling as they worked. Some scrubbed the outer walls, some flew through the air sprinkling water.
All of them cleaning.
“It’s been noisy around here for the first time in ages…”
But too much noise was dangerous.
If that day came, he would kill them all.
He thought this idly, not even noticing that his tea had long gone cold.
Sasha, meanwhile, was finishing her inspection.
She scanned the office carefully, searching for missed spots.
Nothing.
“Done! Perfect!”
From now on, it should be easier to maintain.
The duke was back at his desk, sorting papers.
A soft breeze entered through the cracked window, ruffling his white hair. His crimson eyes glowed faintly beneath lowered lashes.
“…Like a painting.”
Sasha slowly backed toward the door, not wanting to disturb him.
“Well then, since the office is finished, I’ll go clean your room now, Duke.”
“Mm.”
He didn’t even glance up as he flipped another page.
“Not even watching? He trusts me that much?”
She shut the door very slowly, just in case he might follow.
But he never did.
“…”
Right.
That’s why he gave her the key.
And honestly, she preferred cleaning alone anyway. The whole time in the office, she’d felt his eyes on her back.
At least when he was reading papers, it wasn’t so bad.
She hurried down the corridor toward the innermost room.
“Let’s see… black door, he said.”
There it was.
The last door in the hall. Black as pitch, painted so dark it felt ominous.
No mistaking it.
She slid the key into the lock.
Click.
The door opened easily.
