DMSM 05

CHAPTER 05

“Impressive.”

As Karl’s presence faded into the distance, Ireina quietly moved only her eyes, checking outside.

Silver hair and purple eyes.

Those were the defining traits of the direct line of the Duke of Beckman’s family. Judging by his age, he was likely the famous young duke. Karl Beckman—the empire’s unrivaled genius swordsman. Only then did Ireina recall Karl’s light, effortless movements.

Would he agree if I asked him for a match? Should I say it was a lifelong wish to meet him? Could you please swing your sword just once for me?

While calmly entertaining thoughts of Derek dragging her away if he found out, Ireina seriously considered how she might naturally request a spar. Her earlier resolve to remain an ordinary “maid #1” was briefly forgotten, and her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

The sleepiness that had been weighing her down vanished in an instant. To think she might get to witness another Sword Master’s technique—she must truly be lucky.

Ireina was deeply moved by how smoothly her life seemed to be going. If she stayed in the ducal household, there would surely come a day when she could watch and learn his swordsmanship.

The teacher, touched by Ireina’s suddenly shining eyes, began the lesson with renewed enthusiasm.

“Are you okay?”

“No.”

Ruine laughed as he looked at Ireina, who seemed on the verge of melting into a puddle.

“Was it that hard?”

“I had no idea history could be this terrifying.”

“The instructor gets a bit too enthusiastic sometimes. Shall we move on to the handover?”

At Ruine’s words, Ireina straightened her posture. She silently prayed she would be assigned somewhere easy.

“Has my position been decided?”

“You’ll find out when you get there.”

Ruine led her to a small annex and opened the door. Inside, five people in servant uniforms stood respectfully. When Ruine and Ireina entered, they bowed deeply.

“Welcome.”

Ruine and Ireina returned the greeting with slight nods.

“This is Ireina Lewis. From today onward, she will be the head of this annex.”

At Ruine’s introduction, Ireina looked at him in shock.

Me? The head?

She mouthed the question, and Ruine simply shrugged as if it were nothing.

“Report your usual duties to her and follow her instructions from now on.”

“Yes!”

Ruine waved goodbye and left. Ireina would later learn that servants brought into noble households were often placed in relatively important positions. Still unaware of this, she gave an awkward smile at the unexpectedly high-ranking appointment and met the eyes of the remaining staff.

The next morning, Ireina, now in the annex office, called for a maid.

“Could you gather everyone for me?”

“Yes.”

The maid quickly left and brought the staff together. The servants entered cautiously.

“Everyone, sit comfortably.”

Nobles did not sit together with commoners. Because of this, the lower servants hesitated before sitting cautiously on the edges of their chairs.

“I have a few questions about your duties. You clean all of the annex every day, right? Window cleaning, floor cleaning, washing bedding, furniture and decorations—all five of you?”

“Yes.”

Ireina thought it was excessive for just five people to clean an entire two-story building all day long. This wasn’t even a building regularly used by the ducal family; it was only used when guests couldn’t easily stay in the main residence.

“Why is the cleaning done this way?”

“The previous manager said even a single speck of dust was unacceptable. Since then, we’ve each been assigned areas and clean them daily.”

“So this isn’t an order from the main house?”

“No. It was just the previous manager’s instruction.”

One of the servants quickly added, as if waiting for the question. Although the building only had two floors, it contained a dining hall, reception room, study, and more than five bedrooms. Each room had its own bathroom, and when including hallways and stairs, there simply weren’t enough people.

On top of that, they had to attend training and even sword practice. It was physically unsustainable. The former supervisor had even threatened them not to mention unnecessary things to the main house.

“I checked with Lady Wella, and she said annex management is up to the person in charge. As long as it’s clean, that’s enough. You’ve all worked hard. The annex is really spotless. Lady Wella also knows you’re all very diligent.”

At Ireina’s words, the servants’ expressions brightened. The acknowledgment of their efforts lifted a weight off their shoulders. They might even receive good marks in their next evaluation.

“Still, if you’re also attending physical training and classes, you must be exhausted by the time you get back to your rooms, right?”

At her smiling question, they all nodded instinctively.

“From now on, we’ll divide cleaning areas by day of the week. Each area will be cleaned once every three days in rotation. If guests arrive, we’ll do a full cleaning, so we’ll have to be thorough.”

Ireina handed out a schedule she had placed on the desk.

“Compared to before, this will be much easier.”

“Yes.”

“Good. You all work quickly. Let’s properly work two hours in the morning and three in the afternoon. Or you can spread it out and work leisurely all morning or all afternoon. That sounds manageable, right?”

The servants kept nodding as they looked at the schedule she handed out.

‘C-Can it really be this easy?!’

With clear divisions between morning and afternoon tasks, the workload was obviously lighter than before. One maid asked in a trembling voice.

“Aren’t we… working too little?”

“We should get maximum efficiency with minimal work. How is it? Do you like it?”

“Yes. I’d like to work with Lady Ireina for the rest of my life.”

At the maid’s earnest declaration, everyone struggled to hold back laughter.

“Starting today, follow the schedule. But don’t slack off, understood? Pay more attention to detail. If you finish early, you can rest in the lounge or study.”

“Thank you!”

The servants left the office with bright, cheerful faces. Ireina sat down near the window.

So she was the annex supervisor. It had felt like a burdensome assignment at first, but in reality, it was more like a time for her to adapt to the estate. Common-born servants started from the bottom and became so skilled that there was nothing left to correct when they became maids or attendants.

The problem was nobles’ sons and daughters—those who were born into nobility but had neither experience nor practical skills. Even from Ireina’s perspective, people like her couldn’t be immediately put to work on the front lines. They hadn’t even learned how to serve others properly.

Even being a personal attendant or conversational companion required quick hands and a sharp mind. Ireina had hoped to stay somewhere unrelated to the direct family line. This annex, where she only had to manage things, was exactly what she had wanted.

At worst, she would just stay in the middle—no criticism, no pressure. And since all the important positions in the main house were already filled, she could probably stay here for years.

Leaning back in her chair with satisfaction, Ireina murmured,

“Is this paradise?”

Thinking of Derek rolling around in the training yard made her laugh. Compared to sweating and earning money, this was far more efficient—and far better. Warm sunlight streamed through the window, and her eyes slowly began to close.

Just a short nap. I wish every day could be like today.

Reclining comfortably in her chair, Ireina drifted off to sleep, a peaceful smile spreading across her face.

“To the Duke I respect.”

It has already been nearly two years since you both left the capital. When you departed, you said you would only briefly check on issues in the territory and return soon. I hope that matter has been resolved safely.

Of course, I trust Father has handled everything perfectly. Your methods are always so precise that I deeply admire them. Since your departure, Gloria and I have been wishing for your well-being and waiting for the day you return in good health.

Gloria, instead of me who is busy with knight duties, has been happily assisting with the merchant company. When Mother returns and sees her achievements, she will surely be pleased. Even I am surprised by how remarkable her accomplishments are. She is so capable that it might even be better for her to inherit the family instead of me.

We miss you both dearly. You haven’t forgotten about us, have you? The warm season is approaching. The harsh winter of the territory must have passed by now. Perhaps you could spend this summer in the capital?

I look forward to the day we meet again.

—Karl Beckman

While the ducal couple in Beckman territory laughed heartily at their son’s overly formal letter gently urging them to return, Karl was in the capital mansion receiving reports from the shadows.

“Is there anyone useful among the new servants?”

“It’s too early to tell, but there are a few noteworthy individuals. Among the common-born servants, a couple show exceptional talent in accounting and administration.”

“Those positions are always short-staffed. Pull them out of their current duties and assign them to administration.”

“Understood. As for swordsmanship, there doesn’t seem to be anyone yet. They’re all average at best—no one particularly outstanding. However, there is one somewhat ambiguous maid we should continue observing.”

“If anything unusual appears among the servants, report it immediately. What about the Empress’s faction?”

“The financial flow is strange. It seems they urgently need funds and are gathering money from various sources. We’ve increased surveillance.”

“Make sure to find out exactly what they’re planning.”

After finishing the report, the shadow melted away into the air as if it had never been there. We need more capable assets. Concealing his thoughts, Karl resumed reviewing documents as if nothing had happened.