IBMDF 15

Chapter 15

But in the politics section and economics section he took me to next, he kept reciting similarly dreadful book titles.

“Seriously, aren’t there any books more fun than these?”

Thinking of the books I used to enjoy reading, I started listing titles one by one.

“Well, for example… The Maid of the Duke’s House Hides Her Power, The Young Master Is Too Much, The Duke Who’s Obsessed Only With Me…”

“…What?”

Kallios asked back in a voice as if he had just heard something shocking.

“Why would my father be… obsessed with you?”

Oops.

“Ah, come to think of it, now’s not the time for this! You need to hurry and write your report!”

I said while pushing him forward by the back.

Kallios looked like he wanted to ask me more questions, but under my urging, he had no choice except to move along.

* * *

After leaving Kallios alone in the library so he could focus on writing his attendance replacement report, I came back outside.

Even if I hovered beside him, there was nothing left I could help with.

What remained now depended entirely on how impressive a report Kallios would produce.

Well, I decided to trust the male lead’s abilities this time too.

Thinking that, I went down to the first floor when I heard hurried footsteps coming down the stairs near the attic.

“Oh, Lizzy.”

“Where are you headed?”

It was the voices of the other maids.

“Ah, I’m just going to the kitchen for a moment…”

“The kitchen? Oh, so you weren’t on your way to the temple?”

The maid who said that sounded openly displeased with me.

“Didn’t you skip the morning service too?”

“Yes, I had things to do today…”

I tried to avoid the conversation with an awkward smile, but they wouldn’t let me go.

“Then shouldn’t you definitely attend the afternoon service? Today’s a holy day.”

In this world, the God of Light was worshipped as the one and only deity, so devotion was considered one of the most important virtues.

That was why, regardless of status, servants would split into morning and afternoon groups on holy days and go attend worship.

Nobles who wanted to emphasize their own piety tended to encourage such behavior among their employees as well.

‘Since I’m the only one not going to the temple in this situation, I guess it makes sense the other maids dislike it.’

But I wasn’t making excuses—I truly had a mountain of work.

After Mary and Dorothy were expelled, every cleaning duty in Kallios’s residence became my responsibility.

On top of that, Kallios called for me constantly.

Still, the maids seemed to have no intention of considering my circumstances.

I heard them whispering among themselves.

“Even so… saying you’re busy and not visiting the temple even once…”

“Maybe that’s why God punished her and made her like that.”

“You’re right. Sigh. Bad luck might rub off on us. Let’s hurry before we’re late.”

I can hear all of you, you know.

At some point, the maids had started openly showing hostility toward me.

Serving beside the young duke was usually a position given to experienced maids.

But I, someone who had only been here a month and was blind, had taken that place.

“No, what exactly were you all saying just now?”

At that moment, Tilda’s sharp voice came from the stairs above.

She strode down angrily.

“The reason Lizzy can’t attend worship is because of Mary and Dorothy.”

Her voice was so cold I felt intimidated too.

“Have you forgotten that this child is handling all the work those girls used to do by herself?”

At her words, the maids who had been gossiping fell silent.

Tilda was one of the senior maids, and nothing she said was wrong.

As everyone remained quiet, Tilda spoke loudly enough for them all to hear.

“Don’t mind them, Lizzy. If you attend service, there won’t even be anyone left to bring meals to Young Master Kallios. Even the Duke approved of it, so be confident.”

“Ahem…”

Once the Duke’s name came up, the maids seemed even more uncomfortable and awkwardly cleared their throats.

Ignoring them, Tilda continued talking to me.

“And Lizzy, later, when caring for the young master becomes less busy, tell me. If you ever want to go worship, I’ll accompany you anytime.”

“Yes, thank you, Tilda.”

I had already been feeling burdened because I always needed someone else’s help whenever I went outside.

So hearing Tilda say this first made me incredibly grateful.

“Good. Then don’t overwork yourself—take things slowly. I should get back to work too…”

Just as Tilda turned to leave, she suddenly remembered something.

“Oh, right, Lizzy. You probably didn’t hear what the head maid said earlier. About a month from now, we’re all going to the nearby forest to pick wild raspberries. Would you like to come too? You haven’t had a proper outing this whole time.”

At Tilda’s suggestion, the maids who had gone quiet raised their voices again.

“But Tilda! She can’t even see!”

“Yeah, how is a blind girl supposed to go pick raspberries?”

But they quickly fell silent again—apparently Tilda shut them up with a harsh glare.

“What do you think, Lizzy?”

“Hmm… I think I’d have to ask the young master for permission.”

“Alright. Then ask him.”

“Yes, Tilda.”

The maids were probably still glaring at me resentfully, but—hmph!

I can’t see your expressions anyway.

Ignoring their stares, I headed toward the kitchen.

* * *

Meanwhile, Kallios’s report was finished.

To complete it this quickly… as expected, the male lead’s abilities were extraordinary.

Kallios looked slightly tired, but he still handed me the report in his usual tone.

“Here.”

“That’s amazing! You finished it so fast.”

“Well, I only organized thoughts I’d already had and wrote them down.”

He spoke casually, but I could tell from his exhausted voice just how much effort he had poured into the report.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll get a good result!”

Afterward, I immediately delivered the report to Brandon.

“So now all we do is wait for the results?”

I asked him.

“Exactly. The academy will review it and send a reply. When they do, I’ll come tell Miss Lizzy first.”

Brandon left for the academy immediately with the report.

Alright. We’ve done everything we can.

Listening to Brandon’s departing footsteps, I thought:

Now let’s relax and trust in the protagonist’s luck.

* * *

…But that sense of ease disappeared in less than a week.

‘Sigh… Why do I feel anxious? They did say results would take a while. Maybe I should just stop worrying…’

Several uneasy days passed.

“Miss Lizzy!”

“Ah, Mr. Brandon!”

The moment I heard his voice after so long, I greeted him happily.

“So this is where you were. I’ve been searching everywhere for you.”

“You were looking for me? Did the academy finally send the results?”

“Ah… no, not that.”

Brandon answered awkwardly to my excited tone.

“There is something to deliver, but it’s not for the young master—it’s a letter for you, Miss Lizzy.”

“For me?”

Seeing my confused expression, Brandon handed me a letter.

“Here. Ah, if you’d like, I can read it for you.”

“Yes, please.”

Brandon opened the envelope with a rustle, skimmed through it quickly, and spoke.

“It’s a letter from your aunt. She’s asking how you’ve been. And… she says she received the soap and spices you sent. Did you mail a package home?”

“Ah, yes! I got my first paycheck last month.”

I nodded as I answered.

The salary from the Duke’s household was generous enough that even after saving money, I could still send necessities to my aunt’s home.

Thank goodness! I was worried it might get lost along the way, but it seems it arrived safely.