ISHM 08

Chapter 08

Somehow, peaceful days continued. The idle gossip about the Schultz dukedom gradually started to dwindle.
In the meantime, I had tucked away, out of sight, items throughout the house filled with memories of my father.

Even so, my father would occasionally cross my mind, but it was more bearable than before. I was making an effort to stay so busy that I barely had time to think of him.

When I visited the post office to inform the Russell marquess’s household that I wouldn’t be able to attend the interview, I was met with a cold, harsh rebuke. After several apologies, the marquess’s butler finally let me go.

Anyway, as I kept myself busy, the day arrived for my first workday at the Schultz estate.

I woke up earlier than usual and prepared to head to the estate. When I hailed the carriage, a sudden, thunderous shout rang out:
“Hey! Why are you going to the Schultz estate when even the master isn’t there? You’re not secretly some hidden lover of the young Duke Schultz, are you?”
“No, absolutely not.”

Despite my firm denial, the carriage driver’s hostile gaze lingered, so I half-heartedly claimed I was a journalist from a newspaper. He still looked suspicious but seemed to believe me to some extent.
Next time, I’ll just get off nearby and walk the rest of the way, I thought.

The view outside the window wasn’t as peaceful as it had been in the past, but it had its own lively charm.

After a while, the carriage passed through a busy street and reached a quieter road. After a long climb up a steep hill, we finally arrived at the entrance to Evanshtein Castle.

“Wow…”

I stepped out of the carriage and looked down over the cliff.
Snow had settled over the surrounding forest. Below, I could see the town of Myssen, the river that ran through it, Lake Popfssen, and even the distant sea.

I suddenly realized just how high up the castle was. Turning around, I saw the main gate with its raised roof structure. It was built with red bricks densely laid between cream-colored pillars.

I stared absentmindedly at the Schultz family’s eagle crest carved above the gate before slowly entering.

The buildings rose in layers in every direction, like a fortress. Overwhelmed by the grandeur, I instinctively shrank a little.

After walking a considerable distance and climbing milky-white stone steps, the duke’s butler was the first to greet me.
“Miss Edith Prim? Welcome. I am Brett Gunner.”

Oh my.

I was so stunned that I couldn’t even think to greet him and just stared blankly at the man before me.

Do you have to be good-looking to serve in a noble household?

Brett Gunner was handsome enough to make me forget my hardships entirely. But his charm was slightly different from Johannes Schultz’s. If I had to describe him in one word: a genuinely handsome man with a pleasant presence.

His friendly smile could easily charm any woman he met. Neatly combed dark brown hair and a tidy outfit only increased his already high appeal.

Fortunately—or unfortunately—he seemed accustomed to such reactions. Maintaining a polite smile, he continued speaking:
“I serve as both the Schultz family’s butler and as the assistant to the master. I will explain most things, but if there’s anything you don’t understand, you may ask me at any time.”

“Good heavens…”

I unconsciously covered my mouth at his courteous demeanor. His eyes widened slightly.
“Did I make a mistake?”

A mistake? Absolutely not.

Even though I was just a servant, he treated me with respect. I had stared at him rudely without greeting him properly, yet he remained courteous.

I quickly waved my hands and blurted out whatever came to mind:
“No, not at all. I just didn’t know how to address you.”

“Oh, you may call me by name.”

He gave an even more perfect smile.
“Yes, Sir Brett. My apologies for the late greeting. I am Edith Prim.”

In reality, personal circumstances don’t matter.
In other words, showing a gloomy side at an interview isn’t a good idea—especially when it’s a job you don’t want to miss.

So I forced a bright smile, as if my face carried no shadow at all.

“There’s no need to attach the title ‘Sir,’ of course, if Miss Prim is comfortable with it.”
“You are really kind.”
“I am merely showing the attitude befitting a guest of the master.”
“But I’m not a guest…”
“Not yet, since we haven’t drafted the employment contract.”

Sir Brett smiled. I awkwardly returned the smile.

In any case, he was consistently polite. I didn’t know much about noble households, but few butlers would treat even low-ranking staff with such respect.

Sir Brett then gave me a tour of Evanshtein Castle and began explaining the duties I would assume.
“Miss Prim, your primary task will be to sort documents delivered to the Schultz estate by date.”

“Is there nothing else? It seems too simple…”

“You’ll understand once you see it. I’ll guide you through the castle. Follow me.”

He walked ahead, and I nervously followed him.

The castle’s architecture was a jumble reflecting its vast size. Styles ranged from simple to extravagantly ornate, reflecting different eras.

Yet it was arguably the most beautiful castle in Dochilia. The grand hall, the atelier, the banquet hall—no detail had been overlooked.

Sir Brett also guided me through numerous private rooms and even the library.

Finally, we reached the reception room for the contract signing. Even the reception room was massive. The walls were adorned with grand arches, and every small item in the room seemed carefully placed.

As I gazed around in awe, Sir Brett presented the contract.
“The servants’ quarters are in the east wing. Since you’ll commute, Miss Prim, I won’t give a separate tour.”

As promised, the weekly pay was 1,000,000 Berks. Seeing the figure on paper made me truly astonished.

While I was staring at the numbers, he said:
“Please let me know if the amount is incorrect. If there are any points you wish to amend, I will ask the master.”

“No, this amount is more than enough.”
“That is fortunate.”

By the way, was the young Duke not coming? I asked, glancing around.
“Then, as for the young duke…”
“You should correct the title you use.”

“Pardon?”

I tilted my head, and Sir Brett explained:
“The master inherited the title immediately upon the previous duke’s death.”

“Oh…”

My face turned bright red.

How could I have known how aristocratic succession works?
So it was partly the Schultz Duke’s fault for not correcting my improper use of the title.

“There’s no need to be embarrassed. Most noble families require formal procedures to inherit a title.”

Sir Brett added, as always, kindly.
“As you know, publicly, the master is considered missing, so please keep this secret. Do you have any questions regarding the master?”

“Yes, one question.”

He waited expectantly.
“Was the rumor of him being missing deliberately spread by the duke’s household?”

“Creating new topics is a classic method, but it works well.”
“I see.”

I nodded slowly.

Indeed, that seemed true. At first, articles focused on hidden embezzlement by the young Duke Schultz, but now everyone’s attention was on his disappearance. Rumors about large embezzled sums or abduction abroad had become taken as fact.

I marveled at how the nobility worked as I signed the contract.

“Just to be sure, I have a question,” Sir Brett said after assigning me an office and preparing me to leave.

I looked at him curiously.
“Yes, go ahead.”

“Have you formally learned etiquette?”

“Huh…?”

My face turned beet-red at his question.

I wondered if he was politely saying I lacked manners—or worse, might cancel my employment.

Had I made some mistake? If the employment were canceled, I would have nowhere to go. I quickly tried to explain:
“Of course. Enough to get along with others. But I usually don’t think about it, so I have to be extra careful in public situations like this.”

In truth, I had been putting a lot of effort into appearing competent. If the butler spoke well of me, the master might hear good things. I couldn’t disappoint my father, who always praised me.

If my etiquette had been terrible…
I wouldn’t even get a foot in the door at this household or any other noble house.

I asked nervously,
“Did I make any mistakes or act rudely?”

Sir Brett shook his head slightly. I secretly sighed in relief.

But his next words left me even more flustered:
“No, I mean… Have you ever formally learned the etiquette of high society?”