ITMHM 08

Chapter: 08

One way or another, peaceful days continued. The vague rumors surrounding the Schultz Ducal House were gradually losing momentum as well.

In the meantime, I had moved the items around the house that were filled with memories of my father to places where they wouldn’t be seen.

I still thought of him from time to time, but it was more bearable than before. That was because I was trying to keep myself so busy that I wouldn’t have time to dwell on him.

When I visited the post office and informed the Russell Marquisate that I wouldn’t be able to attend the interview, I was met with cold and harsh reprimands.

Only after apologizing several times did the butler of the marquisate finally let me go.

Anyway, as I kept myself busy like that, the day of my first day at the Schultz Ducal residence arrived.

I woke up earlier than usual and finished preparing to head there. As soon as I got into a stagecoach, a thunderous voice rang out.

“Hey, why are you heading to the Schultz estate when there’s no master there? Don’t tell me you’re some hidden lover of the young duke or something?”

“No, absolutely not.”

Even though I firmly denied it, the coachman’s hostile gaze remained fixed on me, so I hastily made an excuse that I was a newspaper reporter.

He still looked suspicious, but it seemed he believed me to some extent.

Next time, I should probably get off nearby and walk the rest of the way.

The scenery outside the window wasn’t as peaceful as it used to be, but it was lively in its own way.

Before long, the carriage passed through the bustling streets and entered a quieter area. After climbing a steep uphill road for quite some time, we finally reached the entrance to Evanstein Castle.

“Wow…”

After getting off the carriage, I looked down the cliff below.

A winter landscape had settled over the surrounding forest. Beneath it, I could see Muissen, the river that crossed through it, Popfsen Lake, and even the distant sea—all at a glance.

It made me realize once again just how high the castle was situated.

When I turned around, I saw the main gate with its raised roof structure. Cream-colored pillars stood alongside tightly laid red bricks.

I stared blankly at the eagle crest of the Schultz Ducal House engraved above the gate before slowly stepping inside.

The buildings rose in layers in all directions like a fortress. Overwhelmed by the grandeur, I unconsciously shrank back.

After walking quite a distance and climbing milky-white stone steps, the first person to greet me was the duke’s butler.

“Miss Edith Prim? You must have had a long journey. I am Fret Gunner.”

Good heavens.

I just stared blankly at the man in front of me, unable even to greet him.

Do you have to be this good-looking to work for a ducal house?

Fret Gunner was so handsome that I momentarily forgot all my fatigue. However, he had a different charm compared to Johannes Schultz.

If I had to describe him in one word, he was simply a pleasant-looking handsome man.

His gentle, approachable smile looked like it could easily charm women meeting him for the first time, making his appearance stand out even more.

Not only that—his neatly styled dark brown hair and tidy attire further increased his already high likability.

Fortunately or unfortunately, he seemed used to this kind of reaction. Maintaining a polite smile, he continued speaking.

“I serve as both the butler of the Schultz Ducal House and my lord’s aide. I will explain most things, but if there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me anytime.”

“My goodness…”

Overwhelmed by his courteous attitude, I instinctively covered my mouth. His eyes widened slightly.

“Did I make a mistake?”

A mistake? There was no way.

Even though I was nothing more than a mere servant, he treated me with respect. Despite me staring at him rudely and failing to properly return his greeting.

I quickly waved my hands and blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

“No, not at all. I just wasn’t sure how I should address you.”

“Ah. You may simply call me by my name.”

He smiled even more perfectly.

“Yes, Sir Fret. My apologies for the late greeting. I’m Edith Prim.”

In reality, personal circumstances don’t matter.

In other words, showing a gloomy expression during an interview isn’t a good strategy—especially for a job you don’t want to lose.

So I put on a bright, flawless smile, as if I were someone without a single shadow.

“There’s no need to attach ‘Sir.’ Of course, if it makes you comfortable, that’s fine.”

“You’re very kind.”

“I’m merely behaving in a way befitting a guest of my lord.”

“I’m not a guest…”

“That’s because the employment contract hasn’t been written yet.”

Sir Fret smiled faintly. Feeling embarrassed, I could only return an awkward smile.

In any case, he remained consistently kind. I didn’t know much about noble households, but surely there wasn’t another butler who treated a mere servant this respectfully.

Afterward, Sir Fret guided me through various parts of Evanstein Castle and began explaining my duties.

“The task you’ll be responsible for, Miss Prim, is sorting the documents that arrive at the Schultz residence by date.”

“Is there anything else? It sounds too simple…”

“You’ll understand once you see it. I’ll show you inside. Please follow me.”

With that, he started walking ahead. I followed closely behind him, feeling tense.

The castle, as grand as it was, had a mix of architectural styles. From simple designs to the height of extravagance, styles from different eras coexisted.

Even so, it was undoubtedly worthy of being called the most beautiful castle in Dochilia.

From the grand hall to the atelier to the banquet hall, not a single place lacked effort.

Sir Fret also showed me numerous private rooms, as well as the library.

Finally, we headed to the reception room to finalize the contract. Even the reception room of this magnificent castle was extraordinary. The walls were adorned with elaborate arches, adding to the grandeur, and every small decorative item placed around the room seemed carefully chosen.

As I stood there, absentmindedly looking around, Sir Fret handed me the contract.

“The servants’ quarters are in the eastern annex. Since you will be commuting, I won’t guide you there.”

As promised, the weekly wage was 1,000,000 Berk.

Seeing the amount written down made it feel even more unreal. I was staring blankly at the number when—

“If the amount is incorrect, please let me know. And if there are any terms you’d like to revise, I can ask my lord.”

“No, not at all. This is already more than I deserve.”

“In that case, I’m glad.”

Come to think of it, wasn’t the young duke coming?

I looked around and asked,

“Then, the young duke…”

“You will need to correct that title.”

“Huh?”

Tilting my head in confusion, I listened as Sir Fret explained.

“My lord inherited the title immediately upon the former duke’s passing.”

“Ah…”

My face turned bright red.

How could I possibly have known how noble titles were inherited?

So this was partly the fault of the Duke of Schultz for not correcting me earlier.

“There’s no need to feel embarrassed. Most families require a formal succession process before the title is passed on.”

Sir Fret added kindly.

“As you know, my lord is currently considered missing to the outside world, so I would appreciate it if you kept this a secret. Do you have any questions regarding him?”

“Yes. Just one.”

He gestured for me to continue.

“Then… was the rumor about him being missing deliberately spread by the ducal house?”

“Creating a new topic may be a rather classic method, but it’s effective.”

“I see.”

I nodded slowly.

It was true. At first, the news had been filled with speculation about embezzled funds hidden by the young duke, but now everyone’s attention was focused on his disappearance.

Rumors had practically become accepted as fact—such as someone kidnapping Johannes Schultz for the massive embezzled funds, or him fleeing abroad.

Once again, I found myself impressed by the ways of the nobility as I signed the contract.

* * *

“May I ask you something, just in case?”

After being assigned the office I would use and finishing preparations to return home, Sir Fret spoke to me.

I turned to him with a puzzled expression.

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Have you ever formally learned etiquette?”

“…What?”

At his question, my face flushed red like a tomato.

I wondered if he was indirectly saying that I lacked manners.

Or worse—what if he was about to cancel my employment?

Did I make some kind of mistake?

If this job were canceled, I had nowhere else to go, so I quickly spoke as if making an excuse.

“Of course. Enough to get along with others. But since I don’t usually think about it, I have to make a great effort in formal settings like this.”

In truth, I had been putting in tremendous effort to appear like a decent person.

If I made a good impression on the butler, there was a higher chance that good words about me would reach the employer.

My father had praised me so much—I couldn’t afford to appear disappointing.

But if my etiquette was still lacking…

I wouldn’t just lose this job—I wouldn’t be able to step into any noble household again.

With a trembling heart, I asked,

“Did I make any mistakes or act rudely?”

Sir Fret shook his head slightly. I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

But the answer that followed only confused me even more.

“No, that’s not it… What I mean is—have you ever learned the etiquette of high society specifically?”