SNM 10

Chapter 10

Again. Again.

“Please, this way, Your Grace.”

Guided by the butler, the Grand Duke slowly swept his gaze across the main hall lobby before moving on at his unhurried pace. Only then did we finally raise our bowed heads and release the breath we had been holding.

“Whew, that scared me!”

“I swear, I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath…”

“Our lord just keeps getting more dangerously beautiful every day.”

“But why did he come here, of all places?”

The maids muttered among themselves now that the tension had eased.
And I silently agreed with every word—especially the last one.

‘What on earth is going on?’

Two days ago, the Grand Duke had suddenly begun appearing in every corner of the estate.

It had started with an unexpected stroll through the gardens. Then, without distinction, he wandered through both the main building and the annexes, occasionally even receiving visitors.

‘Is he finally getting around to all the tasks he’s been putting off, or what?’

That’s what it looked like.

For us servants, it meant running ourselves ragged.
But for me? It was an opportunity.

‘I can dress this up nicely for my report!’

I had been worrying about what to write anyway.

Of course, entertaining guests wasn’t something a newbie like me was entrusted with—that was for the senior maids. We just kept working as usual.

“Shall we take a quick rest before moving on?”

“Good idea!”

“Ugh, my back…”

At Elizabeth’s suggestion—the longest-serving among us—we stretched our stiff backs. Cleaning was something we did every day, but that didn’t make it any less grueling.

“I’ll just grab some water real quick.”

While the others stretched, I naturally slipped away. My throat really was dry.

Tap, tap.

Luckily, the kitchens weren’t far. I hurried down the hall—

And froze.

‘Wait…?’

The Grand Duke was there—with several knights.

Judging from their uniforms, they were our own knights. His face was grave, and theirs no less so.

Sssk—

Instinctively, I stifled my presence and slipped behind a pillar, ears straining.

“…so then…”

“…ah, but that won’t be an issue…”

But they were too far away. Even my sharp ears couldn’t pick up more than scraps.

‘Should I at least try to see if I recognize them?’

I peeked cautiously around the pillar.

Aside from two of them, I couldn’t quite—

Gasp.

The Grand Duke’s eyes brushed over me.
Just for the briefest heartbeat.

I jerked my head back behind the pillar.

“Then we’re agreed.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

Thankfully, it seemed I hadn’t been caught.
After all, what sane person could sense my presence at this distance?

‘Still… better not push my luck.’

Before their talk ended, I slipped away as quietly as I could.
So much for that glass of water.

“Back already? Let’s get moving.”

“Yes, ma’am…”

And the morning dragged on with endless cleaning of the lobby.

With guests coming and going so frequently these days, the head maid had grown even more exacting. She made us redo everything again and again.

‘She’s pickier than any cleaning company I ever worked for!’

I actually had worked at a cleaning company once, one of the reputable ones. But even they weren’t this obsessive.
How that woman managed to spot every last speck of dust was beyond me.

“The head maid’s coming!”

At once, we all bowed our heads. No doubt, every one of us was praying the same thing.

‘Please, let this be the last inspection!’

Only then could we look forward to lunch.
If rumor was true, today’s ingredient was chicken—maybe soup, maybe roast.

I was dreaming of the menu when—

“Oh my, Lillian.”

Someone called my name, pronouncing it with a refined lilt. It wasn’t the head maid, but I knew that voice.

I looked up without thinking.

‘Huh?’

There stood a dazzlingly beautiful woman, lifting her delicate hand to wave lightly at me.

“We meet again, don’t we?”

It was Madam Brandt.

Drizzle.

Amber-hued tea streamed gracefully into the porcelain cup. The sight of Madam Brandt steeping the tea herself was like a painting come to life.

Clink.

Setting the teapot down, she slid the cup toward me.

“Go on, drink.”

Awkwardly, I accepted the cup.
When she smiled and offered it so sweetly, who in their right mind could refuse?

Honestly, even if she had laced it with poison, half the world would still drink.

“Th-thank you…”

Sip.

“…!”

To my surprise, it was delicious. Even with my untrained palate, I could tell it had been brewed perfectly.

I found myself sipping again and again, glancing at her from beneath my lashes. She watched me with quiet delight.

‘I’d like to borrow this girl for a while, if you don’t mind?’

Madam Brandt had personally extracted me from under the hawk-eyed head maid, whisking me off to the parlor without explanation. She simply offered me tea and sweets.

I was grateful… but puzzled.

‘Does she really like Lillian that much?’

“Um, madam,” I asked carefully, “may I ask why you called for me?”

She lifted her own cup, speaking as though it were nothing.

“Just bored, that’s all.”

“…Oh.”

I was left speechless. But seeing my bewilderment, she added with a laugh:

“Truly. Do you know how dull it is to wait alone? So keep me company for a bit, won’t you?”

She batted her lashes playfully.
Not that I had a choice—the head maid herself had allowed this. All I could do was nod sheepishly.

“You’re here to see His Grace again today?”

“That’s right. And for the record, I wasn’t early this time—His Grace is late. Some urgent papers needed his attention, apparently.”

She pouted prettily, muttering her disapproval.
I chimed in at the right moments, then carefully ventured a question.

“From the number of visitors lately, it seems His Grace is especially busy these days?”

I had been dying to know.
Thankfully, she seemed to think nothing of it.

“He’s always busy. To the point of making his retainers nervous.”

“Why? Does he really have so much work?”

“More than his rewards warrant. He shoulders duties and obligations that would crush most men. Some envy him for it, but…”

“…Obligations?”

“They see it as power. But the truth is, he never wanted any of it.”

“…Honestly, who would say such things?”

I found myself bristling with frustration.
Wasn’t it people like that who had pushed me into this ridiculous role as a spy? People with influence, no doubt.
Why go so far? I couldn’t understand.

As I fumed, Madam Brandt’s gaze softened.

“Lillian, you seem awfully interested in His Grace.”

“…Huh?”

I blinked dumbly. The accusation caught me so off guard.

“N-no, that’s not it!”

It’s just that while we were talking, I got curious—

I scrambled to compose myself, spouting excuses. She chuckled, whispering teasingly:

“Careful, or people will think you’re in love with him.”

“What—?!”

I nearly leapt out of my chair, flailing my hands like I’d been burned. Reflex, pure and simple.

At last, she winked and said,

“Relax. I’m only joking.”

After that, our chatter turned light again.
But I could no longer focus on a single word she said.