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Chapter 07
“It’s already been two weeks since you came to the estate. I wanted to ask how the work has been.”
That’s what he said, but he probably called me here because of the commotion I caused yesterday.
After all, a maid who had only been here for two weeks suddenly tried to leave the estate as if she were quitting.
‘I guess I’ve become the kind of employee who requires special attention.’
What a shame. Lina probably tried to leave because she wanted to suppress her feelings for the Count.
Still, I couldn’t exactly expose Lina’s one-sided crush, and since the Count hadn’t directly mentioned my attempted escape either, I decided to pretend I knew nothing.
“Ah, yes. I see.”
“So? Is the work manageable?”
“Yes. I really like it.”
Honestly, the work itself was very easy.
If I had to rate it, the difficulty was low while the workload was moderate.
Since most of it was physical labor, some level of intensity was unavoidable.
“The food is good, the work isn’t difficult, and everyone is kind. I’m very satisfied.”
“…Really? I see.”
I deliberately mentioned only the good parts to imply I wouldn’t try to run away again, but the Count’s voice sounded oddly uncertain.
It was almost like he didn’t believe me.
What was that about? Did I sound insincere?
I hurriedly added a few more words.
“I also like that everyone gets their own room. I actually move around a lot in my sleep. I was worried I might keep someone else awake, so I’m relieved that won’t happen. Providing private rooms for servants… it really shows how differently a prestigious count’s family treats its staff.”
“……”
“I’m truly honored to be able to work in a place like this. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.”
“…I see. I’m glad you’re satisfied.”
Only after I continued speaking did a faint smile finally appear on the Count’s lips.
Only then did I relax a little.
“If you were having trouble adjusting, I intended to help. But now it seems I worried for nothing.”
“No, not at all. I appreciate your concern.”
“Do you have any other worries?”
“No.”
“Then is there anything you’d like to ask me?”
Ah, actually, there was something I wanted to ask.
A flicker of interest crossed the Count’s violet eyes as my expression changed.
“You may speak freely. Opportunities like this don’t come often.”
Could I really ask?
Suddenly, I became cautious about saying the wrong thing.
I subtly glanced toward the head butler.
The Count spoke again.
“If there’s something you’re curious about, it should be resolved. Don’t feel pressured. Go ahead.”
“Is it really okay?”
“Of course.”
“Then… there actually is one thing I’ve been wondering about.”
“Really? What is it?”
“Well…”
I swallowed hard.
I could feel both of them focusing on me.
The atmosphere surrounding me became subtly heavy.
The Count told me to speak first, so it should be okay to ask, right?
Straightening my posture, I spoke clearly.
“I’m curious about my salary.”
“…What?”
The Count replied half a beat late.
Was my question too bold?
But I was an employee hired in exchange for compensation, and this was a perfectly reasonable question for a worker to ask.
Gathering my courage, I continued.
“No matter how much I searched, I couldn’t find an employment contract. I need to know my exact salary so I can make plans.”
“Plans?”
“Like how much to save and how much to spend…”
“So you’re asking because you want to know your salary?”
“Yes. Actually, I don’t even remember receiving an employment contract. Is it correct that I never got one?”
The Count stared blankly for a moment before gesturing to the head butler.
The butler stepped forward and answered in his place.
“You likely discussed it verbally with the head maid.”
Good grief. It was a verbal contract?
“Then exactly how much is it?”
“Alfred, how much was it?”
“…I believe the last amount paid was 10 Fronte per month.”
Fronte was the currency used here. Roughly converted, it was about 500,000 won.
‘Not 100 million?’
My eyes widened at the shocking news.
Of course, I hadn’t really believed the post claiming they paid 100 million won, but I’d at least expected something decent, maybe half that amount!
“Is 10 Fronte perhaps reduced because I’m still in a probation period?”
“What?”
“Like only paying 50 percent of the salary before official employment…”
“Alfred, is that true?”
“No. We have no such rule.”
“Th-then when do salary negotiations happen? Is there a contract renewal every year?”
“Alfred.”
“We have never renewed contracts in that manner in the past 300 years.”
One negative answer after another made my expression darken.
I was doomed. This place was just a flashy sweatshop.
Maybe I’d been too naive for expecting to earn 100 million won doing easy-mode maid work.
‘Still, this is too much.’
Even if Lina really did seem to like the Count, no one could work long-term in a place with no future prospects.
At this rate, I’d work my whole life and still never be able to buy a home.
Sure, the Richmond family provided lodging, so I could theoretically keep living here, but I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life working as a maid.
‘I should probably start looking for a new job as soon as possible.’
Just this morning I’d been extremely satisfied with my new workplace, but my feelings changed in an instant.
While I was quietly planning my resignation in my head—
“But that only means that’s how things were a long time ago, doesn’t it?”
The sudden shift in tone made me lift my head.
The Count, who had been sitting with his arms crossed, curled the corners of his eyes seductively when our gazes met.
“Just because things were done that way before doesn’t mean they must remain that way now. Especially since it isn’t a mandatory rule.”
No way…?
“I value potential. Perhaps it’s what creates change. So tell me, Lina. What would you like to do?”
Instinctively, I realized this was my first and last chance to negotiate my salary.
The head butler was glaring at me, clearly displeased that the Count was giving me this opportunity…
Gulp.
Right. I’d already been thinking of quitting because of the pay anyway.
At this point, it was all or nothing.
“I think…”
Carefully, I began explaining my thoughts.
At this rate, if I wanted to say everything on my mind, I probably wouldn’t be eating lunch today.
About 40 minutes later, Lina left the Count’s office with a radiant smile on her face.
In her hand was a rolled-up sheet of parchment.
“Hm.”
Lenox leaned back against the couch.
On the table lay another parchment identical to the one Lina carried out. Judging from the lingering smell of ink, it had only recently been written.
“Why did you draft a contract for her?”
Alfred asked while emptying a teapot filled with pitch-black tea.
“Didn’t I tell you Lina was suspicious and needed to be watched? That girl definitely knows something. No… perhaps she has already figured everything out.”
“And why do you think that?”
“Because what she just did—proposing a new contract in return—is the only way for a sacrifice brought into Richmond to ever leave this place.”
A sacrifice.
Alfred referred to Lina as a sacrifice.
Yet neither Alfred, who spoke the word, nor Lenox, who heard it, showed the slightest reaction.
Lenox smiled faintly.
“It was amusing watching her desperately pretend not to know anything.”
“My lord.”
“She casually opened and closed the sixth floor right in front of you, Alfred, so I became curious how bold she’d act in front of me. As expected, her acting skills are exceptional. To demand a new contract under the excuse of salary negotiations…”
Lenox’s gaze drifted toward the newly written contract.
One thousand Fronte.
That was the new number written in the salary section.
But more important than the amount was another clause written beneath it.
[- If the servant receives excellent work evaluations, appropriate compensation shall be granted.]
“She will definitely demand to be released from this estate.”
“Most likely.”
“She was sharp from the beginning. Perhaps even yesterday’s commotion was merely a distraction to secure today’s contract. After all, once someone steps into Richmond, leaving again without restrictions is impossible from the start.”
“Haha. If that’s true, then she’s truly impressive.”
“My lord, this is no laughing matter.”
