TMGD 07

Chapter 7

Janette’s room in the Graham household had been the attic. There wasn’t even a proper staircase; she had to climb up using something like a wooden ladder.

The window that allowed her to see the sky was nice, but every other aspect of the place was unbearably poor.

Well, it used to be a storage room in the first place.

To them, that was exactly what Janette was worth and what she meant. Like a useless object, someone to be shoved away in a warehouse.

Only now had Janette finally gained a room where she could lie down and rest comfortably.

“Let’s do my best.”

Having steeled herself, she moved quickly.

After washing up, she neatly tied up her long, flowing hair. She also put on the clothes she had prepared the night before.

Though a little worn out, they were the neatest clothes Janette owned.

Once I start earning money, I should buy clothes first.

Or maybe… should she ask the payroll manager if an advance payment was possible?

Since the Ludwig estate was enormous and employed many people, each task had its own department within the household.

That was fortunate.

After all, since she had decided not to give Nova what she wanted, it was obvious the woman would make things difficult for her.

Being able to speak directly with the payroll staff without going through the head maid was a huge advantage.

I’ll go see them tomorrow or the day after.

Finished with her thoughts, Janette adjusted her outfit one last time.

Seeing her tidy reflection in the full-length mirror, she curled her lips into a grin.

“Good.”

It wasn’t perfect… but it was good enough.

At last, it was time to meet the mistress she would serve from now on.

The empire’s infamous villainess.

Julieta Ludwig.

Ah, wait. Before that…

“The Ludwig Grand Duchy, the greatest noble house in the Empire.

The history of House Ludwig was not particularly long. Naturally so, since the current Grand Duke of Ludwig was also its founding head.

Maverick Ludwig.

Originally, he had been the First Prince and one of the strongest candidates for Crown Prince.

Since the current Emperor—the Second Prince—was also exceptionally capable as a royal, many expected a bloody battle over the imperial throne.

However, instead of waging war against his younger brother for the throne, Maverick chose peace.

Claiming he had no interest in the throne, he instead requested permission to establish an independent family of his own.

Thus, the Grand Duchy of Ludwig came into existence.

Of course, the reason the family had risen to such prominence was entirely due to Maverick’s own abilities.

But this seemingly capable man possessed one fatal flaw.

He was excessively fond of women.

The Grand Duke had a total of six children, but only two shared the same mother.

Oscar, the First Young Master, born to the late former Grand Duchess.

Zephyr, the Second Young Master, born to the current Grand Duchess.

Rosina, the First Young Lady, born to an illegitimate daughter of Count Helden’s family.

The twins born to a famous actress from a traveling theater troupe: the Third Young Master Kendrick and the Second Young Lady Julieta.

And finally, the youngest son, Jerron, born to a young widow.

Fortunately, after the youngest son turned six this year, there was no possibility of more children being added.

The Emperor, who had long tolerated his older brother’s debauchery out of respect for the sibling who had peacefully given up the throne and even gone off to fight wars on the frontier, had finally reached the end of his patience.

Furthermore, the former Grand Duchess had been a younger cousin of the current Empress. Even though she had already passed away, how could she have felt knowing that her husband continued fathering illegitimate children one after another?

In the end, the Emperor issued an imperial decree.

It essentially amounted to:
‘Please, Brother, enough already!’

Fortunately, the Grand Duke accepted his younger brother’s imperial command without much resistance.

Still, even if there would be no more children, that didn’t mean the existing ones would disappear.

The Grand Duke’s children were distant from one another. If anything, their relationship leaned closer to being bad.

Since they all had different mothers and had grown up under a father who showed no interest in them whatsoever, it was only natural.

That was also why they each lived in separate annexes.

In any case, the conclusion was simple.

The Ludwig family was a complete mess beneath its glamorous exterior.”

Right before heading off to meet Julieta in earnest—

…Reading this, it almost sounds like it was written by someone with a grudge against the Ludwigs.

Janette tilted her head after reviewing the information about the Ludwig family once more.

Could it be that Ilinia disliked the Ludwigs?

Or maybe Theo did?

Perhaps this is related to the contract about protecting Lady Julieta.

…No.

She had already decided not to dig into unnecessary matters.

Snapping the notebook shut, Janette hid it deep inside her desk drawer and left the room.

***

“Greetings, Lady Julieta.”

The moment Janette first saw Julieta, she struggled to hide her agitation.

Because the woman before her was overwhelmingly beautiful.

Her skin was as pale and flawless as freshly sifted flour. Her jawline curved softly, and the nose standing proudly at the center of her face was perfectly balanced.

Her moderately full lips naturally curved upward even without a smile, while her slightly upturned eyes combined with her large gaze to give off the proud, elegant aura of a cat.

I’d heard rumors that she was beautiful, but…

After all, every rumor about Julieta’s wicked deeds was always accompanied by the phrase: “a woman more beautiful than a rose.”

Janette had wondered how beautiful someone had to be for even malicious rumors to praise her appearance…

But Julieta truly was stunning beyond imagination. Merely facing her made Janette’s heart pound.

At this point, another thought even crossed her mind.

Could it be that people mistake their racing hearts for fear, when they’re actually just overwhelmed by Julieta’s beauty?

While Janette was internally pouring out admiration over Julieta’s appearance—

“So. You’re my maid?”

“Yes. My name is Janette Graham, and I will be serving as your maid from now on. I look forward to working with you.”

Startled back to her senses, Janette finished her introduction with a smile.

“Hm.”

Half-sprawled across the sofa, Julieta lazily looked Janette up and down. The indoor slipper dangling from her swinging foot wobbled precariously.

Then—

“I’ve never even heard of some Graham family. I suppose you crawled up here from some rural backwater?”

The corners of her lips lifted mockingly as she spat out the insult, only to drop again immediately.

“I don’t like it. To think someone like you is supposed to be my maid.”

Clicking her tongue, Julieta closed her eyes.

“Just by looking at you, it doesn’t seem like you’re capable of doing anything properly. I wonder if you’re useful for anything at all.”

“……”

Receiving no response, Julieta scoffed inwardly.

Looks like she’s scared.

Over something this trivial.

Julieta absolutely hated the idea of having maids. If possible, she never wanted one for the rest of her life.

But—

It’s not like I can fire her myself.

Taking in a maid had been her father’s order. Dismissing one on her own could easily look like defying his wishes.

So there was only one option.

She would have to make the girl leave of her own accord.

Judging by her reaction, it won’t take long.

After all, she had frozen up speechless after hearing only a few harsh words.

However, that was entirely Julieta’s misunderstanding. Janette’s silence meant something completely different from what she imagined.

She’s quick-witted.

If finding that many faults in such a short amount of time was a talent, then it truly was a talent.

Or maybe those lines had been prepared in advance? If so, then she was remarkably thorough.

I’d prepared myself for worse, so I’m relieved it’s milder than expected.

Julieta’s words failed to leave even the slightest scratch on Janette.

For three years, she had lived while enduring verbal abuse from the Grahams every single day.

Unlike Julieta’s refined insults, the Grahams’ abuse had often included vulgar curses unfit for nobles.

Janette had endured all of it without complaint.

After surviving a life that harsh, mere insults could no longer wound her.

“As you said, I still have many shortcomings. However, I will learn, improve, and work hard so I can serve you comfortably, my lady.”

“Huh?!”

Julieta’s eyes flew open as she stared at Janette in utter disbelief.