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Chapter 16
The Male Lead’s Devoted Maid Is Too Capable
The nobles spoke with faces full of dissatisfaction.
“If I just sit quietly and get treated like an old relic before being shoved into the back rooms, I’ll end up fading away. I don’t want that. Haven’t I already taken enough for myself? They’re not even asking us to give everything back. I’m satisfied with what I’ve taken so far, and from now on, I intend to do things properly. I have to think about my children, too!”
“You…! Have you already fallen for that fox-like woman?!”
“A fox? She seemed more like a cute, playful granddaughter to me. And besides, Count Sroil, you should really start reading the room.”
“Reading what room?!”
“Did you not see the way the Grand Duke looked at Miss Roella?”
“She’s nothing more than a ‘compatible’ candidate! And practically a commoner! What could someone like that possibly mean to the Grand Duke for you to say such nonsense?!”
“Not all compatible women ended up as mistresses who bore illegitimate children. Some became Grand Duchesses. And not all compatible women were commoners, either.”
Another noble, who had been silent until now, cleared his throat and joined in.
“I agree. What if Miss Roella were to suddenly bear the Grand Duke’s child? Wouldn’t that solve one of the North’s long-standing problems?”
“That’s right. Or perhaps Count Sroil would like to try again? Like before—strip your niece and shove her into the Grand Duke’s bedchamber.”
“Hey! Why bring that up now?! We all did it together! Didn’t everyone agree it was for the sake of the North?! The bloodline was about to end back then—!”
“Exactly. After all those desperate attempts, the Grand Duke didn’t even budge. So how fortunate that Miss Roella, even if she’s low-ranking, is still of noble birth.”
Count Sroil opened his mouth, but no words came out. He was furious and humiliated by what had happened today, yet he couldn’t deny that they were right.
With an irritated expression, Count Sroil abruptly stood up.
“Then go on, all of you. If I don’t want to be called old, I’ll have to do something.”
Snorting angrily, Count Sroil stormed out of the room. He left with momentum, but the farther he walked, the slower his steps became.
“Hoo…”
Age was finally catching up to him. Perhaps that was why Roella’s words didn’t feel entirely wrong. Or maybe it was simply that his stubbornness was weakening.
“Well… two years of skimming was more than enough, wasn’t it.”
It had all started with his brother-in-law’s business failing. He’d only meant to give the family a way out so they wouldn’t end up on the streets—but things had spiraled from there. At least the Grand Duke had chosen to forgive them. Now that his brother-in-law’s family was back on their feet, Count Sroil felt it was time for himself to step back as well.
Dragging his feet, he walked away.
* * *
At the same time—
Aidan was still replaying Roella’s heroic performance in his mind. The way she had completely shut down Count Sroil had left a deep impression on him.
With admiration in his voice, Aidan said,
“She was truly incredible. To think that stiff-necked Count Sroil would be rendered completely speechless. I can’t tell if Miss Roella is just bold… or utterly fearless.”
“She simply had the courage to stand before the truth.”
Kristen shrugged as he replied.
At first, he had only hoped that Roella wouldn’t shrink back and would clearly state her opinion. If she managed that, he intended to have her continue attending meetings in the future.
But Roella had gone far beyond his expectations. Even Kristen hadn’t imagined she would silence Count Sroil and the other nobles so completely.
Her tone back then had a particular way of provoking people. It felt deliberate.
Just thinking about Count Sroil’s face—red and trembling with rage—was deeply satisfying.
“I’m thinking of hiring her as an aide. What do you think?”
“……I’ve been waiting for you to say that, Your Grace. From an efficiency standpoint, wouldn’t it be better for Miss Roella to move closer to the core of operations?”
“Then have you speak to Miss Roella. Consult Lady Rosette as well. As for her desk—this area should suffice.”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
Kristen intended to bring Roella closer to him. She had consistently demonstrated abilities far beyond her assigned position. To him, she had become indispensable—both professionally and in other ways.
Kristen was generous to those who proved their worth.
“What’s your current monthly salary?”
“Seventy ecras per month.”
“Then pay Miss Roella fifty ecras per month. Do you think that’s sufficient?”
“Considering her abilities, it feels inadequate.”
Aidan replied seriously.
Kristen nodded. At that rate, Roella would likely be satisfied.
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
With light steps, Aidan headed toward Rosette’s office. He planned to discuss relocating desks and moving Roella’s belongings.
However, contrary to Aidan’s expectations, Lady Rosette was firmly opposed.
“You intend to take Miss Roella away now, Mr. Aidan?”
“Yes… The Grand Duke wishes it so.”
“That will not be possible, Mr. Aidan.”
“…Pardon?”
Aidan’s eyes widened in shock. This was the first time Lady Rosette had openly opposed Kristen’s decision.
“Miss Roella has been of great help to me as well. Do you think it’s easy to manage both the head maid’s duties and the chief steward’s work? Without her, I’ll be forced to shoulder that overwhelming workload alone again.”
“…Miss Roella does all that…?”
“She assigns tasks to the maids and servants, resolves disputes among them, and even helps manage payroll. And that’s not all—she’s also involved in planning the monthly budget. I need Miss Roella as well. I will speak directly to the Grand Duke. I absolutely cannot give her up.”
“Well, that is—”
“If this is pushed through regardless, I will submit my resignation.”
It was a terrifying statement.
Everyone acknowledged that the Grand Duke’s estate had remained functional only because Lady Rosette was there. Without her, they might have already ended up destitute on the streets.
Aidan slowly backed away. This was a moment to retreat.
He didn’t even have the chance to speak to Roella, who had been anxiously observing the exchange inside the office. Aidan was driven out by Lady Rosette’s sheer force of presence.
“Hoo…”
Scratching his head, Aidan sighed. He hadn’t anticipated this at all. What should he do now? It seemed the Grand Duke himself would have to make the decision.
Aidan fled as fast as he could—away from Lady Rosette’s resignation letter.
* * *
I cautiously read Lady Rosette’s expression. Honestly, I had always thought her workload was excessive. How did she manage all of that alone? It was only possible because she was extraordinarily capable—no one else could have done it.
Seeing Aidan retreat so completely under her pressure was understandable.
Was the estate large? Enormous.
Were there many servants hired to maintain it? Of course.
And business partners? More than a few.
The fact that none of them had ever raised complaints meant only one thing—Lady Rosette had been serving flawlessly as the control tower all this time.
She was an amazing person in a way completely different from me.
Lady Rosette sighed and turned her gaze toward me.
“Gasp!”
I straightened up immediately and smiled brightly. Lady Rosette gave an awkward smile in return.
“Was I too overbearing? I didn’t even ask for your opinion, Miss Roella.”
Seeing Lady Rosette show weakness was unexpected. She sat down heavily in her chair, looking exhausted. I quickly wagged my metaphorical tail.
“No, my lady. I understand your position. I think the Grand Duke should properly recognize all the work you do for the estate.”
“I used to be full of passion. Now, I don’t even have the energy for that anymore. Still… life became bearable after you arrived, Miss Roella.”
Lady Rosette pressed a hand to her forehead. Her exhaustion was unmistakable.
