TMLAM 25

Chapter 25

The Male Lead’s Devoted Maid Is Too Capable

Was this really something that could be brushed off with words this light?

Kristen let out a long sigh. At this point, he no longer knew. A headache seemed to be coming on, and he pressed firmly against his forehead as he spoke.

“If it were the other way around, what then?”

“…Pardon?”

“If Miss Roella’s compatibility score were higher. I’m asking what would happen to Miss Elisha in that case.”

“Ah.”

Aidan grabbed his chin with a troubled expression. That, too, was something to worry about.

“Well… I suppose that’s something we’d have to think through as well.”

“Given the current situation, it doesn’t seem appropriate for me to leave my post. Even if I appoint an aide, it would be better to postpone my leave.”

“Thank you, Lady Rosette.”

There really was no helping it. With all this chaos, it felt like the ducal castle would only be able to maintain its center if Lady Rosette was present.

Kristen, Aidan, and Lady Rosette all fell silent, their faces heavy with thought.

And all of their thoughts pointed to a single person.

Roella.

The sudden appearance of Elisha had rung an alarm bell for the stability of the ducal castle.

* * *

Elisha slowly looked around the reception room. Having lived in the cold, dried-out world outside, coming here made it feel as though even her stiffened fingers were finally able to straighten.

After days of barely eating, warmth seemed to be returning to her chilled body. As she sipped her tea, Elisha let out a faint sigh.

When the article about conducting compatibility tests was first published, Elisha had been someone completely unrelated to it.

But not long ago, she had a dream.

It was a strange dream. She couldn’t properly understand it, and countless people appeared in it. In that dream, Elisha herself was standing beside Duke Kristen. Duke Kristen looked at her and whispered.

“Thank you, Elisha. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have survived. You are the light of Acrasia—and my light. Thank you so much for staying by my side.”

That voice, at least, was vivid. And she was certain that the man was the famous Duke Kristen.

It was something even Elisha, a girl from the slums with little education, could recognize.

“I love you.”

The one who received that confession was none other than Elisha herself. And so, it was right for her to come here.

In search of her destiny.

* * *

The day Elisha’s compatibility test results were to be revealed had arrived. It had been exactly three full weeks since her arrival.

The ducal castle was wrapped in a strange tension. Soon, priests from the temple were expected to arrive.

Compatibility testing was complex and precise. Verifying whether someone possessed a constitution that resonated with dragon mana required several stages of examination. Elisha’s stay at the temple the day before had been for that very reason.

Lady Rosette had been unable to hide her tension since morning, and Aidan sat blankly at the desk in the office. His fingers hadn’t moved an inch.

Kristen was seated at his desk with documents spread out before him, but even he was well aware that he’d read the same line three times already.

“Your Grace.”

Aidan spoke carefully.

“If Miss Elisha’s score ends up being higher—”

“That’s enough. I’ve lost count of how many times you’ve repeated the same thing.”

If someone with a higher compatibility score appeared, it should have been a good thing. Yet, for some reason, the atmosphere felt like a funeral.

At that moment, the office door opened.

“Good morning, Mr. Aidan!”

Roella entered with a bright smile. Her voice was as lively as ever. Judging by the sparkle in her eyes, she must have slept well last night too.

Startled, Aidan turned to look at her. Kristen also raised his head and fixed his gaze on her.

“R-Roella…”

Aidan’s voice trembled as he called her name. He studied her face closely. There wasn’t even a hint of anxiety—only pure brightness.

“Isn’t the weather wonderful today? I took a morning walk, and the flowers in the garden were blooming so beautifully.”

Roella spoke as she walked to her seat. She lightly ran her fingers over the neatly stacked documents on her desk, wearing a satisfied expression.

“Oh, Mr. Aidan. I finished organizing the documents you assigned me yesterday. I also reviewed all the contracts with the Northern Merchants’ Guild and the quarry. I marked the clauses that might be problematic, so you can take a look later.”

“Ah…”

Aidan stared at Roella in a daze. Talking about paperwork at a time like this? No—why was she so calm? Was he the only one feeling tense?

“And Your Grace.”

Roella turned her head toward Kristen.

“I spoke with Lady Rosette about preparations for the Northern Lords’ meeting next week, and she said I could handle the meeting minutes. I’m quite fast at shorthand. Would it be alright if I took care of it?”

Kristen looked at Roella quietly.

Her calm demeanor eased his own tension. In truth, Roella had already proven her abilities. Even during the daytime, not just at night, she had firmly established herself as an indispensable presence within the ducal castle. He could understand her confidence.

“If that’s what you want, you may proceed.”

“Thank you. I’ll do my very best!”

She didn’t say she’d work hard like before—or rather, excessively so. Kristen blinked. Come to think of it, he couldn’t even remember why he’d been so worried in the first place. Roella was Roella, and Elisha was Elisha.

Humming softly, Roella sat down and began her work.

Unable to hold back, Aidan asked,

“Um, Roella. Today’s the day the test results come out. Aren’t you nervous at all?”

“Should I be? Well, even aside from that, I believe I’ve been recognized for my work here at the ducal castle. Thanks to me, work efficiency has improved, hasn’t it? You acknowledged that yourself, Mr. Aidan, and Lady Rosette praised me too.”

She continued with a bright smile.

“So, even if I end up unable to fulfill the role of a compatible—”

Roella paused briefly. Her gaze was sharper than usual.

“I can still work here. With my own abilities.”

Aidan froze, staring at Roella as though he’d stopped breathing. He’d never expected to hear something like that.

Kristen lightly bit his lower lip.

With my own abilities.

Those words resonated strangely in Kristen’s chest.

Roella had already proven her worth, and she believed that would protect her. It was the survival instinct of someone four years into working life.

You don’t just fire an employee who’s boosted company performance with blood, sweat, and tears.

Roella shrugged. Her face showed absolute confidence that she wouldn’t be dismissed. Then she lifted her chin with a proud expression.

Watching her, Aidan clapped his hands and exclaimed in admiration,

“If it were me, I wouldn’t have slept a wink last night.”

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

Roella laughed and waved her hand.

“Your Grace, do I need to leave?”

“Of course not.”

“See, Mr. Aidan? I really don’t need to be nervous.”

Roella burst into laughter. The sound filled the office, wiping away the tension that had lingered there. Thanks to her, both Aidan and Kristen relaxed as well. Humming again, Roella returned to her work.

Kristen smiled without realizing it. Watching Roella put his mind at ease. It made him feel as though he could handle anything that came his way.

The steady sound of papers turning echoed through the office. Kristen turned his gaze back to his own documents. Fortunately, this time, he could actually read them.

Aidan looked back and forth between Kristen and Roella.

Something felt strange.

Somehow, it felt as though the two of them were starting to resemble each other more and more.