TPTM 10

Chapter 10

The maids, including Aubrey’s head maid, startled and immediately bowed their heads.

Aubrey herself reacted the same way. She had been busy picking out twice as many year-end gifts to console her son, Tedric, who was deeply upset after having the Archducal necklace taken back from him.

“I’m hearing rumors among the vassals that you didn’t even send a single proper maid to Tulia!”

Lilius had always cared deeply about his public reputation.

“They’re even saying that I secretly envy my elder brother, Marquis Aster, and that I’m bullying his daughter in such a childish way behind his back! What do you intend to do about that?!”

The rumor had only just begun circulating among a small number of people, but for Lilius—who, as the youngest, had to pretend he cared the least about power—it was a devastating blow.

Naturally, Aubrey’s face turned pale.

“That brat lost the direct family necklace because of his own stupidity, and yet you’re piling up gifts for him like this? Don’t give him a single thing!”

“But Tedric has been crying all day and won’t even eat! As parents, shouldn’t we at least do this much to comfort him?”

“Silence!”

Lilius pointed a finger sharply at Aubrey.

“Send Tulia a proper head maid and attendants immediately! Just how miserable does that child look that the vassals are gossiping like this? We need to put those rumors to rest at once!”

Then he looked at the list of gifts meant for Tedric and frowned deeply.

He was already busy groveling before Archduke Asis Frezier because of that boy, and yet the list was filled with absurdly expensive luxury items.

“Pen!”

The aide who had been following him quickly handed one over.

“This, this, this—and this as well. Send all of them to Tulia. And make sure the vassals and noble ladies hear about it.”

The items were extravagant beyond reason.

A white sable cloak lined with gold thread embroidery of lotus flowers.

Ten full bolts of baroque lace crafted by a master artisan—each ten centimeters costing three hundred thousand gold.

And a magnificent golden pendant framed densely with tiny diamonds.

In short, they were the most expensive items on the list.

They were also the luxuries Tedric had wanted the most.

Lilius wiped the pleasant smile he usually wore in public from his face and muttered irritably.

“That girl, Tulia… she’s changed in a strange way all of a sudden. Most likely…”

The name that came to his mind was someone who had not returned to the Archducal territory for over a decade, yet still wielded the greatest influence among the vassals and elders as the next potential Archduke.

Marquis Aster Frezier.

Lilius spoke with a face twisted in anger.

“She must have struck some kind of deal with her father. Otherwise that fool wouldn’t suddenly start causing trouble for us like this.”

Lowering his voice, Lilius gave Aubrey a quiet instruction.

“Plant a head maid by Tulia’s side. One who will listen to us.”

* * *

“Hm. Good. Even the temperature of the food has finally improved.”

It seemed there had been some benefit to intentionally walking around with that disastrous hair and letting the vassals witness such an embarrassing sight after getting a hint from Lecre.

Even after returning to the main residence, the food had never been satisfactory.

Whenever it was brought to me in the “storage,” there had been more dishes, sure—but they were often completely cold.

Hot soup?

I had never even tasted something like that before.

But after showing myself to the vassals a few times and acting pitiful, it seemed Lilius had finally scolded his wife Aubrey thoroughly.

“Of course. Discriminating through food is the pettiest thing you can do.”

I stuffed a spoonful of cream stew into my mouth, chewing the tender vegetables.

The warmth filling my stomach felt incredibly reassuring.

They’ll probably send proper maids within a day or two.

Ones completely under their control, of course.

Girls who could report every single thing I did.

Since the foolish and extravagant Tulia had suddenly become clever, they must be desperate to find the cause.

Maybe they even think I received some sort of secret instruction from my father, Marquis Aster Frezier.

They might even search my room while I’m away.

“Mm. But there’s nothing.”

There really was nothing.

Because the thing that caused all this…

was right here.

I glanced at the floating star-shaped status window beside me and finished my meal.

Then I stood up and began tidying the dining area.

When I played Corikoro, I never had to do this kind of basic cleanup.

But for now, I was still in the bad graces of Viscount Lilius and his wife Aubrey.

The maids who handled menial tasks watched me carefully, so I had no choice.

Compared to my life as Hanina, where doing the dishes myself had been normal, this was still much easier.

Knock knock.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

“Lady Tulia.”

Hearing the familiar voice, I turned my head and widened my eyes.

Lecre was walking in.

“Lecre? What’s the matter?”

“Did you enjoy your dinner?”

In this enormous main residence, Lecre was almost the only person who actually spoke with me.

And after constantly seeing Archduke Asis, looking at Lecre sometimes even gave me the illusion that his smile was gentle.

As expected of the true Frezier assistant, someone who judged people purely by bloodline without prejudice!

Lecre walked toward me, but suddenly his expression hardened.

What’s wrong with him?

Lecre turned back with cold eyes.

“Why is the young lady cleaning the dining table herself?”

“…!”

Lecre hadn’t come alone.

Two maids had followed behind him, and their already poor complexions turned deathly pale.

“Did you not hear my question?”

“Th-that is…”

“You told me before that you did not assist Lady Tulia during meals because she dislikes being disturbed. What excuse do you have for this?”

Both maids remained silent, as if their lips had been glued shut.

A deep crease formed between Lecre’s brows.

“She is a direct member of the Frezier family. How dare you insult someone above your station?”

“N-No, sir! Chief Aide!”

One of the maids, her face completely white, glanced at me before hurriedly speaking.

“Lady Tulia is very considerate, so she tried to ease our workload by doing things like this…”

“That’s right, Chief Aide!”

“Ease your workload? Lady Tulia did that?”

His tone clearly carried disbelief.

That Tulia Frezier helping maids?

The implication was obvious.

The maids shut their mouths immediately.

They looked panicked, but they couldn’t come up with another excuse.

“Pathetic.”

When Lecre coldly ordered them outside to await punishment, the maids clung to me desperately, but it was useless.

“Lady Tulia. You must have suffered greatly. I will have better maids selected for you.”

“Mm. Thank you.”

I forced an awkward smile.

It was nice that he helped me, but… why did it also feel like he had subtly insulted me?

Maybe it would be better to change the subject.

But just then, an exaggerated voice echoed through the room before I could speak.

“Tulia!”

I turned my head.

It was a face I had never seen since coming here—but one I had seen thousands of times in The Secret Bread.

Viscountess Aubrey Frezier.

“Madam.”

Lecre Kelfosher greeted her politely.

Aubrey elegantly extended her hand so he could kiss the back of it, but soon her expression twisted into a vicious glare.

“I heard everything outside! How dare you bully my precious niece!”

“N-No, Viscountess!”

“That’s not true!”

“Do you even know where you are, running your mouths like that?!”

As Aubrey shouted, the maids lined up behind her immediately stepped forward aggressively.

Smack!

Smack!

I’ve seen scenes like this in historical dramas.

Just like cruel palace attendants slapping court maids, Aubrey’s personal maids slapped them mercilessly.

The maids’ lips split instantly, blood trickling down.

“We’re sorry! We’re sorry, Madam!”

Ignoring their sobbing completely, Aubrey grabbed both of my hands.

Her well-maintained noblewoman’s hands were smooth—but strangely cold, like a snake.

With the air of a caring aunt, Aubrey comforted me.

“Now then, I’ll deal with those wicked girls however you wish.”

She smiled sweetly.

“How would you like them punished?”