TPTM 11

chapter 11

I paused, pretending to think it over, but answered easily.

“Since managing household affairs is your responsibility, Aunt Aubrey, I’ll leave it to you.”

“…Really?”

Of course. That wasn’t the answer Aubrey wanted. It was obvious from the fire in her eyes that she was looking for any excuse to tarnish my image, no matter what I said.

“But not in my room. It’s the precious room Grandfather gave me, and I don’t want to see any violent behavior here, Aunt Aubrey.”

That statement left no room for criticism—her eyes twitched slightly at the corners.

But she was undoubtedly a noblewoman. She immediately composed herself and shouted sharply:

“Take these insolent brats down to the disciplinary cellar!”

“Yes, Milady!”

“Lady Viscountess! Spare me!”

“Miss Tulia! I-I was wrong! Please help!”

The screaming voices quickly faded into the distance. Even as I watched, Aubrey’s older maids efficiently covered their mouths, and I had a feeling they were quite accustomed to this sort of thing.

“Now, Tulia. Those rascals must have been sent to attend to you, and yet look at what they’re doing…”

Aubrey dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, then spoke kindly.

“You have no idea how much this auntie’s heart aches. That’s why I’ve personally brought the head maid to you this time.”

She clapped her hands twice, and two maids immediately bowed neatly behind her.

“Choose one of these two as your head maid. I’ve carefully selected the candidates to make it easier for you.”

The last remark was clearly meant for Luc Kelpouser to hear. She was pretending to care about me, as if showing concern.

As I turned my gaze, the two maids greeted me in unison.

“I’m Rilda, Miss.”

“I’m Adel, Miss.”

One looked to be in her early to mid-30s, the other in her late 30s. Aubrey pointed to the younger one first.

“Rilda is of noble blood. Her father was even granted a minor baronial title. In short, she comes from a distinguished family.”

If this were the old Tulia, I would have immediately picked Rilda. Maids with noble blood were rare and highly sought after. The social circles believed that having a noble-blooded maid elevated one’s own status.

‘But if Aunt Aubrey is showing such generosity, it’s obvious that she’s just one of Aubrey’s trusted aides.’

I looked at Adel instead of Rilda, and Aubrey’s waxy smile faltered slightly—but only briefly.

She placed her hand on my shoulder and smiled warmly.

“Yes, Tulia. Adel seems gentle, doesn’t she? She truly is kind-hearted and quick at her work. It’s hard to believe she comes from the Borderlands.”

Borderlands.

Adel’s face remained composed, bowing politely. But Rilda’s eyes flickered with a faint, unmistakable sneer.

The Borderlands were significant in Gmealpan. Located at the far east of the empire, it was essentially abandoned land.

It had another ominous nickname: “The Land Abandoned by God, Where No Temples Stand.”

It was said to be overgrown with wild plants, rife with heretics, and even inhabited by cannibals.

‘Well, not actual cannibals…’

Even noble-born individuals from the Borderlands rarely entered the high society of the capital. Commoners and peasants didn’t stand a chance. It was essentially a slum, infamous for its harsh conditions.

Those who came from the Borderlands had to be exceptionally capable to earn positions in noble households.

‘Of course, right now she’s being presented as a comparison to make me pick Rilda.’

Still, standing here as a candidate for the head maid of a viscountess’s household was impressive in itself.

‘I want to pick Adel, but Tulia’s reputation is practically my lifeline, so it’s not an easy decision.’

Other stats like intelligence, wealth, and appearance might be shown, but reputation had no explicit ranking.

If your reputation dropped too low, a warning would pop up:
“Your social reputation is at a dangerous level.”

Failing to manage reputation in the game Gmealpan meant a bad ending, even if everything else went well.

I was Tulia Frezier, after all. I had to choose carefully.

‘Hmm.’

A noble-blooded, haughty head maid? Or a neat and capable one from the Borderlands?

As I pondered, a “status window” suddenly appeared above Adel’s head.

“What? Why now?”

I hadn’t done anything, but instinctively signaled to check the window.

My eyes widened.

[System: Profile]
Adel ??? (40 years old)

• From the Borderlands

• Entered the Frezier household at age 20, showing excellent performance

• Hidden secret: ………………………………………………………………………………(View More)

‘View More?’

I blinked, stunned.

I clicked “View More,” and with a misty effect, the full profile appeared:

[System: Profile]
Adel Kelpouser (40 years old)

• From the Borderlands

• Entered the Frezier household at age 20, showing excellent performance

• Hidden secret: Chief aide to Archduke Ashis Frezier, and the “hidden younger sister” of Luc Kelpouser

(☆Tip: Luc Kelpouser feels deep guilt toward Adel Kelpouser)

“What?!”

Wait, Luc and Adel have a significant age difference—how could she be his hidden younger sister?

‘…Well, it’s possible.’

I had brothers who were more than ten years older than me, so it wasn’t entirely impossible.

Even if they were terrible people, calling them brothers wasn’t appealing.

Luc and Adel seemed to have a slightly larger age gap, but that wasn’t important right now.

I was in shock—no, more like exhilaration.

(☆Tip: Luc Kelpouser feels deep guilt toward Adel Kelpouser)

If this tip was true…

‘This is a jackpot!’

I tried to swallow the laughter threatening to burst out, forcing a serious, contemplative expression instead.

“Aunt Aubrey.”

“Yes, Tulia. Surely you’ll want to choose Rilda, right? Considering your own dignity, a maid with noble blood must be head maid…”

“No, no.”

“You… don’t?”

“Yes.”

I smiled brightly, genuinely.

“I’ll choose Adel as my head maid.”