Episode 19

Yes, this was more than familiar to me.

I've been fired countless times.

'But I can't just sit still now that I've come this far.'

I pressed my lips together out of habit.

"What did you just say..."

"I said everything is the master's fault."

It felt as if someone were choking me from behind.

But in my view, only the count existed.

"You claim I have been negligent in my duties."

"..."

"You are right. It is my duty to remain by the madam's side twenty-four hours a day, without rest."

"..."

"It is indeed partly my fault, I admit. But then, the lord is obliged to enable me to fulfill that duty, or is that not the case?"

"What?"

His dark eyebrows twitched fiercely.

I wasn't intimidated at all.

'It's scarier to be kicked out of this mansion without my dignity.'

However, in the end, what's truly frightening is an empty bank account balance.

If he weren't my employer, the count would be like any other human being.

"Count, do you have any idea how this estate operates?"

"What does a maid like you know..."

"Are you aware how many attendants are required to run a mansion of this size properly?"

"..."

"You don't know, do you? Because you're not interested."

His dark eyebrows twitched.

I had no intention of stopping. No, my stubborn determination had reached its limit.

"As you mentioned, sir, why was the madam's dedicated maid in the kitchen?"

"..."

"Because there isn't enough staff."

"What?"

"There's a terrible lack of people! Terrible! None!"

"Well, that's something you all should—"

"Are you even aware of what is happening in the kitchen or the main residence?"

"..."

"And yet, we're expecting distinguished guests! We are even forced to borrow staff, but there remains no effort to recruit more people!"

Ultimately, the biggest issue lay with the madam's standing...

'Let's keep that under wraps.'

That wasn't something a servant should speak on.

"If we are dragging random people in because of a shortage of hands, am I supposed to just refuse and stand idle? I am already swamped with so much!"

"..."

"Did the sparkling tableware set on the table today fall from the sky?"

"..."

"We struggled to maintain the estate's dignity with inadequate staff, unable even to dine...!"

On top of the harsh treatment, now he went ahead and threatened me like this.

It was beyond belief; tears almost welled up.

"If madam's safety is such a concern, shouldn't she have been provided an escort?"

Employing personal guards was prohibited.

However, for security purposes, up to four guards could be assigned to an individual.

'How long has it been since they got married?'

I pleaded, clutching my chest.

"I'm merely one person, but if the madam decides to turn away, how am I supposed to handle everything alone?"

"Ensuring that does not happen is your responsibility."

What is he trying to say?

'So this is what it means to be a noble!'

Those born into privilege never cared for how things ran below them. They never even considered it.

"It is your responsibility, master."

"...What?"

"Madam's sudden departure today, I am saying it is all your responsibility."

Yes, that's exactly what I had initially wished to convey.

'Who initiated this mess in the first place?'

The clown, pushed to his limit, trembled with indignation.

"Who invites their former lover to their wife's first birthday celebration after marriage?"

"Lady Evangeline arrived as my aunt's companion, not by my invitation."

"Still, she came, didn't she?"

"She wasn't even my former lover—Ha, why do I have to explain this to a mere maid?"

"You are right, master."

As I agreed calmly, the count appeared slightly taken aback.

With a steady smile, I added:

"You have neither the need nor the obligation to explain anything to me."

"..."

"But what about madam? At least to madam—"

"Right... So you're saying this is my fault?"

His dark eyes sank coldly.

"Are you done speaking?"

"I'm done—"

I was suddenly distracted.

At the end of my vision, I could see Ute Velvet motioning towards me.

His lips moved as clearly as possible for me to read—

'Ah, romance.'

That's right.

I momentarily forgot why I was standing here in the first place.

'What was romance again? Romance is...'

What should I do?

"You were blabbering well until now, but you seem to have nothing to say—"

"I do."

I recalled an experience shared by the man I liked, who stood beside me while explaining his revised plan.

'There was a nice smell emitting from his gown.'

A scent unlike disinfectant tickled my heart... No, that's not it.

I focused intensely.

"I am not done yet."

Let's not forget.

'This is romance, romance.'

A genre where two persons are to meet and pledge eternal love.

'I am the stepping stone of that love.'

I took a step back and turned towards the madam.

"You're really going too far! Leaving the madam so lonely like this...!"

"...Wh-what?"

"The madam traveled from the Kingdom of Ronda without a single servant. Wouldn't she naturally feel lonely?"

If this were a romance novel, my role was clear as day.

'The female lead's loyal maid.'

I raised my eyebrows and shouted as best as I could.

"There's no one else madam can trust and rely on except her husband, the count, and yet you're off flirting with another woman in such a situation!"

"Flirting? That's a misunderstanding—"

"Our madam's feelings must have been hurt deeply by that."

"..."

He was caught.

The count, who had been acting without conscience, lost his momentum when confronted about the madam.

I drove in the wedge.

"How highly did our madam think of the count!"

She probably didn't think much of him until today.

"...What?"

"S-S-Sonnet!"

Despite being a newbie to romance, acting as a catalyst for this relationship was surprisingly simple.

'If you push, the odds increase.'

Especially if they truly were protagonists in a romance...

"Our madam doesn't know what to do with herself on days when she accidentally meets the count because she feels too delighted!"

"What?"

Let's assume that's the case for now.

'She must be nervous, that's all.'

I gently patted the madam's cold hand and continued.

"She keeps walking along the same path where she first met the count, again... and again... and again...!"

Damn it, my repertoire is running out.

'I still have much to learn.'

Just then, a timely supporting volley arrived.

"By any chance... is madam having trouble sleeping?"

"Wow, how accurate!"

"This is often a symptom as a result of someone continuously occupying your heart. You can't sleep; even when you do, you don't feel like you did, and in your dreams, you only see that person..."

Nice one, Sir Ute!

I stepped in and forwarded Ute Velvel's advance.

"How could you have caused such hurt to someone so innocent and delicate like the madam...!"

"Trash."

The aide's scathing conclusion echoed throughout the office.

The count, unable to grasp the suddenly changed atmosphere, stammered.

"N-no, I'm... I'm trash...?"

"All I truly want is for our madam to be happy..."

A final blow.

My eyes, which had become stiff from my dedication, gradually softened.

I blinked slowly.

Once.

Twice.

Drumroll...

"My word, Sonnet...!"

Two delicate arms enveloped me.

Her pink eyes shimmered with a touch of emotion.

"I never knew you thought of me so deeply!"

Well, I wasn't really.

"You've bore into my feelings, which even I didn't know existed... How could you understand so well?"

Because I made them up.

I embraced the madam and replied,

"Because I've remained by your side all along."

"So...nnet..."

Her wavering eyes suddenly became resolute.

Madam declared, facing her husband,

"I will never send away Sonnet."

"That—"

"Absolutely, definitely not."

"Well, if that's how you feel. For now... I think we need to speak."

The count issued for everyone to leave.

It was a liberation which lasted half a day.

"I told you it would be okay, didn't I?"

Ute Velvet seemed unexpectedly refreshed, unlike everyone else.

"I never knew Miss Sonnet had such talent for acting—"

The brightened expression froze instantly.

"...You were acting, right?"

"That's right."

I replied, tears flowing steadily.

"Yes, I mean, I thought so, but it felt so real..."

Such is the only way to survive in a harsh world.

Once the tears welled up, it was not easy to stop them.

As I quietly waited for the moisture to dry, a soft texture rubbed my cheeks.

"Still..."

The handkerchief smelled like a doctor's gown.

Ute gently pressed my tear-stained eyes and smiled.

"But still, it's better to laugh than cry."

"..."

"They say if you smile, good things will happen."

"Is there such a thing?"

"It's a very famous saying."

But it seems the saying is wrong, considering there was an angel in front of me even as I cried.

I nodded silently.

Every spot touched by the handkerchief felt like a spark had ignited.

That careful and tender gesture continued until the tears ceased.

"Miss Sonnet."

Ute opened his mouth only after my tears had stopped.

"I—"

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