Episode 24

"Th-That's a bit... well, excessive, isn't it?"

Clinging to someone smaller than me felt quite unfamiliar.

I latched onto Madam's arm, pleading desperately.

"What, what are you saying?"

"Please, don't fire them!"

"Are you worried they might retaliate? Sonnet, there's no need for that."

"It's not that..."

I swallowed the lump of saliva pooled in my throat.

Seeing their bewildered eyes made my heart sink.

'Who’s going to do the work if they're fired!'

Their individual terminations weren't important.

However...

'We hardly have any other main residence maids.'

There had been some recruitment since the madam's birthday event, but most were junior staff.

Any decent talent had already committed to other households.

Even with good benefits, it was a tough sell, looking back to how infamous the poor conditions at the Edwell mansion used to be.

In such circumstances, those three...

'Seven years, ten years, twelve years.'

They were rare mid-level employees within the mansion.

'Just having one of them improves the efficiency of my work!'

They knew their duties well and connected the head maid with newcomers!

It was obvious who would bear the brunt if they were gone.

'Even if it didn't affect me immediately...'

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

How could I be sure they wouldn't drag us to the brink like during the banquet?

'I want no part of that.'

A shortage of staff inevitably shows.

Unpaid overtime was tiresome.

Still clinging to the Madam's arm, I continued to persuade her.

"Of course, since they insulted the Madam, hanging them upside down from the clock tower wouldn’t be enough."

"No, that seems a bit extreme..."

"Obviously, because if she actually did that, she'd get arrested. It's just a metaphor, a metaphor!"

"Oh."

"Anyway, these individuals were simply being territorial."

"Territorial?"

"Yes, territorial! As you know, I've only been here for less than six months."

The shoulders of the quietly crouched perpetrators twitched.

'So, you do have some shame.'

Territorial, my foot.

It was simple venting.

'But who cares?'

Personal grudges among colleagues were insignificant.

"A newcomer who hasn't even been here half a year was assigned to assist Madam directly. Understandably, they'd be upset."

"..."

"Of course! Since you personally chose me, they might find it insolent to oppose your choice, but it was quite a radical personnel move."

That should make some sense.

And it wasn’t entirely unfounded.

Some people did pick fights over such a reason.

"And..."

I lowered my head and whispered in Madam's ear.

"In the past six months, there's been a lot of changes among the staff."

Coincidentally, all this was because of the new countess.

It wasn't Madam's fault, but...

People holding the power and wealth wouldn't see it that way anyhow.

"If this happens again, the staff will feel very insecure. They might even harbor resentment towards Madam."

"Still."

A short wrinkle appeared on her delicate forehead.

Madam looked me in the eye and asked,

"Are you alright with this?"

"Why do you ask my opinion?"

Personnel decisions should be discussed with the head maid.

As I tilted my head, Madam continued with a dissatisfied expression.

"These are the people who said those things to you, right?"

"Hm? ...Ah!"

Come to think of it, I was the cause of this situation.

It was something I had grown familiar with to the point I'd forgotten, but she was quite considerate.

"I'm fine."

Her eyes, ripe like a peach, gazed at me.

"Sonnet, you really are..."

Her quivering pink lips let out a deep sigh.

"Rosie, Silly, Karen."

"Y-Yes!"

"Remember clearly who you owe today's generosity to."

That meant she wouldn't fire them.

I clenched my fist slightly.

'Yes!'

The people who had been bowing their heads seemed bewildered.

"I'll inform the head maid of my decision. You may go now."

"...Y-yes!"

"Understood!"

"Thank you, thank you!"

Only after the maids completely disappeared did Madam's shoulders relax.

Her fine features still showcased her displeasure even after we returned to the room.

"No matter what, it's just..."

"Come on, Madam. Madam! It's nothing serious."

"Nothing serious?"

Her gentle eyes flared up.

'Oops.'

A master's status reflected their right-hand people.

In other words, the treatment of such persons was also linked to the master's honor.

'She might think the slander I receive is the madam's to bear.'

Seventy percent of that would be correct.

In this context, saying 'it's no big deal' could be interpreted as underestimating the master.

I lowered my eyebrows and explained.

"Of course, it's a grave offense to tarnish Madam's reputation, however..."

"That's not the point!"

A vein stood out on her slender white neck.

The madam stood up from the sofa and grabbed my shoulders.

"Are you so used to such talk?"

"Such talk?"

"About your behavior, arrogance, and whatnot. Who are they to...!"

"Ah... Did you hear that?"

"Is that important right now?"

Madam's round eyes glared fiercely.

Her previously stern voice suddenly turned sorrowful.

"This isn't the first time, is it? When else has this happened? With who? Hm?"

What's this?

'This is only common among servants.'

Conflicts arise, superiors pick on inferiors for trivial reasons, and they hold grudges.

The best way is to endure silently. It's not worth reacting to.

'Well, she was a princess until recently.'

Madam trembled as if she had witnessed the unimaginable.

"Why did you stop me? Did you think I couldn't handle them?"

"No, you would have."

That's why I stopped you.

'No matter how much you care for me, the servants' matters should be handled by the servants.'

Her heavy breaths were irregular.

I silently awaited Madam's words as I straightened her disheveled hair.

"Even if there is resentment among the staff! I'll take care of the aftermath! I'll..."

But you can't on your own.

Even if the madam's attitude changed, it wasn’t enough.

A high position alone could not solely control a large mansion.

'Status, relationships with servants, personal abilities...'

Clara Edwell was simply beginning to stand on her feet.

In such situations, even a single noise could be fatal.

She was aware of that as well.

"I want to give you everything you desire."

"...Pardon?"

"Sonnet."

Her delicate fingers gently caressed my cheek.

"What do you want?"

A house in a prime location in the heart of the city.

'No, this is a romance novel, romance, romance...'

I sealed the truth and spoke.

"I just want you to be happy, Madam."

"Sonnet...! How can you be so..."

That must have been the right answer.

As I accepted the madam's enthusiastic embrace, a strange emptiness persisted.

'Opportunities like this don't come often.'

The countess herself! Asking me what I desired!

'Since I've already given the correct answer...'

I revealed my true feelings in a slightly lighter tone.

"Well, if the Madam still feels bad, how about a bonus?"

Her eyes widened like dough and then crinkled with a smile.

"Sonnet, you don't have to say that."

"Yes...?"

"Are you asking me not to feel guilty?"

"No, I mean, a bonus..."

"I'll cheer up now. I guess I was too harsh."

"Bonus..."

What is she talking about?

I asked for a bonus.

The madam interpreted the meaning her way and smiled brightly.

"I'm so glad to have you."

"Right..."

"Sonnet, even if I leave this mansion, will you stay by my side?"

What? Why is the conversation suddenly going there?

Perhaps now was not the time and place to mention a bonus!

"Why, why would you leave?"

"For his sake, someday..."

Oh no, not this again!

We talked about this before, but I didn't think it would come up again!

Things were going well for a while.

I took a seat and approached the conversation cautiously.

If only the small palm hadn't pushed my back.

"I've kept you too long! You must be tired, so go to bed early tonight!"

"Madam?"

"Get some rest, Sonnet!"

How can I sleep!

---

I slept well.

"Quick... Gasp, hurry..."

But why is the man I like gasping for breath so early in the morning?

---

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