Chapter 30

The following day, Sir Henry had recovered.

Since pushing himself was still strictly forbidden, we had him handle some light work at the mansion instead. Specifically, we moved up the schedule for the inspection of the seedlings.

Lord Nazel guided him to the garden and provided a detailed explanation regarding the plants.

Sir Henry was nothing short of astonished, and the conversation regarding the seedlings seemed to be moving toward practical implementation.

The two of them discussed various points.

“…If that is the case, it will certainly help our food situation. However, we will likely face dissatisfaction from those who have risked their lives to venture into the sea and mountains to gather food. Their livelihood would be threatened by this.”

“So it’s thanks to those people that the territory has managed to stave off starvation thus far?” Lord Nazel asked.

“Yes. There were those who specialized in that trade. Naturally, because of the dangers involved, the prices of their goods were astronomical.”

“Compensation for them will be necessary, then. Perhaps we could grant them a portion of the harvesting rights for the crops produced from these seedlings…”

As it felt like real progress was being made, Kelly and I exchanged glances behind them.

“Even so, to think seedlings could grow this large within the Sutrena Territory.”

“It wasn’t by my power alone. Lady Agnes assisted me. Even if we plant them elsewhere, her cooperation will be required.”

“The Lady’s cooperation? Does it perhaps have something to do with her magic?”

“Yes. It seems Lady Agnes’s magic accelerates the growth of the seedlings. Only when both she and I are involved can we raise the crops this way. Once the seedlings have fully grown, no additional magic is required.”

“I see. Let us hammer out the details regarding that as well.”

“Right. I’d like to move this forward while we’re still here at the mansion. Also, if there are any duties I can take over for you, please let me know. It should lighten your burden.”

Though a slight distance still remained between the two, I hoped that this would be the chance for Sir Henry to open his heart to Lord Nazel.

Having a moment of spare time, I thought about such things while reinforcing the flowerbeds in the garden.

A few days later, Sir Henry was fully revitalized and was moving forward with plans for territorial reform alongside Lord Nazel. His complexion had improved slightly, and it looked like he would be able to return to the fortress tomorrow.

It seemed the two of them had come to recognize each other as partners in work.

“Now then, we have to do our best, too. We have the servant interviews today, after all.”

Having changed into my maid uniform, I stepped out the mansion door with Kelly.

For the interviews, I wanted to focus on the applicants’ character, so I decided to attend the screening disguised as a maid. Thus, today’s “setting” was that I was the Head Maid, and Kelly was the Head Lady’s Maid.

For some reason, this maid outfit was quite popular with Lord Nazel, who frequently called it “cute.”

“Oh, I’m so nervous.”

Outside the gates, the people who had come for the interviews should be gathered.

“Kelly, it’s finally time for the interviews.”

“Indeed, Lady Agnes. I wonder if the candidates will truly gather for us.”

“I don’t know… but we’ve done everything we can. All that’s left is to observe them carefully and make the right hires!”

When the two of us stepped through the gates, we found that despite the early hour, far more people had gathered than I expected. It seemed the excellent working conditions had done the trick.

The servants we were recruiting this time included a cook, maids, and a gardener. I planned to gradually recruit for other positions in the future, though I’d need to consult Lord Nazel regarding a butler.

I offered a greeting to the people who had come for the interviews.

“Thank you all for waiting. Thank you for gathering here today. We will now begin the servant recruitment interviews, so please, come inside.”

The primary interview consisted of a brief self-introduction by job category, followed by a secondary interview to explore their characters.

In total, about sixteen people gathered, all hoping for maid positions. There were no applicants for the cook or gardener roles… How disappointing.

I had prepared two empty, cleaned rooms as a waiting room and an interview room. I had them enter four at a time.

“Now then, starting with the first person, please introduce yourself.”

Kelly and I sat side-by-side in the interviewers’ seats. The woman on the far right began to speak.

“I’m Mocca. I used to gather medicinal herbs in the forest. I am eighteen years old. I can handle housework and basic medicine preparation.”

“I’m Patty. My family runs a livestock farm. I am sixteen years old. I can do housework and tend to livestock.”

“I’m Meiza. I worked in a diner kitchen. I am thirty-two. I am good at cooking.”

“I’m Lori. I’m a housewife. I am forty. I can do childcare and housework. I have prior experience as a maid.”

I asked each of them simple questions, and none of them gave a bad impression. Meiza looked like she could be hired as a cook as well. Everyone passed the first round.

“Alright, let’s call in the second group.”

“Understood, Lady Agnes.”

I expected the second group to go as smoothly as the first, but one particular woman was visibly displeased. With her flashy clothes and flamboyant hairstyle, she clearly stood out from the rest.

“Honestly, just how long do you plan to keep me waiting!?”

Since she was quite irate, I offered an apology for the time being.

“I am sorry to have kept you waiting.”

“You really are inconsiderate. I’m here for a lady’s maid position; I expected to have a waiting room separate from these others.”

Since she wanted to be a lady’s maid, she seemed to be a daughter of some standing. However… this was an interview for general maids.

Since I had Kelly, I intended to either recruit more lady’s maids later or promote them from the maid staff.

“Um, we are not recruiting for lady’s maids today.”

When I told her that, the woman snapped back, “I know that!”

…I, on the other hand, had no idea what was going on.

“The Lord’s wife doesn’t have any lady’s maids, does she? That’s why I decided I’d be the one to do it.”

“No, we already have a Head Lady’s Maid right here.”

Since Kelly had only recently become a lady’s maid, the woman’s information was likely outdated.

“Head Lady’s Maid…? Are you a noble, then?”

When asked, Kelly answered honestly, “I am a commoner.”

At that, the woman adopted an even more overbearing attitude.

“Then from now on, as the daughter of a Baron, I shall be the Head Lady’s Maid! The wife here was called the ‘Potato Lady,’ wasn’t she? Now that I’m here, perhaps things will improve a little? Though I suppose there’s only so much you can do when the starting material is a potato.”

“…I-I see.”

Though I was trembling with indignation, I continued my act as the Head Maid.

“More importantly, the Master here is incredibly handsome, isn’t he?! I’m aiming to be his mistress! I plan to use that potato woman as a stepping stone to get close to him.”

…You’re really saying that out loud here?

Faced with such a shocking “coming out,” I was momentarily lost for words.

Admittedly, when we first came to the frontier, I had thought that if Lord Nazel found someone he truly loved, I would step aside quietly without making a scene.

But now… now that an actual crisis had arrived, I found myself hating the very idea.

The comfortable days I had spent with Lord Nazel until now…

In that time, my feelings for Lord Nazel had grown.

—I… I actually love Lord Nazel… so much that I don’t want him to have a mistress at all…