Chapter 31

Concerned by my visible agitation, Kelly stepped in and handled the woman with her usual detachment.

“For the time being, I must ask everyone present to introduce themselves. Those are the rules.”

“What?! A mere commoner acting so high and mighty! You’d better not fail me, or you’ll regret it!”

“I shall report everything to the Lady exactly as it happened.”

Report or not, I’m right here, you know.

“Hmph! There are nothing but commoners here. It’s obvious I’ll be the one chosen as a lady’s maid.”

“Please, introduce yourself.”

Kelly repeated the request with a straight face. She’s truly amazing, being able to maintain such a calm expression no matter the situation.

“I’m Rebecca, the third daughter of the House of Baron Kygionne. I am nineteen.”

The other applicants looked completely repulsed, but they hesitantly followed Rebecca’s lead.

“I’m Neris. I’m a trainee in housework, twenty-seven years old.”

“I’m Marilyn. I work at a tavern. I am thirty, and I handle table service.”

“I’m Morina. I’m a hunter. I am thirty-seven. I’m good at hunting, butchering meat, and cleaning.”

With that, the interviews for the second group were finished.

Everyone except Rebecca had ended up shrinking back; I felt quite sorry for them.

Following the same routine, the interviews for the third and fourth groups were completed as well.

“Lady Agnes, are you not feeling fatigued?”

“I’m still alright. Thank you, Kelly.”

“Then we shall proceed to the secondary interviews. First, let us announce those who passed the primary round.”

I nodded and prepared to read out the names of the successful candidates… when my eyes suddenly drifted toward the door.

“H-Huh…?”

Through a small crack in the door, Lord Nazel and Sir Henry were peeking in.

It seemed they were worried and had come to check on things. It was a bit embarrassing.

Steeling my resolve, I read the names of the successful candidates aloud. Those who passed were to proceed to the secondary interview, while the others were expected to head home.

“Those who passed the primary round of the maid recruitment exam are… Mocca, Patty, Meiza, Lori, Marilyn, Morina, Minnie, and Pansy. If your name was called, please remain in this room for your secondary interview. For those whose names were not called, I’m afraid fortune was not with you this time…”

“Hold it! What is the meaning of this!?”

The one who shouted, cutting me off, was the Baron’s daughter, Rebecca. She marched right up to me.

“Hey, what about me? I’m being hired as a lady’s maid, right?”

“As we are only recruiting for general maids this time, no lady’s maids will be hired.”

“Ha? Don’t mess with me. Don’t you dare give me orders when you’re just a maid yourself! Enough talk—hurry up and make me a lady’s maid! I am Rebecca, the daughter of Baron Kygionne, you hear!?”

Ugh… even if she tells me that, it’s not like I can just say “okay.”

“I am afraid I cannot do that.”

“Silence! Bring me that potato woman this instant! Honestly, the nerve of her not even showing her face when I’ve gone through the trouble of coming here myself. If she looks like a potato, she must have the brain of one, too.”

The brain of a potato… That’s a new one. Oh, goodness, what should I do?

“Useless maid! If you won’t listen, then take this!”

Rebecca swung her hand back high. Expecting to be struck, I instinctively closed my eyes.

It’s okay, she shouldn’t have nearly as much power as my father.

But the impact never came. When I timidly opened my eyes…

There stood Rebecca, frozen with her arm still raised, and Lord Nazel, standing protectively in front of me, gripping her wrist.

“I cannot overlook acts of violence in this mansion.”

“Ah… You are…”

Rebecca’s eyes went wide as she looked at Lord Nazel’s face. She must have realized who he was.

However, she immediately pointed at me with her free hand and continued.

“This maid is the one at fault! A mere commoner, yet she had the gall to give me orders. You should fire her! Now, Sir, why don’t you hire me as a lady’s maid instead? I’m certain I could satisfy you.”

Rebecca gazed up at Lord Nazel with fluttering eyelashes. Her attitude was the complete opposite of how she’d treated me.

“I cannot hire you as a lady’s maid.”

“Wh-What?! Why not?! You should make me the Head Lady’s Maid instead of that commoner over there!”

Rebecca shouted, pointing this time at Kelly. In contrast, Lord Nazel remained perfectly calm.

“Regardless of their status, I cannot hire someone who raises a hand so easily against others. Furthermore, I cannot hire someone who insults my wife.”

Realizing that he had heard her “potato” remarks, Rebecca began to look slightly shaken.

However, she recovered quickly and appealed to Lord Nazel while swaying her hips.

“I can satisfy you much better than your wife ever could, Sir. So please, keep me by your side.”

“I decline. I love only my wife.”

Lord Nazel replied instantly, pulling me into a cherished embrace.

Hyaaaa! …Wait, no.

“Lord Nazel, please!”

All the other interviewees, who have no idea what’s going on, look incredibly confused!

“I’m sorry, Agnes. I’ve reached my limit. I couldn’t stand by and watch you be hurt any longer.”

Hearing the name “Agnes,” the people who had come for the interviews began to stir. I could hear whispers like, “Agnes… isn’t that the Lady’s name?” and “Could it be…?”

—My cover is completely blown.