Chapter 32

However, the one most discomposed was Rebecca, standing right before us.

Of all things, she had attempted to slap me—the Lady of the house—right in front of Lord Nazel.

“L-Lies… Why is the Head Maid actually the Lady of the manor…? I didn’t know that. This is completely different from the rumors! I… I’ve done nothing wrong!”

Rebecca’s face turned pale as she backed away.

To her, Lord Nazel spoke in a chilling voice.

“You are rejected. I am familiar with the name Baron Kygionne; I was planning to pay him a visit soon anyway. There were some points regarding his finances that piqued my interest…”

Lord Nazel wore a look of cold ruthlessness such as I had never seen before. Because his features were so refined, it made the expression all the more intimidating.

In the midst of this, an expressionless Kelly stepped forward and briskly opened the room’s door.

“The exit is this way.”

With a face even paler than Sir Henry’s, Rebecca staggered out the door and left, her spirit completely broken.

The maid recruitment interviews had been full of turmoil from the very start. And furthermore—

“Um, Lord Nazel?”

“Yes, Agnes?”

Lord Nazel, who was still holding me in a protective embrace, showed no sign of letting go.

“We have the secondary interviews to get through… so could you perhaps release me now?”

“Ah, my apologies. Seeing my cute Agnes in such a situation, I simply couldn’t help myself…”

Everything Lord Nazel says is just so incredibly sweet.

Since I had just fully realized that I loved him, the unexpected closeness felt like it might make me faint.

“Agnes, I won’t interfere, but may I watch the rest of the interviews with you? I’m worried.”

Having him whisper this request right by my ear, all I could do was nod my head frantically.

Lord Nazel has such a beautiful voice.

Collecting ourselves… the secondary interviews, start!

If there are no issues, I intend to finalize our staff members now.

One by one, I called the maid candidates into a separate room.

At the interviewers’ table sat Lord Nazel and… for some reason, Sir Henry had joined us as well.

It seemed that since Lord Nazel had come over here, Sir Henry found himself with nothing to do.

“First is Miss Mocca. Allow me to introduce myself properly: I am Agnes, the Lady of the Sutrena Territory. I am sorry for deceiving you earlier by pretending to be the Head Maid. I wanted to see how you all behaved normally.”

I never imagined it would turn into such a scene of carnage, though.

“What kind of housework have you done? And to what extent can you prepare medicines?”

“I handled cooking, laundry, and cleaning. I can also prepare wound salves, gastrointestinal medicine, ointments for skin conditions, and even skin lotions. My family makes a living gathering medicinal herbs. However, lately, the magical beasts have increased, making it impossible to enter the forest…”

It seemed Mocca had decided to seek work in a different field to earn whatever money she could.

Next, Lord Nazel asked a question.

“What is your magic type, and where is your family home located?”

“My magic is ‘Drying.’ Though, since my mana capacity is low, I can only dry small amounts a day—just enough for herbs or food. My family home is near the forest to the east of the Sutrena Territory. If possible, I would like to request live-in employment.”

I see. The recruitment flyer mentioned that both commuting and live-in options were available.

Mocca happened to be in town to sell herbs when she caught sight of the flyer by chance.

“Understood. We will announce the results at the end, so please move to the other room.”

Incidentally, in the case of a rejection, we planned to say, “We will notify you of the results at a later date,” and have them leave through the back exit without passing through the waiting room.

Rebecca was an extreme case, but the rest of the candidates were sensible.

The next applicant, Patty, also finished her interview without any issues.

Following her, Meiza, who had worked at a diner, entered the room.

Looking over her background, I decided to ask a question on the off-chance she might agree.

“It seems you are quite skilled at cooking. Would you consider working as a cook instead of a maid?”

“Eh?”

Meiza blinked, looking caught off guard.

“But I was just a hired hand, and I only know how to make common diner food, you know? I didn’t think it would suit the palates of noble lords and ladies…”

“By the way, which diner were you employed at?”

This time, Sir Henry chimed in.

He looked very much the part of an interviewer, but… Sir, you don’t actually work at this mansion, do you?

“It was the ‘Blue Wild Strawberry Pavilion’ near the fortress.”

“That popular place? There is always a line during the lunch hour. I use it often myself; the flavor is not bad at all.”

“…Thank you very much.”

Meiza answered, looking somewhat bewildered.

“I see. We will announce the results at the end.”

After finishing the interviews for the remaining members, we moved to the separate room where the successful candidates were waiting.

“Thank you for waiting. Those hired as maids this time are Mocca, Lori, and Marilyn. As for Meiza, we will hire you if you are willing to take the position of cook.”

Lori has children and wishes to commute. Marilyn is a single mother and requested a live-in position.

Since Mocca’s home is far away, I granted her permission to live in as well.

After a moment of hesitation, Meiza accepted the position as a cook.

I had wondered how things would turn out, but with the cooperation of Lord Nazel and the others, the recruitment interviews were brought to a successful close for now.