21

“Then, now that we’re family, let’s get along from now on, okay? If there’s anything you don’t know, feel free to come and ask anytime.”

“…Yes. Understood.”

I forced a smile as I answered. As if enjoying the moment, he released our held hands as slowly as possible and exited leisurely.

“Miss Cornelia, what’s the matter?”

Butler Penel noticed my expression and asked if something was wrong. I quickly restored my face to normal and, saying it was nothing, moved with him to the assigned office.

‘It felt deliberate.’

Back when I worked in a company, I had come across trainings and cases about sexual harassment. Many were too awful to mention, but one was similar to what just happened.

‘Scratching or pressing the other person’s palm with your fingers during a handshake.’

It was a subtle form of molestation only the other person would notice. As a new employee I had just thought it was odd. It felt a bit off, but people smiled politely in front of others. Later I learned it carried sexual implications.

‘The problem is I’m the only one who notices it, so it’s awkward to get angry or report it to anyone.’

Seeing that smile I was certain, but there was nothing I could do right now. If he denied it, that would be the end of it.

‘Hope it’s just my imagination.’

Even though I instinctively knew it wasn’t, I tried to think positively. It wouldn’t do to cause trouble with the marquis’s aide. Don’t act rashly.

“Miss Cornelia.”

I was still unsettled when Butler Penel interrupted.

“Yes, Butler Penel.”

He suddenly made an embarrassed, ‘oh no’ face.

“Ah, my mistake. You’re properly Miss Kiara’s aide now. From now on I’ll call you Aide Cornelia or Aide Libertas. Sorry about that.”

I hurriedly declined.

“No, please call me Cornelia. I prefer that. Even if others use titles, please be comfortable with me, Butler.”

The butler laughed heartily, not seeming offended by my request.

“Thank you for saying that. Do that when it’s just the two of us. Outside, it’s much more convenient for work to use titles or honorifics.”

From then on, he always used my title when we were in public.

“Butler, what did you call me in for?”

“Look at me. The marquis and the marchioness are asking to see you.”

Finally seeing the real boss? Any doting father would be curious if his beloved daughter hired an aide.

I took a deep breath, exhaled, and nodded to signal I could go. In the marquis’s office was the aide Bartolo, who had made me uncomfortable earlier.

“So, you’re the aide Kiara picked?”

He was a handsome middle-aged man with the same brown hair and green eyes as Miss Kiara. His eyes, like hers, tilted slightly upward. His slim build and old-fashioned mustache gave him the air of an English gentleman.

“Good day. I am Cornelia Libertas.”

The marquis skimmed a document that seemed to be my resume as he spoke.

“I heard from the guild master that you played a major role at the Black Dia brand. You’re a capable person.”

“You’re flattering me. It was possible because of the help of others.”

In truth, I had practically overseen everything, but at moments like this it’s best to keep such thoughts to myself. Those who need to know already do.

“Thanks to you, Kiara seems happy for the first time in a while. I have high expectations.”

Since his daughter had personally selected me and he found no disqualifying reason, he didn’t ponder long. My past achievements seemed to work in my favor.

“Please help our Kiara a lot from now on. I entrust her to you.”

When the marquis offered his hand, I hesitated a moment before taking it. He moved it up and down a few times and then let go cleanly.

‘Yes, that’s a handshake.’

At that moment Bartolo interjected.

“I’ll make sure to watch closely. She’s my lady’s aide, so I’ll be extra attentive.”

‘What is he saying?’

He never knows when to butt in and why he’s so forward. But the marquis’s response was full of trust.

“Very well, I’ll be relying on you.”

It would be best to avoid getting entangled with him as much as possible.

Next was the marchioness. It looked like today would end with me going around the marquis’s mansion to greet everyone.

“You went to see my husband? If I’d known, I would have come with him. Sorry to trouble you.”

Fortunately, the marquis and marchioness, the real bosses, had normal personalities.

‘What luck.’

Marchioness Clara had a refined beauty that would have made the couple famed as a handsome pair in their youth. Her long lavender hair and blue eyes gave her a delicate, pure appearance. Unlike the catlike Kiara, she looked kind and gentle.

“I just wanted to see you now that you’re part of the household.”

“Thank you. I’ll work hard so as not to be a disgrace to Miss.”

I answered loudly, recalling the time I stated my ambitions at the interview. The marchioness seemed pleased and smiled gently.

“It’s a bit disappointing to just say hello and leave—may I ask you one thing?”

She then pointed to a clothes rack at the edge of her room. Two high-end dresses and various accessories hung there.

“I’m going to a salon soon. I absolutely can’t decide between those two dresses. I visited the Black Dia pop-up store too and thought they had exceptional taste. Would you pick one for me?”

It felt like a practical test, but I quickly made up my mind after looking at the marchioness and the dresses.

“Neither dress suits you, does it?”

The marchioness’s eyes widened.

“How… did you know?”

‘Well, it’s obvious—she’s a cool-toned lady, but only warm-toned dresses like orange and brown are hanging there.’

“The maids tried hard to pick them, but I’m not sure they suit me.”

No wonder she wouldn’t appeal to Miss Kiara. I smiled and said:

“If it’s all right, may I choose a dress for you?”

The next day, as soon as I arrived at work, Kiara asked me without even a greeting.

“What on earth were you doing running around?”

“Hm?”

When I looked confused, she glared at me with a sharp look.

I quickly ran through yesterday in my head to see if I’d made any mistakes.

‘All I did was tour and greet people; I didn’t actually do any real work.’

“I heard you chose Mother’s dress. When did you do that? She was so pleased!”

Her fierce expression had turned into a crescent-moon smile.

‘Wow, my heart dropped… Please don’t play these tricks on me.’

She was visibly excited, her eyes sparkling.

“They made such a fuss at the salon about how beautiful Mother looked. There’s even a rumor she used a potion made with black magic. Mother’s dress was fine but it didn’t feel quite right—kind of dull.”

I had chosen a cool watery dress that matched her pale, cool-toned skin, so she probably looked brighter than usual.

“They said the scarf was your idea too. You tied a scarf prettily on the handbag handle and everyone asked if it was a new item. People made such a fuss.”

I had simply used an existing scarf to add a point to an otherwise plain handbag. I’m no expert, but I was secretly pleased it helped. All those hours of watching beauty and fashion YouTube for vicarious satisfaction finally paid off.

“She said she’ll ask you often from now on. Can you do it?”

I felt like I’d dug my own grave.

“Of course.”

I kept a poker face, hoping such requests wouldn’t come thirty minutes before leaving.

Kiara didn’t stop there and said something meaningful.

“The Aurelius Marquis family repays kindness for sure. And if betrayed, they repay that for sure as well.”

She handed me a small cloth pouch.

“Buy yourself something tasty to eat.”

“Huh?”

When I opened my eyes wide, she slowly patted my head and smiled.

“Leave early today.”

I felt a bit like a pet, but I wasn’t going to miss an early leaving.

“Coco…”

“…Hm.”

The four of us were speechless as we looked at the boxes piled up in the house.

“What did you do? You weren’t secretly… doing anything bad, were you?”

I shook my head without taking my eyes off the boxes.

“No, she just told me to leave early, so I came home…”

“I know you told us, but do nobles normally buy such expensive things for their staff?”

Actually, what’s normal is even worse, but our young lady seems different.

“…Because I’m a key talent.”

If I didn’t think that, I’d feel sick at dinner.

I opened the short letter enclosed.

[I was a bit worried because of my mother’s actions. If there’s anything that is uncomfortable, please tell me. P.S. Next time look at my dress first. You’re my aide, right?]

This girl doesn’t seem to know what ‘moderation’ means, whether it’s her room or anything else.

What kind of boss in a company sends their subordinate a pile of such expensive clothes?

I thought it meant I’d get to wear one outfit when we went dress shopping, not this.

‘Now imagine. The team leader sends clothes to my house….’

…I shuddered.

Luckily, Kiara is female and I know she’s eccentric, so it didn’t feel that way, but the problem was that this wasn’t the end.

‘What am I going to do about this.’

I couldn’t help swallowing as I looked at the jewel inside the cloth pouch.

‘Work… like an ox….’