Chapter 249
Chapter 249
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 249
Chapter Title: What Is This Murderous Heat...? (5)
Having completed even a simple fitting test, I rushed straight back to the estate and arranged a meeting with Mother and my sister-in-law.
Changing just Emily's clothes would have been fine on my own authority, but altering the maids' uniforms fell under Mother and Sister-in-law's purview, so I needed their approval.
Unfortunately, I couldn't see Sister-in-law because Ashley was desperately calling for her, but I did get to meet with Mother and explain my vision in detail.
"No."
"Huh?"
And just like that, the Maid Uniform Mk. 2 prototype went no further, mercilessly cut down by Mother's hand.
"You mean fix it?"
"No, I have no intention of changing the current maid uniforms."
"Huh?"
I'd anticipated some revisions, but a flat-out rejection without any changes? I never saw that coming. I froze, my mouth and eyes wide open, unable to control my expression.
"I see you still don't get it."
"...Yes."
"Improving the maids' working conditions... Your idea itself isn't bad—no, it's an excellent one—but you're going about it the wrong way."
"The wrong way?"
"Exactly."
Mother nodded lightly and continued with a small chuckle.
"People like us shouldn't be changing their clothes just because they're suffering in the heat."
"Then what should we do?"
"Hire more people so they work less and rest more. In the end, someone still has to labor under the scorching sun."
"Oh..."
It was the straightest straight talk.
Even modern entrepreneurs rarely spout such progressive thinking. I thought someone like me, watered by modern knowledge, was in the top 1% of employers, but there's always someone better.
"You've got some real vision."
"Vision? Well, an outsider might think so."
"Then there's another reason?"
Mother nodded slightly and narrowed her eyes.
"If a maid collapsed from heatstroke or overwork in our manor, who do you think would catch the blame first?"
"You and Father...?"
"Evelyn."
"Ah."
A chill ran down my spine.
A maid collapsing in a household that produced a priest? From heatstroke, no less?
"The nobles would love that."
"They'd make great political fodder."
I could picture the nobles grinning ear to ear at a vulnerability in a prominent family.
They couldn't push us out completely, but it'd give them pretext to nitpick everything we did for a year or two.
"Besides, what parent wants to be criticized by their own child? That's why I haven't neglected the issue either."
"Then shouldn't we at least pay attention to their clothing?"
"We did try something like that on a family level once—temporarily allowing sleeves rolled up to the shoulders in summer."
"Huh?"
I'd never heard that before in my life.
When I was young, the maids' clothes—if not exactly uniforms—had long sleeves.
"Why isn't that done anymore?"
"Because within a few years, they begged to revert it."
"Why?"
"They said their skin was getting sunburned with short sleeves, and they hated it."
"...?"
Skin...?
Not anything else, but sunburned skin they hated...?
"You're joking."
"Haha..."
I stared at Mother seriously, but she let out a hollow laugh and turned her gaze to the head maid standing behind her.
"Esther, you remember too, right?"
"Yes, it was right when I first joined the manor—when Lady Eleanor was still fulfilling her role as the lady of the Hume family."
"For real...?"
My suspicions, which had been growing steadily, surged at the unexpectedly detailed testimony.
"Would Esther and I lie to you about something like this?"
"Whoa..."
I couldn't believe it.
But coming from who it did, I had no choice but to accept it.
"We tried letting those who wanted to do it and even provided arm covers, but over time, the uniforms became a total mess, all mismatched. We had no choice but to go back. Uniforms need to be neat and consistent to look good."
"What about their faces? If that's the reason, shouldn't faces be covered too?"
"They have hats for that."
"Ahh..."
Unless you let them dress completely freely, complaints are inevitable.
But loosening the dress code is tricky because of the special nature of being a maid.
Even if they don't mind, they need to look good to others.
"Now you get it."
"I get it, but why didn't you stop me sooner? If you'd said something from the start..."
"Would you have listened if I had?"
"Well..."
I was at a loss for words.
Of course I wouldn't have.
It was my fault in the end.
"Tsk..."
"I'm glad you understand."
"......"
Unable to retort and biting my lip because it hit home, Mother smiled like a victor, flicked her teabag lightly, and brought her cup to her lips.
Savoring the aroma as she sipped, Mother glanced languidly at Emily.
"Still, I won't interfere with dressing Emily in it. Special treatment for a personal servant is perfectly reasonable."
I shifted my gaze to Emily, who was dressed in the French maid outfit to show Mother.
She really does look pretty.
If Emily weren't a maid, I'd let her wear whatever.
But maids must be in Victorian style—it's as fundamental as objects falling from sky to ground.
"Hearing you say that, I think it's better not to do it at all."
There was no reason to make her wear it if she didn't have to.
"Good, I'm glad you're thinking that way. You're running a business, but don't forget you're a noble. Sometimes, nobles need to spend lavishly."
"Is that so? I'm not sure yet."
"Well, if you don't know, just don't worry about it."
"Pardon?"
Mother spoke as if offering profound advice, then suddenly veered off with a chuckle.
"If you don't know, just leave it to Her Highness the Princess."
"Uh... oh...?"
That's right?
Elizabeth would know better than me.
Entrusting it to her seems better than me messing up my reputation with something stupid.
"Looks like even if you're henpecked, you won't have marital fights."
"Well, as long as we're getting along, isn't that what matters?"
"Well... that's true..."
Mother trailed off, a complex expression on her face as she gazed at the distant mountains.
_
After her lightly sarcastic remark was taken seriously by her son, Mother felt a mix of emotions and quietly finished her tea before excusing herself.
Mother seemed to want me to become a steadfast head of the family who could lead the Humes, but fat chance.
I'm grateful just to be getting married.
With marriage prospects rising daily—now at 99.9%—Mother's starting to have more expectations.
I understand her feelings, so I'll try, but how do I win against Elizabeth, who has the princess title and a ducal rank?
Better to give up and think of myself as a live-in son-in-law for peace of mind.
Anyway, our family has a capable eldest son to inherit, so that's fine.
"Was Ashley's room this way?"
"Yes, that's right."
Anyway, after parting with Mother, instead of heading straight back to the capital, I went looking for Ashley's room to at least see her and Sister-in-law before leaving.
It was a room my sister Evelyn used long ago, but as Brother's firstborn, Ashley naturally took it over.
"Lord Howard?"
Turning the corner to Ashley's door, Mariana, the maid standing guard, recognized me and hurried over.
"Mariana, long time no see. Everything okay serving Ashley and Sister-in-law?"
"Yes, I'm just handling odd jobs, same as when serving Madam."
"Good to hear."
I'm not one with much interaction with the maids, but Mariana had served Mother for the past few years, so she was a familiar face.
Especially memorable was how she'd tremble like she was the one getting scolded whenever I got a lecture from Mother—impossible to forget.
"Is Ashley awake by any chance? I'd like to see her and Sister-in-law before I go."
"One moment, I'll check."
After a quick exchange and pointing to the door with my request, Mariana carefully opened it and slipped inside.
Once she disappeared, murmurs came from beyond the door for a bit, then Mariana peeked her head out and gestured that it was okay to enter.
"Great, let's go in."
"Yes."
Grinning brightly, I crept inside as quietly as a thief, minimizing my footsteps and voice.
Last time was at Hayes's engagement party in spring, so about four months since I saw her. How much has my niece grown?
My heart pounded with anticipation.
Just four months, but they say babies grow in the blink of an eye.
She's about eight months now, so maybe she can say mama or dada?
A bit early, but our smart Ashley could do it.
Brother's been busy since getting his title and hasn't visited the estate much, so maybe I'll hear her first words?
If so, I'll have to tease him mercilessly.
I can't forgive skipping out on seeing his baby's face just because he's busy.
I hope our Ashley turns out to be a genius.