Chapter 11
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 11
"Hmm," I hummed, pretending to deliberate for a moment before tossing out an easy answer.
"Since you’re the one in charge of internal affairs, Aunt, do as you please."
"…Is that so?"
As expected, that wasn't the answer Aubrey wanted. It was glaringly obvious she was looking for any excuse to tarnish my reputation, no matter what I said.
"Just not in my room. This is a precious gift from Grandfather, and I have no desire to witness such violence within its walls, Aunt."
It was clear that there was no fault to be found in those words. I saw Aubrey’s eyes twitch ever so slightly.
However, she was a true noblewoman. She composed her expression instantly and shouted in a sharp voice.
"Take these insolent wretches to the disciplinary basement!"
"Yes, my lady!"
"Viscountess! Please, have mercy!"
"Lady Tulia! We—we were wrong! Please help us!"
The voices ringing in my ears quickly faded into the distance. Watching Aubrey’s elderly maids skillfully gag them as they were dragged away, I had a feeling they were quite accustomed to this sort of thing.
"Now then, Tulia. To think those wicked things were doing such a thing when I sent them to serve you…"
Aubrey dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief before speaking tenderly.
"You have no idea how much my heart ached. That is why I have personally brought you a new Head Maid this time."
Aubrey clapped her hands twice, and two maids standing right behind her bowed politely.
"Choose one of them to be your Head Maid. I specifically narrowed down the candidates to make the choice easier for you."
The last part was clearly intended for Luc Kelposher’s ears.
She’s pretending to look out for me.
As I shifted my gaze, the two maids greeted me in unison.
"I am Lilda, my lady."
"I am Adel, my lady."
One looked to be in her early to mid-thirties, while the other seemed to be in her late thirties.
Aubrey pointed to the younger maid and introduced her first.
"Lilda is a girl with noble blood in her veins; her father was once granted a single-generation knighthood."
If it had been the old Tulia, she would have chosen Lilda the moment she heard those words.
Maids with noble blood were rare and highly sought-after talents. There was a prevailing trend in high society that serving alongside a maid of good lineage elevated one's own dignity.
But the fact that Aubrey is being so 'generous' means this girl is likely her most loyal pawn.
When I didn't immediately pick Lilda and instead looked at Adel, Aubrey’s wax-like smile faltered for a split second.
But only for a moment.
Aubrey placed a hand on my shoulder and smiled warmly.
"Yes, Tulia. Adel looks like she has a gentle personality, doesn't she? She is indeed kind-hearted and quite quick with her hands. It’s hard to believe she’s from the 'Borderlands.'"
The Borderlands.
There was no change in the expression of Adel, who remained demurely bowed. However, a clear, albeit faint, flicker of derision passed through Lilda’s eyes beside her.
The Borderlands.
It was a location that played a fairly significant role in The Milk Bread.
It was a desolate land located at the easternmost edge of the vast Empire. The Borderlands also went by another name.
'The land abandoned by God, where no temple can be built.'
It was a place where vegetation grew wild, and rumors swirled that it was crawling with heretics and cannibals.
Though there aren't actually any cannibals.
Regardless, coming from the Borderlands meant that even a noble would struggle to show their face in the Imperial Capital’s social circles, let alone commoners or the low-born.
It was essentially a slum of sorts. The Borderlands were famous for being a harsh environment.
Furthermore, it was difficult for those living there to move elsewhere. The setting of the game dictated that it was nearly impossible for them to find work due to the cold stares of others.
That meant Adel was talented enough to overcome such prejudice and enter this Grand Ducal House as a maid.
Right now, Aubrey is clearly using Adel as a foil to make me pick Lilda.
And yet, here she was, standing as a candidate for the Head Maid of a Marquis’s daughter.
This is a tough one.
In my heart, I wanted to just pick Adel, but since Tulia’s reputation was tied to my very survival, the decision wasn't easy.
Other stats at least show me their rank.
Unlike Personality, Wealth, and Beauty, 'Reputation' didn't even show a rank. Instead, a warning window would suddenly pop up if it dropped below a certain level.
'Your reputation among those around you is dropping to a dangerous level,' it said.
If you failed to manage your reputation after seeing that warning, you’d hit a bad ending even in the game The Milk Bread.
Since I was now Tulia Frezier, I had to be more cautious with every choice.
Hmm.
A cocky Head Maid with noble blood?
Or a refined Head Maid from the Borderlands?
As I was weighing my options, the 'Status Window' suddenly pinged and moved over Adel’s head.
What? What’s wrong with this thing?
I hadn't even touched anything.
While feeling flustered internally, I used my gaze to trigger the status window.
Immediately after, my eyes widened.
[System: Profile]
Adel ??? (40 years old)
- From the Borderlands.
- Entered the Frezier Grand Ducal House as a maid at age 20 and has shown excellent work performance.
- As for the secret she is hiding………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(See More)
What? 'See More'?
See more? Did I see that right?
See more?
My mouth hung open in absurdity as I blinked rapidly.
Well, I wanted to, but since everyone’s eyes were on me, I quickly feigned composure.
L-let’s just click it for now.
I clicked 'See More' with my eyes.
With an effect like a fine mist being sprayed, a proper profile finally appeared.
[System: Profile]
Adel Kelposher (40 years old)
- From the Borderlands.
- Entered the Frezier Grand Ducal House as a maid at age 20 and has shown excellent work performance.
- As for the secret she is hiding, she is the 'hidden younger sister' of Luc Kelposher, the Chief Aide to Grand Duke Asis Frezier.
(☆Tip: Luc Kelposher currently feels immense guilt toward Adel Kelposher.)
What?
Wait, there’s quite an age gap between Adel Kelposher and Luc Kelposher; is the 'hidden younger sister' setting even possible?
…No, wait. It is possible.
Back when I was Han Ina, I had older brothers who were over ten years older than me. Even if they were absolute bastards I didn't even want to call 'brother.'
Adel and Luc seemed to have an even larger age gap, but… that wasn't what was important right now.
A different thought took hold of me. No, it was closer to pure joy.
(☆Tip: Luc Kelposher currently feels immense guilt toward Adel Kelposher.)
If this tip was true…
This is a total jackpot!
I struggled to swallow the laughter threatening to burst out. Instead, I adopted an expression of deep contemplation and a solemn gaze.
"Aunt Aubrey."
"Yes, Tulia. It would be best to go with Lilda, wouldn't it? Considering your status, your Head Maid should be someone with noble blood—"
"No, no."
"No…?"
"Yes."
I smiled brilliantly. It was a smile that came from the bottom of my heart.
"I will have Adel as my Head Maid."