Chapter 60
The Count's Secret Maid - Chapter 60
Translation: godsn
He answered nonchalantly.
"Because I've done it often."
"You do this kind of thing frequently?"
"Only occasionally when introduced for jobs like this."
"That's unexpected."
"I hear that a lot."
The pen moved deftly in his hand, producing a pleasant scratching sound. His practiced strokes showed he was truly accustomed to writing. As I quietly watched him, he glanced at me sideways.
"What."
"Nothing, I guess you can read too."
"Of course."
"Then why not do something other than manual labor? Like a desk job."
"Who'd hire someone like me for that? They'd pick someone more respectable and educated. They say even the same writing looks better when done by someone smarter."
His words flowed out with disheartening nonchalance. He himself seemed unaffected as he spoke. But the meaning behind them carried weight. Rather, that very composure revealed the discrimination he'd faced until now.
Social status dictated the severity of discrimination. And for those without clear standing, the prejudice was even harsher.
A life that wouldn't matter if lost. Hadn't I experienced exactly what that felt like?
Knowing this, I couldn't easily respond. When I remained silent, he didn't speak further either. The scratching of pen on paper filled the room again. But the brief silence had grown heavier and more uncomfortable than before, becoming nearly unbearable. Eventually, I broke it.
"What exactly do you like so much about Alicia?"
"Her name is Alicia?"
"...... You asked me to introduce you without even knowing her name?"
"W-well, we've never actually spoken before!"
His stammering reply made me sigh. My brief moment of seriousness now felt pointless. At my reaction, he raised his voice defensively.
"I-it's possible not to know!"
"Fine, fine. So why do you like her?"
At my question, his anger subsided and his face reddened. I grimaced like I'd seen something I shouldn't have. Oblivious, he answered shyly.
"She's pretty."
While blunt, it wasn't an incomprehensible answer.
Though my blood relative, Alicia's outward appearance was truly impeccable. She could rightfully be called beautiful. After a lifetime of grooming and adornment, how could she not be?
Of course, Alicia was well aware of this advantage. She'd coyly flirt with men, enjoying when someone confessed to her.
But Alicia had no interest in him. None whatsoever. His predetermined future was truly pitiable.
"So you like her just because she's pretty?"
"Not just pretty—she's breathtaking. I fell for her at first sight. Even just standing still, she was so beautiful. Exactly my ideal woman. And when our eyes met, she smiled at me—it was wonderful."
Seeing his blissful smile as he recalled their first meeting left me dumbfounded. Despite his lengthy explanation, it all boiled down to her looks. He's completely smitten. Scratching the back of my neck, I shook my head.
"You've never even exchanged a single word with her."
"But still... Haven't you ever felt that way? Your heart racing just from looking at someone?"
Suddenly, he asked. Just as I was about to reflexively say no, the newspaper article I'd just seen flashed through my mind. That perfectly matched couple, smiling affectionately.
Then the peaceful face that once looked at me resurfaced in my thoughts. Our trivial conversations across the table, my awkward stiff mannerisms, and that man who'd gaze at me with crinkled eyes. That unfamiliar smile.
"Hey, hey. What's wrong with you?"
A hand waved before my eyes. The affectionately smiling man disappeared, replaced by one with wide, concerned eyes. Seeing his worried expression snapped me out of my daze. A hollow laugh escaped me. Long-forgotten memories sometimes resurfaced like this—suddenly and vividly.
I shouldn't be like this. It's because of that damn newspaper I just saw. I shouldn't have looked at it.
With a bitter smile, I buried my face in the paper. The guy kept trying to study my expression. I avoided his gaze by pressing my face even deeper into the pages. The blurred letters swam before my eyes. I didn't want to show him what must have been an obviously strange expression. My long bangs came in handy at times like this.
"Hey, you okay?"
"No."
"Huh?"
"I said no. Never. Not once."
"......"
"And give up on Alicia. She's not your type."
It's advice I always give you, for your own good. I muttered this as I ended the conversation. Keeping my face buried in the paper, I focused on my transcription work. Pressing the pen nib firmly against the page, the scratching sound grew noticeably louder.
"But since when could you read?"
"Long time."
"Long time, like when?"
"......"
My silence was a warning to stop asking. When I didn't respond, his gaze on the top of my head grew prickly. I expected him to complain about being ignored, but this time he didn't push further.
The days here pass quickly. Today's wages tucked safely in my pocket—transcription work pays surprisingly well.
When I opened the door, the sky was stained crimson. Staring blankly upward, I felt a tap on my shoulder as he followed me out.
"Hey, what's your name?"
"Why ask."
"We'll be seeing each other often—might as well know. I'm Johnny."
He introduced himself brightly. I turned to study his beaming face with dull eyes.
"Don't need to know."
"What?"
"And don't act chummy."
Forming connections with people is a headache. Though five years have passed and there's no reason to run anymore, I still want to be careful. Besides, nothing good ever came from getting involved with someone interested in Alicia. They always end up pestering me for introductions. Best to avoid troublesome things in advance.
Leaving him standing there flustered, I turned away. The streets bustled with passersby. The large square just beyond the adjacent buildings meant this area was always crowded with shops and stalls, but at dusk it became hard to even walk. Consequently, I kept bumping into people the entire way.
Just then, a flood of people poured out from the square. Pushing through the human tide, I suddenly realized I'd left my bag behind. Lost in thought, I'd completely forgotten. Sighing, I turned back.
By the time I'd fought my way back through the crowd to Emily's place, I noticed someone standing outside her house. Two grown men in black coats and narrow-brimmed black hats were talking with Emily.
She wore an annoyed expression as she dealt with them, but the men looked deadly serious.
Who are they? Instinctively holding my breath, I studied them.
Then someone tapped my shoulder. My body froze so completely I couldn't even scream. My mouth worked soundlessly as my eyes darted wildly. Who—who is it? Who? Forcing my stiff body to move, I turned.
And found myself face to face with a very startled expression.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?"
"...... Hah. Haha."
The tension drained from my body all at once. A sigh of relief escaped me. It was the guy who'd introduced himself as Johnny, standing behind me. Seeing his face, the tension left me.
"What are you doing here?"
"Forgot my bag... More importantly, why haven't you left yet?"
"Was about to. More importantly, you! You just ignored me and walked off!"
"Why are you shouting? So loud."
"What? Hey!"
When he bellowed, I panicked and covered his mouth. Those men were still outside Emily's place. Glancing nervously behind me, Johnny made muffled "Mmph! Mmph!" sounds and flailed. Dragging the restless idiot with me, I pulled him into the alley next to us.
Only after hiding ourselves did I let him go. Johnny immediately spat out a few times. It wasn't that bad, was it? Though baffled, I let it slide and peered around the wall toward Emily's house again.
Johnny, who'd been watching me, asked what I was looking at. I hissed at him to be quiet, though my eyes remained fixed on the men confronting Emily.
When I didn't respond further, Johnny quietly positioned himself behind me to peek as well.
"Ah, they're at it again."
"Do you know who they are?"
When I asked in surprise, he gave me a look as if to say, 'You don't know?'
"Wait, you seriously don't? They're those guys going around recruiting people lately."
"Recruiting people?"
"Yeah. They're looking for workers. They've gotten pretty famous recently. Two men dressed in black with this dark aura about them. That matches perfectly."
"They're famous?"
"Yeah. Kinda creepy-looking too. Their conditions are ridiculous."
Johnny suddenly laughed, as if remembering something. When I gave him a questioning look, he continued.
"They only want pretty people."
"What?"
"Everyone who's gotten offers to work with them has been either beautiful women or handsome men. In short, looks are the condition. And I heard the employment terms are shockingly good too."
He added that someone he knew had also received an offer. I turned my attention back ahead. Emily seemed to have finished her conversation—she was gone. Instead, the two men in black were talking amongst themselves. The surroundings were too noisy to make out what they were saying.
Only pretty or handsome people? The blatant condition made me frown. Was that their employer's preference? Or was this some shady job? Like selling your body. That was entirely possible—they say those kinds recruit in person.
"Did the person you know go with those men?"
"No. They refused because it felt sketchy."
Definitely suspicious people all around. As I thought this and kept watching them, they suddenly turned their heads toward us. I quickly ducked behind the wall. Johnny, who'd also hidden, gave me a strange look.
"What's wrong?"
When I didn't answer, he tried to peek outside again. I grabbed him and pushed him the other way.
"Hey, hey, what? What's your problem?"
"Just shut up and let's go. Okay?"
I forcibly pushed his back as he kept trying to look behind us. Johnny grumbled but walked ahead. I glanced back repeatedly as I quickened my pace. The men I'd just seen floated ominously in my mind. I didn't know what was going on, but it felt dangerous. And when things feel dangerous, avoidance is the best policy.
By the time I finished washing up, the sky had grown dark. It was late, but Alicia showed no sign of coming home. Did something happen? With her unpredictable personality, I couldn't help but worry. Then I remembered the men I'd seen earlier. If they were only looking for pretty people... could they have taken Alicia?
A surge of foreboding rose in me. The 'what if' grew steadily larger.
Just as I was preparing to go look for Alicia, the door suddenly burst open. Startled, I turned to see Alicia stomping in, fuming.
"So annoying!"
She was in a temper the moment she arrived.
"Why are you so late? Did something happen?"
"Ugh! I ran into the worst luck on my way back."
Alicia plopped onto a nearby chair with a scowl, leaning crookedly against the backrest and crossing her legs. The way she radiated irritation made it clear something had indeed happened.