An Unexpected Twist of Fate

While chopping wood, my clothes were soaked with sweat. Despite the cool weather, I was drenched, especially after the sun came out; the early spring sun was simply unbearable. 

So, I took off my shirt and continued chopping wood bare-chested. 

At that moment, I heard the sound of hooves approaching, growing louder. Looking up, I saw that the baron, who had gone out riding in the morning, was back. He slowly rode closer and finally stopped beside me. 

I stood among a pile of firewood while he sat on his horse, still looking down at me from above. 

"You're back, my lord," I said, wiping the sweat from my neck and greeting him awkwardly. 

The baron remained silent, just sitting on his horse and gazing at me. His gaze was somewhat strange, and I felt uncomfortable, as if I were sitting on pins and needles; the heat I had felt earlier now gave me goosebumps. 

After a long while, just when I thought this awkward atmosphere would last forever, the baron finally pulled on the reins, preparing to leave. 

Summoning my courage, I blocked his path. 

"My lord, can I speak with you for a moment?" I pleaded, looking up at him. 

He paused, seemingly hesitant, but then jumped down from his horse and looked at me. "Speak, what is it?" 

I didn't know where to start, so I stammered out an explanation: "The butler kicked me out of the parlor because… because I angered you, my lord. The estate is laying off staff, and I fear I might be one of them. You know I have younger siblings and a mother at home; our family has no other income. I implore you to forgive my mistake; I cannot leave the estate…" 

The baron stepped closer, moving in until he stood right in front of me. I could even feel his breath on my face. I awkwardly took a step back, and he moved forward another step. 

I looked down, unable to meet his eyes because I was familiar with that gaze—he always looked at me with such an aggressive expression in my past life. Each time I saw that look, I couldn't bear it and wished to escape immediately, and now I felt the same way. 

Just as I was in a tangle of emotions, a sudden touch made my muscles tense. I looked at the hand resting on my left chest, instantly feeling a sense of helplessness. For heaven's sake, what was he doing in broad daylight? 

A long time passed, and that gloved hand lingered on my left chest. I wanted to ask, "How long are you going to touch me? This isn't a woman's soft bosom; what's there to touch?" But then I thought that perhaps this lord preferred men over women, and he might like a man's muscular chest more than a woman's. 

I was awkwardly touched by him and, unable to bear it, stepped back a few paces to create some distance. I had no idea how it had come to this strange situation; he had never behaved inappropriately towards me in my past life. The closest we had ever been was that one time at a party when he was drunk and forcibly kissed me. 

My retreat seemed to awaken him. He withdrew his gaze, the corners of his eyes showing a hint of arrogance, and I heard him say, "Very well, I forgive your offense." 

I instantly felt a mix of laughter and tears. Fine, let's consider it my offense; you shameless scoundrel taking advantage of me. 

He threw the reins of the horse to me and walked ahead, saying, "Take my horse back to the stable." 

I watched him leave and then patted the black horse beside me. "Hey, Taira, long time no see." 

Taira was a mare from a quality breed of the eastern grasslands, and she was the baron's favorite horse. He always took Taira hunting and riding, and she was the baron's pet. 

Taira snorted, and I guessed she didn't like a stranger touching her. 

By noon, as soon as I entered the kitchen, someone came to inform me that Butler Aaron was waiting for me in his room. 

Nervous, I arrived at the butler's office, and he told me astonishing news. 

"The baron has appointed you as his personal male servant to thank you for taking care of him. From today on, you are part of the baron's household. When the baron leaves, you will go with him," Aaron said, looking at me with a calm and serious tone. 

"What? Wait… what?" I asked in disbelief. "The baron wants me to go with him? Is that really his intention?" 

"Why? Do you have any objections?" Aaron frowned, then added, "Even if you do, it's not for you to refuse; the viscount has already agreed." 

Oh my God, how could I leave Momon Estate? I was getting anxious; wouldn't that disrupt my plans? My initial request for the baron's forgiveness was to avoid being kicked out of Momon Estate; now what was I supposed to do? 

Just as I was losing my mind, someone offered me a pillow to support my sleepy head. After having lunch, Miss Catherine's personal maid came to find me. 

"This is from Miss Catherine. I heard your mother is having a hard time," Adele handed me five pounds, equivalent to a year's salary, which was quite generous. 

"Oh, what a kind lady! Please thank her for me; my mother will be very happy to see this money," I said, filled with joy. 

As Catherine's personal maid, Adele wasn't particularly pretty; she was rather unattractive, with sparse black hair that she always tied up to avoid showing her scalp. Fortunately, she had a gentle temperament and was very clever; otherwise, Catherine wouldn't have chosen her as a personal maid. 

"There's one more thing to congratulate you on; I heard you have two younger sisters. Miss Catherine said she would inform the butler to bring your eldest sister to Momon Estate as a maid, which means… she can serve Miss Catherine closely," Adele said with a smile. 

"That's wonderful! The lady is so kind; I don't know how to thank her," I expressed with great excitement, overflowing with gratitude until Adele left, satisfied, and I put away my smile. 

Thinking of making a move on my family? You've miscalculated. 

That afternoon, I asked the butler for leave and returned home. 

"Really? The young lady of the estate said I could become her personal maid?" my sister Angie asked me excitedly. 

"Yes, prepare yourself; we'll go to the estate today," I said. 

"And me? Can I go too?" my younger sister Ellie chimed in. 

"Go away, you're only nine; don't make trouble." My mother was also very happy. She pulled Angie closer, satisfied, saying, "That's great! I'm glad I didn't rush to marry you off; it turns out there was a better opportunity. You two together will earn ten pounds a year, right?" 

When I took Angie out, the cheerful girl suddenly became nervous. She clutched her old dress tightly, looking anxious. "I have no other clothes to wear; will I be laughed at for being so shabby?" 

"Dear, when I first entered the estate, I didn't even have shoes; I wore straw sandals. You've forgotten, right? So don't worry," I reassured her. 

"What's Miss Catherine like? Is she easy to serve? Will she be fierce with me?" 

"She will treat you very well." 

"Really?" 

"Really." 

"What should I do? What should I do? I'm so scared, brother." Angie looked up at me like a frightened little lamb, her eyes full of anxiety. 

"Good girl, you're the smartest woman in our family. Trust me, after spending some time with Miss Catherine, you'll understand what to do and what is needed." 

Angie stared at me blankly, still looking uneasy. 

I smiled, hugged my sister, and whispered softly in her ear, "I will become Baron Oscar's personal male servant. Miss Catherine wants to marry the baron, so she brought you close to control me and gather information about the baron. Do you understand?" 

After hearing this, Angie slowly smiled, her big eyes wide with excitement. "So you mean she will pamper me?" 

"I've always said you are the smartest woman in our family." I kissed her forehead. 

Angie is just like my former self; we are both positive and eager for wealth, and we are cunning and full of schemes, willing to do anything to climb higher. But Angie is luckier than I am because she will never fall in love with Miss Catherine. 

Catherine wants to use my family to control me, but she's mistaken. If she wants to find me an ally, I will not refuse. It's always better for someone to be in the open while I'm in the dark, isn't it? 

That afternoon, Angie became Miss Catherine's personal maid, and I received notice of my departure. 

"Tomorrow morning, we will follow the baron back to the capital. You're new here, so pack your things early," said a male servant named Billy, who looked to be in his thirties. In my past life, I didn't have much interaction with him since I was the only personal male servant to the baron back then; now, there are two of us. 

"Yes, sir, I'm ready." 

"Then I must remind you that our Delman Manor is not an ordinary place. I do not wish to see any disrespectful actions from you, especially considering you are a servant from the Momon Manor..." Billy's words carried a hidden meaning; it seemed the viscount's family had already gained a notorious reputation.