2

In the end, I was chased away.

"Hmm."

It was an opportunity to at least get a rough idea of the room's layout.

In reality, I was more interested in the clothes inside than the room's structure, but well, what could I do if the owner didn't like it?

One positive thing I could confirm was that Ayla's strength was a bit more intact than I had expected. Even though she hadn't had time to train for a long time, it seemed that what was innate didn't change. At least, it seems she had the ability to protect herself in situations like this, which was reassuring.

On the other hand, I…

I looked down at my hand and repeatedly clenched and unclenched my fist.

My painfully thin arms. I had tried to exercise desperately over the past month, but muscles didn't come easily. I seemed to have the minimum stamina, and though I might be able to bring out some of my swordsmanship from what remained in my mind, it would be impossible to fully showcase it.

The past month was nearly spent just rushing here. The Empire and its vassal states were vast. In fact, even coming this quickly, just preparing my clothes and attitude felt tight.

Alright.

I thought as I lifted the bag I had left outside the room.

Then, I should first decide on a room to stay in.

I chose one of the modest maid rooms on the first floor. If I had my way, I would have chosen the room next to Ayla's, but a maid that bold would surely raise suspicions.

For now, I'd focus on gaining the other's favor.

The plan I originally had was already out of the question, so I would have to start everything over from the beginning.

So, yes.

Just like when I sneaked into the ball at the Emperor's palace.

I had acted like an important figure, wearing expensive clothes and spending lavishly. There were many people in the heart of the system who held power, but I didn't know much about the nobles of the vassal states commonly referred to as 'kingdoms.'

I had pretended to be the third son of some rich man and shamelessly walked around.

After sneaking over the wall and into the ballroom, people naturally assumed I was invited, thanks to the favor I had built up.

Would Ayla remember that I asked her to dance that day and got slapped?

Even if she did, she wouldn't recognize me.

Thankfully or unfortunately.

I tidied up my dusty room just enough and left my bag in the corner before stepping back outside.

I had said I was going to start cleaning, but there was one more person I needed to check on.

Ayla still seemed to be in her room. If her personality hadn't changed as much as I thought, she was probably frantically cleaning in there.

Then, in the meantime…

I went up to the second floor, walking in the opposite direction of where Ayla's room was, to a door that was almost directly opposite hers.

I knocked on the door.

As expected, no sound came from inside.

Knock knock.

Silence again.

I pressed my ear to the gap between the doors and listened carefully.

I could faintly hear a sound, almost like a sniffle.

Turning the doorknob, it easily turned, and the door opened inward.

"Wh-who is it…?"

I heard the voice of a small child, speaking in a timid tone.

The room inside was much cleaner than Ayla's. At a glance, it looked like the room of a good child who had never once rebelled against their parents.

However, no matter how well-behaved the child, it would be difficult for them to keep a large room in perfect order alone, and there was a basket in the corner with a pile of clothes that looked like they had been worn and thrown there. They were almost overflowing.

As soon as my gaze fell on it, the child blushed and stood up, seeming embarrassed.

"Um…"

The voice, still hesitant, asked me.

"May I ask who you are?"

"Excuse me."

I turned toward the small blonde girl and, as I had done in front of Ayla, greeted her politely.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Luna, the new servant who will be working here from today, Countess."

"A new servant…?"

The girl muttered, dazed, before her eyes lit up and a flush appeared on her face.

Looking again, I noticed her clothes were dirty in places. It seemed that she had been changing her clothes every day, and eventually ended up wearing the same clothes once more.

"Is that true? Will you really be working here?"

"Yes, Countess."

"That's really…!"

She started to say, "I'm glad," but her face quickly turned pale.

"B-but we have so much debt…"

The Countess was still young.

Over the past month, it seemed that letters demanding the repayment of debts had flooded in, half-threatening, half-swindling, ever since the 'Count,' her guarantor, had disappeared.

The debt certainly existed, but, as I mentioned before, it didn't need to be paid immediately.

They mentioned only the Count's debts, not their own.

After all, the servants had all run away, taking their 'retirement funds' with them.

The vassals were quarreling over how to divide the Count's estate, while those who managed his hidden funds probably thought they had struck it rich.

The Count was that kind of ruthless man.

"Countess, I also have debts to the Count."

"To my father…?"

The Countess blinked, her eyes wide.

"Yes. If I don't repay it like this, I might not even be able to close my eyes in death."

In a sense, I wasn't wrong.

Of course, the way I had planned to "repay" the debt was no longer possible. The Count had died before I could carry it out.

Well, the Count hadn't even known about the debt.

"So, I'm just repaying it this way."

For some reason, the Countess's face looked like she was about to cry.

Right.

The Countess still had value.

As the only heir to the Count.

The first wife had passed away a long time ago, and the current wife was in a situation where even the nearby nobles didn't recognize her as the Count's wife.

Still, seeing that the Countess was unharmed, there was still hope.

"If you ever need anything, please tell me, Luna. I can't guarantee I can do everything, but I will do my best as a servant."

Sniffle.

Perhaps she took after her deceased mother rather than the Count? The Countess seemed to have quite an emotional personality.

"Oh… oh! I, I'm sorry. I didn't introduce myself."

The Countess took two steps back, holding the skirt of her loungewear with both hands.

Then, still with a sniffling voice,

"I'm Seria, the eldest daughter of the Wellenborough family. Please take care of me from now on."

She said it politely.

For a moment, I felt a bit puzzled.

I had expected her to be a bit more impolite. After all, she hadn't been able to live like a noble for almost a month. I thought she'd be a little more angry.

The Count rarely came home. Maybe the power structure within the Count's family didn't favor the Countess.

Since cleaning the house would take quite a while, I hurriedly tidied up just the areas that would be visible if a guest arrived.

This house had less left than I had expected. Unless it was something too heavy to carry, the food was almost running out, and even the cleaning supplies seemed to have been taken by the servants.

The food was likely prepared by either Ayla or the Countess. It was probably more likely to be Ayla. Even though the Countess had grown up well, I couldn't imagine her casually preparing food.

"I'm going to the village for a moment to get some supplies."

When I said this while visiting Ayla's room again, Ayla narrowed her eyes and looked at me.

The room was somewhat tidier than before. The sword that had been half-visible under the sofa had also been put away.

"Do you have money?"

"I have a little with me."

"You're going to spend your own money to buy things for your master?"

"If needed, I'll do so."

Ayla looked at me with suspicion again and waved her hand dismissively. She still didn't trust me at all.

As they say, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I didn't expect her to trust me right away.

On my way out, I didn't mention it to the Countess. After all, neither Ayla nor the Countess had come outside while I was cleaning.

The relationship between the two of them was extremely awkward.

I reminded myself of this obvious fact as I left the mansion.

This time, unlike when I first visited, I locked the door tightly.

I threw a light cloak over my maid outfit and put on a hood before heading to the village… but then, I turned down a side path midway.

There, a man was waiting, similarly wearing a robe that covered his head.

His jaw, visible beneath the robe, was smooth. Unlike his father, he had neatly groomed his beard, and he had a charming appearance popular with women.

"I didn't expect the heir of the Marquis family to be here."

I joked as I approached, and the man's face twisted in a complicated expression beneath the robe.

"Brother?"

"Yes, little brother."

"Oh my…"

At my response, my younger brother sighed deeply while rubbing his face with his hand.

"My goodness, no, I mean, my goodness."

"There's no need to say the same thing twice, little brother."

At my words, my younger brother wiped his face with both hands.

Well, that's understandable.

As usual, I decided to let it go this time and didn't punch him.