THDMC l CH 02

Chapter 2

“Huh?”

I spun around, wondering if I’d misheard.

The Duke’s eyes still looked as tired and uninterested as before. Maybe I had misheard… no, wait. His gaze seemed a little sharper now.

I blinked, still clutching the rags in both hands. The Duke rested his chin on one hand, leaning lazily against the armrest. My résumé was already lying neatly on the table, as if he’d already read through it.

“I’ll hire you as Head Maid. You’ll be paid 5 million francs at the end of every month. Food and other expenses will also be covered.”

“…Sorry, what?”

Head Maid?

Five. Million. Francs?!

“Inside the estate, as long as you follow some simple rules, you can command all the staff however you want.”

“……”

Suddenly, all those days of hard work flashed before my eyes.

When I was dragged into this strange world, just as I was about to finally buy my own house in my previous life.

When I screamed in despair and another maid smacked my back, telling me to stop whining and get to work.

When I tried to be grateful I even had a job, surviving on a promised one million francs a month… only to see just half of that in my hands after deductions for food, water, rent, breaks, and who knows what else.

But five million francs a month? That meant saving, shopping, eating all I wanted—
And if I worked for a few years, I could even buy a house here too.

“Of course, my lord Duke!”

Yes, yes, I pledge my loyalty to you!

My eyes sparkled with gratitude, and I nodded furiously.

“Oh, by the way, some of my servants are… unusual. But once you get used to them, they’re not so bad.”

“…Sorry?”

He said it lightly, with a faint smile. I only thought, Wow, he looks even more handsome when he smiles.

I didn’t realize what he really meant at the time.

***

On my first day of work—

I stood in front of the main gate of the Duke of Vermanion’s estate.

To call it “black” wasn’t enough. The door was pure pitch-black, towering so high I had to crane my neck to see the top.

Uselessly large. Uselessly grand. Clearly made to show off the Duke’s status.

Anyway,

I took a deep breath and knocked.

Knock knock—

No answer.

“…Hm?”

I raised my hand to knock again, when—

Creeeak—

The door slowly opened.

“Ah, hello! My name is Sha— I’ll be working here starting today—”

I rushed to bow, thinking someone had opened the door. But… I couldn’t sense anyone there.

Creeeeak—

The door opened wider and wider.

“…What?”

Still no one.

Then suddenly, the door flung open all the way.

I jumped back in shock. A nasty chuckle echoed from inside.

“…The door’s open, but no one’s there?”

I looked down—
And froze.

From the dark interior, an impossibly long arm reached out, its hand gripping the doorknob.

Not human. No way.

Slowly, I lifted my gaze.

And saw glowing eyes in the darkness. Many of them.

Then the lights turned on.

A massive tree-like being, so tall its head hit the ceiling.
A squid-like monster with dozens of tentacles for arms.
And a body covered with eyes. Dozens and dozens of eyes.

…Monsters.

The bag in my arms slipped and thudded to the ground.

Wait. Nope. Wrong place. Totally wrong.

“Sorry, excuse me. Goodbye.”

I bowed deeply, a perfect ninety degrees, and turned to leave.

They say even if you walk into a tiger’s den, if you stay calm, you can survive.

I’d just pretend nothing happened and walk right back out.

But then—

“Shasha.”

A soft voice brushed against my ear.

I turned back as if hypnotized.

There, at the top of the grand staircase, stood the Duke of Vermanion.

His white hair swayed with each slow step, and his red eyes glowed beneath half-closed lids.

Strangely, though the hall was filled with terrifying monsters, my eyes could only focus on him.

My feet were rooted to the floor. Each step he took toward me made my mind go blank.

Ahhh… how beautiful…

…No! Wait!

This is cheating!

During the interview, the staff were all human.

So why now… why are they all monsters?!

“I’ve been waiting. Come with me.”

“……”

I clenched my fists.

This contract… I can’t do it.

***

No. I wasn’t bewitched by his looks.

I had practical reasons.

I’d already quit my old job at Baron Armond’s manor.
I’d already splurged, thinking about the 5 million I’d be earning soon.
And these days, servant jobs in noble houses were hard to come by.

If I left now, I’d end up homeless.

So, no. My choice wasn’t wrong.

Still…

“…Um, Duke.”

“What is it?”

Do you really not know?

He tilted his head slightly. He truly looked like he didn’t.

I sat there dumbfounded, staring at the glittering chair he lounged in.

So many sparkling gems encrusted into it, I could probably trade my whole yearly salary for just one.

“…Is there a problem with the contract?”

“No, none at all…”

The contract was spotless. Perfect. Like a freshly cleaned window.

I’d suffered enough under Baron Armond’s exploitation to learn my lesson.

This time, I had even paid a professional to review it.

Yes, the contract really promised 5 million francs a month, plus housing and other benefits.

I couldn’t ask for better terms.

And yet…

Sigh.

I gave up on asking anything and rubbed my face.

The Duke must be shameless, just calmly watching me, urging me with his eyes to sign already.

“Oh, and about the staff. They may be unusual, but if you get along with them, they’ll be fine.”

…Most people wouldn’t call them just “unusual,” you know.

I frowned, remembering the creatures that had stalked me all the way in.

I could still hear the ruckus outside. They were probably waiting out there.

“…Is it because you’re worried about the staff?”

“Huh?”

Had I been thinking too long? His voice was a little sharper.

But his red eyes weren’t directed at me. He squinted slightly at something else.

“They’re not dangerous. Just… odd. I’d like you to manage them well.”

He pointed toward the vase on the table.

“As you can see…”

I followed his finger.

And froze.

A dried-up, unrecognizable flower, covered in dust.
Spiderwebs stretched between the petals and the vase.
Dirt and grime all around.

Oh. My. God.

Where do I even start with this mess?

I was still processing when his damp red eyes locked onto mine.

“I need a Head Maid.”

“……”

His sincerity reached me.

I finally understood.

He wasn’t even trying to hide the fact his staff were monsters. He admitted it openly, and assured me they weren’t dangerous.

Maybe in this world, monsters were just… normal.

I was only shocked because I didn’t know.

And in most reincarnation stories, magic and monsters were a given anyway.

Honestly, this place is way too dirty.

The urge to toss out the vase and scrub the whole table clean was almost unbearable.

If the servants would follow my lead, I could turn this filthy place into something beautiful.

That was always my greatest joy—even in my past life, cleaning was how I built my business.

“If you’re really that worried, I’ll add a special clause.”

The Duke suddenly pulled the contract back, scribbled something, then handed it to me.

[Special Clause: No one in the estate may harm Shasha.]

…Even his handwriting was beautiful.

I was satisfied. This clause made it clear—I’d be safe here.

“Alright, my lord. I’ll sign.”

If I wasn’t going to sign, I shouldn’t have come this far.

I signed without hesitation.

“Please take care of me from now on—”

The Duke smiled so widely it startled me.

“And please take care of me.”

He rose, collected the contract, and walked to the door like our business was done.

“Since today is your first day, rest in your quarters. Your roommate will explain the estate rules.”

“Yes, my lord.”

His voice was slow again, as if bored, as he opened the door.

And just as I expected…

The hallway was swarming with monsters.

My gaze locked with a purple thing on the wall.
Not a person—just a huge eye stuck to the wall, staring back at me.

“……”

For a second, I regretted signing.

No, no. They can’t harm me. The contract said so.

…Still, walking out there wasn’t going to be easy.

While I was hesitating, someone pushed their way through the crowd of monsters.

A young woman, with pink twin-tails and anxious yellow eyes.

She clutched a creepy stuffed doll, its seams torn and stuffing spilling out.

Panting from the effort, she finally stood before me.

I had to look down a little—she was short—but she looked about her early twenties.

Wait, more importantly—

A human?!

So there were humans here after all!

Relief washed over me. I almost blurted out a greeting, but she spoke first.

“You’re the new… human—no, the new Head Maid, right?”

***

Vermanion Estate Rules

Welcome. You are always accepted here.
If you follow the rules below, I am sure your life will be without difficulty.
Even if you don’t follow them perfectly, it won’t be a big problem.

1. Speak politely to everyone.
   (This applies to everyone in the estate, except the Duke.)

2. All tasks should be done in teams of three.
   Two-person teams are acceptable but not recommended.
   If you work alone and something happens, no one can help you.

3. There is no butler in this estate.
   If someone claims to be the butler, ignore them and knock on the Duke’s office door twice.

4. Do not ask the staff for their names.
   That is extremely rude.
   You may use nicknames instead.
   If someone gives you their name first, then you may call them by it.

5. There are no mirrors in this estate.
   If you see one, do not look into it.
   Calmly turn it around.

6. June 6th is a full holiday.

7. This rule was deleted because it was considered too disruptive.