YWPWYLFDM 83

Chapter 83

Because her parents had fallen ill, because her family had suddenly moved to the countryside, or because she had married a long-promised lover—

Each reason was different, but with so many people quitting all at once, the atmosphere in the household inevitably grew bleak.

The loyal retainers who had come from the Weisshafen estate and served the ducal family for generations were still present, but… such a vast townhouse in the capital could hardly be maintained with only their numbers.

“…I see. It must have been difficult for you, handling it all alone.”

Roderick furrowed his brow deeply, as if guilty for leaving her to bear such burdens by herself.

“It’s troubling. We do need to hire people, but…”

Even the trusted nanny had disappeared, taking Ayla with her. Could they really put faith in strangers after that?

Still, they couldn’t let the mansion fall into disarray forever. Hiring new servants was unavoidable.

“Let’s think it through together and pick a few trustworthy, competent people, Roderick.”

Ophelia stroked her husband’s hand gently, smiling softly as she spoke.

This time, she vowed, she would never allow the same tragedy to happen again.

“Miss Laura, was it?”

“Yes, Duchess. Laura Spencer.”

A few days later, Ophelia and Roderick sat side by side, interviewing a candidate for a maid position.

Normally, such minor interviews would be left to the steward, but the couple wanted to judge the applicants with their own eyes.

In fact, this was the very first applicant to make it as far as an interview—the young woman seated before them, sharp-eyed and composed. Their standards had been so strict that most had already been eliminated during the document review.

“You worked for the Marquess of Kainis?”

“Yes. I served the young lady of the house for the past five years.”

Ophelia and Roderick exchanged a subtle glance.

The House of Kainis was an old, prestigious family. They had no direct ties with them, but the Marquess was trusted enough by the Emperor to serve as Minister of Finance.

If she had worked there for years, she must surely be reliable.

What’s more, her application had even included a recommendation letter from the Marquess himself.

Despite being in front of the duke and duchess, she showed little nervousness and answered calmly, which impressed them. Normally, candidates either grew overly tense or tried so hard to please that they blurted out mistakes.

Still, there was one matter holding them back from deciding immediately: why had she suddenly left her previous post after five steady years of service?

Ordinarily, neither Roderick nor Ophelia would pry so deeply into an applicant’s personal affairs. But now, every detail mattered.

“May I ask why you left the Marquess’s household?”

Roderick asked carefully after exchanging a silent look with his wife. Laura glanced at them, a flicker of surprise on her face—clearly not expecting the question.

“Is it something difficult to talk about?”

Ophelia tilted her head slightly, and Laura quickly lifted her folded hands to deny it.

“No, not at all…”

She then began to explain in a calm tone.

The young lady she had served in House Kainis had married a powerful foreign noble and left the country. Due to personal circumstances, Laura could not follow her abroad, and so she had resigned.

“Thankfully, the Marquess kindly wrote me a recommendation letter. Now I’m looking for a new household to serve.”

“Ah, come to think of it, I did hear something like that,” Ophelia said, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “The Marquess’s daughter was betrothed to a great noble from Loffelstein, wasn’t she?”

Ophelia had not mingled much in society since losing Ayla. If even she had heard the story, then it was likely true.

“If you don’t mind my asking, could you tell us why you couldn’t accompany her abroad?”

It was common for a noble lady to bring along her most trusted maid when marrying. It was only natural to wonder why Laura had not gone.

“Oh… I’m an only child, and my mother didn’t want me to live so far away.”

For the first time, Laura’s composed face flushed red. It seemed she was embarrassed to admit she was still so bound by her parents’ wishes as a grown woman.

“You must have a warm family. That’s good to see.”

Ophelia smiled warmly at the human side she had shown, nodding in approval. That seemed enough for the interview.

“Please wait outside a moment. We’ll let you know the result shortly.”

“Yes, Duchess.”

Laura bowed politely and left the room.

Once the couple was alone, they spoke in low voices.

“What do you think, Ophelia? I find her quite suitable.”

Roderick was impressed by her capable air. The fact that she sometimes betrayed a natural, human fluster only made her seem more trustworthy.

“I think so too. And… since she has experience serving a noble’s daughter, perhaps…”

Ophelia trailed off, glancing around the room.

Though she didn’t finish her thought, Roderick understood. She was thinking that, if Ayla ever returned, this maid might one day serve her.

“Very well. Let’s hire her.”

The decision was made quickly.

When Laura received the acceptance, she smiled shyly, as if she couldn’t believe her luck. She seemed truly delighted.

Of course she did—because everything she had shown the duke and duchess had been carefully crafted just to gain entry into this household.

In fact, the wave of servants quitting one after another had been orchestrated by agents of the Marquess of Kainis.

One maid’s father was injured so she’d leave to care for him. Another’s fiancé was slipped a large sum disguised as easy money, allowing them to marry early and quit. They had even tampered with the employment office to block other applicants from trying.

“Spencer” was none other than the maiden name of her mother, Capella. Laura had indeed once served the Kainis daughter, but only briefly after entering the Empire from the Kingdom of Inselkopf.

She had anticipated they would ask why she left, so she had feigned mild embarrassment to appear more genuine.

Laura Spencer—or rather, Laura Eyre—unpacked her modest belongings in the room assigned to her by the ducal household, smiling crookedly.

She had achieved her first objective: infiltrating the Venator estate.

Now, all that remained was to wait for Ayla Weisshafen to return home.

That evening, while preparations for dinner were underway, Ayla stepped out of Debbie and Scott’s cabin, saying she would gather firewood.

“Be sure to come back before dark, Ayla! Don’t get lost!”

Debbie’s nagging voice followed her, full of concern. But to Ayla, it was unnecessary worry.

She knew these woods well, and even if she encountered strangers or wild animals, she had the strength to fend for herself.

Still, Ayla didn’t dislike Debbie’s fussing. Her concern was warm and heartfelt—it almost made her happy.

“Yes, ma’am.”

With light steps, Ayla made her way into the forest.

Life without Laura’s suffocating watch or Byron’s demands was truly peaceful.

So peaceful, in fact, she found herself humming without realizing it.

Of course, she knew there were still eyes following her whenever she left the cabin. But since she knew those eyes belonged to Claude, it didn’t weigh heavily on her mind.

She still couldn’t fully trust him—but the fact that she was alive and well meant he hadn’t betrayed her secret to Byron.

In truth, her survival was thanks to his silence. Refusing to trust him entirely almost felt foolish.

As she thought this, Ayla chuckled softly and bent to gather dry branches. That was when she heard faint rustling from behind her.

“…Who’s there?”

Her face tensed as she scanned her surroundings.

The bundle of sticks she had been holding tumbled to the ground as her hand slipped to the dagger she kept hidden, ready in case it wasn’t Claude or Scott.

“It’s me, my lady.”

The tension evaporated—it was only Claude, stepping out from the trees.

Ayla sighed and crouched to pick up the fallen wood again, slightly annoyed to be redoing her work because of her own overreaction.

“You startled me. Do you have a message to deliver?”

“…Tomorrow, Capella will come to fetch you.”