ITMHIAM 06

Chapter 6

The blowing wind lightly stirred his golden hair, dyed red by the setting sun.

Though he was being harshly criticized now, he was still the heir to the Schultz dukedom. His honor would soon be restored, and as had always happened before, the embezzlement accusations would quickly fade from people’s minds.

Even if he had received help from his father, no one would object if someone like me was ignored.

But why?

I stared at him intently with a puzzled expression. No matter how much I looked into his eyes — the mesmerizing color reminiscent of the sea — I couldn’t figure out what he was thinking this time either.

After hesitating for a long moment, I finally voiced what he had proposed.

“You want me to take charge of the Schultz dukedom’s affairs?”

“That’s right.”

“But what if I can’t handle the job?”

The young duke nodded immediately. Growing more puzzled, I quietly clenched my fist and asked again.

“What’s the reason for helping me like this?”

He didn’t answer but pulled a pack of cigarettes from his chest pocket. Then, he casually placed a cigarette in his mouth, tossed the rest onto my father’s coffin, and lit the one he was holding — all in one smooth motion, like flowing water.

Noticing my frown, he said,

“Sorry. I always smoke together with him.”

It didn’t seem like an excuse, but it softened the rude impression that might have come across.

Still, my father never smoked. He must have been having a hard time.

Lost in such thoughts, a hoarse voice came.

“As I said earlier…”

He inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled the smoke, pausing for a moment.

“I couldn’t just watch the daughter of someone I was close to suffer. I received a lot of help from Sergeant Prim, and since I can’t repay the person directly, I repay at least his daughter.”

It was a cynical answer.

Basically, since the person who helped me is dead, he would repay me instead to save face.

That was roughly the meaning.

It was a suggestion born from a noble’s self-centered mindset. He thought he was considerate, but arrogance dripped from every word.

I looked at his indifferent profile and spoke, gripping the front hem of my jet-black dress tightly.

“Is there another reason you feel you must repay this favor? I’m not sure about military ranks, but I don’t think my father helped someone like a fleet commander that much. Or is it out of pity for me…?”

The young Duke Schultz raised his eyebrows.

“No. The favor I received from Sergeant Prim is much greater than what Miss Prim imagines.”

His sculpted face was calm as if telling the truth. Besides, someone of his rank wouldn’t lie to approach me.

But…

“This is too much of a burden.”

To enter a noble household as a servant, one had to have certain qualifications set as hiring conditions. And they had to be discreet, so it was extremely hard to be hired.

In other words, you needed some level of financial backing to even get those qualifications.

That’s why people said to become a noble’s servant, you had to have three generations of proper upbringing.

Of course, the Russell marquis family was an exception because they struggled to find anyone.

I recalled the Schultz dukedom’s job posting I had seen before.

Fluency in foreign languages and professional certifications preferred.

I was confident I could keep my mouth shut, but I was not proficient in the foreign languages they wanted. And I didn’t have a professional license either, as I was still studying to get a pharmacist’s certificate.

So no matter how much help I had received, it was basically preferential hiring.

I wanted to avoid actions that bothered my conscience.

I forced a polite smile and said,

“Thank you, but I must decline. Of course, I have the option to refuse, right?”

His broad forehead furrowed even more.

“I thought this was a condition you couldn’t refuse. May I ask why you decline?”

“I think I have already received more than enough help from the colonel.”

“That can’t be.”

The young duke chuckled slightly.

It was a laugh that said it was ridiculous to think he hadn’t helped me at all.

And the sincerity in his next words made that clear immediately.

“Edith Prim.”

He inhaled the cigarette smoke deeply once again, then slowly exhaled.

“I have yet to put any effort into helping you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Of course, the job I proposed earlier is the same. It’s just paying you fairly for the labor you perform.”

I was at a loss for words.

Despite his courteous manner and respectful tone, it felt so arrogant.

“Well…”

If this weren’t in front of my father’s coffin, I might have been somewhat tempted.

But I was taught by my father to live honorably. Not to accept favors without repayment, and to have a degree of suspicion in life.

I stared blankly at the smoldering cigarette tip, then looked at his excessively handsome and dry face.

His straight posture and restrained expression showing no emotion.

I suddenly realized I was speaking with a noble and bit my lower lip before taking a deep breath and replying.

“But if I weren’t Sergeant Prim’s daughter, I don’t think this offer would exist. I’m truly grateful, but I don’t want that. I’m trying to handle things on my own without anyone’s help.”

I had a dumbfounded expression when the young duke asked again.

“What if it’s a request?”

He seemed to expect I would refuse.

“A request?”

“I have enough capital and power to repay the favor. Yet I still ask so politely because…”

He paused.

“Miss Prim, you probably know better than I do how my reputation stands here in Musen.”

He brushed back his wind-tousled hair. His brow furrowed deeper.

Though it felt disrespectful to think this in front of my father’s coffin, Johannes Schultz had a stunning appearance anyone would fall for. His limited expressions made him look cold and distant.

“Just from seeing how people recklessly gossip about my whereabouts, you can tell how far the Schultz dukedom’s prestige has fallen.”

He dropped his stubbed-out cigarette onto the dry grass. The crushed remains left a faint trace of soot.

Watching his less refined behavior compared to earlier, I answered slowly.

“I know.”

No matter how excellent his looks and family were, as the noble of nobles who drew all eyes, he had to care about his reputation.

I already knew, but it still felt new.

He tilted his head slightly and quietly scanned me.

“So I want a trustworthy servant. And it would be most convenient if that servant were Miss Prim.”

“How can you trust me in the first place?”

“Sergeant Prim often boasted about his daughter. She’s a rare, upright, and honest young lady.”

His voice was very dry for such words.

“Uh…?”