Episode 5
“We’re heading to Young Master Frederic’s bedroom now.”
“His bedroom? Not the drawing room? Wait, I’m meeting him for the first time in his bedroom?”
“What the heck? First meeting in the bedroom? That’s super suspicious. Is this what Carolina meant when she told me to be careful? Is Frederic some kind of creep?”
Ecor smiled gently.
“You might be surprised by how it sounds. But don’t worry, it’s not strange at all.”
Yeah, easy for her to say. She didn’t explain anything, and now I’m not supposed to worry?
Even though I felt uneasy, I followed Ecor. Climbing stairs in this heavy dress wasn’t easy.
“I really need to wear something more comfortable next time.”
Frederic’s bedroom was on the second floor. Without even knocking, Ecor opened the door.
“Wait—this is his bedroom, right? Shouldn’t she knock first?”
Once we stepped inside, I realized why she hadn’t. It was called a bedroom, but it was more like an entire floor of the castle. His “bedroom” was bigger than the auditorium at my school and had several rooms.
“At this time, the young master is probably in that room over there.”
Ecor pointed to the room farthest away. Just getting there would take about five minutes on foot.
I followed Ecor, looking around the space. There were about four rooms, and although some sunlight came through the windows, it still felt dark overall. There were no decorations or art pieces—everything felt cold and empty.
“Wow. It’s huge. If this were my room, I’d decorate it with art and lamps to brighten it up.”
“Excuse me, Housekeeper Ecor.”
I walked faster to catch up to her. She slowed her pace slightly.
“Yes, my lady. I’m listening.”
“I have a question.”
“Yes?”
She stopped walking and looked at me. Her eyes were calm and deep—somehow reassuring.
“How many maids clean this bedroom?”
Ecor blinked in surprise, then her eyes curved into a smile.
“You’re the first young lady to ever ask me that.”
She looked amused, like it was a fun surprise.
“Most duke’s daughters never care about that kind of thing.”
“Oops. Did I just out myself as Seo Joo-hee the commoner again?”
But luckily, Ecor didn’t seem offended—she looked interested.
“None. No maids clean it.”
“What?”
No way. This huge bedroom?
“The young master cleans it himself. He doesn’t like anyone touching his belongings.”
What? There’s nothing to steal in here. Are people going to run off with the hardwood floor?
“I see…”
I nodded politely, but something felt off. He didn’t let anyone touch his stuff, and he cleaned this whole place by himself?
“He’s gotta be a little crazy.”
But the place was spotless—not a single speck of dust. Great. A clean freak. Ugh, people like that are exhausting.
Still, I wasn’t in a position to complain.
Before I knew it, we arrived at the room where Frederic was.
“This is the study.”
“Is this where I’d be working if I organize the books?”
“The library is on the fourth floor. The young master brings books from there and reads them here.”
“Oh, I see.”
Knock knock.
Ecor knocked.
“It’s Ecor.”
“…”
No reply. But she opened the door anyway.
The study had walls completely covered in bookshelves. Tall shelves reached up to the ceiling, filled with books.
“Wow, this could pass for a real library.”
Sunlight streamed through a large window. Below it, a huge desk sat with perfectly organized books.
“Ah.”
I let out a small gasp as soon as I saw Frederic.
He sat in a big armchair where the sunlight fell, eyes focused on a book.
Even from the side, Frederic looked young and handsome. His soft brown hair framed his face, his forehead was smooth, and his chin was sharp but strong.
At the center of his face sat a high nose. His green eyes were like pine forests—deep and intelligent. His lips, slightly red, were full and gave him both a mature and soft look.
Ecor stepped closer to him.
“Young Master.”
Thud.
Frederic finally put down his book. He pushed his long brown hair back with one hand and leaned into his chair.
“…”
I stared at him, completely stunned. I thought Leo was the most handsome person I’d ever seen, but nope—Frederic had a different vibe. I held my breath as I looked at him.
Frederic covered his eyes with one hand and spoke.
“Ecor. I said I don’t need anyone.”
“…?”
With his other hand, he waved lazily, as if swatting away a fly.
“Hmph…”
I couldn’t help but let out a little sound. Ecor, on the other hand, stood calmly like this was nothing new.
Frederic spoke again.
“I don’t need her. Tell her to leave.”
“Wait, what? Did he just say I’m not needed?”
“…”
Frederic was clearly rude.
Ecor didn’t look surprised at all. In fact, she seemed totally used to this. She stepped forward.
Frederic dropped his hand and glanced at me once.
Gasp.
Now I understood the phrase “breathtakingly handsome.” Even if his personality was dark and gloomy, his face was so perfect that it made you forgive everything.
Frederic turned his attention back to Ecor.
“I said I don’t need her. Tell her to leave.”
Ecor replied firmly,
“I know you don’t, young master. But please, do it for me. Just give her a chance. One week is all I ask. You can decide after that.”
Frederic frowned and glared toward the corner of the study.
“….”
“Wait… wasn’t the job already decided? Guess not. But actually… this could work in my favor. If he doesn’t need me, then it won’t be a busy job. Sounds good to me.”
“And she’s Lady Carolina’s friend. Carolina personally sent a recommendation letter. Sending her away like this would be rude to her.”
Frederic shut his eyes tightly, clearly annoyed.
“Fine. Whatever, Ecor. You handle it.”
“No, I can’t. She’s not someone I can order around. She’s here to work only for you.”
“What? Why not?”
Frederic looked frustrated. Ecor didn’t budge.
“She’s the daughter of the Duke Plerin. I can’t treat her like a regular servant.”
Frederic looked shocked and opened his mouth slightly. Then he gave a sly smirk.
“A noble duke’s daughter working at a baron’s house?”
“Uh, what’s with this sudden villain energy?”
“…”
“What is his problem? People say I’m good at reading the room, but I can’t figure him out at all.”
“Why? Why is a duke’s daughter working here?”
I had no idea what had triggered him, but Frederic’s eyes had gone cold. Was it really that shocking I was a duke’s daughter?
The surprising part was that he didn’t know who I was.
He hadn’t heard the gossip that I was the duke’s daughter who broke off her engagement with Leo. That alone was actually a relief.
Ecor said,
“You can ask her yourself, young master. I’ll schedule one hour a day for you to speak with her starting tomorrow.”
“…”
Frederic didn’t respond. He just picked up his book and started reading again, like I didn’t even exist.
“How rude. No greeting, no nothing. Ugh, sure, maybe his social skills are rusty after years of hiding, but there’s a difference between being awkward and being straight-up rude.”
“Then.”
Ecor gave a polite bow and guided me out of the study.
Once we were far enough away, I lowered my voice and asked,
“Housekeeper… One hour?”
“Your main job is to talk with the young master for one hour a day. Mostly about books.”
“I thought I’d be organizing the library?”
“The conversations are actually the most important part. You’re free to do whatever you like with the rest of your time. If you’re okay with that, I’d like you to move in today, if possible.”
“Oh…”
I paused to think.
That one-hour conversation must’ve been the unusual clause Carolina mentioned.
“Makes sense. He’s a socially awkward noble, and they want someone to talk to him for an hour a day. Not a normal job, but not a bad one either. Actually… I like it.”
Ecor looked at me, clearly worried I might run away.
Me? I was…
Totally thrilled!
Isn’t this amazing? I only have to deal with that rude guy for one hour a day, and I get a private room, three meals, and total freedom otherwise.
I smiled brightly and said,
“Great. I’ll pack my things and move in right away!”
