Chapter 8
Somehow, peaceful days continued. The baseless rumors about the Schultz Ducal family gradually started to die down.
In the meantime, I placed the items full of memories with my father, scattered throughout the house, in places where they wouldn’t be seen.
Still, from time to time, my father came to mind, but it was more bearable than before. That was because I was trying to stay so busy that I wouldn’t have time to think of him.
I went to the post office and contacted the Russell Marquis family to tell them I couldn’t make the interview, only to receive a cold and harsh reprimand.
After apologizing several times, the marquis family’s steward finally let me go.
Anyway, as I kept busy like that, the day I was to start working at the Schultz Ducal mansion finally arrived.
I woke up earlier than usual and prepared to head to the Schultz Ducal mansion. When I got a stagecoach, a thunderous shout poured out.
“Hey, why are you going to the Schultz Ducal mansion when the master isn’t even there? You’re not secretly the hidden lover of the Schultz Young Duke, are you?”
“No, absolutely not.”
Despite my firm denial, the driver’s hostile gaze lingered on me, so I hastily made up an excuse that I was a reporter for a newspaper.
The driver still looked suspicious but seemed to somewhat believe me.
’Next time, better to get off nearby and walk.’
The view outside the window wasn’t as peaceful as before but was lively in its own way.
After a while, the carriage passed through a crowded street and entered a quieter one. After running up a steep slope for some time, we finally reached the entrance to Evanshtein Castle.
“Wow…”
I got off the carriage and looked down from the cliff.
The surrounding forest was covered in snow. Below, I could see the town of Myussen, the river crossing Myussen, Lake Poppsen, and even the distant sea—all at a glance.
I realized once again that the castle was located at a high elevation.
Turning around, I saw the main gate with a raised roof design. The structure was made of red bricks tightly laid between cream-colored pillars.
I stared blankly at the eagle crest of the Schultz Ducal family carved above the gate, then slowly entered.
The buildings rose layer upon layer like a fortress. I was overwhelmed by the grandeur and involuntarily shrank back.
After walking quite a distance, I climbed milky-white stone stairs and was greeted first by the duke’s steward.
“Miss Edith Prim? Thank you for coming all this way. I am Brett Gunner.”
Oh my goodness.
I stared blankly at the man before me, unable even to think of greeting him.
Does one have to be handsome to be part of the ducal household?
Brett Gunner was handsome enough to make me forget all hardships. But he was a bit different from Johannes Schultz.
If I had to describe Brett Gunner in one word, it would be: a congenial handsome man.
His gentle smile could easily charm any woman upon first meeting.
Not only that, his neatly styled dark brown hair and tidy attire increased his likability even further.
Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, he seemed not unfamiliar with such reactions. He maintained a courteous smile and continued speaking.
“I serve as both the Schultz Ducal steward and the master’s assistant. I will explain most things to you, but feel free to ask me anything you don’t know.”
“My goodness…”
His respectful manner made me cover my mouth unconsciously. His eyes widened a little.
“Did I make a mistake?”
Mistake? Absolutely not.
Even though I was just a servant, he treated me with respect. Despite my rude staring and lack of proper greeting on first meeting.
I quickly waved my hand and blurted out whatever came to mind.
“No, absolutely not. I just wasn’t sure how to address you.”
“Oh. Please feel free to call me by my name.”
He gave an even more perfect smile.
“Yes, Sir Brett. Sorry for the late greeting. I’m Edith Prim.”
In reality, personal circumstances don’t matter much.
In other words, showing a gloomy face in an interview is not a good idea, especially when it’s a job you really want.
So I put on a bright smile as if I had no shadow at all on my face.
“There’s no need to call me ‘Sir.’ Of course, if you’re comfortable with ‘Miss Prim,’ that’s fine too.”
“You’re really kind.”
“I only showed the attitude fitting for the master’s guest.”
“I’m not a guest…”
“We haven’t signed the employment contract yet.”
Sir Brett smiled warmly. I felt awkward and gave an uneasy smile.
In any case, he was polite throughout. Although I don’t know much about noble households, no steward would treat a mere servant so respectfully.
Sir Brett then showed me around Evanshtein Castle. He also began to explain the duties I would take on.
“Miss Prim, your task will be to organize the documents that come to the Schultz Ducal mansion by date.”
“Is there nothing else to do? That sounds too simple…”
“You’ll see once you look around. I’ll show you inside the castle. Please follow me.”
He added that and took the lead. I followed him closely, feeling nervous.
The castle’s architecture was a chaotic mixture, matching its grand size. Different styles coexisted—from simple to extremely ornate—depending on the era’s trend.
Nevertheless, it was a place that could be called the most beautiful castle in Dochilia.
The grand hall, the atelier, the banquet hall—there was no place that wasn’t lavishly prepared.
Sir Brett guided me through numerous private rooms and even the library.
Finally, we headed to the reception room for the contract. Even the reception room was massive. The walls were decorated with magnificent arches that added grandeur, and not a single small item was carelessly placed.
While I was absentmindedly looking around the reception room, Sir Brett handed me the contract.
“The servants’ quarters are in the east annex. Since you’ll be commuting, I won’t guide you there separately.”
The promised weekly wage was 1,000,000 Berg.
Seeing the documented amount, I was newly amazed. I was staring blankly at the numbers when he said:
“Please tell me if the amount is incorrect or if there are any amendments you want me to ask the master about.”
“No. This amount is more than enough.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Now that I thought about it, isn’t the Schultz Young Duke not coming? I looked around and asked.
“Then, where is the Young Duke…?”
“You should correct the title you use.”
“Huh?”
When I tilted my head, Sir Brett explained.
“The master inherited the title upon the death of the previous duke.”
“Ah…”
My face flushed bright red.
How would I know how noble titles are inherited?
So it was partly the Schultz Duke’s fault for not correcting my mistaken title.
“No need to be embarrassed. Most noble families have to follow formal procedures to inherit titles.”
Sir Brett kindly added the explanation.
“As you know, the master is currently officially missing, so please keep this a secret. Do you have any questions about the master?”
“Yes. One thing.”
He waited as if encouraging me to speak.
“Then was the rumor of him being missing deliberately spread by the ducal family?”
“It’s a rather classical tactic to create a new topic, but it works quite well.”
“I see.”
I nodded slowly.
Indeed, at first, the news mostly focused on the Schultz Young Duke’s embezzlement, but now everyone was paying attention to his whereabouts.
Rumors that someone kidnapped Johannes Schultz to seize the massive embezzlement or that he fled abroad had become accepted as fact.
Admiring the noble way of handling things, I finished signing the contract.
“Just in case, may I ask you something?”
After being assigned my office and preparing to return home, Sir Brett spoke to me.
I looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“Have you ever formally studied etiquette?”
“Huh…?”
My face blushed like a tomato at his question.
I thought he might be hinting that I was rude.
Or maybe he was about to cancel my hiring.
Had I made some mistake?
If the hiring was canceled, I wouldn’t have anywhere else to go, so I hurriedly explained.
“Of course. Enough to get along well with others. But since I’m not conscious of it in daily life, I do have to make a great effort in official settings like this.”
In fact, I was working hard to appear quite decent.
If I showed the steward a good impression, good words would likely reach the employer.
My father said he praised me that way, so I couldn’t show a disappointing side.
Still, if my etiquette was awful…
’I wouldn’t be able to get a foot in this ducal house, let alone other noble families.’
I asked nervously.
“Did I make any mistakes or act rudely?”
Sir Brett shook his head lightly. I sighed with relief.
But the answer he gave next made me even more embarrassed.
“No, what I mean is… have you ever been formally taught the etiquette of high society?”
