Episode 7
In the middle of the room, a fireplace was warmly glowing. The bedroom furniture was simple: a bed, a wardrobe, a big sofa, and a desk. It wasn’t fancy, but everything looked practical.
“I’ll show you the bathroom now.”
The bathroom for soaking baths was separate.
The layout was a little unusual—there were several bathtubs, each divided by stone walls. The walls didn’t reach the ceiling, so you couldn’t see others while bathing, but you could hear them.
“Every evening after dinner, warm water will be prepared here.”
“Wow. That’s really nice.”
Ecor smiled warmly, happy to see how excited I was. She looked like she was around my mom’s age or maybe a bit older.
“You must enjoy soaking baths.”
“I love them. And the view from here is amazing. I can even see the garden through the window!”
Ecor’s eyes crinkled as she smiled.
“I’m glad you like it. I hope you feel comfortable during your stay here.”
“…”
Everything was perfect… except for one thing that bugged me.
Just one thing.
“Why did you offer me this job in the first place?”
“Pardon?”
Ecor looked confused, like she didn’t understand my question.
“I mean, the library organizing doesn’t seem that busy. And the living conditions here are super nice. I’m just curious what you’re hoping to gain from giving me this job.”
This is my problem. When something good comes along, I can’t just say, “Thank you!” and enjoy it. I always wonder if there’s a hidden catch. I get suspicious.
Ecor nodded slowly, like she finally understood.
She stepped toward the window and stared off into the distant forest.
“You’re right, Lady Delphine. You seem like someone very warm and honest.”
Then she began to speak.
“This job was created for Young Master Frederic. He’s been running the family business incredibly well, with great results. But… he’s completely cut ties with anyone outside the family.”
“…”
I watched Ecor’s back while focusing on her words. Her ivory-colored clothes matched the gray stone wall nicely.
“For a while, we tried to encourage him to open up. We invited guests to get him talking, and even brought in doctors. But none of them lasted more than a week.”
“They all quit?”
Ecor shook her head.
“Sometimes, yes. But most of the time, the young master kicked them out. He didn’t want to speak to anyone.”
Ah. That made sense. Given his rude attitude yesterday, I could believe it.
“Then… I might get kicked out too.”
“We’ll know in a week. But don’t worry, Lady Delphine. If you have to leave, we’ll give you a full month’s salary plus another month’s pay as a farewell bonus.”
Oh? That’s actually great! Two months’ pay for just one week of work? With that money, I could even invest in Libre Trading Company.
Of course, working longer is better. But even getting fired isn’t so bad.
“Still… I saw hope in you, Lady Delphine. I can’t explain it, but I feel like you might end up staying here for quite a while.”
“I hope so too!”
I meant it. This was such an easy job! I really wanted to stay. I only had to deal with that rude guy for one hour a day.
Ecor turned around and smiled. Her expression was kind, but the wrinkles near her eyes looked a bit worried.
She must truly care for Frederic.
‘That jerk. Still, if she’s watched him since he was little and knows he has no parents or siblings, I get why she’s concerned.’
“Lady Delphine, aren’t you tired?”
Yeah. Time to rest.
“Yes, I’ll go back to the bedroom now.”
“Then I’ll see you at dinner.”
I gave her a polite nod and thought,
‘Ecor really seems like a wise and kind person. Calm and gentle.’
Ecor went downstairs while I walked down the long hallway to my room. By the time I finished unpacking, it would be dinner.
‘Alright. Let’s just finish this annoying stuff quickly.’
I slowly opened the door.
“Ah! Oh my gosh!”
I shouted without meaning to. A girl in white was standing next to my bed. She looked no older than six or seven.
‘What the—why is there a kid here? Is this a ghost? A hallucination?’
I blinked several times, holding tightly onto the doorknob.
‘Ugh… what do I do? Should I just shut the door and pretend I didn’t see her? There’s no way a kid lives here! Wait—what kind of story is this? Is it turning into a horror novel?’
Sweat dripped down my back. I was about to close the door when the girl spoke.
“Hello, Lady Delphine! I was tidying up your room. My name’s Bella!”
I sighed in relief.
‘Phew. Not a ghost!’
I stepped inside and stood in front of the girl. Up close, she looked even smaller.
“Bella? You work here?”
Bella spread her arms and patted the bed proudly.
“If you want to eat, you have to work! I’m young, but I know that much. The older maids said they’d slowly teach me how to do laundry and cook. After I fix your bed, I’m going to wash vegetables.”
Uh… what? She works here? She’s just a kid! What can she even do with those tiny little hands? Did she clean my room? I’d rather do it myself. Isn’t this child labor?
I was speechless—and angry deep down.
This mansion… something about it felt off. I didn’t care if I had to talk to that psycho Frederic, but this little girl? This wasn’t right.
“Bella? You said your name is Bella. Come with me. Let’s talk.”
No. I need to go talk to Ecor right now.
I reached out my hand to Bella. She stared at it quietly, like it was something she’d never seen before.
“…?”
“Lady Delphine, you’re really kind. A noble lady like you is offering me your hand. But I’m okay. I’ve always managed on my own. If I work, I get money, and with money, I can eat.”
“…Huh?”
My head started to hurt. What kind of household makes a child say something like that?
In that moment, something snapped inside me. Even if I got fired today, I had to say something.
“Come on, Bella.”
Bella matched my pace as I walked. I slowed down so she wouldn’t fall behind.
“Bella, do you know where Housekeeper Ecor is right now?”
“She should be downstairs organizing dinner.”
“Let’s go there.”
Bella held my hand tightly. Her little hand was so small and thin.
How could anyone expect her to work with hands like that?
I marched down the stairs, my footsteps filled with anger.
‘How. Can. You. Make. A. Kid. Work. Like. This.’
Just as I passed a door on the second floor, Frederic’s bedroom door opened.
“Young Master!”
Bella let go of my hand and ran to Frederic.
As soon as he saw her, Frederic picked her up. Bella clung to him like it was normal.
Then Frederic glared at me like he wanted to kill me.
“Bella! What did this woman do to you?”
“I was cleaning Lady Delphine’s room, but she got upset. I think I might’ve done something wrong.”
“…?”
Frederic frowned deeply, his face full of rage.
“Hey. What did you say to Bella? What—did she touch your stuff, and now it’s too ‘dirty’ for you?”
‘What is he even talking about?’
I was already annoyed, and now Frederic was making nonsense accusations? My patience snapped.
I fired back sharply.
“What are you talking about? Nothing’s dirty. I have a question for you. Do you even know a little kid is working here in your mansion?”
Bella’s mouth dropped open. She raised her tiny hand and whispered in Frederic’s ear.
“Young Master, I’ve never met someone like her before. But… she didn’t say anything bad to me.”
Frederic turned his gaze back to me.
“Then why are you dragging her around by the hand?”
“I told you. How can you let such a small kid work like this? She told me she has to work so she can eat. Doesn’t that sound wrong to you?”
“…”
Frederic’s expression changed. He looked at Bella seriously and asked,
“Bella, did you really say that?”
“…Yes. I said it.”
“Why?”
“I overheard the older maids. They said you have to work to survive. And that when I get older, I’ll need to work too. So they’re teaching me a little at a time.”
Bella looked down, her voice trembling with fear.
Frederic’s angry face softened. He nodded slowly, like he finally understood. He raised one hand and gently stroked Bella’s hair.
“Bella, don’t worry. You don’t have to work right now. You can do whatever you want. No need to think about working or eating. We have plenty of bread in this castle—and lots of butter, your favorite. So there’s nothing to worry about, okay?”
