I Wasn’t a Maid, I Was a Spy

Episode 2

“Haa…”

In the end, I didn’t sleep at all.

Rubbing the dark circles under my eyes, I let out a deep sigh. Anna, who stood beside me, came closer.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Anna was the maid who’d been there when I first woke up after possessing Lillian. She still seemed worried about me.

“No, I just didn’t sleep well…”

I waved it off like it was nothing—even though it definitely wasn’t.

No… right? Tell me it’s not true, Lillian!

Last night.

Because of a single secret letter left in Lillian’s room, my plan for a brand-new life fell apart.

The Lillian I thought was just a normal maid was actually a spy?

If that’s true, then I’m a spy now too!

I stared at the ridiculous reality and tried to deny it.

No way…

With her innocent face—the kind that looks like she couldn’t hurt an ant—how could she be a spy? The other maids even said she was shy but helpful and kind.

Right. Just getting a suspicious scrap of paper doesn’t make someone a spy!

But while my “logic” tried to be hopeful, my body moved on instinct and searched Lillian’s room from top to bottom.

The result:

Two sharpened daggers, a dark purple liquid that looked like poison, a bundle of memorized codes, and a piece of black cloth.

No matter how you look at it—spy gear.

I want to cry, seriously…

Tears pricked my eyes.

Wasn’t suffering in my past life enough? Now I need a second job here too? As a spy?

For someone as timid as me, this was cruel. In mafia games, I always prayed to be a normal villager!

Sssk—

Meanwhile, as time passed, the words on the secret letter disappeared as if on cue. Special ink. That made it feel even more spy-like, and I felt even more miserable.

“Lillian!”

While I was spacing out, thinking about last night, Anna called me again and took the broom from my hands.

“Geez, this won’t do. Go wash your face.”

She waved me off, sounding grumpy, but I knew she was being kind in her own way.

“Thanks. I’ll be quick!”

My head had been a mess all morning anyway—perfect chance to clear it.

I hurried off in the direction Anna pointed. It was the so-called shortcut that avoids running into the Head Maid.

Tap, tap.

My shoes echoed down the quiet hallway. Since it was work time, no one was in the corridor leading to the annex.

Was it right from here?

The Grand Duke Pelium’s mansion in the capital had a main building, two annexes, and a garden.

The main building was where Grand Duke Pelium stayed—the one Anna and I had been cleaning just now.

On each side stood the east annex and west annex. The knights used the east annex; servants like us used the west.

A person with no sense of direction could never work here.

The main house, annexes, and gardens were huge. Honestly, we should call this place a palace, not a mansion. Then at least we’d behave with the proper caution.

Anyway…

Who put that secret letter in the first place?

Left alone, my thoughts naturally drifted there. Of course they did—this decided who I was going to be from now on.

Did someone sneak in from outside? Or is there another spy here, like Lillian?

Maybe it wasn’t even a person. In movies, they train birds or rats for this kind of thing.

No, wait.

There’s something more basic I should think about first. The most important question right now:

Who sent this body out as a spy in the first place?!

Lillian might have known, but “I” don’t!

My head throbbed. At this rate, I’d end up working as a spy under some unknown boss, doing a job I’m not suited for.

Should I search Lillian’s room again?

I was in a rush last night. If I search slowly, maybe I’ll find a hint about who’s behind this.

Okay, let’s start there first!

I clenched my fist and quickened my steps. I should hurry back for Anna’s sake, too—she was probably cleaning alone.

Just then—

Hm?

Lillian’s sharp instincts caught an unfamiliar presence. I turned my head on reflex.

“Ah…”

The first thing I saw was dazzling golden hair. Under the sunlight, it glowed like melted gold.

Below it, perfect, delicate features: keen eyes, a straight nose, and lips gently pressed together—like a figure from a masterpiece painting.

But the most striking thing was his eyes.

Red…

A pair of vivid, breath-stealing red eyes that made it impossible to look away.

While I stared, he tilted his head slightly and watched me with an unreadable expression. Then he spoke, slowly.

“How long do you plan to keep staring?”

I snapped back to my senses.

I bowed my head in a panic.

If I’m right, this man is…

The master of this estate, Grand Duke Raymond Pelium.

The other maids had said he was young and handsome—and most beautiful when seen from afar.

That last part made me sure he was the Duke.

So scary!

He was beautiful like a statue, which somehow made him even scarier. His sharp gaze and cool voice didn’t help.

I hurried to speak so I wouldn’t offend the terrifying master.

“G- Greetings, Your Grace.”

Why did I have to bite my tongue now of all times?!

My face burned. Good thing I was still bowing.

“…”

Five seconds felt like fifty minutes. Then he spoke, as if something had just occurred to him.

“I heard there was an accident a few days ago.”

Accident?

I glanced up at him.

Was he talking about Lillian fainting? Or some other accident I didn’t know about?

The question was too broad. When I hesitated, he added,

“You. I’m talking about you.”

Ah—so it was about Lillian.

I was a little surprised. I didn’t expect him to remember a maid who’d only been here three months. He’d been away from the estate until just now, too. When did he hear about this?

Impressed by his fast information network, I answered simply,

“It wasn’t serious, so I recovered quickly.”

Well, I did lie unconscious for two days and then possessed her body… but he didn’t need to know that. Actually, he must not know that.

I bowed my head again.

I hope he leaves soon…

No matter how handsome, a one-on-one with the employer is awkward and uncomfortable.

And I’d already wasted too much time. If I didn’t hurry back, I wouldn’t even have time to wash my face—and I’d feel bad for Anna.

While I was rolling my eyes, thinking of excuses, he suddenly lowered himself a little and asked,

“Are you all right?”

A surprising question.

The maids said he was cold and strict. I never thought he’d show concern. Still, it didn’t feel bad.

“Yes! I’m fine.”