Episode 08-
To get straight to the point, Estella ended up applying to be Kamila’s temporary replacement as a maid.
“What? You’re going to work as a maid, ma’am?”
Kamila was clearly confused at first.
But then Estella had whispered sweetly:
“If you recommend me for the job, I’ll give you 10% of my wages over the next few months as a referral fee.”
She also mentioned that she was planning to leave the area in a few months—
and that sealed the deal.
As a result…
“You polished it very well.”
Estella passed the butler’s test with flying colors.
“Better than I expected.”
The old butler didn’t mention how surprising it was that someone like Estella, who clearly didn’t look used to this kind of work, could do it so well.
“Thank you,” Estella simply replied.
There was a different kind of energy around this “temporary maid” compared to Kamila, and the old butler gave a thoughtful nod before turning around.
Despite his age and his round, kind-looking face, his voice was firm and strict.
“If the master approves, you’ll start next week. Is that okay?”
“Yes. Also, you can speak casually with me.”
That seemed to be exactly what the butler had been hoping for.
He immediately relaxed his tone.“Alright then.”
His voice became warmer.
“By the way, it might be hard to work in the clothes you’re wearing now.”
Even though Estella had worn the plainest dress she had, it still wasn’t the right style for a maid.
“Morning maids wear black, but afternoon uniforms are sky blue. Will that be a problem?”
He was asking if she would be okay not strictly following mourning customs.
“That’s fine.”
Strictly speaking, even starting this kind of job while still in mourning was already bending social rules. What difference would her outfit make now? Survival was more important.
Still, knowing the butler might worry, Estella added:
“I have a black hair ribbon. I’ll wear that instead.”
That was the working-class way of observing mourning.
It was a sign—Estella was choosing to live not as a noble, but as a servant.
The butler understood and quietly nodded, eyes briefly closed.
“Alright then. You can use Kamila’s old uniform for now. It won’t fit perfectly, but just bear with it for a few days.”
“Wait—you tailor maid uniforms here?”
“The master doesn’t like mismatched outfits. Cleanliness is also very important to him.”
Usually, maids have to pay for their own uniforms, so Estella had already prepared to spend money to get one made. This news was a relief.
“Staff meals are at 8 AM for breakfast, 12 PM for lunch, 4 PM tea time, and dinner around 8:30 PM.”
“You provide all of that?”
“Of course.”
“Even tea and desserts?”
“Of course.”
Estella wasn’t the type to say overly sentimental things, but this time she truly meant it:
“That’s… really touching.”
“Hmm?”
“I’ll work hard.”
The butler let out a big laugh at Estella’s changed expression.
“Good. I’m counting on you.”
****
“We finally heard back from Bending.”
At Jack’s words, Ian’s usually blank face shifted just slightly.
Just a twitch of his eyebrow—but for someone who knew Ian well, it was a sign he was genuinely pleased.
Jack said nothing and simply handed over the letter.
As Ian read it, the corners of his mouth lifted into a small smile.
Noticing the signal, Jack asked,
“Did it work?”
“It worked.”
“Finally.”
Ian casually handed the letter to Jack. As Jack read it, his eyebrows rose in surprise.
“If Bending sounds this confident, the result must be solid.”
“He’s not the type to exaggerate.”
Ian smiled, then his expression turned serious again. He leaned back in his chair, flipping open and shut his pocket watch.
After a short silence, he tossed the watch onto the desk and sat up straight.
“The supply of phosphorite is key now.”
“I’ll look into that first.”
Jack, as always, quickly understood what Ian needed.
“Now the real work begins.”
“I know.”
Jack’s eyes sharpened. Ian added seriously:
“Be even more careful from now on. Especially with the old men.”
They had come this far by keeping their work secret while developing the technology.
Their investments in various other projects had just been a cover to hide their real one.
But when it came to applying for a patent, it wasn’t so easy to stay hidden. That’s usually when trouble starts.
“I won’t fall for it a second time.”
Jack’s lips twisted bitterly, thinking of the past.
“There won’t be another screw-up like last time.”
He headed for the door, then paused.
“Oh, right. The butler said to pass along a change.”
Ian wasn’t usually interested in the daily running of the mansion, whether in Chameron or the capital,
so things were usually handled without his involvement.
The fact that the butler asked to pass along a message meant it involved staffing.
“Tell me.”
“They hired a temporary maid.”
“A temporary maid?”
“Kamila got hurt… wait, you don’t even know who Kamila is, do you?”
Ian gave Jack a look like, Really?, and Jack shook his head.
“Shouldn’t you at least remember the names of maids who’ve worked here for over four years?”
“Just finish the report.”
“Tch. Anyway, she’s injured and can’t work, so they’ve hired a temp.”
Jack didn’t bother going into the whole story—he just delivered the important part.
“That’s it.”
Ian gave a couple of small nods without looking up.
“Got it. You can go.”
****
“This is the house we’ll be living in for a while.”
At Estella’s words, Ayla, who was tightly hugging her stuffed bunny, looked around the small home.
The fallen Baron Vancen family had still owned a house with a backyard.
Compared to that, this place must’ve seemed tiny and shabby.
But maybe because Kamila’s home was full of warmth and people,
Ayla soon relaxed, and her grip on the bunny loosened.
“So you’re Ayla?”
Kamila, limping over, crouched to meet her eyes.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kamila. When your mom’s working, I’ll be with you.”
“……”
“Oh! But we won’t be alone. My mom and younger siblings will be here too.”
Kamila smiled mischievously and pointed to a boy about Ayla’s age, calling him “farty,” and a slightly older girl she called “poopy.”
Estella, as an adult, found the jokes childish, but Ayla giggled happily.
She really knows how to handle kids.
Kamila stood up and looked at Estella.
“The house is a bit small, isn’t it?”
“Not at all. It’s spacious.”
“Come on, I know it’s tiny compared to a noble’s mansion.”
“I haven’t always lived in mansions. And you can just call me by name. I’m not a ‘lady’ anymore.”
“But still…”
“If you keep calling me that, it’ll just make things awkward.”
Originally, Estella had offered Kamila 10% of her wages as a referral fee.
But then she added a new offer:
Estella would pay Kamila 50%—half of her wages—in exchange for room and board, and for Kamila watching over Ayla while Estella worked.
It sounded like a lot, but considering Chameron’s living costs, it was a fair deal for Estella.
And it was good for Kamila too. She couldn’t work anyway, so helping with one more kid while earning money was a win.
That’s how Estella and Ayla ended up staying at Kamila’s house.
“Oh right! Here.”
Kamila handed over a sheet of high-quality paper covered in neat writing.
“I asked the butler to write this. I’m not great at writing myself.”
Estella read the tidy notes. It was a detailed schedule of a maid’s daily tasks.
“There’s a lot to do, but at least you won’t have to serve tea or anything like that.”
Kamila’s hesitant tone made sense once Estella saw the intense workload.
No wonder the pay is high.
Work started at 6 a.m. and lasted until 8:30 p.m.—
Normal for a maid, sure, but here she’d also be doing kitchen and laundry duties—all by herself.
The high pay makes sense.
Kamila also mentioned they were allowed to drink high-quality tea during tea time.
So even though the job would be hard, Estella was looking forward to starting.
“Oh! One more important thing! Sir Wyndham—”
Estella’s raised eyebrow cut her off.
“‘Sir Wyndham’?”
