THDMC l CH 08

Chapter 8

I never saw this coming.

If the Duke used this as an excuse to cut my wages, I had no way to argue back.

What do you mean?

Eki had told me clearly: never go near the Duke’s office unless he called me. Don’t even look at it.

And as for the Duke’s bedroom—I didn’t even know where it was.

It wasn’t on the map of the mansion I had been given.

The Duke’s voice was calm, but sharp:
“I’m disappointed. I expected better from you. You’re supposed to be thorough, and yet you never even cleaned my office or my chambers.”

“…I’m sorry.”

But if the employer orders it, the servant obeys.

Thinking carefully, this was my mistake.

Eki had warned me, yes—but I was the head maid. It was my duty to ask the Duke directly about his room. I had ignored that.

This one’s on me.

I had always been proud of my carefulness, my attention to detail. But I had missed the most important detail of all.

My head bowed in shame.

“From today,” the Duke continued, “you will clean my office and my chambers. Every day. Personally.”

“…Yes, understood.”

His voice was still calm, not angry. That was a relief.

I raised my head slowly. He was stirring his tea with a silver spoon, unhurried.

“Forgive me, my lord, but… I don’t actually know where your room is.”

“It’s the innermost room on this floor. The door is black. You won’t miss it.”

With a lazy wave of his hand, a drawer flew open across the room. Something small floated through the air.

Magic. My eyes widened despite myself.

“A key.”

“…Sir?”

The key hovered in front of my face.

“When you come to my room, knock twice. If I don’t answer, open it with that.”

“…Yes, my lord.”

I carefully took the floating key, tucked it into my pocket, and fastened the button. Thank goodness I had sewn a button there just in case.

But then—

“You’ll also receive extra pay this week. I expect good work from you next week too.”

…What?

My eyes went wide.

He wasn’t cutting my wages? He was giving me more?

“My lord, did you say… extra pay?”

“Yes.”

“…!”

It wasn’t a mistake. He confirmed it.

I clapped my hands over my mouth.

Unbelievable.

How dare I doubt the Duke. How dare I compare him, even for a second, to that wretched Baron Armond.

I was the sinner here. The ungrateful one.

From now on, I swore to myself: I would give the Duke my full trust. My full loyalty. I would be his right hand.

I bowed over and over.
“Thank you so much, my lord!”

“Good. Now, clean my office before you go.”

“Yes, sir!”

Of course. How could I ignore the dust right in front of me?

I pulled two rags out of my apron pocket at once.

***

The Duke leaned on his hand and watched Shasha.

“…Ah, I forgot something. I’ll be right back!”

“…?”

She suddenly dashed out, then returned, panting, with her arms full of cleaning tools.

Now she was wiping the tall glass windows by his desk, using a long stick with a rag tied to the end.

She had already mopped the floor.

She hummed softly as she worked.

The Duke crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair.

Shasha seemed to realize she was humming. She froze, glanced back at him nervously, then turned away and pretended to focus.

But it was too late. He had already seen her smiling as she wiped the sweat from her brow.

That’s joy, he thought. Happiness.

Strange.

He had lived for ages, but never met a human like this.

She was cleaning, yet she looked genuinely happy.

So strange.

The real reason he had hired her was simple: the mansion had become filthy.

He had ordered his servants to clean, but their lazy natures meant nothing ever stayed clean. He had expected that.

And so centuries passed. The mansion grew worse and worse.

At last he decided: fine. Hire a human. Someone who could clean properly. And while he was at it, make her the head maid.

Of course, he had planned to replace her eventually. Humans never lasted long anyway.

But this human…

She cleaned better than he imagined.

And more than that…

I haven’t even needed to intervene.

With nothing but a weak contract, she had the servants completely under her control.

Not just “under control.” They were actually calmer, softer, less rebellious.

Especially the ones at the very bottom of the hierarchy.

Truly strange.

There had to be something more to it.

Shasha finished polishing the windows until they shone like crystals. Then she moved to the desk.

The Duke tilted his head, intrigued.

Even Echidna seems to like her.

He remembered their talk that morning.

“You told the head maid your name.”

“…Yes.”

“Explain. In detail.”

“Shasha… fixed me.”

Long ago, he had once spoiled Echidna, indulging her whims.

She had turned on him, dared to sink her fangs into his throat.

So he had crushed her body, broken her so badly she would live like a shadow for centuries.

And yet—this human had fixed her. Just like that.

How?

He thought of the snake doll, once torn apart, now whole again. For the first time in ages, curiosity flickered in his empty eyes.

Before, Echidna refused to touch anyone. Too proud. But now?

Now she has given her name to a human.

She had even threatened others not to harm her.

She had even stepped into the girl’s dream to protect her.

How had Shasha done it?

Whether it was luck or design, the Duke didn’t know. But he decided: Shasha was worth watching.

Maybe someday he would tire of her. Maybe kill her.

But not yet.

“…My lord, should I sort these pens? I usually keep black pens separate from colored ones. What about you?”

…Annoying.

“You decide.”

“Yes, sir.”

He waved his hand dismissively and walked to the now spotless window.

The garden spread below. His servants bustled about, cleaning the walls, spraying water, scrubbing floors.

All busy. All loud.

Noisy, after so long.

But if it ever got too noisy… he would silence them. Permanently.

For now, he watched.

He didn’t even notice his tea had gone cold.

***

I gave the office one last look. No dust left. Perfect.

“Done!”

From now on, it will be easier. Maintenance cleaning only.

The Duke had already sat back down, reading papers at his desk.

A breeze drifted in through the slightly open window. His white hair fluttered, his red eyes half-hidden under long lashes.

Wow. He really does look like a painting like that.

Slowly, I tiptoed to the door.

“Then… I’ll go clean your room next, my lord.”

“Mm.”

He didn’t even look up, just turned a page.

He’s not coming with me?

Well… that’s fine. Easier for me.

Cleaning while he stared at me was nerve-wracking.

At least when I wiped his desk, he’d gone back to reading.

I hurried down the hall toward the farthest room.

Black door, right?

There it was. Pitch black, so dark it looked ominous. Definitely the one.

I slipped the key into the lock.

Click—

The door opened easily.