Chapter 8
Somehow, peaceful days continued to pass.
The baseless rumors surrounding the House of Schultz gradually began to die down as well.
In the meantime, I packed away the belongings scattered throughout the house that were filled with memories of Father, placing them where they wouldn’t catch my eye.
I still thought of him from time to time…
But it had become more bearable than before.
Perhaps because I deliberately kept myself so busy that I hardly had time to dwell on him.
When I visited the post office and informed the Russell Marquess family that I would no longer be attending the interview…
The only response I received was a cold, icy reprimand.
Only after apologizing over and over did the Marquess family’s butler finally let me go.
In any case…
Time passed quickly.
Before I knew it, the day of my first shift at the House of Schultz had arrived.
I woke earlier than usual and prepared to leave for the ducal estate.
The moment I climbed into a carriage…
The coachman suddenly barked at me.
“So, what business do you have at the Schultz estate when there’s not even a master living there?”
“Don’t tell me you’re the Young Duke’s secret lover!”
“N-No! Absolutely not!”
No matter how firmly I denied it…
The coachman continued glaring at me with obvious hostility.
Eventually, I hastily claimed I was a newspaper reporter.
Although he still looked suspicious…
He seemed to believe me well enough.
Next time…
I’ll just get off nearby and walk the rest of the way.
Outside the carriage window…
The city wasn’t as peaceful as it had once been.
Still, it remained lively in its own way.
After a while, we left the bustling streets behind and entered a much quieter district.
The carriage climbed a steep hill for quite some time before finally reaching the entrance to Evanshtein Castle.
“Wow…”
Stepping out of the carriage, I looked over the edge of the cliff.
The surrounding forests were blanketed in snow.
Beyond them lay the city of Müsen…
The river that cut through it…
Lake Pofpsen…
And far in the distance…
Even the sea.
Only then did I truly realize that the castle stood atop remarkably high ground.
Turning around…
I found myself facing the main gate.
Its roofed entrance was supported by cream-colored pillars, while red bricks were neatly laid between them.
I stared blankly at the eagle crest of the House of Schultz engraved above the gate…
Before slowly walking inside.
The buildings rose one behind another like a fortress.
The sheer grandeur of the place overwhelmed me.
Without realizing it…
I shrank back slightly.
After walking for quite some time and climbing a broad staircase of pale stone…
I was greeted by the ducal household’s butler.
“Miss Edith Prim?”
“Thank you for making the long journey.”
“My name is Fret Gunner.”
Good heavens.
I simply stared blankly at the man before me, forgetting to greet him altogether.
Do only exceptionally attractive people get to work for the House of Schultz?
Fret Gunner was astonishingly handsome.
His charm was different from Johannes Schultz’s.
If I had to describe him in one phrase…
He was the very definition of a handsome man with a warm, approachable face.
The easygoing smile he wore looked capable of charming any woman meeting him for the first time.
His neatly combed dark brown hair…
Combined with his immaculate attire…
Only made him even more likable.
Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—
He seemed quite accustomed to this sort of reaction.
Maintaining his courteous smile, he continued,
“I serve as both the butler of the House of Schultz and His Grace’s personal aide.”
“I’ll explain most things to you, but if there’s anything you don’t understand, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“My goodness…”
His impeccable manners left me unconsciously covering my mouth.
His eyes widened slightly.
“Did I make a mistake?”
“A mistake?”
“Absolutely not.”
How could he possibly have?
He had shown me complete respect…
Even though I was nothing more than a servant.
Despite the fact that I had stared at him rudely…
And failed to return his greeting properly.
I quickly waved my hands.
“No, not at all.”
“I just wasn’t sure how I should address you.”
“Ah.”
“Just call me by my name.”
His smile somehow became even more perfect.
“Very well, Sir Fret.”
“My apologies for greeting you so late.”
“I’m Edith Prim.”
In reality…
No one cares about another person’s circumstances.
Which is to say…
Looking gloomy during a job interview is rarely a good idea.
Especially if it’s a position you desperately want.
So…
I smiled brightly.
As though there wasn’t a shadow lingering in my heart.
“You don’t need to call me ‘Sir.'”
“Though if that’s more comfortable for you, I don’t mind.”
“You’re incredibly kind.”
“I’ve merely treated you with the courtesy due to one of His Grace’s guests.”
“But I’m not a guest…”
“Not yet.”
“We haven’t signed your employment contract.”
Sir Fret smiled again.
Feeling embarrassed, I could only return an awkward smile.
In any case…
He remained courteous from beginning to end.
I didn’t know much about noble households…
But surely there wasn’t another butler who treated an ordinary servant with such respect.
Afterward, Sir Fret guided me through every corner of Evanshtein Castle.
Then he began explaining my future duties.
“Your primary responsibility, Miss Prim…”
“…will be organizing all documents delivered to the House of Schultz according to the date they arrive.”
“Is that all?”
“It sounds almost too simple…”
“You’ll understand once you’ve seen everything.”
“I’ll show you the rest of the castle.”
“Please follow me.”
He started walking.
I hurried after him, feeling unusually nervous.
The castle was every bit as magnificent as its enormous size suggested.
Its architecture was an eclectic mixture of different eras.
Simple styles…
Lavishly ornate ones…
Every architectural trend imaginable coexisted within the same estate.
Yet somehow…
It all blended together beautifully.
It truly deserved to be called the most beautiful castle in Dochilia.
The Grand Hall…
The atelier…
The banquet hall…
Every single room had been constructed with extraordinary care.
Sir Fret also showed me countless private chambers…
As well as the library.
Finally…
We headed to the reception room to sign my contract.
Even the reception room was breathtaking.
Magnificent arched walls towered above us…
And every decorative ornament seemed carefully placed.
As I stood there in awe…
Sir Fret handed me the contract.
“The servants’ quarters are located in the eastern annex.”
“Since you’ll be commuting from home, there won’t be any need to show you there.”
Just as promised…
The weekly salary was one million Berk.
Seeing the amount written on paper somehow made it feel even more unbelievable.
I found myself staring blankly at the number.
“If the amount differs from what you were promised, please let me know.”
“And if you’d like to revise any part of the contract, I’ll consult His Grace.”
“No…”
“This is already far more generous than I deserve.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Come to think of it…
Wasn’t the Duke coming?
I glanced around before asking,
“Then… His Grace…”
“You’ll need to correct that title.”
“…Pardon?”
Tilting my head in confusion, I listened as Sir Fret explained.
“His Grace inherited the ducal title the moment the previous Duke passed away.”
“Oh…”
My face instantly turned bright red.
How was I supposed to know how noble titles were inherited?
If anything…
It was partially the Duke’s own fault for never correcting me.
“You don’t need to feel embarrassed.”
“Most noble families require a formal succession ceremony before the heir officially inherits the title.”
Sir Fret kindly elaborated.
Just as expected…
He truly was considerate.
“As you already know…”
“To the outside world, His Grace is currently considered missing.”
“I’d appreciate it if you would keep that secret.”
“Do you have any questions regarding His Grace?”
“Yes.”
“Just one.”
He silently gestured for me to continue.
“Then…”
“Was the rumor about His Grace’s disappearance intentionally spread by the House of Schultz?”
“Creating a new topic for people to talk about is a rather old-fashioned strategy…”
“But it remains remarkably effective.”
“I see.”
I slowly nodded.
He was right.
At first…
Every newspaper had focused on the embezzled fortune supposedly hidden by the Young Duke.
But now…
Everyone’s attention had shifted entirely toward Johannes Schultz’s disappearance.
Rumors had practically become accepted as fact.
Some claimed he had been kidnapped by those seeking the missing fortune.
Others insisted he had fled overseas.
Watching the nobility manipulate public opinion so skillfully…
I couldn’t help but admire their methods.
Then I signed the contract.
“If you don’t mind my asking…”
After I had been assigned my office and finished preparing to head home…
Sir Fret suddenly spoke.
I turned around curiously.
“Yes?”
“What is it?”
“Have you…”
“…ever formally studied etiquette?”
“…What?”
His question made my face flush crimson.
For a moment…
I thought he was politely telling me that my manners were terrible.
Perhaps…
He was even about to revoke my employment.
Did I make some kind of mistake?
If my job offer was withdrawn…
I had nowhere else to go.
So I hurriedly defended myself.
“Of course!”
“I know enough etiquette to get along with other people.”
“It’s just…”
“Since I don’t consciously think about it in everyday life…”
“I have to make a tremendous effort in formal situations like this.”
The truth was…
I had been trying incredibly hard to leave a good impression.
If the butler thought highly of me…
Surely he’d speak well of me to his employer.
Father had praised me so much.
I couldn’t bear to disappoint the man Father had trusted.
But if my etiquette really was that poor…
Not only would I lose this position…
I’d never be welcomed into another noble household either.
Gathering my courage, I asked,
“Did I do something rude?”
“Or make some sort of mistake?”
Sir Fret gently shook his head.
I breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
But his next words only confused me even more.
“No.”
“What I meant was…”
“…have you ever been formally trained in the etiquette of high society?”
