The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

“That’s scary.” 

Well, that was the end of it.

 

Artia was no longer idle enough to care about the two of them.

 

She laid off a bunch of workers the other day, but only at the bottom of the organization, the ones Lloyd doesn’t care about.

 

Lloyd’s favorites, those in the highest positions, were untouchable.

 

Only by purging them would the mansion be completely free of Lloyd’s traces. So, Artia dismissed them mercilessly.

 

Among them was the maid, Elma.

 

Elma cried out in a bitter voice.

 “How could you do this to me, who remained loyal to you even when you were locked in your room?” “You did something for me, and that is all. You will not be punished for ignoring me for three years, nor for stealing from the manor.” “……!” “But you’ll have to pay for what you stole. That’s the least you can do.” 

Elma’s face turned pale.

 

She had stolen something of great value. It would take all of Elma’s wealth to pay for it.

 “Ma’am…” 

Artia could see what Elma was thinking.

 

‘I know you want to beg and plead until I change my mind, but you’ve seen me up close. I don’t change my mind once I’ve made a decision.’

 

Elma had a nasty temper, but she had the sense to rise to the rank of handmaiden.

 

Instead of further provoking Artia, she gritted her teeth and bowed.

 “I will. Thank you, my lady.” 

Elma didn’t know then that she would never be a nobleman’s maid again.

 

True to her word, Artia did not publicize the fact that Elma had stolen the goods.

 

But a nameplate followed her, a maid loyal to Lloyd, who had become a rare scum.

 

No one in the aristocracy wanted a maid with dirt on her.

 

In need of money, Elma hid her name and career and ended up as a

maid at the back of the line at a country manor, doing all sorts of odd jobs, but that was for another day.

 

Elma left the manor, unable to imagine her own miserable future.

 

And Vivi, who hadn’t been seen for a long time, returned to Artia’s side.

 

The maids chattered in surprise.

 “How could Vivi…” “Didn’t she abandon her mistress and run away?” 

More than surprised, they were disappointed.

 

There had been more than a few who wanted the job since Elma had left.

 “It’s obvious. She’ll put Vivi in charge.” 

But against their expectations, Artia chose someone else for the position.

 

Susan.

 

She was the oldest of the manor’s maids, and her gentle demeanor made her the favorite of many.

 “You’re a foreigner, and Elma has always held you back from advancement, but your worthy of the title, and I know you’ll lead the maids well.” 

Susan’s face stiffened at this unexpected promotion.

 

Susan bowed to Artia and said,

“I was of no help to you in your time of need, my lady, and I don’t see how I could ever be in such a position.” 

Seeing Susan’s pained expression, Artia spoke in a calm voice.

 “You did it because you were afraid of Lloyd.” “……!” “And I wasn’t a good enough master to follow him through that fear.” 

Artia was good, but she was not a good Master.

 

It must not have been easy to follow Artia, who could barely make eye contact with her maids, locked herself in her room and cried every day.

 

It is special that Vivi is so loyal to me.

 

Artia looked at Susan and said,

“In the future, I will be a nobleman that my servants will follow wholeheartedly, so show me. That you are more than capable of serving the great Duke of Edenberg. That I have not been wrong in my choice.” 

Susan looked at Artia with tear-filled eyes.

 

Then a deep determination flashed in her innocent eyes.

 “Yes, I will show you, and I will repay you for the opportunity you have given me.” 

When Susan became head maid, the maids realized.

 “The mistress doesn’t just favor Vivi. Anyone with talent can be promoted.” 

The maids’ eyes lit up.

 

Artia smiled as she watched them sweep and mop every inch of the mansion, more motivated than ever.

 “It’s important to reward them fairly to keep them moving.” 

Artia asked as she watched Vivi bring tea and dessert to the table.

 “I hear the maids are doing a good job these days?” “Yes.”

Vivi nodded, her face grim.

 

When Vivi returned, the maids did not greet her. They were jealous of Artia’s preference for Vivi.

 

But when Artia placed Susan in the position of head maid, the reaction was very different.

 

The maids dropped their animosity toward Vivi and showered her with favors.

 

They were eager to make friends with the Duchess’s closest maid, and even though they had to take care of Artia all day, they felt compassion for Vivi, a mere servant.

 

Knowing all this, Artia asked.

 “Aren’t you sorry that I didn’t give you the job of head maid?” 

Vivi replied in a flash.

“Not at all.” “…….” “I am unworthy of the position of maid in every way.”

Vivi said, carefully pouring her tea, her eyes as serious as those of a hunter hunting a vicious beast.

 

Vivi added,

“Even if I were to become worthy, I would still like to serve my master because it is the most honorable thing for me to do.” 

Before she knew it, her teacup was full of green tea.

 

Artia smiled and raised the cup to her mouth.

 

Even though she had steeped the tea with all her might, it still tastes weak.

 

Nevertheless, she took a sip and grinned.

 “Me too.” “…….” “It would be my greatest honor to be served by you, Vivi.” 

The tips of Vivi’s ears flushed, expressionless.

 

* * *

 

Artia murmured in fascination as she looked at Vivi’s biceps under her maid’s outfit.

 “Those are really nice muscles…” 

Vivi’s ears flushed slightly as she held the tea

pot.

 

People had laughed at Vivi when she announced that she wanted to be a maid instead of a hunter.

 “What noblewoman would want a tall maid like you?”

they said.

 

Artia was thrilled as she watched Vivi pour the tea.

 

Traditionally, a noblewoman was supposed to be as delicate as a flower. Anything large or fleshy was a major flaw.

 

So Artia had heard some not-so-good things about her figure.

 

“You’re too thin to give birth to a healthy child,”

or

“You’re slim but not sensual enough,”

and other garbage like that.

 

Artia was both hurt and relieved by their comments.

 

She was just glad she was thin.

 

But now she was angry.

 “Who are they to talk about other people’s bodies?”

she thought.

 

‘Don’t they dare say that again. I’ll bite their rude mouth off like a hard baguette!’

 

Even for that, Artia needed strength. Direct, physical strength.

 “Vivi, I wish I had a body like yours. Will you help me get it?” 

Vivi didn’t say anything like,

“A body like mine is not suitable for a noblewoman.”

 

She just nodded and picked up a stone, polished to make it easier to lift.

 “When you lift heavy things, your muscles get bigger. Listen.” 

Artia took the stone in both hands and strained.

 

But no matter how hard she tried; the stone wouldn’t budge.

 

Vivi spoke with a calm voice.

“Let’s try with less weight.” 

Vivi brought a smaller stone than before.

 

But this time Artia couldn’t lift it.

 

Not the smaller stone.

 

Not even a smaller stone.

 “I heard you, Vivi!” 

‘This is the weight I lifted when I was seven.’

Vivi thought to herself as she saw Artia shouting and holding up a stone much bigger than the first one.

 

Instead of saying it out loud, Vivi said it from the bottom of her heart.

 “You’re really good for your first time, my lady, you’re amazing.” 

Artia smiled at Vivi’s compliment.

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