# 2
2. The Crazy Master of the Count's House (2)
Fortunately, it seemed my choice was right as she spoke to me.
"My introduction is late. I am Isabella, manager of the female servants of this household. During your time working here, you will encounter me the second most frequently."
"Um, who would be the first?"
"Why, the Master you will be serving, of course."
It was the same thing the old gentleman had said earlier. I came here without knowing what I had been hired for. My money-blinded father hadn't even thought to ask, and since I had to follow regardless, I didn't bother being curious. Whatever the work was, even if it was something dreadful, I had to go.
"How should I address you, ma'am?"
"Just call me Isabella."
"Yes, Lady Isabella."
I engraved her name in my mind. Then, realizing my omission, I continued.
"My introduction is late as well. I'm Paula."
"Alright, Paula. What can you do?"
"I can do household chores like simple cleaning and laundry. I can also do some accounting, and I can write a little. You need to know the basics to do accounting."
"I see."
Isabella said so flatly. Her nonreaction反而 made me anxious. What if she thought I was useless? What if she told me to go back home? Fear crept in at the thought of being chased away.
Isabella walked ahead at quite a brisk pace. I quickened my steps lest I lose her.
Following Isabella around corner after corner, we arrived before a certain door. Just then, the door opened and a young woman hurried out, only to stop and bow deeply upon seeing Isabella. The brown-haired woman following behind her also stopped walking with a startled expression and quickly nodded her head.
"L-Lady Isabella."
"I believe I told you not to run about."
"I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry."
"Please be careful from now on."
Their cautious gazes shifted from Isabella to me, standing behind her. The moment I tried to meet their eyes, Isabella stepped sideways, blocking my view. Then she promptly ordered them to return to their stations.
I watched with my eyes as they hurried away. Meanwhile, Isabella opened the door and called out to someone.
"Renika."
"Yes, Lady Isabella."
A tall woman with a mature air approached. Isabella pushed my back to bring me forward.
"Do you have any clothes suitable for this child?"
Renika's eyes swept over me. She seemed to ponder for a moment, then nodded.
"Small build. It won't be a perfect fit, but I think we have something roughly suitable."
"That's a relief. There's no need for perfect formality."
"Yes. Which area will she be assigned to?"
"She will be attending to the Master from now on."
Renika's eyes widened, apparently unprepared for that answer. Her startled gaze scrutinized me thoroughly once more. Her reaction made me even more tense, and I swallowed dryly several times.
A moment later, having regained her composure, Renika said she understood and went back inside.
Not long after, Renika brought out a black dress and held it against my body. After gauging the measurements, she brought out a few more identical black dresses in different sizes, then handed me one of them. A pristine white apron and undergarments came with it.
"The hair..."
Renka frowned at the long bangs covering my face. I parted my lips, the only part of me not hidden. Isabella looked at me for a moment, said it was fine, and started walking again. I stumbled after her.
Isabella walked down the corridor once more. I constantly glanced around. The entire way, I caught sight of people working in rooms with open doors, around corners, and in nooks. People walking from the opposite direction bowed their heads deeply when they saw Isabella.
A somewhat loud noise echoed from nearby. Then the noise gradually subsided, and silence flowed again. Tap, tap, tap. The rhythmic and steady footsteps were the only thing breaking the silence. I gripped the bag handle tightly so as not to drop it and glanced at Isabella.
"Paula, how much were you told before coming here?"
"I only heard that I would be hired, nothing more."
"Then you must not have received a detailed explanation."
"No."
I answered with a nod. Isabella's pace remained faster than average.
"This is the mansion of the esteemed Bellunita family. And Paula, you will be taking charge of all tasks attending to the Master of this household, Lord Vincent Bellunita."
"Um, by all tasks... you mean I'll be doing it alone?"
"That is correct."
I was momentarily speechless. While following her through the corridors, I had seen quite a number of servants. The coachman who brought me here, the gardeners tending the well-kept grounds, the stable hands, the identically dressed women and men. It was obvious even without looking that there were many more servants beyond those.
And yet I alone must attend to the Master? If he's the Master, isn't he someone of great standing?
I debated whether to ask this or not. Then my lips parted.
"Um, is there truly no one else?"
"No. If you need something, just tell me immediately."
"Can I really do this alone? He is the Master, after all."
I ended up voicing my complaint. At that, Isabella's steps came to an abrupt halt. I also stopped, nearly bumping my face into her back.
Isabella turned to face me, her expression still unreadable.
"Paula. Listen carefully. You will attend to the Master alone, and there will be no additional staff. If that displeases you, I advise you to leave the mansion right now. The same applies if you lack confidence. If you utter any complaints later, you will not escape punishment."
Isabella warned me calmly. If you think you can't do it, leave now. At that heavy warning, I clamped my trembling lips shut.
And I realized. I must never complain again.
I bowed deeply.
"I apologize. I will be careful from now on."
Fortunately, Isabella said nothing more and turned back around. I straightened my bowed back and scurried after her.
"If you are careful with your conduct in all matters, there will be no difficulties."
"Yes."
With my reply, no more words were exchanged.
A short while later, a door came into view. It was smaller than the one I had used when entering the mansion. There's a door in the back as well? Following Isabella through that door, I stepped outside the mansion. Then, a vast, lush green garden of unknown bounds unfolded on one side.
Wow, a gasp of admiration slipped out before I knew it. I had caught a glimpse of it from the carriage, but seeing it properly, the well-tended garden was incredibly beautiful.
I stood dazed, my gaze captivated, until I noticed Isabella walking on alone and belatedly came to my senses, hurrying after her.
I was curious about where we were going, but since she said nothing, I had no choice but to follow in silence. Asking needlessly would likely only earn me harsher words.
The place Isabella headed was the rear of the mansion. A small building in the distance caught my eye. That must be our destination.
It was a far distance that looked like it would be tiring to simply walk. So to my bewilderment, she guided me not along the path, but in another direction. It was a forest beside the mansion.
Following Isabella, I pushed through the underbrush, and only when my legs began to grow numb did we emerge from the forest. Before I knew it, we had arrived in front of the building.
Wait, how? I looked back at the bushes we had just come out of in surprise. Was it a shortcut? Then I took in the building before me once more. This was a separate wing, smaller than the main mansion we had just left. But to my eyes, both buildings looked equally grand and splendid.
Upon entering, the atmosphere felt even quieter than before. The main mansion had already been sparse in presence relative to the number of people visible, but this place was somber to the point where one wouldn't even know anyone lived here.
"Only a minimal number of servants stay here."
Ah, so it wasn't my imagination. I nodded in response.
Isabella, who had walked to the end of the corridor, went up the stairs.
"Breakfast will be prepared at 6 AM, lunch at 12 noon, and dinner at 6 PM. You will receive the meals from the kitchen at the designated times and bring them to the Master. Dessert is served at lunch, so please attend to it then. And pay special attention to maintaining cleanliness. Bed sheets must be changed every morning, and the same goes for clothing. The laundry from the previous day should be gathered at once and brought to the back door of the annex every morning."
"Yes."
"Basic supplies are prepared here, but if there's anything else you need, tell me. I will prepare it as best as I can. The same goes for difficult tasks."
"Yes."
"For your reference, all tasks must be completed in one go. Even if you fail to do it in one attempt, do not go back to finish it later. The Master is sensitive about such matters, so you must be as careful as possible. You must act like someone who isn't there."
"I understand."
I nodded repeatedly, etching her words into my mind. Acting like someone who isn't there—that was the easiest thing in the world for me.
After going up the stairs once more and passing through the corridor, we stopped in front of the very last room.
"One final word of caution."
Before opening the door, Isabella looked back at me again. I stole a glance at the door beyond her shoulder and took a step back.
"From now on, you must keep everything you see and hear strictly to yourself. Be careful of every trivial word you let slip, and no matter what you see or hear, do not react. Don't even listen attentively. If you shoot your mouth off needlessly, it won't end with simple punishment. Do you understand?"
It was an unexpected warning. But that too was as easy as breathing for me.
"Yes, I will keep that in mind."
When I answered firmly, Isabella turned and slowly knocked on the door. Knock, knock, knock. Then she waited for the Master's summons, but no sound came from inside the room. Apparently accustomed to this response, Isabella knocked once more.
Knock, knock, knock.
"I will enter, Master."
Though still no permission to enter was heard, Isabella smoothly turned the door handle. Creak— Darkness spilled out through the opening.
The room, completely steeped in darkness, was so dark that one couldn't see an inch ahead. Moreover, the air was chilly, and there was a strange smell.
I grabbed my nose and scrunched my face. Then I quickly smoothed my expression. She told me not to react. I glanced at Isabella, and fortunately, she wasn't looking my way. I lowered my hand and held my breath as much as possible.
But the moment Isabella took a step into the room.
Crash!
"Gasp!"
Something flew in an instant and smashed against the wall.
I instinctively wrapped my arms around my head and curled my body. Then, when nothing else came flying, the surroundings grew quiet again. Only then did I cautiously open my closed eyes. Unlike me, Isabella remained motionless in the exact same posture as before. Shattered glass fragments lay scattered beside her shoes. It was a glass cup that had broken.
I stared at the glass fragments with wide eyes, then looked back up at Isabella. When she took another step, once again something flew out of the darkness and hit the wall. Whump! What fell with a dull thud was a pillow.
What is this? I uncurled my body and surveyed the room. The room was still pitch black, but in the meantime, my eyes, now accustomed to the darkness, made out a faint silhouette.