Chapter 21
The Privileges of a Chaebol Family
“Now that you’re one of us, let’s get along well, shall we? If you ever need help, just come and ask.”
“…Yes. Understood.”
I forced the corners of my stiff lips into something resembling a smile. He let go of my hand deliberately slowly, as if savoring it, before strolling away with a smug air.
“Miss Cornelia, what’s wrong?”
The butler, Fenel, seemed to notice my expression. I quickly schooled my face back to normal and followed him to my assigned office, pretending nothing had happened.
That was intentional. I can feel it.
Back in my old job, I’d sat through plenty of corporate training sessions about sexual harassment — and heard stories too uncomfortable to repeat. But one detail stood out.
When shaking hands, if someone strokes or presses your palm with their fingers.
A subtle act only the other person could feel. When I was new to the workforce, I didn’t quite understand it — just thought it was weird and unpleasant, especially since the guy would smile politely like nothing happened. It was only later that I learned it was a coded gesture — one with sexual intent.
The problem is, you’re the only one who feels it. It’s hard to react or report it when no one else can see it.
His smile had said it all, but there was nothing I could do now. If he denied it, that would be the end of it.
Let’s just hope it was nothing…
Even though I knew better, I forced myself to think positively. It wouldn’t help to pick a fight with the marquis’s aide. I needed to stay cautious.
“Miss Cornelia.”
Fenel’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
“Yes, Butler Fenel?”
He suddenly looked flustered.
“Oh dear, my mistake. You’re no longer just Miss Cornelia, but Lady Chiara’s aide now. I should address you as Aide Cornelia or Aide Libertas. My apologies.”
I waved my hands quickly.
“Oh, no need for that, sir. Please just call me Cornelia — I’d actually prefer that. At least when it’s just the two of us.”
He chuckled, apparently relieved.
“Very well then. When it’s just us, I’ll call you that. But in front of others, I’ll use your title — it’ll make your work much easier that way.”
After that, he never forgot to use formalities in public.
“What did you need me for, sir?”
“Oh yes. The Marquis and Marchioness wish to see you.”
Finally, the real bosses.
A doting father would naturally be curious about the aide his beloved daughter personally hired.
I took a deep breath, nodded, and followed Fenel. Inside the Marquis’s office stood the man who had just made me uncomfortable — Bartolo, the aide.
“So, you’re the aide my daughter Chiara selected?”
The marquis was a handsome middle-aged man with the same brown hair and green eyes as his daughter. His slightly upturned eyes resembled hers, and his neatly groomed mustache gave him a refined, English gentleman sort of charm.
“Good day, sir. I’m Cornelia Libertas.”
He glanced through what looked like my résumé.
“I’ve heard from the trading head that you played a key role in the Black Diamond brand. Impressive.”
“You flatter me, sir. It was only possible thanks to everyone’s support.”
In truth, I had managed the entire project myself — but in situations like this, humility was the safer choice. Those who needed to know already knew.
“Chiara seems to be in high spirits lately. I’ll be expecting great things from you.”
He didn’t seem the type to overthink. Between my past achievements and his daughter’s recommendation, he appeared rather pleased.
“Take good care of Chiara for me, will you?”
He extended his hand. I hesitated for half a second before shaking it. His grip was firm and brief.
Yes. This is what a normal handshake feels like.
Then Bartolo cut in.
“I’ll make sure to keep an eye out, sir. She’s Lady Chiara ’s aide — I’ll take extra care of her.”
What’s he even talking about?
He really didn’t know when to stay quiet. Still, the marquis nodded in approval.
“I trust you’ll handle things well.”
Great. The less I have to deal with him, the better.
Next up was the Marchioness. Looked like today would end with a round of introductions.
“I hear you’ve already met my husband. I should’ve joined you — I’m sorry for making you come again.”
Thankfully, the real bosses — the Marquis and Marchioness — were normal, decent people.
That’s a relief.
Lady Clara, the Marchioness, was elegance incarnate. With her lilac hair cascading down her back and serene blue eyes, she must have been quite the beauty in her youth — graceful, poised, and gentle. Unlike Chiara’s sharp, catlike features, her mother exuded warmth.
“I just wanted to meet you myself now that you’re part of our household.”
“Thank you, madam. I’ll do my utmost not to cause any trouble for Lady Chiara.”
I straightened my posture, answering with the same conviction I’d used in job interviews. The Marchioness smiled approvingly.
“Before you go, may I ask your opinion on something?”
She gestured toward the clothing rack at the side of the room. Two luxurious dresses hung there, paired with an array of accessories.
“I’m attending a salon soon, but I can’t decide between these two dresses. I heard you have a good eye — I even visited the Black Diamond pop-up store myself. Would you pick one for me?”
It felt like a pop quiz, but I took a good look at her and the dresses before answering.
“I believe you don’t actually like either of them, madam.”
Her eyes widened.
“How did you know?”
Because neither of those warm-toned dresses would suit your cool-toned complexion.
“My maids worked hard to select them, but I wasn’t sure they suited me.”
No wonder Chiara can’t find anyone that meets her standards, I thought with a small smile.
“If you’ll allow me, madam… may I choose something that truly suits you?”
The next morning, before I could even greet her, Lady Chiara was glaring at me.
“What have you been up to?”
“Pardon?”
Her sharp tone startled me. I ran through everything I’d done yesterday.
I barely worked at all — just met her parents!
“I heard you helped my mother choose her dress. When did you do that? She said she was thrilled!”
Her glare melted into a crescent-eyed smile.
My heart almost stopped. Please, no more jump scares like that.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“They said she looked stunning at the salon! People were gossiping that she must’ve used black magic or a potion! Honestly, the dresses she had did make her look a bit dull, but you completely changed that.”
I had picked a cool-toned water-blue gown that matched her pale complexion — no wonder she shone.
“And that scarf tied around her handbag? That was your idea too, wasn’t it? Everyone was asking if it was a new design!”
I’d only tied one of her existing scarves to give her bag some flair, but hearing it praised made me oddly proud. All those hours watching fashion YouTubers had finally paid off.
“My mother wants your advice again in the future. You can do that, right?”
I forced a smile.
“Of course.”
Hopefully not thirty minutes before closing time.
Then Chiara’s expression turned meaningful.
“The Aurelius family always repays favors — and always pays back betrayal, too.”
She handed me a small silk pouch.
“Buy yourself something delicious.”
“…Sorry?”
She chuckled softly, patting my head.
“Take the day off early.”
I felt like a puppy being praised — but hey, an early dismissal is an early dismissal.
“Coco…”
“…Yeah.”
My family stood frozen, staring at the pile of boxes in our living room.
“What… what did you do, Coco? You’re not secretly doing something shady, are you?”
I shook my head, eyes fixed on the mountain of gifts.
“No, I just came home early because I was told to…”
“So you’re telling me nobles just give their employees expensive gifts like this?”
If anything, the rich are usually worse, I thought. But apparently, my lady’s an exception.
“…It’s because I’m a key employee,” I said flatly.
Otherwise, I might choke trying to justify it.
I opened the short note tucked inside.
[I took some care since there was the matter with my mother. Let me know if anything’s uncomfortable.
P.S. Next time, help me pick my dress first. You are my aide, after all.]
This lady really didn’t understand the meaning of moderation.
What kind of boss sends their subordinate piles of designer clothing? I thought she meant I’d get to help her shop, not receive the haul myself.
Just imagine your team leader sending a delivery of clothes to your house…
I shivered.
Thankfully, Chiara was a woman — and an eccentric one at that — so it didn’t feel too weird.
But the problem was… it wasn’t over yet.
What do I even do with this?
I swallowed hard as I peeked into the silk pouch. Inside glittered a handful of gemstones.
Time to work… like an ox.
