Chapter 10
“I’ve finished transcribing the history book you requested, my Lady.”
“Already?”
“Yes, my Lady.”
At Janette’s bright smile, Julieta took the transcribed notebook with a slightly reluctant look.
*Flip, flip.*
As she roughly flipped through the pages, she saw the densely packed handwriting.
*’…Her handwriting has improved quite a bit, hasn’t it?’*
At first, she had written in crooked, childish scribbles, but after a few corrections, she had fixed it quickly.
Perhaps she was still practicing, but with each additional transcribed notebook, the handwriting became neater.
Julieta, who had been staring intently at one of the most beautifully written characters with narrowed eyes, nodded nonchalantly.
“Fine. Then, next time…”
…Sigh. What should she have her transcribe next?
With the imperial history book finished, Julieta’s list of ‘plausible’ books had run out.
As she pondered for a moment, her eyes fell upon the row of flower pots on the windowsill.
“…A botanical encyclopedia.”
“Pardon?”
“Transcribe a botanical encyclopedia next. As my maid, you should know all about poisonous plants, medicinal herbs, and plants used for tea leaves, shouldn’t you?”
Even Julieta herself thought it was a ridiculous reason, and she was about to feel a bit embarrassed when—
“Indeed, you are absolutely right. Knowing about poisonous plants, medicinal herbs, and tea leaves is an essential virtue for a maid.”
“…Yes. That’s exactly what I meant.”
“Then, I will transcribe a botanical encyclopedia next. However, I’m not sure exactly which book I should transcribe…”
“You should choose that yourself! Do I have to pick out the books for you until the end?”
Well, she had a point there.
*’I’ll just transcribe botanical encyclopedias focused on poisonous plants, medicinal herbs, and tea leaves. I’ll have to stop by the library later.’*
With that thought, Janette nodded vigorously.
“Yes. Understood. I will choose a book that will be helpful to you, my Lady.”
“Wait. And one more thing!”
“Yes?”
At Janette’s attitude, which seemed completely unphased, Julieta added hastily.
“Tomorrow… no, the day after tomorrow!”
“Yes?”
“The deadline is the day after tomorrow. I won’t wait any longer, so keep that in mind. Understood?”
The day after tomorrow?
Janette briefly estimated her schedule. She didn’t know how thick the botanical encyclopedia would be, but from experience, most encyclopedias had a great deal of text.
If so…
*’I might have to pull an all-nighter.’*
Well, that was fine anyway.
She had always been confident in her stamina. She used to manage that large mansion all by herself every day, sleeping only three hours a night, yet she’d never even caught a common cold.
*’Since I’ve been sleeping soundly every day since coming here.’*
Staying up for a night or two wouldn’t even register.
“Yes. Then, I will have it done by the day after tomorrow.”
“Fine. Do that.”
*Hmph.*
Turning her head away, Julieta leaned back against the sofa and replied.
She looked just like an elegant cat, and Janette laughed silently.
—
***
After work.
Janette headed to the East Library.
There were a total of three libraries in the Ludwig estate. One accessible only to the direct Ludwig family, one for the servants, and one for the noble class, including Ludwig’s guests.
The East Library was the library for nobles.
Although Janette was a maid working at Ludwig, she was a noble by class, so she was permitted to use the East Library.
“You’re here again, Miss Maid.”
The one who greeted Janette warmly was a friendly-looking middle-aged librarian.
Thanks to her frequent visits over the past few days to find books for transcription, the two had become close friends.
“Good evening, Librarian.”
“Oh my, I’m hurt. Weren’t we going to call each other Mrs. Sinclair?”
“Ah, I forgot for a moment. I’m sorry, Mrs. Sinclair.”
At Janette’s correction, Mrs. Sinclair’s eyes curved pleasantly.
“What kind of book are you looking for today?”
“A botanical encyclopedia.”
“A botanical encyclopedia?”
“Yes. I was thinking of looking for books related to medicinal herbs, poisonous plants, and tea leaves… Do you happen to know where they are?”
“Of course. Go over there, to Section 13.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Sinclair.”
Janette bowed politely and headed to Section 13.
*’Let’s see. First, the medicinal herbs…’*
Even though she wondered if many people read botanical encyclopedias, Section 13 was packed with plant-related books.
As she was concentrating for a while to find the books she wanted—
*Tap.* Janette accidentally bumped into the person next to her and widened her eyes.
“……!”
Barely suppressing a gasp, she hastily bowed.
Since the East Library was frequented only by nobles, bumping into someone was a major breach of etiquette.
“I apologize. I was so focused on finding a book that I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“Hehe. It’s quite alright. These things happen.”
Relieved by the other’s generous response, Janette straightened up.
The person Janette had bumped into was a tall, elderly gentleman. He was dressed in a white shirt and black tuxedo, with a black bow tie at his neck.
That attire was definitely…
“Thank you for your generous understanding, Head Butler.”
As Janette correctly identified him, Head Butler William gave her a gentle smile.
“I was actually hoping to meet you, so this works out well.”
“Pardon? You wanted to see me?”
“Lady Graham is Lady Julieta’s very first maid, after all.”
At the Head Butler’s words, Janette’s eyes widened.
*’I suppose so. The Head Butler is the general manager of the Ludwig household, after all.’*
The Head Butler was a position far higher than even the Head Housekeeper. He was the person most closely involved in the estate’s internal affairs, second only to the Grand Duchess.
Janette’s mistress, Julieta Ludwig, was, after all, known externally as Ludwig’s troublemaker.
As the Head Butler, he would naturally have many concerns.
“How are you finding your work as a maid?”
“As this is my first time as a maid, I have many shortcomings in many areas. I am doing my best not to cause any inconvenience to the Lady.”
At Janette’s answer, the Head Butler blinked.
But only for a moment.
Then he let out a hearty, pleasant laugh.
He had asked the question to see if Janette might try to tattle on the Lady to him.
As a butler devoted to Ludwig, he too knew that Lady Julieta’s rumors were somewhat exaggerated.
*’Even so, she’s not exactly an easy person to deal with.’*
He had been concerned that the young, new maid might not be adjusting well.
But to receive such a humble and loyal response…
“Head Butler!”
Only after receiving a firm rebuke from Mrs. Sinclair in the distance did he stop laughing.
Janette looked back and forth between the two in surprise.
*’Are they close friends?’*
The Head Butler, having stopped laughing, cleared his throat awkwardly and spoke.
“I’ve shown an embarrassing side of myself. Hehe.”
“Not at all. I get scolded often too. And please, speak comfortably with me, Head Butler. I imagine I’ll be asking for your guidance often in the future, so it would be nice if you could be at ease.”
Oh my?
Head Butler William had to suppress his laughter once more.
Among the many nobles working within the Ludwig estate, she was the first to directly say to him, ‘Please speak comfortably. I would like to learn from you.’
Given his position within the estate, everyone else probably felt a sense of burden.
Thus, it was the first time a young person had approached him so warmly.
*’She reminds me of Bianca.’*
Bianca was his daughter.
Because he had been working tirelessly as the Ludwig Head Butler, he had few memories with his daughter.
He always felt apologetic, but kind Bianca always understood his situation, saying it was fine.
Bianca was also Janette’s age.
Thinking of his daughter, he answered with affection.
“Alright. In that case, I will do so.”
“Thank you, Head Butler.”
In the warm atmosphere, the Head Butler glanced at the book in her hand.
“Are you looking for botanical encyclopedias?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
After a brief pause, Janette added with a smile.
“I thought studying about poisonous plants, medicinal herbs, and tea leaves would be helpful in attending to the Lady.”
“Hehe. That is a commendable thought.”
As someone who had devoted his entire life to Ludwig, he couldn’t help but view Janette favorably for doing her utmost for Ludwig’s direct bloodline.
Of course, Janette had answered this way precisely with that intention.
*’Since I’ve given up on winning over Head Housekeeper Nova.’*
She needed to gain favor elsewhere. To survive long in the workplace, it was advantageous to leave a good impression on one’s superiors.
“If that’s the case, how about borrowing my books?”
“Your books, Head Butler?”
“Yes. As it happens, I have some excellent books related to those subjects. If you’d like, come by my private office tomorrow.”
Tomorrow, she said.
*’The Lady told me to have the transcription done by the day after tomorrow.’*
If she borrowed the books tomorrow, she was worried about finishing the transcription on time.
But she couldn’t afford to miss this good opportunity either.
“I will be bold enough to visit you. Thank you for the invitation, Head Butler.”
Janette answered politely.
