Chapter : 08
Watching Milena’s retreating figure, the police officer moved his lips and let out a deep sigh. He turned around.
His seniors came up and draped their arms around Alec’s shoulders.
“Oh? She came again today. Doesn’t she come almost three times a week?”
“Maybe that just shows how desperate she is.”
“I don’t think so. There must be a reason she keeps coming even though we said we’d notify her!”
The seniors chuckled.
“She comes to see you, Alec! Doesn’t she always talk to you before leaving? That’s clear enough, isn’t it?”
Alec’s face flushed red. The seniors poked his side relentlessly.
“Is it really that easy for a missing person from Luikaron to return? Maybe it’s better to settle here. You’d need a man from Cyern then. Clearly, she’s caught your eye!”
“Oh, is Alec finally seeing spring in his life?”
“She’s from Luikaron, but she speaks our language well and is beautiful. Try your best, Alec!”
Alec bit his lip and blinked.
Hearing all this repeatedly made him question himself. Could it really be true?
She always came alone and spoke only to him. Even though she said she would contact him first, she still came to ask questions every time.
Always smiling and thanking him. And maybe our eyes met often.
According to his seniors, Milena was especially beautiful. He didn’t know her status in Luikaron, but her skin was fair and her fingers looked soft.
Her speech was graceful and pretty, too.
‘Mother isn’t very fond of outsiders…’
Still, maybe it would be okay. Milena seemed kind. A woman like that would be easy to please to satisfy my mother.
“Next time I’ll ask her out.”
Alec hesitated with his lips pressed together.
“Finally!”
“Go for it, Alec!”
Alec nodded. In his mind, he was already imagining married life with Milena.
After work, I went home with Kaisa, who had come to pick me up, and we talked about Count Kester’s household.
Along the way, we stopped by the market. The place was bustling with people finishing work. I joined the crowd and picked vegetables first.
“You’re going to care for someone with dementia? That’s not an easy task. Both body and mind will be taxed.”
“I know, but this is truly a good opportunity. Don’t you think so, Duke? Oh, this cabbage is really nice. How much is it?”
“Oh, young lady. That’s only five shillings.”
“But I’ve seen it sold for four shillings down there.”
“Who said four shillings?”
“Then this cabbage, two tomatoes, and these peas—six shillings?”
“Oh, young lady! You’ll earn nothing at that price!”
“I know how much six shillings is for someone with little money! Six shillings, please!”
“Ah, well. I’m giving it to you because you’re pretty.”
“Oh, thank you! I’ll come again!”
I handed the bag of vegetables to Kaisa. He took it naturally. I was getting used to being called “young lady.”
It had already been three weeks living with Kaisa here.
Whether by choice or not, we shared the same house and moved together daily. With misunderstandings like that, I had no excuse, so it was easier just to accept it. Kaisa seemed indifferent, probably because he couldn’t understand anyway.
We couldn’t pass as siblings—the resemblance wasn’t even close. He was like a cold city man, and I was more like a sunny, sweet image.
So it was better to let people assume what they wanted.
“Anyway, Duke, what do you think?”
“As for me… If Milena thinks it’s okay, then I think it’s okay.”
Kaisa answered seriously again.
“Since coming to Cyern, Milena has never been wrong. So whatever choice you make, I will support you.”
I let out a small laugh.
“But what if I make the wrong choice? What if I ruin our household and we end up back on the streets?”
“Then…”
Kaisa turned to look at me.
His deep, thoughtful eyes made my heart skip a beat. He would never let me go. Even his gaze could strike with unexpected force if I let my guard down.
“I can sell my sword.”
I laughed softly. That was certain.
Kaisa would never abandon me. No matter what, he would stay by my side.
At least until we returned to Luikaron.
“Why do you keep saying you’ll sell the heirloom? The ancestors will be angry.”
Even though it was a sword granted by the Emperor to Kaisa, it had belonged to his ancestors. The tradition was to return it upon the death of the head of the Lorencia family and re-grant it to the next heir. The sword was treated as a family heirloom.
And he was willing to sell something so precious.
“Nothing is more important than a person. The ancestors will understand.”
His words gave me courage. Knowing someone wouldn’t let me go, even if I made a mistake, was always a great comfort.
The next day, I submitted my resignation at the bakery.
The owner was sorry to see me leave but understood, especially when I said I was going to Count Kester’s household. He even added extra pay for the work I had done.
“Thank you for your hard work, Milena. You increased our sales more than you know.”
He reminded me several times to be careful with the matron.
I went straight to Count Kester’s household.
Strike while the iron is hot. I needed to hurry before others applied.
Surprisingly, the place was empty.
Really?
I expected more people would try because the pay was high.
As soon as I said I was applying to work as a maid, they guided me to the head maid’s office.
“Hello.”
“Oh, are you an applicant?”
“Yes. Am I the only one?”
“It seems so… My name is Sophia. You can call me Sophia from now on.”
“Yes, Mrs. Sophia.”
“There aren’t many applicants because one of the requirements is literacy.”
“Literacy?”
I hadn’t seen that, but fortunately, I could read. I quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
“People who can read usually don’t want this kind of work.”
“Oh…”
“And everyone already knows about the matron’s condition.”
I nodded. That was true. Everyone was talking about the matron’s dementia.
Unless someone had a purpose or a goal, it would be difficult to apply.
“Then I must be the right candidate. I can read, and I don’t plan to leave the job soon.”
“Not soon?”
“I want to work for at least six months.”
Sophia’s eyes lit up. I had heard that previous maids hadn’t lasted two weeks. I understood her reaction.
“Why six months?”
“Oh, because I may have to return home after six months. My hometown is very far, and once I go, I might not return. I want to work here to save up for the travel.”
“I see. Well, even for six months, if you care for the matron sincerely, we won’t be disappointed.”
“Then that’s more than enough for me.”
I smiled brightly at her.
