“Not quitting, but getting fired? Why?”
“How should I know? Even the girls who got dropped keep quiet, and the employers don’t explain the situation—they just tell us to find someone new.”
It seemed hard to find while crouching low, so after clicking his tongue repeatedly, the staff simply pulled out a thick stack of papers from the drawer.
It looked like a collection of contact information. The staff moistened his finger and quickly flipped through the pages one by one.
“Ah, here it is.”
He muttered with a bright voice as if he finally found what he was looking for.
He pulled out one sheet, held it out to Eugenia, and flicked his finger.
“Go to the place written there. If you say you want to meet Mr. Albery, they’ll guide you.”
“Thank you.”
“I’d guess the employer is pretty strict. So if you’re in a big hurry for money, it’s better to keep quiet, be careful with your actions, and try to stay on their good side.”
“Understood.”
When it comes to getting on people’s good side, she was confident enough.
‘It’s kind of my specialty.’
She had gotten along very well with that difficult adult-child, Joshua!
No matter who the other person was, compared to Joshua, they would be a piece of cake.
“Oh, but what about the broker’s fee…?”
“It’s taken care of. They already paid on their end, so you don’t have to pay anything extra.”
“I see.”
Eugenia nodded as if she understood.
“Well then, I’ll go.”
“Good luck, miss.”
Ignoring the staff’s parting words, Eugenia left the employment agency.
“Where should I go? Hmm, maybe over there?”
Stepping outside, she looked around for a moment to figure out the direction and then started walking.
About three beats later, someone began quietly following her, trying to muffle their footsteps.
Osiris Inn.
“Wow, what a fancy inn…”
Eugenia softly exclaimed after comparing the employer’s accommodation name written on the paper to the signboard.
Honestly, objectively, it wasn’t very fancy.
But compared to the shabby lodging where Eugenia and the twins were staying, the facilities and appearance were so decent it was almost embarrassing to compare, and she couldn’t help but be impressed.
“I wanted my kids to stay somewhere like this too…”
Of course, this inn was the best she could provide, but somehow the thought left a bitter taste she couldn’t suppress.
“Well, let’s meet first.”
She tightened her robe collar and cautiously stepped inside.
Jingle!
The bell on the door rang cheerfully.
The moment she took off her robe, a middle-aged woman with a pleasant face came out from inside and welcomed Eugenia with a kind smile.
“Welcome. Did you come alone, miss?”
“Ah, yes… I, well…”
“Oh dear. We’re fully booked right now, so no lodging available, only meals. Would you like some food?”
Her attitude was much more polite and accommodating than the owner of the shabby inn where Eugenia was staying.
Eugenia almost tried to refuse, but quickly shook her head and explained her purpose.
“No, it’s not that. I came to see someone.”
“Someone?”
“I want to meet Mr. Albery, who’s staying here.”
“Mr. Albery? Oh, you mean those folks. Did you come from the employment agency?”
Eugenia quietly nodded.
“Follow me.”
The innkeeper, as if experienced with such situations, turned and led the way.
Eugenia was surprised.
“Just like that? If you’re busy with something else, wouldn’t this be a disturbance? Shouldn’t you have been notified?”
The middle-aged woman ahead smiled slightly and nodded.
“Don’t worry. We’ve been told to immediately send anyone from the employment agency up here. Anyway, follow me, miss. I hope you last long.”
The innkeeper smiled warmly and began climbing the stairs.
After a brief hesitation, Eugenia cautiously followed.
“This way.”
Eugenia tilted her head in confusion.
The innkeeper stopped on the second floor and turned direction.
‘Huh…? The paper from the agency clearly said the third floor.’
Eugenia stopped and looked up at the stairs leading to the third floor.
‘Maybe it’s just my imagination?’
The hallway seemed a bit dim.
While she was hesitating, the innkeeper had already stopped in front of a door ahead.
“Come here quickly.”
The innkeeper whispered and beckoned her with a hand.
Only then did Eugenia reluctantly approach.
‘Well, maybe they posted the job when they stayed on the third floor but have since moved to the second floor.’
When Eugenia got close, the innkeeper took a deep breath.
Then, with a strangely determined look, she said,
“You might be a little surprised.”
“…What?”
But the innkeeper didn’t answer Eugenia’s question.
Instead, she clenched her fist and started pounding hard on the door.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Mr. Albery!”
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Mr. Albery! Please open the door! Mr. Albery!”
Her voice was loud and booming like a train whistle.
Startled, Eugenia involuntarily stepped back, her eyes wide as she watched the innkeeper’s back.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Hey! Open the door, I said! Mr. Albery!”
Wow…
Eugenia unintentionally muttered.
‘The person inside must be something else.’
Why wouldn’t he open the door immediately despite all that noise?
After calling a few more times,
Finally, a clicking sound of a lock opening was heard from inside.
Soon, the door creaked open, and a man with messy hair scratched his head and appeared.
Though disheveled, his face was quite handsome.
“What is it?”
He sounded sleepy, as if just waking up.
“Someone came for an interview.”
“At this hour?”
“It’s dawn for you, but the sun’s already high for others.”
“Ah, has it already come to that?”
“Oh, you’re always mixing up day and night. Here, this is the lady. Looks like she came after seeing the job posting at Bears Employment Agency.”
The innkeeper pointed at Eugenia standing behind her.
Only then did the man’s gaze fall on Eugenia. Though still half-asleep, he seemed to understand the situation.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too. My name is Eugenia.”
“Hmm, I see. Miss Eugenia. Then, shall we go inside? We need to have the interview first.”
The innkeeper winked and gently pushed Eugenia forward.
“Good luck, miss.”
The innkeeper quickly went downstairs again, busy with other tasks.
Meanwhile, Albery gestured to Eugenia.
“Please come in.”
“Excuse me.”
“Not at all.”
The moment Eugenia entered the room, she lightly frowned.
‘This is like a pigsty…’
There were all kinds of documents scattered around, and bags and clothes were strewn all over.
‘Maybe he’s just messy because he just woke up… hmm.’
Given his handsome features, she expected him to be tidy. But it seemed quite the opposite.
“Sorry, the room’s a bit messy.”
Albery roughly crumpled some papers and tossed them on the desk.
Then he looked around nervously and rubbed his dry hands together.
“Where should we sit…? Well, I guess anywhere is fine.”
“Okay, then I’ll sit here.”
Eugenia sat on the edge of the bed, which looked the least messy.
Albery grabbed a chair and sat across from her, keeping a comfortable distance.
Leaning his arm on the chair’s backrest, he rubbed his eyes slightly and asked,
“You’re applying for a maid position?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know exactly what kind of work it is?”
Eugenia straightened her posture, looked Albery squarely in the eyes, and calmly answered,
“Only what was written in the job posting. They said they needed a maid to accompany them to the Aisa Empire.”
“That’s right. But are you sure it’s okay?”
“For what?”
“I’m saying it might be risky crossing the border these days, even though it’s a neighboring country.”
“Yes, it won’t be a problem. That’s partly why I applied.”
Albery looked at Eugenia as if asking what she meant by that.
He rubbed his chin repeatedly with his fingers, bothered by the beard growing there.
“You’re quite an unusual person. Most people don’t like long-distance assignments.”
‘Assignment?’
For some reason, Eugenia felt Albery’s choice of words was unusual.
