Abandoned Maid of the Grand Duke - Chapter 3

content/trigger warnings: dubcon/noncon, coercive relationship, incest (side characters)

But if life always went according to my plans, would it really be life? It’s precisely because it doesn’t go as planned that it’s called life.

You might think this is nonsense after having a good meal, but that’s just how things are. You understand these things after living through them.

Three years have passed since Ernst returned from the academy. I am now twenty years old, and he is nineteen.

Three years may seem like just a number, but during that time, significant changes have occurred.

“Julie, if it’s alright with you, can you attend to me?”

“…….”

“Julie?”

First of all, the young lord has become a duke. He will make great contributions in the civil war in a few years and receive the title of grand duke, but that’s for later. For now, he is a duke. That boy who was like a chick has grown into a young man.

In just three years.

He rolled around like a dog on the front lines, called by the country to replace the duke who died in the war. He shed his soft exterior and returned as a man two heads taller than me. The cute and adorable young boy who could be recognized from 500 meters away turned out like this.

“Are you listening?”

His once high-pitched voice had deepened to a resonant tone that made my eardrums tingle. It’s said that boys in the west grow quickly during adolescence, but this was more like a complete metamorphosis.

To my dismay, this formerly chick-like boy began exuding an overwhelming charisma.

“Julie.”

Just like now.

“Oh, yes…!”

Startled by the deep voice whispering right into my ear, I covered my ears and stepped back. He, who had been watching me intently, smiled faintly and tilted his head.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“No, I mean…”

“Your face turned red. Cute, Julie.”

This little brat! Where did he learn to act like this?

Nevertheless, my face turned bright red, not because I was falling for him, but because his flirting skills were seriously beyond.

“Help me finish dressing.”

“Your Grace, I think Olga would be more suited for assisting you with your wardrobe…”

“Maybe it’s because I’ve known you longer? I’m more comfortable with you, Julie.”

You crazy fool, if it’s about knowing someone longer, you’ve known the butler longer than me. And there are plenty of attendants around, so why are you always causing rumors by calling for me? It’s madness.

I can’t understand his motives at all. Why me? No matter how much I chew over it, I can’t find an answer.

It’s not even like my face is particularly pretty. I have a round face with freckles and reddish hair that isn’t exactly beautiful.

There are plenty of girls like me, more common than pebbles on the ground, so why does he specifically call for me?

Surely, a man must have his preferences when toying with a woman.

If it’s not that, then is it my personality? If I were full of charm or played hard to get, I might understand. But I keep pushing him away, so it’s strange that the Duke hasn’t lost his temper and flipped me over. Why does he keep persistently flirting with me?

Could it be true love? But for it to be true love, there should have been something between us. Since when did dying a violent death on the street become the symbol of true love? If it weren’t for that horrible ending, I might have given in at least once.

Given the situation, despite my efforts, rumors about the persistent relationship between the long-standing servant and the dignified master are spreading like wildfire.

The scandal I tried so hard to prevent.

“Julie, is it true that you attended to the Duke at night?”

Even in a different world, this is too much. Among the curious maids looking at me as if attending to the Duke at night is some great honor, like receiving the king’s favor, I swallowed my tears and shook my head.

I responded with a silent smile that said, “As if that would happen,” but who would believe that? This guy keeps calling for me all the time.

In fact, not long ago, even Lady Elva, young lady of a marquisate and the future Grand Duchess, visited the mansion and acknowledged me.

“So, you’re that maid.”

I must be imagining the silent implication that I was favored by His Grace. It’s unfair. I haven’t slept with him. And I won’t in the future—never ever.

But at this point, I’m starting to wonder what the point of all this is.

“…No, this can’t be!”

No, it can’t be. Maybe the heroine’s mother gave in just like this, thinking the same way? If the spin-off of this novel were called <The Grand Duke Started to Obsess Over Me,> it might make sense.

‘No, for him to obsess over me, there must be a reason!’

Readers these days have high standards. Even if it’s a cliché novel, if it’s this out of the blue, people might not accept it and attack the story for lack of coherence.

There must be some reason. There must be a reason why this man is sticking to me so persistently. Maybe if I figure that out, he’ll let go easily.

If it comes to that, I might have to consider finding another job, but unfortunately, leaving this mansion has to be the very, very, very last resort.