Chapter 29
From that day on, Nox began to monopolize all of Sia’s affection by alternating between his human and animal forms.
“Lord Nox, it looks like the ink has run out. Should I bring you a new one?”
When in his human form, he kept her close by constantly giving her little tasks. That way, she would always have to stay by his side. He’d already noticed yesterday that the ink was running low, but he deliberately didn’t ask anyone else to get more.
“…I see. You’re very attentive.”
At first, Nox used to be flustered whenever Sia did anything, but lately, he’d changed. He’d begun to feel that he wanted to reciprocate her affection, even if just a little.
So, although it embarrassed him, he tried to express his gratitude with a compliment.
“Please don’t say things like that. It’s just my job.”
But Sia responded as if it were nothing. That made him feel oddly disappointed, though he didn’t understand why.
“I see…”
“Oh, it’s been quite a while since you started working. Should I bring some cold tea for you to drink?”
“Not a bad suggestion.”
“Then I’ll bring some for the attendants here as well. It’s important to stay hydrated from time to time for your health.”
“…Do as you like.”
Nox was dissatisfied that she insisted on looking after the attendants as well. She was his personal butler, so there was no need for her to think of others.
At Sia’s words, the attendants, who had been sitting with their heads nearly on their desks, raised their faces with bewildered expressions.
Every day, they were nervous to death having two people with black hair together in an enclosed space, yet this woman kept looking after even them.
In fact, that’s what made the attendants uncomfortable, and each of them parted their lips as if to speak. Finally, one could hold back no longer and spoke up.
“As His Grace’s personal butler, you only need to attend to His Grace. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself with us.”
Unable to speak rudely with Nox right there, the attendant believed he had made himself clear and spoke firmly. Sia immediately understood the real meaning behind his words. Since she thought of this as a workplace, her mind worked quickly.
“That’s exactly why I’m looking after you all, too.”
“…Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
In truth, Sia was getting a little payback. Or rather, giving them a taste of their own medicine. While staying at the ducal estate, she’d realized just how disagreeable the staff could be.
Of course, she understood that, from their perspective, having two black-haired people around made them anxious because black hair was said to be a symbol of misfortune, but their avoidance was far too blatant. It was unpleasant enough when it happened once or twice, but to experience it every single day… How could you not get angry?
Thinking that Nox must have endured that for his entire life, she couldn’t help but feel sympathetic.
He’s supposed to be the head of the house.
He’s supposed to be the master of the Blois territory!
A class system? Yeah, right.
This isn’t a class system—it’s a superstition system!
Muttering inwardly, Sia only smiled brightly and answered innocently.
“After watching for a while, I noticed that the attendants’ work speed doesn’t keep up with our Lord Nox’s pace. Look, see how Lord Nox’s desk is always spotless?”
“…Yes? What does a clean desk have to do with us?”
The attendants were just as dumbfounded. When they protested with aggrieved faces, Sia let out a deep sigh and replied.
“As attendants, shouldn’t you know what that means?”
Recalling the nonsense her senior at a previous job had put her through, she continued,
“There are five of you, right? And Lord Nox is just one person. But don’t you think it’s strange that your work pace is the same as his?”
“We carefully review and submit all the documents. All His Grace does is sign off on them, so of course, there’s a difference in speed.”
The attendant who replied emphasized this point, his eyes wide as if he was in the right.
“That’s exactly why there are five of you.”
“…What?”
“That only makes sense if there’s just one attendant. How can you have five people and still act like it’s normal for your pace to be the same?”
Just like her former boss, she picked at a fault that was hard to argue with. Or rather, this one really was worth pointing out.
The attendants were flustered.
As Sia drew closer while speaking, they were even frightened, worrying that this ‘misfortune’ might rub off on them and bring disaster.
Sia, sensing this, stopped at a reasonable distance and added,
“So keep yourselves in good condition and try to work a little faster. Lord Nox should be able to rest sometimes, shouldn’t he? Maybe even leave early once in a while!”
From what she’d seen, Nox never took a day off. But the attendants took turns resting among themselves. Isn’t that unfair? Even a duke deserves the right to rest!
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