"It seems that illegitimate child needs a maid. " The head maid, Teresa, spoke, keeping her usual stern demeanor, "One of you should volunteer yourselves, or I will choose one myself."
'This is it! My chance!'
The chance I had been looking for! I could meet my favorite character!
Better yet, I had the golden opportunity to be his maid!
There in the drawing room, all the maids stood. On hearing what the head maid said, they all simultaneously turned to me, as if expecting something.
It seemed they set this up as an excuse to send me off to the farthest house in the Duke's estate.
'They should have at least tried to hide it.'
"This is the command of his grace. We must adhere as faithful servants. So, one of you, volunteer now."
I felt someone push me forward so hard I nearly fell. Before I knew it, I was in front of the other maids.
I turned to see Annie snicker. She had pushed me forward so that Teresa could think that I volunteer myself for the job.
'They must have planned it well.'
I thanked them in my head; they just made my job easier.
"Cäcilia," Teresa said my name, "Thank you for volunteering."
She scanned my face, looking for any signs that I did not want to do it, but I remained neutral. Even though I was excited, I could not afford to show it.
If she saw me excited, she might just refuse me to go. Or worse.
This body was indeed terrified of the head maid.
She pushed back her glasses. "Come with me. The rest of you can go back to work."
They all bowed and scattered. As we headed to her office, some of the maids stopped and whispered to each other, snickering and giggling like gossip girls.
In their eyes, I must look like I am going to be executed.
[She's toast.]
[I can't wait to see her crying.]
['Tis a shame, now who will do our work for us?]
~Hate is common, and you have to get used to the fact that not everyone has to like you. The sooner you get used to it, the easier this job will be for you~
It was one of the first words of advice I heard from my manager.
'It is better to ignore. Listening will do me no good.'
"Close the door." Teresa commanded as we entered her office. I did as requested.
She turned towards me, feigning pity.
"Cäcilia, I am sorry things turned out like this."
Teresa said solemnly, though I was unsure of whether her fake facade she put up would fool anyone.
Even as she portrayed a solemn face as if sad to see me go, her eyes trembled with delight.
For some reason, she never liked my very existence, or rather, this body's. From the memories prior to my possession, she had constantly gone out of her way to mistreat me, and invoked the other servants to follow in her footsteps.
Up until a few days ago, I would have thought it was because I was a 'female lead' in some book.
Even in the memories of this girl, Teresa physically abused her since she was three years old, and would gaslight her, saying she did it out of love. Perhaps it was why this body naturally fears her.
'At least I will see your face less and less.'
"Understand that that kid is not an easy child to deal with. No other maid would want such a position with an unwanted child. Thus, unfortunately the burden has been passed on to you."
In other words, she was trying to butter me up by making me believe her words. I can clearly see her entire plan. She was going to send me there so I could come back running, claiming that the child was difficult to deal with. She would use that as an excuse to kick me out, claiming I talked ill of my masters.
It would be the perfect way to get rid of me.
'Sorry Teresa. Your plans are going down the drain.'
It's thanks to you that I finally have the chance to change my favorite's fate.
"Don't worry, Cäcilia. I am sure you will be okay. In fact, it would be nice for that child to be with someone his age, don't you think?"
She calmly placed her hand on my shoulder. "If you feel overwhelmed there, it is okay to come back."
"…Yes, ma'am."
She smiled, before dropping her act. "You can leave now. By sundown, you should have left the main house."
"Yes."
Just wait, you old hag. I will raise that boy so well that once he grows up, I will personally ask him to crucify you.
***
The house Alcestè resided in was an annex located far from the main house… and when my eyes first laid upon it, the only word that came out of my mouth was a curse word.
"…Fuck."
The stone pathway was surrounded by trees and covered in dried leaves. The gate to the annex was covered by vines that creeped all the way up to the top. The house was no better; the grass had overgrown, and vines similar to those at the gate encroached the walls.
There was no sign of life anywhere near the vicinity.
It was clear that the annex had not been properly taken care of for a long time. It was a neglected and forgotten space, and a far cry from its original purpose.
The longer I looked at the dreary sight, the angrier I got. In a place like this, how can he not become a villain?
'Fucking bastards, how can you leave a child in such an environment?'
They truly deserved the death that awaited them.
It did not matter now. I was here, and I was going to take care of him.
The gate squeaked as I opened it.
'I feel like somebody's watching me.'
I glanced up at the window on the first floor of the annex. I saw a figure retreat, followed by the blinds closing shut.
Even though I did not see the figure's face, I immediately knew who it was.
was giddy with excitement, almost running straight in the house just to see him. "Alcestè; here I come. The first step into changing you fate has arrived!"
With a smile of determination, I headed straight into the house.