Chapter 41

The hands of the clock are getting closer to the appointed time, and no one has come.

‘I guess she’s a little late.’

Unlike Amelie, who didn’t care much, Mrs Enard paced around the window with a nervous look on her face. It wasn’t like she was always calm.

“Is something wrong?” asked Amelie.

“No. It’s just—”

Mrs. Enard clouded her words. She seemed to have something on her mind.

“Miss Amelie, Mrs.”

Just in time, the maid came into the room.

“Mrs. Anderson’s maid brought a letter.”

Mrs. Anderson was supposed to teach Amelie from today. It’s almost time for an appointment, but she’s not coming, and she’s sending a letter.

“What? Give it to me.”

Mrs. Enard picked up the letter and read it down. Her face grew stiffer.

“What’s wrong?” asked Amelie.

“She can’t come because she suddenly has a fever.”

Amelie tilted her head.

“Didn’t Mrs. Lance, who was supposed to be here last time, say fever? Fever must be in vogue.”

No way, is it  an epidemic? Amelie was worried.

“Miss Amelie, it’s obviously an excuse.”

Milena poured the tea and pointed out.

“Really?”

When asked back, Milena smiled and nodded.

“If they were really sick, they would have contacted us earlier. It’s intentional to send a letter just before the appointment.”

“I see.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Amelie.”

Mrs Enard apologized.

“It’s okay. We can find someone new.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“That’s—”

Mrs. Enard paused her words. She agonized, and then she knelt slightly in front of Amelie.

“I didn’t want to say this myself, but— I don’t think I can find a teacher by myself.”

She began to talk about her troubles.

It wasn’t easy to find Amelie’s teacher. This was because most of the wives, who were famous as teachers of etiquette, rejected the proposal. Some of them were positive at first, but changed their minds overnight. Mrs. Enard then lowered her eyes a little more, recognizing the wives who could afford to do anything right away. They were willing to accept Mrs Enard’s offer but stood up instead. It was not until just before the appointment time that she had already rejected it with an excuse like a fever. It was not a coincidence.

“Someone is deliberately interrupting. Why don’t you ask His Majesty? No one dares to refuse his order.”

“I’ve already told His Majesty that I can do well on my own. Besides, I don’t want to give him my job when he’s busy enough to sleep less.”

Amelie was stubborn. Milena was quietly lost in thought. Then she confessed a shocking fact.

“That interrupter. It looks like Manvers’ Young Lady.’

“What?”

“Manvers Young Lady? Renia?”

Why does that name come out of nowhere? Amelie opened her eyes wide.

“I figured it out because it was a little weird. But a few days ago, Count Manvers butler paid off Mrs. Lance’s personal debt. Some people say they saw Count Manvers carriage coming out of Mrs. Anderson’s house. I couldn’t tell you because I wasn’t sure. I’m sorry.”

Milena’s shoulders drooped. Amelie comforted her by patting her arm.

“I still said it was strange. Didn’t I say last time that I am adding more maids to Miss Amelie?”

Mrs Enard said.

“You did.”

“I made offers to suitable children, but they all turned down one by one.”

“Isn’t that because they’re afraid of His Majesty?”

“If that were the case, I would have quit the palace maid! The children I suggested were ambitious children.”

The maids who received the offer refused without even thinking about it. It’s like having an answer ready in advance.

“For some reason— It’s like they’re always looking out for someone. If it’s the Manvers Young Lady, it’s fit perfectly!”

“Is Manvers Young Lady so influential?”

“Yes. No one who works in the Imperial Palace has not received Count Manvers’ money, and Young Lady of Manvers is the most powerful candidate for the Empress. Everyone doesn’t want to look hateful to her.”

Amelie nodded her head.

“But I believed Mrs. Anderson would keep her faith.”

Mrs Enard sighed deeply.

“I’m sorry, Miss Amelie. I’m not good enough. You’re not even properly assisted.”

‘When I think of the original Renia, Mrs. Enard is no match for it. Well, I don’t think it’s easy to get a maid or a teacher.’

But Amelie was fine. Knowing the contents of the original book, she was determined that this would happen. In addition, she had a strong ally named Milena and Mrs. Enard. Compared to the original, it was this cute.

“It’s okay.”

Amelie comforted Mrs Enard.

“It’s not okay! The nobles are not easy. A small mistake without knowing it will follow you forever. If you become an Empress, you should rule over the nobles, but you shouldn’t make people laugh.”

Amelie’s words, “But I’m not going to do something like the Empress?” ran up to her throat, but she couldn’t get it out of her mouth. It was because Mrs. Enard’s expression was very serious.

“What do we do, then?”

“Hmm.”

Amelie was lost in thought for a moment.

“Then why don’t Mrs. Enard teach me?”

“Me?”

Mrs. Enard’s eyes widened at the unexpected suggestion.

“That’s fine, Mrs. Enard has taught the maids how to behave, and she’s like a living textbook.”

Milena clapped back.

“Do you think it’ll be alright? Still, having famous wives would be good for your reputation.”

“All those famous wives in the hand of Manvers Young Lady. It’s better to have a trusted Mrs. Enard than to have someone like that by my side.”

“Miss Amelie—”

Ameliale’s big eyes were full of faith. Mrs. Enard was moved by how warm the eyes was. Until just a while ago, she had no idea that she would be able to receive such trust. For a long time, her position was nothing but a money-making tool. She didn’t want any professional satisfaction. But when she heard what she said, she felt that being trusted by her master was her greatest accomplishment and satisfaction as a maid.

“If you don’t mind me, I’ll do my best to make you a perfect lady, Miss Amelie.”

“I look forward to your kind cooperation. Teacher.”

Amelie made a light salute to Mrs Enard.

“But what about the maid? I’m short of hands.”

“For the time being, I think we have no choice but to do well with each other. Instead, let’s make it a little more generous.”

“I’ll have to. We have enough money.”

So this problem was solved simply, but she couldn’t be relieved. It was because Renia Manvers was able to hold back Amelie’s work.

‘Watch out for suspicious behavior in the palace. In secret, without worrying about Amelie.’

‘Yes. Mrs.’

Mrs Enard and Milena exchanged glances.

*******

Amelie’s life has become very busy. At first glance, she seemed to enjoy their daily lives and have a peaceful life, but in reality, it was so tight that she could live separately.

Investigating disasters, making magic pills, studying magic, studying etiquette, etc. Nothing could be neglected, nothing could be left to others. Therefore, Amelie split her time into small pieces and did it little by little. Although the body was tired, the mind was full. It was because she felt a sense of accomplishment that she was doing what she had to do properly.

Plus Mrs Enard, Milena, Chad, etc. Everyone around her was more supportive of Amelie.

But there was one problem that was not solved. It was Renia. She tried to bully Amelie as in the original. Amelie was inwardly worried that it might flow like the original, but she was not alone. She was able to keep Renia in check with the help of people around her, and so Renia repeatedly failed.

But even so, Renia was not an easygoing enemy. She had great influence in society, and used it to continue to interfere with Amelie.

“It’s a refusal again.”

Mrs. Enard sighed. She couldn’t stand the frustration. The job was to hire a designer for the late private dressing room, and she was having a hard time. It was all because of Renia.

Mrs. Enard, who was unable to hire a maid due to Renia’s obstruction, signed a private dressing room and tried to take charge of the costume and decoration. She had to teach Amelie, and Milena was in charge of monitoring the maids, so she needed to share the heavy workload. It was impossible because there was something only maids could do, leaving it to all the maids.

“I was going to sign a contract with the dressing room but because of Manvers Young Lady, she’s disturbing it again this time.”

Mrs. Enard sighed.

Renia has been gaining influence in society for years as she has been named the next Empress. It was difficult to refuse Renia’s orders in the dressing room, which mainly deals with aristocrats.

“What do we do, then? Should I ask His Majesty?”

Amelia had a troubled look on her face. It was uncomfortable to see two people struggling for her.

“No, I’ll do something about it. Don’t worry about it. If it’s not a dressing room in the capital, we can look for a dressing room in another area.”

In fact, asking Serwin was the simplest solution. But Mrs. Enard respected Amelie’s intention. She didn’t want to be a maid and make her master do anything she didn’t like.

“I don’t want Mrs. Enard to suffer more. You must be busy taking care of the palace, teach me, and find a dressing room. It’s too hard.”

“I’m fine. Miss Amelie don’t have to worry about that.”

“How can you do that? Your face has become so rough in just a few days.”

Amelie’s big eyes were full of worry. Mrs Enard gained strength as she looked into the eyes. She might be annoyed that she couldn’t do what she was asked to do, but Amelie was very kind.

“Please let me know if you can’t do that.”

“Should I?”

Mrs Enard nodded, but she had no intention of receiving Serwin’s help. She wanted to help Amelie with her own strength somehow.

‘I can’t be called Miss Amelie’s maid if I can’t overcome one Manvers Young Lady.

Mrs. Enard was motivated.

Despite the small problems, Amelie was living a stable and faithful life. But by contrast, Serwin became violent day by day.