Chapter 12

“I’m sorry, but I have nothing for you to do.”

*Gasps and murmurs spread among the other maids.*

“Wow, what a sweet job! Who wouldn’t want that?”

“I can’t believe it! A dedicated maid who does almost nothing! I’d love that!”

In the bustling Duke’s House, any reduction in workload would be welcomed by the busy maids, so being able to rest without doing anything at all would be highly desirable.

They would gladly accept it, their lips curling into satisfied smiles.

However, Camila couldn’t do that.

“Because there wasn’t enough evidence to keep her locked up, right?”

“Yes, yes…”

“It could be possible, couldn’t it? Just like my sister or mother said, another maid could have done it. But I don’t believe it. In my mind, you’re still the prime suspect.”

Claire’s chilling voice echoed in her head.

“So I’ll be watching. I’ll check if you truly take good care of Carsein. Got it?”

A clear warning.

If something like this happens again, she won’t let it slide as easily this time.

This situation had to stop. It absolutely had to.

As a maid, and especially as Carsein’s dedicated maid, she needed to do her job properly.

“But, I was cleaning when you called me. You must have plenty of things for me to do…”

Camila trembled in fear as she spoke.

Carsein took the mop without a change in expression.

“I already said I don’t need anything.”

No way.

If this continues, she’d be dismissed.

If the gossip about her letting her master do menial tasks reached Claire’s ears, she’d be in trouble.

There was no other choice.

*Thud!*

“Mistress, I’m sorry. It was my mistake!”

She felt like she should kneel.

***

[1. (Pushing Camila aside) What’s wrong with you? I’ve been eating worse than this rag because of your meals! Will an apology fix that?!]

[2. (Not giving the mop) Get out. I’ll never forgive what you did.]

[3. (Indifferently) What?]

The choices appeared as soon as Camila kneeled and admitted her mistake.

Option 3 didn’t seem similar to the previous branches, indicating she was following the right path.

Still, she didn’t need to show indifference.

“What? Why are you here admitting fault?”

“Mistress…”

“If you came here to talk nonsense, just leave. You’re getting in the way of cleaning.”

Why would she even listen?

You just need to not become a Dead Trigger.

Turning around, Camila grabbed her skirt and pleaded desperately.

“No! I mean, I admit it!”

She confessed.

*Ding!*

[1. Admit to what?]

[2. (Kicking Camila) Stop bothering me and get out!]

This was option two.

If she kept pressing, she could extract a full confession from Camila.

About the cold bath, the medicine in the food, everything.

But, I’m not Carsein.

Mixing the options gave a nice line.

“What are you admitting to? If you’re going to make up nonsense, just go.”

She knows.

She showered with the cold water herself, did laundry in winter, and ate salty food.

Then why pretend not to know?

‘Exactly for this reason.’

I shifted my gaze toward the door as footsteps approached.

“I brought your meal, Master.”

Just then, the head maid Emma brought in the food.

Emma fixed her gaze on Camila holding the tray and smirked before quickly changing her expression.

“Why are you kneeling, Camila?”

“Huh? Me, um, that is…”

▶Head Maid Emma has arrived. How will you react?

[1. You’re kneeling because you know you did something wrong, right?]

[2. Shouldn’t you kneel too, Emma?]

[3. Hmm. I’m curious too.]

[4. I don’t know. Ask her yourself.]

Today was the day Emma personally brought the meal instead of the other maids. So, I didn’t interrogate Camila.

If this conversation progressed and reached anyone’s ears, it might have led to a bad ending.

‘I avoided the dangerous scene.’

First, the choices popped up.

I could answer immediately, but I waited one turn.

Until that line came out.

“Are you scolding Camila? No, it’s unjust that she’s suspected and locked up in isolation!”

Yes, I was waiting for that.

“That’s too much. Are you really going to mistreat innocent maids like this again?!”

“Tell Mother? Go ahead.”

“What did you say? Master, can you be so bold?”

“Of course. I didn’t order anything. I was just cleaning my own room. Clearly, I cleaned it myself, not by command.”

“But why is Camila kneeling…?”

Showing the mop to the bewildered Emma, I quickly chose an option.

[4. I don’t know. Ask her yourself.]

“How would I know? Ask her yourself. She suddenly did this when she arrived 30 minutes early today.”

Now it’s time for a counterattack.

“Why do you think I scolded Camila? Don’t you see how unjust this situation is?”

“…”

“You didn’t accuse Camila of being the culprit, and you were just cleaning. Yet, now you’re the bad master who scolds a healthy maid?”

Emma looked at Camila suspiciously.

“Is what the Master says true?”

Camila nodded slightly, and Emma’s expression hardened instantly.

This isn’t right.

How did this happen?

These thoughts likely raced through Emma’s mind.

Emma reluctantly said:

“I apologize. I misunderstood.”

Her distorted face was pitiful, but just an apology? Not happening.

“An apology? Ah, so it was just a misunderstanding.”

It went beyond a mere misunderstanding.

She made arbitrary assumptions and judged unfairly.

Someone innocent could have been framed.

This can’t be seen as a simple misunderstanding.

Seeing her realization, Emma couldn’t refute.

“…I’m sorry.”

Before she could finish, a bitter sound escaped her. Clearly, her pride was hurt.

But, what about Carsein?

“Is that all?”

“Carsein, I apologized for my mistakes.”

“So that’s it? Nothing else?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Emma, your back wasn’t bent when you entered my room. Am I seeing things?”

“…”

“Heh heh. Even the head maid acts like this, so no wonder there are issues with my meals. Right?”

I chuckled, knowing the ins and outs of the situation, referring to the previous incident.

So, apologize again.

With sincerity.

To ensure such incidents don’t happen again.

One sentence forced three others.

The Bargrand family, known throughout the Peselros Empire, is one of the most prestigious.

Even though he’s adopted, no one dares question him.

His meal represents the main dish, and the incident messed up the hierarchy.

There’s no way to refute this.

Emma bowed deeply.

“I’m sorry, Master Carsein. Please forgive my disrespect and suspicion.”

For now, this is enough.

To beg for forgiveness from a commoner and bow deeply requires lowering one’s pride completely.

This scene will be etched deeply in Emma’s mind.

She might seek revenge someday.

She’s one of those villains in the game who relentlessly tormented Carsein.

But, it’s fine.

I already know.

From countless trials and errors.

***

Emma left with a pained expression. But, the room wasn’t empty.

Camila remained, trembling and kneeling.

“Master… you know, don’t you?”

“Know what?”

“What I did to you.”

Leaving her like this is unacceptable.

I sat down at the table and dried my hands with a towel.

“Camila, how long does it usually take you to clean my room?”

“Huh? Um, usually about an hour.”

“What about bathroom cleaning and bed arrangement?”

“Bathroom cleaning takes almost no time since you keep it clean, and bed arrangement takes about five minutes.”

“So, wash this mop and sit here for thirty minutes before leaving.”

“Master…!”

Camila jumped in panic.

I threw her a direct question.

“You’re scared because of Claire, right?”

“That’s…!”

“You don’t need to explain. You were suspected because of Claire. So, if you follow the schedule, there’s no problem, right?”

“…”

Seeing her intimidated by my attitude, Camila started shaking.

“What should I do? Please give me something to do.”

Finally, she revealed her purpose.

Though I don’t know how Claire pressured her, I can guess.

‘It’s about her duties as a maid.’

Given her reaction, Claire likely threatened to dismiss her if this happened again.

I need to solve this myself.

Let’s calm her down first.

“Act like you’re working and leave. Then you can avoid Claire’s suspicions.”