Surviving As An Obsessive Servant Chapter 166 - Side Story Chapter 1

Surviving as an Obsessive Servant
Side Story Chapter 1

 

Hello!

I’m Michelle, the personal maid of Lady Denkart and the successor to Mrs. Tilly.

As I handed the necessary ledger to my lady, I nervously observed her expression.

A servant must do more than just follow orders—they must excel at their duties!

One of the most essential skills is being careful not to upset the master and reading their moods.

Just as my lady looks after the duke!

“Michelle, did you bring it?”

“Yes, my lady!”

“Thank you.”

I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

At first, my lady found it difficult to give commands or speak informally, but thankfully, she seems to have gotten a bit more accustomed to it now.

Since she’s busy reviewing the ledger, I have some free time.

…Then, shall I tell you a little about how I, Michelle, the most talkative person in Denkart, came to serve my lady last year?

One day, Butler Wayne called for me.

Though he has years of experience, coming from the capital to the countryside must have been challenging. Still, he quickly established himself here and is highly respected.

Being summoned by someone like him… made me feel nervous for some reason.

Did I perhaps mess up the shelf I cleaned this morning?

But the butler made an astonishing proposal.

[ Michelle. Starting next week, you will serve as the lady’s personal maid. ]

[ …What? ]

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

I had only been here for four months—how could I possibly serve the lady? It was completely absurd!

For a moment, I even thought the always solemn butler was politely telling me to leave.

But it was undeniably true.

[ It is the duke’s order. ]

[ … ]

[ Do you refuse? ]

[ Ah, no! Not at all! ]

I hurriedly signed the new contract. Then, holding it close to my chest, I rolled around on my bed, reading it over and over again.

Thinking back, I believe the duke and the butler chose me in hopes that my lady would smoothly adjust to her new role as the household’s mistress.

A new servant would be easier for her to manage than someone who had been here longer.

I did feel a little sorry for the senior maids who had been longing to serve my lady, but honestly, I was overjoyed.

Even before meeting her, I had always wanted to serve Lady Denkart.

Everyone in the estate knows her story.

How, long ago, she fell in love with the young master at first sight on a street, disguised herself to infiltrate Denkart, and miraculously won his heart—creating a love story like no other!

Sacrificing everything for love… isn’t that something rare and wonderfully romantic these days?…

“Michelle. Why are you suddenly crying? Are you hurt?”

“Hic… sniff… No, no, I’m fine.”

I quickly wiped my eyes with the handkerchief my lady had given me and shook my head vigorously.

She told me to go rest, but I stood my ground and remained by her side.

I don’t know how the noble lords and ladies might see it,

But we, the servants of Denkart, all respect and cherish our lady.

The older servants even say in unison that both the former and current dukes became gentler thanks to her.

Though it’s a shame that the former duchess left for convalescence, everyone believes our new lady will do just as well.

That’s why we don’t see it as shameful that she once served as the duke’s personal attendant—it’s something we take great pride in!

However, I must confess… Even though I had become my dream lady’s personal maid, not every day was happy.

“You don’t need to attend to me.”

“I’m fine without the bathwater too, really.”

Oh my… Did she find me that unreliable?

I had assumed that, since my lady had been familiar with Denkart’s traditions far longer than I had, I wouldn’t be of much help.

But she even refused the simplest of services.

Choosing a dress, braiding her hair, accessorizing, even carrying her parasol!

She had such a keen eye for detail that there was nothing for me to add—whether it was her chosen dress or her neatly braided hair.

…How is that possible? Doesn’t everyone have at least one flaw?

And yet, she could style her hair in every imaginable way—an elegant updo, a long braid coiled at the center of her head…

Sigh. A side braid, loose waves with only a few strands delicately braided… She did it all by herself.

On top of that, she never went out, and since she always dined with the duke, the only thing left for me to do was…

…let out a silent sigh or cry into my pillow at night.

“It’s really okay, Michelle.”

I’m such a fool.

Once again, my lady saw right through me and comforted me.

But I wanted to be like her.

Just as she never gave up on the duke in the past, I wasn’t going to give up on her!

From that moment on, I began hovering around her whenever she flashed that resigned smile, saying she was fine.

That way, I could find something she needed. It’s only natural for a personal maid, right?

Even Crimson, the longest-serving aide in Denkart, told me that my lady might actually appreciate such efforts!

And then… I happened to witness something one morning.

‘Oh my… Oh my goodness!’

The duke was personally braiding my lady’s silky hair and even putting her shoes on for her!

He then carefully selected a soft, pale-yellow dress and draped a matching green shawl over her shoulders.

Watching his long, elegant fingers fasten the shawl with such meticulous care made my heart race.

His every glance and touch overflowed with affection.

“You don’t have to do all this.”

“You used to do the same for me all the time.”

“…Even so.”

Hearing their sweet conversation felt like honey being poured into my ears… I had no choice but to quietly close the door.

Goodness.

…This time, I really should prepare bathwater, shouldn’t I?!

With a determined huff, I dashed down the long corridor as fast as I could.

“I’m sorry. I should have closed the door this morning.”

Our lady of Denkart truly was remarkable.

How did she know I had been there earlier?

Maybe she figured it out just from seeing that the bath had been prepared.

“…Ahem.”

My lady shyly turned back to her ledger.

Her ears had turned a lovely shade of pink, and in that moment, I understood why the duke was so utterly devoted to her.

What man in the world wouldn’t fall for her?

But that was both my greatest pride and my deepest dilemma.

“What was Lobel up to yesterday?”

Count Stell had come visiting again.

Since today was Friday, that made it his fifth visit this week.

I used to think that in romance novels, high-ranking nobles having so much free time was just a literary exaggeration. But now, I knew better.

Their families were simply well-structured, and they dumped all their work onto highly competent subordinates.

That was entirely different from our duke, who had built himself up from the ground!

I’ll admit, I foolishly fell for his handsome face at first sight… but not anymore.

Especially since he had the nerve to belittle our perfect duke. No matter how close they were, I hated hearing it.

Our lady was just incredibly tolerant, but if it were me, I wouldn’t even speak to him!

Now, I fully understood why the duke had once ordered Denkart’s gates to be locked tight.

“Hah.”

…But why was Count Stell smirking like that so early in the morning?

He always seemed to be in a good mood, but for some reason, I had a bad feeling about this.

Should I just lie and say my lady was out?

But before I could, she must have sensed his presence and opened the door herself.

Since this was a very private conversation, the two of them spoke in hushed tones.

I took the chance to eavesdrop as I served tea.

I would make sure to report everything to the duke!

“Why is our child-planning something you’re involved in, Manell?”

“When did I ever say I was planning your children? I simply suggested that if Lobel had a daughter who took after them, I’d be the godfather.”

“That’s the same thing!”

…I had to correct my earlier thought.

This kind of overly familiar banter was something I definitely shouldn’t report to the duke.

After all, he was extremely jealous when it came to our lady.

Even when the head of the Hornet Trading Company visited, his mood darkened significantly.

On those days, he always came out of his chambers late in the morning, and my lady looked utterly exhausted.

I couldn’t let her suffer, so I’d have to summarize the report very carefully…

Hopefully, the knights from the north weren’t eavesdropping today.

Steeling myself, I reached for the teapot to refill Count Stell’s cup.

“Well, your children will be nobles no matter what. When they make their debut in society, they’ll need a strong backer. The former duke has already retired, and the previous duchess is away for treatment, so Lobel is lacking in that regard.”

I nearly poured the entire teapot over him.

…Lacking? Our duke?!

If my patience had been just a little weaker, Count Stell would have been nursing some serious burns.

I silently commended my own restraint.

“You… Well. Fine. If that’s the case.”

“…Then there’s a solution.”

My lady bit her lip in frustration before speaking with a bold glint in her eye.

“I’ll just make my own debut in high society.”

Oh my!

For a moment, I nearly dropped the teapot.

At last, our lady was officially stepping into high society!