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Chapter 25

"I live alone. Do you think people won't notice men coming and going all the time?"

"Those who spread malicious rumors should all be charged with insulting the nobility…"

"Then what changes? No one would believe it anyway, and my reputation would be dragged through the mud."

Along with those vile, lingering rumors. Alexa looked at him with resolute eyes.

"Besides, I earn money. Enough to pay it back within two months."

Alexa bowed her head once more.

"Rest well and leave when you're ready. I won't be here tomorrow morning, so I'll say my goodbyes now. I'll see you in two months."

Click. She closed the door quietly, careful not to let it slam. But her footsteps were anything but quiet.

Stomping away, she shrugged off her coat and tossed it onto the rack. Her irritation flared.

Just because she owed him money, how could he think he could stay in her home?

'He's talking absolute nonsense.'

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

If they did move in, they'd just sleep there—but the burden on her would be immense. There was no butler or maid to attend to them, so who'd have to take care of everything?

'Me, after working all day!'

She'd have to come home exhausted and wrestle with a pile of laundry—it was absurd.

Alexa panted heavily, then noticed the bread she'd roughly left on the table.

Seeing food cooled her temper a little. Maybe hunger had made her more irritable, but her decision was still the right one.

What kind of grown woman lets men move into her house? Did they just not care about her reputation at all?

Alexa tore off a big piece of bread. It had a slight tang from the grains, but it was far better than the black bread she used to eat—so she was satisfied.

Money really does make a difference. You can refuse without guilt, and eat good bread like this.

"Money really is the best."

Munching, Alexa stuffed her mouth full.

---

'Hair neatly tied, clothes fairly clean. This should be fine, right?'

Alexa arrived at work in the early morning. Today was the last day of the Merchants' Guild Festival, and the master of the house was returning—her first time meeting him.

She checked her reflection in the window once more, then caught sight of the translucent band on her wrist.

Seeing the magically bound bracelet made her feel a little uneasy.

'Was I too blunt in my refusal?'

She shook her head.

'No, I've already been through what happens when you try to let things slide nicely.'

No matter how kind a creditor he was, this situation could never be okay.

Gratitude, discomfort, guilt, and past wounds all tangled together in her heart.

"Hoo…"

Sighing deeply, she clenched her fists. This was her workplace. She didn't have time to dwell on this now.

Alexa turned quickly and greeted a maid she'd met yesterday.

"Good morning!"

"Oh, uh. Morning."

The maid gave a brief nod and hurried off to her tasks. Seeing her so indifferent, Alexa felt a surge of relief.

"This is it. At work, just work."

Alexa moved forward, determined not to fall behind. Her destination was the master's room—he was arriving in the afternoon.

"Alexa!"

At the head maid's call, she turned and saw her gesturing to come closer.

"Yes, what is it?"

"You know the master is coming today, right?"

"Yes."

The head maid gave her a once-over from head to toe.

"Looking good. First impressions matter, after all."

"Thank you."

"You'll need to help the other maids today—we're short-handed. The master will be late, so take your time."

"Yes, Head Maid."

"And there should be some new items in the master's bathroom. Get those organized."

"Yes, understood."

"Good… well, work hard."

"Huh? Oh, I will."

The head maid patted her shoulder, then left her hand there for a moment.

"Head Maid?"

Alexa looked at her quizzically.

"Never mind. Go on."

"Yes."

The head maid turned away. Alexa felt a lingering unease but couldn't dwell on it. She hurried after the maid who'd passed her earlier, eager to lend a hand.

'I'll be late at this rate.'

The sun was beginning to set. Alexa hurried, her work having run later than expected.

Sweat beaded on her forehead as she rushed to the master's room—thankfully, it was as clean and orderly as always.

Even so, she rolled up her sleeves.

'I can't just waste time when I'm getting paid for this!'

She swept and dusted even the tiniest specks that had settled overnight. The room was now spotless.

"Ah, the items! She said they were in the bathroom."

She stepped into the large adjoining bathroom. She hadn't been told to clean it on the first day, so this was her first time seeing it.

"First, organize the items, then clean the bathroom… What is this?"

Alexa's eyes widened.

The bathroom was lavishly decorated with golden patterns—so dazzling it was almost blinding. She stared at it in wonder, never having seen anything like it.

Smooth, lustrous stones—or whatever they were—were embedded everywhere, and the ceiling was painted with clouds, sun, and moon. The walls bore majestic depictions of giant birds, dragons, sea turtles, and other unknown creatures.

In the center stood a vast, round bathtub, easily large enough for ten people, finished in a soft blue hue.

"Good heavens… a bathroom like this exists."

Alexa stepped inside cautiously.

She felt overwhelmed by the space—no, perhaps it was the sheer wealth on display. If she accidentally damaged anything, she'd be working as a maid for life just to pay it off.

The thought made her dizzy, and she snapped herself back to focus. She would handle everything as gently as if she were caring for a baby.

She spotted a heavy-looking wooden box on a table beside the tub.

"Found it."

Opening the lid, she found a collection of small, peculiar items. One by one, she took them out and laid them beside her.

Arranging them carefully, she tilted her head.

What were all these for? They seemed completely unrelated.

"Ropes, whips, blindfolds, feathers? Is this a necklace? Why does it have a heavy lock?"

As she crouched, fiddling with and lining up the items, a thin shadow fell over her. Startled, Alexa shot upright.

"M-master! N-nice to meet you."

Unlike the master, who wore a genial smile, Alexa was frozen stiff. She hadn't finished organizing.

'Why did I dawdle!'

She bowed her head deeply. Showing incompetence from the start would be a major strike against her.

"I'm so sorry. I haven't finished organizing yet."

"……"

"The-the bathroom was so beautiful, I got lost in it…"

"My bathroom is beautiful, isn't it?"

Alexa swallowed hard.

"It rivals even an eastern emperor's, I'd say."

Dorian Warrel, the master of the house and owner of a shop specializing in eastern goods, spoke with pride.

He cast a satisfied glance around the room, as if admiring his own masterpiece, then looked down at the tense maid.

"Raise your head."

"Yes."

Alexa slowly lifted her gaze.

The master's eyes widened, then he smiled gently.

"Nice."

She didn't know what he meant, but it was better than "not nice." She watched him quietly.

She felt his eyes slide over her—from her forehead to her nose, her lips to her earlobes. Her skin prickled under that unmistakable, intentional gaze.

It was all too familiar—she'd endured it before at the viscount's household.

'But…'

No, it couldn't be.

Alexa hastily bowed her head.

"I'll take my leave now that you've arrived."

Without waiting for permission, she turned sharply and yanked the bathroom door handle.

Click.

The sound of the lock engaging made her vision go dark. A soft laugh came from behind her.

"I have the key."

Her hands trembled. She turned, her face pale, a faint twitch at the corner of her mouth.

Dorian Warrel no longer bothered to hide his intentions, his gaze trailing down from her nape.

"Why are you shaking? I heard you like it here."

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