Home/The villainess's personal maid is very good at her job/ch 37

Episode 37

"Perhaps I've been projecting my son onto Lord Geron."

"I understand. That's why you worry so much whenever he gets even a little sick. Afraid that, like your son……"

"Yes. Like my son, that something might go wrong again."

Tears streamed down Joanna's face.

Janet quietly handed her a handkerchief. Muttering a small "Thank you," Joanna dabbed at her eyes.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. It's just been so long since I've spoken about my son……"

After her son's death, Joanna had compulsively avoided talking about him. She simply couldn't bear that immense grief.

Naturally, the distance between her and her husband grew. She spoke less, and their conversations dwindled.

Just seeing each other's faces was painful, as they couldn't bear their shared sorrow.

In the end, Joanna settled in Ludwig, and they became a couple who barely saw each other once a year.

There were no hard feelings.

No, it was all simply because of the pain.

"How strange. Somehow, I feel a little lighter after saying it. I thought I wouldn't be able to bear it once I spoke it aloud."

Looking at the damp handkerchief, Joanna smiled bitterly.

"Pain that isn't spoken aloud tends to fester inside."

"……I suppose so."

Janet recalled the first time she'd sought out Theo.

'I need money to leave this house.'

She couldn't describe how relieved she'd felt when she first said those words aloud.

Though she'd been anxious that it might sound absurd, once she'd spoken it, even those worries faded.

"I think you have to face the pain first—that's where it starts. That's where you find the courage to move forward."

"Courage…… to move forward."

Joanna murmured softly.

"I want to stay by Lord Geron's side for a long time."

"You can. You've already faced your own faults and your pain."

Watching Joanna nod slightly, Janet fidgeted with her teacup.

Seeing the person before her reminded her of Julietta in the past.

The Julietta who used to act like a hedgehog covered in thorns, a coward.

Janet sincerely wished for Joanna to find peace. And Geron too.

"Do you know? Anxiety is contagious."

"That might be true. Lord Geron…… seems to have caught my anxiety too."

"Then conversely, if you let go of your anxiety, wouldn't Lord Geron also gain some ease?"

It was a light remark, but that lightness was what made it comforting.

If it had been too heavy, it might have felt suffocating.

"Would that be possible?"

"Of course. With the courage you found when you faced your pain, just take it one step at a time."

The two smiled silently at each other.

"Still, I wish Lord Geron's health issues could be resolved soon."

"Sigh. I know."

"I heard he fell particularly ill this time. Do you have any idea what might have caused it? Any changes in his environment compared to usual?"

Since the main symptom was stomach pain, food was the most likely suspect.

"I'm not sure. The chef is the same. And I usually share the meals Lord Geron eats."

"Are you fine, Madam Joanna?"

"Yes."

"Then could it be some kind of allergy?"

"I've considered that too, but there are no allergic reactions like rashes. Most of the food is the same as before, and I've even been avoiding ingredients that might cause allergies just in case."

At Joanna's explanation, Janet narrowed her brow.

'That seems like pretty thorough management.'

Even to her, there didn't seem to be any major issues.

So perhaps food wasn't the answer?

Just as Janet was seriously deliberating with her arms crossed—

"I heard it was you who discovered the suspicious drugs in her Ladyship's tea. Is that true?"

"Huh? Ah, yes. That's right. I did find them, but……"

Oh, so the rumor had already reached Geron's villa.

Then again, it had been a major incident that even the Grand Duke himself had taken an interest in.

"But that was just a chance discovery, so……"

Janet's gaze turned to her left wrist.

'……Yes. I discovered it by chance.'

Because the 'Blessing' had reacted.

So perhaps the issues related to Geron's health could also be resolved 'by chance.'

Of course, she wasn't certain.

'Because I don't know when or where the Blessing will react, either.'

At Janet's peculiar expression, Joanna swallowed nervously.

She had a feeling that Janet might be able to solve this headache of a problem.

Opportunities must be seized when they come.

Grasp.

Holding Janet's hesitant hands with both of hers, Joanna pleaded earnestly.

"Please—won't you help me? I beg you, handmaiden!"

---

"So, you want to go help that little one?"

"Yes, my Lady."

At Janet's answer, Julietta's eyes narrowed.

Catching her displeased mood, Janet quickly added.

"Of course, I've arranged to visit after work hours. You're still my top priority."

"……Top priority? Hmph, that goes without saying."

Muttering primly, Julietta raised her chin and asked.

"What about your studies?"

"Ah, actually, I've arranged to receive help from Madam Joanna regarding that."

"Help from Joanna?"

Janet explained Joanna's background to Julietta.

That she had been a professor at the Academy, and after retiring early, she'd worked as a private tutor.

And that every student she taught had passed the Academy entrance exam.

"She's agreed to help me study in her spare time."

"Ah, is that so?"

"Yes."

It was a bit disappointing to think she'd have less time to study with Theo, but……

'Hm? Why am I disappointed?'

……Why, indeed. When time spent studying with a close friend disappears, it's only natural to feel regret.

At the sudden question that popped into her head, Janet quickly supplied an answer to herself.

Regaining her composure, Janet added.

"And she's also offered to write me a letter of recommendation for the Academy."

"She's writing you a recommendation letter?"

"Yes."

"……Hm. That's not bad."

A recommendation letter from a former Academy professor would carry considerable weight.

In fact, though she hadn't told Janet, for a special admissions candidate, the recommendation letter was just as important as the exam scores.

"Fine. I'll allow it. But don't go after work—go during working hours."

"But……"

Janet's gaze flicked toward Julietta's teacup.

Because of the shock of having her tea drugged, Julietta had struggled to eat for a while.

She could now eat fairly comfortably, but Janet remained worried.

Since Janet started preparing for the exam, she'd brought in Sandy and Mary to assist, but preparing tea and meals was still Janet's responsibility.

"I can just go after work—"

"Enough. I told you before—I really want you to pass the exam. Or do you not want to attend the Academy with me?"

"……Of course not."

At the forceful refusal, Janet answered timidly.

"Good. So just go during work hours, and use the rest of your time for work. As you know, there's not much time left until the exam."

Struck at the heart of the matter, Janet hesitated for a moment.

Then slowly nodded.

"I'll do as you say. Thank you, my Lady."

"No need for thanks. More importantly—"

Hesitating briefly, Julietta turned her head away and spoke.

"Since you're going anyway, do something about that little one. I don't like seeing him so frail."

At the warm words, spoken as if tsk-tsking, Janet smiled faintly.

---

"Listen carefully, you two."

At Janet's serious tone, Sandy and Mary answered with heightened attention.

"Yes, handmaiden."

"Y-yes!"

"You both know that you owe a debt to her Ladyship, right?"

"Of course."

"Ah, I know."

Though it was because of Nova's coercion, Sandy did have a history of attempting to drug Julietta's tea.

Fortunately, her conscience had stopped her from going through with it.

But the very fact that she'd harbored such intentions was a sin.

It was a debt of conscience.

Mary, who had learned the truth late, shared Sandy's debt of conscience.

"Even when I'm not here, you must serve her Ladyship with all your might. Understood?"

"Yes. We'll do our best!"

"I'll, I'll keep that in mind……!"

In the eyes of the two as they looked at Janet was boundless loyalty.

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