Home/The villainess's personal maid is very good at her job/ch 125

Episode 125

Hmm, is that so.

On reflection, he didn't necessarily have to connect Janet with Oscar.

What the Grand Duke coveted was making Janet a part of Ludwig.

If there was someone closer than Oscar, it would be better to connect her with that person.

But then the Grand Duke tilted his head.

"However, when did the Ortega lady and Kendrick become close? Wasn't Kendrick in seclusion all this time?"

Hadn't he been blessed with a long blessing like himself, earned the title of 'youngest hero' in war, yet pathetically shut himself in his room?

He knew Kendrick had only left his room for the recent hunting party.

"I introduced them at the hunting party. She's my handmaiden and my twin, after all. I thought it would be good if they got along—and their personalities clicked, so they became close quickly."

Julietta answered as if making an excuse, then added with a smile like Rosina's.

"They've met a few times since then, and now they're practically best friends."

"Really? I see."

The Grand Duke nodded vaguely.

Young people quickly growing close was a common occurrence.

Oscar and Rosina watched the scene with intrigued eyes.

Noticing the subtle smiles from his two siblings, Julietta sighed inwardly.

'Kendrick, you'd better be good to me.'

She was worried that the fool still hadn't realized his own feelings.

---

Chapter. Realization of the Heart

"My granddaughter, is there anything you want?"

"Something I want?"

"Yes. I want to give you something to make up for all the time we were apart."

At her grandmother's affectionate question, Janet smiled awkwardly.

'Something I want.'

To be honest, nothing came to mind.

Janet had never been particularly materialistic. Before, all she'd wanted was the right to be independent. Now that she'd found her family and most of her memories, there was nothing she particularly desired.

"I'll be happy with anything you give me, Grandmother."

"Oh my! Our adorable little puppy. How can you be so sweet?"

Schulay, beaming, hugged her precious granddaughter tightly.

She felt both anger and sadness that she was only now meeting this kind and lovely granddaughter.

"So, you're leaving soon?"

"Yes. I think I should. I need to return to the Academy soon."

"Oh dear. I can't keep you here just because I'll miss you."

As she sighed wistfully, the Earl of Hersion quietly approached.

"We'll be seeing each other from now on—why be so sad?"

"It's not the same! I want to keep our precious granddaughter by my side! What if she suddenly gets married……!"

Schulay, who had been about to say more, paused.

As if she'd made a big mistake, she frowned and quickly shook her head.

"No, no! Granny misspoke. Talk of marriage for a child like this."

"Pardon? I'm hardly a child……"

"Indeed, my dear. Our granddaughter is at least ten years too young for marriage—why bring it up now? That won't do."

"Yes, you're right. Our baby is too young for marriage—ten…… no, twenty years too early."

The perfectly in-sync couple nodded at each other.

"Our Janet, you don't need to get married. The idea that a woman must marry is outdated!"

"Yes. Later, Grandpa will leave you the Hersion Earldom, so just stay with us and become the Countess of Hersion. Got it, Janet?"

At the flood of affectionate pressure, Janet let out a dry laugh.

'Marriage, huh……'

To be honest, the topic had come up so suddenly that it didn't really register.

For other noble daughters, it wouldn't be strange to have a fiancé at this age, but Janet had only just found her real family.

And with her past-life memories intact, the reality of this world—where marriage was discussed at eighteen—felt even more distant.

More than anything——

"Don't worry. I'm not thinking about marriage anytime soon."

To be precise, she not only wasn't thinking about marriage—she didn't even have anyone to consider marrying.

Now that she was a noble, her parents might suggest an arranged marriage, but——

'I don't think my parents would do that.'

Their relationship was so good, and she'd once heard her father tell Richard, "Don't consider what benefits the family—just marry someone you love."

……Someone you love.

Chewing on the unfamiliar word, someone's face began to rise in Janet's mind.

A pale face with sculpted features.

A playful smirk, sparkling golden eyes, and dazzling silver hair.

"……Hm?"

Wait.

Why had Kendrick's face just come to mind? Why?

As Janet was deeply pondering the reason, the Earl and Countess Hersion spoke again.

"Marriage is ten years too early, Janet!"

"Stay with Granny and Grandpa forever, okay?"

---

"I pray in the name of Lord Dake."

Having finished his prayer on his knees, César traced a sign of the cross over his chest and rose.

He was still staying at the Hersion estate.

He knew it wasn't proper to impose for so long, but he couldn't easily leave.

'Janet Ortega.'

The moment he thought of her sacred face, César's cheeks flushed.

He had originally been an orphan.

Around age ten, he'd manifested strong divine power during the blessing prayer and became the youngest priest.

Since then, he'd been called the priest closest to Dake's voice and had risen to the rank of cardinal at a young age.

Honestly, the life of a priest who bore everyone's expectations wasn't easy.

A child of barely ten found the expectations of those around him overwhelming.

But he couldn't quit being a priest.

He respected Dake, but he also didn't want to return to the lonely orphanage days, shunned by people.

The one who had brought him great comfort was Veronia.

A person beloved by Lord Dake.

A hero who feared no sacrifice and stood at the front lines to protect the Empire.

A beautiful, strong, and sacred figure.

To him, Veronia was one of his most respected figures and a guiding light in his life.

'That's why my heart raced when I heard the rumors about Ortega.'

Rumors of the oracle that a child carrying Veronia's fate might be born into the Ortega family.

César had prayed with all his heart that such a person would be born in his generation.

And that wish had come true.

The moment he saw Janet Ortega, his heart raced.

Because her appearance was strikingly similar to the few portraits of Veronia that existed.

And sure enough——

It was revealed that she truly was the child from the Ortega oracle.

'I wish she would come to the Temple with me.'

César found himself coveting her.

At the hunting party, and now during this epidemic—

She had brilliantly resolved the dangers facing the Empire.

And that wasn't all.

She'd even donated part of the money she'd earned from selling Velfia tea leaves during the epidemic to the Temple, saying to use it for the sick.

Janet was a kind and strong person.

He could understand why she was the one who carried Veronia's fate.

Pressing his fluttering heart, César left the prayer room.

'If she says no, I won't force her.'

Still, he wanted to ask her just once.

To come to the Temple with him and become a saint.

With that resolve, César headed toward Janet's room—

"Where are you going, Cardinal?"

At the low voice from behind, César stopped and turned.

"Kendrick Ludwig?"

Kendrick, whose name was called, shrugged lightly.

Then——

"So, were you heading to Janet's room just now?"

At the sharp tone in his voice, César blinked.

Back   Next