Chapter 7
I turned my mind slowly.
In truth, it wasn’t strange for a survivor from Queen Island, appearing after four years, to be under national surveillance.
Hadn’t there been people tailing me after I refused to go to the refugee protection center?
But they hadn’t made any contact for a month, just watched from afar before vanishing abruptly.
To be precise, they stopped showing up after I arrived in Midwintree and had my interview at the labor office.
They must not have found anything suspicious about me—a beggar scrounging bread and money, quietly arriving in Midwintree to seek a job as a maid.
That much wasn’t a big problem.
‘But for a man who got hired at the same mansion to move next door, of all things.’
The timing fit together too perfectly to call it coincidence.
The more I thought about it, the more the latter seemed likely.
If Lu had followed me here, wouldn’t that be a bigger problem than targeting Viscount Weatherwoods?
‘No. It might even be solvable through personal communication.’
What mattered to me right now was holding onto this job at Weatherwoods Mansion.
As long as it wasn’t some reckless demand like “die again” or “let us run experiments on you because we’re curious about your resurrection,” I was fully willing to talk even with a suspicious character.
‘For now, I’ll cast the bait first.’
To prepare for a long conversation, I decided to write down the main point on a note.
He might use the Head Maid as an excuse to run like yesterday, so striking first would be better.
Right after the day’s work ended, I secretly called Lu to the back garden without the Head Maid knowing.
“I’m sorry, Miss Maid.”
But he showed up five minutes late and that was the first thing he said.
“I decline your confession. I’m not the type to pursue fateful love with a woman I’ve known for two days, nor am I some wastrel.”
I didn’t need to hear more.
Before Lu’s rather progressive flights of fancy could spread further, I thrust the note at him like I was discarding it.
The note read as follows.
『I find your actions suspicious. If you’ve been assigned to monitor me or if your goal is to scout the Weatherwoods family, be honest. I may be willing to cooperate depending on the circumstances.
Reasons you’re suspicious.
• Hired at Weatherwoods around the same time as me.
• Plenty of money, yet took a job as gardener and cook.
• Pay is half price, even. The employer is the poor Weatherwoods family.
• And right after getting hired, you move next door.
Conclusion. Lu’s identity is highly suspicious.』
Lu’s expression grew strange as he read it carefully line by line.
“You called me here just to give me this?”
“Yeah.”
Lu laughed with the look of someone who’d heard every inane joke in the book.
“Monitoring you… That’s an impressive level of self-importance.”
As if he hadn’t been the one talking about confessions just for calling him to the back garden. Who was talking about whom again?
“Yesterday you asked about me. Today you’re asking why I took this job. That’s the point of this note, right?”
“Exactly.”
“I think I’ve said it once before, but for our forgetful Miss Maid, I’ll answer again. It’s a hobby.”
“Don’t believe it.”
“Ah, I see. That’s a shame. But it’s not a hobby I took up to earn your trust.”
He turned to leave without regret, so I urgently spoke up.
“Why not come clean instead of running? I wasn’t thrilled about a shady guy like you sticking around this mansion anyway. If you can help, I’d even assist in kicking you out—so spill it. Is your target me? Or Viscount Weatherwoods?”
I nearly bit my tongue from talking so much.
I’d gone to the trouble of writing the note, but it was useless now. Facing him made me talk too much; it was deeply uncomfortable.
Lu, who had been silently listening, lowered his gaze and lightly shook the note in his hand.
“Hmm. I see… You find it that awkward, huh. Well, that’s none of my business. You’re that curious about why I ended up in this mansion?”
I nodded earnestly, my eyes shining with genuine interest.
“I’m curious.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Honestly?”
“Honestly.”
“……I.”
That was when it happened.
Dong, dong. The grandfather clock chimed, announcing 7 p.m. I stared at Lu with my neck stiff, ignoring it.
Lu smiled brightly at my face, then walked past me as if nothing had happened.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m clocking out.”
What?
“Punctual quitting time is basic etiquette for employees. It’s been a fulfilling day. Good night, Miss Maid.”
With a casual wave, Lu vanished from the back garden. And so I was left alone under the sunset as the day faded.
At first, I was so stunned I let out a hollow laugh. But thanks to that, my sluggish judgment finally picked up speed.
‘I wonder if that Assassin is still at Lu’s house.’
If he kept dodging answers like this, I’d have no choice but to act myself.
For now, I’d sneak into the house next door and search it thoroughly.
That night, after sunset past midnight.
Just like two days ago, I scaled the wall and crossed into the mansion next door.
Unlike then, however, all the windows on the first and second floors were tightly shut today, making it seem impossible to find a way in.
‘Should I climb the chimney?’
Around then, I heard footsteps from inside the mansion. The sounds headed precisely toward the back door leading to the kitchen, as if expecting a guest.
Had they noticed me despite my caution? As I hid behind the back door and held my breath, a familiar voice came from inside.
“As expected, it’s you.”
It was the voice of that Assassin who had threatened me.
The door opened, and the Assassin appeared before me, his face fully revealed. The moment I confirmed his appearance, I couldn’t say a word.
“No need to be surprised, maid.”
Why are you wearing a butler’s uniform?
“The master said you’d sneak in around this time, so I’ve been waiting.”
This brazen Assassin apparently hadn’t considered I’d be shocked by his outfit.
“The master said to relay this message if I saw you.”
How long had it been since I met Lu, and he was already calling himself the master?
“What message?”
“Instead of wasting time on wild goose chases, why not practice peeling potatoes?”
“……”
“That’s what he said.”
My teeth ground together, but I held back. Ever since meeting Lu, thinking of him always made my teeth grit, so holding back had become second nature.
“Are you two in cahoots?”
Had they been partners from the start?
At my question, the Assassin let out a disbelieving scoff.
“In cahoots? Have you already forgotten that she locked me in here? Just like the master said, you must have a bad memory.”
Don’t even tell the Assassin to make such trivial jokes.
“I’m staying here of my own will.”
Pointing at the Assassin’s neat butler attire, I replied.
“Your outfit doesn’t inspire trust.”
“I suppose not. But I’ve simply submitted. It’s only natural for the weak to bow to the strong. You wouldn’t understand, but the master is incredibly formidable and terrifying……”
Seeming to recall an unpleasant memory, the Assassin trailed off, his shoulders trembling with a stiff expression.
“……Anyway. This mansion has high-level magic on it. No one outside can see inside. While staying here, I’m free from the guild’s watch, so I plan to bide my time under the master for now and figure out a way to survive.”
Was there such magic on the mansion?
‘High-level magic, no less—and enough to instill fear in a seasoned Assassin. He’s no ordinary powerhouse.’
Good thing I hadn’t rushed into a physical confrontation.
Since returning to a woman’s body, I hadn’t picked up a sword again.
My original body had been unfamiliar enough; facing someone of Lu’s caliber in this unaccustomed one would be extremely dangerous.
“Your master.”
“Speak.”
“Is there a chance he’s the client who sent you after me?”
The Assassin let out a small sigh.
“I thought that at first too. But… it’s ambiguous. The master clearly has interest in the Weatherwoods family. Still, he doesn’t seem the type to hire the Assassination Guild just to monitor Viscount Weatherwoods.”
“……”
“I figure you’d understand what I mean. The master… is a bit unique.”
“Not unique.”
“Then?”
“Weird.”
A genuine smile tugged at the Assassin’s lips for the first time.
“You’re right. The master isn’t just suspicious—he’s downright strange. He didn’t even ask me anything beyond my name. ‘No interest’ fits better. I’m still in the scouting phase with the master myself. It’s all too murky to say for sure.”
Scouting, huh.
He didn’t seem to be lying to me either. I’d noticed his intense survival instinct ever since he lost his suicide pill, the <Merciful One Bite>.
He’d even begged me to save him.
So his reasons for staying in this mansion and probing the enigmatic Lu both made sense.
“Then let’s make a deal.”
“A deal?”
“Share the results of our investigations.”
The Assassin eyed my face closely with evident surprise, then answered a beat late.
“I already told you—the master predicted you’d sneak in here tonight. This conversation won’t be any different.”
“So, are you in or out?”
“……How?”
“Once a week. Same time, same place.”
“Got it.”
This was a pretty useful gain.
‘After work ends, I’ll find out what shady things Lu’s up to.’
Even if he found out about today, it wouldn’t matter.
Knowing I was watching him would keep him from acting recklessly.
Just as I turned to head back to Weatherwoods Mansion, satisfied with the outcome—
“Wait.”
The Assassin suddenly called me back.
“There’s one thing I want to ask.”
When I turned, he asked with the most serious expression he’d worn yet.
“Any tips for washing blankets?”
“……”
“It’s too tough doing it alone. Is there anything better than pressing down hard by hand?”
You’re a butler by title, yet you’re handling maid work too?
Feeling a pang of sympathy, I left the Assassin with a tip—not quite a tip—of “don’t press blankets down by hand; use your feet instead,” then returned to my room.
That night, sleep came easily.
