Chapter 21

“Y-You can’t do this. What will other people say…?”

“Are you worried about Lord Varkan’s honor?”

At Hasen’s question, the maids hurriedly nodded.

“Y-Yes! Of course!”

“It’s fine. Just as Miss Diena said, Lord Varkan truly doesn’t care about honor at all. You can simply pack your things and leave the ducal house.”

Hasen answered with a calm expression.

Diena added on from the side.

“You heard him, right? And when you go back to the family that sent you here, spread the word that Lord Varkan fired you. It’d be even better if you mention he didn’t even write you a letter of recommendation. You can also tell them he looks like he’ll keep firing servants whenever they get on his nerves.”

At those words, Hasen looked at Diena in admiration.

‘She’s deliberately spreading rumors to warn the vassal families not to waste their efforts sending more servants here.’

She clearly didn’t care about Varkan’s honor at all when it came to achieving her goal.

In that regard, she was surprisingly similar to him.

‘I thought she was just greedy after taking so much money… but she’s actually quite capable when it comes to achieving her objectives by any means necessary.’

Thinking that, a faint smile formed on his lips.

* * *

Hasen worked quickly.

The maids packed their belongings and were thrown out of the estate in no time.

Watching their indignant backs as they left, Diena let out a deep sigh.

This kind of contempt would probably continue until Bianca awakened her ability.

Even if the servants were disciplined, they weren’t the only problem.

‘The vassals are still here.’

Fortunately, Bianca’s condition was gradually improving as they spent time together.

At this rate, her awakening would only be a matter of time.

Even so, Diena couldn’t relax.

One day, the darkness inside Bianca’s body would go berserk.

That was both the side effect of Darkness Corruption and the only way to break free from it.

‘I need to help Lady Bianca when that happens.’

If they could just get through that moment…

‘She’ll probably awaken her ability around the time we attend the Winter Banquet.’

Lost in thought, Diena suddenly raised her head in surprise.

She had assumed Hasen had already gone on his way, but he was still looking at her.

“Mr. Hasen? Aren’t you going back to Lord Varkan?”

“No. Lord Varkan needs to learn how to spend time alone once in a while. So where are you heading now, Miss Diena?”

“I’m going to see Lady Bianca.”

“Then let’s go together. I have something I need to report to Lady Bianca as well.”

“Hm? Alright.”

The two began walking down the corridor together.

After a while, Hasen suddenly spoke.

“I noticed on your employment contract that today is your birthday.”

“Ah, right. I guess the date already came around.”

Diena flinched in surprise.

Even while writing her birthday on the employment contract, she hadn’t paid any attention to it.

Back when she lived with the Kardian Mercenary Corps, everyone would start making a fuss days in advance about celebrating her birthday, even if she never mentioned it.

It was impossible to forget.

‘This year I didn’t even think about it. Time really flew by.’

She had been too busy.

And now there was no one left to celebrate it for her.

The reality of that suddenly hit her.

“Is there anything you’d like? House Kardian does its best to provide employee benefits.”

“No, not really. You feed me, pay me, and even bought me a ton of clothes. Enough that I probably won’t need to buy any for years. Why did you buy me so many?”

“It’s part of our ducal house benefits. And there’ll probably be plenty more benefits in the future.”

“…”

The moment she asked a question that had been bothering her, Hasen answered as though he had been waiting for it.

Of course, those benefits were specifically for Diena.

But Hasen didn’t bother mentioning that part.

When Diena fell silent, he continued in a serious tone.

“That’s why I hope you’ll stay here for a long time, Miss Diena.”

Hearing such sincere words unexpectedly made Diena feel embarrassed.

She could sense how grateful Hasen was for helping his master.

Even in her previous life, he had always acted playful, but when it mattered, he was dependable and serious.

After Varkan and Malakar, he had been the person she relied on most.

“…I think that’s probably what’ll happen. Even if Lord Varkan tries to kick me out, I don’t plan on leaving quietly.”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

Though she smiled, Diena suddenly felt irritated.

Had the maids who treated Bianca badly also enjoyed all these benefits?

‘They received all this and still worked like that.’

She planned to enjoy those benefits too.

Unlike them, however, she intended to earn every bit of it.

Chatting about various things with Hasen, they eventually arrived in front of Bianca’s room.

“Lady Bianca, it’s Hasen.”

“Come in.”

As they entered, Bianca raised one eyebrow.

“You two came together?”

“Yes. I have something important to report.”

“I’ll hear the report after I’ve spoken with Diena.”

Bianca stared at Diena, who was standing behind Hasen, before hesitantly speaking.

“You… aren’t hurt anywhere, are you?”

“No. Thank you, Lady Bianca. Mr. Hasen told me. You’re the one who called Lord Varkan, right?”

“I-It’s not like I did it because I was worried about you.”

“Yes. Even so, thank you.”

Diena answered immediately.

Oddly enough, Bianca was the one who became flustered.

She hurriedly continued.

“No, why are you accepting that so easily? It’s not like I wasn’t thinking about you at all. It’s because you’re not a bad person.”

“…”

“And every time I see you, I feel strangely happy. My body seems to be getting better too. And… I think what Matilda did to you happened because of me.”

After rambling on, Bianca finally fell silent.

A long moment passed.

Then she squeezed her eyes shut and gathered her courage.

“I’m sorry. And thank you.”

Diena thought for a moment before replying firmly.

“No. None of that was your fault, Lady Bianca. All you did was like me. So even if you’re grateful to me, you don’t need to feel sorry.”

Bianca’s eyes widened at Diena’s confident answer.

Ever since becoming a young lady of a ducal house, no one had ever spoken to her like that.

Yet, just as always when talking with Diena, she didn’t feel upset or offended.

This time, Bianca didn’t deny Diena’s claim that she liked her.

Instead, the tips of her ears turned red.

“R-Right. Then I’ll just be grateful.”

At that moment, Hasen stepped forward.

“That actually relates to the matter I came here to report.”

“What is it?”

“From now on, Miss Diena will serve as your Dedicated Maid.”

At those words, Bianca nearly brightened visibly.

But she quickly covered it up with a forced cough.

“Good. For once, my brother made the right decision.”

Bianca nodded as though it were only natural.

Hasen then held out a contract to her.