The Black-haired Noblewoman, Who Disguised Herself, Seems To Have Been Doted On While Serving As The Caretaker For The Duke Who Dislikes Women - Episode 29

No matter how you looked at her, she was a noble lady. Judging by her demeanor and aura, she was probably from a very good family. Even the steward was treating her with great respect.

“We are deeply honored by your visit, Lady Bracey. However, my master is currently attending to matters at the palace today and will not return until the evening.”

───Lady Bracey…

At the familiar name, my heart skipped a beat. I had heard it many times from their mouths.

Unable to walk past the noble guest without stopping, I followed Amanda’s example, halted my steps, lined up behind the steward, and straightened my posture.

She… Lady Bracey, the Marquis’s daughter, glared at the steward with a very displeased expression, then spoke in a low voice while covering her mouth with a fan.

“I’ve sent you a letter. It’s been weeks since I received a reply. Don’t you think it’s natural to worry that something might have happened? No matter how much of a duke you are, you wouldn’t just ignore a letter from the daughter of the Bracey Marquis family, would you?”

That tone was very sarcastic and, to the point of being chillingly resentful, I secretly shuddered. However, the steward showed no signs of agitation and continued to apologize in a calm tone.

“I sincerely apologize for the worry we have caused you, Lady Bracey. As soon as the master returns, I will confirm it immediately. These past few weeks have been quite busy, and I believe the master has been preoccupied and hasn’t had the time to respond.”

Listening to the polite words of the elderly housekeeper, I stiffened in shock. A few weeks… That’s right, the Duke of Harrington… Since he injured his dominant arm, he couldn’t write a reply to Lady Bracey. That’s why she is so angry…

Perhaps, because of me, I might still be causing trouble to various other people…

Let’s check when my husband returns. And if there’s anything I can do, I should help more actively…

As I was mulling over such thoughts, it seemed that the Marquis Bracey’s daughter had given up. Just as she turned on her heel and headed towards the front door.

The young lady, who had glanced at us standing behind the steward, stopped her gaze in front of me.

In her bright red, fierce eyes, my heart leaps painfully. Then, for some reason, the young lady brushed aside the steward with her hand and came right in front of me. She’s tall.

And.

With a loud snap, she closed the fan and, to my surprise, placed it under my chin, forcing my face upward. I was so astonished that I momentarily held my breath.

The Marquis Bracey’s daughter raised an eyebrow and, with a suspicious look, slowly moved beside me. Then, she removed the closed fan from my chin, lifted my side hair with it, observed for a while, and then flicked the fan as if to brush away something dirty. What on earth is going on? My heart kept pounding loudly.

“Who are you? Since when have you been working here? I’ve never seen you before.”

“Yes. Um, I was hired last month and have been working as a maid in this mansion.”

I got a bit flustered by the low, interrogative voice, but somehow managed to answer like that. I can feel Amanda’s worried gaze from next to me.

When Lady Bracey heard my response, she silently moved behind me. I felt her sharp gaze scrutinizing me from top to bottom, and I broke out in a strange sweat.

The young lady returned to my presence, suddenly opened her fan, and covered her mouth. Then, she showed only her gaze towards me and asked in a resentful tone.

“Whose house is this?”

“I am a commoner.”

“Hiring another unknown commoner’s daughter again…? Lord Lloyd, this is quite troublesome. It even affects the dignity of the Harrington Duke family. Have you forgotten my advice?”

“How did you end up here in the first place? I don’t recall having any maid recruitment or anything like that.”

“I was from another domain, but I had no relatives and was living a hard life. The other day, due to certain circumstances, I ended up taking care of the master…”

“What was the specific trigger? Answer clearly without evasion.”

I was slightly intimidated by her harsh commanding tone, but at the same time, a feeling akin to anger welled up from the depths of my stomach. Why do I have to be interrogated like this by a daughter of another family I’ve just met?

…but well, I guess it can’t be helped. I don’t know how close this person is to my husband, but it’s probably out of concern for him. They might be suspecting that some unknown girl has infiltrated the mansion to seduce him…

If this person’s overly strong tone is for the sake of my husband, then I have no choice but to explain the situation and get them to understand. With that thought in mind, I briefly explained the circumstances of when I met my husband.

“One day last month, while I was walking in that forest near the Harington estate, I became so weak from hunger that I collapsed. By chance, the gentleman who happened to pass by helped me and took care of me for a while in this mansion. I wanted to repay the favor of saving my life, so I offered to help, and thus I was hired as a maid…”

“What do you mean? There’s no way such a convenient story exists!”

The Marquis Bracey’s daughter interrupted my words and said loudly, “No way!” I instinctively denied it.

“N-No, it’s true. I…”

“Then why were you wandering around in the forest? It’s strange, isn’t it? To step into a forest where dangerous beasts lurk all alone. And then, by coincidence, Lord Lloyd happened to come by and saved you just as you collapsed… really? Hmph, ridiculous.”

After she spat that out, she closed the fan again, grabbed my chin forcefully, and brought her face closer to mine.

“You… you have feelings for Lord Lloyd, don’t you? Even a commoner with no family can use their somewhat decent looks to get close to him, and if all goes well, even aim for the position of Duchess… are you not plotting something like that?”