The Reincarnated Noble Lady is the Infamous Viscount's Heir - I've Accepted a Contract Marriage for Estate Management. - Chapter 1.20

“I mentioned in the engagement documents that I plan to send a few staff members to your household soon.”

As I sat in the carriage with Lord Rockwell, heading from Ada’s estate to the Wilcox townhouse, his words made me pause and think.

The Wilcox household didn’t have many servants, and I’d already been considering hiring more. Now that Jessica had made her social debut, and with her upcoming marriage, there would likely be an increase in invitations for the new Viscount and Viscountess of Wilcox to attend soirées and parties. It might also be a good idea to discuss this with Percival.

“The most important one would be a personal maid to attend to you,” Vincent continued.

A personal maid? Not just a housemaid? And… wait, did he just call me by my first name without any honorifics?

Oh, right. We’re engaged now. That’s probably why.

His casual tone made my heart race, and I felt like my ability to process his words had dropped significantly. I just hoped my face wasn’t betraying how flustered I felt.

“Your elder sister is married to the head of the Russells trading house—one of the wealthiest in the kingdom. She has a personal maid to match her position. Your second sister, Abigail, has her own title and estate, with staff to manage them. You’ll need the same, Grace.”

He was proposing to add staff to the Wilcox household and assign me a personal maid. Not a housemaid to handle cleaning or cooking, but someone who would assist me directly. Was this what I should expect as the future Countess of Rockwell?

It felt surreal. I remembered how amazed I’d been when my sister Patricia married into the Russells family and gained access to resources we could never afford. I never imagined I’d be treated in a similar way.

“Thank you, Lord Rockwell,” I said, trying to keep my composure.

“We’re engaged now. Call me Vincent. So, what kind of personality would you like your maid to have?”

“To be honest, I’m not very familiar with the customs of high-ranking nobility, so someone knowledgeable in that area would be ideal,” I replied.

“And?”

“Someone I could get along with, if possible…” I added hesitantly.

Considering how many young noblewomen admired Lord Rockwell, I wouldn’t be surprised if any maid he hired might harbor some of those same feelings. It wasn’t hard to imagine them resenting me—the woman who suddenly appeared, danced with him at a ball, and got engaged. They might think, How unfair! I hate her!

Even if friendship wasn’t possible, I hoped for someone who would at least do their job properly.

“That might be difficult,” he said with a soft chuckle.

I had to agree. With my aloof demeanor, it wasn’t uncommon for people to think I was cold and unapproachable. I’d already accepted the likelihood of being disliked. Most things I could manage on my own, so as long as the maid worked professionally, there wouldn’t be a problem.

At least, that’s what I thought until his next remark completely threw me off.

“My fiancée wants to get along with her maid before she gets along with me? And you’re asking me to introduce someone like that to you?”

His warm, gentle gaze made my breath catch.

Wait. Hold on. Was that teasing? And… did he just use “I” in such an informal way?

I’d always assumed he used more formal language because he was a nobleman. But this must be how he speaks naturally—perhaps because of his military background. Was he being this casual because he felt comfortable with me?

The difference in our experience levels felt overwhelming.

If I liked someone as charming as Vincent, wouldn’t I want to show them my best side? Letting someone see your flaws or vulnerabilities was terrifying—it risked being rejected. Yet, Vincent seemed to do it naturally, without hesitation or fear.

“Grace?” he said, breaking the silence.

His voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I realized… this was the first time I’d ever been alone with a man in a moving carriage. Not just in this life, but my previous one too. (Let’s not count taxi rides, please!)

I felt my nerves rising. Quick, think of something to talk about!

When Vincent had proposed to me, Abigail was present, and I had treated the situation like a business negotiation. But now, sitting with him alone, his charm felt overwhelming.

I had never been treated like this in my life. I just hoped my face wasn’t betraying how flustered I felt.

“By the way,” Vincent said, breaking the silence again, “there’s an upcoming ball hosted by a ducal family. I’d like you to attend as my partner. It will also be an opportunity to introduce you as my fiancée. I’ve already arranged for the Russells to prepare your dress and accessories. Do you mind if we make a quick stop there?”

Hearing his words made me realize it would be a good idea to hire a personal maid for the Wilcox household. My thoughts quickly shifted to practical matters.

The Wilcox household could afford to hire at least one more servant. During the last ball, our housekeeper Martha had been overwhelmed, and Patricia’s maids had been a huge help. Though we operated with a small but efficient staff, it was time to expand. With Jessica stepping into her role as Viscountess soon, she would need to attend balls and tea parties as part of her social duties. It made sense to hire someone permanently rather than rely on borrowing help.

“You’re quite fascinating, Grace,” Vincent suddenly said, pulling me back to reality.

“Excuse me?”

“You were flustered just a moment ago, but now you’re already thinking about something else. They call you the ‘stoic viscountess,’ but I can see through that.”

Wait… was my face betraying my thoughts? I instinctively covered my face with my hands.

“Don’t worry. Your expression hasn’t changed. I think only your sisters and I know you well enough to tell what you’re feeling.”

Really? I slowly lowered my hands but couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes.

“I suppose being the head of a viscount family makes me less expressive than most noblewomen,” I admitted. “I’ve heard that men are drawn to women who smile and show their emotions more freely.”

I glanced at my reflection in the carriage window. I liked this face, so much more attractive than the one I had in my past life. But I also knew it could seem haughty and cold, and I was well aware of how that affected my reputation.

“I suppose I lack charm,” I said softly.

“Lack charm? Grace, you’re adorable,” Vincent said without hesitation.

Was he just being polite? After all, this was the same man who could say things like, ‘I may be a knight, but I want to be your prince.’

“When my engagement was broken off, my fiancé called me ‘ungracious,’” I admitted.

Vincent’s eyes widened slightly.

“I see. The timing and the fact that it came from your fiancé—it must have felt like a curse,” he said thoughtfully.

A curse… that’s exactly how it felt.

“The smile of the woman you love is worth more than gold,” Vincent said, smiling softly. “I’ll just have to work hard to break the curse, won’t I?”

“Huh?”

“After all, I need to free the princess from her spell,” he added with a playful smile, resting his elbow on the carriage window as he looked at me.