HGOS – Chapter 63

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“Madam, I was just about to talk to you about Miss Clara. I was planning to inform you later, but since you ask…”

“Yes, what is it? Has something happened?”

“I don’t know the details. Only that after leaving yesterday, she came back to the castle around midnight, stopped by the messenger’s post, and left a message. That she needs to take leave for about two weeks off.”

“Yes, I heard as much. Did she not give a reason?”

“That is the problem. Miss Clara has barely worked here for a week. No matter the reason, she is not in a position to take leave on a whim. Yet without giving a precise reason, and without coming to see me, the butler, she just left word at the messenger’s post and is taking time off as she pleases… Since coming to Greze, no, even when I worked at the Imperial Palace, I have never seen such a rude servant.”

Paul rattled the words off, unusually agitated. For the always calm butler to show such agitation, he must be truly angry. Cassia nodded quietly and listened to Paul continue.

“I am angry at Miss Clara, yes, but I am also angry at myself. Do you know how much care I put into hiring those who would serve you and Master closely? I spoke with each one for over an hour!”

“Yes, yes, I know you did.”

“I had the highest expectations for Miss Clara because she seemed kind, cheerful, and diligent. Do you know how proud I was when I saw how much she pleased you, Madam?!”

“Clara was cheerful, diligent, I expected much of her. When I saw she pleased you, my lady, I was proud of my judgment!”

“Right, right.”

“I am angry that my judgment was wrong, and I am also sorry to you, Madam… I wonder if she would have acted so willfully if this were a larger territory or a powerful castle, and it feels truly disrespectful. I didn’t mean to say this much, but in any case, although I was too busy to handle it this morning, Madam…”

“Mm.”

“I know you have taken quite a liking to Miss Clara, but I think we should dismiss her quickly. There is no guarantee that someone who has acted irresponsibly once won’t do it twice.”

“I see, so that is your thought, Paul.”

“Of course, if you insist otherwise, I will obey, but I urge you think about it objectively. It feels even more disrespectful because I wonder if she acted so recklessly because you favor her…”

Cassia sighed inwardly as she watched Paul huffing and puffing.

“Paul, here is what I think.”

Cassia calmly organized what she wanted to say in her mind. One must be extremely cautious when dealing with subordinates. She knew Clara better than anyone and knew she wasn’t someone to act willfully without reason, but Paul had only worked with her for barely a week. She had to consider his feelings as well.

“You are the finest butler I’ve ever met. I have never seen anyone so dedicated and hardworking. I also know you take pride and confidence in your work. So of course, you must feel bewildered, thinking that you misjudged someone. Your pride might have been hurt thinking you unknowingly hired a rude and willful person.”

Paul silently listened to Cassia’s calm words.

“But you see, more than your pride, I trust your judgment. If you chose Clara, would she truly take leave without cause?”

“I don’t know, if she had at least given a reason…”

“It could be a reason she couldn’t mention. I’m not saying this to defend her because I favor her. Even if it were any other servant, before considering it disrespectful, I would have wondered what their circumstances were.”

“Still…”

“Paul, one must be careful when dealing with people you’re in charge of. While maintaining discipline is important, I think trust and consideration between both sides is essential. Isn’t it true that one will only serve you well with trust only if you understand and consider them first?”

Paul swallowed a groan. Not because he thought Cassia was wrong but rather because she had the most perfect mindset for a master overseeing servants. He knew this well from his experience working in the Imperial Palace. The masters in the Imperial Palace all had different personalities. There were royals who treated servants carelessly like mere slaves, and there were those who didn’t. When gathering servants and listening to them, the difference in loyalty was evident. Of course, Paul himself felt motivated to serve wholeheartedly when serving a superior like his current mistress.

“And remember, Greze is a much smaller territory than others. The number of servants employed in the castle can be counted on one hand. I don’t think that fact is particularly bad. There are advantages and disadvantages. For instance, I can remember the names of each and every one of you working hard in this castle. If there were hundreds of servants, I wouldn’t have even dared.”

Paul stared blankly at Cassia, who was smiling gently.

“You don’t know how grateful I am that we can live like a family. In Ruberno, such bonds were rare. Here, even the smallest personal circumstance of the servants and the residents can reach my ears, and I can care for them. So I want to be think a little generously. And I want to trust in your judgment, Paul, which thought Clara was a decent person.”

“…Madam.”

“So Paul, just as I don’t consider you all as mere hired hands, I hope you will also look after the subordinates you manage with the same care.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

Paul realized he had been angrier than the situation deserved. In truth, much of his anger came because Cassia had taken a liking to Clara. So he had been fuming for the first time in a while at Clara’s reckless behavior. But that was brief.

Listening to Cassia’s kind and calm words, he felt ashamed, wondering if he had been overly agitated.

Cassia pressed on.

“If she didn’t state the reason for taking leave, there must be some circumstance. What did they say at the messenger’s post?”

“Courier Sven was furious as well. Apparently, she came wrapped in a thick cloak, covering her face completely, and didn’t answer when asked for a reason. He said she rudely avoided eye contact, just asked him to pass on the message, said what she had to say, and left…”

Cassia’s eyes narrowed.

‘It seems it really is a situation similar to back then.’

Cassia ground her teeth inwardly.

The fact that Clara didn’t show her face bothered her. Although it wasn’t the same time, it was like this in her past life too. Clara, who suddenly couldn’t come to work, had been beaten so badly by her husband that she couldn’t rise.

Cassia felt anxious, wondering if it was the same situation now.

“Paul, are you very busy?”

He seemed to understand the intent behind Cassia’s worried question. Paul organized the documents scattered on the table and shook his head.

“Shall I look into what happened?”

“Yes, I would be grateful if you did.”

“Yes, Madam. After the staff depart today, I will visit Miss Clara’s residence.”

“You have my thanks. If you meet Clara, please give her a message. Tell her not to worry too much whatever the circumstances, and to come to the castle tomorrow to have a chat with me.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Watching Cassia sigh in relief, Paul smiled inwardly. His inner thought was consistent.

Serving a mistress like Cassia was truly a great blessing.

***

In Bertol’s chambers, five people sat gathered, including Zester, Bertol, and members of the mercenary group ‘Jackal’ who had been together in the Imperial War.

Perhaps because they were all hulking men, the room looked stiflingly small. Gregory, a skilled mercenary from Jackal, was a relatively gentle and jovial man among the rough personalities.

As the army was reorganized, he officially became a soldier of Greze and was currently Zester’s adjutant. Gregory, with his bushy brown hair tied back carelessly, was leading the atmosphere with his amusing wit at the reunion with Count Axios after a long time.

The biggest topic was, of course, the story of getting into trouble while going to subdue barbarians in Viche. The story of the tearful Zester and Cassia skillfully handling him like soothing a child had been going on for twenty minutes already. While everyone was giggling and teasing the foolish Zester, Zester’s face looked very serious. Of course, the reason was Cassia.

『Don’t like me too much.』

If she didn’t want him to like her, then why… why was she so pretty that it was impossible not to fall for her? It wasn’t just about her face. And he wasn’t the only one. Aside from Zester himself, there was all the servants in the castle, the once-hostile barbarians, the people of Greze, the young Viscount Drian of Havelyn, Count Bertol of Axios who seemed to have come to Greze because of Cassia, and furthermore…

“Count, did you know? I got my first pay the other day and goodness, I nearly cried. I took my wife and kids out to eat and I don’t know how much praise I received. I was thanking Paul profusely, but he said the thanks belonged to the lady!”

Gregory gave a thumbs up with a moved expression. Right, and even his comrades, the mercenaries from Jackal. The conversation was naturally leading to praise for Cassia again.

“It seems the Baroness has shown some care to you all,” Bertol remarked smoothly.

“Oh, of course. I feel like I might cry again if I start talking about it…”

As Bertol crossed one leg over the other with an interested look, Gregory playfully pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger, as if to keep tears back.

“Leader, honestly, I felt a little burdened. I didn’t expect her to take care of us that much.”

Pedro, the most taciturn among them, scratched his cheek and added toward Zester.

“Hey, hey. Were you there when the Lady and Paul saw us off before we went home that day?”

At Gregory’s question, Pedro nodded. This was news to Zester.

“My wife came separately?”

“Yeah, Leader. Was it the day after we got our salary? She came running out in a hurry just to catch us.”

“W-What did she say?”

“I made up my mind then.”

Gregory placed his hand on his chest with shining eyes. Zester and Bertol stared at him, both of them looking intrigued.

“I realized, ah, I must have lived until now so I could devote my body and soul to work hard for this person.”

 

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