Who Brought the Head Maid Back? - Chapter 56

“Th-then what should I do?”

Overwhelmed by Amy’s spirit, Dwayne clasped his hands gently in front of his chest like a fanatic encountering a deity, his eyes sparkling. Seeing how easily he trusted people, Amy could almost understand why everyone loved to tease him.

‘Well, it’s not a crime to be such a satisfying target,’ Amy thought.

She spoke firmly.

“Sell me out.”

“Pardon?”

Dwayne stared blankly at Amy, his gaze sliding from the top of her head down to her toes. Then, he wore an ambiguous expression.

“I don’t think I’d get much for you?”

“Where exactly are you looking?”

When Amy glared as if to ask if he’d lost his mind, Dwayne flinched and lowered his eyes. Amy clicked her tongue and continued.

“If you sense even the slightest strange vibe, just say one thing: ‘I wonder if the Head Maid should know about this?’ That alone will shut down most things before they even start.”

“I wonder if… the Head Maid… should know about this…”

Dwayne repeated it several times as if memorizing a mantra, then nodded with a bright face. He pulled the corners of his mouth down into a pout and widened his eyes innocently.

“Head Maid, how can you like me this much?”

“I try to help you and you talk this kind of nonsense…”

“Pardon? What did you just say?”

“I said I hear a dog barking somewhere.”

Amy brushed her hands against her shoulders where she had touched Dwayne, as if wiping off something dirty. Then she stepped back, pointing an index finger at him for emphasis.

“Keep this in mind. The Head Maid does not overlook speculative behavior. Understood?”

“What’s speculative? What’s overlook?”

“It’s something Jack and Bradley are afraid of.”

“Wow, then maybe I should write that down and stick it on my forehead.”

“…”

Speechless, Amy stared at Dwayne for a moment and let out a groan. She shouldn’t have gotten involved from the start.

Amy shifted her gaze to the distant air and suddenly put on a surprised expression.

“Oh my, it looks like His Grace is looking for me!”

She grabbed her skirts and hurried away. Her movement was so fast it looked as if her survival depended on it. Knowing nothing, Dwayne waved cheerfully from behind.

“Goodbye, Head Maid! I’ll keep my wits about me so you don’t have to worry so much!”

“You’re saying things to me that you should be saying to your parents…”

Amy shuddered and quickened her pace even further.

When the sun set and it was time for the banquet, Amy went to Noah’s office. Noah gave her a bright smile the moment he saw her.

“You worked hard today too, Amy.”

“…You as well, Your Grace.”

Ah, I really can’t get used to this. Amy scratched her cheek awkwardly. Noah was occasionally unreservedly kind to his subordinates like this. He was especially so with Amy.

“But, I saw you earlier on my way out of the office for my lessons.”

Noah stood up and studied Amy closely.

“You were running quite fast. Did something happen?”

“Running? Me?”

Amy blinked in confusion, then fell into thought. She usually didn’t run unless it was an emergency, but she realized she had been running quite a bit today.

“Hmm, there was someone I didn’t recognize in the direction you were heading. He looked like a nobleman.”

Noah’s eyes narrowed slightly. Men around Amy’s age were always objects of vigilance for him. Especially if it was someone Amy would run toward so urgently.

“Ah, Viscount Burton.”

Amy’s face immediately turned sour. The corners of her mouth drooped into a frown.

“You’ve heard the news, right? The only child of Count Coleman, the ‘Viscount Burton’ who went on a ‘travel’ abroad while his father was at death’s door. He has arrived.”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, Noah recalled Melbourne saying something about it. He hadn’t paid much attention at the time. Softening his expression, Noah asked probingly.

“Amy, you seem to have some ill feelings toward him?”

“He must have gone to the Empire for his travels. He came back hearing some strange rumors and talked as if I’ve intentionally enchanted you to lead the Grand Duchy to ruin. Honestly.”

“That you enchanted me?”

Noah’s expression became peculiar, as if he had heard something very entertaining. Amy kicked a stray stone at her feet.

“I mean, does that even make sense? Apparently, I was abandoned by the Crown Prince and changed my route to you, Your Grace? And do you know what he said then? He said he’d be watching me. Let him watch all his life; see if there’s anything to see.”

Amy, forgetting Noah was right beside her, fumed to herself before belatedly coming to her senses.

“Uh, Your Grace. That is… I wasn’t trying to disrespectfully judge a guest…”

As she stuttered in embarrassment, Noah nodded with a serious face.

“Yes. I know what you mean.”

Then, he smiled as if telling her not to worry.

“Let’s go quickly. Our guest must be waiting.”

“Yes…”

Amy tilted her head as she looked at Noah’s smiling face. That expression felt strangely familiar. Where had she seen it before?

“I am Spencer Coleman. I apologize for being unable to attend your accession ceremony, Your Grace.”

Spencer acted politely in front of Noah. Not just in words, but his every movement overflowed with reverence and respect. Amy had expected this, but Joseph and Melbourne, who had worried there might be a scene, were secretly relieved.

Noah stared at Spencer for a moment before speaking slowly.

“Are you the son who left his elderly father on his sickbed to go traveling?”

“!”

The smile vanished from Spencer’s face instantly. His eyes shook violently and darted toward Amy. Amy, who had gasped in surprise at Noah’s words, belatedly met Spencer’s gaze.

‘You must have whispered this kind of nonsense into His Grace’s ear!’

His eyes were practically shouting, even if his mouth remained shut. Amy was flabbergasted.

Noah raised an eyebrow.

“I’m the one who spoke, so why are you glaring at my Head Maid?”

“Ah, it’s not that. Hmph. Your Grace, I don’t know what you’ve heard about me, but it is a misunderstanding.”

“It’s what I heard myself when I personally visited the Coleman County.”

“Pardon?”

Spencer had come directly to the Grand Duchy from the Empire without stopping at his family home in the Coleman County. Therefore, he didn’t know the specific details.

“That is…”

“Our Head Maid even delivered a donation wishing for the Count’s recovery, yet as his son, you seem to know nothing.”

“!”

Spencer, who needed to be recognized as the heir by the Grand Duke, bit his lip in silence. Seeing the Grand Duke already completely charmed by this witch-like Head Maid, his future looked bleak.

Then Noah spoke.

“Setting that aside, what happened with the timber contract?”

“Ah, I have brought a newly drafted contract. Since Count Coleman has stepped back from the front lines, I processed it with my seal.”

Grateful for the change in topic, Spencer’s face brightened. Looking at his face, Noah marveled.

“You seem quite satisfied that your father has stepped back.”

“…”

Noah passed the speechless Spencer and sat at the head of the table. After taking a deep breath, Spencer quietly sat beside him.

“…”

Amy bit her lip to keep from laughing. Noah was usually indifferent to people he met for the first time, but he was never rude. Even so, acting like this was clearly an attempt to pay Spencer back for insulting Amy.

‘Right? It’s not just my imagination?’

The moment Amy lifted her gaze from the floor, she met Noah’s eyes. Noah slightly curled one side of his lip and gave her a quick wink.

“Pfft.”

Amy accidentally let out a puff of air. Mrs. Weaver, who was beside her, whispered in surprise.

“Head Maid?”

“No, I just choked on my breath…”

Then she locked eyes with Spencer, who was staring right at her. He must have witnessed the exchange between the Grand Duke and Amy, as his face was crumpled in a glare.

‘…I’ve definitely been pegged as a witch again.’

Though the taste was bitter, she felt good nonetheless.

The first meeting between the heir of the Coleman County, the largest territory in the North, and the Grand Duke who ruled over him, began on such strained terms.

“We have decided to ship all the timber currently in stock. Since the weather has cleared, we can start the construction immediately.”

As the ice melted and the river levels rose, the repair of the bridges became urgent. They had to be rebuilt or reinforced before the heavy rains of summer, and the Black Moon wood from the Coleman County, which was strong and water-resistant, was perfect for the job.

Spencer struggled desperately to earn the trust of the Grand Duke—trust he had lost, or rather, never had to begin with. Regardless, Noah kept a firm line between them. Every time Spencer felt that wall, he grew desperate.

Amy, sitting opposite Spencer with Noah in the middle, thought while chewing her food.

‘Why is he trying so hard to get on the Grand Duke’s good side?’

Of course, as the heir, he needed to be in his good graces to have his title as Viscount Burton approved. But there was something excessive about his behavior that suggested it wasn’t just about that. Just then, Joseph, who was sitting next to her, tilted his head and whispered.

“Head Maid, I spoke briefly with Viscount Burton’s aide earlier…”

“Oh, and?”

Amy’s ears perked up. Joseph lowered his voice significantly so as not to be heard by Spencer, who was two seats away.

“Well, it seems Viscount Burton fell completely in love with His Grace after hearing the speech he gave at the banquet.”

“…So, he admires our Grace?”

“Yes. He’s doing everything he can because he wants to be by his side. I apologize. I mean to say he is eager to become a close acquaintance.”

“Hmm…”

Amy stared at Spencer.

‘Our Grace was quite cool back then. He really stuck it to the nobles who ignored him for being young.’

Feeling a sense of pride for no reason, Amy murmured under her breath.

‘He sure knows how to recognize someone cool.’

Just then, Noah reached out an arm, wrapped it around her shoulder, and pulled her toward him. Then he spoke softly.

“Amy, if you lean like that, Joseph will be uncomfortable.”

“Ah!”

Coming to her senses, she realized she and Joseph had been so close they were practically touching heads while whispering about work. Amy quickly pulled away from Noah’s embrace and laughed awkwardly.

“Ah, I was just listening to a report.”

Noah smiled in return.

“You should do that in the office. While staying far apart, alright?”

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