Chapter 75

As Isabel greeted Leoard, Shelia, whom Leoard had sent off, arrived at the residence of the Siegfried family, the main characters of Fate 48, the Zexia Baron's mansion.

Shelia held her bag and looked up at the Zexia Baron's mansion, comparing it with the mansion in Zeat where Leoard lived and the duke's mansion where she used to work.

Indeed, as it was a baron's house, it was not very large. This would mean that not many staff would be needed. Shelia, now more than ever, began to feel anxious about whether she could manage well.

Tension ran through her body, and she swallowed hard. A butler appeared before her.

"I have been waiting for you, Miss Shelia. Sir and Madam are waiting inside. Please, this way."

"Y-Yes!"

Shelia followed the butler into the mansion. The entrance was so meticulously cleaned that it made her lose confidence. She wondered if she was really needed. Shelia sighed inwardly, thinking that the mansion would be fine without her.

(Sigh. If the cleaning is this thorough, maybe I’m not needed...)

The butler, who was not concerned with Shelia's inner turmoil, continued forward and led her to the room where the Zexia Baron and his wife were waiting.

As Shelia was led to the room, her body stiffened with tension, but the Zexia Baron and his wife were cheerful and did not care about her status. Thanks to this, Shelia's tension eased, and before she knew it, she was hired.

Originally, Shelia was recommended by the Harvest Duke's family, so there was no chance of being turned down. Rather, the baron's family could not refuse. However, even though they accepted her, they did not trust her. They suspected that the Harvest Duke's family might be plotting something.

"Keep that girl under surveillance for a while. If she makes any suspicious moves, let me know. If she harms any of the other servants, show no mercy."

"Yes, sir."

Indeed, things were not that simple. Leoard had sent Shelia to Siegfried with good intentions, but they were old enemies. It was natural for them to be wary. However, Shelia had no ulterior motives, so the Zexia Baron's concerns would turn out to be groundless.

Shelia went to the room prepared for her, put down her luggage, and immediately started working. She followed a senior maid and began her tasks. Shelia, who had been a mess at Leoard's mansion due to her love troubles, was now different. She performed her duties so well that the senior maid was surprised.

(I heard she was fired from the duke's family, but is that true?

She is capable and honest, so why was she fired?

The head butler told me to be cautious, but she doesn’t seem to be plotting anything.)

Indeed, that was the case. Leoard had just been meddlesome, and Shelia had done nothing wrong. No, she had done something wrong, but being by Siegfried's side, she was able to perform at her best. Therefore, there was no need to be wary, but the senior maid would follow the head butler's orders and keep an eye on Shelia.

As Shelia worked hard, the moment she had been waiting for finally arrived. Siegfried had returned home. Although there was no need to introduce the new maid, this time, since she was a former servant of the Harvest Duke's family, they decided to introduce her as a precaution.

Shelia, who had not expected to be introduced, was in a panic. She was excited to see her beloved after a long time and was wondering how to greet him.

Before she knew it, she was led to Siegfried. Shelia was even more nervous than when she met the Zexia Baron and his wife.

"It's been a long time!"

"Huh? Oh, Shelia! Why are you here?"

"Well, I was actually fired from my previous home..."

"What!? Why was Shelia fired?"

"Various things happened..."

Siegfried misunderstood Shelia's vague smile. He couldn't believe that a good girl like Shelia would be fired.

"Who was your previous master?"

"Um, it was Lord Leoard. Is there something wrong?"

"That guy!!! Hasn't he learned his lesson!?"

"Eh!?"

Shelia was confused by Siegfried's sudden anger.

In fact, Shelia knew that Leoard had lost a duel and was sent to the border, but she didn't know who the opponent was. She couldn't have imagined that the man she loved was an old enemy of Leoard.

Shelia tried to correct Siegfried's misunderstanding.

"Um, Siegfried-sama, Lord Leoard did nothing wrong—"

Before she could continue, Siegfried grabbed Shelia's shoulder, and she froze in surprise.

"That's impossible! That guy is the worst man who attacked Claris with another man!"

"Is, is that so? But nothing happened to me..."

"Huh? Really?"

"Yes. In fact, he was very kind to me..."

"Are you sure you're not lying?"

"Yes..."

Hearing Shelia's story, Siegfried pondered. Why did Leoard, who had attacked Claris, not touch Shelia? Shelia was as beautiful as Claris, and Siegfried thought it was impossible for Leoard not to do anything.

Perhaps the current Leoard was different from the past Leoard. Siegfried, who had heard that Leoard had recently distinguished himself in a monster panic, found it even more suspicious.

"Is he a different person?"

"Siegfried-sama?"

"Shelia, can you tell me about Leoard?"

"Um, I don't mind, but I still have work to do..."

"It's fine. It's a request from your master, Siegfried-sama. Shelia, answer truthfully. I'll finish the remaining work."

After the senior maid left, Siegfried and Shelia talked about Leoard. Would Shelia be able to clear Siegfried's misunderstanding? Would fate change? No one knew yet.