Chapter 10

After finishing the meal, the maids started clearing the table all at once.

"I'll help too!"

I hurriedly stood up, but they looked at me with puzzled faces.

We would be moving to the townhouse for a month to coincide with the start of the social season. During that time, I would be staying at this mansion and relying on their care.

If I did nothing, I would just be a burden, so I wanted to be of some use.

"We'd be in trouble if you took over our jobs," Shiki said with a laugh, lifting my empty plate.

"But, this is about the only thing I can do..."

"Even if it's a title bought by your parents, you are a born noble, right?"

Oskar gestured for me to sit down, addressing me with a hand motion.

"Huh? Yes, technically."

Not knowing what to do, I sat down and answered his question. He propped his cheek on the cleared table with a relaxed movement.

"The job of a noble is to act superior."

Though I thought it was ridiculous, the servants working around us nodded deeply.

"To make people feel good about paying taxes and providing labor, you just need to act superior and stand tall."

"Even if it's just a bluff."

"Oh, sir, you have the substance to back it up."

An elderly maid smiled at me.

Oskar raised an eyebrow and waved his hand.

"Getting carried away by the flattery of the maids is also part of the job. You can look forward to a winter bonus."

He directed the first part to me and the second to the maids, who all cheered. Then, he turned his gaze back to me, his face serious again.

"Be resolute. Adorn yourself beautifully. Even if it's just a role, you are my lover, so you should act accordingly. If you lack confidence, the morale of the servants will drop."

"Let them be proud to serve such a wonderful master."

"But..."

Mira echoed, but was it really okay?

I couldn't act that way at home. Whenever I tried to ask a servant for something, they would sigh, and I would gradually shrink back and stop speaking.

It didn't seem like I could do as Oskar said.

"Do all of you siblings treat the servants with such reserve?"

When asked, I shook my head.

"My brother was the type who was used to giving orders from birth. My sister was good at being pampered, and the servants would do as she wished without her even asking."

"...And you?"

"I felt worthless, so I tried to be of some use to them."

I answered honestly.

I couldn't make connections with the upper nobility on my own.

I lacked the charm to win the hearts of the men I targeted.

So, I tried not to be a hindrance to the servants of the Villiers family and took care of myself.

"I understand. What you lack is confidence."

He sighed as if exasperated, and I hunched my shoulders. I felt worthless here too, and I became disheartened by my own incompetence.

"Listen, you're only making that man feel superior because you belittle yourself. Your parents and sister do the same."

Oskar slammed his hand on the table, looking indignant.

"But, it's true that I'm no good..."

Despite my protests, Oskar stood up with an angry face.

"Shiki, this is an order! For the next month until we move to the townhouse, polish this one until she's presentable in any situation!"

"Aye, aye, sir!"

I flinched at the sudden loud voice, but Shiki, who was addressed, immediately responded without flinching, his face stern.

"She won't be a lady to be taken lightly. We'll mold her into a manipulative and cunning woman."

"I'm good at that!"

Shiki, appointed, took on the task with a bright smile, like a child who had found a new toy.

"Then I will teach her the ways of a cunning woman."

Mira said excitedly beside him.

They left me in shock and proceeded with the Freya's transformation plan into a cunning woman in a lively manner.