Chapter 7

Since then, Andur and I, along with several accountants he brought, spent our days examining about 50 years' worth of the Marquess's estate ledgers and account books.

Now, only a desolate piece of land remains, but since the estate once held vast territories, the amount of ledgers, account books, and documents to investigate was overwhelming.

Moreover, a few days later, the knights' search of the Howl family and their relatives yielded even more documents.

Thanks to spending almost all day in the office, I didn't have time to move to the dining room for meals, and it was fortunate that I didn't have to see Aban and Alice's carefree faces.

"Really, it's astonishing... It seems not only the father but even the grandfather was involved in embezzlement. The amount of debt the entire family has accumulated is so large that even if they all became slaves, it wouldn't cover it. ...Well, if we can recover the amount embezzled by Howl, that would be enough."

It appears that the money embezzled by Howl was not only used by his family but also by his maternal and paternal relatives, who enjoyed a life of luxury.

They seemed to think they could take as much as they needed from the Marquess's estate, and as a result, none of the families had any decent assets or savings, which was a sigh-inducing situation.

"Lady, shouldn't you take a break? If you don't rest, the people who came from outside won't be able to relax and take a break either."

"Yes, Maria. Thank you, I will. Everyone, please take a break as well."

Thanks to Maria and the maids who assisted her, small plates with freshly brewed tea, cookies, and sandwiches were placed on each table.

My cup was filled with a strong Earl Grey with extra milk and a cube of sugar, the taste of which I loved the most, thanks to Maria, who had been serving me since childhood.

I hadn't realized it until she mentioned it, but my head, which had been a bit foggy from overworking, gradually cleared up as I consumed the sugar.

After a brief oral exchange of information with the refreshed accountants, we dove back into the paperwork.

Before I knew it, a month had passed, immersed in the busyness.

After examining all the ledgers and documents, calculating the amount embezzled by Howl, and preparing to sue Howl and his family, the next phase of paperwork was entrusted to Andur and the lawyers, and I began to reform the Marquess's household.

Thanks to the preliminary work done by Maria and the maids while I was investigating the embezzlement, it was easier than facing the mountain of ledgers.

--- And today is the first payday for the servants since the new personnel system was implemented in the Marquess's household.

As expected, a commotion broke out.

"Lady!! Why is this happening!"

Several maids burst into my office, shouting loudly that they couldn't accept it, that it was terrible.

They all clutched their pay envelopes, and I could guess their purpose without asking.

Still, did they time their arrival to coincide with Maria's absence from the estate?

They're quite bold, I see.

"What's the matter? Why are you shouting so loudly?"

I smiled at them, pretending to be clueless.

The maids lined up before me were, I suppose, the ones who had opposed Maria's management and had abandoned their posts to act on their own.

Seeing the familiar faces that had mocked me by sticking to Alice in the past, I couldn't help but squint.

"There's no 'what's the matter'! Why is our pay so much less? This must be Maria's revenge!"

"Well, is that so? Then... did the previous Marquess give equal pay to those who didn't work?"

"What are you talking about? We did our jobs properly."

"But I heard you refused the new tasks assigned by Maria. Did you find your own work to do?"

"Yes, we were... taking care of the guests that the master brought."

"Is that so? You're just lower-level servants. Why are you pretending to be maids? We provide food, clothing, and shelter here, which is more generous than other households.

If you claim to have worked as maids, the pay should be decided by the person who employed you. If you want to be paid, ask Alice or the master who is taking care of the guests."

Of course, the maids who serve me are personally employed by me.

I told them this. Until now, they had taken their breaks and reported their working hours on their own, inflating their claims significantly.

Apparently, even chatting during cleaning was considered work, but the Marquess's household, which was struggling financially, couldn't afford such practices.

"Then, can we be your maids, Lady?"

"That won't be necessary, I don't need you."

I interrupted them, almost overlapping.

"Why not? We are also children of the nobility who have lived in the capital for a long time. We can advise you on your wardrobe and shopping, more accurately than someone from the countryside."

Ah, so you want to teach the country lady about the capital's fashion?

"I don't know how it was before, but I don't need vague information from rumors you gather by chatting with other maids.

Moreover, we don't have the luxury to keep lazy servants who refuse their assigned tasks and lack ambition.

You can either be personally employed by Alice or the master, or go to the previous lady. Is that all? ...Then, please leave now. Maria will be back soon."

Mentioning Maria's name, they all scattered.

Later, I heard that they all became Alice's maids.

Well, it's like they're back in their old roles. They were always fawning over Alice in the past.

And, of course, they were employed by Aban.

I don't think Alice, who had her mansion mortgaged and the baron's assets almost entirely repaid, could afford to pay five maids.

Aban apparently asked Maria to have me or the Marquess's household pay for them, but the common sense is that the person who employs the maid should pay for them, and the Marquess, as the head of the household, surely knows this.

When Aban was told this, he left with a laugh, saying that he, with a pride equal to that of the royal family, certainly knew it.

Truly, Maria and Andur have become skilled at handling Aban.

So, as a result, Aban will have even more expensive, talkative burdens. Alice will likely buy things for her maids, as she loves being pampered.

With Andur in control of the Marquess's financial affairs, I'm not worried about what Aban might do.

While I've allocated a generous budget for Aban's personal expenses to maintain his dignity and social life, I haven't allocated a single riel for Alice, who is not a member of the Marquess's household.

I intend for everything to be paid for out of Aban's own pocket, which will run out soon.

He can no longer spend money like water, and I won't let him.

He used to say repeatedly that Alice was his true love.

I wonder how much he can sacrifice for Alice. Hehe, I'm looking forward to it.

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