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SERIES: The Extra Guardian Has Missed Her Cue to Leave
CHAPTER: The Extra Guardian Has Missed Her Cue to Leave, Chapter 84
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At her sharp rebuke, the other maids in charge of the guest rooms flinched.
They had planned to distance themselves from any guilt, thinking it was all Ann's personal transgression and had nothing to do with them, but the Grand Dame had completely blocked their escape route, leaving them at a loss.
“But from what I hear, none of the maids in charge of the guest rooms looked after Joshua and Selmia with any sincerity. That laziness is what has brought about this deplorable result.”
Jacqueline emphasized every single word.
“For those who cannot properly perform their given duties, their position is more than they deserve. Therefore, you will all work in the lowest station and reflect on this incident.”
The room was engulfed in silence.
After catching her breath, the Grand Dame cleared her throat and spoke to the servants as if making a proclamation.
“From this day forward, the duties of the two departments will be swapped. You have all received sufficient basic training, so there should be no difficulties.”
It was good news for the laundry, and very unfortunate news for the guest room team to which Ann had belonged.
* * *
The mansion was in an uproar for a day or two because of the punishment Jacqueline had handed down.
A few seemed to think the punishment was excessive, but since the Grand Dame herself had made the decision, they couldn't dare to voice their complaints.
In truth, it was probably more accurate to say that no one had any complaints, aside from the maids who had been in charge of the guest rooms.
The others kept their mouths tightly shut, as if wary of being lumped in with the guest room maids.
Meanwhile, the situation was a bit different for the laundry maids.
“What a windfall!”
“I wanted to be in charge of the guest rooms from the start, so I was so upset when I was sent to the laundry!”
They continued to smile brightly, laying out their expectations for their new duties.
Eugenia gathered them together and spoke seriously.
“Jenny, and everyone. I believe in your diligence.”
After a moment's hesitation, she met each of their eyes and made a heartfelt request.
“So…… please, I hope you’ll do a good job.”
“Of course we will!”
Before Eugenia could even finish, Jenny raised her voice and replied as if to tell her not to worry.
“You looked out for us, after all. We’ll work hard, if only to not bring shame to your name.”
The former laundry maids looked at each other with bright faces, rallying together with renewed spirit.
“I don’t want to go back to the laundry, so let’s do our best!”
“Let’s do it!”
And so, the laundry maids united firmly around Eugenia.
Having moved from what was effectively the toughest post to what could be called a cushy job, they were all grateful to her.
Thanks to that, Joshua and Selmia were also able to receive more meticulous care than before.
The biggest change was that Eugenia was now exclusively in charge of caring for the children, just like before.
“Unni. Say ahh. This is really delicious!”
Now that the servants were no longer tampering with the food, Joshua and Selmia could eat to their hearts' content.
With Eugenia by their side, they seemed even more at ease, as they began to put on weight and their skin started to glow.
‘I should have done this sooner.’
Eugenia accepted a small bite of the dessert Selmia fed her, while simultaneously wiping the cream from the child's mouth.
The chef, too, seemed to be paying more careful attention to the children's food, as excellent meals and desserts were served at every meal.
“Eugenia, thank you.”
Joshua, having neatly finished his portion of the meal, thanked Eugenia.
“No. I’m the one who’s sorry. I should have paid closer attention.”
“So, are you going to keep working here now?”
Eugenia nodded.
With Jacqueline's approval, she had been assigned as the children's exclusive maid.
Of course, because she had been hiding her identity, she had to endure some curious or disapproving stares from others, but for Joshua and Selmia's sake, she could bear any amount of it.
“Yes, if you two are okay with it.”
Joshua said.
“We’d welcome you anytime.”
Selmia also put down the fork she was holding between her lips and hugged Eugenia around the waist.
“I like you, Unni. I like it best when I’m with you.”
Eugenia smiled and finished preparing the children's snacks.
“Me too. I’m glad I’m with you.”
She meant it. The decision to stay was far more comforting to her heart than the decision to leave.
* * *
If the atmosphere among the servants was polarized, the mood among the collateral nobles staying at the mansion was unified.
Towards a sense of unease.
At Enrique's summons, the collateral relatives staying at the mansion gathered once again in the duke's office.
Enrique had not yet arrived, so the collateral relatives sat facing each other across a long table, talking intermittently.
For the most part, they were being pretentious with one another while subtly expressing their dissatisfaction.
“The mansion has been quite noisy.”
“Isn’t it all because of those brats?”
Uncomfortable murmurs filled the office.
“This is the first time I’ve experienced such a distracting Growth Assembly.”
“You can say that again.”
Just then, Enrique entered the office.
As if on cue, the collateral relatives pressed their lips together, rose from their seats, and greeted him.
“We greet the head of the house.”
“Everyone, be seated.”
As Enrique naturally took his seat at the head of the table, the collateral relatives sat down after him.
“Was I a little late?”
“Not at all.”
“Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease.”
Enrique said lightly with a faint smile.
“The reason I’ve called you all today is because I have something to say.”
Wasting no time, as if unconcerned with anyone's reaction, he got straight to the point.
“I intend to recognize the two children of the Marquisate of Kereyton from the Duchy of Halant, who have been staying at the Herace mansion as guests, as a collateral branch of the Ducal House of Herace.”
In that moment, the expressions of the collateral relatives soured all at once.
“That is out of the question!”
“Impossible!”
“Head of the house, please reconsider!”
As if he had expected them all to oppose him like this, Enrique turned and sat at an angle with an indifferent expression.
His posture clearly showed he was not listening, but the collateral relatives paid him no mind and raised their voices, each declaring it impossible.
‘Just as I thought.’
Enrique clicked his tongue briefly.
He had no particular feelings about it, other than that the backlash was stronger than he had anticipated.
He waited in silence for the collateral relatives to tire themselves out, and after a moment, their fervor subsided as if by magic.
Only then did Enrique speak.
“You all certainly get along well when it comes to things like this.”
Usually you’re all at each other’s throats, so this is quite a novelty.
Suppressing the urge to click his tongue harshly, Enrique spoke calmly.
“I don’t understand why you all oppose it so vehemently.”
Enrique chose his words for a moment before speaking again.
“It is a request from the Grand Dame. That is why I was late, even after summoning you. Do you still object?”
“Even if it is a request from the Grand Dame, we still object.”
“How stubborn.”
“The moment they are recognized as a collateral branch, won’t those children also be attending the Growth Assembly?”
Someone took the lead and revealed their base intentions.
Enrique let out a small laugh.
‘I knew it.’
He tapped his fingertips on the table, observing the expressions of the collateral relatives.
The Marquisate of Kereyton was, in fact, in a state of ruin.
So, from the collateral relatives' perspective, if Joshua or Selmia were to attend the Growth Assembly and distinguish themselves, it would mean more competition for their own children, which was unwelcome.
Moreover, since the children were from Jacqueline's maternal family, it was clear they would receive the advocacy and support of the Grand Dame of Herace—something none of the collateral children had ever received.
Therefore, the psychological burden on them was immense, which was why they were so dead set against it.
“They are children who have lost their parents. It is only natural that our house, as their relatives, should take in the young lord and lady of Kereyton. Is that not our duty?”
And yet, when Enrique showed no signs of backing down, they began to seek a compromise among themselves.
“Then, Your Excellency! At least give us your firm assurance that the Kereyton children will not attend the Growth Assembly.”
Someone requested in a resolute voice, but Enrique dismissed even that with indifference.
“That depends on the children’s own intentions.”
“Your Excellency! But those children are not qualified.”
Enrique’s impassive gaze fell upon Baron Mollin.
“And why do you say they are not qualified?”
“Because, of course, they do not have a single drop of the previous Duke of Herace's blood in them!”
Enrique, who had been expressionless the entire time, suddenly hardened his face.
Baron Mollin, who had made the remark, also shut his mouth with a look of sudden regret.
The other collateral relatives also shot the baron reproachful glances.
Enrique let out a long sigh, making no effort to hide his displeasure.
“Those words just now.”
At his chilling tone, the collateral relatives wisely fell silent and began to watch his expression.
“Am I to take that as you doubting and denying the lineage of Grand Dame Jacqueline Hanna Herace, and her long years of devotion to Herace?”
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