Kays Translations

Chapter 56: Heralda

“Arthur-sama, she’s here.”

After lunch, I had been quietly reading in my room when Rugena came to summon me.

Up until now, I hadn’t attended any of the interviews myself, but this time, I was instructed to be present. It seemed the purpose was more of a formal introduction than a rigorous evaluation.

“Should I go to the reception room?” I asked.

“First, to the dining hall. Tine-sama and Stefana are waiting,” Rugena replied.

“Right, understood.”

I closed my book and followed her to the dining hall, where I met up with my mother. Together, we then made our way to the reception room. Rugena knocked lightly before opening the door, and I stepped inside alongside my mother. Stefana and Rugena followed quietly behind.

Inside, a woman stood beside a sofa, bowing lightly in our direction.

“Nice to meet you. I am Martine Felde,” mother said with a graceful, composed tone.

“I’m Arthur,” I introduced myself.

“And I am Heralda, introduced to you by Vessel-sama,” the woman said, transitioning smoothly from her bow into a formal curtsey as she spoke.

Her movements were light, elegant, and precise. Her hair was neatly arranged, and her soft, downward-slanting eyes gave her an almost gentle, leisurely expression. For a moment, I could almost mistake her for a young lady from a noble household.

—Well, if it weren’t for her decidedly plump figure.

“My assistant making the tea is Stefana,” my mother continued, “and the dwarf standing by the entrance is Rugena.”

Stefana and Rugena gave small, silent bows in response to the introductions.

“These two are assigned to protect Arthur and me, so remember—they are not ordinary servants,” my mother added.

“Yes, understood,” she replied.

I considered them family in my heart, yet my mother’s position prevented her from stating it openly. It had to be conveyed through action and demeanor, rather than words.

“Please, sit,” my mother said, gesturing to the sofa.

Once we were seated, Stefana prepared three cups of tea and set them before us with practiced efficiency.

“Felde-sama, here is the letter of introduction from Vessel-sama,” Heralda said, producing a sealed envelope from her bag and handing it to my mother.

“My thanks,” my mother replied, inspecting the wax seal before breaking it and unfolding the letter.

“Arthur, you should read it as well,” she said.

“Yes,” I murmured.

The letter detailed Heralda’s appearance, confirming she had no physical defects, injuries, or illnesses. It included evaluations of her skills and character based on her training at the Marquis of the Frontier’s estate. Astonishingly, it also listed the names, ages, and professions of her parents and siblings—a surprisingly thorough collection of personal information.

“Do you intend to become a lady’s maid, Heralda?” my mother asked, likely prompted by the scope of her training.

Heralda had undergone not just the standard domestic skills of cleaning and laundry, but also training for a personal attendant: dressing, makeup, and even etiquette and dancing for public appearances—training that far exceeded the usual duties of a maid.

“No, I thought that having a wide variety of skills might give me more opportunities to work… I, um, I do like to eat,” Heralda admitted, her face coloring faintly.

In other words, she had chosen to expand her skills rather than restrict her appetite. She was fully aware of her inclinations, yet unable to restrain them—but if her talents were as extensive as she claimed, it was a flaw I could forgive.

“I see. As long as it does not become excessive, I have no reason to criticize personal preferences,” my mother said.

Heralda exhaled softly, relief evident in her expression. Clearly, her figure had prevented her from being employed in noble households before—appearance mattered too much in that world.

“I plan to have Heralda educate orphans as maids. Would that be possible?”

“Yes. I also helped train juniors at the Marquis’s estate, so it’s not a problem,” she replied.

Heralda had received maid training from age ten for six years, and in recent years, had also assisted in training younger maids.

“Very well, that puts my mind at ease… Yes, I will employ Heralda. She will serve as head maid and chief steward, with authority over the other staff,” my mother declared.

“Head maid?!” Heralda gasped in shock, understandably so. Despite her dignified appearance, she was still only a sixteen-year-old rookie.

“You are the only maid with proper training, so naturally you will assume that role, including oversight responsibilities. Is that too heavy a burden?”

“No, I can manage. I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly,” she said, bowing deeply while still seated.

“Welcome, Heralda.”

“Thank you, Felde-sama.”

“And please, I prefer to be called Tine rather than anything stiff inside the mansion—it helps me relax.”

“Understood, Tine-sama,” Heralda replied.

With her employment decided, the tension in the room finally eased. We sipped our tea and waited a moment before continuing.

“So, when can you start work, Heralda?” my mother asked.

“My personal belongings at the Marquis’s estate are few. I can pack today and arrive here by tomorrow morning,” she said.

“Very well. Now, regarding the upcoming schedule…”

My mother explained that three days from now there would be an audience with the Marquis of the Frontier and the investiture ceremony. Work would begin after that, but preparations for the ceremony would take priority for now.

The interviews for orphans would follow later. By then, my mother would be too busy with preparations to attend personally, and it would be imposing for someone of rank to visit the orphanage. Therefore, the interviews would be entrusted to Heralda.

“So, we are to employ three prospective maids, correct?”

“Yes. Dorothea has agreed to assist, so it would be good to have her accompany you during the interviews,” my mother added.

Heralda had been nervous at first, having never conducted interviews before, but the prospect of being accompanied by her mother, Dorothea, reassured her.

“Arthur,” my mother said suddenly.

“Yes?”

“You will manage the staff.”

“Wha—?!”

I froze. Surely this was not something you should entrust to a seven-year-old.

“Since the workshop is also your responsibility, you must learn to handle paperwork. Rugena has experience running a workshop and can teach you.”

Though the workshop chief would report to Vessel, in reality I would be the one operating it. My mother was right: I had to learn the paperwork.

“…Yes, I’ll do my best,” I said.

I glanced at Rugena, who waved cheerfully with a bright smile.

“Fana, please show Heralda around the mansion. Introduce her to Bartel and Rodolf as well.”

“Yes, leave it to me.”

“Once she has chosen her room in the staff quarters, she may return,” my mother added.

The staff dormitory included shared facilities: a laundry and light workroom, bathing areas, and restrooms. There were seven private rooms in total—two on the first floor, five on the second.

For reference, Bartel, being married, commuted from his home in the northern district. The only staff actually residing in the dormitory was the stablehand, Rodolf.

“Then, we shall take our leave.”

Heralda offered her farewells and left the reception room with Stefana.

Though the employment of maids was not yet fully completed, arrangements for the mansion itself were finally settled. Paperwork still awaited, but the workshop could soon begin operations as well.

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