The One Who Won't Be Abandoned - Chapter 23

I couldn’t bring myself to write a reply to Andre.

I spent the entire night sitting at my desk, but I didn’t even make a single dot on the stationery, let alone pick up the pen.

On my way back to the castle after buying the paper, I felt genuinely excited at the thought of writing a reply. But the moment I sat down at the desk, I found myself at a loss for words. I had no idea how to begin the letter or what to say to fill the page.

The more time I spent agonizing over it, the more worried I became. What if Andre received my letter and was disappointed because it didn’t meet his expectations? Or worse, what if he hadn’t even expected a reply from me in the first place?

I knew it was a case of overthinking, but I couldn’t shake off the doubt. In the end, I sat there motionless until the candle wax melted down completely, unable to touch the pen.

An empty sense of futility washed over me. I felt like a mess, like a hopelessly flawed person. The stationery I had bought to write to Andre remained blank, and I quietly tucked it away into a drawer.

If Andre were to send me another letter despite not receiving a reply…

I decided, somewhat selfishly, that I could write a response then, and it wouldn’t be too late.

* * *

Six years had passed since I had settled in Dhel. Now twenty-two years old, well past the age of adulthood, my daily life remained largely the same. Thanks to the people I had grown close to over the years, I spent my days in cheerful company.

In those six years, however, Dhel had undergone significant changes. The lord had relocated most of Kaiman’s business operations from the capital to Dhel, leading to a period of large-scale development. Houses and buildings were constructed for the workers who moved to the area, and dirt roads were replaced with proper paved ones.

As more people traveled to and from Dhel and the roads improved, merchants and tradespeople flocked to the region to purchase Dhel’s high-quality crops or set up businesses. Inns, shops selling food, and stores for daily necessities began to appear one by one. In just six years, the once quiet and remote village of Glunan had transformed into the bustling town I had always dreamed of.

About a year after the lord settled in Dhel, Baron Shenton, who had been overseeing the estate, retired. At well over sixty, the baron stepped down without a trace of regret, settling on a scenic piece of land within the vast Dhel estate to spend his twilight years. While he intended to enjoy a peaceful retirement, the baron occasionally visited Dhel Castle at the lord’s request to offer advice and assistance.

The void left by the baron’s retirement was filled by his only son, Lewis Shenton, a man in his mid-twenties, full of vigor and energy. After coming of age, Lewis had left the tranquil Dhel behind to travel the world and pursue his studies.

When he learned by chance about the tragedy that had befallen the Kaiman family, Lewis was filled with contempt and rage toward the imperial court. Driven by these emotions, he returned to his hometown of Dhel, where the head of the Kaiman family had made his home.

The moment he arrived at the castle, Lewis knelt before the lord in the hall and swore to become a loyal servant who would assist the Kaiman family in any way possible. The hall was a busy place, with many people coming and going, and I happened to witness Lewis’s fiery display of loyalty.

From that moment on, Lewis Shenton became the lord’s personal steward and close confidant.

Over the six years, the number of staff working at Dhel Castle more than tripled. With more guests visiting the castle every year, more workers were needed to manage the increasing workload.

This influx of new staff gave me more breathing room in my duties, which was a relief. However, Lewis bore the brunt of managing all the new hires, which often proved challenging.

While some newcomers worked diligently despite their inexperience, others were sly, merely pretending to work while avoiding any real effort. Lewis, who despised laziness above all else, was relentless in rooting out such behavior. Even amidst his busy schedule, he kept a sharp eye on every staff member, and his vigilance sent chills down their spines.

No staff member, regardless of age or gender, escaped Lewis’s scolding if they were caught slacking. Those on the receiving end of his sharp tongue often ended up shedding a few tears, whether out of frustration or shame.

Unfortunately, today’s unlucky victim was none other than Snique, who was usually known for her quick wits and hard work.

“How many times must I tell you? Dust first, then wipe with a damp cloth,” Lewis said sternly.

“S-sorry!” Snique stammered, her voice trembling.

“If you wipe a surface with a damp cloth before dusting, the dust leaves unsightly streaks. That’s common sense, isn’t it?”

Technically, inspecting the maids’ work was supposed to be the responsibility of Judith, the head maid. But unlike his father, Lewis had an insatiable interest in the castle and didn’t want to waste time reporting issues to Judith. If he noticed any lapses, he immediately addressed them himself. He was the kind of person who, as the saying goes, seemed to seek out hard work for its own sake.

When I stumbled upon Snique being scolded, I couldn’t ignore her tear-filled eyes and trembling figure. Unable to stand by, I decided to intervene.

“Steward, someone from the kitchen was looking for you.”

It was a lie, of course, but knowing Lewis, he’d surely find something to keep himself busy with in the kitchen, so it wouldn’t matter.

Lewis turned to me, surprised by my sudden appearance, his eyes momentarily wide. Then, as if embarrassed, his face reddened, and he cleared his throat, covering his mouth with his fist.

With dark hair tinged with brown and deep black eyes, Lewis looked a little younger than his actual age. His sharp features, moderate height, and well-balanced physique gave him the appearance of a respectable and amiable knight.

However, everyone at Dhel Castle knew that beneath his good looks lay an extraordinarily picky and meticulous personality.

“Good morning, Jeanne,” he greeted politely.

“Good morning,” I replied with a smile.

“Have you had breakfast yet?”

“Yes, I just came from the dining hall.”

“In that case, it’s the perfect time for a post-meal tea. If you’re not too busy, would you care to join me for a cup in the reception room?”

Among the many reception rooms in the castle, one was designated for high-ranking staff like Lewis to use. Coincidentally, it was one of the reception rooms I was tasked with cleaning.

I thought back to yesterday, when I had to thoroughly clean that very room. Someone had left cookie crumbs and spilled tea all over the carpet, forcing me to remove it entirely to scrub the floor.

“By the way, did you happen to use the staff reception room yesterday, Steward?” I asked casually.

While cleaning, I had deduced that the mess was likely the aftermath of some inappropriate activity. From the spilled tea and cookie crumbs on the floor to the unpleasant stains on the table, it was clear that whoever had used the room hadn’t been behaving themselves.

Although Lewis didn’t strike me as the type to engage in such disgraceful behavior, the number of people who had access to the room was limited. It was worth asking, just in case.

“I didn’t,” Lewis replied firmly, without the slightest hint of hesitation or discomfort. That was enough for me to cross him off the list of suspects.

“No, it’s nothing. I was just curious,” I said with a shrug. “Anyway, today’s a busy day for everyone, so I don’t think I’ll have time for tea. Maybe another time?”

I tried to appear mature and composed, flashing a soft smile.

“In that case, we’ll definitely have tea next time. For now, I’ll head to the kitchen. Have a wonderful day, Jeanne.”

“You too, Steward.”

As Lewis walked away, I turned to Snique, who was now glaring at his back with her lips pouting. She looked like a child sulking, and the sight made me chuckle.

“Seriously, did you see the way he treats me compared to you? He’s practically ready to chew me out, but with you, he acts all polite and charming.”

“Don’t let it bother you,” I said, brushing it off. “Just finish up quickly and go rest. It’s your day off, and you only came because the head maid asked you to.”

Snique, who was now married to Dwil, the bookseller in Glunan Village, commuted to the castle for work. Despite it being her day off, she had reluctantly come in because of the head maid’s request.

She was heavily pregnant, her due date fast approaching. The baby was especially precious to her and Dwil, having come more than five years after their marriage.

“See? I’m telling you, he likes you,” Snique said with a mischievous grin.

“What makes you think that?” I asked skeptically.

“Every time he talks to you, it’s ‘Jeanne, Jeanne.’ He uses your name like it’s the only name he knows. He never calls any of the other staff by their names.”

“Oh, come on. That’s ridiculous.”

Snique unfolded the cloth she was holding, making sure the clean side faced outward, and resumed wiping the vase she had paused on earlier.

“Why would he ask you to have tea with him if he didn’t have any feelings? That doesn’t make sense. Even Dwil started flirting with me by asking me out for tea.”

“I bet your husband said it in the smoothest way possible,” I teased.

“Completely. Hahaha,” Snique giggled, her face lighting up with happiness as she thought about her overly charming husband. Despite the years, she still seemed very much a newlywed at heart.

“Anyway, I’m just saying, the steward seems to like you. Give it a shot. Sure, his personality’s… a bit much, but you can’t deny he’s nice to look at,” Snique said with a playful nudge.

I picked up a clean cloth from the side and joined her in wiping the vase. It was already polished to a shine and didn’t need any more cleaning, but we both pretended to work as an excuse to keep chatting.

“He’s sharp with everyone else, but he’s so gentle with you. Doesn’t that make your heart flutter a little? A man who’s kind only to you… It’s just like the male lead in a romance novel I read the other day,” Snique said, her eyes sparkling.

“Hmm…” I murmured noncommittally.

“Look at you! You’re blushing!” she teased, bumping my elbow with hers and winking mischievously.

I gave her a mock glare, unable to truly be annoyed with her.

“Maybe you’re right. Maybe he does have some interest in me. But even if that’s true, it’s probably just because he wants to play around a bit,” I said, trying to downplay the idea.

“What? Why would you think that?”

“Our statuses are too different,” I replied, avoiding her gaze as I busied myself polishing the already spotless vase.

“What does status matter? You’re not just some random maid. Even the lord dotes on you! He’s already promised to provide a dowry for you and told you to let him know if you find someone you want to marry. If you said you wanted to marry the steward, he’d probably give you a big house as a wedding gift!”

“It’s not like that,” I said, shaking my head.

“Not like that, my foot! Is there anyone in this castle who doesn’t know how much the Kaiman family people care about you? If someone marries you, they’ll get to be part of that circle. What man wouldn’t want that?”

Snique sighed, a mix of admiration and envy in her voice.

“I said it myself, but… being called someone loved by the Kaiman people is such a heart-fluttering thought,” I admitted, half-joking, though there was truth in the words.

Snique’s observation wasn’t baseless.

The lord himself had openly instructed Lewis and Judith, the head maid, to ensure my comfort, and he didn’t hesitate to treat me with special care even in front of others. On top of that, the Kaiman knights regularly checked in on me despite their busy schedules. Whenever they returned from far-off missions, they often brought me small gifts.

While there were moments when some staff grew jealous of the attention I received, I didn’t let it bother me. If anything, I enjoyed the treatment—I felt important, even a little proud.

Snique believed that Lewis’s kindness toward me was a sign of his affection, but I wasn’t so sure. It was entirely possible that he was simply matching the behavior of the lord, showing me courtesy because the lord treated me so well.

In truth, my opinion of Lewis had improved simply because he wasn’t the kind of man to dirty the reception room with questionable behavior. That was enough to earn him a pass in my book.

From the far end of the hallway, I noticed a group of maids carrying freshly laundered bedding in their arms. Their cheeks were flushed, and their lively chatter echoed as they approached Snique and me. Seeing them, Snique’s movements became suddenly more precise and deliberate, as if showing off her diligence.

“Do you think we’ll get to see the young master up close?”

“If we stand near the head maid, we might.”

“Oh my gosh! What do we do? If he looks anything like the lord, he’ll be so handsome!”

After the maids passed by, I couldn’t help but smile to myself. I wanted to tell them, “He’s the spitting image of the lord,” just to stir the pot a bit, but I held my tongue.

The castle had been abuzz for days, and now it was clear why. All morning, the staff had been scrubbing, polishing, and preparing every inch of the castle to shine like new.

Today was the day Andre would return to Dhel after six long years, having completed his studies at Siamos Academy.