I Refuse To Be A Character In A Novel - Chapter 42

Most maids who worked in noble households were young and full of ambition.

Those who blatantly laughed so loudly in order to stand out, had their ambitions somewhere between attracting the master’s eye or a capable servant’s heart.

If not for Mrs. Lippert, the head maid’s strict order, the Argentine Dukedom would have been as messy on the inside as most noble houses.

“I don’t think you’re his type.”

One of the maids spoke sarcastically as she pointed at Betty’s hair.

Shimmering pink shade, which contrasted the Duchess’ black hair.

“What makes you think so? I for one, know of no healthy man who would stay abstinent for this long. Isn’t it the Duchess that’s not to his liking?”

“Now that you’ve said that. I wonder.”

“I had already suspected that the master was only visiting her chambers to save the madam some face, but it seems he has grown tired enough to abandon even that slight consideration.”

“I wonder how long they will last at this rate.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they ended up getting a divorce soon.”

“Shhh! What if someone hears you?”

When their shallow whispers grew loud enough to be heard from a distance, Annie hurriedly pointed it out.

“What of it?”

Speaking in a confident tone, Betty raised her nose high with pride.

“I’m only speaking the truth. If that happens, the Duchess’ position would surely be filled again. Wouldn’t it be better if it were one of us instead? I bet I can move the master’s heart-”

“How sad.”

The four maids turned towards the owner of the sarcastic tone.

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“One would think you’re old enough to tell dreams apart from reality.”

“Mielle!”

As she approached, Mielle spoke with a cold face.

“Yet here you are, hiding like a mouse, wishing for things that could never happen.”

‘Mouse?!’

“Oh I see~ If the madam leaves, you will lose your job as well, won’t you?”

Hiding her frustration, Betty spoke with a smile.

“Well, no need to be so spiteful. I’ll let you do my laundry.”

A loud laughter again resonated in the hall.

“If you’re so confident, I dare you to say your earlier words to the Duchess’ face. What was it? ‘Divorce’ and- Oh! ‘Move the master’s heart’ .”

Mielle’s expression suddenly turned bright as she clapped her hands together, suggesting a better idea.

“Oh! I know! Why don’t you say it directly to the duke? Who knows! He might actually take a liking to you.”

Her smile slowly disappearing as she continued,

“Or are you perhaps too shy to go for it? Should I do it for you?”

When Mielle suggested it in a cold tone, Betty’s face grew slightly pale.

“Hm?”

“What are you-”

“Enough!”

A loud voice was heard from the other side of the hall.

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With their heads bowed, the maids aligned in a row.

If there was anyone capable of inducing more fear in them besides the Duke, it would be the head maid, Mrs. Lippert Adele.

Trusted by the Duke, she was the one responsible for the order of all servants inside the mansion and was feared by them for firing those who showed even the slightest disrespectful behaviour, with no recommendation letter.

In short, they would no longer be hired by any household.

“I suppose I should assign you more chores, seeing that you have time to hang around so leisurely.”

When the head maid suggested, Mielle smirked while glancing at Betty.

“You can leave now, Mielle.”

Noticing her grimace, Adele dismissed her first.

“But-”

“It is my responsibility to educate them, not yours.”

Hearing her strict tone, Mielle swallowed her words and walked away regrettably.

Laila, Annie, and Miranda.

Though she was contemplating how to deal with them, today’s morning, Mielle found out that the three maids were demoted to the laundry room for the next four months while Betty was dismissed.

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Although I said that to spite Betty, I’m also worried for the madam!

This isn’t the first time the Duke would skip their union night while he was in the house.

In fact, this was often the case, but he never bothered to send a word before.

Something feels different… Rather than being busy, it feels like the Duke is purposely punishing the madam.

‘Why?’

Blindingly pinning her braids, Mielle stared sharply at Erna’s reflection in the mirror.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Sigh~

“Madam. In life, one has to make sacrifices.”

Ignoring Erna’s questioning gaze, Mielle continued, nodding at her own words as though she liked the sound of it.

“So, even if you’re not pleased with it, you have to put in some effort in order to save your marriage.”

‘Save?’

Erna stood from her seat, facing Mielle with a worried look.

“Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?”

“I’m serious! My mother once told me that men shouldn’t be left alone for too long.”

‘What if the master would really take in a mistress?’