• This is a peaceful story set after the end of the main story

Alves was nervous.

The nervousness was similar to when he was still a knight and had to don formal garments while waiting for a ceremony to start. …Actually, it was on par with the wait that came at the cusp of a battle.

While it wasn’t enough to make him tremble, if he let his guard down, his tenseness would show.

On the surface, he seemed to be fine.

Just in case, Alves stood before the mirror, checking himself over again.

His usual neat and clean attire was buttoned all the way up. After straightening his collar, he pulled his cuffs to the right length.

His slightly stiff expression was reflected on the mirror. But after he took a deep breath, his expression reverted to normal.

His dark blond hair, which looked brighter under the sunlight, was finely combed that day.

He wasn’t messy in any way. As a noble, while he may have lived a modest life, it wasn’t to the point that he lacked dignity.

If anything, he looked just like usual.

“…Alright.”

As if to rally himself, Alves muttered and went to the kitchen.

◇

In the past, the Ragulen family used to have many servants.

They were hired to manage their multiple mansions and welcome guests from royal capital. In fact, the number of servants outmatched the size of the territory.

However, following the rapid downfall, their numbers also decreased. The same went for the talented chefs, attendants, maids who took care of personal belongings, and even those who worked behind the scenes.

When Alves’ father was still a viscount, several elderly servants refused to find new employment. As of the present, they no longer had any live-in servants.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t like they had no manpower at all.

After all, there was still Yurana who was hired before the downfall. She still came to help with household chores, while her husband—Rob—worked as a carriage driver. Even now, they remained proud servants of the Ragulen family.

Moreover, the former servants also occasionally appeared to help out in the Ragulen territory. In addition, the people of the fief always expressed their concerns towards the lord’s family, who had to live humbly, by bringing them food.

Yurana, in particular, insisted that it was ‘her hobby’ and took care of the housework.

Fortunately, they weren’t as poor as they once were.

When Lucia’s engagement was annulled, Alves secretly worried about her future. But now, along with her new relationship, everything had settled down.

In that case, Yurana’s measly salary should be raised.

Was what Alves thought, but…

“I’ve said it many times, but I’m just a regular maid. My current salary is enough.”

Yurana refused with a smile.

Regardless, it was within his expectations. After being turned down so many times, Alves refused to back down any time soon.

Suppressing his inner turmoil, he calmly cleared his throat and tried to persuade her.

“Even if that is the case, I’m still a viscount. I don’t want to be this miser who refuses to pay his own maid.”

“Lord Alves isn’t a miser by any means!”

“I’m glad to hear that. Even if I’m saving my money, I don’t intend to be stingy. Yurana, you’re more than just a maid. After all, you’ve been looking after the knights who arrived recently…”

“Did you know that ever since those knights came, my work has become much easier?”

“I-is that so?”

“They do the cooking and cleaning. Moreover, if I ask them to do laundry, they’ll do a good job of it. In terms of quantity, my workload has decreased.”

Yurana left Alves speechless.

The knights who came to Ragulen were said to be the kingdom’s elites…

Those burly men, who partook in the fiercest of battles, were in charge of everything in this house. Be it cooking or cleaning, they always did it with a smile to the point he had to wonder what it was they so happy about.

…In that sense, the number of physically demanding jobs probably had decreased.

Still, that wasn’t the point…

Alves regained his senses and attempted to persuade her once more.

“Certainly, the workload may have decreased, but you’re also in charge of those knights, right? Besides, Yurana, you aren’t just a maid, but also Lucia’s adviser…”

“Recently, I’ve been sharing that responsibility with Tiana.”

“But isn’t that because Lucia’s need for consultation has become more frequent? Not only that, you also often listen to my complaints…”

“It’s a privilege to consult Lord Alves!”

Yurana smiled, before becoming serious.

As she stared at the tall Alves, she stuck out her chest and poked at his.

“Lord Alves, let me tell you this. Me, my husband, the children, and of course everyone in the village have all seen how hard you work. We’ve always been wondering if there’s anything we can do to help. I genuinely wish to support Lord Alves! I do not do this because of the money! So please don’t snatch away my small happiness!”

With a determined gaze, Yurana firmly declared such to Alves and he found himself faltering.

Alves faltered and had no choice but to give up on her salary. While he was stable, he wasn’t wealthy. Therefore, it might be wise for him to not raise her salary.

…Above anything else, he was glad.

Alves was silent for a while, before exhaling.

“…I understand. I’m grateful to Yurana and everyone.”

“Hearing those words alone makes us happy!”

Yurana smiled brightly.

---

***T/N: Well Alves, aren’t you glad…?

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