Chapter 15

While chopping wood, my clothes became soaked with sweat despite the cool weather. Especially when the early spring sunlight shone down, the heat made it unbearable. So, I took off my shirt and continued chopping bare-chested.

At that moment, I heard the clip-clop of hooves approaching from afar. Looking up, I saw the baron, who had gone out riding in the morning, returning. He rode his horse slowly closer and eventually stopped beside me. I stood amidst a pile of firewood while he looked down at me from his lofty perch.

“Welcome back, my lord,” I wiped the sweat from my neck and greeted him awkwardly. The baron didn’t respond immediately, just silently stared at me. His gaze was so oppressive that it made me uneasy. Despite the heat, I suddenly broke out in goosebumps.

The awkward tension lasted a long time. Just as I thought he would remain silent forever, the baron finally tugged the reins, preparing to leave. Summoning my courage, I blocked his path. “My lord, may I have a word with you?” I pleaded, looking up at him.

He paused, seeming hesitant, but eventually dismounted and looked at me. “Speak. What is it?” I stumbled over my words, unsure where to begin. “The steward kicked me out of the drawing room because… because I angered you. The estate is downsizing, and I fear I’ll be let go. You know, my family depends on me—my younger siblings and mother have no other income. I beg your forgiveness. I can’t leave the estate…”

The baron stepped closer, advancing on me step by step until he stood right in front of me. I could feel his breath on my face and instinctively backed away, but he closed the distance again.

I lowered my head, not daring to meet his eyes. That look was familiar—in my past life, he had often stared at me with that same aggressive gaze. Every time I saw it, I wanted to flee, and now was no different.

Just as I was drowning in discomfort, an unexpected touch made my muscles tense. I saw his hand resting on my left chest, and a wave of weakness washed over me. Holy Mother, what was he doing in broad daylight?

A long time passed, yet that white-gloved hand remained on my chest. I wanted to ask, “How long do you plan to keep touching me?” It wasn’t like a woman’s soft bosom—what was there to feel? Then again, perhaps this lord preferred men over women and was more interested in male pectorals.

His sudden action left me utterly embarrassed. I had no choice but to step back, putting distance between us. I couldn’t comprehend how things had escalated into such a bizarre situation. After all, in my past life, he had never crossed any lines with me. The closest we’d ever gotten was that one drunken kiss at a soiree.

My retreat seemed to snap him out of it. He averted his gaze, his lowered eyes exuding arrogance. “Very well,” he said. “I forgive your offense against me.” I was torn between laughter and tears, thinking to myself, “Sure, let’s pretend I offended you, you shameless bastard who took advantage.”

He threw the horse’s reins to me and walked ahead, ordering, “Take my horse back to the stable.” I watched him leave, then stroked the black horse beside me: “Hey, Laura, long time no see.” Laura was a fine mare from the eastern grasslands, the baron’s most beloved horse. Whenever the baron went hunting on horseback, he always led Laura.

Laura snorted; I guessed she didn’t like a stranger like me touching her. By noon, as soon as I entered the kitchen, someone came to inform me that Steward Pod was waiting for me in his room. Nervously, I went to the steward’s office, only to receive shocking news.

“The baron, in gratitude for your care, has appointed you as his personal valet. From today onward, you are part of the baron’s household. When the baron leaves, you will go with him.” Pod’s tone was calm and serious.

“What? Wait… hold on.” I asked incredulously, “You mean I’m to go with the baron? Is this the baron’s wish?”

“What? Do you have objections?” Pod frowned, then added, “Even if you do, it’s not your place to refuse. The viscount has already agreed.”

Good heavens, how could I leave Baker Manor? I grew frantic—this would completely disrupt my plans! My original intention in seeking the baron’s forgiveness was to avoid being expelled from Baker Manor. What should I do now?

Just as I was at my wits’ end, someone handed a pillow to my drowsy self. Right after lunch, Lauren’s personal maid also came looking for me.

“This is from Miss Lauren Lloyd. She heard your mother is struggling.” Pamela handed me a full five pounds—equivalent to a year’s salary for me. Such generosity!

“Oh, what a kind lady! Please convey my gratitude to her. My mother will be overjoyed to see this money,” I said excitedly.

As Lauren’s personal maid, Pamela wasn’t pretty—even somewhat plain. Her black hair was sparse, and she always tied it up to cover her scalp. Fortunately, she was gentle and very clever; otherwise, Lauren wouldn’t have chosen her as her maid.

“One more thing to congratulate you on. I heard you have two younger sisters. Miss Lauren Lloyd said she would inform the steward to have your eldest sister come to Baker Manor as a maid. The lady’s intention is… to have her serve personally.” Pamela smiled.

“That’s wonderful! The lady is too kind—I don’t even know how to thank her.” I was so overwhelmed with gratitude that I could barely speak. Only after Pamela left, satisfied, did I wipe the smile off my face.

Trying to lay hands on my family？ She sure thinks highly of herself.

That afternoon, I asked the steward for leave and returned home.

“Really? The lady of the manor said I could be her personal maid?” My younger sister Jasmine asked excitedly.

“Yes, get ready. You’re coming to the manor with me today,” I replied.

“What about me? Can I go too?” My youngest sister Grace pestered me.

“Stop it, you’re only nine. Don’t cause trouble.” Mother was also delighted, holding Jasmine’s hand and saying contentedly, “How wonderful! Good thing I didn’t rush to marry you off. Now there’s a better opportunity. Between the two of you, your combined yearly earnings will be ten pounds, won’t they?”

When I took Jasmine out, the overjoyed girl grew nervous again. Clutching her old dress tightly, she looked worried: “I have no other clothes to wear. Won’t people laugh at me for looking so shabby?”

“Dear, when I first entered the manor, I didn’t even have shoes—I went in wearing straw sandals. Remember? So don’t worry,” I reassured her.

“What’s Miss Lauren Lloyd like? Is she easy to serve? Will she be harsh with me?”

“She will definitely treat you very well,” I answered firmly.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“What should I do? What should I do? I’m so scared, brother.” Jasmine looked up at me like a frightened little lamb, her eyes filled with unease.

“Good girl, you’re the smartest woman in our family. Trust me, spend some time with Miss Lauren Lloyd, and you’ll understand what to do,” I said.

Jasmine stared blankly at me, the unease still lingering on her face. Smiling, I hugged my sister and whispered softly into her ear, “I will become Baron Lloyd’s personal valet. Lauren wants to marry the baron, so she wants you by her side—both to control me through you and to gather information about the baron. Do you understand?”

After hearing this, Jasmine slowly smiled and widened her eyes, saying, “Brother means she’ll accommodate me.”

“I’ve always said you’re the smartest woman in our family.” I kissed her forehead.

Jasmine bore an uncanny resemblance to my past self. Both of us were ambitious, eager for wealth and status, and full of schemes, willing to do anything to climb higher. However, Jasmine was luckier than me because she would never fall in love with Lauren.

If Lauren thought she could control me through my family, she was sorely mistaken. Since she wanted to give me a helper, I wouldn’t refuse. It’s always been others in the light and me in the shadows—that’s what makes people feel secure, isn’t it?

That afternoon, Jasmine became Lauren’s personal maid, and I received my notice to leave.

“Early tomorrow morning, we’ll follow His Lordship back to the royal capital. Since you’re new, pack your belongings early,” said Kahn, the valet, a man in his thirties. In my past life, we had little interaction because I was the baron’s only personal valet then, but now there were two of us.

“Yes, sir. I’m already prepared.”

“Then I must warn you—Miles Manor is no ordinary place. I don’t want to see any disrespectful behavior from you, especially considering you’re a valet from Baker Manor…” Kahn’s words carried a hidden meaning, suggesting the viscount’s family already had a notorious reputation.