“I will rotate the maids attending to me every five days. Four maids per day should suffice. Butler, prepare a list and bring it to me.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Dismissed.”

With that brief command, Cecilia turned and walked away.

Benjamine, still limping and supported by a maid, hurried to follow her.

Helen immediately selected a few maids.

“You will attend to the Madam today.”

“Yes, Butler.”

The assigned maids quickly rushed to follow Cecilia.

Until Cecilia disappeared completely up the stairs, no one in the hall moved or spoke a word.

As soon as someone let out a loud exhale, murmurs broke out across the room.

“Helen—no, Butler.”

“Oh, our butler now.”

The Lagos servants grinned and gathered around Helen.

“Butler, we’ll be counting on you from now on.”

“Don’t forget about us now that you’ve become so important.”

They teased Helen playfully, their faces mischievous.

The people of Lagos Castle were genuinely proud of Helen’s promotion.

They knew just how much work Helen did. If she were absent for even a few days, the entire castle’s operations would suffer.

Helen, who rarely showed her emotions, blushed deeply.

“Everyone, get back to work. You have plenty to do.”

“We must listen to the butler.”

“Let’s go.”

“Oh, the kitchen and the laundry room… Be sure to let us know how many more hands you need before you leave.”

The eyes of the senior servants gleamed.

They glanced at the servants from the grand duchy, who huddled together like frightened little animals, unsure of what to do.

Over the past fifteen days, the Lagos servants had endured countless grievances caused by the grand duchy’s servants.

They had to deliver meals to them for every meal, clean up after them, and even do their laundry and clean their rooms.

There had even been an incident where a young Lagos maid was hit during a petty argument with one of the grand duchy’s servants.

The Lagos servants had felt as though their single madam had multiplied into dozens.

But none of this had reached Hoffman’s ears, as the Lagos servants kept their complaints to themselves.

The Cardros family, which had protected Lagos Castle for generations, was the region’s stronghold. Without it, the people of Lagos would have lived in far worse conditions.

Among the Lagos servants were many who had watched Russell grow up.

To them, Russell was their lord, but also someone they regarded with familial closeness.

They endured it for Russell’s sake, silently agreeing not to ruin their lord’s newlywed life.

‘It was worth enduring.’

‘The Madam was watching everything.’

The Lagos servants felt a sense of vindication and were energized by it.

“I need three people for general kitchen work.”

“The laundry room needs at least five more. There’s been a lot more laundry lately.”

“The stables need extra hands for cleaning.”

The senior servants didn’t hold back, voicing their needs.

“Alright, hold on.”

Helen took a small notebook from her pocket.

“But don’t mix personal grudges into this. Remember, this is an opportunity the Madam has given us. Don’t squander it.”

The servants’ eyes wavered, and some coughed or clicked their tongues.

“You’re right. Just because they were childish doesn’t mean we should stoop to their level.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll make sure they’re doing the same work as the youngest on our side, nothing more.”

With calmer expressions, the senior servants stated the number of workers they needed and then returned to their tasks.

As they walked back to their workplaces, they whispered among themselves.

“The Madam is truly remarkable.”

“Absolutely. As expected of someone raised in one of the continent’s distinguished noble families.”

“She has an eye for people too. She recognized Helen’s abilities right away.”

“You mean Butler.”

“Ah, right. Butler.”

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

Benjamine, hampered by her injured leg, couldn’t catch up with Cecilia.

No matter how much effort she put into hurrying, Cecilia’s back grew smaller in the distance.

Benjamine felt aggrieved.

It seemed as though Cecilia had begun to distance herself from her.

The Miss had changed so much, and so suddenly.

‘Today, I’ll settle this with her.’

Benjamine resolved firmly.

‘If I collapse and cry that I can’t go on, she won’t be able to ignore me. After all, how many years have I served her since she was learning to walk?’