Chapter 2
“I was just about to call you, Seol-ha. Judging by your expression, you’ve already heard the news?”
Lady Gwak greeted me with a smile as I hurriedly opened the door and entered. But I was in no mood to smile back.
“So-ok said something strange. She told me I’ve been assigned as Second Young Master’s exclusive maid. Is that true?”
It isn’t, right?
There’s been some misunderstanding, hasn’t there?
Please, tell me that’s the case.
I looked at Lady Gwak with desperate, pleading eyes.
However, the words that came out of her mouth completely shattered my expectations.
“Yes, it’s true. You seem very surprised. It was such a sudden decision that I didn’t have a chance to inform you in advance.”
Although her tone sounded apologetic, Lady Gwak still wore a smile.
And why wouldn’t she? Becoming an exclusive maid was considered a promotion in this world.
Not only did it come with an immediate pay raise, but being noticed by high-ranking individuals could even change one’s fate.
In fact, many people sought employment as maids with that very goal in mind.
In other words, I should be bowing to Lady Gwak and thanking her a hundred times for giving me this opportunity.
…If this were a normal situation, that is.
After confirming the truth, cold sweat poured down my face.
This was a disaster out of nowhere. I hadn’t anticipated this in the slightest.
Shin Seol-ha, get a grip!
There’s still a way to turn this around.
I only have two months left on my contract.
From Lady Gwak’s perspective, finding another exclusive maid after my contract ended would be a hassle. I decided to emphasize that point.
“First, thank you for thinking so highly of me. There are many other maids who want to become exclusive maids, so I’m grateful you chose me.”
“Your skills are meticulous, aren’t they? As you know, Second Young Master is quite generous by nature, but he does have a bit of a perfectionist streak. If you weren’t capable, it would be difficult to meet his standards. I believe you’ll adapt and handle it well.”
Generous by nature, my foot!
Barely holding back my rising anger, I spoke gently.
“But Madam, my contract period is almost up. Wouldn’t it be better to assign someone else from the start rather than having to find another exclusive maid later?”
“Oh, that’s right—you only have two months left, don’t you?”
“Yes, it’s such a wonderful opportunity, but it’s truly unfortunate.”
Feigning disappointment, I replied with a dejected tone. However, she handed me a piece of paper as if there was no issue.
“You can simply extend your contract. It’s not complicated at all. All you need to do is put your seal here.”
Lady Gwak kindly slid the red ink pad toward me. She seemed completely unaware that I planned to quit being a maid altogether.
In truth, most maids extended their contracts unless there were special circumstances.
Though being a maid might seem like a lowly job to outsiders, getting employed at the main cult required intense competition.
Since maids were granted unrestricted access to the inner city—a core part of the Demonic Cult—they underwent thorough background checks to prevent spies from the Martial Alliance.
Having overcome such rigorous procedures to get here, most people saw lasting in this position as a dream come true.
“Here, take this.”
Even before I signed the extension, Lady Gwak handed me a small booklet.
“This will help you a lot. Just follow what’s written here, and you’ll never fall out of Second Young Master’s favor.”
“Well, you see, I…”
“It’s fortunate that you can read and write. Many girls can’t even dream of being exclusive maids because they lack such skills.”
Lady Gwak sighed deeply, as though truly pitying them.
But I didn’t care about any of that. My mind was flashing warning signals. At this rate, becoming the exclusive maid was inevitable.
Even though this body retained no memory of its previous life, it oddly could read and write.
At first, I thought it was a small blessing amid the misfortune. But now, it only felt like a curse.
Soft refusals wouldn’t work anymore. I needed to be direct.
“I’m sorry, Madam, but I can’t do it.”
“Can’t do what?”
“Be Second Young Master’s exclusive maid. The truth is, I plan to leave in two months.”
“…Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“Can I ask why?”
She seemed genuinely taken aback by my refusal.
It was understandable. A capable worker she had nurtured suddenly rejected a promotion and announced plans to quit—it made no sense to her.
“It’s my grandmother I’m worried about.”
Unable to reveal the truth, I used my elderly grandmother as an excuse.
“She’s getting on in years, and her health isn’t what it used to be. Running the shop takes a lot out of her. At first, I thought getting a job and earning money to make her life easier was the way to go, but now I feel like staying by her side might be a better way to show filial piety.”
“Hmm, I see.”
The only family I had was Shin Geum, who ran a noodle shop. Lady Gwak was aware of my family situation.
A young girl, parentless, living alone with her grandmother.
I noticed a flash of pity in Lady Gwak’s eyes.
Got it!
She wouldn’t push me any further.
I was almost certain of it.
“If that’s truly what you wish, I can’t stop you.”
Sure enough, she accepted my refusal without further argument.
Of course, she looked deeply regretful at the thought of losing a capable worker.
“In that case, let’s do this. Until we find someone to replace you, how about you assist Second Young Master for the time being? That much you can manage, right?”
“Pardon? What do you mean…?”
“As I mentioned earlier, this situation came up so suddenly that there’s no immediate alternative. I can’t just send anyone to Second Young Master, can I?”
“But I’ll be leaving soon…”
“Yes, in two months. Within that time, I’ll find a suitable replacement. Starting tomorrow morning, you’ll report directly to Second Young Master’s quarters. Study the booklet thoroughly before then.”
Her tone carried a faint trace of irritation, likely due to the hassle of finding my replacement. She glanced at the door, clearly signaling me to leave.
I wanted to beg her to reconsider, but I had no justification to refuse further.
If I pushed this any further, I risked falling out of favor with Lady Gwak, which could make my remaining two months a living hell.
So this is how I end up as Second Young Master’s exclusive maid?
Am I really going to serve that deranged psychopath?
The absurdity of the situation made me feel like my mind was about to flee my body.
The past five years flashed before my eyes. I had worked so hard, only for this to be the outcome. It was infuriating and disheartening.
If I could, I’d run away in the dead of night.
But attempting that would get me caught by the Ten Thousand Demons Corps, who patrolled the fortress walls, and thrown into The Demon Cult Prison.
I’d be interrogated as a spy, tortured, and likely killed.
I must be the unluckiest person alive.
First, I get transmigrated into a martial arts novel. Then, just two months away from freedom, I get assigned to Second Young Master, the person I’ve been avoiding at all costs.
To think I’ll have to see that madman with my own eyes.
As I read the book, I cursed him countless times. Calling him a deranged psychopath was one of the milder things I said.
No matter how well Jeok I-geon hides his true nature for now, I’m just a lowly maid. The weakest of the weak, someone he could trample on without consequence.
Jeok I-geon always emphasized utility.
Anyone who failed a task was punished, no matter who they were. Yet, if they defied orders but achieved good results, they were rewarded.
That’s it—I need to prove I’m useful!
Even as a mere maid, if I show that I’m valuable, I might avoid dying a pointless death.
I’ll have to steer clear of any unpredictable variables.
Two months at most.
Until my replacement is found, I’ll have to tread carefully and cater to Jeok I-geon’s preferences to buy time.
Fortunately, I know what he likes and dislikes.
I also remember several key events that happened before he ascended as the cult leader.
I can only hope that knowledge will help me extend my life.
“Madam, may I have permission to go home tonight?”
I paused as I was about to leave, turning back to ask Lady Gwak politely.
“I’m afraid I won’t have time to visit my grandmother once I become Second Young Master’s exclusive maid. I don’t want to cause her unnecessary worry.”
“You’re right. You’ll be busy adjusting to your new post. Fine, but make sure you’re back by tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, Madam. Thank you.”
Tonight might be my last night with Shin Geum.
The Jeok I-geon of the original novel was a man of countless unpredictable variables.
Even if I do everything perfectly, he’s the type to kill me on a whim if his mood sours.
At the very least, I need to say goodbye.
With the resolve of a general heading to war, I left Lady Gwak’s quarters.
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