75: Personal Valet

Personal Valet

'Am I seeing things? What is the brat's knight doing here?'1

"Orian?"  the butler's voice pulled her out of her shock. "This is  Third Young Master Rafal. This residence belongs to him and you will be serving him."

Oriana immediately lowered her head. "G-Greetings, Third Young Master."

Rafal simply looked at that small figure clad in a clean servant uniform. However, she wore a black undershirt with a close-fitting collar that covered her supposedly exposed throat, hiding the rest of her body except for her face and hands. A black fabric was also wrapped around her head, looking more like a young scholar from some northern tribe rather than a housekeeper. 

Meanwhile, Oriana didn't know what to think of this situation. Her mind suddenly went blank and she needed time to think. Her mind was filled with  random words— knight of that brat, knife, stabbing, punishment, need to escape…

"Who is this?" she heard Rafal ask.

Oriana, who had her head lowered, as if she wanted to dig her escape underground, almost let out a gasp. 

'He didn't recognize me? Well, it has been more than a month and we've only interacted twice so it is understandable but…What kind of stinky memory does he have? Is he a fish? Has he met countless beauties in a span of weeks that my pretty face didn't even top the list?'

The corner of her lips lifted.

'Well, either way, it is more favorable that he didn't recognize me.'

"Young Master, this is Orian, a newly hired servant in charge of cleaning the rooms in this floor of the mansion."

"Don't you think he's too young?"

"Though he is young, he's quick on his feet and eager to work…"

Of course, Rafal knew everything already. The family knight, Ren, had already given a full report, not to mention that Head Butler Kahlil told him that him hiring Oriana was because Rafal paid special attention to the lad the day prior. It could be said that Rafal dug his own grave. 

Due to his master, neither could Rafal kick this young boy out nor could he keep him. Not to mention, this pretty boy caused his precious vacation to be canceled. 

Precisely because things were out of his control, Rafal was a little aggrieved. He wished he could make Oriana work like a slave but dared not act on it.

"Such a weakling, in charge of an entire floor?" Rafal said as he narrowed his eyes on her. 

Oriana stiffened. 'Uh-oh. He sounds dissatisfied. He won't ask me to be fired, right?' 

She somewhat remembered that Rafal made a similar remark in the past. The Third Young Master appeared to be the kind of person who puts heavy emphasis on a person's build, and he looked down on skinny guys. 

'It's not like I will bulk up even if I train my body. Besides, I'm not a real guy…'

Fortunately, Oriana made a good impression on Smith, and the butler came to her defense.

"Young Master, he might not be as strong as an ox, but he is strong enough as a servant. He arranged the rooms under his care really well in just a short period of time. Orian is a clever child. I am sure you will be happy with his efficiency," the butler said.

Rafal didn't comment on it and said, "The both of you are dismissed. I am going to rest."

"Yes, Young Master."

"Shall I have the maid send up soothing tea for you, Young Master?" Oriana offered only to hear Rafal's cold response. 

"No need."

Butler Smith offered her a reassuring gaze, silently telling her she did well, before the two of them went their separate ways.

Oriana eyed the door of Rafal's room, her hand on her chin as she pondered.

'I need to increase my worth in the Third Young Master's eyes. I need to do something to please him…something aside from bulking up my muscles, which is impossible…'

—-

In the middle of the night, while most of the residents of the capital had drifted to sleep, a group of people arrived at the city residence of the House of Ahren. 

Oriana was roused from her peaceful slumber because of their noisy arrival. She was fortunately given a separate room in the guest mansion, but since it was meant for servants, it happened to be near the stables. The chaos of horses, footsteps and voices soon made her leave her bed with a scowl. 

She peeked out from the small gap of her room's window and saw a group of people moving about with lanterns in hand. 

'Who are these people? Why are they moving about so late at night?' She rubbed her eyes after stifling a yawn. 'How ill-mannered. Don't they care about disturbing people's sleep?'

She seemed to recognize Rafal and Smith among those people and they were greeting the newcomers.

'This rich young master himself had to personally welcome a person? Is it the Count? Makes sense for a son to welcome his father, but, hmm, that doesn't sound right either. Why would the Count put his horses in this stable? The main mansion has a larger one. It means a guest has arrived.' 

Oriana wondered who it could be.

'Never mind, just go back to sleep.' 

She lay back in the bed, but just as she was about to return to sleep, her eyes opened wide. 

'How did I forget such an important thing? If Young Master Rafal is the son of a count, then shouldn't that brat's identity be higher? He must also be here in the capital as well. Maybe a palace official as well? And the Young Master is his subordinate? Wait, if Young Master Rafal is a knight, does this mean that brat is his captain? A royal knight captain who likes pretty boys? Ahhh, I hope he won't see me. Even if becoming close with the brat will allow me to enter the palace, I am not willing to be a pervert's plaything!' 

She closed her eyes and prayed. 'If someone out there who hears me can pity me, please do not let Rafal Ahren remember who I am. And please keep me away from that brat as well till I return home safely.'

Oriana woke up even before dawn. One of her fellow servants, the cleaning maid, knocked on her door while she was getting ready. 

Oriana put on her brightest smile as she opened the door. "Good morning—"

"Butler Smith is asking for you!" the maid said in a rush. "He is in the foyer. Hurry up."

"What happened?"

"Not sure."

Oriana hurried out, anxious that she was in trouble for a mistake she didn't remember. She began to doubt if she completed yesterday's tasks or if she broke a house rule. 

The butler was waiting for her in the foyer of the mansion. She bowed to him.

"Good morning, Butler Smith!"

"Follow me." 

She followed and heard the butler say, "From today onwards, you will no longer be in charge of cleaning—"

Before Oriana could react, Smith continued.

"—because you have been promoted as the valet of our Third Young Master. His personal attendant is still sick and cannot return for a week."

"V-Valet?"

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