The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Job Advertisement

During the meal, I tried tilting the ale bought in a small barrel, but after just one sip, I set the tankard down, unable to ignore the faint moldy odor mixed within its unique acidity. While it wasn’t actually moldy, it probably emanated from the fermentation of yeast. However, the sense of aversion overpowered any inclination to continue.

Seeing as Rad and Cliff, even Ed, were drinking it without any qualms, it wasn’t a matter of poor ale quality, but rather, it seemed to be the norm in this world.

With memories from my past life, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was acceptable for servants and guard knights to drink during the day. However, in this world where safe drinking water wasn’t guaranteed, drinking ale for hydration was commonplace. Fermented in wooden barrels, it had a low alcohol content and was consumed from childhood, apparently without leading to drunkenness.

“Madam, shall I prepare hot water?”

Marie asked me quietly, seemingly noticing my distaste.

“After the meal will be fine. I’m just not accustomed to ale, so I was a bit surprised.”

Ale was a widely consumed alcoholic beverage among commoners, while nobles predominantly favored tea or wine. Even the wine often turned out excessively acidic, a perception likely influenced by memories from my past life.

… Come to think of it, my previous life was quite luxurious.

There was an endless supply of drinkable water from the tap, and I had never seen food that wasn’t unpacked without knowing if it had gone bad. Beds were soft, summers were cool, and there were plenty of tools to keep warm in winter.

Though nostalgic, there was no way to return by simply wishing for it. I would have to adapt to this environment and carry on with resignation.

“Um, Madam. We were discussing hiring new staff here.”

As we finished the meal and took a breather, Rad timidly inquired.

“Yes, we do need a maid for cleaning and cooking, as well as a male servant to manage the garden and carriage.”

While I could manage with just a small house if living alone, residing in the lord’s mansion necessitated the presence of staff to manage the house, no matter how modest it was. Marie couldn’t be expected to perform maid duties, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for Cedric, a knight, to take on the role of a male servant.

This isn’t about whether they can or cannot do the job; it’s the master’s duty to uphold the conditions of their employment, and the more specialized the job, the more pride the person takes in fulfilling that duty.

If I were to issue strong orders, they wouldn’t likely defy them. However, that would amount to disregarding their pride.

“If you’re willing, would you consider hiring us here?”

“We can handle not only coaching but also caring for horses and maintaining the garden! We can even serve as gatekeepers!”

“Besides lifting loads, we can tackle most physical tasks, and you can trust us with messenger duties and simple roof or wall repairs.”

Their enthusiasm made me falter. Seeing Cedric raise an eyebrow and start to speak out of the corner of my eye, I hurriedly clapped my hands.

“Uh, that’s great! But, are you sure? Don’t you all have homes or families in the capital?”

“We’re all from the same rural area and don’t have families in the capital. We can move right away.”

Listening to their stories, I learned that there’s a lot of work for hired hands in this early spring season, especially as winter approaches, when they have to handle many other strenuous chores due to the deepening snow. They had been considering changing jobs for some time.

“But, for folks like us, second or third sons from rural farms moving to the capital, there aren’t many decent jobs available.”

It seemed there were many migrants like them from rural areas, who, upon arriving in the city, were subjected to low wages, demanding labor, and sometimes even abuse from their employers. Ed, being only twelve, was hesitant to elaborate, but it seemed he had been threatened with unsavory tasks before.

“Madam, you seem kind, and if you hire us, we’ll work hard!”

“Please!”

During the five-day journey, we didn’t talk much due to reservations, so effectively, today was the only half-day we spent interacting. But it was abundantly clear that they were hard workers. They volunteered to help without hesitation and took on tasks without making a fuss.

Above all, having people who enjoy the food while calling it delicious might be a surprisingly important factor. They all seemed simple and kind-hearted, and since having servants was absolutely necessary, their offer might just be a godsend.

“I’ve come here as the lord of this domain, so I’ll be quite busy and will need you to work a lot. Of course, I won’t give you unreasonable tasks, and I’ll make sure you have proper breaks, but there might be busy periods.”

“I don’t mind. As long as I’m not being beaten to a pulp or forced to stand outside in the dead of winter with water poured on me.”

“We won’t do anything like that!”

With Cliff’s remark, it became evident that they had endured more hardships than expected. Cedric seemed like he wanted to say something, but he must have thought it was for me to decide as the employer, so he stayed silent and watched the situation unfold.

“Madam, I also approve of hiring them.”

“Marie?”

“They’re hired hands sent by the guild, so they’re not under the Duke’s influence.”

“Marie!”

Despite Cedric’s sharp tone, Marie only glanced at him with a cold gaze before returning her attention to me.

“I shouldn’t be saying this, but as someone who’s left the Duke’s residence, I believe you need allies of your own.”

I was surprised by Marie’s statement. However, I also saw some merit in her words.

Whether they’re influenced by Alexis or not isn’t a significant concern for me, but it might feel suffocating at times. If we’re going to live together, it’s better to have people without ulterior motives.

“Yeah… then, I’ll ask for your help too. We’ll formalize the terms of employment in writing, so let’s review it and sign the contract.”

“Thank you, Madam!”

“Thank you!”

“And please, call me Melfina, not Madam. Marie, and if possible, Cedric too.”

“I understand, Lady Melfina.”

“Please take care of us, Lady Melfina!”

“As for me… it’s a bit difficult.”

“You don’t have to force yourself.”

Since Cedric belonged to the Order of Oldrand and not to Melfina as a servant, it was understandable that he would be more resistant than Marie. Even if Melfina and Cedric approved, Cedric’s position might still be precarious if questioned by others.

“I’m glad such good people have come.”

Those words slipped out unintentionally, and the three of them shrugged their shoulders as if embarrassed. Their gesture was so alike that it elicited a spontaneous, hearty laugh.

Rad and the others announced that they would vacate the rooms they currently occupied in the capital and return. Before evening fell, they departed from Enkar Village, planning to reach the neighboring village and stay there for the night.

Before they left, Melfina entrusted them with some shopping and handed over extra silver coins. She told them to keep the change, using it as extra funds for their move. They bowed deeply in gratitude.

In this world, people generally finished dinner when it got dark, spent some time together as a family, and then went straight to bed. While nobles and wealthy merchants could afford to keep the night lit with magic lamps, candles were still a significant expense for commoners, who were the majority.

Opening the small decorative book that served as a memo pad on the small desk and chair brought to her bedroom, Melfina increased the brightness of the magic lamp’s light. Unlike ordinary lamps or candles, the uniform light was akin to the lanterns powered by batteries from her past life.

“It’s a relief that we were able to move to the village safely. The heroine won’t appear for another two years, and since famine will come within this year, we need to establish food production first.”
I’ve been jotting down everything I remembered from my past life since the moment I recalled it. Thanks to Melfina’s memories, my recollection of the game dates back sixteen years, but the memories I’ve regained have remained relatively vivid, perhaps because they’re more recent.

The recollection of my past life came back a week before the wedding. By that time, I had already departed from the royal capital to the Duke of Oldrand’s territory for the wedding preparations, and a week had passed.

At first, I worried that I might be losing my mind, but ultimately, things didn’t go smoothly with Alexis, my husband from my previous life, right from the start.

In the original game, Melfina was supposed to move into the townhouse in the royal capital right away, living a life of luxury to fill the void of loneliness. Then, two years later, when the heroine of this world appeared and fell in love with Alexis, Melfina was supposed to stand in her way as the villain.

But that’s not what I want at all. That’s Melfina’s genuine sentiment.

I have no intention of seeking the love of Alexis, who rejected me without even trying to get to know his bride. Nor do I intend to live a life where I hurt someone and face condemnation.

—The family who never loved me, the husband who had no intention of loving me, I don’t care about them anymore.

If they want to do their own thing, then I’ll do mine and find my own happiness.