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It wasn’t unusual for the 4th Manager to be wearing black clothes. The Masked Unit always wore black clothes even when they belonged to the Prosecutor’s Office, and that’s why I thought any black clothes would suit the 4th Manager.

‘It does suit her.’

Although the maid’s uniform had some white mixed in, it was still black. However, I never imagined or wished to see the 4th Manager in a maid uniform.

‘Why does it suit her so well?’

Strangely, I felt angry because it suits her well. There was no particular reason to be angry, but I felt like the child I had taken so much care in raising had gone astray. It was an odd feeling that couldn’t be expressed in words.

Fortunately, there wasn’t anyone around. It was good that I sent them in first so we could have a conversation without any discomfort.

“When did you get here?”

“I arrived right after master left the house.”

“Eh…”

I almost asked her to stop calling me master. However, she wouldn’t do something like that without a good reason. She was one of the few sane people I could trust.

It seemed like she noticed my thoughts. The 4th Manager opened her mouth.

“There were many people who wanted to serve Master, but I thought it would be bothersome for you if the number of servants greatly increased on top of all the guests. That’s why I decided to come alone.”

“That’s very considerate of you.”

“You’re praising me too much.”

The 4th Manager bowed again. After hearing her explanation, this situation kind of made sense.

Even if the Emperor had agreed to send the Masked Unit to support me, it would have been too much for the Empire’s special force to stay where important people from other countries were staying. If Villar realized that, he would’ve trembled because of a sense of betrayal.

That’s why the other Masked Unit members were lurking near the mansion, and the 4th Manager came here dressed as a maid as their representative. So, this was just a natural guise. It was natural, right?

I quickly scanned the 4th Manager. Cold expression, sharp eyes, and a tall stature for a woman. Hmm…

“Let’s do our best.”

“Yes, master.”

I know that she wasn’t a maid but the 4th Manager, and it didn’t feel natural. However, she probably had a reason for having come while dressed like this. Well, there could be taller maids. It’s too discriminatory to assume that commoners have small builds.

“Have you met the butler?”

“Yes. I’ve met the other servants as well.”

“Then you should be inside. Why are you outside?”

“I wanted to be of help…”

“Forget it. Let’s go in.”

I pushed the 4th Manager towards the mansion. She hesitated, but she finally followed me inside as I took the lead.

There were people who, if left alone, would cling and become burdens, while there were some kids who went out of their way to do things they didn’t have to do. The 4th Manager was the latter, and she needed to be taken care of like this.

* * *

The Minister of Intelligence called me out of the blue. However, I wasn’t feeling good since he called me as soon as I returned from the north.

“Go to the mansion of the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager. Once there, follow his orders.”

But if it’s about seeing the Executive Manager, I would respond to the call even if I were on the other side of the continent. I had recently seen him at the Academy, but I could be with him in the Capital this time.

Hearing the news, the other members who were unpacking their things hurriedly repacked them, ready to run out at any moment. We would meet the Executive Manager, so that reaction was expected.

“By the way, can we all enter the residence?”

The warm atmosphere quickly cooled down at the words of the Vice Captain. Come to think of it, he was right. From what I heard, several important people would stay in the Executive Manager’s mansion.

In that situation, we could bother him if we all visited at once. We cannot do that. I would rather bite my tongue and die rather than end up causing him trouble.

“Captain, since you must command the members, I’ll—”

“I’m going.”

“…There might be someone among the three countries that recognizes you—”

“I will go.”

I quickly cut off the Vice Captain’s suggestion. As the Captain, I should be the one with the Executive Manager. There’s no room for such nonsense. How come you can’t even recognize who’s on top and who’s at the bottom?

That’s how I entrusted the other members to the Vice Captain and was able to stay in the Executive Manager’s mansion.

“Penelia unnie?”

“Huh, is it really you?”

As soon as I entered the garden, the two maids who were watering the flowers looked at me.

“Yuris, Sophia.”

As I called their names, they put down their watering cans and ran straight towards me. No matter how happy they were to see me, they shouldn’t put away their work. I should scold them.

“Unnie!”

“Woah, the master just came back today!”

However, my heart softened while looking at the two children who were hugging me with a bright smile on their faces. They’re still young, so it’s understandable. It’s okay to let things slide once in a while.

“Where’s the Executive Manager?”

“He just went out.”

Sophia said with a giggle. I felt a bit disappointed. If I had come earlier, I could have greeted him immediately.

But it’s okay. After all, I would stay at the Executive Manager’s mansion for a while. Happiness was waiting for me, so there was no need to be hung up on small matters.

“Ah, I have to let Mr. Butler know.”

“I’m sure that everyone will be happy to hear that unnie is back!”

Each of the chattering children grabbed one of my hands and pulled me towards the mansion.

“Weren’t you doing something?”

“The master said we could take it easy!”

Then it can’t be helped.

While walking inside the mansion on my way to meet the butler, I met most of the servants in the mansion. They all greeted me warmly, which I was thankful for. It’s been a while since I properly greeted them other than through letters.

“Ah, isn’t it Lady Penelia?”

“You can just call me Penelia.”

“Seeing how you can’t take a joke, it really is you.”

The butler greeted me while handing me some tea. Then he waved his hand, signaling Yuris and Sophia to leave, but they didn’t want to leave my side.

I had to explain to the butler why I came to the mansion, so it would be troublesome if they stayed.

“I’m going to be staying in the mansion for a while, so we can play together later on. Go back for now.”

“Really?’

“Really.”

Only then did they leave us alone.

“Is everyone doing well?”

“Yes, everyone’s doing well.”

The butler, who asked me about the well-being of the Masked Unit, seemed relieved by my answer. It was a miracle that all the members of a special force in charge of doing dangerous work were still doing well. It was all thanks to the Executive Manager, who trained us well.

“I was worried. After all, we’re like family.”

“We think the same way.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

We both laughed. The Masked Unit used to serve the Executive Manager as members of the 4th unit, and the servants protected the Executive Manager’s mansion—we were all like family.

We were comrades who’d experienced life at rock bottom and had lost everything in that terrible war. Thanks to the person who extended his hand to us, we were able to get new lives. That’s why we were a family that served the master, each in their own way.

“The master has just returned to the mansion, so I’m sure it isn’t a coincidence.”

“I came on orders.”

“I see. Then, make yourself comfortable.”

“Aren’t you going to ask more…?”

I was surprised by how easily the butler accepted my explanation. However, he just smiled at me.

“What could be more important than having a family member return home?”

I became speechless at those words. As expected of someone the Executive Manager trusted with his mansion.

However, to prevent a collision with people from the three countries, I was the only one who entered the mansion. I informed him that the others were waiting nearby. Upon hearing this, the butler nodded a few times and then left, saying I should wait for a moment.

“Ah, that’s…?”

He brought a maid outfit.

“It wouldn’t be strange for a maid to be in the mansion. I think this would be best to avoid any suspicion.”

His persuasive words made me nod involuntarily, but I couldn’t bring myself to reach out for the uniform. After swearing my life to the Executive Manager and having lived my life while swinging my sword, it felt strange to wear such a light and airy dress.

Also, won’t the Executive Manager be disappointed to see me like this? Maybe he’d think it doesn’t suit me.

“Now you’ll be able to call him Master too, Penelia.”

At that, I reached out my hand as if I were under a spell.

After changing into the clothes given to me by the butler, I lingered around the garden, waiting for the Executive… No, the master to come. I did some unplanned work, like pruning a troublesome section that I noticed.

I was spending time like that when Master came to the garden.

“When did you get here?”

“I arrived right after Master left the house.”

I was relieved after seeing that he was surprised instead of looking offended. I had been worried that Master might have wanted another squad and not us.

However, my heart hurt after seeing him scan me up and down. It seemed that I looked strange, even in the master’s eyes. I felt grateful that he didn’t say it out loud.

“Then you should be inside. Why are you outside?”

“I wanted to be of help…”

“Forget it. Let’s go in.”

I silently followed Master back to the mansion, planning to change clothes as soon as I returned to my room. People should do things that fit them. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone can be a bad thing.

“You look uncomfortable in those clothes because they’re different from what you usually wear.”

I ended up closing my eyes at the words that finally came. It seemed like Master couldn’t hold his opinion back anymore.

“But I can’t ask you to change since it suits you well.”

“Yes?”

His unexpected words prompted me to ask back. I realized my mistake belatedly, but Master just turned and looked at me as if he didn’t mind.

“I said that it looks good on you.”

At those words, my anxious heart calmed down.

* * *

I could sense that the 4th Manager was uncomfortable with her new attire, even from behind. I wonder how she ended up wearing clothes that made her feel awkward.

She looked sad, so I complimented her. I was relieved to see that she started feeling better after I did that.

Let’s put ourselves in her shoes. I would go crazy if I had to wear servant’s clothes like that for work while I was in my boss’s house.

At that moment, I imagined the Minister as he laughed at me and mocked me. How terrible.

‘She’s amazing.’

It probably took the 4th Manager a lot of courage to stand before me while looking like this…