Kai has never visited the main house. I didn't find any memories of him even coming this far from the servant's quarters.
I guess I share his excitement then.
The main house was absolutely massive. I thought the library was big enough but my words were returned to me. Since it was my first time here, my fatigue disappeared in my excitement.
The hallways were endless and they all had national-treasure level ornaments on display as decoration. The windows were as tall as the walls. The walls were painted in a beige colour, and the floor was made of white marble. There were large portraits hanging on the walls, of whom I'm not too sure.
As we walked down, I saw a portrait of the Young Lady of the house. All these portraits must be of the current family members. Right before we turned away, the last painting I saw was of a young boy, with jet black hair and a patch of golden hair in the front. He reminded me of Nero, for some reason.
The two of us turned a corner and we walked down another hallway. The only difference was that it was open from one side, with pillars supporting the floor. There was an inner courtyard that was covered in stone pavement, and a fountain in the middle of a flower ring.
I believe this is just interior designing and that no one really comes around here.
At the end of a hallway, we stepped into the main building. No for real, this entire walk was just so we can arrive at the main door of the house. My intrusive thoughts were going wild on wanting to punch the old man in front of me.
I really wanted to ask why we walked around when we could've just walked in from the front, but to my surprise the nasty old man actually explained.
"Servants are not allowed to use the main entrance as it's only for our esteemed guests. That is why we had to walk around."
Maybe it was just me, but I think I earned some brownie points with the butler. This was the first time he was actually considerate of me.
The front of the house was indeed decorated for guests. The walls looked like they were freshly painted. The floors were so clean that I could see my own reflection in them. Right in front of the front door, there was a large staircase leading up to the second floor.
On the second floor, there were numerous rooms with the same doors and no indication of their purpose. It looked like one of those escape rooms; wrong door and you lose.
The butler walked all the way down the second floor hallway and stopped in front of one the doors.
How did he know it was this one? Rich people really don't have enough money for door plates?
"Excuse me Sir, it's Robert." The butler talked so politely it was terrifying to watch.
"Come in." A clear voice sounded through the door.
His room was much like the office of a secretary, covered in paper. There was a large desk right across the door, and behind it sat a man with dark circles worse than a panda. He was still dressed in fancy clothes but his appearance was so dishevelled that I almost pitied the poor man.
At my entrance, the wrinkled man looked up and life reformed in his eyes.
"Ah right! I called for you!"
He seemed so excited to see me that it gave me chills instead.
"I wanted to reassign you to a new job."
Well, this sure is interesting.
"After seeing your work with the library, I believe you will do a great job as my assistant. I need someone to help me organise these papers. Due to the workload, I can't seem to find the time and now some important documents can't be found. What do you think?"
Is he being serious? Me, a laundry boy, helping the Duke's advisor with house affairs!? I know it's not directly but this is a very important job.
"Can I ask why you are asking me? There are plenty of more qualified people in the estate, so why would you pick me, a laundry boy?"
It was a sincere question.
The sleep deprived man smirked and replied, "Because you don't have any ill intentions towards the family."
While living as Kai, I completely forgot. Kai is a war orphan, and since the Duke took him in and provided him with food and shelter, Kai is indebted to the Duke. From his perspective, I would never try to harm my own benefactor.
Even though I plan on 'casually' borrowing this Kingdom's heart and soul. Sorry, kind Duke.
"I understand. I will accept the reassignment." This was the best outcome I could have asked for. Hard Work really pays off.
"Great! Follow Robert and he will provide you with more details on the schedule and your new uniform. I look forward to working with you."
Hearing his considerate message towards me made me feel queasy. Just a few days ago, he glared at me like I wasn't even human, and now he's 'Looking forward' to working with me? I can't understand this man.
After we left the room, I followed the butler to the main house's servant quarters. Quite an upgrade I must say. The building was in way better shape and the meals provided were barely a class below the highest. Even their uniforms were made of more comfortable and expensive material.
So this is what working in the main house is like. A part of me was really excited.
The butler brought me three sets of my uniform and also carefully explained my new work schedule.
The day starts at 6 am sharp, with breakfast at 6:30 in the servant's cafeteria. After that, I need to take the same long route to the advisor's office. Since I couldn't remember it too well, the butler drew a small map for me.
He definitely thinks better of me now.
Since I will have to work in the main house, my room will also be accommodated to the main house's servant quarters. But that means I will never get to see Charlotte or Nero. From that fact alone, all my excitement disappeared.
Yes, working in the main house will definitely be beneficial, but I don't want to leave my only good friends either. Despite how great of an opportunity it is, those two made me feel at home.
"Um, Sir Butler, I have one request."
TBC