The Maid's Contract Marriage (1 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 14
Having no idea what was going on, Taylor was scolded by Marina and chased away with only question marks floating above his head.
Quite a few servants witnessed the scene and mourned the lack of social awareness of the Julius Mansion’s most popular man.
Meanwhile, the maids, bombarded repeatedly with questions about Reina’s whereabouts, were growing increasingly irritated.
Taylor Lorenson, Lord Rembrandt’s attendant—a royal guest—and even ordinary servants who were simply curious about why Reina hadn’t been seen.
Surprisingly many people were searching for Reina.
“…….”
And it was regrettable that Tristan, arriving last of all, approached the maids—who were already weary of hearing the same question.
“Reina again? How many people is that just today? Impressive, really.”
He hadn’t expected the maids to exchange glances, shaking their heads with tired, exasperated expressions.
Tristan stared at them, bewildered.
“……What do you mean? Are you saying others besides me have been asking about ‘Reina’?”
The maids looked at him with a mischievous glint and replied teasingly.
“You’ll have to wait quite a while if you’re planning to line up for Reina.”
“Ah, no—that’s not it.”
Tristan frowned, offended by the implication, and raised his hand to deny it firmly.
“I’m not asking out of that kind of interest. For one, I’m already married. I’m merely curious about basic things—her age, reputation, family, that sort of thing…”
“My lord.”
One of the maids gave a short laugh.
“We don’t sell information about people in the mansion. Since you’re likely new here and unaware, I won’t hold your rudeness against you.”
“!”
Tristan paused, taken aback. The maid continued.
“We are servants of ‘Julius.’ We earn high wages in exchange for discretion and exceptional professionalism.”
He knew they were the highest-paid servants on the continent.
Yet, for some reason, Tristan bristled and, after clenching his jaw, finally spoke.
“……My apologies. But even as Sir Arthur’s closest knight, am I not entitled to information? As you know, Sir Arthur is the heir to this marquisate—doesn’t that make me your future family?”
The maids exchanged glances and, to Tristan’s surprise, smiled at him as if he were endearing.
Slightly flustered by their unexpected reaction, Tristan stiffened.
The maid said,
“My lord, if you’ll forgive my boldness, I’ll offer one piece of advice.”
“……Yes. I’ll listen.”
“If I were you, I wouldn’t make it so obvious that I’m gathering information on Sir Arthur’s orders. As you said, Sir Arthur will inherit the marquisate, and you, Lord Tristan, will soon become family and undergo the same training as us—that’s why I’m telling you this in advance.”
“!”
Realizing his mistake, Tristan’s face flushed with embarrassment.
As he stood there, speechless, the maid gave a professional shrug and replied generously.
“Well… Since you’re practically family, I suppose I can tell you this much: the number of men asking about Reina has already passed three fingers’ worth—just today.”
[This is the timeline separator]Scolding himself for having underestimated the task as mere gossip about a servant, Tristan felt anger rising within him.
Perhaps it was because he’d just reunited with his family and finally felt safe.
His mind had grown lax.
He’d acted like a careless fool.
To look down on affairs within this mansion…
This place was surely another battlefield for Arthur.
“…….”
He would need to start over from the beginning.
Reina. And Taylor Lorenson……
“Excuse me—has ‘Reina’ perhaps quit her job?”
While walking and reflecting on his mistake, Tristan froze behind a pillar at the sound of the name he’d been seeking.
“No, she’s still working. What’s the matter?”
Francis, Lord Rembrandt’s attendant, smiled awkwardly, seeming slightly troubled.
“I wanted to deliver a letter to Reina… but no matter how much I look, I can’t find her.”
“Oh, a letter? I’ll pass it along for you.”
As the servant readily held out his hand, Francis feigned a smile and hesitated visibly.
“Hmm… I wanted to give it to her in person before I leave. Didn’t she usually clean around here? Why can’t I find her?”
The servant’s face fell with sympathy.
“Ah… She used to, but… Reina was called a few days ago to serve as Miss Christina’s personal maid. She seems to stay by the young lady’s side constantly now. No one knows when she’ll return… What should we do?”
Tristan concealed his presence further behind the pillar.
This was exactly the information he wanted.
Privately grateful for his unexpected luck, he was also surprised.
So it really was true—many were asking about ‘Reina’?
Still hidden behind the pillar, he quickly scanned the questioner’s clothing and face.
A distinctive silk pattern on the man’s outer garment caught his eye.
‘Affiliated with the Imperial Household?’
Having recently served alongside the Crown Prince’s army, he recognized it immediately.
This pattern was exclusive to those employed directly by the Imperial Household. Judging by its usage and design, the man held a mid-to-upper rank—
A gentrie*. At minimum, a lesser noble—not a commoner.
Perhaps a close aide or attendant to a high-ranking noble?
“Miss Christina’s personal maid? Actually, I already knew that—but she wasn’t at the victory parade. Weren’t other maids attending to her then?”
“Oh, was she not? I didn’t see… Maybe she was on a private errand for the young lady. After all, she isn’t the only personal maid. It’s common for another maid to step in when the usual one is away on personal tasks.”
“I see. Hmm… Does Reina commute from home, or does she reside here? I understand it would be rude to show up unannounced, so I won’t overstep—but I was hoping for a chance encounter, just in case…”
“Oh, Reina… Hmm, normally I wouldn’t just say this, but since it’s you, Francis…”
It seemed they already shared a bond of familiarity and trust—information that hadn’t been given to him before now flowed freely.
[This is the timeline separator]“Huh…? A temporary assignment? So suddenly?”
Back in his room, Taylor Lorenson blinked in surprise at the unexpected order delivered by his father, Alvin Lorenson.
“Yes. It’s high time you started earning your keep. This is your first official duty from the marquisate. Don’t be nervous—it’s just attending to an elderly patient. A caregiver will be assigned separately as well.”
Attending to one elderly person? And there’d even be a caregiver?
Alvin Lorenson continued,
“You’ll come with me today. I’ll return first, and you’ll stay there to look after the patient. It shouldn’t be too hard. Carefully monitor the patient’s condition, provide treatment, and report back to the marquisate when you return. Start packing your things.”
He was to reside there while caring for a patient?
If the marquisate was sending a physician personally—and even assigning a caregiver—this must be an important patient. Shouldn’t his father be the one going, not him?
Something didn’t add up.
Was this merely a test of his skills as a physician?
Taylor hesitated before asking,
“How long will I be there?”
Though refusal wasn’t an option when the Julius family gave an order, he was deeply unsettled at the thought of leaving the mansion while Reina was still missing.
Alvin Lorenson paused briefly in thought before replying,
“It hasn’t been decided yet… For now, one week.”
Taylor was startled.
“One week? That long?”
And there was even a hint it might extend further.
If it was “just an old man,” why would the marquisate dispatch a caregiver and a live-in physician?
What was really going on?
Regardless, Taylor began packing and asked,
“Who is this person that the marquisate’s personal physician must stay for an entire week to treat?”
And why him instead of his father?
“You’re not the personal physician yet… She’s the grandmother of a certain maid. Due to special circumstances, the marquisate has decided to show her exceptional kindness.”
“Whose grandmother?”
After a brief pause, Alvin Lorenson answered,
“A girl named Reina Astalin. From here on, this is confidential.”
“…….”
Taylor, who had been pulling a stack of newsletters from his bag, froze and turned around.
“What?”
[This is the timeline separator]While Reina was detained after being summoned by the Marchioness,
Tristan went to find Arthur.
He relayed the scant information he’d gathered about Reina in the meantime—
Noting that just today, over three men had come asking for “Reina,” to the point where the maids had groaned when he approached, wondering if he was yet another suitor. He mentioned the large number of men seeking her, hinting she might have dangerous romantic entanglements, and added that he’d personally witnessed one of them—
Confirming that the man was Francis, an attendant of Lord Rembrandt, a royal guest who had only been staying at the mansion for two weeks.
“There’s a possibility she engages in risky romantic pursuits. You may want to be cautious.”
Arthur listened calmly, his expression unreadable.
He added that, given how quickly she’d charmed someone she’d only just met, she might actually be a dangerously cunning femme fatale beneath her innocent appearance—and advised Arthur to be careful.
[This is the timeline separator]Creeeak.
The door to the bridal chamber opened.
“……Sir Arthur.”
Arthur, who had just been pouring tea, turned only his eyes toward her and gave a faint smile before continuing to tilt the teapot.
“Did you reassure your mother well?”
“……Yes. Thank you.”
Setting the teapot down, Arthur lit a cigar and lifted one corner of his mouth.
“Good.”
He tapped ash into the ashtray and said,
“But you’ve been calling your husband—whom you’ve met again after five years—‘Sir Arthur’ for two whole days now.”
Reina paused and looked at him.
“…….”
Arthur smiled gently at her and pushed the teacup toward Reina.
“There must be a better way to address me.”
“…….”
Reina swallowed hard, hesitated, then lowered her head and murmured,
“……Arthur.”
“…….”
Arthur stared at her for a moment before giving a faint, wry smile.
“Sit down. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other—we have unfinished conversations to continue.”
“…….”
Reina stood still, watching him without approaching.
Cigarette smoke curled around Arthur, who wore an inscrutable smile, creating an oddly tense atmosphere.
“…….”
When Reina didn’t move, he calmly repeated,
“Sit down.”
“…….”
She finally stepped forward, took a seat, and nervously smoothed her skirt with trembling hands.
He must have guessed that whatever she’d discussed with the Marchioness couldn’t possibly be good news for him.
His unwavering gentleness only deepened Reina’s guilt.
He opened his mouth and asked,
“How have you been? These past five years.”
―――――
*Gentrie: A member of a noble household. Broadly includes titled nobles, but typically refers to untitled younger sons of nobility. They bear noble crests and belong to the ruling class—lower nobles or wealthy landowners just beneath the high aristocracy.
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
_____
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Chapter Comments (36)
Inline Comments (172)
I wanted the time we spent together to remain good memories.
Not possible brother… you two can’t be on equal standing. Reina has a bigger threat looming over her and she can’t even be her self around you
"Say it again, but longer."
This is the second time he has said this lol 😆 , blunt isn’t he
After long hesitation…
Ohh that’s a whole other can of worms waiting to be opened
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Oh my gosh my heart aches for reina… everyone is just tossing her around
Oh gosh reina 🥺… even in this day and age taking contraceptives mess you up … I can’t even imagine how it was back then. ( yes I’m aware it’s fiction but sympathy is free)
Aww I hope there is a way for him to get his sight back🥺.