Chapter 44
Part 19: Head Maid
The Steward Department.
The Luoyang Sword Clan had countless departments, both large and small, and naturally, few of them were not busy.
Among them, if one had to name the busiest department, anyone would choose the Steward Department.
The Steward Department was responsible for the basic education, assignment, personnel management, and pre-assignment training of all servants and maids throughout the main house of the Luoyang Sword Clan.
Because it was such a department, there was never a quiet day, regardless of whether it was day or night.
Right after lunchtime ended, the front of the Steward Department’s pavilion resembled a marketplace in Luoyang.
Of course, since the Steward Department was also divided into a main road and a back route, the situation on the main road side was somewhat better.
Even so, when the waiting line grew long, there were times when it lasted over an hour.
Because of that, one could guess a person’s authority and ability simply by seeing how quickly they entered, regardless of the waiting line.
“Wow, what incredible clothes. She must be the maid of someone very high-ranking. I’m jealous.”
“Look at that. She is even carrying a sword. Maybe she is not a maid, but a bodyguard?”
“Hey, have you ever seen a bodyguard dressed that gorgeously?”
Of course, the subject of their chatter was Jeong-ah.
She was wearing bright and beautiful outing clothes with striking red embroidery, and a sword was fastened behind her emphasized, slender waist.
Because this was the main road of the Steward Department, most of the people around her were maids or attendants.
That made Jeong-ah’s clothes, ornaments, and sword stand out even more.
Of course, since Jeong-ah had been called Ice Flower even back at the reception hall, she paid no attention to that level of staring or whispering.
Her mind was filled with thoughts about training.
“Oh my, hello.”
Those who approached Jeong-ah were a group of maids.
They were fairly beautiful in their own right, but standing before Jeong-ah, they could not help looking somewhat lacking.
The one who seemed to be the queen bee among them took one step closer.
“I have not seen you before, so I thought we might introduce ourselves. For maids like us, connections are the most important thing, are they not?”
The Dragon Eyes caught the curiosity and slight envy flowing from the maids.
“Yes, hello.”
Jeong-ah drew a firm line there.
It meant that she did not particularly want to talk.
“Ah, do not be like that. Please introduce yourself. We are maids scheduled to be assigned to the Reception Hall this time.”
No wonder they were all fairly beautiful. They were Jeong-ah’s juniors.
“I do not think I have seen you in Luoyang’s social circles. May I ask which family’s young lady you are…?”
Jeong-ah sighed inwardly.
Due to the nature of the position of maid, there were many whose original status was respectable enough that they had no reason to feel ashamed.
As a result, among newly assigned girls, there were sometimes such “fools.”
“…I see.”
Jeong-ah slowly approached them.
From the mere act of walking, the natural majesty flowing from her made the “chicks” grow pale.
That pressure was not something one could ever feel in a young lady’s social circle.
“I will give you one piece of advice born from goodwill.”
Jeong-ah’s cold eyes looked down at them.
“Now that you have entered the Sword Clan, forget about your original families.”
“F-forget our families…?!”
Jeong-ah whispered into the ear of the chick who still seemed to be mistaking herself for the young lady of a family.
“In this place, no one cares about your pathetic little family.”
Resentment gathered in the chick’s eyes.
“You! Do you even know who I am…?!”
At that moment, the voice of an attendant from the Steward Department came from behind.
“Are you Lady Jeong-ah?”
Jeong-ah answered without even taking her eyes off the chick.
“That is correct.”
The attendant bowed deeply.
“The Head Steward is waiting for you.”
At the words “Head Steward,” the chicks’ faces turned white.
A name they, mere maids who had yet to be assigned, could never handle had appeared.
If it was the Head Steward of the Luoyang Sword Clan, even the heads of their own families would run out barefoot to greet him.
Looking at the pale chicks, Jeong-ah said to the Steward Department’s attendant,
“The children of this term lack education.”
The attendant’s face flushed red with shame.
“I apologize. I will inform the person in charge of education and take measures…”
Jeong-ah cut him off.
“No, that is all right. I will tell the Head Steward myself.”
Now the chicks were trembling as if they had been doused with cold water in the middle of winter.
“You are fortunate. What do you think would have happened if you had behaved like this at the Reception Hall? If it had been the Reception Hall Master I know…”
Jeong-ah smiled brightly.
“She would have disciplined you with a rod until you could not walk on your own for a while, then demoted you to latrine maid for at least a year.”
It was no exaggeration at all.
“Well then, farewell, everyone. Since this too is fate, let us introduce ourselves to one another next time.”
Without waiting for an answer, Jeong-ah turned away.
“I will guide you.”
Jeong-ah shook her head.
“That is all right. I know the way too. Please keep those chicks under control instead.”
Jeong-ah strode forward, heading toward the Head Steward’s office.
Those who had been watching the scene with interest hurriedly stepped back and opened a path as Jeong-ah approached.
The attendant, who had kept his head lowered until she disappeared from sight, suddenly shouted angrily at the chicks.
“You foolish things! Do you even know who that person is before running your mouths?”
The dazed chicks could not say a word and only lowered their heads.
Then one of the onlookers quietly approached and asked,
“Who is that person for you to react like that?”
At that, the attendant from the Reception Hall sighed and answered.
“That person is the head maid of Wongakjeong, and the Eldest Young Master’s chief personal maid.”
At his words, exclamations rose from the surroundings.
It was true that the name Swordless was openly treated as an object of contempt within the Sword Clan.
Even those below him gossiped about him in places where others could not hear.
But that was nothing more than “speaking carelessly when the person is absent.”
How could mere underlings dare to forget their place and look lightly upon the position of the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Clan?
“You useless fools!”
The chicks now wore dazed expressions.
The attendant from the Reception Hall spoke fiercely to the chicks.
“You should be grateful for that person’s generosity. Had she demanded punishment befitting her position, you would already be dead! Do you understand?!”
In that way, the chicks were learning life in the main house of the Luoyang Sword Clan with their own bodies.
***
“…It was not easy.”
Seeing Jeong-ah sigh, the Head Steward smiled.
“Even so, it was very exemplary behavior. Excellent. You displayed dignity fitting your position.”
At his words, Jeong-ah nodded.
“Am I not the same as my master’s face? Dignity and conduct fitting my position are necessary.”
“That is right. You are no longer a mere maid of the Reception Hall. Continue to devote yourself even further with that mindset.”
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
“And you must also know that you were somewhat lenient.”
“Is that so?”
Jeong-ah listened carefully.
“If that place had been inside Wongakjeong, then it would have been a matter of governing internal affairs, and everyone would have been deeply grateful for the mercy you showed.”
Jeong-ah had said she would personally tell the Head Steward, who was ultimately responsible for the chicks.
But it seemed even that was merely mercy for which they ought to be grateful.
“But this is outside. In that case, it would have been better judgment to show yourself governing them more firmly. When the opportunity comes, you must greatly establish your master’s dignity.”
The level of firm governance he was speaking of was certainly not simply a few slaps with a paddle.
At first glance, it might seem harsh as a price for rudeness, but this was the Luoyang Sword Clan.
Jeong-ah bowed her head and expressed her gratitude.
“I have learned greatly again today.”
“No. You are doing well enough. I am merely showing the meddling of an old man.”
In the past, when the Head Steward sent her to the Eldest Young Master, he had once sent a letter saying that if she did not know how to bend, she should be disposed of.
And yet, there seemed to be no lingering resentment at all between the two of them.
The Head Steward looked at Jeong-ah with a pleased expression and said,
“To think you have gained that person’s trust so greatly. I am very proud of you.”
“Is it not all thanks to Master looking favorably upon me? It is something for which I should be grateful to Master.”
Seeing her attribute everything to her master, the Head Steward smiled broadly in satisfaction.
Jeong-ah now understood his heart, and she also possessed the same heart.
The Head Steward was greatly satisfied that his daughter was walking the same path as him.
‘Everything is for the master one serves.’
They were possessors of a twisted consciousness born in the den of power that was the Luoyang Sword Clan.
“Then, what brings you here today?”
Jeong-ah brought up her business.
“In truth, Master wishes to supplement the manpower at Wongakjeong.”
At her words, the Head Steward’s eyes flashed.
“I see. Well, Wongakjeong is indeed extremely spacious. You must have suffered much hardship alone.”
As he continued speaking, he pulled brush, ink, and paper toward himself and moved the brush swiftly.
[It seems that person is finally beginning to move.]
[The Sleeping Dragon is awakening from his long slumber.]
“Since I cannot handle everything by myself, it has become shameful.”
The two faced each other and let out meaningful chuckles.
Of course, what Yeon Sang-hyeon had meant was merely to bring someone who could cook rice.
But no one present cared about that.
Was it not only natural that the finest master should always be followed by the finest talent?
Deep emotion appeared on the Head Steward’s face.
[I see. Finally, that person…]
[I cannot tell you in detail, but Master is far greater than you expected, sir. He is someone to whom the word giant is fitting.]
“Good, good. Then we must assemble children who are skilled at chores.”
“Yes. Please also include a child proficient at cooking.”
Even while exchanging words, their hands did not stop moving.
[I have always kept the finest children managed separately in case a day like this came.]
[I will trust and leave this to you, Head Steward.]
He rose from his seat and erased all traces of the written conversation they had exchanged.
He confirmed that even the final scrap had turned to ash in the brazier.
“Now, now, rather than doing this, it would be best for us to look together and decide.”
“Yes, I will follow you.”
He opened the door and called for a maid in a loud voice.
“Is anyone there!”
A maid who had been waiting at a distance hurriedly approached and answered.
“Yes, Head Steward.”
“A request for additional personnel has come from Wongakjeong, so I will personally select the people. Cancel all my later appointments for now.”
At the word Wongakjeong, surprise flashed across the maid’s face.
“Yes, I will deliver the message.”
“And among those in charge of education, tell the one responsible for the Special Class of Grade A to come and guide us personally.”
The maid’s eyes widened.
“Did you say the Special Class of Grade A?”
The Head Steward shouted sharply.
“If you understood, then why are you not moving quickly! Is this Steward Department such an idle place?!”
“I will obey!”
The maid ran off as if her tail had been set on fire.
After confirming that she was out of sight, the Head Steward turned and looked at Jeong-ah.
“I say this out of needless concern, but…”
His gaze turned toward the sword hanging at Jeong-ah’s waist.
“You know, do you not? The meaning of carrying a sword in the Sword Clan.”
Jeong-ah smiled.
“A warrior is not appointed by someone else. A warrior proves themselves.”
At that answer, he nodded greatly.
“Indeed! Correct!”