The Unyielding Position (3)

“…Me? As your exclusive maid?”

The moment I heard Isabelle’s murmured response to Ethan, I was struck by such a shocking sensation that I nearly collapsed to the floor.

‘Isabelle…as Ethan’s exclusive maid…?’

A disturbing imagination flashed through my mind.

Just the thought of her becoming Ethan’s exclusive maid made my head spin with so many complicated emotions that I couldn’t think straight.

Beyond the shock of Isabelle taking the position that should be mine-

I felt utterly stupid for not having anticipated this simple, logical possibility until now.

‘Now that I think about it, it’s only natural.’

Even though I’ve been Ethan’s exclusive maid for nearly three years, how often have I actually acted like one?

Tidying his room and cleaning? Any maid in the mansion could do that-it didn’t require an exclusive maid.

Accompanying him to meals or outside activities? That was just part of the duties of an exclusive maid, not something I did voluntarily.

But the moment I realized there were countless reasons Ethan might not want me as his exclusive maid, my heart began pounding wildly.

What nobleman in his right mind would want a maid who once tried to strangle him while hurling curses in his ear?

Not to mention the times I ignored his orders and acted on impulse. It wouldn’t be strange at all if he was already sick of me.

‘All those times he brushed me off when I asked to be his academy exclusive maid…’

If he never wanted me around in the first place and was just waiting for the right moment to get rid of me, everything suddenly made sense.

Of course, now that I was trying to act like a proper maid, my shameless face wouldn’t be enough to change his mind.

Ethan had likely already decided on Isabelle as his next exclusive maid the moment my contract ended.

And you know what’s even funnier?

If I were in Ethan’s position, I would’ve chosen Isabelle over Lilith as my exclusive maid too.

Housework? Isabelle was probably a hundred times better than me.

And her personality? A thousand times better than mine-always kind and warm to everyone, unlike me, who only ever looked out for myself.

Looks? Maybe Lilith wins? …It’s hard to deny since it’s part of the game’s official setting, but Isabelle is cute too, so let’s call it a draw.

And even if I had a slight edge in looks, that was never a requirement for an exclusive maid in the first place.

In short, if Isabelle and I were competing for the position of Ethan’s exclusive maid, my loss was practically guaranteed.

Which meant I’d have to enter the academy-

…As a baronet’s daughter, with no real standing, in the cutthroat Magic Department of Luminor Academy.

“…Could you give me some time to think, Young Master Ethan?”

“Fine. But I’d prefer an answer sooner rather than later.”

“Yes…”

While drowning in negative thoughts, I hid behind the wall as Ethan and Isabelle finished their conversation. Once I was sure Ethan had disappeared upstairs, I quietly approached Isabelle, who was now alone.

To somehow convince her to give up the position of Ethan’s exclusive maid.

“Young Master Ethan, really. He shouldn’t have asked me something like this without consulting Lilith first…”

“…What did you and Young Master Ethan just talk about, Isabelle?”

“Eeek?! L-Lilith?!”

Startled by my sudden voice from the shadows, Isabelle nearly fell backward.

I quickly grabbed her arm and waist before she could hit the floor, pulling her into a light embrace.

“T-Thank you, Lilith…”

“I asked what you talked about with the Young Master, Isabelle.”

“L-Lilith? Why are you acting like this…?”

“Answer the question, Isabelle.”

“L-Lilith… Your eyes are scary today…”

Isabelle avoided my gaze, clearly unsure how to respond.

Now that I thought about it, asking her like this was putting her in a difficult position.

A veteran maid like Isabelle wouldn’t gossip about the master’s affairs-keeping quiet was the first rule of service.

Which meant I had to corner her with a question she couldn’t avoid. I already had a good idea of what they’d discussed from their last exchange anyway.

“It was about the exclusive maid position, wasn’t it, Isabelle?”

“Y-You heard, Lilith…?”

“Yeah, I heard.”

“I-I see…”

Seeing that I already knew, Isabelle’s reaction softened slightly.

Meeting her eyes, I got straight to the point-asking bluntly about Ethan’s offer.

Beating around the bush wasn’t my style, and I didn’t have the mental energy for it anyway.

“Are you going to accept Young Master Ethan’s offer?”

“W-What do you think, Lilith?”

“…Why are you asking me, Isabelle?”

“W-Well, because your opinion matters too! I was going to ask you anyway…”

…At least Isabelle had some sense of loyalty. Instead of immediately accepting Ethan’s offer, she wanted to hear my thoughts first-since I was the original exclusive maid.

If I were the game’s original Lilith, I might’ve brushed it off and told her to do as she pleased-but unfortunately, I wasn’t in a position to play the “good girl Lilith” right now.

I gave Isabelle my honest feelings as she nervously waited for my answer.

“Do you want me to be honest? Or should I sugarcoat it?”

“H-Honest…”

“I… want you to refuse Young Master Ethan’s offer.”

“……Huh?”

“I want you to decline the offer to be his exclusive maid.”

“……”

“…You asked for honesty, so I gave it.”

Isabelle’s expression froze-my request must’ve been shocking.

Though it wasn’t pleasant seeing her look so disappointed, I had no choice right now.

Even if it was Isabelle, there were some positions I couldn’t afford to yield.

“S-So… You thought I’d make you uncomfortable if I became the exclusive maid…”

“…That’s not why I’m asking you to refuse.”

“T-Then why…? Can you tell me why I shouldn’t be the exclusive maid…?”

“…I’m sorry, Isabelle.”

“……”

“The position of Young Master Ethan’s exclusive maid… is something I absolutely need.”

“……Huh?”

Isabelle reacted strangely as I explained why I needed her to decline.

For some reason, her expression-which had looked like she was about to cry-shifted to something more flustered.

I didn’t want her to resent me, so I explained my reasons in detail.

“I’m entering the academy next year, Isabelle.”

“O-Oh… I heard that from the Young Master just…”

“Thanks to his help, I’ll be entering as a noble-though a low-ranking one.”

“T-That was also the Young Master’s…”

“Do you think the other noble students will leave a low-ranking noble girl with no connections alone?”

“N-No, probably not…?”

“That’s why I need it. The position of Young Master Ethan’s exclusive maid. I’m confessing this honestly-only to you, Isabelle, not even the Young Master.”

“O-Oh… But Lilith, the exclusive maid position the Young Master mentioned to me…”

“Please refuse, Isabelle. I know this is shameless of me, but I absolutely must remain his exclusive maid while at the academy.”

“……”

Isabelle rolled her eyes, clearly unsure how to respond.

After a brief silence, her answer was the best news I could’ve hoped for.

“The position of Young Master Ethan’s exclusive maid… I never even considered it…”

“R-Really?!”

“Yes. And Lilith, I think you’ve misunderstood something. The offer the Young Master made to me was…”

“Isabelle~!! You’re the best friend ever!”

“H-Hyup?! L-Lilith?!”

Overcome with gratitude, I impulsively hugged Isabelle tightly.

Flustered, she called my name as I buried her in my embrace.

“Hyup…! L-Lilith, what the Young Master actually said was…!”

“Isabelle, thank you! I’ll never forget this kindness!”

“W-Wait, Lilith! Where are you going all of a sudden?!”

“So you don’t have to struggle with refusing the Young Master, I’ll convince him myself! I’ll make sure he takes me as his exclusive maid at the academy, not you!”

“No, Lilith! You’ve misunderstood from the start…!”

I’d check Isabelle’s words from downstairs later-for now, I rushed upstairs to Ethan’s room.

Before Isabelle could change her mind, I needed to get Ethan’s confirmation-that he would hire me.