Silver hair and violet eyes.

Even without hearing her name, it was obvious the woman who just walked in was the female lead of the novel.

Of course, her hair and eye color were different from what she had imagined.

Was this what it meant to reflect reality?

Still, the hair color Geneve had hidden under her maid’s cap was the same vibrant orange-blonde described in the novel.

Because of that, she had assumed the female lead’s hair would also be a sparkling silver, like it was sprinkled with stardust.

Wanting to avoid reality, her thoughts kept drifting in strange directions.

Leonie Mansfield—or rather, Javier—frowned as she looked at Geneve and asked, “Do you know me?”

I don’t, but I do.

No, more importantly, why is the story different?

Leonie was supposed to meet the Grand Duke for the first time while working as a maid in his household.

So she shouldn’t have appeared here as the daughter of House Javier.

Trying to shake off the absurdity, Geneve quickly shook her head. “Ah, no. I don’t know you. I mistook you for someone else.”

After shooting a fierce glare at the maid, Leonie turned to the Grand Duke. “Your Grace, your maid is quite rude. She needs proper discipline.”

“That’s none of your concern.” Kaiden’s voice was low and filled with displeasure.

Philip quickly stepped in. “You say you’re the late Count Javier’s daughter?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve brought proof of your identity, haven’t you?”

“Of course. Here it is. By the way, who are you?”

“Duke Kenneth.”

He gave a brief introduction as though that alone explained everything, then opened what he had received.

“A letter?”

“Yes. A letter my father sent my mother along with living expenses.”

“Is this the only one?”

“Yes. I couldn’t find the rest.”

“If you had this, why didn’t you come while the count was still alive? And why didn’t he take in his daughter in the first place?”

“If you read the letter, you’ll understand. He strictly ordered my mother never to tell anyone I was his child, in exchange for sending support. I only found out I was the count’s daughter after my mother passed away and I discovered the letter.”

“When did your mother pass away?”

“Four months ago. She fell ill during the war and never fully recovered mentally. I don’t think she even remembered what had happened.”

Her answers flowed smoothly.

She must have come prepared, knowing handwriting comparison was inevitable.

Though he trusted that Bern wouldn’t make mistakes, Philip couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

If she was found out, she’d be executed immediately for impersonating a noble.

After the war, buying and selling titles had been rampant, leading to harsh punishment for false claims.

In this climate, could someone really be bold enough to claim to be a count’s daughter?

Philip closely examined the letter front and back before passing it on.

Kaiden, without even glancing at the letter, tossed it on the table and asked, “You found it after your mother’s death?”

“Yes, I discovered it while sorting through her belongings after being notified of her passing.”

“Then why didn’t you come right away? It wouldn’t have taken much to find out where Count Javier lived.”

At that, Leonie Mansfield hesitated briefly, then replied, “I had to save up for travel expenses. But are you really going to keep me standing here?”

She was upset that while the Grand Duke, the Duke, and a maid were seated, she and the butler remained by the door.

But Kaiden ignored her complaint and issued an order to the butler. “Prepare a guest room for Miss Mansfield. Until the handwriting is verified, she will stay as a guest.”

It was an obvious slight.

Leonie bit her lip, swallowing her anger.

Once they confirmed the handwriting, they wouldn’t treat her this way anymore.

It was just a matter of patience. She gave a polite bow.

“Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll take my leave.”

As the butler escorted Leonie out, Philip picked up the letter again.

“She’s only that confident because she thinks she won’t get caught.”

“Hmm.”

He had expected her to break under pressure and admit the truth.

But something told Kaiden this wouldn’t be easy, and his expression hardened.

“Could Bern have missed something? He’s become more lenient over the years.”

“Bern wouldn’t make a mistake. But if Count Javier really had a daughter, why wouldn’t he mention it in his will? Even if he saw her as a disgrace, she was still his blood. Would he really keep up appearances until death?”

“If it was because of debt? Since she couldn’t inherit the title, he might’ve wanted the heir to take care of the debts first… No, that doesn’t make sense either.”

“Debts come with the title, so there’d be no need for that. He should’ve at least asked me to look after her.”

“She’s acting so sure of herself, even handwriting comparison might not prove anything. Then how do we expose her as a fraud?”

“We’ll dig into her background.”

“Yes! An investigation! But where do we start?”

Kaiden pointed to the address on the envelope. “Here.”

“And if she turns out to be real? What then?”

“I’ll say a word to Bern and hand over the house. It’s the only inheritance Count Javier left.”

Philip looked doubtful. “Will that be enough for her?”

“I’ll sponsor her debut into society and provide a dowry at least.”

“One accidental title inheritance, and you’re losing a fortune.”

Seeing his friend grow indignant on his behalf made Kaiden smile.

This was why he liked Philip.

If Freddy were here, he’d be making a fuss too.

Despite the troublesome situation, Kaiden’s expression softened. Seeing this, Geneve cautiously spoke up.

“Excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt, but…”

Kaiden, startled by the sudden reminder that the maid was present, turned his head.

It was the first time something like this had happened.

To speak so carelessly in front of someone he had just met today.

He calmed the chill in his chest and gave a slight nod as if to say, go on.

“Isn’t it dangerous to let someone of uncertain status into the house? You both seem suspicious and plan to investigate. Normally, wouldn’t people make them stay elsewhere until their identity is confirmed?”

Living under the same roof as Leonie Mansfield.

Absolutely not.

“Someone who started working here without permission doesn’t really have the right to say that, do they?”

She couldn’t argue; it wasn’t wrong.

As she pouted, Kaiden, uncharacteristically, responded kindly, “I like to keep my enemies close.”

“So you’re saying I’m an enemy?”

Seeing the maid protest with wide eyes left Kaiden flustered. “No, that’s not what I meant…”

“Normally, yes, people wouldn’t accept someone until everything is certain. But noble society doesn’t work that rationally. If we send Miss Mansfield away and she complains elsewhere, Kaiden would get all the blame.”

“So in the end, I really have to live with her?”

“Why are you so concerned about that?”

As the Grand Duke asked curiously, Geneve hesitated before asking, “Is there any way I can retract the contract I just signed?”

“Why would you ask something you know the answer to?”

Seeing him look at her like she was incomprehensible, Geneve calmly began to explain.

“The situation has changed since signing. If I had known I’d have to serve a lady, I never would’ve agreed.”

“I’ll pay you more.”

“No, no. That’s not the problem.”

“Then what is?”

What is? That she must not get involved with Leonie Mansfield!

But she couldn’t say that.

Geneve quickly came up with an excuse.

“It seems she came without a maid. What if she expects me to serve her? I’ve never served a noble lady before.”

“We’ll hire a new lady’s maid.”

“Then there’ll be even more people living in this house. Things are already so hard, I’m quitting.”

“Throwing a tantrum like this? You really are suspicious. You must have sneaked in for some ulterior motive. Or are you here to steal valuables?”

At the Grand Duke’s accusation, Geneve jumped up. “What part of what I said sounds suspicious to you?”

“You said you don’t like it when more people are around. Compared to other households, this one has very few staff. In a house of this size…”

As he trailed off, unsure, Philip jumped in. “From what I’ve seen in my relatives’ houses, they have at least ten staff.”

“Right?”

“Of course. There are multiple bedrooms, reception rooms, an office, a dining room, and a nursery. It’s a four-story house, you can’t run it with just a few people.”

And up until now, Eva and Patrick have managed all that alone?

Geneve held back what she wanted to say and spoke instead, “Anyway, since the situation has changed, I want to cancel the contract.”

“No.”

The immediate refusal left no room for compromise.

As Geneve grew angry and prepared to argue, Philip quickly stepped in. “Now, now. Let’s all calm down. Miss Green wants to quit because it’s hard, and Kaiden wants to keep her because he’s suspicious, right?”

“Right.”

“Yes.”

“Then how about a compromise between both sides?”

As both looked at him expectantly, Philip suggested, “What if she works for about a week…”

“Two days.”

“What nonsense is that? You need at least half a year… Oh, I see.”

Kaiden, who was about to object, suddenly slapped his knee as if he’d realized something.

He leaned toward Geneve and accused her.

“You’re in league with that woman claiming to be Count Javier’s daughter, aren’t you?”

“What?”

“You came early to scout the place. Figured you could squat here since there was no master. That job ad was the signal, wasn’t it?”

Philip, shocked, agreed. “So she saw the ad and came?”

“Oh, this is ridiculous. Listen here. That ad went out a week ago, okay?”

Geneve forgot she was a maid and snapped back with harsh words.

Then again, she’d never really behaved like a maid here anyway.

Strangely, the others didn’t seem to care.

They didn’t react at all to the outrageous breach in etiquette and simply continued their childish bickering.

“Maybe she was waiting nearby, about a week’s distance away,” Kaiden concluded arrogantly, lifting his chin.

“Why though?” Philip stepped in this time.

“Because she didn’t know who lived here?”

“Stop with your ridiculous theories. I’m so mad I can’t stand it. Fine. I’ll work here until the misunderstanding is cleared up.”

“Excellent decision.”

Geneve glared at Kaiden, who smugly provoked her.

“On one condition.”

“Condition?”

“If it’s proven I’m not in league with that woman, you have to apologize.”

“That’s easy enough.”

Seeing how quickly Kaiden agreed irritated her even more.

“And one more thing. You have to grant me one request.”

“As long as it’s within reason.”

Once again, his nonchalant consent made her blood boil.

“And who decides what’s ‘within reason’?”

Kaiden pointed at Philip. “We have a mediator right here.”

“He’s on your side!”

“Then bring someone of your own. If both sides agree it’s reasonable, I’ll grant your request. But that won’t happen. I’ve never lost.”

“Hmph! We’ll see about that.”