"Your job here is simple, and that is to take care of the young master and do everything he orders you to do. That's how easy it is, nothing more. If you want to help with other tasks aside from that, it will be according to your own will. If you don't want to, that's fine, and if you do, then even better," said the head housekeeper, Aunt Lucy. I nodded in response while we were walking together toward the young master's room, but the nervousness in my chest was already overflowing.
Mrs. Sylvester had instructed her to show me around the mansion and explain to me what my job here would be. I haven't quite memorized every part of the mansion yet, but I think I'll eventually get used to it once I've been here longer.
It seems like the job won't be easy for me because the one I have to take care of and serve isn't a child, but someone who's just the same age as me. I wasn't able to ask Mama about her job here, so I was surprised earlier when the lady told me that I was the new nanny for her son.
"May I ask something?" I asked hesitantly.
"Sure, what is it?" replied Aunt Lucy, and I shyly looked at her.
"I-Isn't the young master grumpy?"
She stopped walking and faced me. She looked at me seriously, which made me nervous.
It seems like it wasn't right for me to ask that.
"It depends actually, you'll find out along the way," she said, then continued walking. I immediately followed behind her and suddenly started thinking.
It feels like I don't even need to know the answer because from the way he talked to me earlier, I could already tell that he really is grumpy.
"We're here at the young master's room," said Aunt Lucy when we stopped in front of a gold-colored door, which I think is the only door here that looks different.
I guess I won't get lost if I ever need to come to his room.
Aunt Lucy knocked, then immediately opened the door. She entered first before I did, so I was able to let out a breath before stepping inside.
"Young master..." called Aunt Lucy.
I didn't see the young master when I entered the room. Turns out he was in a dark corner of his room, reading a book. I even wondered, who reads a book in the dark?
Young master is so weird.
"Did I say you could come in?" he said coldly, but his voice laced with irritation, which startled me.
He really is grumpy. Is this also how he treats Mama?
"Forgive me, young master," apologized Aunt Lucy and suddenly bowed, which confused me.
Should I do what she did too?
But he suddenly stood up and walked toward the two of us. The sound of him closing the book was loud. It looked like Aunt Lucy and I had disturbed his reading.
I'll take note of that so I won't get scolded.
"Forgive us if we disturbed you, young master. It won't happen again. I just wanted to introduce to you—"
"I already met her. There's no need to introduce her to me," young master cut her off, but he was looking at me. Aunt Lucy remained bowed, which I still found strange until now.
She didn't really need to do that.
I swallowed hard when young master wouldn't take his eyes off me. He stared at me, but I was the first to look away and lower my head.
"You can leave her here. You can go."
Leave me here?
I was surprised by what he said, but I kept my head down until I felt Aunt Lucy's footsteps walking away.
I felt like crying.
Why did she leave me here?
"I didn't feel any respect from you, Miss Alfonso," he said, which confused me.
"W-What do you mean, young master? I respect you—"
"You should bow your head when you enter my room. That's the form of respect I am talking about," he cut me off, causing me to shut my eyes tightly.
I should've just done what Aunt Lucy did earlier. But no one informed me that I was supposed to do that every time I entered his room.
And besides, what is he, really?
"And you will only look at me when I tell you to. Do you understand?" he added, and I slowly nodded in response.
Is this what Mama does too? This is too much, I never thought this was the kind of respect he wanted to see from me.
"Did you hear what I said? You're not mute, so you could at least answer yes or no to my question," he asked coldly.
"Yes, young master. I will follow," I replied and secretly let out a deep sigh.
Gosh, if this was the kind of service I'd be doing, I should've just backed out. But I can handle this. I have a long patience for people like him.
"Good. I only have three rules. First, do not enter my room unless I tell you to, or if I'm not home. Second, don't touch my stuffs or meddle with anything you see in here. And third, come immediately when I call you. I don't care if you're doing something, just do what I said and what I want you to do. Understood?" he explained, and I memorized each one in my head.
"Yes, young master. I will follow," I responded, still keeping my head down.
My neck was starting to ache, but I still couldn't lift my gaze to look at him.
"Good, eyes on me."
Finally, I could look at him.
But I was startled because he was so close to me, and I hadn't even noticed. His face remained serious, and his eyes were still fixed on me.
Why does he look at me like that?
"I-Is there a problem—"
"Why can't I read your mind?" he murmured softly, which confused me.
What does he mean by that?
"You can go," he said, immediately turning his back on me.
Even though I was puzzled by what he said, I didn't respond. Instead, I quickly stepped out of the room. Once I was outside, I leaned against the door, holding my chest.
Why is my heart beating so fast?