The sun had barely climbed over the rooftops when Julian started on his first task, preparing the main hall.
The large room was already bathed in warm light, its tall windows letting in beams that shimmered across polished floors and elegant furniture. It was the kind of space meant to impress, not just with its size, but with its silent demand for perfection.
Julian rolled up his sleeves and got to work.
He started with dusting, carefully sweeping over the carved moldings, the portrait frames lining the walls, and the marble statues positioned at intervals throughout the hall. Each detail had to be spotless. Not because anyone told him to, but because the system would definitely not accept half-assed work.
He kept expecting something to trigger in his system—a progress bar or alert—but nothing came.
"Tch. Figures."
By the time he moved on to sweeping and arranging the furniture, the weight of the task was settling into his muscles. Nothing too difficult, but definitely time-consuming. Still, it wasn't all bad. The routine let his mind wander, and with every movement, he felt his body warming up.
Eventually, a faint chime echoed in his head.
[Task 1 Completed: Clean and prepare the main hall.]
[+167 Coins awarded.]
Julian blinked. "Oh? It splits the reward for each task?"
That was good to know. The partial reward system at least gave him something to work with.
He wiped the sweat from his brow, took a short break near the hallway, and sipped water from a nearby jug. The moment didn't last long.
A voice called from across the hall. "Julian. You're needed in the storage wing."
He turned to see a young servant gesturing him over. "Lady Lilia's waiting."
"Of course she is," he muttered under his breath.
***
The storage rooms were located near the side wing of the estate—lined with old wooden doors, each leading to a different kind of inventory: cloth, silverware, wines, weapons, books. The Averill household clearly kept everything in perfect order… or tried to.
When Julian stepped into the room, Lilia was already inside, standing with a clipboard in hand, frowning at a half-unpacked crate.
"You're late," she said flatly.
"I'm on time. You're just early."
She shot him a look. "Same thing."
Julian sighed and stepped beside her, glancing at the inventory sheet she held. "So, what's the deal?"
"We're doing a count of everything in these rooms and updating it on paper. The usual storage assistant is out sick."
He blinked. "You mean this isn't some clever punishment from your mother?"
Lilia snorted. "If it were a punishment, you'd be hauling crates from the wine cellar to the top floor."
Julian considered that. "...Noted."
They got to work—Lilia reading from the inventory list while Julian did most of the lifting, sorting, and double-checking. For the most part, it was smooth. Lilia seemed competent, if not a little impatient. But halfway through, she paused.
"You know, Isabella doesn't usually bring new servants directly under her wing," Lilia said suddenly, her eyes still on the sheet.
Julian glanced up. "Is that so?"
"Mm-hm. She usually ignores them for weeks. Makes them work their way up before she even learns their names."
Julian raised a brow. "...So what's that mean for me?"
Lilia gave him a glance. "It means either she sees something in you… or she wants something from you."
Julian tried not to let that show on his face, but Lilia's smirk told him she'd already caught the flicker of uncertainty in his expression.
"Relax," she said, turning back to the crates. "She's not dangerous. Just… intense."
He wasn't sure if that made him feel better or worse.
By the time they wrapped up, the storage room was neatly organized, and the sheets were signed and sealed.
[Task 2 Completed: Assist Lilia with inventory.]
[+167 Coins awarded.]
"That's two down," Julian muttered.
Lilia handed him the signed inventory sheet. "Give this to Isabella. She's expecting you."
Julian nodded, tucked the paper under his arm, and made his way toward the head maid's office.
***
He'd never been inside before, and when he stepped in, he immediately realized something:
Isabella's office didn't feel like a workspace.
It felt like a lair.
The scent of jasmine still lingered in the air, the room dimly lit with golden sunlight spilling through sheer curtains. Her desk was polished mahogany, clean and elegant, with papers stacked neatly to one side and a strange glass decanter filled with amber liquid on the other.
Isabella sat behind the desk, legs crossed, flipping through a leather-bound book. When she looked up, that same knowing smile curved her lips.
"Right on time," she said. "Come in, Julian."
He stepped forward, offering her the inventory sheet. "Task's done. Lilia said to deliver this directly."
She took it, set it aside without even glancing, and motioned toward the chair across from her. "Sit."
Julian hesitated but obeyed.
"I have to say," Isabella said as she leaned forward slightly, her gaze flicking across his face, "you've adapted surprisingly well. Most boys in your position spend the first few days fumbling through everything."
Julian smirked faintly. "I try not to fumble."
She chuckled. "Good. Confidence is a useful trait... in moderation."
A pause.
Then she stood up from her chair.
Walked around the desk.
And stopped beside him.
Julian turned his head slowly, eyes meeting hers.
Her tone dropped slightly. "But tell me, Julian. Do you understand what it means to work under someone like me?"
He held her gaze, heartbeat quickening slightly. "Guess I'm about to find out."
She smiled.
[Task 3 Completed: Assist Isabella in her office.]
[+166 Coins awarded.]
[Daily Quest Completed: Basic Servant Duties]
[+500 Coins Received.]
[Coins: 2000]
Julian blinked.
The total was right, but something didn't add up.
He got 500 Coins total… not 500 + 167 + 167 + 166.
...So the partial rewards were part of the 500?'
Interesting.
Before he could ask, Isabella turned her back to him and walked to the window, the evening light outlining her figure perfectly.
"You may go for now," she said without looking back. "I'll be calling on you again soon."
Julian stood, gave a slight bow, and left.
And as he walked back through the halls of the estate, one thing was clear:
This house was full of games, power, and dangerous people.
But if the system wanted him to play the part of a servant...
Then he'd play it.
For now.