"Please wait a moment. Would you like coffee or black tea?" Beline asked warmly.
Klein smiled and said:
"When I was younger, I loved coffee, especially its strong aroma, but now I prefer black tea."
"I also prefer black tea, so... a cup of Marquis black tea?" Beline suggested with a smile.
The coffee and black tea served to guests at the " Metropolis Help Domestic Servants Association " were of average quality, falling into the lower-middle range. The Marquis black tea was brought by Beline from home for her own enjoyment.
Klein was not an ignorant person, but rather a very observant one. After entering the room, he subtly took in all the details of the surrounding environment. He noticed that the coffee and tea canisters in the display case were quite ordinary, and he believed that the quality of the items inside could not be very high. Therefore, he concluded that the Marquis tea was either a treasure of the association, used to entertain distinguished guests, or it belonged to the lady in front of him. In any case, it was enough to show her intentions.
He didn't expose him, but smiled and said:
Thank you, I can't refuse your offer.
"I don't know how to address you, ma'am?"
" Beline, just call me Beline." Beline said with a smile as bright as a flower.
She then walked briskly into the inner room, allowing the colleague in charge of the data to select a suitable candidate. Afterward, she returned to the reception desk, picked up a silver-inlaid tin can, and skillfully brewed some black tea.
Sigh, she has an attractive face, a good temperament, and clothes that reflect her status. Even though she's middle-aged, you can still feel the kindness of this pretty girl... Klein, experiencing something like this for the first time, couldn't help but sigh.
This made him realize even more the importance of the Faceless's rule that "it can only be himself".
If you don't firmly remember this point and become obsessed with the advantages that appearance brings, you will always maintain that appearance, forget or even reject your past self, and gradually lose yourself!
Soon, Beline brought over a white porcelain teacup inlaid with gold foil, placed it in front of Mr. Dawn Dantès, and said with a slight smile:
It needs to cool down a bit more.
Klein looked down at the glass and said, half-jokingly:
"This will allow me to adjust my mindset and approach this cup of black tea more formally."
His implicit compliments and gratitude made Beline feel even better, and she thought Mr. Dantès was a true gentleman and very eloquent.
He's definitely not a follower of the Lord of Storms... Beline smoothed her long, slightly wavy brown hair, then went back to the inner room to urge her colleague on.
Not long after, she brought over a stack of documents, sat down on the single sofa next to her, and said:
"After screening, here are three suitable housekeepers. Let me give you a brief introduction."
"The first one is Mr. Asnia, 55 years old. He once served the Viscount Yorkville, but later, due to the Viscount's failed investment in mineral exploration, the family's finances were in crisis, forcing him to sell land and estates, dismiss a large number of servants, and leave. During those ten years, he was employed by two wealthy men, making outstanding contributions to the management of their families."
As she spoke, Beline's brown eyes shone brightly, like two the Star hidden within them, radiating the unique vitality of a young girl.
Klein nodded slightly and said:
"Then why did he leave those two wealthy men?"
Beline replied with a smile:
"The first rich man made a lot of investments in East Balam and moved his FamilyMart there. Mr. Asnia was unwilling to leave Backlund, so he resigned. The second rich man was not in good health, so he handed over the affairs of the household to his children, while the other man had a housekeeper he trusted more."
"Mr. Asnia is a follower of the Evernight Goddess, leans more towards the Conservative Party politically, and demands an annual salary of £130."
"May the goddess protect him." Klein tapped his chest four times clockwise, drawing a Crimson Moon.
Beline's eyes lit up and she said:
"Mr. Dantès, are you also a believer in the goddess?"
"Of course." Klein smiled and nodded, offering no further explanation.
No wonder she's so gentle! Beline thought to herself with admiration, and continued her introduction:
"Mr. Ribac, 48 years old, used to serve the Negan Family as a deputy butler and butler's assistant for a long time. Later, in a deal, he became Baron Sindras's butler."
"Not long after the Duke Negan was assassinated, Mr. Ribac, whose term of service had expired, failed to obtain a new contract from the Baron and had to seek help from our association."
"He is a novice follower of the Lord of Storms, has no character flaws, is politically Conservative Party, and is asking for a salary of £120."
Klein listened quietly, nodding occasionally in agreement, without interrupting Beline's story.
Beline flipped through the papers, glanced at them, and said again:
"The third one is Mr. Walter, 42 years old. He worked as a manor steward and butler's assistant at the Viscount Conrad's house. Due to some issues, he had a conflict with the butler and chose to leave. He asked for an annual salary of £115."
"He is a follower of the Evernight Goddess, and his political leanings are those of the New Party."
The new governor of Oravi Island is a member of the House of Viscount Conrad, a family that is a staunch supporter of the royal family... Klein's mind raced with the relevant information.
After the introduction, Beline handed over the stack of documents, saying:
"Mr. Dantès, which one would you like to choose?"
Klein pondered for a few seconds, then said with a smile:
"Alright, have the three of them come to my place at 9 a. m. tomorrow. I'll meet with them, have a talk, and then make a final decision."
He knew that such associations did not provide accommodation and were merely intermediary agencies. Even if he decided on a candidate now, he would have to wait until the afternoon or tomorrow to see his housekeeper. Therefore, he thought it would be better to hold a small interview session to select the one who was more suitable for his intentions.
"No problem," Beline said with a slight smile. "What's your address?"
Klein took a sip of black tea, picked up the pen and paper on the table, and wrote down the location and name of the current hotel.
"You've just Backlund?" Beline glanced at her and blurted out.
It was only then that she noticed Mr. Dawn Dantès's skin was a bit darker than normal, slightly bronze, as if it had been exposed to the sun for a long time, giving him a somewhat rugged look.
Hmm, his accent wasn't from Backlund either... Beline slowly recalled more details.
Klein laughed:
"I came from Desi Bay, just waiting for a good butler to help me find suitable housing and servants."
After paying a £3 deposit, he politely took another sip of black tea, then got up to leave.
Beline escorted him all the way to the door and watched him board the carriage.
Mr. Dantès seems to be a wealthy man as well... But more than that, his demeanor and gentlemanly style are even more charming... Beline stood there, lost in thought.
Inside the carriage, Klein, eyes half-closed, leaned against the side wall, unable to contain himself as he calculated the upcoming expenses:
"The butler costs around 120 pounds, the personal valet is about 35 pounds, the cook 30 pounds, the gardener 25 pounds, the coachman 25 pounds, the family nurse 20 pounds, three regular maids 15 pounds, and three general maids 10 pounds. So, the annual cost of servants alone is 330 pounds, which is roughly equivalent to 6 pounds 7 Soli per week. This exceeds my weekly wage when I was in Tingen City."
"Moreover, we need a carriage, which costs around 100 pounds, and a garden house, which would cost about 2 pounds a week in rent. Add to that the expenses for food, clothing, charcoal, and other necessities for such a large group of people, and it's simply outrageous."
"Is this what a millionaire's daily life is like...?"
Klein suddenly regretted choosing this character.
He let out a sigh of relief, trying to put the matter out of his mind, and took a carriage to Phelps Street in the North Borough.
Here stands a pure black church, flanked by two bell towers, creating a symmetrical aesthetic. This is the headquarters of the Church of the Evernight Goddess in Backlund, the Saint Samuel Cathedral.
Klein adjusted the handkerchief in his left pocket, picked up his gold-inlaid cane, and stepped into the church. He walked through the quiet corridors and, bathed in sunlight piercing through the stained glass windows, arrived at the Great Prayer Hall.
The dim lighting here naturally calmed him down. Klein casually found a spot, leaned against his cane, took off his hat, and began to pray intently with his eyes closed.
Time passed slowly. After listening to the sermon, he slowly rose, walked to the altar, bowed to the bishop with short black hair, and then went to the offering box next to him.
Klein let out a silent sigh, took out two 10-pound notes and six 5-pound notes, and put them in one by one.
The bishop caught a glimpse of this scene out of the corner of his eye, and his expression softened considerably.
Normally, unless someone comes to ask for a donation or it is a bequest after death, the donation boxes in churches can only receive a few dozen pounds.
This means the other person is a millionaire, a rich person!
P. S.: I was a bit rushed, so the word count is a bit low. I'll be asking for monthly votes and recommendations on Monday!