The Defeated Dragon

“Lily Bathtub, Wendy Bigtoe, Jim Oxdung, Parker Rednose, Johan Doork.n.o.b, have pa.s.sed. The five of you shall get a chance to work in the castle.”

After three days of trials, the butler, Carter, finally announced three men and two women who met his servant-selection-criteria to have become the castle's new servingmen and maids respectively.

The remaining seven or eight partic.i.p.ants of the trials were unwilling, asking: “Mr. Carter, please give me another chance, I will do better!”

“I am awfully sorry, but once the decision was made, it cannot be altered. However, you needn't be dejected. For the three-day trial period, each of you will be remunerated according to the standard of the kitchen maid, that is, you will get three copper coins. Besides, your excellence is already recorded in my mind. The next time the castle has to hire servants, I will give you priority.”

Strictly speaking, the castle's servants were Liszt's property.

But they were not unpaid labor. The servants could save up their remuneration and use it to buy food, drinks, and clothing, or send it back home.

The wages of kitchen maids and a.s.sistant servingmen were one copper coin a day, of maids and servingmen were two copper coins a day, of the number one servingman and the cook were three copper coins a day, of the butler and the housekeeper were four copper coins a day.

Apart from Carter and Mawson who were all alone in this world, the castle's other servants chose to send back some money and help out their families.

Besides, when the servants got weary, they could apply for a buyout, in other words, buy their freedom. Of course, whether the buyout was consented or not was at the discretion of the aristocracy.

The young men and women who were screened out left the castle in dejection. For them, losing the opportunity to work in a beautiful castle was a major blow.

The five who were chosen, were besides themselves with excitement.

“Heavens, I was picked!”

“I…I can stay in the castle?”

“Mother, I did it!”

Carter watched the five new servants with a smile, recalling that time in his youth when he had been chosen by the viscount family's castle and had risen from the ranks of serfs to become a servant.

Starting as the lowest a.s.sistant servingman, gradually becoming an outstanding servant, and then following the Tulip Family's rise, being a.s.signed by the count to manage the family's estate in another city.

Then when Liszt came of age, following him to this place and becoming a butler.

The years left a lot of traces on his face. He almost could not remember how jubilant he was when he became a servant. These past decades, he had all along been working in the castle. His relatives had long since pa.s.sed away. There were regrets as well as contentment.

Now, his biggest desire was to accompany Liszt, until the day that the sun no longer rose and he chose eternal rest.

“Young Messrs. and Mesdames, please be quiet.” He gestured with his hand, indicating to the new servants to not to be too excited, “Next, I will announce your work posts.”

Lily and others quickly calmed down.

“Lily Bathtub, Mrs. Abby is quite appreciative of you. Your post will be that of a kitchen maid. Mrs. Irene will help you familiarize yourself with everything for a period of time. a.s.sist Mrs. Abby as soon as possible.”

Little Lily immediately nodded alike a chicken pecking rice, “I will familiarize myself with the kitchen work as soon as possible.”

“Good. However, do not put yourself under too much pressure. Mrs. Abby… is straightforward, but when you get familiar with her, you will realize that she is a good person.” Carter was a bit worried about this young girl, not knowing whether she could bear with Abby Ladle who had no control over her sound box.

Proceeding with the announcement: “Wendy Bigtoe, Mrs. Mawson will help you familiarize yourself with the work of maids.”

“Okay, Mr. Carter.”

“Next, Jim Oxdung, Parker Rednose, Johan Doork.n.o.b.” Carter looked at the three emaciated-looking young fellows.

“Mr. Carter.” The three stuck out their chests, trying to make themselves look a bit more elegant.

Carter was satisfied with the bearing of those three. Compared to the eyesore Thomas, those obedient young fellows were more agreeable to him: “Next, I will help you familiarize yourselves with the work of servingmen as quickly as possible. Soon, you will be busy, not only inside, but also outside the castle.”

He raised his head and looked at each new servant: “From now on, you not only represent yourselves, but more importantly, you also represent the castle. Fitting garments and civilized conduct, you have to quickly familiarize yourselves with the aristocratic etiquette. You have to shed your former negligent appearances of serfs. Understood, Messrs. and Mesdames?”

“Understood, Mr. Carter!”

“In that case, you have half a day off. Go back and share this good news with your families. Starting tomorrow, you will live in the castle.”

……

“Mr. Carter, congratulations, you are about to become a grand butler.” Mrs. Mawson chatted with Carter after the new servants impatiently hurried back home to report the good news.

“Well, it does not feel bad.” Carter showed a rare playful smile, “I have to live a little longer to prevent Thomas from taking my place. I do not want him to enjoy this feeling.”

“I think that Thomas is more than willing to follow Master. He is more clever than Tom and Jessie.”

Carter said with a hint of mystery: “Master inherited the Tulip Family's courage and the Longtaro Family's shrewdness. Sometimes, being a bit more slow-witted in front of Master might be batter.”

Speaking until here, he suddenly perked up his ears and said: “The clapping of hooves, Master is back. I am going to welcome Master.”

“Go ahead, slow-witted and clever butler, Carter.”

Carter tilted his head.

He had formed a tacit understanding with Mawson, with the butler and housekeeper neatly and tidily managing the castle.

After reaching the gate, he saw the tall and handsome Liszt approaching atop Firedragon. The sun behind him bathed his slightly curly light golden hair in golden radiance, painting a picture of rivers of gold.

“Master looks like a born aristocrat possessing of all the traits of aristocracy.” Thought Carter.

Bowing slightly: “Welcome back, Master.”

“Mr. Carter, have the new servants been chosen?” Liszt handed the reins to Thomas, and then untied the bow tie on his neck. It was already summer. The aristocratic garments were a bit stifling. He did not like this attire.

The style of the grand duchy's aristocratic garments derived from the continent.

The female aristocrats mainly wore long skirts with bustle and cushions on the b.u.t.tocks. The skirt was held by a pyramid-like framework.

Lvera never wore such garments. She liked to wear the clothes of male aristocrats.

The full set of male aristocrats' garments called ‘frac habillé' was comprised of a swallow-tailed-coat-like jacket, ‘frac', a sleeveless vest, ‘quile', and a pair of skin-tight shorts, ‘bastet'. Of course, the garments were matched with Wellington boots and stockings.

Also, the male aristocrats had to wear a piece of clothing, a decorative emblem symbolizing the aristocratic authority on their necks.

Ordinarily at home, they wore a bow tie; when going out to handle affairs, they had to wear a piece of clothing similar to a necktie, ‘krabate', which Liszt called neckerchief; for grand ceremonies, they wore a large disc around the neck, ‘laf', which Liszt called ruff.

With the bow tie untied, he immediately felt the heat leaving from below his clothing along his neck. Liszt could not help but grumble: “I need to launch a clothing revolution!”