I became the contracted maid of the (villainous) Duke due to personal circumstances

Preface

“What’s wrong? You’re trembling.”

Ruru’s body tensed as Gerald, who had taken a seat beside her, spoke in a cold, husky voice.

Outside, darkness enveloped the night. In the dimly lit room illuminated only by a lamp, the sweet scent of the sherry wine he had been drinking moments ago lingered in the air.

Seated on an incredibly soft sofa that seemed to swallow their bodies, the distance between the man and woman was close enough for their shoulders to touch.

Gerald had unbuttoned one or two buttons, revealing an alluring sight with his slightly damp, silvery hair after a recent bath. The lamp’s subtle light cast intricate shadows on his well-structured face, exuding a sensuality so captivating that even Ruru, who thought she knew him well, couldn’t help but avert her gaze.

On the other hand, Ruru was dressed in a slightly overdressed outfit adorned with abundant lace. Her long apricot-colored hair, which she had neatly tied up, was secured in place, even while she was working.

Gerald placed his hand over Ruru’s hand, which she had clenched on her apron.

Narrowing his blue eyes, he whispered in a low voice near Ruru’s ear.

“Are you getting scared now? You’re the one who said, ‘I want it.’ If you don’t want to, I don’t mind…”

“I-I’ll do it! I’ll do it, okay? I understand.”

Ruru retorted, her voice so determined that it seemed to cut through the tension.

“Do it? I’d be delighted to oblige, you know.”

“I-I’d be delighted to oblige!”

“Good, that’s the spirit… Now, come here.”

Gerald spread his arms wide open. Ruru, feeling his deliberately intense gaze, threw herself into his arms with desperation. She wrapped her arms around his neck, buried her face in his chest, and squeezed out her words, her trembling body filled with embarrassment.

“G-Gerald-sama, you’re so wonderful~…”

“…………Huh?”

In response to her desperate confession, Gerald’s voice turned surprisingly cold.

Then followed a long, drawn-out sigh and a declaration.

“Pay cut.”

“Why?!”

“I said I’d give you a bonus if you could seduce me, but… your acting skills are just too terrible. I don’t see any motivation.”

“Why a pay cut?! What about the bonus?!”

“There’s no way I’ll give it to you now. In fact, I’d rather add it to your debt.”

“What!? So, it was just a humiliating failure…”

“If you’re not satisfied, should we try again? Or…”

Gerald grinned and placed his hand under Ruru’s chin.

“Do you need a demonstration?”

Thinking she was about to be kissed, Ruru jumped in a panic. Gerald chuckled as if mocking her reaction, and Ruru, gritting her teeth, fought the urge to slap this man’s face and storm out of there right away.

Oh, how she despised everything about him—the arrogant laughter, the gleaming silver hair, and that impeccably handsome face that seemed to outshine her as a woman!

…But, in the first place, why did she end up trying to win over a man she loathed?

It all began a week ago. Ruru’s trials and tribulations started when she was surrounded by debt collectors and this arrogant man came to her rescue.

T/N – Suggestions and feedbacks are welcome , this chapter is a novel preface like chapter 0>zero