Denied: A Devil’s Thousandth Proposal

Ch 13

Everyone chimed in with their own words, making Renee and Lily blush. Renee initially argued back with them, but once she got going, the others, of course, wouldn't back down. The advantage of numbers became apparent, and Renee was quickly defeated, slinking away with Lily.

This is exactly what Lilian wanted to achieve.

Because the social customs of this world are more open than those of ancient Eastern countries, gossip about men and women does not create effective public opinion pressure. Furthermore, due to the unique semi-public culture of lovers, Lilian was able to openly use "lovers" as a point of attack to launch a counterattack.

Although she did indeed arrive in the kitchen because of what Master Parish said, who would believe that?

Who would believe she would refuse to become Parrish's mistress for a job in the kitchen? Even if she were from this world, she wouldn't believe it.

She deliberately said those things to incite the onlookers, successfully getting them to drive Lily and Renee away with their insults.

Renee and Lily left, and the onlookers, having no reason to stay, dispersed.

Lilian put the shovel back in its place; her arms were a little sore from the weight of the shovel.

who came to inform Lilian hadn't left. He only came over after everyone else had left, whistled, and said, " Lilian , you were really amazing just now!"

As he spoke, he took a small bunch of purple flowers from his belt and handed them to Lilian : "These are for you, they suit you very well!"

Lilian was stunned for a moment, but then she saw the young man forcefully stuff the flowers into her hand, then run away with a grin, turning back to wave at her after he had run far away.

Lilian then remembered that the young man's name was Mark, and he was the blacksmith's son... The shovel she had just picked up seemed to belong to his family.

She gripped the bouquet tightly in her hands. Although it was obvious at a glance that they had been picked in the wild, with many petals crushed... it was still the first bouquet of flowers she had received in this world, and she was quite happy.

Lilian returned with the flowers, and Guy was still standing at the door. His gaze swept over the flowers in Lilian 's hand, but he didn't say anything.

Lilian looked at Guy, coughed lightly, and smiled sweetly: "Mom, I have good news for you, I've been hired by the Earl's Mansion!"

Guy was taken aback, then couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Mom, just pretend you didn't hear what happened earlier. You only heard this good news from me," Lilian said with a smile. "Ten silver coins a month! From now on, we'll eat stewed mutton with potatoes and white bread every day!"

"I want to eat it too!"

Adele, who had been hiding at home in fear, peeked out with little Evan, their eyes shining. Little Evan was even drooling.

He was only three years old, but he already knew that meat was a good thing.

"Great! Once I get my salary, everyone will have something to eat!" Lilian said with great enthusiasm.

Adele and Evan Jr. cheered.

Guy didn't say anything to spoil the mood, but just smiled gently. Lilian was different today than usual, but it was a good day, and even she wanted to cheer.

Only at this moment did Lilian truly feel that she could actually change her situation.

Although there were demons in the Earl's mansion that she feared, things were ultimately moving in a positive direction, and she believed that things would only get better from now on.

　The next morning, Lilian walked briskly to the Earl's mansion. Her knee injury was mostly healed, and the walk took less than half an hour. Work started at seven in the morning, so she needed to get up at six. Fortunately, she had never been one to sleep in, and Pomegranate Lane was already bustling with activity before six, so this wasn't difficult for her.

It's only early spring, but it's already dawn. Lilian walks along the road and can see busy commoners coming and going. Commoners have to work hard all day to make a living and have to get up early, but nobles live a comfortable life. They often have banquets until the early hours of the morning and don't get up until after nine o'clock in the morning. That's why kitchen maids can start working at seven o'clock in the morning.

As for evenings with banquets, much of the preparation work is done in advance, and maids like Lilian who go home every day can leave at seven o'clock. The rest can be done well by the maids who live in the Earl's mansion, and their wages are also higher than those of Lilian .

After greeting the guards at the back gate of the Earl's mansion, Lilian entered. She followed the path Rebecca had led her along the day before, and walked steadily to the kitchen.

The Earl's mansion's kitchen was very large, with more than a dozen people working there. The kitchen was divided into several rooms, and in the corner of the largest preparation room, there was a grandfather clock . When Lilian arrived, the clock showed exactly 6:55.

When Lilian arrived, she went to find Rebecca, who was busy wrapping up the party from the previous night. When she saw Lilian arrive, she asked her to come and help.

Rebecca was only three years older than Lilian , but she had already worked there for five years and was a trusted senior employee of Mrs. Mary. Her words and actions seemed to be emulating Mrs. Mary's; although only twenty years old, she always had a stern face and appeared unapproachable.

“ Lilian , wash these napkins first. I’ll teach you how to fold flowers later.” Rebecca said to Lilian with a stern face , “These next few days, you need to learn how to fold napkin flowers well. I need to be satisfied before you can do it.”

Lilian nodded: "Okay, Rebecca."