"Then please wait a moment. Would you like coffee or black tea?" Belene asked enthusiastically.
Klein smiled and said:
"When I was young, I liked coffee, I liked its rich aroma, but now, I prefer black tea."
"I also prefer black tea. Then... a cup of Marquis black tea?" Belene suggested with a smile.
The coffee and black tea served to guests by the "Metropolitan Association for Helping Domestic Servants" were of average quality, on the lower end of the middle range. The Marquis black tea was something Belene brought from home for her own enjoyment.
Klein was not inexperienced, and he was very observant. Just after entering, he had unobtrusively taken in various details of the surroundings and noticed that the coffee and tea canisters on display were quite ordinary, so he was sure the contents wouldn't be of high quality. Therefore, he concluded that the Marquis black tea was either the association's reserve for distinguished guests or was the personal possession of the lady in front of him. Regardless, it showed her thoughtfulness.
He didn't call her out and said with a smile:
"Thank you, I can't refuse your offer. May I ask how I should address you, miss?"
"Belene, just call me Belene," Belene said, her smile blooming like a flower.
Then she lightly stepped into the back room to have her colleague in charge of files pick suitable candidates. After that, she returned to the reception desk, picked up a silver-lined tin can, and skillfully began brewing black tea.
"Ah, with a pleasing face, good temperament, and clothes that indicate status, even at middle age, you can feel the kindness of a pretty girl..." Experiencing something like this for the first time, Klein couldn't help but sigh.
This made him even more aware of the importance of the Faceless's rule: "You can only be yourself."
If he didn't firmly remember this and indulged in the advantages that appearance brings, he would always maintain that corresponding look, forget or even reject his past self, and gradually lose himself!
Soon, Belene brought a white porcelain cup with a gold trim and placed it in front of Mr. Dwayne Dantès, saying with a slight smile:
"It needs to cool a bit."
Klein looked down at the cup and joked:
"That will give me a chance to adjust my mood and treat this cup of black tea more formally."
His veiled compliment and thanks elevated Belene's mood even more, making her feel that Mr. Dantès was a true gentleman who knew how to speak.
"He must not be a follower of the
Not long after, she brought a stack of documents and sat on the single sofa nearby, saying:
"After screening, we have three suitable butlers. I'll briefly introduce them.
"First, Mr. Asnia, 55 years old. He previously served Viscount Yorkville, but later because the viscount invested in mineral exploration and failed, the family finances fell into crisis, forcing him to sell land and estates and dismiss many servants, so Mr. Asnia left. Over the past ten years, he has been employed by two wealthy men, making outstanding contributions to the management of their families."
As she spoke, Belene's brown eyes shimmered as if they held two stars, carrying the unique vitality of a young girl.
Klein nodded slightly:
"Then why did he leave those two wealthy men?"
Belene smiled and replied:
"The first wealthy man made substantial investments in East Balam and moved his entire family there. Mr. Asnia didn't want to leave
"Mr. Asnia is a follower of the Goddess of the Night, with political leanings more towards the Conservative Party. His required annual salary is 130 pounds."
"May the Goddess bless him." Klein traced a four-point clockwise pattern over his chest, depicting a crimson moon.
Belene's eyes lit up:
"Mr. Dantès, are you also a follower of the Goddess?"
"Of course." Klein smiled and nodded, without elaborating.
"No wonder he's so gentle!" Belene silently praised and continued:
"Mr. Ribaka, 48 years old, previously served the Nigan family, serving as deputy butler and butler's assistant for a long time. Later, in a transaction, he became the butler of Baron Sindras.
"Shortly after Duke Nigan was assassinated, Mr. Ribaka's term of service expired, and the baron didn't renew his contract, forcing him to seek help from our association."