741 Butler (2/2)
Klein asked a few more matters about butlers and received a detailed response. Then, he said with a smile, ”Might I trouble you to invite Mr. Walter who's at the coffee house up?
”After I'm done chatting with him, I'll make the decision. You can wait in the coffee house for about ten minutes.”
”Alright.” Rebach didn't harp on the matter and immediately got up to bow. After bidding farewell, he left in a manner that exuded the air of a military man.
As he watched him leave and close the door, Klein sat back down, picked up his black tea, and took a sip. He muttered silently, If I were to choose him, I'll likely establish certain connections with the present Duke Negan and the Conservative Party. The additional development might include the situation before the assassination…
Before long, Walter arrived and entered after knocking on the door.
Klein first exchanged some pleasantries before asking, ”What conflict did you have with Viscount Conrad's butler? You should understand that I need to understand the situation. I cannot afford to risk offending a noble.”
Walter had a broad forehead with raven-black hair and brown stern eyes, but he wasn't a person who appeared taciturn. He thought for a few seconds and said, ”As a butler assistant, I was responsible for the viscount's children. During this process, due to certain matters, I was appreciated by a particular important figure. As such, I won the recognition of the viscount, which made the butler wary against me.
”Later, that important figure passed away due to an accident, and as a result, the viscount's attitude towards me changed. The butler treated me even worse, making me believe that it was pointless waiting for things to improve.”
In charge of the viscount's children, and he got to know an important figure… Hmm, Talim also got to know Prince Edessak from teaching Viscount Conrad's youngest son. And the prince passed away a few months ago because of the Great Smog of Backlund… This matches Walter's explanation… From the looks of it, this butler was one of the peripheral victims of that matter… He's rather cautious and professional. He didn't expose his former employer's negatives or reveal the matter about the prince, nor did he speak ill of the viscount's butler… If I select him, the additional development is something to look forward to… Klein listened silently as he made some connections.
He then switched to asking some professional questions, expressing his desire to enter high society. After receiving a satisfactory answer, he straightened his clothes, got up and smiled.
”Let me introduce myself again. I'll be your employer, Dwayne Dantès.”
Walter immediately bowed and said, ”Sir, how may I be of service?”
He kept maintaining a stern, old-fashioned, and unperturbed demeanor, as though these were the professional traits of a butler.
”Two matters,” Klein replied with a chuckle. ”First, help me hand this bottle of white wine to Mr. Rebach who's waiting at the coffee house. Please express my apologies and gratitude to him. Second, hire a solicitor to write up a professional contract that will include you and the other servants.”
”Alright, sir.” Walter bowed once again.
As Klein handed the white wine over, he asked, ”Walter, how many servants do you think I need to hire in order to not appear improper?”
While Walter received the bottle of Garrod white wine, he replied without any hesitation, ”You should first determine where you will be living. Only then can you know how many servants you actually need.”
”Oh, do you have suggestions? My requirements are simple. I wish to live in North Borough, as I'm a pious believer of the Goddess.” Klein drew the crimson moon on his chest in passing.
According to the information I read on the papers and magazines, a gardened villa in a high-end district has to be at least 3 pounds a week. That makes it 156 pounds a year… Although there are no direct numbers, I can infer that the suburb's best gardened villas cost about 2 pounds a week. A high-end apartment with a few rooms and halls would cost about the same. It's been mentioned that that's relatively extravagant, a place where only the richest of the middle-class can afford to rent. Yes, from that, I can preliminary estimate the rent of a tycoon's house…
It's expensive just thinking about it. Back in Tingen, Benson, Melissa, and I spent 13 soli a week on a gardenless terrace house. There was an additional 5 pence for the use of furniture. In the house I lived in Minsk Street, it didn't even reach 1 pound…
Sigh, so be it; even if it's 3 pounds. I have 2,888 pounds. It shouldn't be a problem renting a slightly better one… No problem at all… While awaiting Walter's answer, Klein silently recalled the information regarding rental costs. He began calculating how much he needed to pay every week and every year.
Walter considered it for two seconds before replying in a serious manner, ”Sir, you can choose 32 Böklund Street. It's close to Saint Samuel Cathedral, and it's a three-story manor with more than ten rooms. It comes with a stable, a servants' quarters, and a rather large garden. Living nearby are baronets, House of Commons members of parliament, and senior lawyers…
”The interior design is especially tasteful. There are plenty of famous paintings and antiques. All the furniture and wares are enough to accentuate your identity. You can rent it for a year first. If you find it satisfactory, you can consider buying it entirely.”
Sounds pretty good… Klein asked with a smile, ”How much is it to rent for a year?”
Walter sternly and skillfully reported the number, ”Including the use of furniture, 1,260 pounds a year.”
”…”
Klein was glad that he wasn't drinking any tea, or else he would've spewed it all across his butler's face.
He mustered nearly all of a Clown's control in order to prevent any abnormalities from showing on his face.Author's note: The rental prices of houses are referenced from ”Money in the Past - on the Economic Life of People in Beijing, Paris, and London in the 19th Century” and ”British study of Victorian middle-class marriage and family life”. A house costing 1,260 pounds is an embassy rented during the Qin dynasty. As for whether there was a premium to it, I've no idea.