742 Decided (2/2)
After the priest turned to walk to the confessional, he snapped to his senses as he muttered, amused and incensed, I'm not pious at all. I don't have to appear pious!
…
Rows of straight Intis parasol trees lined both ends of the street, making the streets appear beautiful and tranquil. With his gold-inlaid cane in hand, Klein slowly walked out of Unit 160.
He silently drew a breath and turned to look at Walter.
”Tell the owner that I'm very satisfied.
”I'll temporarily rent it for a year. We might move to a better place later, such as Empress Borough.”
His words hinted at his ambition to obtain an aristocratic title, as Empress Borough was a place where the nobles gathered.
As for why he didn't rent half a year to save on money, it was because such high-end estates only accepted long-term contracts. One year was the minimum.
To be frank, if money wasn't an issue, Klein had quite a liking for the house. Its lawn was clean, and the garden was beautiful. The furnishing was befitting, and the wares were exquisite. There were plenty of bedrooms, sufficient furniture, and many washrooms on every floor. Even the stables and servants' quarters at the back weren't shoddy work. It was the best residence Klein could've ever imagined in the past.
Walter immediately replied, ”I'll hire a solicitor in a while.
”Sir, what specific requests do you have regarding servants?”
Klein strolled underneath the Intis parasol trees and smiled.
”I'd first like to hear your suggestions.”
Walter thought for a moment before saying, ”Sir, you will need a housekeeper regardless.”
During the interview, Klein had mentioned that Dwayne Dantès wasn't married and had no children, nor did he have any mistresses in Backlund; therefore, he didn't need a lady's maid.
Dwayne Dantès nodded gently without expressing any intentions. Walter continued, ”Her duties would be to manage the female servants and the expenses of the household. Sir, you can't leave everything to me or the same person. Balance is an art in politics, and it's also a good method when managing a household. Emperor Roselle once said that absolute power definitely corrupts.
”I'm confident in myself before money, but it's only confidence.”
Hmm, very honest… A housekeeper is needed. She'll cost about thirty to forty pounds a year… Klein nodded.
”Okay.”
At that moment, Walter was walking behind Klein to his side. He extended his hand to stop a rental carriage.
On the carriage, he continued, ”I will get the Family Servant Assistance Association to produce a name list for the selection of the housekeeper. You shall choose her personally, and I won't provide any suggestions.
”Based on the current residential situation, you will also need a steward who can be male or female. You will need a valet, a lady's maid in charge of the bedrooms, and two chambermaids who will be in charge of the living room and activity room. Two footmen to valet guests, a parlor maid, a scullery maid, two laundresses, and two handymen.
”Apart from those, you will need a cook, two gardeners, two coachmen or one coachman and an assistant coachman. If necessary, you can have an additional attendant, a steward's boy, a nursery governess, and a second cook.
”You currently do not have any carriages, but you'll definitely have two in the future. A four-wheeled carriage costs about 300 pounds. A two-wheeled one costs about 100 pounds…”
As he listened to his butler introduce the required servants in detail, Klein's mind went numb. He didn't wish to do the accounts on how much he needed to spend. After all, it was paid on a weekly or monthly basis, and not an annual basis.
Ignoring the attendant, steward's boy, nursery governess, and second cook, there will be ten to eleven male servants, and the female servants with the housekeeper will number about nine to ten… It's basically several times what I calculated. Each week's expenses will exceed 10 pounds… This can only be determined after all of them are hired and their salaries are negotiated… There's also the carriage… Klein's mind couldn't help but drift when he saw Walter's mouth moving nonstop.
Seeing the staid and extremely dignified Mr. Dwayne Dantès nodding from time to time, Walter subconsciously broadened the topic.
”In the future, you will also need to rent a manor in the suburbs to entertain friends to have a wonderful weekend over there. There's no rush. It can wait until you hold several dances and banquets at Unit 160…
”Sir, do not mention housemaids in front of the neighbors of this street. Only those with salaries below 500 pounds a year will hire housemaids because they're unable to hire enough female servants to handle the different parts of the household…”
”…”
Klein listened numbly as he reflexively wore a warm smile.
Back at the hotel, he watched Walter leave before he sat back down, his expression collapsing.
When it was twenty minutes to three, Klein rubbed his temples and slowly got up. He went into his bedroom and prepared to begin this week's Tarot Gathering.