Transmigrated: I Became My Nemesis's Woman

Does Madam even know how to cook? James wondered, slowly getting back on his feet.

He cautiously glanced at Freda.

Ivy was still new to the household, and no one really knew much about her. But one thing was certain—she was the future lady of the house.

Which meant... letting her cook in the kitchen felt like a very dangerous career decision.

"Madam," Freda stepped forward with a polite yet slightly strained smile, "perhaps you could guide Chef James on what you’d like to prepare. It would be much easier that way."

Translation- Please don’t touch anything.

Everyone silently agreed, nodding their heads like puppets.

They liked their jobs. They wanted to keep their jobs. And most importantly—they did not want to explain to Xander why his kitchen had turned into a disaster zone.

But the moment Freda noticed Ivy’s unchanged expressions, her smile faltered. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Then... I suppose I should refrain from using the kitchen?" she asked, her tone deceptively calm.

Freda immediately shook her head. "It’s not like that, Madam."

"Then what is it?" Ivy tilted her head.

"It’s just..." Freda hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "As the lady of the house, we cannot let you work here. It goes against our responsibilities. And more importantly... Master would not appreciate it."

Ivy fell silent. For a brief moment, she simply looked at Freda, absorbing her words.

Back then when she was alone, no one had ever stopped her from doing anything.

She cooked for herself. Ate by herself. Lived by herself. In that life, she had been both the master... and the servant.

But now— things were different. And for the first time, Ivy realized, being the "Madam of the house" came with its own kind of restrictions. Annoying ones.

Her gaze slowly shifted back to the kitchen. Then, her lips curved. "Then let’s see what he says... after he eats the food I make."

Freda blinked.

James froze.

The staff outside mentally prepared their resignation letters.

And before anyone could stop her, Ivy turned back to the counter, picked up the knife like a warrior reclaiming her weapon, and started cooking.

***

[Outside]

"Gosh... I’m just grateful Madam didn’t disappear for real," Benny sighed dramatically. "Otherwise, we wouldn’t have just lost our jobs—we might’ve lost our lives too."

He still remembered how close he had been to tears when Ivy vanished without a trace.

Not his proudest moment.

"But don’t you find it suspicious?" Nico said, rubbing his chin like a detective in a low-budget crime show. "We searched every shop... every alley... every possible corner. And yet, we didn’t find her anywhere." He paused.

"And then suddenly Madam appears... smiling... holding bags of ice cream like nothing happened."

Percy clicked his tongue. "Exactly! That’s what I’m saying. There’s no way we could’ve missed her."

He turned to Teddy. "Tsk. Teddy, where do you think we messed up?"

Teddy, who had been silent the entire time, looked at the three of them— three bulky, well-trained guards... with the collective intelligence of confused chipmunks.

He sighed internally.

Why am I surrounded by these people...

"I don’t think we missed anything," Teddy finally said.

The three leaned in closer.

"Then how did Madam disappear?" Benny whispered, as if Ivy might magically appear behind him again.

Teddy glanced at them, then looked away.

He remembered everything clearly—they had split up, covered all directions, and checked every possible exit. And when they still couldn’t find her... he had actually called Xander.

That call alone almost sent me to the afterlife, he thought grimly.

"And then," Nico added, lowering his voice, "she just shows up... smiling... and even bought us ice cream."

Percy narrowed his eyes. "You don’t think—"

"She’s a ghost?" Benny whispered.

"...Idiot," Nico smacked him lightly. "Ghosts don’t carry ice cream."

"...How do you know?" Benny shot back defensively.

Teddy pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I think," he said flatly, "Madam simply went somewhere we couldn’t track."

The three froze.

"...That’s worse," Percy muttered.

Because if trained guards like them couldn’t track her, then what exactly were they dealing with?

A moment of silence fell over them. Then, Benny slowly looked toward the house.

"...And now she’s in the kitchen."

He knew because he just heard a few maids gossiping outside.

All three shuddered.

"Pray for the kitchen," Nico murmured.

"Pray for Chef James," Percy added.

"Pray for us," Benny concluded.

Teddy didn’t respond. He just stared ahead, ignoring all their talks until a sleek black car entered the driveway.

All four of them stiffened instantly.

"...Pray for him," Benny whispered.

Xander stepped out of the car and paused, his gaze landing on Nico, Benny, and Percy, who were standing as stiff as iron rods.

"Welcome home, Boss," they said in perfect unison.

Xander gave them a brief look.

Something was off.

But instead of questioning their strange behavior, he simply gave a small nod and walked past them.

The moment he stepped inside, the three of them finally let out the breath they had been holding the entire time.

***

Leo, on the other hand, had just finished his studies and hurried downstairs to find his mother. But the moment he heard the commotion, he changed direction and headed straight toward it, with Butler Rupert following closely behind.

The second Leo reached the hall, he froze mid-step.

At the same time, Xander—who had just entered—also stopped.

Both their gazes shifted toward the same place.

The kitchen.

If James is outside... then who’s inside the kitchen? Xander wondered.

And then it hit him.

Ivy wasn’t anywhere in sight.

His heartbeat quickened.

"Mom!" Leo reacted instantly, following his instincts as he rushed toward the group. The staff quickly stepped aside, clearing a path as he ran inside.

"What’s going on here?" Xander asked, his tone sharp as he followed right behind him.

But the moment he stepped into the kitchen— he stopped. So did Rupert, who had just arrived behind them.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

"I-Is Madam... cooking?" he stammered, his voice filled with pure shock.

Because right in front of them—stood Ivy in the kitchen and the second she noticed them, she announced.

"Come on boys, the food is ready"