"Anna."
"Yes... I'm here."
My reaction was like a new recruit being called out by a drill instructor during military training, with cold sweat pouring down my back.
"It's not like I'm asking you to do anything terrible... but I took a huge risk, so I should receive a small reward, don't you think~"
"...Anna doesn't understand what you're saying."
I had no choice but to play dumb and try to muddle through. If I had to describe Chris's current expression, she looked exactly like a brothel madam coaxing an innocent, penniless girl?
"That's right, we need to compensate you, don't we Anna?"
"Rifa, you—"
Sigrdrífa blinked innocently at , completely unaware that she had just sold out.
"Excellent! Then it's settled! As paynt for sheltering you all, Anna will co to my room tomorrow. I've prepared lots of very su..."
"Lady Sister, your words."
"Ahem... very cute and beautiful clothes."
You were definitely about to say very H clothes just now...
A sense of pale powerlessness washed over . While I could accept maid outfits, I categorically refused any other won's clothing. And the greatest advantage of maid outfits was that as long as I maintained my identity as a maid, this clothing could appear in almost any setting.
I had thought this would protect my last shred of dignity, but was I about to lose even this...
However, Chris and Nora were our saviors, and I wasn't the kind of shaless, unscrupulous maid who would take all help for granted...
If sacrificing my degraded... no, if this could ensure Lily's safety, I... I—
"Well, it's getting late, so let's rest for now. As for bathing, that can wait until tomorrow. We have hot springs here."
"Hot springs?"
Sigrdrífa's eyes imdiately lit up.
Being an elf, she wasn't well-suited to human bathing thods.
"That's right, hot springs where everyone can... be honest with each other..."
Chris frantically winked at . I knew Chris had ulterior motives... but overall, being able to let everyone relax was a good thing. I'd just have to be extra vigilant when the ti ca.
Though I was very worried about Baron Trafalgar and Sir Ivanhoe's situation, it would be inappropriate to make requests imdiately after arriving.
I'll inquire about it tomorrow when I have ti... thinking this, I suddenly realized I had so recognition among adventurers, and news of being with Lily had already spread. From this perspective, until Duke Borgia's quest ended, I was no longer suitable for appearing in public view.
Carol Cat's initial joke about "keeping soone in a golden house" had actually co true, except the owner of the golden house was a count's daughter.
"Nora, settle them in properly, then rember to co to my room later, okay? Good night, Anna~"
"Mm..."
I watched Chris depart in high spirits. Regardless of my feelings about the future, I had to thank Chris for providing us shelter. She was taking the risk of offending Duke Borgia to help us.
Thinking of this, rely selling my body was nothing, right? That's right, I wasn't afraid at all. Really not afraid, okay?
Nora easily hoisted Carol Cat onto her shoulder, then gently picked up Lily. Her movents were very tender. I thought she had noticed Carol Cat was an adventurer but still maintained proper etiquette.
"Good night, Anna."
Carol Cat was settled in one room, and Sigrdrífa in another. She should be reaching her limit soon as well.
After bidding Sigrdrífa good night, I hurried to catch up with Nora ahead.
"Miss Nora, Lily and I can rest together."
"..."
Nora stood silently outside the room, looking at .
"Thanks to you today, we were able to escape. While expressing our gratitude, please also forgive our presumption."
Though that suspicion was necessary to avoid traps, since Nora had truly co to help us, our doubts were a desecration of that kindness.
"...You don't need to thank . I simply cannot refuse Lady Sister's requests."
Lady Sister–I was very concerned about Nora's way of addressing Chris. Chris said Nora was her head maid, but Nora's form of address didn't belong to any servant-to-master relationship.
There was probably so story there. Perhaps after spending more ti together I'd learn the reason. I wouldn't be so tactless as to pry into such matters now.
"You must rember, I was here first. The one who has always been by Lady Sister's side is ."
Nora stared at , speaking as if unwilling to accept this, her emotions slightly agitated. However, she didn't forget about Lily sleeping in her arms.
"Miss Nora..."
Nora bit her lip and looked away.
"I was a bit out of line just now. You don't need to use honorifics, I'm a maid just like you. If you want to express gratitude, you can attribute all the kindness to Lady Sister. Without Lady Sister, I wouldn't have gone out to find you."
Nora quickly regained her composure. Her attitude toward Sigrdrífa was gentle, though it couldn’t be said that she liked Sigrdrifa, it was at least the proper attitude a servant should have toward a guest welcod by their master.
Only toward ...
"Alright, this is your room. Everything has been prepared for you. There are extra pillows and blankets in the closet. If you need anything, just ask anyti."
Nora then used the most concise language to introduce the things in the room we might need, after which she left and closed the door.
Many questions remained in my heart, but right now the most important thing was to restore our condition.
I hoped tomorrow would be a beautiful, sunny day.
"Good night, Lily."
Reviews
All reviews (0)