Bonus Short Story: Maid Duties

I heard a noise from the entrance; it seemed someone had returned.

I hurried over and found Helene-san. I always found myself captivated by her. She was beautiful, elegant, and the very definition of a princess.

「Welcome back, Helene-san. Are you alone today?」 「Yes. Where is Kakeru-sama?」 「He is out at the moment. I believe he will return by evening.」 「Is that so? May I take a bath before Kakeru-sama returns?」 「Understood. I will go boil the water immediately.」

I hurried to prepare the bath, then guided Helene-san to the dressing room and helped her undress.

「Hawaa…」 「Is something wrong?」 「N-No! It’s nothing at all.」

Helene-san simply smiled, tilting her head slightly. She truly was a princess; she remained perfectly composed even as I helped her out of her clothes. She didn’t mind being seen naked by a mere maid like me—just as expected of royalty.

I assisted her with her bath and tended to her afterward. Escorting her back to her room in the mansion, I carefully combed and dried her hair.

「Hawaa…」 「Kusu, what is it this time?」 「Eh! Ah, I’m sorry! It’s just that your hair is so beautiful.」 「Is that so?」 「Yes! It’s golden, long, and absolutely wonderful!」 「Thank you.」 「Oh, right, Helene-san, I heard from the other maids about a hairstyle that’s currently trending among high-class young ladies.」 「A trend?」 「Yes! Apparently, it’s very popular with men! I thought about trying it myself, but it’s a style that requires long hair.」 「Popular with men… I wonder if Kakeru-sama would like it.」 「I’m sure he would love it!」 「Next time Kakeru-sama is here, would you style my hair like that for me?」 「Yes!」

Once her hair was dry, Helene-san took out the documents she had brought and began her work. Her profile was deeply serious. She was already beautiful, but this earnest expression made her look even more stunning.

Oh, that’s right.

I brewed some tea for Helene-san. It was another trick I’d learned from the other maids—a tea that had a relaxing effect on tired eyes and minds. Then, I added a dash of magic spice. It was a spice said to make a woman exude more allure. I didn’t exactly know the specifics of what “allure” meant, but I figured if Helene-san looked more alluring, my master would be pleased. So, I stirred a little in.

When I returned to the room, Helene-san was still diligently working, so I quietly placed the tea beside her and slipped out of the room.

Returning to the lobby, I found Delfina-san waiting. The merchant, Delfina-san. She was wearing her characteristically sultry dress again today. She was tall, slender, and a deeply alluring person.

「Welcome back, Delfina-san. Did you come by yourself today?」 「Yes, I had business nearby. Where is Kakeru-sama?」 「He isn’t here right now. He said he would be back by evening.」 「I see. Then I must hurry back,」 Delfina-san replied.

She and my master had a wonderful arrangement. An agreement where, whenever Delfina-san wished, my master would go fetch her and bring her to the mansion. If you asked whether I envied that, the answer was a bit complicated. After all, I was a maid. My greatest happiness was working in my master’s home. To experience the joy of being fetched, I would have to sacrifice the joy of working for him here. It was a dilemma.

While I was lost in these thoughts, I noticed Delfina-san staring at me intently.

「Is something wrong?」 「Now that I think about it, there is something I’ve wanted to ask you for a long time.」 「Me?」

I wondered what it could be. What could Delfina-san possibly want to ask me?

「Would you like to work for me?」 「Eh?」 「Let’s skip the formalities—a scout. How about it?」 「A-s-s-scout?」 「Why are you so flustered?」 「B-But, a commoner like me being scouted…」 「I have a policy of never making deals that would be a loss to myself.」 「But, I have my duties at the mansion…」 「I will dispatch ten replacement maids to the mansion. That should be enough to fill your vacancy.」 「Ten?」

Why ten? Was there some kind of meaning to it?

「I’m sorry,」 I apologized. It was a very generous offer, but I couldn’t accept it. 「I am my master’s slave-maid.」 「I see. That’s a shame. Well, I didn’t really think I could steal his personnel anyway… seeing as I am one of his myself.」

Delfina-san muttered that last part. I couldn’t hear it clearly, but the corner of her mouth quirked up into a smile, so it must have been something pleasant.

「Sorry for intruding. See you again tonight.」 「Yes! Have a safe trip.」

I bowed and saw Delfina-san off. Left alone once more, I counted my remaining tasks on my fingers. I’d done the cleaning, and I’d done the laundry. I’d ordered the ingredients from Lucas-san, so as for other chores…

Oh, right. I need to split the firewood.

Since I’d boiled water for Helene-san, the woodpile was getting a bit low. I headed out into the garden and got to work. I chopped enough so we’d be prepared no matter what came up. By the time I finished, it was evening. The day was drawing to a close.

「It’s almost time for Master to return.」

I hurried back to my room. The most important task still remained. I took the brush I’d received from my master and began grooming my own fur.

Carefully, very carefully, I combed it, smoothing out the texture. I brushed it thoroughly, fluffing it up with air. I even used the magic powder I’d bought with my allowance to make my fur extra soft. I cleaned my entire body and fluffed myself to perfection. With this, I was ready, no matter when my master returned.

「I’m home—」 「—!」

In an instant, my heart pounded. It was that familiar voice. I stood up abruptly and took a deep breath.

Calm down. Calm down, me.

I headed toward the entrance. My master was standing right there.

「Welcome home, Master.」 「I’m home, Miu.」

He spread his arms wide.

Thump.

My heart leaped again, beating even harder than before. As usual, I stepped into my master’s waiting embrace.

「I’m home, Miu,」 he said once more, pulling me close to give me some mofumofu.

Mofumofu, mofumofu.

It was a “welcome home” mofumofu. My master seemed thoroughly satisfied after his daily dose of fluff. Having finally completed my most important task of all, I was entirely enveloped in a feeling of pure happiness.