Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 56: A day in the life of a maid – First half.

''You don't act like a maid at all...!''

This was what Chloe told me yesterday night after I came back from outside. Apparently, I'm unhinged, blunt, disrespectful, and don't do my job properly, so the people might raise suspicions toward us, she said. I'm quite sorry to say this, but our image as a normal and healthy master-servant couple has long been ruined in the eyes of everyone. It didn't exist in the first place.

Now, I'm pretty sure this is just her dumping more reasons on top of her primary desire, which is for me to serve her as a maid properly, but I digress.

''The sun is so nice...''

''Mhm.''

Nevertheless, Chloe has been helping me ever since I met her. It is only right if I do something like this for her once in a while. I'm only doing it for a day—no more.

That's why I'm going out on an errand with Nydia. It is early in the morning, and we need fresh ingredients to make Chloe's and our breakfasts. Most commoner students here use the cafeteria for food, while most noble ones have their own cooks, but Chloe chose Nydia as her chef from the beginning.

I can understand that since this raven girl beside me has a level 8 [Cooking] skill. Upon inquiring, she said she used to cook for fun whenever she had free time, and 'somewhere along the line, it became like this,' apparently.

''What do you want to eat today, Aurora.''

Nydia turns to me with a refreshing smile.

''Hm... Steaks.''

''Sure thing.'' The raven maid hums. ''Lady Amelia is so good recently. She gave us an unlimited budget for food.''

''Mhm.''

Nydia seems more excited than usual. Probably because I am with her.

If Chloe is correct, this girl right here is interested in me as a romantic partner. I myself don't exactly know how to feel about it. I'm sure I don't hate her at all, but other than that...

While thinking so, it seems we have arrived at the marketplace inside the academy ground.

I follow Nydia closely, watching her choosing ingredients and bargaining with the sellers. As expected of a seasoned maid, she is skillful, able to buy two steaks at the price of one and a half...

Once back at the dorm, Nydia borrows the kitchen and begins to prepare the ingredients. I don't see her in a ponytail often, so it is quite refreshing.

''I'll go wake our lady up.'' I tell Nydia.

Me being here has no use anyway.

''Alright.''

After waiting a bit for the elevator to come down, the door opens with a ting. 

''...''

''...''

A very sleepy-looking crown princess is there.

Obviously, people on the same level as Chloe will live on the same tenth floor. The crown princess is no exception, though I heard the saintess chose to stay at a church nearby. Either way, greeting comes first.

''Good morning, Your Highness.'' I bow my head lightly.

''...Good morning.''

''...''

''...''

No, why aren't you getting out?

''Come in. You are going to the tenth floor, correct?'' Sierra asks casually.

''...Yes.''

''I forgot something there. We'll go together.''

''...''

So I get into the elevator, and Sierra chooses the tenth floor. As the door closes and we begin to move up, I can't help but feel the crown princess's gaze on me.

What is supposed to be a brief wait now feels like an eternity. It's awkward. But I don't really care. Or do I...? I'm supposed to be a good maid today, right?

Eventually, I turn to Sierra.

''...Your Highness, can I do something for you?''

''Let me touch your wings.'' She immediately replies.

''...Understood.''

It's not a wise decision to reject a princess here. Especially this princess.

TING—!

So, with Sierra feeling up my wing, we walk slowly, or more like Sierra walks slowly, so I have to match toward the end of the hallway. The way she touches me is exceptionally tickling for some reason. And stop pulling my feathers...

Eventually, Sierra lets go of my wing once we reach Chloe's room. 

''That was nice.''

She says simply before going straight back to the elevator.

''...''

With a brewing desire for petty revenge, I open the door and enter the dark room. On the bed is Chloe, fast asleep.

''Wake up.''

I tap her face a few times. Instead of opening her eyes like ordinary people, Chloe grabs my hand and hugs it tightly to her chest, mumbling something in her dream.

Oh, wait. I need to act like a maid. That was rude of me.

So I get closer to Chloe's ear and whisper. ''Please wake up, my lady.''

''!!''

Chloe immediately jumps up and looks around in shock.

''W-What did you say, Aurora?!'' She exclaims. ''More, once more!''

''...No.''

I saw it in an anime once. That was more embarrassing than expected.

With Chloe nagging me to recreate that whisper, I am somehow able to wash her up properly and place her at the table. Soon, Nydia arrives with a tray of food.

Because Chloe doesn't feel comfortable making us eat later, we three all have meals at the same time. After enjoying Nydia's delicious breakfast, it is now time to go to class. Chloe, not me.

Which means it is now free time for us maids. 

''Aurora, do you want to go on a walk?'' Nydia asks me with a smile.

''Sure.''

I need to think about which SCP to choose. A walk will do.

So we go outside again, wandering around the academy side to side. The sky is clear, the sun is warm, and the snowy academy scene is romantic—a relaxing sight, for sure.

''Hm?''

That relaxing sight is immediately disturbed by two girls sitting on a bench. It's Claire and Luxia. What a weird combination.

Upon getting a bit closer and using my skill, I can hear Claire talking about a certain person with an enthusiastic face. The saintess's face is no less eager, by the way.

''Ah, it's Miss Maid!''

Eventually, we are caught by Luxia's hawk-like eyes, or rather, Nydia just entered her mind-reading range, I believe. 

''Let's go to them.'' Nydia says.

''Mhm.''

Claire and Luxia make some space on the long bench for us, so we sit down normally with me next to Claire.

''Don't you two have classes?'' Nydia pokes out to look at the two students.

''Not yet. It's the next shift.'' Claire replies while Luxia nods along with a smile. ''By the way, we were discussing Miss G. Do you two know her yet?''

''I do.'' Nydia, unintentionally or intentionally, leans toward Claire, which means she also makes quite a lot of contact with my body.

When Claire turns to me with sparkling eyes, I reply. ''...Yes.''

Hearing our answer, Claire chuckles and looks at us with a smug smile. ''I bet you didn't know this.''

''...?''

Claire looks around intently, then whispers excitedly. ''This is actually classified information. They didn't want to release this because it would cause confusion... Listen carefully, Miss G can use three elements...!''

''What?!'' Nydia exclaims; Luxia keeps the same smiley expression.

Me?

''...''

I'm speechless.

It's so embarrassing...