What’s wrong with me?

I wanted to take time to think deeply about my indiscreet mouth, but it was quite awkward right now.

I smiled awkwardly at the child who was glaring at me with all their might.

“Me? When? That can’t be!”

I have to deny it. Here, I must deny it somehow!

I caused trouble yesterday too, so I can’t cause trouble again today.

I tried to play dumb, but the child was persistent.

“Look at this. You’re even lying now. You just said to me, ‘How can something be this pretty!'”

“That’s strange. I’m sure I never said such a thing.”

“Don’t try to deceive me. Who are you? I’ve never seen your face before.”

Finally asked about my identity, I gave a friendly smile.

If you’re asking about my identity!

“I’m just a maid.”

“Just a maid?”

“Yes, just a maid.”

I had no choice but to answer that I’m just a maid.

I desperately wanted to shout ‘I’m actually the spirit of Harpe, the treasured sword of the Delgado family!’ but I had to stay quiet.

Only then could I have a chance to return to being human.

The child seemed frustrated by my feigning ignorance and had completely forgotten about telling me to take away the book.

“I’ll have to punish you for mocking me.”

“Punish me?”

“Yes, punish! Why do you keep asking everything twice?”

Unable to control their anger, the child finally blurted out an incredible line straight out of a book or drama about the wealthy.

“Do you know who I am? I’m Yurian Delgado of the Delgado family!”

“Yes…”

Of course. I know.

I nodded glumly at the name I couldn’t possibly not know.

Not getting the reaction they expected, Yurian huffed and pointed a finger.

“Y-You! Come with me right now! You’re so naughty, I really need to punish you.”

This is bad. If I get punished like this, it will reach Dietrich’s ears again.

Dietrich didn’t get along well with Yurian.

The cause was the poor relationship between Yurian’s mother, the Duchess, and Dietrich.

The young Yurian was afraid of his cold and stern older brother who was sharp as a knife in everything, and Dietrich wasn’t affectionate towards such a Yurian.

Dietrich, who disliked the Duchess, didn’t consider Yurian as his brother.

‘Yurian at this age probably didn’t hate Dietrich yet.’

But Yurian was also too young to go against the wishes of his devoted mother.

In the end, the two brothers, lacking understanding of each other, became estranged rather than close.

The brothers were already awkward with each other, so I absolutely can’t get involved with Yurian!

Bang!

“W-What…”

“I’m sorry.”

I immediately knelt on the floor and smiled kindly.

“No, why are you suddenly kneeling…”

“Please mercifully forgive me. I don’t want to be punished.”

“Of course you wouldn’t. But I’m not such a merciful person. If you’ve done wrong, you should be punished.”

The child cleared their throat and put their hands on their waist.

They seemed to want to look charismatic, but to my eyes they just looked cute.

Moreover, that way of speaking, it sounds familiar.

I could tell right away who they were imitating, so I quickly buried my head on the ground before laughter could burst out.

“I’m sorry! Even though Lord Dietrich so mercifully forgave my mistake yesterday, to make another mistake today…”

“…My brother mercifully forgave a mistake?”

“Yes, of course. Lord Dietrich may seem cold, but he’s actually a very warm person.”

“He didn’t punish you even though you made a mistake?”

I could tell immediately.

Yurian doesn’t hate Dietrich, he likes him. Tremendously so.

That’s why he wants to imitate everything about Dietrich.

Even his way of speaking.

I decided to sell out Dietrich’s mercifulness in order to survive.

‘It shouldn’t be a big problem since he’s not here anyway.’

Isn’t living more important!

And it seemed my strategy worked as Yurian’s momentum clearly softened compared to earlier.

“If that’s the case… Hmm, I don’t particularly want to forgive you, but it’s not right to punish for just one mistake.”

“My goodness! As expected, Young Master Yurian, you’re as wonderful as Lord Dietrich!”

“…Really?”

The child’s ears turned red as they timidly asked if that was really true.

Finding that sight quite adorable, I smiled broadly with genuine feeling.

“Yes, yes. You’re truly lovely.”

The child with delicate features like a finely carved doll pouted and turned their head.

“Lovely, that’s something you say to young ladies.”

Though grumbling, it seems they were pleased.

The child pointed to the bundle of books next to my feet and said.

“Leave those here since they’re heavy. I’ll have other servants take care of them.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Why did they make you do it? There are plenty of strong servants.”

That’s right. Maybe they were trying to haze me?

Looking at this precious child taking my side, I was about to tell on them but decided against it.

No matter what, that would be too undignified for an adult.

Instead of tattling, I clenched my fist energetically and said.

“Maybe it’s because I’m the strongest among the maids! Haha.”

“You’re not being bullied, are you?”

Sharp for a little kid.

I waved my hands in denial.

“Oh no, bullying? I’m not the type to be bullied.”

“It seems that way from the few minutes I’ve known you.”

“Is that a compliment?”

I tilted my head at the ambiguous phrasing, unsure if it was praise or an insult, and Yurian chuckled.

“You’re an interesting maid. What’s your name?”

“…Ah, my name?”

Even Yurian wants to know my name.

Thinking that quietly living as a maid was now impossible, I hesitantly said my name.

“It’s Heidi.”

“Heidi? Never heard that before.”

“Haha, right?”

“I see. You can go now.”

Seeming to be done with the conversation, Yurian grabbed the doorknob to enter the room.

Then suddenly turned back and said to me.

“Next time.”

“Pardon?”

“I might call for you again next time.”

What does this mean?

Is he saying he’ll call for me?

I just blinked in confusion at the incomprehensible words, and Yurian yelled with a bright red face.

“Just! Since you’re a maid, I might call you next time to give you work!”

Bang!

Looking at the door that slammed shut without giving me a chance to reply, I muttered.

“Geez, what a nasty temper.”

He was definitely Dietrich’s brother.

That evening.

After a grueling day ended and I returned to the dormitory, I sat on the bed to massage my swollen feet.

Marie must have had a tiring day too, as she was already preparing for bed, snugly wrapped in her blanket.

“Heidi. How was work? Was it manageable?”

Marie had always been kind, but since sharing bread with me this morning, she acted as if I had become her one and only best friend.

I flashed a bright smile and gave a thumbs up at her worried question.

“Work wasn’t difficult at all!”

It’s the people in this house that are difficult.

But Marie, unable to catch my true meaning, sighed in relief saying that was fortunate.

“There was a bit more work because Young Master Yurian returned yesterday and today. It’s not usually this much.”

“That’s good.”

“Well, Young Master Yurian isn’t in the best health, so the head maid probably pays more attention to managing the mansion.”

“Yurian, I mean, Young Master Yurian’s health isn’t good?”

This is the first I’m hearing of this.

I stopped massaging my feet and asked.

Marie spoke calmly as if surprised I didn’t know.

“Yes. I heard he was born weak. They say he’s improved to this point by drinking good herbal medicines and seeing skilled physicians. Still, I hear he often gets fevers when there’s a lot of dust or he’s tired.”

“Ah…”

“In my opinion, Young Master Yurian seems to lack exercise. The Madam is strict about Young Master Yurian’s education. I hear he doesn’t get much sunlight because he reads a lot of books.”

I recalled the enormous bundle of books I had carried to Yurian’s room earlier today.

‘Ah, so that’s why he hated books so much.’

Unlike Dietrich who’s obsessed with swords, Yurian seems to be an extreme model student.

Feeling somewhat pitiful, I quickly shook off thoughts of Yurian.

Yurian’s education was for his mother the Duchess to handle, not something for me to worry about.

I was struggling just to endure the present.

It wasn’t easy spending days full of hazing.

“Let’s go to sleep now. We have to wake up early from tomorrow.”

“To get bread again?”

“That too, but there’s a banquet in three days to celebrate Young Master Yurian’s return.”

A banquet?

Seeing my reaction of hearing this for the first time, Marie explained a bit more.

“They say many of the Empire’s notable nobles will attend. So we have to prepare for the banquet all day tomorrow.”

“What time is the banquet?”

“I think they said 7 PM.”

“Then what time do we have to wake up from tomorrow until the day of the banquet?”

“4 AM.”

4 AM!

Suddenly feeling dizzy, I clutched my forehead and collapsed onto the bed.

“Oh my, Heidi. Are you alright?”

“…Ugh, no, I’m not alright.”

This won’t do.

I felt I needed to change my strategy.

I tried to fall asleep with tears in my eyes, thinking:

I’m changing my goal from ‘becoming the best maid’ to ‘surviving as a maid’!