Chapter 8
As a New Maid
The east wing was bustling with many servants coming and going along the corridors.
They greeted Porthos respectfully, and then their eyes lingered with curiosity on Safinia, dressed in mourning clothes.
Trying to avoid their gazes, Safinia kept her head down as she walked—until suddenly a woman’s voice reached her ears.
“Good afternoon, Master Porthos. It’s unusual to see you here in the servants’ dormitory. What brings you here today?”
Safinia looked up toward the voice. Across from Porthos stood a woman in a maid’s uniform.
Her brown hair was pinned up neatly, and she looked older than Safinia’s mother, Rose.
“Ah, just in time. Clara, I’ve brought a new maid with me today. Please look after her.”
Porthos stepped aside, revealing Safinia’s figure.
“A new maid… wait, what? Don’t tell me the girl behind you!?”
“Yes, that’s right. Safinia, introduce yourself.”
With a quick glance, Porthos signaled her. Remembering what she had been taught earlier, Safinia copied the greeting.
“Nice to meet you, my name is Safinia.”
She bowed politely.
“My, what a sweet girl. How old are you, dear?” Clara asked with a smile.
“I’m… six years old.”
“What!? Six!? Master Porthos, are you truly making such a little child a maid? The youngest allowed to work here is ten!”
Clara looked at Porthos in disbelief.
“Yes, I know… but this girl has special circumstances. You see the mourning dress she’s wearing, don’t you?”
Porthos looked down at Safinia.
“Yes… she really is wearing mourning clothes. Oh… don’t tell me…” Clara’s face clouded.
“That’s right. Safinia lived alone with her ailing mother, but just recently her mother passed away. Today was the funeral. She’s the daughter of an acquaintance of mine, so I thought to bring her here. In exchange for her working as a maid, I’ll see to it that she has food, shelter, and clothing.”
Mixing truth with lies, Porthos explained to Clara.
Since the head maid who knew the real circumstances—and even the coachman—had already been dismissed, only the Estman family themselves knew who Safinia really was.
(Those people intend to ignore Lady Safinia’s existence… This little fabrication won’t be discovered, he thought.)
And even if it were, Porthos didn’t mind. Having served since the previous duke’s time, he knew every corner of the Estman household.
If he were gone, it would be the duke who suffered. That was how important a servant Porthos was.
Clara’s expression softened with sympathy at his words.
“Oh… the poor thing… Then she really has no choice but to live here.”
“Clara, you are the dorm mistress. I leave Safinia in your care. She’s only six, so please start her with simple tasks.”
“Yes, I understand. I’ll do so,” Clara replied with a nod.
“But since you’re busy with your duties as dorm mistress, I intend to assign my grandson as her tutor.”
“Eh? You mean César?”
“Yes. He’s close to Safinia’s age, and since the age of ten he’s been trained for service as a butler. I thought I’d let him teach her manners as well. More than anything, Safinia is only six—better for a child to guide her than an adult.”
“You’re right… César would be perfectly suitable. Very well, I’ll allow him access to the girls’ dormitory.”
Safinia only half-listened to the adults’ exchange.
All she understood was this: from today on, she would live and work here as a maid.
“Clara, is there a vacant room?”
“Yes. Room 303 is available.”
“Good. Then please take Safinia there. I’ll go fetch César. Until later, Safinia.”
Porthos smiled warmly at her.
“Yes,” Safinia answered softly.
With a gentle smile, Porthos departed. Safinia watched his back until Clara called out to her.
“Safinia, come along, I’ll show you to your room.”
“Yes.”
And with that, Safinia followed Clara toward the room that would become her new home.
