TMYM 04

Chapter 4

I walked near the forest, alert even while I wandered.
It was so close to the duke’s estate that monsters shouldn’t appear—but better safe than sorry.

Contrary to my hopes, nothing special stood out no matter how much I looked.

“Eile, whatever you see or experience there, report everything. Whatever it is, it’ll be top-grade intel.”

Des’s strict warning flashed through my head.

The forest seemed ordinary, so a map of the estate might be enough to report for now.

“I’ve roughly figured out where the buildings are, so this should be…”

I perched on a cut tree stump, mentally arranging what to report—when—

Rustle! Swish!

Something strange moved nearby.

What is that?
Too fast to be human, too small to be a monster.

With trees all around, I couldn’t tell where it’d jump from.
I reached for the knife at my waist—

Grrrr!

A fluffy white ball popped out, baring tiny teeth.

“…A pig?”

I almost attacked on reflex, then froze when I saw it clearly.

“No… a fox?”

The odd presence was a white fox making funny noises.

Its fur was so thick and puffy I’d mistaken it for a pig. Its sharp ears were nearly hidden in fluff. Okay, not fat—let’s say chubby.

Grr… whine.

Something was wrong. It held one front paw up and whimpered.

“Are you hurt?”

Grrr.

I approached slowly. The fox’s ruby-red eyes narrowed with a warning sound, but it didn’t run. The paw really must hurt.

“I’ll help you. I won’t hurt you.”

I crouched, gently lifted the little paw, and checked the pad.

Sure enough, a long splinter was stuck in the center.

“That’s why you cried.”

Pop.

The thorn slid out cleanly.

I tore a strip from the hem of my maid dress and wrapped the paw.

Grrr, grrr.

Once I finished the quick first aid, the fox trotted circles around me like it was saying thanks.

Now that I look… how unusual. Snow-white fur and blood-red eyes?

Only after relaxing did I notice how unique it looked.

“Is it the duke’s pet? More to report.”

Some nobles liked collecting exotic animals. Nothing too strange.
But Des said everything might be top-grade intel—so I’d report it anyway.

“Del!”

A voice called from not far away.

Perk!

Hidden by fluff until now, the fox’s ears shot upright. I also turned toward the voice.

“…Huh?”

The instant I saw someone approaching, I froze like time had stopped.

Grrrr!

The fox leapt from my arms and ran forward, tail waving.

“—Oh.”

I jolted up, breath catching.

“Del, where did you go?”

A boy with pitch-black hair and violet eyes—like deep night—picked up the fox, petting it while calling it Del.

My jaw dropped.

Wait… isn’t that the sickly kid from the Black Forest? The one I saved from those nasty assassins?

My mind went blank.

Why are you here?!

Then I remembered the target’s “portrait” crumpled in my pocket.

“N-No way…”

I yanked out the paper and glanced between the boy’s face and the ridiculous sketch, swallowing hard.

The feeling was bad. The portrait Des gave me was not this handsome.

But somehow, I didn’t doubt they were the same person.

Which meant… the boy in front of me was my target, Lys Cassio.

If you looked closely, it sort of matched the portrait…
No, comparing that doodle to this face is an insult.

“Did you do this?”

The ten-million-gold—no, Lys—spoke to me.

I hurriedly stuffed the paper away and met his eyes. He was pointing at the makeshift bandage on Del’s paw.

“Yes. There was a thorn in the pad, so I treated it.”

“You…”

His tone sounded displeased. Was he mad I touched his property without permission?

He could be. Nobles and their pride, after all.

But I couldn’t argue with my precious ten million—uh, with the target. I should just apologize—

“Are you an angel?”

“…Pardon?”

Of all things, angel? What kind of random question was that?
Well, technically I’m closer to an angel than a demon—but still.

Del wriggled out of his arms and jumped back into mine, tail swaying, purring happily.

Grrr-rrr.
Lys watched, intrigued.

“Del’s never followed anyone else before…”

So Del wasn’t the duke’s, but the young master’s pet.

“But who are you? You look like a maid, but I’ve never seen you.”

He noticed I was new—impressive. Most nobles barely know their servants’ names, let alone faces.

So he’s observant. Add that to the report.

“I’m Eile. I started today.”

I smiled sweetly and bowed.
Whatever happens, it’s bad to earn the target’s dislike.

My mission is not only to kill the target, but also to uncover Cassio’s secret.
I might not get close as a low-ranking maid, but I could at least become “Servant #1”—someone he doesn’t mind seeing.

Keep just this much distance. Not too far, not too close.

That way investigating stays easy—and I won’t get attached. Easier cleanup later.

“…Eile.”

He murmured my name, thinking, then looked at Del still cuddled in my arms.

“Perfect. I needed a maid to take care of Del… Eile, you’ll do. Work by my side from now on.”

A sentence flew at me that made no sense.

What did Mr. Ten-Million just say? By his side? Me?

“M-Me?”

“Yes, you. I’ll tell the head maid. Start today.”

Basic rule: a lowly maid is not allowed to serve directly by the master’s side.
So that means…

“You’ll be my exclusive maid. I’ll count on you.”

Exclusive… maid… me?