Chapter 5
“It seems I’ve explained everything you need to know. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask anytime.”
“Thank you, Head Maid.”
From early morning, I had been given an intensive crash course on maid duties, and by the time the sun set, the handover finally came to an end.
“Since it’s late tonight, take some tea to the young master and then go extinguish the lights in his bedroom.”
“Yes, Head Maid.”
My treatment, having suddenly become the personal maid, changed quickly.
The quarters I had been staying in at the annex were moved to the main building, and even my uniform changed—from a plain maid outfit to a more elaborate and refined dress.
On top of that, a personal maid holds one of the highest ranks among maids and must always stay close to the master. That meant I would be living on the same floor as his room.
So that’s why my room was assigned near Liss’s bedroom. I never intended to get this close… sigh.
Forcing down my complicated thoughts, I carried freshly brewed fragrant tea and headed toward Liss’s office.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
In the center of the elegant office, where moonlight streamed through a large window, Liss was working.
“Young master, I brought your tea.”
I placed the teacup on top of the white mountain of documents on his desk, bowed slightly, and turned to leave.
“Where are you going?”
But Liss’s voice stopped me.
When I turned back, his violet eyes—impossible to read—were fixed on me.
“I’ve finished my task, so I was about to leave.”
“Are you sure? I believe you still have work left.”
He tilted his head slightly, speaking in a strange tone. And as he said, I did still have work left.
Delivering tea was done. The only thing remaining was… turning off the lights in his bedroom.
But that was something that required him to actually be asleep.
“…That can only be done after you’ve gone to bed, young master.”
“What should I do? I can’t seem to fall asleep.”
With a faint, lazy smile, Liss shrugged as if it couldn’t be helped.
…What is this ominous feeling? It sounds exactly like he’s saying, “If I don’t sleep, neither do you.”
“You might fall asleep if you drink warm tea.”
Sensing danger, I quickly smiled and suggested it.
“I’ve heard lullabies are good for insomnia…”
Just as he seemed about to obediently lift the teacup, Liss set it back down.
“Ha ha, who would dare sing something like that to you, young master?”
“My mother did.”
“…Wow, the lady was very wise! I agree completely!”
I quickly switched sides, but Liss’s gaze only grew sharper.
I hadn’t expected him to bring up the late Countess of Cassio out of nowhere, and cold sweat formed on my back.
Why bring up lullabies all of a sudden? Don’t tell me he wants me to sing…
“Right? Then, Aeil, sing me a lullaby. If I get sleepy, I’ll go to bed.”
“…You’re joking, right?”
Since when did assassins get asked to sing lullabies?
I had been asked for mercy, confessions, even last words countless times—but this? This was a first. A real first.
“I’m always serious, Aeil.”
His calm voice echoed clearly in my confused ears.
At the same time, he tapped the desk with the tip of his fountain pen—an unmistakable gesture urging me on.
Damn it… Even if I’m disguised as a maid, I’m still an assassin at my core. Singing in front of my target? Absolutely not.
“Actually, young master, I’m terribly tone-deaf. If I sang, it would wake you up instead of putting you to sleep. So please withdraw the order.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
I put on my most pitiful expression and acted helpless.
Liss looked at me sympathetically, furrowing his brows.
Just as I thought he might give up and I secretly smiled—
“I should have realized sooner that Aeil has no talent for music… I’m sorry. As a noble young master, my judgment was lacking.”
…Huh?
That line sounded familiar.
“As a noble young master, my judgment is lacking.”
Wait—that was something I said back in the Black Forest!
He remembered that?
“You shouldn’t be so discouraged. I’ll hire the best music teacher in the empire for you.”
“…Yes, thank you—wait, what?”
My head spun. A music teacher? Seriously?
“I just want my maid to feel confident singing.”
“I said I’m fine…!”
“If my maid feels inferior because she can’t sing, it upsets me. Don’t worry.”
With a generous smile, Liss calmly sipped his tea.
This damn young master… does he somehow know I was that assassin in the Black Forest? Otherwise, why would he torment me like this…!
No—impossible. I had worn a hood. There was no way he could know.
Still… I really shouldn’t have saved him back then. Maybe I should just kill him now?
Ten million gold coins.
Ten million.
Ten million gold…
At that moment, Dea’s voice echoed vividly in my head.
Right… if it’s for ten million gold coins, what can’t I endure?
“…Come to think of it, I actually feel like singing.”
“Good. I thought you might.”
And just like that, I ended up doing exactly what Liss wanted.
Better than getting dragged into music lessons anyway.
“Hm-hm.”
But an experienced assassin does not break so easily. I cleared my throat with determination.
“Little bunny, bunny, where are you going~♪ hopping, hopping, off to bed you go~♬ even rabbits sleep, so why don’t you~♪”
“…Aeil, the lyrics seem a bit strange.”
Liss tilted his head.
Meanwhile, I felt quite satisfied with my performance.
“It’s just your imagination. You’re tired. You should go to sleep now.”
“…Is that so?”
At last, Liss stood up. I almost threw a poisoned needle out of reflex, but luckily stopped myself.
Following him quietly to the bedroom, Liss suddenly turned back, as if remembering something.
“Aeil, Del seems to still be outside. Could you bring him in?”
“Yes, young master.”
I thought it would be easy.
In the assassin guild, I used to hunt tigers. A fox is nothing.
But I was soon proven completely wrong.
“Del! Please stop running…!”
ROOOAR—!
For some reason, Del bolted away every time I tried to catch him, running at incredible speed with excited howls.
“Is that even a fox!? That can’t be right!”
What the hell? No one said this fox was this fast!
“Huff… huff… I’m out of stamina… no, money… I need… extra pay…”
After chasing him around the forest for what felt like forever, I finally managed to catch him.
I feel like I ended up playing with him instead… surely that’s just my imagination.
By the time I returned to the bedroom with Del, Liss was already asleep.
Del was also fast asleep, snoring softly on the bed.
Carefully placing him down, I moved quietly to the corner of the room and extinguished the candle.
Finally, the day is over. If I hadn’t suddenly become a maid, I would’ve gone off-duty long ago.
Now I just had to report everything to Dea.
Becoming a personal maid, the strange fox, and everything else—there was already too much to report for a first day.
Alright, back to my room…!
“…?”
Just as I was about to leave, exhaustion weighing on me, I stopped.
The master’s bedroom was on the top floor—fifth floor of the mansion. And inside were only the sleeping master, Del, and me.
In other words, there should be no other presence here.
Unless… it was a ghost with no fear of heights.
Well then… rescue missions aren’t exactly my hobby…!
