It’s been a few days since I was summoned to the Duke’s office.

My magic training was progressing steadily…

And of course, I hadn’t neglected my maid duties either.

As for the duties of a personal maid, I had been getting crash-course training under the maid chief’s brutal bootcamp.

But honestly, with all the experience I gained in my previous life, I wasn’t too worried about the hands-on part of it.

The only unfortunate thing was—
I hadn’t seen that adorable young lady again since that day.

…But that disappointment ends today.

Because today is—
✨The exciting day I officially begin my role as her personal maid!✨

“Hey, Ailena, I heard you’re going to be the Duke’s daughter’s personal maid?”

“Too bad~ That’s the worst posting~”

Just as I was brimming with anticipation, two jarring voices dumped a metaphorical bucket of cold water on me.

Of course, it was those two annoying seniors who’d given me trouble before—Linda and Mare, if I remember right.

“We heard that everyone who gets assigned to Lady Anisette ends up getting tormented until they quit in tears.”

“Hope you don’t run away crying too, hehe~”

…As if that sweet, thoughtful child—who picked flowers for her sick mother—could be the sort to bully her maids.

“You two, don’t talk about the young lady like—”

Knock knock.

Just as I was about to retort, the butler Josen appeared at the door.

“Ailena, it’s time. Let’s go to Lady Katarina’s chambers.”

“Yes, Mr. Josen.”

Ignoring the two mockers, I followed Josen toward the young lady’s room.

There’s no way such a lovely child could be a troublemaker.

I thought, still feeling a little miffed.

“…This is an order!”

But then, that line popped into my head.

That pouty, commanding little puffball… maybe I couldn’t be entirely sure.

“This is the young lady’s room.”

Facing the grand door, I placed a hand on my chest and took a deep breath.

It’ll be fine.

She’s a good girl.

She won’t do anything bad.

Giving myself that mental pep talk, I opened the door.

“Good morning, my lady. I’m your new—”

POOF.

Before I could finish my sentence, a soft pillow smacked me right in the face.

“I SAID I DON’T WANT A PERSONAL MAID!”

A young, hysterical voice rang out as I pulled the pillow away.

My heart wavered slightly.

Could that cute little golden-haired puffball… actually be a tyrannical, spoiled little brat?

…I needed to confirm.

“Katarina…! Now is not the time for this tantrum!”

The Duke, who was also in the room, looked clearly troubled.

Yet, as a doting father, he couldn’t bring himself to scold her properly.

“Mm-mm-mm!”

“Katarina!”

“Ahem.”

Josen coughed pointedly, shifting everyone’s attention back toward us.

“I don’t want another personal maid! Tell her to go awa—wait, it’s you!?”

The young lady, who had been sulking with her eyes cast down, lit up the moment she saw my face.

She ran toward me with such joy, she looked like a puppy who just found its owner.

…Okay. Guess my instincts were right after all. She really is a good kid.

“Greetings, my lady. I am your new personal maid, Ailena.”

I bowed deeply to the young girl, who was much smaller than me.

“Ailena… you’re Ailena?”

“Yes, I am, my lady.”

“You were just shouting a second ago, and now it’s all fine?”

The Duke chuckled beside her.

“Mm…”

Katarina puffed out her cheeks.

“…If it’s Elina, then… I guess I can consider it!”

Even though we had only met once before, the young lady trusted me this much…

It honestly moved me a little.

“Ehehe…”

The Duke simply grinned smugly without saying a word.

And that expression immediately ticked off the young lady.

“Mm-mm-mm! I HATE YOU THE MOST, FATHER!”

And with that dramatic declaration, she stomped off in a huff.

CRACK.

I swear I heard something break just then.

Looking back, I saw the Duke completely petrified, like a stone statue.

…He brought this on himself.

Sighing internally, I turned to chase after the young lady.

Eventually, I found her sitting gloomily in the garden, hugging her knees and hanging her head.

I quietly approached and sat beside her, letting my body warmth drift toward her.

She looked at me with a slight surprise.

I gave her a gentle smile in return.

Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.

She probably didn’t want to be that rude to her father either…

I softly stroked her back and asked in a gentle voice:

“…Why don’t you want a personal maid, my lady?”

“…”

“Can’t tell me?”

After glancing at my smiling face again, the young lady finally opened her heart.

“…Because all my previous personal maids were bad people.”

She gazed into the distance—

To a curtained window, where her mother’s room likely was.

“When I went to visit my mother in her room, those maids stood far away from her…

Even though her illness isn’t contagious.”

“They looked at her like she was a burden… like she was just a useless extra who should die already.”

Her voice trembled with anger, and she clenched her teeth.

“How could I ever accept someone who sees my mother like that?

I’d rather not have a personal maid at all!”

“…I see.”

So even at her young age, the young lady had already experienced cruelty and prejudice.

A child’s world is small.

Once they fall into fear or mistrust, it’s hard for them to crawl back out.

“…And! They made me eat mushrooms!”

“Uh…”

I think they were just looking out for her health…

Kids do need proper nutrition, after all.

Though, as someone who also hated mushrooms, I could sympathize.

I couldn’t help but recall how my parents used to scold me when I stubbornly refused to eat mine.

“They were awful!

So I put bugs in their collars!

And mushrooms in their shoes!

And ordered them to do things I knew they hated—until they couldn’t take it and quit!”

“…I see.”

Okay, maybe those annoying senior maids weren’t completely making things up after all.

Still…

Hopefully she won’t do that to me.

Probably.

“Say, if you hated personal maids so much…

Why am I an exception?”

I asked gently.

The young lady turned her emerald eyes on me, blinking rapidly.

“…Because Ailena didn’t look disgusted when I said I wanted to pick flowers for Mama!

You helped me find the blue ones… and taught me how to make a flower crown!

Mama praised me after that, you know!”

She tilted her head back with pride, puffing up with importance.

“And also… Ailena has this… soft, gentle aura!

I really like it!”

“I see.”

I smiled as I listened.

But then she suddenly stopped talking…

And started peeking over at me now and then.

“…?”

“Mm-mm-mm…”

For some reason, she kept staring at my hand—then puffed out her cheeks again.

But instead of getting angry this time, her cheeks quickly flushed a warm pink.

“So what I’m saying is!

I want more head pats!

Now hurry up!”

She pushed her head toward me expectantly.

…It was only then that I understood what she was trying to say.

So, I obliged.

As soon as I patted her head, the young lady lit up with satisfaction.

What a precious child.

To be her personal maid…

Might just be the best thing that ever happened in this life.

I thought so, as I ran my fingers gently through her soft, fluffy hair.