“Haaah…”

After being absolutely wrecked for an entire afternoon, my body felt like a candle in the wind.

…That knight captain seriously has no concept of mercy for girls! He’s a complete demon!

But no matter how exhausted I was, I still had my official maid duties to carry out.

So, with sore muscles, I pushed the dinner cart to the lady’s room and knocked on her door.

“Milady, it’s me, Ailena. I’ve brought your dinner.”

Click.

“Ailena!”

The door swung open to reveal my lady’s bright and energetic face.

“Listen! Listen! Today, my etiquette teacher—”

Halfway through her sentence, the young lady suddenly wrinkled her nose.

Sniff sniff.

“Ailena… you smell like sweat.”

Boom!

It felt like lightning struck me.

…Does the smell on me really stand out that much!?

Just earlier, I was criticizing the knights for their stink—and now karma has done a full roundhouse kick to my face.

Sure, I was wearing heavy maid attire and had trained hard all afternoon, so of course I was sweaty…

But is the smell that obvious!?

I really, really didn’t want Milady to hate me for this!

…Maybe because I’m a girl now, I’ve become way more self-conscious about things I never used to care about.

And just as my mind spiraled into a chaotic mess—

“But I like the smell.”

She leaned in and sniffed again.

“…?”

Does my lady have… some unusual preferences?

My brain only got more confused.

“But… doesn’t it stink?”

She shook her head.

“Not at all. I can tell it’s sweat, but it doesn’t smell bad.”

“…”

I couldn’t really tell how I smelled.

But if the lady said that, I guess I’ll take it as truth…

At least she didn’t say she likes bad smells.

After that, the lady happily enjoyed her dinner, chatting excitedly about her day even after the meal was over.

I sat beside her with a gentle smile, listening to her chatter.

Soon, it was time for her bath.

“Milady, I’ll assist you with your bath.”

As her exclusive maid, that was part of my duty.

…Even though I was a guy in my past life, I’d never think strange thoughts about a child.

She’s like a little sister to me.

Back then, I used to bathe with my sister, help scrub her back and stuff.

This is just the same kind of thing. No weird thoughts allowed.

But of course, Milady never plays by the rules.

“Then let’s bathe together, Ailena!”

“…Eh?”

Before I could react, I found myself completely naked…

In a gigantic bathroom.

I had to admit—

The Duke’s private bath was absolutely massive, decorated in gorgeous luxury.

Even though I’d been working here for half a month, this was my first time stepping foot inside.

—Servants had their own designated wash areas.

Unless you were assigned to clean or assist in noble baths, you never got to see this kind of place.

So really, this was all thanks to Milady.

With that thought, I ran my fingers through her damp hair, lathering shampoo gently.

Perhaps because she hadn’t had a personal maid taking care of her hair in a while, it was a bit dry—

But the natural quality was excellent.

“Milady, please close your eyes.”

“Okay.”

Warm water cascaded down, washing everything away.

I carefully dried her hair with a towel, applied conditioner, tied it neatly—

And we were ready for the bath.

“Now we can soak in the hot water, Milady.”

“Ailena’s not coming in?”

“I… I’m fine.”

“But you’re exhausted today, right? You sweat a lot too.”

“Well…”

As tempting as it sounded, I didn’t dare relax in a noble’s bath like it was my own.

But in that moment of hesitation—

I made a fatal mistake.

“Hee~ya!”

Suddenly, I was shoved from behind and tumbled into the tub, sending water splashing everywhere.

“Pwah!”

I surfaced from the water, only to be greeted by the mischievous grin of the little devil.

“See? Feels good, right?”

“…”

Can’t deny it.

It did feel good.

The water was the perfect temperature, infused with skin-nourishing bath salts and floating rose petals.

Soothing scents filled the air, loosening the tension from every part of me.

“Haaaah…”

Technically, you’re supposed to clean yourself before entering the bath.

And I hadn’t tied up my hair properly either…

But I was too tired to care about bath etiquette.

The hot water melted away my exhaustion—

And my spirit.

“Hehehe~”

Milady giggled next to me.

Her petite body was just barely visible through the bathwater.

“…What is it?”

“Nothing… I just thought Ailena looks really cute with that face.”

“What?”

I quickly touched my own face.

Reflected in the water was a totally relaxed, silly expression.

Maybe it was because I hadn’t had a real hot bath in ages…

All the muscles in my face had let go, and there was no way I could tense them back up now.

Milady watched me the entire time, clearly amused.

Which only made me more embarrassed—I turned away, flustered.

Gulp.

I think I heard someone swallow?

Suddenly, a small, soft, warm presence pressed against me.

“Ailena… is so cute…”

I turned—and found the little one hugging me tight.

Our eyes met—her large emerald irises glimmering with moisture.

She gently scooped up some of my floating hair and studied it carefully.

“Ailena’s hair is so sparkly and silver—it’s beautiful.”

“Uh… thank you, Milady?”

To be honest, I still wasn’t used to receiving compliments like that.

I was a guy in my past life, after all.

But then, she did something even more surprising—

She ran her finger from my shoulder down along my arm, sending ticklish shivers through me.

“Ailena’s skin is so bouncy and smooth. I love it.”

“…Thanks?”

…Was that a compliment too?

This all felt so weird.

Do girls really talk like this to each other?

Before I could ponder it, she sat herself down between my legs.

“Hey… Ailena… head pats.”

“Yes, Milady.”

Pushing aside the earlier weirdness, I gently stroked her head.

“Milady really loves head pats, doesn’t she?”

Maybe it’s because she lacks a mother’s touch.

She doesn’t get moments like this often—and that makes her treasure them.

My sister was the same way.

She always came looking for head pats too.

“Because… it makes me feel safe.”

She leaned closer as she said it.

Safe, huh…?

Night.

Milady was fast asleep in bed, hugging a lion plushie—the symbol of the ducal house.

I quietly watched her peaceful sleeping face, my heart tangled in complicated feelings.

She was still at such a tender age, and yet lacked the love and care she deserved.

The Duke was always busy, not very close to her.

And the Duchess—though kind—was chronically ill and rarely around.

…Then I’ll fill that gap.

I’ll be the one to give her the love she’s missing.

As her big brother—

…no, as her big sister now.

Stroking her forehead, I whispered into the silent night:

“Goodnight, Milady.”