Chapter 7: ① A Sudden Encounter—The Three Exclusive Maids Arrive!!

The white sand underfoot threw back a faint glint.

When Yuuri happened to lift his head—what stood there was an anomaly in this other world, unlike anything he’d seen so far.

Uh, isn’t this… a little too Japanese?

The tiled roof arched gently upward, the deep eaves casting deep shade.
Thick lacquered pillars stood at even intervals, with a broad veranda flaring along the outer edge.
He felt like he’d seen something like it before, but this was clearly ten times the size of his family home.

Is this… where I’m going to live?

“Welcome, Master.”

Beside him, Celine bowed with quiet grace and spoke in a clear, dignified voice.

“This is Lord Karou’s palace—the Karou Hall.”

“‘Palace,’ huh… so that’s what this is.”

It wasn’t just a mansion.
This was a place that measured the worth of the one who sat at its center—

Aina, the maid standing one step behind Celine, moved to the carriage porch—the entryway—and bowed softly.
She set both hands on the door frame and, careful not to make a sound, slid the doors open to either side.
From beyond the wooden doors drifted a faint light and a wood scent like sandalwood.

Without a word, Aina stepped aside by the doorway and extended one hand in smooth invitation.
Guided by that gesture, Yuuri crossed the threshold and took a step inside.

Wait, kneeling—!?

His thoughts blew away in an instant.
Arrayed across the floor in formal kneeling—

And they’re maids!?

Deep navy and white—a flawless classical maid style.
A skirt that flared softly, a pure-white apron.
Modest ruffles trimmed the open décolletage from neck to chest—and behind them, that inner curve made its statement.

“Welcome home, Lord Karou.”

In that single instant as they bowed,
hair swayed, fabric shifted, and from behind the ruffles, smooth curves slipped into the edge of his vision.

Oh, for the love…

Cleavage by sheer force of numbers.

So this is… the full-on harem palace package…

As awe and nerves mixed in the hushed air, voices of girls rang out from the corridor beyond, slicing through the stillness.

“Hold it, Fiona. If you rush like that, you’ll trip.”
“But—Margaret said the Master might already be here!”
“That’s because you were dawdling!!”
“It’s this sash! Tight and I can’t breathe, loose and it falls apart… even Chloe was struggling with it!”
“…I simply didn’t know how to tie it, that’s all!”
“This outfit… it’s kind of lovely… so fluffy, and it sways in the breeze…”
“Lily, don’t just daydream—move! Seriously…!”

The very next moment, as the voices drew close—

“W-w-wait—no, my hem—my hem—aaaaaaaah!”

THUD!!

What tumbled in like a staged fall was a girl with her red sash halfway undone.
Her silken hem flared, and she took a glorious spill, clean as a period-drama swordfight.

—And then, he saw it.

From beneath her skirt, a piece of white fabric fluttered up.
Soft silk trimmed with lace.
For a heartbeat it caught the light—sitting there as if to say “please, look.”

Wait, that white… is that…?

Chapter 7: ② A Sudden Encounter—The Three Exclusive Maids Arrive!!

“F-Fiona! Your drawers are showing!!”

Chloe’s shout froze Fiona, her eyes turning into dots.

“Wah!? Nobody saw that, right!? Let’s say that was all part of the act—no count, please!!”

Yanking her hem down in a panic, Fiona turned beet red and mashed her cheeks with both hands.
Chloe sighed deeply and pressed her temples.

From the side,
Lily tilted her head and murmured in a soft, airy voice.

“…At this point, saying ‘no one saw’ might be a little late…”

Fiona locked up.

“S-stop it, Lily!! Worst timing for that comment, seriously!?!?”

A coordinated play of shame, friendship, and mishap unfolded right before his eyes.
At the center of the chaos, a bolt of near-thunder ripped across Yuuri’s brain.

Drawers… so that’s the standard under here?
Which means…
If I introduce panties and bras here…

Yuuri’s face started to grin.

This could be… a goldmine.
But wait—this world probably doesn’t have rubber or stretch fabric yet…
Lace? Wire? Where would I even source—

Before he knew it, his face had gone slack.

…Hold up. Was I grinning just now…!?

“You really are… lecherous, aren’t you. Exactly what were you staring at with that smirk…?”

Lieselotte’s exasperation cut colder and sharper than the air.

“—N-no, nothing! I was just thinking—drawers have deep cultural roots! In the grand history of textiles!!”

“You absolute pervert!!”

Lieselotte huffed and looked away.
Her ears were red, yet her mouth stayed oddly bold.
The truly frightening part came right after.

Softly, like incense, a presence rose behind him—
Before he realized it, Celine was at his ear.

“My, my… so you enjoy that, Master.”

Her whisper was sweet, breathy, and intimate.

“I’ll make sure you can savor it slowly next time. Please look forward to it.”

That voice knew exactly what she meant by savor.
Yuuri’s spine went ramrod straight.

“Y-yes, ma’am. I’ll study the texture and functionality of the fabrics in depth next time. If possible… with real samples…”

Lieselotte, looking like she’d just witnessed the impossible, let out a long sigh.

“What exactly are you planning to study…”

Her slumped voice carried exasperation—and a faint, resigned kindness.

No no no, you idiot, me!!

Paying his turmoil no mind, the three finally fell into line and stepped forward.

A new uniform cinched tight with a red sash.
Kimono-based, yet topped with a maid’s cap.
Wide sleeves caught the wind, and a hakama skirt swayed with silky sheen—

Ah… this is bad… they’re adorable…

“Master.”

Celine smiled gently.

“These are your newly appointed personal ladies-in-waiting.
They’re adorable—so I’m sure they won’t let you get bored.”

At that, the three lowered their heads together.

Personal… what a beautiful word…

As they watched the besotted Yuuri, the three girls themselves were—each in her own way—far from calm.

I was a little embarrassed… but he’ll remember me now, right?
In that case, today’s fall wasn’t a total loss!

—Fiona squeezed her fingertips as she bowed.
Something in her chest felt like it had just begun.

Honestly… Fiona.
But it’s good he could laugh even in a moment like that.
Someone “worthy to serve” is probably… exactly that kind of person.

—Without changing her expression, Chloe’s cheeks softened just a touch.
It was the first slow blend of reassurance and awareness.

I’m glad… he seems kind.
He didn’t yell… and that’s a relief… but.
That alone isn’t enough. I have to be—recognized.

—Lily made a vow in the smallest voice of all, deep in her heart.
And because she didn’t say it out loud, it was all the stronger.