Vol 3 Chapter 38.3: Interlude – 9: A Maid’s Confession

“You’re a little late. Everyone’s gathered, right?”

As soon as that person entered the room, the atmosphere changed.

Then, ascending onto the dais was none other than Anna-sama, the head maid of the Linstar Ducal Family—the pinnacle of the maid corps. She is extremely competent and beautiful, the object of all our admiration.

Normally, she is an approachable person, speaking kindly even to a rookie maid like me… but today, it’s different. She wears a serious expression.

Glancing over at us—about ten of us silently waiting for her words—Anna-sama began to speak.

“Gathering you all here is no trivial matter. Yesterday, I was given a special—yes, a truly special—task by Master and Mistress. I need you all to assist with it.”

A special task! My heart raced. What could it be? There was tension and a certain exhilaration in the air. Seeing us like that, Anna-sama chuckled softly, and her expression softened slightly.

“I misspoke a bit. The work you will be doing isn’t all that different—cooking, cleaning, clerical tasks, just like what you always do around the mansion. But—and that’s exactly why this task won’t be straightforward.”

“Head Maid, what exactly do you mean by that? Don’t beat around the bush—please tell us. I’m curious!”

One of the veteran maids raised her hand and asked a question. …As expected. I don’t have the courage to ask a question here, and I could never speak so casually to Anna-sama.

“Listen carefully. What I’m about to say must remain confidential. We, the Linstar Ducal Family and the Howard Ducal Family, have decided to consolidate the trade interface for our new products. I will serve as the assistant to the person who will assume that role. You will all do likewise.”

“?!?!?!”

Everyone murmured in disquiet. The fact that Anna-sama, the head maid, would take on the role of an assistant is unthinkable under normal circumstances—even for me. After all, she is already exclusively assigned to Mistress and the young ladies. In other words, does that mean the person in charge of the trade interface is that important?

“Who is it, anyway? That the Mistress has decided to assign the head maid as an assistant, and that the young ladies have also given their consent without issue… Ah, I get it! If that’s the case, I have no objections! This job is indeed a huge responsibility! Oooh—I’m fired up!”

For some reason, the veteran maids seemed satisfied. The others nodded in agreement. In contrast, rookie maids like me—and those who had just come from the south—scratched their heads in confusion.

“Head Maid, I’m sorry, but we don’t know who this person is…”

“Ah, that’s right. Take this opportunity to remember—this is someone who will eventually become our Master. That person’s name is――”

※※※

One early morning, as I was enthusiastically preparing to clean in front of the building, I noticed something. Not a speck of dust was there. When I went inside and looked along the corridors and at the window glass, it was the same—clearly, someone had already finished cleaning. …Again, is it?

I stormed off down the hallway in irritation, deliberately walking roughly as I headed toward the office. I knocked on the door and heard something fall. Just as I suspected.

“Excuse me… You’re early this morning too, Allen-sama.”

“G-good morning. You’re early as well. No one else has arrived yet, have they?”

“I see. May I ask you something?”

“W-what is it?”

“Wha-t?! You cleaned by yourself?! That’s our job. Please, take it a bit easier!”

“Well, I just happened to, you know…”

“It’s not just ‘happened to’! Allen-sama, you already work too much—if that’s the case, you must rely on us!”

It had been about three months since I started assisting Allen-sama with his work alongside Anna-sama and the others.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Allen. I’m quite inexperienced in many ways, so I might be a bit of a burden, but please take care of me.”

I was surprised the first time I met him. I had assumed he would be a more manly type. In reality, Allen-sama was incredibly gentle—so kind it seemed limitless—and, frankly, more impressive than I had imagined.

Every day, he would read through an enormous amount of documents, make precise and optimal decisions, and lead negotiations to success one after another, all while showing consideration for us (“Please make sure to take your rest, okay? Those who don’t will be put on forced leave,” “I overbaked the sweets, so please, everyone, help yourselves,” etc.—the sweets were the most delicious I’ve ever had!). Moreover, in addition to this work, he also serves as a tutor for the young ladies. I wonder, when does he ever sleep?

Meeting Allen-sama taught me that when someone is truly remarkable, you lose your vocabulary. A senior once said, “You can tell by the way Madam looks after her, and how smitten Lidia and Liene are—she’s truly amazing!” and I couldn’t agree more wholeheartedly. Lately, I’ve secretly hoped that someday, he would truly become our Master. Also, though I haven’t told anyone, I do think he’s pretty nice—ah, ahem, that’s supposed to be a secret.

Despite all that, there is one major complaint I have. I put on the scariest face I could manage and began yet another lecture.

“Listen up! Allen-sama does not need to come early to clean or prepare our light meals. That is our job!” Moreover, the quality of his work is equal to or even better than ours. Ugh… We struggle every day with what Anna-sama described as “not a simple matter.” We understand that you can do everything. We truly understand. So please, stop trying to learn even more maid duties!