"Sigh, Young Master is so busy these days. I barely see him anymore; I miss his handsome face," a young maid pouted wistfully, her chin resting in her palm as she sat with the other maids and butlers around the worn wooden table in the servants' quarters.
"Hmm, he's doing something again, isn't he?" a butler asked, casually leaning on the table with a thoughtful expression. "Do you think Young Master will actually succeed this time?"
"I hope so. He's tried so many things over the past few years," an older maid spoke, her tone heavy with concern as her weathered hands fidgeted with the hem of her apron. The worry lines around her eyes deepened. "If he doesn't succeed this time, I fear this house will not remain standing much longer."
"Hey, don't speak such scary things!" an older butler gently reprimanded her, though his own voice carried a hint of the same worry. "Young Master has taken such good care of us despite this house being in shambles. He even pays us much more money than servants get in other houses!"
"Umm hmm, that's true," another maid chimed in, her voice soft and grateful. "Young Master even gave me a separate room so I could bring my baby here." A sweet smile crossed her face as she gently patted the sleeping infant cradled in her arms, her touch tender and protective. The baby's tiny chest rose and fell peacefully. "Because of that, I can take care of him while I work here. It's such a blessing—we usually can't afford nannies to take care of little ones. I'm truly grateful to Young Master."
"Hehe, I even spoke with the older maids and butlers who used to work here back in Sir and Madam's time," a butler said proudly, straightening up with a knowing look in his eyes. "They all left after the couple sadly passed away, saying the house was doomed after that. But whenever I meet them now, they tell me such terrifying stories about how servants are treated in other estates." He shivered visibly, wrapping his arms around himself. "It gives me chills just hearing about it. Uff… there aren't many Crown Houses that treat their servants like actual people you know."
He smiled softly, warmth filling his expression. "Young Master… he learned well from Sir and Madam. And with all his mother's teaching him over the years, he's grown into such a kind soul. We're lucky to serve him."
"That's absolutely true," another maid said, her voice dropping to an anxious whisper. "When that fat-ass Leader came to buy the house, I got so scared for a moment. My whole life passed before my eyes in a single minute." She pressed her hand to her chest, feeling her heart race even at the memory. "Every maid knows his house is a living hell. The stories we hear…"
She shuddered, then brightened slightly. "Fortunately, Young Master bought some time. Whew, I don't want to go anywhere else, ever. Even though this house is a mess and falling apart, we can still work peacefully here. Kyaaa, Young Master is the best!" She giggled happily, her fear melting into genuine affection.
"Sigh… what is it with people who have money and power always looking down on us and treating us like tools?" an older maid said, her voice heavy with the weight of years of experience. Her eyes grew distant, haunted by memories. "We're human too—we're just trying to live our lives. And us women… we have it even harder, always being treated as playthings for men's entertainment."
She shook her head slowly, sadly. "I've heard and seen so many cases over the years that sometimes I feel numb to it all. The things that happen in other houses…" She trailed off, not wanting to speak the horrors aloud. "Thankfully, Young Master has never viewed us that way. Though he can be a little flirty sometimes, hehe… but it's always harmless and kind."
"I won't mind if Young Master praises this cute, beautiful woman," a young, mature maid posed dramatically, trying to act coyly as she fluttered her eyelashes and placed her hands on her hips.
"GAAH! Who is cute? I can see some wrin—TAANN!"
Before the butler could finish his sentence, the young mature 'cute' maid grabbed a metal plate from the table and threw it with deadly accuracy straight at the butler's face.
CLANG!
The plate connected with his forehead and fell to the ground with a loud, echoing sound.
TAAANNNN TAARRNN TANTANTANTANNNN
The plate rolled across the floor, the metallic ringing filling the room as the butler groaned, rubbing his face.
"Umm, please don't throw utensils, Big Sister," a cute little maid said softly, hurrying over to pick up the fallen plate. She cleaned it carefully with her apron, treating it with the respect it deserved.
"Hmm, our Youngest is so hardworking and responsible," a calm butler spoke approvingly, sipping some tea leisurely as he watched the scene unfold with mild amusement. "You guys should all learn from her example."
"Oh, Youngest, are you trying to please Young Master or what?" a playful cute maid came over and teased the younger girl, nudging her shoulder with a mischievous grin. "Tell me honestly—have you fallen for our Young Master?"
She leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You worked the hardest when Young Master came with his friends for that sleepover, hehehe. I saw you running around, making sure everything was perfect. Are you trying to become my competition or what?"
"Waah! No, it's not like that!" the Youngest stammered nervously, her face flushing red as she waved her hands defensively. "I just... I just want to be helpful to Young Master, that's all. I don't dare to have those kinds of intentions…"
She looked down, her voice becoming quieter, more genuine. "But I am truly glad to be working for him. No one else accepted me anywhere. They all said I was broken, damaged goods because of this…" She touched the scar near her eye instinctively, then quickly covered the area with her hair. "But Young Master immediately accepted me without a second thought, and he even pays me good money. Even if I work for him my whole life, I can't pay him back for what he's done for me."
"Hehe, we have a fan here," a playful aged butler spoke happily, rubbing his hands together with a knowing grin. "Hey, little one, I know exactly how you can pay him back."
He leaned forward conspiratorially. "Just grow up beautifully, then seduce him with your charm—like this stupid one always tries to do." He gestured toward a young cute maid, who glared at him, but he didn't take her glare seriously and continued. "But she didn't realize she's not really the sexy type. But I'm sure you'll grow up beautifully. So, what do you say? Do you want to learn the craft? I've seen many women successfully doing it, hehehe. I have many fri—"
TAANN!!
Another utensil flew through the air and struck the old butler square in the face.
"Stupid pervert old man! Don't teach weird things to her!" an angry roar came from an older maid, her face red with fury. "I'll kill you if you corrupt her mind with your nonsense!"
"Moooo," the Youngest sighed softly, walking over once again to pick up the thrown plate. She cleaned it gently, her movements careful and practiced.
"I want to pay him back, but not like that," she said softly, her voice sincere as she worked. "Actually, me and my grandma wanted Young Master to come to my house and eat dinner with us, but I haven't been able to ask him yet."
She placed the plate back properly, then looked down at her hands. "I don't know if Young Master will come to our shabby little house. We don't have much to offer…"
"Hmm, thinking about it won't help anything," a slightly older butler spoke wisely, smiling gently at the young girl. "Just ask him if you want to invite him. The worst he can say is no, right?"
He continued, his tone encouraging. "You're actually lucky, you know. Young Master doesn't have many resources left to bring more servants into this house anymore. He's had to reject a lot of people over the past year. But he took a fancy to you, so make sure to keep working hard like this. We're not a large number for this big house, but since he's alone most of the time, it is manageable. Sometimes his friends come and create some hassle, but that's also part of the charm of our work."
"GAH! Don't talk about his weird friends!" the maid with the baby roared suddenly, making the infant frown slightly in his sleep. She quickly adjusted her voice, patting the baby soothingly.
"There was that Big Guy who, despite us telling him repeatedly not to help in the cooking and other stuffs, just barged into the kitchen and did half of our job! We couldn't budge him at all, no matter what we said! And he even cleaned the utensils with us afterward!"
Her professional pride seemed genuinely wounded. "It was good and all, BUT HE WAS DOING OUR WORK! MY PROFESSIONAL SOUL GOT HIT DUE TO HIS PROFICIENCY! How am I supposed to feel useful when a guest does my job better than me?!"
"Yes, yes, then there was that Alfie brat who started doing push-ups in the hallway despite being hurt all over the body," a butler sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead in distress at the memory. "His wound opened up from the exercise, blood seeping through his bandages. I had such a hard time stopping him—that boy is stubborn as a rock."
"UGH! Then there was that Gloomy!" a young maid shivered violently, wrapping her arms around herself. That brat didn't sleep at all! I was on night duty that time, making my usual rounds through the house, and I kept seeing him phasing here and there like a ghost. The whole night, I heard rustling sounds echoing through the empty halls."
She lowered her voice to a whisper. "I truly felt fear for the first time in this empty house. His presence was… unnatural."
"Hey, but didn't we get some interesting information from them?" a butler smiled playfully, his eyes twinkling as he gained the attention of everyone at the table.
"Is it true Young Master has fallen for a Royal Maid?" an excited woman stood up quickly, her chair scraping against the floor as she asked for confirmation, her hands clasped together hopefully.
"Yes, I heard it directly from his friends, so it must be true," the butler replied, nodding confidently. "Young Master has never actually chased a woman seriously before—you all know how he is. But this time, it seems really serious. His friends said he talks about her constantly."
"Geez, if Young Master was attracted to a maid, then why not me?!" a young cute maid pouted, crossing her arms. "Well, I'd be satisfied even if I could become his mistress. What do you guys think? Do I have a chance?"
She jumped up, posing seductively with her hand on her hip and her chest pushed out, her eyes shining with hopeful excitement.
"Hmm, sure you have a chance, dear," a warm, mature voice came suddenly from directly behind her. "But you have to get our approval first. Can you do that?"
WHOOSSH! STEP STEP STEP! TAK!
In a single second, every butler and maid in the room shot to their feet, forming a perfect, professional line. They bowed gracefully in unison; their movements synchronized from years of training.
"UG! Ha Ha Ha, well, I seem to have heard this voice before," a fearful, shaken, embarrassed laugh came from the maid who was still frozen in her seductive pose. She didn't dare turn around, her body rigid with terror. "Umm, my best buddies of life, can you please tell me I'm just dreaming? Please!!!!"
Her 'best buddies of life' responded in a loud, unified voice that echoed through the room: "GREETING, MISS ISAFOLD!"
Then they bowed even lower, their foreheads nearly touching their knees.
"GAAHH!!" The maid suddenly dropped to her knees and prostrated herself, her forehead pressed against the ground. "I'm so sorry! I truly respect Young Master and bear no ill will toward him at all! Please forgive me! "
Her voice trembled with genuine fear and embarrassment.
"Geez, be aware of your surroundings next time," the Head Maid ordered sharply, moving forward to grab the frozen maid by the shoulder and pull her aside. "Move. Let Madam sit down properly."
She gestured to a chair, and the other servants quickly made space.
"Hehe, don't worry about it—I won't judge you, I already know about your feelings" Mother Isafold said with an amused laugh, settling into the chair with practiced grace. Her presence commanded respect, but her smile was warm. "Oliver is a good child. If any of you genuinely want to be his wife, then try your best. I won't stop you."
Her expression grew slightly more serious, though still kind. "Just don't hurt him, okay? Otherwise, this mother will bite you off." She made a playful snapping motion with her teeth.
"Haha, we wouldn't dare, Madam," several maids said quickly, bowing their heads respectfully. "We all care deeply for the Young Master and truly want him to be happy. We women sometimes like to tease and joke around because the Young Master is always so gentle with us. He treats us like family, so we will treat him the same way, with respect and care. And regarding her, since she has been by his side for so long we trust her fully, if she ever does something wrong, we'll share the punishment with her!"
Every senior maid smiled warmly at the young, adorable woman.
"I know, I know," Mother Isafold said with a knowing smirk, her eyes scanning the gathered servants with the sharp perception of someone who'd seen it all. "With one glance, I can pick out the person having some weird thoughts. How do you think I control all my maids in my own house, despite having three handsome men running around constantly?"
"Madam, please make me your apprentice!" a playful maid spoke enthusiastically, trying to move forward with clasped hands. "I want to learn your secrets!"
But she was immediately stopped by the Head Maid's sharp glare, which could have frozen water.
"Sigh, don't involve yourself in their silly talks, Madam," the Head Maid spoke in a clear, professional voice, standing rigidly beside Mother Isafold. "Tell me, why did you come so early today? Young Master isn't here—he's still busy working on his new business venture."
"Nothing major," Mother Isafold said, waving her hand dismissively. "I just came to check on you guys since I heard there was some commotion yesterday. Wanted to make sure everyone was alright."
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small pouch. "And also, here, take this."
Mother Isafold handed some money to the Head Maid. The Head Maid immediately tried to refuse, shaking her head and pushing the pouch back, but under the constant pressure and insistent stare from Mother Isafold, she reluctantly accepted it with a small bow.
"Thank you, Madam," everyone said in unison, bowing deeply in gratefulness. "If you weren't present in our lives, then it would be so much harder for us to keep this house standing. You've been our pillar of support."
"Hmm, don't worry about it," Mother Isafold said, though a hint of genuine sadness entered her voice. Her eyes grew distant. "They were my dear friends—Oliver's parents. Since they're not in this world anymore, it's my duty to take care of their families and the people they loved. I'm just doing what a good friend should do."
She paused, her throat tightening slightly. "I truly miss them both."
Mother Isafold suddenly grew quiet, her mind drifting back to memories of laughter and warmth, of two people who'd been like family to her. The room fell into respectful silence, everyone sensing the weight of her grief.
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END OF CHAPTER
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AUTHOR BLABBERING
Ahh, I haven't had much time to schedule chapters lately—sigh! But I'm planning to dedicate all of next week to that! Scheduling on the reading sites is quick enough, but when it comes to PAT**ON, I always reread each chapter before posting there. So, I end up proofreading twice—once right after writing and again before uploading to PAT**ON. It's a bit of a long process, but worth it!
I always catch little things to tweak or parts I want to improve during that second pass. So yes, progress is a bit slow, but don't worry—this author's doing his best!
And I hope everything's going great on your side too. Feel free to drop a comment and tell me about your day—I'll read it sooner or later! Keep smiling, everyone; it really does make you feel better. Stay safe, stay healthy, and take care! 💫
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