CREEAKKK!
"GUUUAAA! What is this?!" Oliver stepped inside his room after taking a bath and froze in his tracks. His room was fully decorated with flowers, ribbons, and romantic arrangements that screamed celebration.
Gracie's mind went PUFFF! She stood frozen behind him, her face turning bright red.
TWITCH... TWITCH...
Emmy's eyes twitched violently. "Shampoo bastard!"
"Ha ha ha! Emmy, please calm down! I didn't plan this!" Oliver tried to defend himself, raising his hands innocently.
"I didn't say anything, Young Master. Humph!" Emmy moved her head sideways while pouting, refusing to look at him directly.
Head Maid and the maid carrying the baby on her back shook their heads in defeat. Their eyes glared toward the back of the corridor where the culprits were hiding.
"GGAA!"
The people of the household suddenly scattered, hiding themselves after being caught peeking from afar.
"Sorry, Young Master. I will tell them to remove this." Head Maid sighed deeply, her voice tired.
"Hahaha! Let's leave it for a while. You can do it in the morning." Oliver laughed good-naturedly and gently patted Gracie's head. She woke up from her frozen state, her head dropping in embarrassment. "Tell them we are not yet married, so no need to go overboard. Hahaha!"
"Yes, Young Master." Head Maid nodded.
"Is Emmy's room prepared?"
"Yes. Miss Emmy's room is prepared temporarily for now, beside the little ones' room." The maid with the baby spoke up clearly.
"Hmm, good job! Let's go eat first." Oliver went inside, arranging his documents and everything else that he had carried from his study room.
"Umm, Young Master... I would like to inform you of something." Head Maid suddenly spoke from behind him, her voice trembling slightly.
"What is it?" Oliver's hand stopped moving. He looked at her with full attention.
"I... I want to retire now." Head Maid bowed deeply.
After saying this, she felt a deep emptiness spreading inside her chest. She had been working in this house for so long. She had seen so many things happen within these walls. Most of her life had been spent in this house. She knew every corner of this building more than her own small house. She had taken care of the people here more than her own children. And now she was very old to keep the pace. She knew her time had come to step down.
"Master... Madame... Thank you for everything." Head Maid's eyes grew teary as she kept bowing, her voice breaking from inside.
The maid with the baby already started crying hard, unable to hold back her emotions. Head Maid was like a mother to her. When she had come here for the first time, Head Maid had trained her personally. Her memories were still fresh in her mind. She had seen how hard Head Maid worked, especially after the House Masters passed away, leaving young Oliver alone. She knew Head Maid's position couldn't be stripped away by anyone. Head Maid had done more than her job required her to do. She couldn't bear to see Head Maid looking so weak like this.
The others also came standing at the door, their eyes full of tears. Each one of them had come after Head Maid, so they all loved her dearly.
Gracie also started crying. Her hands kept wiping away the tears, but she couldn't stop them from flowing.
Emmy also realized how much Head Maid meant for this house. She looked toward Oliver, her eyes searching his face for an answer. She didn't know what she expected from him, but one thing she knew for sure after coming here was that he truly treated everyone as family. She had seen many Crown houses during her work beside Nat, so she only needed a glance to figure out how maids and butlers were treated in the house. That was one of the reasons she had felt so annoyed at the meeting, seeing people like her not treated properly...… And now here she stood, her eyes searching for something that even she couldn't quite name.
Oliver walked slowly toward Head Maid and made her straighten up by holding her shoulders gently. He saw her teary eyes and her slumped figure. He asked slowly in-kind voice, "What are you planning to do afterwards?"
"I don't know... Maybe something can be done for this old lady in the new system. I do have plenty of skills that could support me in this old life." Head Maid spoke while smiling sadly, trying to put on a brave face.
"Your kids?" Oliver asked again, his voice softer.
"They are living their good lives. They don't want this old lady to be a burden to them." Head Maid shook her head slowly. "I don't really blame them….. All these years I have neglected them a lot. I am grateful that they still check on me from time to time, but I don't want to bother them."
"Sigh... Well, I did know this time would come sooner or later." Oliver paused, then smiled mischievously. "Even though you are getting old, Head Maid, you are still looking beautiful! Are you hiding a handsome man for yourself? So that you could run away and have some fun?"
He wiped her tears away gently and smirked.
"Young Master, don't joke with this old lady." Head Maid smiled despite herself, seeing his playful antics.
She slowly raised her hand and touched his head affectionately, the way she used to when he was a child. "Young Master, you have grown to be a gentleman. When Master and Madame passed away, I was truly very scared. But seeing you acting so strong as a kid made me also stand strong all these years. You are an amazing young man with a bright future ahead. And now I am happy someone can stay by your side."
Head Maid called Gracie over. The girl was still bawling hard; her face soaked with tears. Head Maid held her hand and placed it on top of Oliver's hand, joining them together.
"Gracie, I have taught you all the things required for you to support Young Master. Make sure to, be with him and support him as a proper Madame of this house. I don't want to hear any complaints in the future, you got that?!"
Head Maid squeezed Gracie's cheeks affectionately, which only made her cry even more.
She looked at Emmy and just nodded, her eyes speaking thousands of words that needed no voice. Then she looked at the maid carrying the child on her back. She touched the soft cheeks of the baby, who, feeling her fingers, giggled happily and started sucking her hand, trying to bite it playfully. But all the baby could do was attack with no power whatsoever.
Everyone smiled seeing this innocent display.
Head Maid looked at the mother maid and said firmly, "Take care of this house."
She patted her head warmly and started moving outside. After speaking to every other person and saying her last goodbyes, she went to gather her things. She packed them into a big rectangular old hard-material case. Just like her, the box had seen some rough days, its surface worn and weathered from the passage of countless years.
Head Maid didn't want to stay here any longer because the more she stayed, the more painful it became. She slowly started walking out, touching the broken walls as she passed them.
"My only regret is that I couldn't see the beauty of this house in full glory, just like those days. Sigh... I hope Young Master and others can make this house a better place to live." Head Maid muttered slowly as she reached the gate.
She stood there for a long while, her mind replaying precious memories like a film. The laughter, the celebrations, the sorrows, the growth she had witnessed. At last, she finally decided to reach for the handle.
PAT!
"Huh?"
But before her hand could touch the handle, her shoulder was gently touched. She turned back and saw Young Master smiling warmly at her. However, his words were the complete opposite of his expression.
"HEAD MAID, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU MADE A HUGE MISTAKE ON YOUR LAST WORKING NIGHT IN THIS HOUSE!"
Everyone looked at him in shock, their eyes wide with confusion.
But Gracie and Emmy's eyes shined as they looked at each other knowingly. Slowly, their eyes filled with happiness and understanding that something good was about to happen because it's Oliver they were talking about!!
"HUH?! WHAT, YOUNG MASTER?!" Head Maid asked in shock, completely caught off guard.
"YOU SEE, I NEVER ALLOWED YOU TO RETIRE! DON'T GO RUNNING OFF LIKE THAT!" Oliver smirked as he spoke loudly, his voice carrying through the entire courtyard. "FOR HEAD MAID TO MAKE SUCH A GRUESOME MISTAKE, I, YOUNG MASTER OF THIS HOUSE COGHIAN, DECLARE THAT FROM THIS MOMENT, HEAD MAID WILL BE STRIPPED OF HER TITLE AS HEAD MAID!"
Everyone's eyes went wide with shock. They shivered because stripping the title away and retiring were completely two different things. One was punishment, the other was honour. Their hearts clenched with worry.
But Oliver's next words made them all jump in joy.
"AND FROM THIS MOMENT ONWARD, SHE WILL BE GIVEN A NEW TITLE: ELDER OF HOUSE COGHIAN!"
Former Head Maid's mind went completely blank. Her head became a mess, unable to process what she was hearing. "Young Master, what are you saying?! How can I?! I am not even your blood..."
"Shh... Shh..." Oliver stopped her mid-sentence gently. He made her turn to look at all the people staring at her with pure joy on their faces. "Elder, what do you see here?"
Elder looked at each face carefully, not knowing what Young Master wanted to hear from her.
Oliver smiled and said warmly, "THIS IS OUR FAMILY! BLOOD RELATION OR NOT, I DON'T CARE! I WANT YOU TO BE THIS HOUSE'S SUPPORT! YOU ARE TRYING TO RUN AWAY FROM THE WORK, ELDER! THIS HOUSE WILL SURELY RISE TO GREATNESS IN COMING DAYS, AND I WANT YOU TO BE HERE OVERLOOKING EVERYTHING!"
Oliver's voice toned down as he spoke more warmly. He picked up the baby from the new Head Maid's back and carried the small smiling child securely. He gestured toward the other little ones who were peeking at the happening from behind the crowd. The whole hallway was filled with gentle, happy faces bathed in soft night light.
"ELDER, LOOK AT THEM! THIS BABY AND THOSE LITTLE ONES AND EVERYONE PRESENT HERE! WHAT DO YOU SEE?!"
Elder looked at the baby, then to everyone else. Her eyes scanned each person carefully. She didn't speak anything, her throat too tight with emotion.
But Oliver continued passionately, "EACH ONE OF THEM IS A BRAT IN YOUR EYES! WE ALL ARE YOUNG AND STUPID! WE NEED SOMEONE LIKE YOU TO GUIDE US INTO A BETTER FUTURE! WE ARE NOT CAPABLE OF TACKLING THE THINGS THIS CITY WILL THROW AT US IN COMING DAYS! WE NEED YOU, ELDER!"
His voice grew softer with a pleading tone, he doesn't want Head maid to go away, as a kid after his parents passed away, head maid was his one of the closet family members, he grew up in her shadow, for him she was everything in this world... "IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO, THEN STAY WITH US! WE ARE NOT BLOOD RELATED, BUT WE ARE FAMILY! MOTHER AND FATHER TREATED YOU AS THEIR SENIOR! EVERYONE RESPECTS YOU! I WANT YOU TO BE IN THIS FAMILY! THIS HOUSE IS YOURS MORE THAN IT IS ANY OF OURS! YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR BLOOD AND SOUL FOR THIS HOUSE! I DON'T WANT THIS HOUSE TO BE WITHOUT YOU!"
Oliver bowed deeply, holding the baby securely against his chest. "ELDER, PLEASE STAY WITH US! WE ALL LOVE YOU! PLEASE GUIDE US!"
Everyone else also bowed deeply in gratitude, in respect, in happiness, asking her to stay with them and become this house's Elder.
For a long few minutes, Elder kept looking at them, not knowing what to do or say. Her heart felt like it would burst from the overwhelming emotions flooding through her.
Suddenly, she felt like she saw soft figures of Oliver's parents standing behind everyone, their ghostly forms smiling warmly at her. Their voices echoed in her mind: "ELDER, WELCOME HOME!"
Elder's eyes grew teary again. Fresh tears started falling from her eyes, streaming down her weathered cheeks.
Everyone heard her soft sobbing and looked up with concern.
Then her strong commanding voice roared out, filling the corridor with its power: "FINE! YOU BETTER STRAIGHTEN UP BECAUSE I DON'T WANT ANY MISTAKES!"
Elder's posture straightened immediately. Her voice returned to its past glory, even better than before. Her body aches suddenly vanished as if they had never existed. Her eyes brightened up as new light came inside, making her look more confident and formidable than ever.
Everyone stopped bowing and looked at her with wide eyes. Then they started jumping and clapping in pure happiness. The children started running around while laughing, not knowing exactly what had happened but sensing that something wonderful had occurred.
Gracie came rushing forward and hugged Elder tightly, her tears of joy soaking Elder's clothes.
Emmy nodded happily, her lips unconsciously smiling wider than she had smiled in years. She felt relief from something which she couldn't really catch onto, but it warmed her heart nonetheless.
In the midst of the cheering, some people muttered among themselves quietly:
"YOUNG MASTER IS SO COOL!"
"ELDER, HUH? DOESN'T THAT MEAN SHE HAS MORE POWER THAN YOUNG MASTER?"
SHIVER... SHIVER... SHIVER... SHIVER...
"SO ARE YOU TELLING ME..."
"YES! OUR CAREFREE DAYS ARE OVER!"
"GAAHHH!"
"YOUNG MASTER WAS GENTLE WITH US LIKE A SWEET LOVING MOTHER, BUT ELDER IS..."
"ELDER IS ELDER! WE ARE FUCKED!"
"MAYBE WE COULD TELL HER TO SHOO AWAY!"
"YEAH, DREAM ON! LOOK AT HER EYES! SHE IS ALREADY PLANNING OUR DEMISE!"
"MAYBE I SHOULD RETIRE..."
"YEAH, YOU ARE VERY OLD ANYWAY!"
TAANNNGGGGG!
"MOOO! PLEASE DON'T THROW THE PLATES!"
Oliver smiled as he gestured for everyone to calm down. Then he spoke loudly in succession, giving orders with authority and joy:
"NEW HEAD MAID! YOUR FIRST TASK IS TO MAKE OUR ELDER MORE SPARKLY AND MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN SHE ALREADY IS, GO RIGHT NOW!!!!! MAKE SURE TO MAKE HER A GODDESS AMONG GODDESSES! I WANT EVERY OTHER HOUSE TO FEEL JEALOUS SEEING OUR HOUSE ELDER!"
"Yes, Young Master!" New Head Maid responded enthusiastically, already planning in her mind, what to make her wear, what jewellery will look good on her and many other things, she was truly very very very happy!!
"GRACIE AND EMMY! AS FUTURE MADAME OF THIS HOUSE, I WANT YOU TO PREPARE A ROOM WORTHY OF OUR ELDER!!! MAKE SURE NOTHING IS MISSING! IF YOU MAKE ANY MISTAKE, THEN KEKEKEK!"
YYYESSSSSS!!!
"YES, YOUNG MASTER!" Gracie squeaked out nervously.
"Huh?! Why am I replying?! I WILL NOT MARRY YOU, SHAMPOO BASTARD!" Emmy protested loudly, though she was already moving to help.
"YOUNGEST! TAKE ELDER'S THINGS BACK! AND A FEW PEOPLE GO TO ELDER'S HOUSE AND BRING ALL THE ESSENTIALS HERE!"
"YES, YOUNG MASTER!"
"AND OTHERS, MAKE SURE EVERYTHING CHANGES IN THIS HOUSE TO TREAT ELDER AS TOP MOST PRIORITY! I DON'T WANT ANYTHING THAT BRINGS SHAME TO HER! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"
"YES, YOUNG MASTER!"
Everyone started moving like a well-oiled machine. Elder was pulled away by happy people, fussing over her already. Some were running outside to fetch her belongings. Some were running through the whole house, fixing things, preparing rooms and gathering supplies. Some were working tirelessly in various corners, each with their assigned task.
The house was bustling with laughter and happiness. The atmosphere had completely transformed from sadness to celebration.
Oliver carried the little happy baby in his arms. The little ones jumped around him excitedly as they walked the corridors together. His head bowed slightly toward an empty room as he passed it, a room where his parents' portraits hung.
He smiled handsomely, looking straight forward into the future.
The baby in his arms gurgled happily, reaching up to touch his face with tiny hands. Oliver laughed, seeing the hustle and bustle in the house, this was what family felt like. This was what home was supposed to be.
Behind him, the household moved with renewed energy and purpose. Elder was already barking orders despite being pampered, her voice was filled with new life. The staff jumped to obey, but their faces showed nothing but joy and relief.
Gracie and Emmy worked side by side, arguing good-naturedly about furniture placement and color schemes. New Head Maid coordinated everything with impressive efficiency, getting used to her new role as Head maid.
The corridors that had felt so empty and sad just moments ago now rang with life and laughter. The broken walls that Elder had touched on her way out now seemed less broken, as if the house itself had been renewed by her decision to stay.
Oliver stopped at a window, looking out over the courtyard. The city beyond was changing, evolving into something new under the effort system he and others were building. But here, in this house, the foundation was being strengthened in a different way.
With Elder at the helm, guiding them all with her experience and wisdom, House Coghian would not just survive the coming changes. It would thrive.
He looked down at the baby in his arms, who had fallen asleep against his chest. This little one would grow up in a house filled with love by many people and under the guidance of people of all ages. The other children would have Elder to teach them, to keep them in line, to love them the way she had loved him when his parents died.
"Thank you, Mother and Father," Oliver whispered softly to the night air. "For bringing her into our lives. For making her a part of the family."
From somewhere in the house, he heard Elder's voice ring out: "I SAID PROPER CORNERS! DO YOU WANT ME TO SHOW YOU HOW IT'S DONE?!"
Oliver chuckled. Yes, their carefree days were definitely over. But these new days, filled with Elder's strength and love, would be even better.
He started walking again, the baby warm against his chest, the sounds of his bustling household filling his ears like the most beautiful music.
This was home. This was family. And nothing would ever change that.
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END OF CHAPTER
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Author Blabbering
"If life wants to fuck you up then it will fuck you up, it is up to you to decide whether keep getting fucked or you fuck it back" - Greatest Author Alive....
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