"Shall I start with the reason or the money?"
"Then... let's hear about the financial side first."
"Yes."
Mother hadn't expected me to come in so confidently. Her eyes trembled fiercely, betraying her surprise, but she quickly composed herself and insisted on hearing the money talk first.
"Well~ To start, making the initial batch of uniforms and distributing them to the maids would cost about 9 gold. If we assume a lifespan of at least five years per uniform, the annual maintenance would run 1 to 2 gold. Mother, last year you spent around 300 gold on maid-related upkeep, right?"
"... A little more than 270 gold, actually."
"So, it's not that big an expense, then?"
"Can you walk me through your calculations? Fabric costs, labor, that sort of thing."
"Just a moment."
I pulled out the pen and notebook I always carried, jotting down the figures I'd used for the uniform costs one by one.
Notebook CalculationsFabric: Cotton 2 silver per meter, silk 10 silver per meter. 3 meters of fabric per dress. Aprons and headpieces can be recycled from existing ones—no change in those costs. Per maid: 2 work uniforms, 1 guest uniform, total 3 per person. Head Maid and exclusive maids: silk for guest uniforms. Total maids in the estate: 13 (1 Head Maid, 3 exclusive maids). Thus: 35 cotton maid uniforms, 4 silk maid uniforms, total 39 uniforms needed. Labor costs for production: ... ... Total estimated cost: 8 gold 87 silver.
"That's how I calculated it. Anything look off?"
"Hmm..."
I spun the notebook 180 degrees and slid it toward Mother. She picked it up and stared at the page as if trying to bore holes through it.
Her left hand danced across the table like she was working an abacus, then suddenly stopped. A smile spread across her face as she carefully set the notebook down.
"There's one mistake."
"Huh?"
"We have to include the maids managing the townhouse in the capital. Factoring them in bumps it up by about 10%, so roughly 10 gold total."
"Ah..."
I hadn't even thought about the capital townhouse. I let out a sigh and bit my lower lip.
For all my confidence, this embarrassing slip-up left me flushed with shame.
As I rubbed the back of my neck, cheeks burning, Mother unexpectedly smiled with satisfaction, tapping the notebook with her finger.
"Still, you've prepared better than I expected. I thought this was just childish whining, but it's not. You've clearly put real thought into it, so from here on, I'll evaluate your plan not as your mother, but as the lady of the house."
"Go easy on me a little..."
"Hmph, no chance."
Mother snorted lightly, her gaze sharpening.
"..."
That fierce look—she only unleashed it when she was after Father. I straightened up instinctively and swallowed hard.
"First off, why do the maids need new uniforms? You're right it's not a huge expense, but it's still unnecessary spending. What's the justification for 10 gold the first year, then 2 gold annually?"
"It boosts their sense of belonging and loyalty to the family, and makes the maids look more professional."
"Professional? Explain that in more detail."
"Clothing plays a huge role in shaping a group's image. Creating maid uniforms sets a standard for the maids, like soldiers or priests."
Just as school uniforms evoke fresh-faced students, or military or police garb suggests discipline and rigidity.
"Unified attire also conveys cleanliness at a glance. It instills order and discipline, heightens belonging, and makes maids feel like true members of the count family—not just hired help. Over time, little things like that build to 'Even the count's maids have class.'"
Of course, this assumes we're raising them well. If we turned them into slobs, the uniforms would vanish into history.
"How does that image help us?"
"Managing maids is the lady of the house's duty, right?"
"True. Household matters fall under the lady's authority."
"A positive maid image helps shape perceptions of Hayes or any maids working in noble homes. The aura of 'a woman who properly trains and handles her staff' isn't easily earned."
"Hmm..."
Mother tapped the table with her finger, eyes half-closed as if mulling my words.
In the silence, only the steady rhythm of her finger against wood echoed.
What would she say when she broke it...?
Tension gripped me.
A full minute ticked by in anxious wait. Her finger stopped, her eyes opened, and she spoke softly.
"Too optimistic."
"Umm..."
A negative lean.
I bit my lip and let out a faint groan.
"You're focusing too much on the positives—overstating the image benefits, it seems."
"I guess... you're right..."
Her follow-up offered little positivity.
I'd puffed up the upsides as much as possible, but fooling Mother's eyes was no easy feat.
After decades as countess, she wouldn't fall for cheap wordplay anyway...
Regret was inevitable.
I should've slept more, prepped harder. Too late now.
"Tch..."
I smacked my lips and gave a wry smile. Mother chuckled and added,
"It's not completely impossible, though. And visually signaling maid professionalism? Not a bad idea."
"Yes, nobles love appearances, after all."
"Appearances... Fair enough. I'll consider the maid uniforms positively for now."
"Thank you."
It was a decent outcome, but not locked in, so I stayed tense, awaiting her next question.
"Next, why differentiate guest uniforms by rank?"
"Head Maid and exclusive maids handle tasks the lady trusts them with. We need to clearly show that trust."
"We already treat them well—materially and otherwise."
"True, but something eye-catching hits different. And investing 30-40 extra silver in a Head Maid who's served here for over a decade, or maids attending you personally? Worth it, no?"
"That makes sense. Logical."
Mother let this one pass without critique.
"Then why separate work and guest maid uniforms?"
"Work uniforms prioritize durability and ease of care; guest ones focus on neatness and elegant design. Merging them would be impractical."
"So, what was Emily's uniform made for?"
"Guest use."
"I see."
Mother nodded slightly, and her fingers resumed tapping the table.
"Optimistic, a few issues, but the plan itself isn't bad."
"So then..."
This time, positivity came first—unlike before.
I prayed fervently that what followed wasn't rejection, hanging on her words.
"Fix the issues I raise within the timeframe, and I'll go to your father myself to help persuade him."
"Really?!"
Conditions attached, but Mother had approved.
And she'd even back me with Father if it worked.
I wanted to hug her right then.
"Yes. Seeing my listless son take on a real challenge? I'd feel bad being too harsh."
"I love you, Mother."
"Enough, what sappy nonsense."
My heartfelt affection earned a dismissive wave, but Mother's lips twitched into her brightest smile yet.
"And solving my points is what earns the help—don't celebrate too soon."
"Just the chance is gratitude enough."
She tried for a stern face while issuing the half-hearted warning.
No big deal.
"Making new uniforms just for maids seems unfair, so the butlers need similar ones too."
"Yes."
Not a tough request.
Something like the maid uniforms, referencing knight dress uniforms or tailcoats, would do.
I nodded with a smile, and Mother continued without pause.
"And Emily's current outfit—I'm not sure if it's for show or actual work. Consult her and tweak the design before bringing it back."
"Umm... yes..."
Not sure what was ambiguous, but I nodded reluctantly.
"Finally, don't hole up in your room all day. Join tea time for a cup."
"Haha... yes."
The last was her standard nag.
Putting even that in the conditions? But yeah, I'd been skipping lately—no rebuttal.
"So... how much time?"
"A week. Can you do it?"
"Yes."
No guarantees, but failure wasn't an option. I nodded firmly.
"Hmph..."
Pleased with my resolve, Mother hummed, picked up the notebook from before her, and handed it back.
"Confidence looks good on you. I hope for great results."
"I'll do my best."
"Good. I'll head out first—you finish eating."
"Yes. See you at tea time."
"Hehe~ Sure."
Mother rose with a beaming smile and left the dining room.
Eager to return to my room and tackle her demands ASAP, I grabbed my fork and knife, shoveling meat into my mouth.
The slightly cooled meat was a bit tough, but right now, it tasted better than anything.