Liana stood patiently in the courtyard, surrounded by several workers from the manor who were chatting idly as they waited. Today was the day the shipment of ore was set to arrive, as promised.
The deal had been finalized two days ago, with three gold coins handed over as payment—a personal order from her mischievous young master, Javier. The merchant was expected soon, bringing not only the usual supply of food and household necessities for the estate but also a large quantity of ore.
Liana glanced at the workers. Some looked curious about the unusual addition to the order, but none dared to ask her directly. Her composed demeanor and reputation as one of Lord Garius's most trusted maid kept unnecessary chatter at bay.
Her thoughts briefly wandered to Javier. "What exactly was he planning to do with so much ore?" He had been suspiciously enthusiastic about it, which only made her more wary. She let out a small sigh, brushing a strand of silver hair from her face.
That boy is always up to something… I just hope this doesn't end with me having to explain things to Madam Francesca.
A soft rumble in the distance signaled the arrival of the merchant caravan. The workers straightened up, ready to unload as the wagons came into view, their wheels creaking under the weight of their cargo.
The lead merchant, a stocky man with a wide-brimmed hat, dismounted his horse and greeted Liana with a respectful nod.
"Miss Liana," he said with a warm smile, "your special order has arrived, along with the usual supplies."
"Thank you," Liana replied politely. "Please have the workers sort the shipment as usual. The ore will need to be stored separately."
"Of course," the merchant replied, signaling his men to begin unloading.
Sacks of grain, barrels of oil, and crates of produce were soon being carried off to the storerooms. Among the goods, several heavy crates marked with a special insignia contained the iron ore. Liana inspected the crates herself, ensuring everything was accounted for.
"Help me move these crates of ore to the new workspace the young master requested," Liana instructed, her tone calm but firm.
"Yes, Miss Liana," one of the workers replied promptly, gathering his team to begin.
Liana watched as the workers carefully pushed the carts across the courtyard, the iron ore crates stacked securely. Liana followed, keeping an eye on their progress to ensure nothing went wrong.
The workspace was located in a secluded area of the estate grounds, a newly constructed shed that Javier had insisted on having built. Though she didn't know all the details of his plans, she knew better than to underestimate her young master resourcefulness—or his talent for creating chaos.
As the workers unloaded the crates inside the workspace, Liana took a moment to inspect the area. The building was simple but well-constructed, with sturdy walls and a wide wooden workbench. A few shelves and storage racks lined the walls, ready to hold tools and materials.
"Place the crates neatly over there," Liana directed, pointing to a corner near the bench.
The workers nodded and carefully arranged the crates as instructed. Liana stood with her hands clasped in front of her, her eyes scanning the setup.
This should keep him occupied for a while… though I can't shake the feeling he's going to surprise us all again, she thought with a small sigh.
Once the last crate was in place, the workers bowed slightly before heading back to their other duties. Liana stayed behind for a moment, surveying the space.
At least he's keeping busy… but I'll need to keep an eye on him. Trouble has a way of finding that boy—or perhaps he has a way of finding it.
Liana looked around the manor, starting with the usual places her young master liked to spend time. First, she headed to the Pekko pen. The lively birds squawked happily, but their food troughs looked untouched.
"It doesn't seem like the young master or the workers have fed them yet," she murmured, shaking her head.
She checked the bag of peculiar feed Javier had concocted, a mixture he proudly called "Pekko manure," claiming it was the perfect nutrient-packed food for the birds. Liana dutifully measured out portions and placed them into the troughs.
"Here you go," she said, watching as the Pekkos eagerly gobbled up the food.
After ensuring the birds were well-fed, Liana began asking the maids around the manor, "Have you seen the young master this morning?"
"No, Miss Liana. I haven't seen him at all today," replied one maid, echoing the responses of others she questioned.
With no leads, Liana sighed and headed inside the manor to continue her search. She checked the library, the garden, and even the storage room—nothing.
Finally, she decided to try the dining room.
There he was. Javier sat at the long dining table, happily devouring a thick slice of meat steak, a look of pure satisfaction on his face despite it being early in the morning.
Liana let out a long sigh and approached him. "Young master."
Javier looked up, his mouth half-full of steak. "Yes, Liana?"
"The ore you ordered has arrived and has already been placed in the new workshop," she informed him.
Javier's eyes lit up. "Oh! Nice! Ehehehe."
He then gestured toward the seat beside him, a playful grin on his face. "Wanna eat together, Liana?"
Liana gave him a disapproving look, folding her arms. "Maid and master cannot eat together in the main dining area. Did you forget that rule, young master?"
Javier smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Rules, schmules. I don't care about those. Besides, it's just us here."
Liana frowned, her eyes narrowing slightly as she crossed her arms. "Still, a maid cannot sit and eat with their master. Don't encourage the maids to bend the rules. You know Lord Garius and Lady Francesca don't like it. I don't want anyone else breaking the rules because of your antics. Do you know what will happen to them if they do? They could get fired."
Javier paused for a moment, then grinned mischievously. "If you say so..." He cut a small piece of steak with his fork and held it out toward her, his smirk widening. "Here. If you won't sit, at least have a bite."
Liana blinked, caught off guard by his gesture. "Young master..."
"Come on, Liana. I'll keep it between us. Nobody will know," he said, flashing his most innocent smile.
Her lips tightened as she struggled to suppress a sigh.
Just as she was about to protest again, Javier wiggled the fork teasingly. "Say 'ahhh!'"
Despite herself, Liana felt her cheeks warm. She shook her head but took a small bite of the offered steak.
"There. Happy now?" she asked, giving him a pointed look.
Javier beamed as though he had just won a great victory. "Very! And? It's good, right?"
Liana rolled her eyes but softly admitted, "It is."
Javier chuckled. "See? I told you it'd be worth it."
"Just don't let anyone catch you doing this," she warned, quickly straightening her posture and resuming her usual composed demeanor. "You might enjoy bending the rules, but I won't let you drag me down with you, young master."
"Ehehehe," Javier laughed, taking another bite of his steak, clearly unbothered.
"By the way, young master," Liana began in a steady yet firm tone, "there was supposed to be at least one or two maid accompanying you while you eat. Where are they?"
Javier blinked, his fork pausing mid-air. "Err... I told them to go eat their breakfast?"
Liana's brows furrowed, and her voice carried a rare note of exasperation. "They shouldn't have done that! They're supposed to accompany you during meals, especially when I'm not around. Where are they!?"
Javier leaned back in his chair, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Calm down, Liana. Chill. Relax. Ehehehe."
Liana's expression remained composed, but her eyes were sharp as she shook her head slightly. "Young master, that is against the household rules. When we are on duty, our role is to serve and remain attentive to your needs. Allowing them to leave their post is a breach of conduct."
Javier chuckled, clearly not as worried about decorum as she was. "Relax, Liana. It's fine. No big deal."
Liana eyes narrowed slightly, though her hands remained poised. "It is a big deal, young master. If Lord Garius or Lady Francesca saw this, the consequences for the maids would be severe. Do you want them to be dismissed for negligence?"
Javier sighed and put his fork down. "Alright, alright, Im Sorry. Next time, I'll make sure someone stays, okay?"
"Young master, household maids are allowed to relax when they aren't actively attending to the family or their assigned tasks. That's why they have their own early breakfast before starting their duties. But when they are attending you or anyone else in the family, they must follow the household rules without exception."
Javier leaned back, his fork still in hand. "Alright, but they were just taking a break. What's the harm?"
Liana's emerald eyes met his, firm but calm. "The maids here were selected for their talent and dedication. They understand their roles within the household. Their responsibilities during meals are crucial and require their full attention. Outside of that, they have plenty of time to rest, eat, and manage their tasks, such as cleaning and organizing. It's not like they're overworked."
She adjusted the napkin on her arm as she continued, her tone softening. "But when they are present, they must uphold their duties properly. Allowing them to relax or neglect their responsibilities during these key moments sets a bad example and could affect the household's overall discipline. You wouldn't want Lord Garius or Lady Francesca to think the staff is incompetent, would you?"
Javier sighed and shrugged, conceding with a faint smile. "Alright, I get it, Liana."
Liana gave a small, approving nod. "It's not about me, young master. It's about ensuring the household runs smoothly and that everyone understands their roles."
"Yeah, yeah. Im sorry, Liana," Javier muttered, smiling.
"It's simply my job, young master," she replied with a faint smile, returning to her poised stance.
( End of Chapter )
Liana moved closer to Javier with graceful steps. She took the napkin from her arm and gently wiped the corner of his mouth, not saying a word. Javier blinked, surprised by her sudden action.
"There, young master," she said softly, folding the napkin neatly and putting it back on her arm. Then, she leaned forward to refill his drink, making sure his glass was full before stepping back to her spot, just behind and to the side of him.
Standing there, Liana kept her hands lightly clasped in front of her stomach, showing the right amount of attention without being too close or too far away, ready to help if Javier needed anything.
Javier glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "You're way too formal sometimes, you know?"
"It's my duty, young master," she replied calmly.
Javier leaned back in his chair and teased her with a grin. "But I like it when you feed me."
Liana sighed softly, a small smile appearing on her lips. "Young master," she said "we can do that in your room or when no one else is around. I'm here just for you, but in the dining room, please…"
Her eyes met his, showing both her care for him and her commitment to the rules. "The dining room is a formal place. You know how the other maids and the family might see us."
Javier chuckled, leaning forward with his chin resting on his hand. "You're too serious, Liana. I just think it's nice when you spoil me."
"I'm serious because it's important," she replied, straightening up. "And young master, I spoil you enough already."
He smirked and took another bite of his steak. "Fair enough."
Liana let out a soft sigh, her smile returning as she stood poised. "Always testing the boundaries," she murmured, just loud enough for him to hear.
After Javier finished eating and Liana made sure the table was clean, she turned to him with a mysterious smile. "Let me show you something, young master."
"Oh? What is it?" Javier asked, intrigued.
"Just follow me," she said, waving her hand gracefully.
Curious, Javier followed her as Liana led him to a part of the manor he rarely visited—the maid's dining area. As they approached, he could hear cheerful chatter and laughter coming from inside.
Javier peeked in and saw a group of maids happily talking, their faces bright with smiles as they enjoyed breakfast together.
Liana pointed to the lively scene. "As you can see, young master, when they're not on duty, they're relaxed and having fun. There's no such thing as overworked maids here."
She continued, her tone calm but informative. "The maids earn good salaries, have their own private rooms, and get a day off each week. They take turns helping the family, so everyone has time to rest. The head maid makes sure the work is shared fairly, so they can keep up with their responsibilities."
Javier scratched his head, feeling a bit guilty. "I didn't mean to cause trouble…"
Liana smiled kindly but firmly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, young master, I have something to take care of here." She turned and entered the dining area, locking the door behind her.
Moments later, Javier heard Liana's voice through the door, her calm tone replaced by a firm, scolding one aimed at the maids inside. "Who allowed you to leave your post during formal dining hours? Do you realize the importance of your duties?
Javier's eyes widened as he imagined the serious look on her usually calm face. "Eeeeek!" he squeaked, running away in a panic.
He stopped at a safe distance and leaned against the wall, wipe sweat from his brow. "Scary Liana is scary!" he muttered.
The head maid, passing by, heard him and smiled, shaking her head.
She approached Javier with her usual calm demeanor. "Good morning, young master. Would you like to follow me?"
Javier tilted his head, curious. "Oh, okay..."
With a graceful turn, the head maid, Gloria, led the way. As they walked, she looked back at him. "What Miss Liana said is true, young master. Let me show you something to help you understand better."
They soon reached the maid quarters, a separate wing of the estate. Javier blinked in surprise at how big the building was.
Gloria stopped at the entrance and spoke to the two female guards there. "Announce that the young master Javier is visiting."
The guards nodded. "Yes, Miss Gloria," one said, stepping inside to make the announcement.
As Gloria led Javier inside, she explained, "All personal maids, like Miss Liana, have rooms in the main manor. But household maids have their own comfortable rooms here."
She guided him through the corridor, stopping at an open door to show a cozy room. It was simple but welcoming, with a neatly made bed, a small desk, and personal touches like flower vases and embroidery.
"See? Each maid has her own private space to relax," Gloria said with a soft smile.
Javier nodded, taking in the details of the room. It felt nice to see that the maids had a comfortable place of their own.
"As for me," Gloria added, "I also have a personal room in the manor, courtesy of Madam Francesca. The head maid must be readily available at all times."
They continued their tour, arriving at a large common room filled with activity. "And here," Gloria gestured, "is the dining area for maids who are off duty or on their day off. When they're working, they eat in the designated maid dining area—the one you visited earlier, where Miss Liana was scolding the others." She chuckled lightly.
Javier rubbed the back of his neck, remembering how he felt during that tense moment.
Gloria turned to him with a gentle yet firm expression. "So, young master, please don't think that the maids are overworked or mistreated. We do our best to run an efficient and fair household."
"Uhh… I'm sorry," Javier said, looking genuinely regretful.
Gloria nodded in understanding. "Apology accepted, young master. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other tasks to handle. Have a pleasant day."
As she walked away, Javier reflected on everything he had learned. "I guess I've got more to understand about how things work here…" he murmured to himself.
On his way back to the manor, Javier turned a corner and nearly bumped into Anna, the youngest maid in the household. She looked like she had just woken up, her hair a messy and her uniform a bit disheveled.
The instant Anna saw him, her eyes widened in panic. "Hiiiii!! Young master?!" she squeaked, a mix of shock and embarrassment in her voice.
Javier raised an eyebrow, amused by her flustered reaction. "Morning, Anna. Did you sleep well?"
Anna's face turned bright red as she scrambled to fix herself. "Umm... ahh... excuse me!" she stammered, darting past him like a startled rabbit, almost tripping over her own feet.
Javier chuckled, shaking his head. "She's like a little squirrel," he muttered under his breath, watching her disappear down the hallway.
Before long, he heard quiet giggles and whispers from around the corner—likely Anna explaining herself to the other maids, who were probably teasing her about their awkward encounter.
"At least mornings here are never boring," Javier said to himself with a grin, continuing on his way.
As he walked back toward the manor, he noticed Liana approaching him, moving gracefully. She looked calm and relaxed, but there was a slight tilt of her head that suggested she was keeping a close eye on him.
"Now, young master," she said as she got closer, her voice gentle but firm. "Let's head to your workspace."
"Okay!" Javier beamed, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
As they walked, Javier hesitated for a moment and asked, "Liana, can we hold hands?"
Liana paused, letting out a soft sigh, but she didn't protest. Instead, she extended her hand, allowing him to take it. His hand was slightly bigger than hers—warm and steady, giving her a sense of comfort that always caught her off guard.
( End of Chapter )
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