章 21: Family Is Not Only About Being Related By Blood

Amy Taylor Point Of View

---

My name is Amy Taylor. I'm a mere maid working for the Euridice family – and if there's something I'm proud of despite being a 'mere' maid and a commoner, it's being my lady's personal maid. Aksia Euridice, that is the name of the lady I'm serving. All I could say is that she's... lovely. Too lovely and precious for this world. Although other people say that I'm naive, and even though I also agree with them, I'm not that naive to not see the suffering of the lady I'm personally serving.

I started working as a maid for the Euridice family when I was still in my twenties. At age twenty-five, I met lady Aksia who was ten years old at that time. I was just promoted, and soon after that, I was immediately assigned as lady Aksia's personal maid which I didn't expect.

Why would they assign a newly promoted maid as the young lady of Euridice's personal maid? Shouldn't they find a more experienced one? I was confused.

Then the day where I would meet the lady has come. The meeting... was a traumatizing experience, to say the least. I was on my way to meet the lady at that time, but when I arrived outside her bedroom, I saw that the door is slightly open. I can also hear some muffled noise.

Hesitant and curious at the same time, I silently walked closer to the door as I took a peek at what's inside. I know it was rude and improper of me to do that, but my twenty-five-year-old self didn't think about any of that at that time. I was... simply curious.

However, what I saw made me gasp. I couldn't help but raised one of my hands to cover my mouth. It was a horrifying sight. A child, who seems to be barely ten years old, is sitting on the floor with her back exposed. Her raven hair – that is almost black, only reaches past her shoulders. All I could see is her back, so I can't see her face.

From where I'm standing, I could see the Duchess back and she's holding a... whip or some sort. Frozen in my place, I didn't know what to do.

"It's your fault. It's because you were born that I lost his love!" The Duchess lashes out, raising her hand that is holding the whip as she strikes, "Why do you have to have that cursed Magic out of all Magic?! No –" She paused before striking again, "Why are you even born?! You're not my daughter!"

With every strike, the child whimpered in pain. With every strike, a new injury was added to her back. With every strike, I flinched.

Trembling as I feel tears streaming down my face, I took a step back. This... this is child abuse! Why is the Duchess doing this to her own daughter? Does anyone know about this? Why is no one stopping her?!

Earlier, all I was feeling was curiosity, and now, I'm feeling a lot of emotions all at once. I was horrified, scared, sad, mad – and a lot more feelings that I can't properly explain into words.

I'm... a mere maid, a commoner. I'm not from a poor family, but we're also not rich. Just average. My mother died because of an Illness when I was fifteen, and my three siblings and I were left with our father who was devastated by mother's death. Wanting to help, I applied as a maid of a noble.

I really didn't think that I can become one. I'm usually clumsy, naive, and slightly slow at picking things up. I'm basically useless considering how I also don't have any Magic. But unexpectedly, I was accepted. My first work experience was at a Count's house. Then when I turned eighteen, I went to another place – until I found myself working for the Euridice family.

As a maid, what could I possibly do in a situation like this? I... I can't possibly go against the Duchess, can I? I have my father and siblings relying on me. I can't do this, right?

However, before I could even think of an answer. My body was already moving, I abruptly opened the door and it made a loud noise. The Duchess looked at me, shock. I wasn't really thinking at that moment, it's as if my mind and heart were functioning separately as my body moved before I can even process what's happening. Ignoring the Duchess, I run towards the child. I kneel down to her level as I gently hold her shoulders, I made her face me and when she did – I saw the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.

It was color pink. The only person I've seen with pink eyes is the Duchess. Now, looking into this child's eyes, I can't help but be stunned. It was in the same color as the Duchess, but it was also different. It was more bright, too bright that it was almost red. However, what really caught my attention is the way she's looking at me.

Her eyes, despite being beautiful... looked so empty and lifeless. Seeing them, I feel my heart being squeezed. A child's eyes shouldn't be like that – they should be full of wonder, curiosity, happiness, adventure, and such. And yet this child... her eyes are so sad.

My tears never seem to stop as It continues to stream down my face freely.

I only looked away when I suddenly felt a pain in my back. I immediately turned my head while still holding on to the child. I trembled in fear and rage at the same time – if that is even possible. The Duchess glared at me as her hold on the whip tightened.

"What are you doing?! How dare a mere maid interrupt me?! Move if you don't want to die!" She shouted, raising her hand once more to strike. I hugged the child gently and I silently groaned in pain when the whip hit my back again. It hurts. It's painful and yet... this young girl has been enduring it the whole time.

"I won't move!" I said, determined. In my mind, I was apologizing to my father and siblings. I would surely be fired after this, or maybe I'll die. But no matter what, I can't simply ignore a child being abused. No one deserves to be treated like this! And such a young child at that!

"Oceana!" Hearing Duke Lancer's firm voice, I looked at them again. The Duke was standing near the door. He looked at me then at the child I'm holding – his daughter. A sigh escapes his lips as he gave the Duchess a blank look.

"I told you to stop causing trouble. Stop being so childish." He said, voice cold.

"But Lancer –!"

"I don't want to hear any excuse. We'll talk about this." The Duke said before the Duchess can even say more. He then looked at me and I froze. Nervous, I avoided his eyes, still holding on to the young lady Aksia.

"You are her personal maid, are you not? Never speak about this to anyone, if you do, you will regret it." He said, his voice remained cold, "Fix her as well." He added after noticing the state young lady Aksia is in. He then took hold of the Duchess's wrists and pulled her with him as he walked outside the room, leaving me alone with the young lady.

I was... beyond mad and shock. The Duke – even after seeing his own daughter like that, didn't even show any sort of worry or emotion. It's like it was something that's been happening for a while. Lady Aksia is their... daughter, right? Then why? Why are they treating her like this?!

I just... don't understand. How could they do this to a child? To their own daughter? Do they have no heart?!

What's even more frustrating is that... I can't even do anything about it. They're the Duke and Duchess of Euridice, the sword of the Empire. And I'm nothing but a maid. Before I can even start to stand against them, my head would already roll on the ground. Being this powerless made me mad even more.

I clenched my fist tightly, however, I was startled when a felt a hand on my closed hand, gently opening it. I looked at the young lady. Her face looks so innocent and adorable and yet, her eyes were lifeless. She wasn't even showing any kind of emotions and that made me felt sick. For a ten-year-old child to act like this...

"Don't hurt yourself." She said in a soft voice, almost whispering. Her voice was as cute as what you would expect of a child's voice would be, but somehow, it sounds more mature to me than it should be.

I never stopped crying, my tears were streaming down my face since earlier. But hearing her say that when I should be the one comforting her when she should be the one who is crying, for the first time in my life, despite being twenty-five years old – I wailed like a kid.

– That was probably the time I swear to myself, to all the gods and goddesses, and to anyone who could hear my promise, that I will stay by that child's side no matter what. I promised that I would do everything in my power to protect her even if it costs me my life.

I was able to stay as her personal maid. I didn't know why, but the Duke didn't fire me. And the Duchess glares at me whenever she sees me, but I couldn't care less. I was simply happy I can still stay by lady Aksia's side.

It was painful seeing her grow up without freedom, abused and hurt by her own family. I always suggest that maybe we could seek help or just run away, but lady Aksia would always say no. There are times when I became so desperate that I suddenly thought of informing the royal family without lady Aksia's permission.

I was naive. I didn't think of the consequences. Fortunately, I didn't do that.

And now... that child – lady Aksia has grown up into a splendid and wonderful lady. She was cold, showing no emotions and showing no weakness, but inside that cold facade is a sweet child. I was extremely happy when she started smiling at me. It was just a small smile every time, and it rarely happens, but I was still beyond happy.

My only wish is for her to be happy, to live freely and without putting up her guard all the time. That's all. I don't need anything else, because serving her is an honor itself.