章 532: Life with the New Maids

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Magnolia.

August, x787.

A couple of weeks have passed since the maid hiring event took place. And in that time, Maria, Mey-Rin, Ai, and Miyuki have all moved into the mansion. On top of the new hires, Shizuka has also moved into the mansion, as well.

And all the ladies have loved having maids in the house. Especially since they're all Fairy Tail wizards, and most Fairy Tail wizards have a habit of making messes even worse whenever they are involved.

Still, all the new hires seemed to be enjoying their jobs, as well. With Ai trying her best to be around whenever Alfonzo is working in his workshop, and Maria and Grayfia simply enjoying being maids.

Then, there's Miyuki, who shadows Alfonzo almost everywhere he goes. Though, he does find it a little creepy whenever he wakes up and finds Miyuki staring at him. And if he did not know her source material, he would find it even creepier when the first words out of her mouth after he opened is eyes were: "You know, I really wouldn't mind if you never woke up."

The only one of the five new hires who probably was not enjoying their time in the mansion was Mey-Rin. That's not to say that she disliked the mansion or the people living in it. However, she has been getting some pretty strict training from Grayfia to correct her clumsiness. And even Maria has been pitching in to help the silver-haired head maid correct her behavior.

Luckily, Mey-Rin knew that they were only being so harsh for her own good. Otherwise, she would have thought they were bullying her. In fact, she had shake off the feeling that Maria really was bullying her whenever Maria decides to help with her training.

Despite all that, the Marcus Estate has been harmonious ever since the five maids moved in. And with the passage of time, Elicia's due date has been creeping closer and closer. But today was a day like many others. Currently, it was just after sun rise and Alfonzo was waking up around the time he usually does. And like most mornings, he was waking up with a woman, Ultear, clinging to him.

And just as he has come to expect, as soon as Alfonzo opened his eyes, Miyuki was hovering over him and staring intently at his face.

"Hmm... Good morning, Miyuki." Alfonzo muttered groggily. "What time is it?"

"*Sigh* You know, I really wouldn't mind if you never woke up." Miyuki replied in a manner that Alfonzo had gotten used to over the last couple of weeks. "And to answer your question, it's three minutes before half past six in the morning."

"*Yawn~* Why don't you just tell him that you like watching his sleeping face?" Ultear said, cutting into the conversation. "The way you say it makes it sound like you wish he would die in his sleep."

Immediately, Miyuki stood up straight with her cheeks turning a bright shade of red.

"Anyway, since you are awake, Master Alfonzo, you should get up and start getting ready for the day." Miyuki said quickly while avoiding eye contact with either Alfonzo or Ultear.

"*Yawn~* I guess you're right." Alfonzo replied. "I wonder what I should do today. I haven't gone on a quest in a while. Maybe I'll do that."

As he spoke, Alfonzo pulled the blankets off of himself and Ultear to reveal their naked bodies. Then, after separating from Ultear's arms, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat up.

Meanwhile, Ultear was debating pulling the blankets back over herself and going back to sleep. However, she also decided to get out of bed. At the same time, as soon as Alfonzo's feet hit the floor, Miyuki handed him a towel so he could take a shower. And despite Alfonzo's whole body being on full display, she did not react in the slightest.

"You know, Miyuki, it amazes me how hard you blush when it's pointed out that you like watching Alfonzo sleep." Ultear said with a smile. "But you don't turn red at all when you see him naked."

As she spoke the last sentence, Ultear, let her gaze roam up and down Alfonzo's body. As she did, she licked her lips as if she saw a juicy piece of meat.

"Mmm! I just can't get enough." Ultear added while continuing to stare shamelessly.

In response, Alfonzo rolled his eyes. Then he stood up and started walking towards his bathroom. Meanwhile, Miyuki's expression did not change in the slightest. Instead, she turned to Ultear after Alfonzo walked past her.

"It's because I' am a maid." Miyuki said confidently. "Helping my master with any situation is part of my duty. And becoming flustered should I happen to see his naked body, no matter how delicious it may be, would be quite unbecoming."

Not expecting a response like that, Ultear could not help but open her eyes and mouth wide in surprise.

"Now, if you would excuse me, I must see if my master needs any assistance." Miyuki said as she bowed politely.

A moment later, Miyuki turned on her heels. Then, she followed Alfonzo into the bathroom, leaving the stunned Ultear sitting in the bed by herself.

A second or two later, Ultear snapped out of her stunned state. Then, she could not help but grin.

"That sneaky little girl." Ultear muttered as she, to, began climbing out of bed. "She's just using this opportunity to feel up Alfonzo under the guise of performing her duties as a maid."

After voicing her thoughts, Ultear, still naked, also stood up from the bed. Then, she started moving towards the bathroom to get cleaned up for the day, as well. However, by the time she reached the bathroom door, she was surprised to see Miyuki being pushed out.

"I know this may make me sound like a hypocrite, especially since I started having sex the day I turned fifteen." Alfonzo said while pushing Miyuki out of the bathroom. "But I really don't feel comfortable having a girl as young as you touching me all over while I'm naked. So, why don't you sit this one out, Miyuki. You can change the sheets on the bed, or something. But I think I can handle this by myself."

By the end of his little speech, Alfonzo had succeeded in getting Miyuki out of the bathroom, completely. Then, he went to close the door. However, when he saw Ultear approaching, he opened it again, allowing her to enter with him. And once she was inside, he quickly closed the door.

Meanwhile, Miyuki stood in front of the bathroom door with an impassive expression on her face. However, when she heard the shower turn on , and when she was sure that no one could hear her, she clicked her tongue. Then, as Alfonzo asked, she went to change the bedding on his massive bed.

About half an hour later, Alfonzo, Ultear, and Miyuki arrived downstairs in the dining room where Elicia, who was only up because the baby let her know they were hungry, Cana, Erza, Mirajane, Marin, Sun, Lucy, and Shizuka were seated. Meanwhile, Ikaruga, Mey-Rin and Ai were moving about pouring tea, and alcohol in Cana's case, as would be expected of good maids.

Mey-Rin had even only spilled a few drops of the tea after misjudging the distance. However, she shuddered intensely when she did so. She knew that would land her in more of Grayfia's hellish maid training later on, after all.

"Hey, good morning, everyone." Alfonzo said in a happy tone. "How did everyone sleep?"

"Pretty good." Cana replied with a smile. "Probably not as good as Tear, though. I wonder how many times she tried to get you all wound up before she just passed out last night."

"Shut up, Cana!" Ultear squeaked as her face turned red.

"Seriously, Tear, aren't you getting a little too old for this?" Mirajane asked, her lips curling into a teasing grin as she did so. "You really need to just start telling him how much you wanna be ravaged. Then, the two of you can skip all the games."

"You too, Mira, shut up!" Ultear squeaked once again, her blush intensifying greatly.

"What kind of games are you talking about?" Shizuka asked while tilting her head cutely. "Whenever I sleep with Fonzie, we just go to sleep while hugging each other. Am I missing something?"

Hearing that, the rest of Alfonzo's girls looked at Shizuka in pity. Meanwhile, Mey-Rin was blushing like crazy while Ai's face was showing a hint of red, as well. Ikaruga, on the other hand, did not change her expression in the slightest, having grown used to the way the girls talk when they're at home. Shizuka, on the other hand, had invisible question marks floating above her head.

"Oh, you sweet summer child." Cana said in a tone filled with pity. "Just wait until Fonzie feels like you're ready. Then, you'll understand exactly what we're talking about. And you'll love it."

"*Sigh* I hope it doesn't happen too soon." Elicia said in a wistful tone.

"Why would it matter when it happens?" Lucy asked curiously.

"Yeah, you'll definitely be there to watch, anyway." Ultear added as her blush faded. "If you have to, you'll even come from a different town to do so."

With that statement, Alfonzo, Ultear, Marin, and Sun could not help but think back to the night when Ultear and Sun lost their virginities and how Elicia's "Fonzie Sense" alerted her that "something fun" was happening.

"*Sigh* I almost forgot about that night." Marin said while smiling nostalgically. "I avoided Fonzie, Lici, and Tear for a while after that. So embarrassing."

"But everything is okay now, right?" Sun asked cheerfully. "We can even all have fun together."

Hearing Sun's forever positive and upbeat tone, everyone in the dining room smiled. Though, Mey-Rin and Ai's blushes intensified at the implication.

"But seriously, I'm with Lucy on this one." Cana said after taking a sip of an Irish coffee. "Why does it matter when it happens, Lici? You'll definitely be there to watch, right?"

"*Sigh* Because if it happens too soon, I'll only be able to watch." Elicia replied in a forlorn tone. "But if it happens a couple months after the baby is born, I can join in, too."

In response, Cana, Ultear, Mirajane, Marin, Sun, and Lucy sighed in unison while thinking about Elicia's fetish. Meanwhile Erza, who felt no shame at having others present for her first time, was completely unbothered. Shizuka, on the other hand, found herself even more confused. At the same time, Alfonzo was looking around the dining room after realizing a couple of people were missing.

"By the way, where are Grayfia and Maria?" Alfonzo asked curiously.

"Oh, they said they were gonna start cooking breakfast." Erza replied.

Immediately, Alfonzo's aura changed and he narrowed his eyes.

"I see." Alfonzo said as he started taking large steps towards the kitchen.

Meanwhile, the ladies looked at him in surprise after his demeanor changed. At the same time, Miyuki followed Alfonzo into the kitchen.

"Uh oh~." Elicia intoned. "Fonzie looks pretty serious."

"Do you think he feels challenged?" Ultear asked as she took a seat at the table before Ai poured a cup of tea for her.

"I wouldn't think so." Erza replied. "If I had to guess, he probably wants to see if they are up to his standard."

"That makes sense. I mean, ever since we hired the new maids, Alfonzo has done all the cooking." Mirajane said in a contemplative tone. "Grayfia and Maria, who love the work of a maid so much, probably feel like part of their duties have been taken away."

"Well, Fonzie is very particular about the food served in his home." Elicia replied with a shrug. "So, can you really blame him?"

In response, all the other women in the dining room shook their heads. They had all fallen in love with Alfonzo's cooking, after all. Even Mey-Rin and Ai, despite being maids, could not imagine living on someone else's cooking after only a week and a half, or so.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Alfonzo stood back and watched Maria and Grayfia cook. And just as Erza surmised, he was only there to see what standard they were at. He had no intention of interfering, though. But if they were not up to snuff, he would make sure they never had the opportunity to cook in his kitchen again. Not while he was in the house, at least.

At the same time, Miyuki stood by Alfonzo's side and compared her own cooking techniques to Maria's and Grayfia's. And when she realized she was about on par with them, she nodded to herself in satisfaction.

Eventually, Maria and Grayfia finished cooking breakfast, an egg and cheese omelet, link sausage, home fries, and grits, for everyone. Then, after plating everyone's food, putting it on a couple of platters, and cleaning up their work space, they prepared to serve breakfast for everyone.

At that point, Alfonzo was satisfied with what he saw. So, he, with Miyuki following behind him, left the kitchen and returned to the dining room before taking his seat at the head of the table, with Miyuki standing behind him, after pouring him a cup of tea.

A few moments later, Maria and Grayfia, each carrying a platter filled with plates and glasses of orange juice, entered the dining room. At the same time, the other four maids, Ikaruga, Mey-Rin, Ai, and Miyuki, each moved to take plates from the platters before setting them down in front of the nine people sitting at the table.

Then, once all the meals were served, all six maids took up positions that would allow them to best serve their master and mistresses.

Meanwhile, Alfonzo and the girls picked up there silverware once the food was served. Then, after a quick prayer, they all began to eat. And after taking the first bite, everyone stopped to evaluate the food.

"This is better than I expected." Cana said in a surprised tone.

"Yeah, it's even better than that girl, Erina, Fonzie hired a couple years ago." Marin added as she cut another piece of her omelet.

"Yeah, she was about eighty percent as good as Alfonzo." Ultear said. "But this is at least ninety percent as good."

"Maybe even more." Mirajane said before taking a bite from the sausage skewered on her fork.

"Indeed." Erza added with a nod. "They truly are quite talented. I wonder how good they are at baking. I'm curious to know how good their strawberry shortcake will be."

"They're definitely better than any maid or cook that worked in my old house." Lucy said while shaking her head. "Quality over quantity really is the way to go, I guess."

"It's really yummy." Shizuka said happily. "But Alfonzo's cooking is yummier."

Sun, on the other hand, only hummed while she continued to eat. However, she did nod her head to everyone else's comments.

At the same time, Maria and Grayfia could not help but twitch their eyebrows every time their cooking was compared to Alfonzo's. They would be the first to admit that Alfonzo was truly a wizard in the kitchen, especially after only eating his cooking for the past week and a half, or so. But their pride as maids still took a hit every time they were told they were worse cooks than the man they were hired to serve.

Meanwhile, the only one of the ladies who had yet to give their opinion on Maria and Grayfia's cooking, Elicia, continued to eat in silence. However, ever since she took her first bite, her gaze stayed glued on Alfonzo, who also continued to eat in silence.

"So, what's the verdict, Fonzie?" Elicia asked with a smile in a curious tone.

Swallowing the bite of food in his mouth, Alfonzo picked up his napkin and wiped his mouth before replying to Elicia.

"They pass." Alfonzo replied calmly while smiling gently.

Hearing that, Maria and Grayfia released a breath they did not even know they were holding since Elicia asked her question.

"To be honest, I never really questioned their skills in the kitchen." Alfonzo continued, surprising the two maids. "But… With Lici pregnant, I guess I was just a little too cautious. I wanted to make sure she got all the nutrition she and the baby needed. So, I made sure to do all the cooking. But after this meal, I know that her meals are in good hands."

With that said, Alfonzo smiled at Maria and Grayfia, who bowed their heads in gratitude. Then, Alfonzo continued.

"But if Lici hadn't been pregnant, I wouldn't have cared about their cooking standards, to be honest." Alfonzo said with a shrug. "I mean, with Mira the only one among you that can make anything edible, it really wouldn't have mattered how well they cook. As long as it could be eaten."

Immediately, most of the girls looked away in response. However, they did not retort. Instead, they started eating with even more fervor.

Eventually, Breakfast came to an end. And while Alfonzo and the girls left for the guild to train, with Miyuki and Ikaruga following along, as Alfonzo's and Elicia's personal attendants, respectively, Maria, Mey-Rin, Grayfia, and Ai cleaned up the dining room and went about their duties around the house.