After having a quick shower, Rio left his room and saw a young maid in the corridor. She had a cute Caucasian face and light blue hair that was cut above her shoulders. She was wearing the standard maid's attire, not the sexualized maid's attire you could find in maid café in Japan but an actual and proper maid's uniform with a long skirt and conservative look. Rio estimated her age around 16 to 17 years old.
Rio approached the maid. When he was close enough, he called out the maid who was still busy cleaning the window.
"Excuse me..."
When the maid finally realized his presence, she jerked and turned at him. Her complexion became pale before bowing deeply. She apologized in a stutter.
"Lo-Lord Hero! Please, forgive this lowly servant for not realizing your presence soon!"
Rio made a funny expression when he saw the maid's behavior. He knew that the culture of this world was that of medieval Europe, and social caste was no joke. A slight from a common-born against someone with a higher standing could end up with the death of the common-born from beheading, but it was very strange when Rio experienced it first hand. Rio soon recovered from his bewilderment and stopped the maid from apologizing profusely.
"Ah, please stop! Don't worry! I am not offended. Really. Besides, you're in the middle of your job, were you not? It's me who interrupted you suddenly that is at fault."
"No way! Lord Hero is not at fault! There is no way a Hero, the apostle of the blessed lord, Ehit, will make a mistake! In the end, it is this lowly maid's fault! Please, I will do anything to amend my slight upon Lord Hero!"
The maid implored with an anxious expression. When she said such suggestive words with that kind of expression, it was hard to keep his expression straight, and Rio was struggling to keep his impure thought from appearing in his face.
The maid before him was cute — good-looking and above standard. As much as Rio wanted to take advantage of this maid's offer and unleashed his pent up sexual frustration — which failed to be unleashed on Rio's former girlfriend in his original world before God accidentally killed him — on her, Rio forcefully calmed his desire. He remembered how maids were gossipers in some stories he'd read and old dramas he'd watched. Not only maids but the women who lived in the medieval era were mostly gossipers because of the minimum entertainment.
In the end, Rio dropped his plan for dragging this maid into his room and mount her in his bed until she moaned her name with full ahegao expression. Of course, he could use Spirit Magic to control her mind or create Slavery Magic to give her an absolute order to keep it as secret, but like with Netori, Rio felt that it would leave a bad taste in his mouth. So, it was a big 'no' to slave-harem or mind-controlled harem. Besides, he had the confidence with his skill in picking up girls he desired. He was conscious of his above-average appearance, after all.
"Well, if you truly wish to make an amend, then would you mind to escort me around? I'm about to have a quick stroll, but I am not familiar with this place." Rio proclaimed with what he dubbed as his lady-killer smile. It was a faint and soft smile full of warmth he had trained in front of a mirror for months!
When the young maid heard that, she gawked at Rio but soon recovered and beamed in Rio's direction. From how honest her action was, Rio finally realized that her earlier offer to do anything to make amend didn't have any suggestive message. She was a pure and honest girl who wanted to earn Rio's forgiveness through pure and honest means. It was just that Rio's mind was very rotten and always in the gutter. He thought that the maid before him had slipped a suggestive message on her offer to get a favor from one of God's Apostles. When he realized his misunderstanding, Rio felt very awkward. But, he maintained his indifferent mask successfully.
"But... Uh, pardon me, Lord Hero, would you mind if I inform my senior maids about this first? I am afraid that I will receive their scoldings if I skip my job. It is unbecoming of a maid-in-training to skip her job."
"Very well, how about we seek out a senior maid together while you guide me around? It will be hitting two birds with a single stone."
"Ah, of course! That is an acceptable idea! Very well, please follow me, Lord Hero!"
The maid bowed in courtesy and spread out one of her hands towards the empty path in the corridor while her other hand was resting on her chest, right above the slight bulges covered by her dress and apron. She lowered her posture and dipped down her head slightly. Rio couldn't help but feel amazed by her skilled and refined movement. Her etiquette skill was top notch.
Before Rio took a step forward, he remembered something. He then turned at the maid who was still doing her courtesy and asked, "Anyhow, I have not introduced myself. You can call me Rio. Would you mind to tell me your name?"
The maid raised her head slightly while maintaining her posture. She blinked her eyes in bewilderment for a few moments before beaming at him with closed eyes.
"My name is Liselotte, but you may call me Lissy, Lord Hero. It is my honor to be of use for your holiness."
When Rio heard her name, he heaved a sigh of amazement. 'Not only she is easy in the eyes, but she's well mannered too,' Rio thought.
Afterward, they walked together and sought the senior maid to report the sudden change in Lissy's schedule, and along the way, she explained some locations in the castle to the interested Rio.
Before long, a few hours passed. Rio and Liselotte were near the training field where the students were training.
"Thank you for escorting me around, Liselotte."
"No! It is my pleasure to be of use for Sir Rio. Are you sure not to have a simple breakfast first? Won't it be bad if you do not fill your stomach before training?"
"No need. Once again, thank you for your kindness, Liselotte."
"It is my pleasure, Sir Rio."
"..."
"..."
"Hahaha!"
"Hehe~♪"
Rio and Liselotte stopped their exchange for a moment due to the loop in their conversation before breaking into joyful laughter. They had been strolling together, though it was mostly Liselotte guiding Rio around to get familiar with his new surroundings.
In the course of one hour and a half, they had become quite close. Not close enough to create a romantic feeling blossoming in Liselotte's maiden heart, but it was enough to leave a good impression in the pure and honest maid.
Meanwhile, Rio had marked Liselotte as another target of his. He felt comfortable around this well-mannered girl. He was amazed by her etiquette and conversational skill despite her status as a commoner. Well, Rio had used Subject Appraisal on her and was surprised to discover that she was an orphan who grew up in an orphanage that was sponsored by the kingdom and the Holy Church.
As an aside, the children who grew up in this kind of establishment will be scouted as servants or soldiers by the kingdom, but if the children had the aptitude for holy magic, they will get scouted by Holy Church instead.
Liselotte had been working in the castle since she was 12 years old, and at that time, she had started as an apprentice. Currently, she was approaching her 17. She'd been working as a maid for a long five years. It was only natural if she was proficient with housework, which was one of many reasons why Rio desired her. After all, Rio's skill for housework was below average.
"Ah, well, sorry to cut our pleasant time together short. It is a shame. I really enjoy our time together despite it was very short."
"No, no, no. I have been enjoying our time together despite it was short, Sir Rio. I am truly grateful for your kindness. Anyway, you need to go to the training field soon. Sir Rio is already late..."
"Very well, and may our paths intersect once again, Liselotte."
"It will be my pleasure to accompany you once again in the future, Sir Rio."
Liselotte ended her words with a deep bow. Before she recovered her posture, Rio turned around and headed for the training field. He could detect around three dozens of people already in there.
As he got farther from Liselotte, Rio could feel her eyes lingering on his back until he disappeared around the corner. Inwardly, Rio was smirking smugly. He was so sure that he had left a good impression in the mind of that innocent and pure young lady.
Just like MC who is based on the protagonist of SeiGensou of Yuri Kitayama, that maid is also based on Liselotte Cretia from the same franchise. Well, it's obvious from the cover, yes?