"-Waaaaahhh!"

Huh? What was that?

I leaned my face close to the door. My right ear was sticking on the wooden surface, trying to listen to whatever caught my attention just now. Eavesdropping isn't a good manner of a maid. But, I couldn't contain my curiosity.

Is that Miss Elly crying?

*knock *knock *knock

"Mister Yuu?? Is everything alright?" I knocked at the door while calling at them. The cry still continues and I didn't hear any answer. So, I brave myself to open the door. It will be troublesome if something happened to them when Miss Rhoselyn entrusted them to me.

"hh..uuuwaaaaa"

I opened the door, Miss Elly is crying hysterically as though her pet just died. I remembered my young self, crying like that when my pet, Ulu the blue rabbit, died from sickness. I tried to observe what could be causing her to cry and I see nothing out of ordinary. Mister Yuu saw me but he said nothing. He tried calming the crying Miss Elly. But, he failed. Then, he wordlessly shot me a help signal.

I quickly moved into the room, to where Miss Elly is sitting and I crouched down right in front of her. I raised my hand up and formed the surrounding mana into a little butterfly. It seemed to have successfully gained her attention. She stopped crying as she looked at me.

Ahhh... How cute

Ever since Miss Rhoselyn brought them to the manor. I couldn't take my eyes away from Miss Elly. Her sparkling blue eyes, her fluffy blue hair and that fair complexion. Her every movement screamed adorable in my head. I've never seen a child with such a heart-throbbing face. Miss Elly wiped the tears from her eyes as she gained calm. I looked at Mister Yuu.

“This is how you calm a crying child Mister Yuu” I spoke to him as I smiled trying to cover the dumb face I probably had when Miss Elly stole my heart.

"Thank you" He thanked me but then I realized what I just spoke might be too blunt and rude to a guest.

"Ahh. No- I-I am sorry" I quickly moved backward and stood with my head tilted down.

Nooo... What if he complained to Miss Rhoselyn? Will he? Will he??

“It’s alright. You don’t have to be uptight around us…” Mister Yuu stated and I tilted my head up, facing him.

To be honest, Miss Elly’s older brother also looked so beautiful. Ahhh… my eyes. My eyes hurt. How come the sibling can have such a perfect facial features. But, of course… Miss Rhoselyn will always be my number one.

“Muria isn’t it?” He spoke to me.

“Y-Yes, Mister Yuu” I answered.

“Just call me Yuu, you can drop the honorific, Muria.” He openly suggested as he arched a smile on his lips. I thought that he’s the kind of person who does not give smile easily. But, I guess he’s quite friendly?

"No... I can't do that Mister Yuu. You are the guest of Miss Rhoselyn" I rejected his suggestion and told him my reason. But, he shook his head.

"It's fine, Muria. If you're uncomfortable. You can call me that when your master is around. But, when it's just us, please call only my name" He smiled once again and still trying to change my mind.

"B-but" I still feel it was wrong.

"Yuu... okay?" His gentle smile kind of breaking my reasons.

Hmm... From how they behave, I guess, they are not from any nobility family, although Miss Rhoselyn herself welcomed them. If he insisted then... I guess...

"Alright... Y-Yuu" I nodded at his request. Elly is now completely calm. She looked at me as she grinned. "I am Elly!" She cheerfully introduced herself. My heart went 'screeechh' for a moment. Yuu looked at his little sister and patted her head. Elly seemed to enjoy the little head patting.

Ahh, I want to pat her too!

"I am sorry, but can you leave us for a sec?" Yuu suddenly asked. I awkwardly stepped backward as I bow.

"Ah, yes, I apologize for barging in like that" I quickly apologized.

What am I doing standing still in their room, Ahh, Muria you fool!

"No, you calmed Elly, I had to thank you for that. It's just, we haven't changed yet... so..." Yuu hinted as I looked at them, still wearing the same baggy clothing.

"Yes, I will be outside, excuse me" I retreated myself as I learned his intention. He gave me the same smile as I moved away from the room. I slowly closed the door while Yuu still smiling facing my side. The door now fully closed after a weak 'thud' and they are now out of my sight.

"Haaahh...." I let out a long sigh as I can finally relax my body.

Ahh! What are you doing Muria? You could have messed up!

I cursed myself. I remember Mr. Pierr's daily speech about the code of the Easton Residence's maid. "...Treat the guest as though your Master" I mumbled the words, Mr. Pierr always repeats that every morning when we were briefing.

B-But, calling his name... it was his request! So... it's fine, right? Master's requests are absolute, aren't they?

I tried convincing myself to think like that. I sighed again and decided to move on. What happened had happened. So, I guess I will just stand here and wait for them to change. By the way, why is Elly crying anyway? Hmm...

As I mulled over it, a figure down the hall caught my attention. He's walking toward my direction. The very person was Mr. Pierr. He's looked neat in his black butler suit as always. I've heard from Fetallina that he has been following the Easton Family ever since the previous lord. Although he is a butler, he held a special position in the Easton Family. He's kind and also respectful, even to me, the little maid who just joined the Family recently. I bowed as he came over.

"Muria, are Mister Yuu and Miss Elly currently inside the room?" Mr. Pierr asked, with his wise looking face. He's always gentle when speaking to anyone.

"Yes, they are inside the room. I am waiting for them to change, Mr. Pierr" I answered and reported the current situation.

Mr. Pierr solemnly nodded as he pulled out something from his black suit pocket. A small glass bottle with a glowing green liquid inside.

“Can you please hand this to them for me? It is the medicine for Miss Elly’s injury. Tell her to dab the swelling area with this every morning and night after bath…” Mr. Pierr explained as I took over the glass bottle into my palm.

“Yes, Mr. Pierr, I will convey your message” I answered.

Mr. Pierr lightly nodded and then he excused himself. He walked along the hall and disappeared after a turn. I held the glass bottle up and turn it around. The glowing green liquid is pleasing to the eyes. When I was drawn by the substance. The door behind me suddenly opened and caused me to jolted. I almost drop the glass bottle. I gulped in relief as I turned around to see them.

It was Yuu and Elly, both of them has changed into the clothing that I had prepared. I put clothing with different styles in the wardrobe since I don’t know what would their taste be like. Yuu chose the simplest one in the wardrobe which is the sand colored long sleeve shirt and a pair of dark brown pants. While Ms. Elly here is a bit shocking to me. Elly didn't wear the dresses I've prepared for her. Instead, she chose to wear the male clothing I prepared for Yuu and of course, another oversized get up. Yuu noticed my confusion toward Elly.

"She's not getting used to wearing dresses. You see, Elly is a very active girl" Yuu explained and simultaneously, Elly bobbed her head up and down. "Dress is a no-no" She exclaimed while staring at me intently.

“Ahh… I am sorry. I didn’t think about that. I-I will get another clothing. Please wait in the room” I quickly apologized. Before Yuu could say anything, I excused myself after a bow. I hastily walked through the hall while leaving them standing in front of the door. But, I was reminded of something before I make a turn.

Gosh… I forgot about the medicine. Ahh, I will give it to them after I retrieve some clothes for Elly. My little Elly, ehehe, I wonder what kind of clothing should I get?

The clothing area isn’t that far away. It’s at the ground level in the same East wing of the manor. In Easton Residence, they have a room where they display all kind of clothing for all ages in different styles. All of those were prepared for the guests. Even though, most of the guest packed their own clothes and rarely wore the ones we prepared.

I guess that's what noble family do?

I walked through halls and halls. Until I reached my initial destination hallway where the room is positioned. I remember on my first day here when I got lost in this maze-like mansion. I ended up spending one hour searching for the tableware room. It was Fetallina who came searching for me because I was gone for too long. That was one embarrassing memory.

“…Are you sure?” A voice caught my ears as I walked past a hall, so I abruptly stopped and moved back to see who.

Aaahh! It’s Sir Wynford…

I crept and peeked to that hallway right behind the wall. I positioned myself so that they didn't notice me. Sir Wynford is facing the opposite with another person facing him. I couldn't see who is it as the tall body of Sir Wynford blocked my sight. I think it was a royal guard.

Awww... I can never be bored by looking at him all day long. Just how handsome could he be? If only he was friendlier. Anyway... what are they doing in the hallway to the kitchen though?

"Yes, I am sure that I will be able to recognize the criminal when I see them with my own eyes, Sir Wynford" The other person answered his previous question.

Who is that... Ugh, I can't see.

I tried tiptoeing to get a clearer sight, but I stumbled upon my own feet and fell backward. 'Thud' I bumped at a table placed behind me. I turned around and quickly catch the falling vase. My heart pounded crazily as though about to bust out.

"...phew" I inwardly celebrated. If the vase broke. There goes my pay for this month.

"Who's that"

Yikess!!

The two men standing in the hallway now looked at the source of the sound. Erol Wynford, he turned around and walked to the end of the hall as he asked again, "Show yourself" rather than asking, he demanded the perpetrator to came out as he trod toward the source. The man in guard uniform also followed him as he put a frown on his brows. Erol turned the corner but there's nothing other than an empty hallway greeted him.

"What happened, Sir?" The guard approached him. Erol looked to left and right. He caught a black maid skirt bottom flashed out of the turning at the hall end.

"Nothing, just a rat" He answered as his cold eyes shifted back to the person beside him.

***

"Yuuuuuuu! What do you think?” Elly asked me as she swung her body from side to side in front of the mirror placed beside the wardrobe. She picked a light blue bandeau layered with a brown leather vest and wearing beige colored baggy pants tucked into the brown boots. Elly also wore open gloves to hid the scales on the back of her hands. She moved her legs and arms, showing how freely she can move now. Elly seemed to satisfy with her current clothing.

“Yuu?” She turned around facing me while tilted her head, questioning my answer.

“Okay” I answered after a brief scan. I personally thought she was showing too much skin with only that bandeau covering her chest. But, as long as she feels fine. I don’t see any reason for me to judge. I glanced at Muria. She seemed to be thrilled with Elly’s new get up. Her eyes sparkled with excitement but she didn’t speak it out until Elly asked her, “What do you think, Muria?”

Muria sagely nodded as she complimented, “You look great Mis- I mean, Elly!!” She clasped her hands together while looking at Elly, "Ah!" her expression suddenly changed as though she was reminded of something “By the way, Yuu…” She pulled something out of her pocket. It was a tiny glass bottle with a glowing green liquid inside.

“This is the medicine Mr.Pierr gave me earlier. He said to dab the medicine on the swelling area every morning and night after taking a bath” She explained while handing it over to me. I turned the glass container around. The consistency of the liquid reminded me of honey. The strange thing is how the liquid glow. It looked surreal.

“Thank you” I thanked Muria.

After that, we went for a tour around the mansion. I’ve learned that they have around 300 servants managing the manor. They have a separate building for all the staying servants. The person who’s sitting on top of the hierarchy is Mr. Pierr. He has been serving the Easton family for whole his life. Everyone respects him, including the Lord himself too.

“And… this is The Easton Book Hall.” Muria stated as she opened the tall wooden door, different than any other doors decorating the hall that we passed through. We were now in the West Wing of the Manor. It was the wing where the Main Family mostly visited.

As the door fully opened, the smell of leather and paper immediately filled my nostrils. The Book Hall is spacious and tranquil. Despite the direct sunlight, the room is comfortably cool. I can imagine myself spending hours in this place. I’ve always been a book person after all. Seeing all these books surely brought back of some memories from my original world. But, before I could indulge myself into the knowledge of this world. There’s something I must do first.

First, I need to learn their language...

I glanced at the leather bracelet which still wrapped around my wrist since I first got it. Although it looked tough, I have to think the worst situation when I lost it. I can't rely on that.

Hmm… maybe I should ask Miss Rhoselyn later…

We spent almost an hour walking around the manor. We visited almost all places except the floor where the main family’s resting chamber was positioned. Muria told me it was on the highest floor of the manor. Now, we strolled around the backyard garden outside the building.

“…the garden is Miss Rhoselyn’s favorite place. She loves viewing the flowers. Especially this one.” Muria gestured at the purple lavender-like flower but smell like roses. These flowers were planted all around the backyard. Elly seemed to like the flowers too. She put her nose close to sniff it and she was delighted.

“By the way, Muria… Does Miss Rhoselyn has any other sibling?” I asked out of curiosity. When we were touring around, I’ve only seen servants and the patrolling soldiers. Mr. Pierr did tell Rhoselyn that the lord is in the city. But, I assume she has more family.

“Yes… Miss Rhoselyn has an older brother, Mr. Richatt roy Easton. But, he is currently not in the city.” Muria promptly answered.

“I see… How about their mother?” I continued.

“Uhm… I heard that she had passed away when they were young” Muria answered as her eyes glinted with sympathy.

“So, I assume that Miss Rhoselyn is always alone in the manor?” I stated and immediately got a positive reaction from Muria. She leaned closer as she bobbed her head up and down.

“Yes! The Lord and Mr. Richatt are always out on duty. Miss Rhoselyn looked so lonely whenever they do. But, she never complained because she understands that was their jobs. She studies hard for every day in order to aid them in the future.” Muria started babbling her admiration toward Rhoselyn.

She seemed to think very highly of Rhoselyn…

“…she excels in everything! She can speak other races languages, she can cook and sew, her dance is elegant, her poets are beautiful. What’s most amazing is that she learned the healing magic. She's not only talented, she's very diligent" Muria talked with excitement.

"Hmm... Is it difficult to learn healing magic?" I bluntly asked Muria. Her eyes widened as a reaction.

"Yes, of course! It isn't about the 'healing magic'. It is 'magic', overall." She squawked but then she cleared her throat. "Ahem- Not only you need to have a whole lot of mana in disposal, you have to master the control too. Controlling mana is the hardest part for a magic user but also the most important basic." Muria spiritedly explained.

"You are a magic user, aren't you?" I asked. Muria sighed at my question and she put on a wry smile as she nodded. But after the nod, she vigorously shook her head to deny her earlier nod.

"I-I don't have the talent like Miss Rhoselyn" She panicked and avoid meeting my eyes.

"But, you did that... butterfly thing" I reminded her of what she did. Her face slowly turned pink as she quickly covered her face with both hands.

"T-That was nothing compared to Miss Rhoselyn..." She continued stuttering and getting so bashful by these words.

"Elly like that!" Elly suddenly stomped closer as she simply jumped in the conversation. Elly tiptoed and pull the hands covering Muria's face down and stared into her eyes. "Elly want to see more!" She beamed her a big wide smile and Muria got surprised. She awkwardly pulled herself away while fidgeting on the place.

"Yeah, I want to see it too" I agreed with Elly. I didn't have the chance to observe how she did it. I might as well learn something from her. Muria looked at me and Elly, back and forth. She couldn't resist the stare from Elly and finally spoke, "O-okay... Just this once" She uttered.

Muria gently raised her open palm up to her chest level as she slowly breathed in. She whispered some words under her breath while her eyes focused on mid-air. The mana started gathering and slowly turned into a visible butterfly. It was tiny and near transparent, like the butterflies I saw before we entered the city. She sent the butterfly off and it hovered around Elly. Although it was formed by mana and her imagination alone. One wouldn't know it was not a real butterfly without close inspection.

From what I observed, the mana which formed the body of the butterfly didn't come from her. She formed it out of the surrounding mana... Maybe, I can do that...

After flying for a while, the butterfly slowly faded into thin air and disappeared. It didn't last long. Muria sighed at it, "That's all I can do" She muttered as she put a disappointed expression.

"I think you did great, Muria" I tried encouraging her. Muria was taken aback by my words as she quietly glanced at me.

"...The detail of the butterfly is amazing. I believe you have trained a lot" I added.

Muria was confounded. She didn't expect those words. She was stunned for a few seconds before she stuttered and her face boiled pink again, "E-E-Ehh??" Muria covered her face with her hands again. I assumed that was her habit when she felt embarrassed.

Actually, I didn't know if other people in this world can also do that or not. Little compliment won't do any harm, right? I need to gain her trust before I can ask some internal questions...

"Did you mean it?" She asked me while peeking from behind her hands.

"Yes" I answered. Muria slowly lowered her hands as she calmed down a bit. She looked at me with doubt but she's interested.

"You are very kind..." She uttered as she bashfully smiled at me.

I guess she’s not that hard to handle…

["Yuu... Look at your North-West direction... But stay behind the shrub"] Elly suddenly barged into my head. She sounded serious. I immediately did as she told me to. I fixated my eyes toward the direction.

Nearby the mansion back entrance, there are two men standing while talking to a maid at the door. The maid pointed at our direction and their eyes followed the finger. It was Erol and another guard uniform man. Erol turned around facing our side but haven't seen us because of the trimmed shrubs nearly blocking us. But, I can see them clearly from my position. Once that another person turned around, I was surprised.

That man is the one who saw my face back at 'The Hell Gate'.