Maid a Friend

-----Yui's POV

Waking up, my mind was still racing at what happened yesterday. I can't believe that I can now use magic of my own! Sure it's technically Kaede's magic that I'm using, but it's a part of me so it counts! One thing that we couldn't find out from Mai's inspection was why I need to drink Kaede's blood. But since it's not doing any harm, I think's it's fine.

Kaede: "Mmm-morning."

Yui: "Good morning!~"

It's honestly rare for me to see Kaede waking up nowadays, usually she'd be the one already awake.

Kaede: "You're up early."

Yui: "Mm! I was thinking of going back home and telling everyone the good news!"

Kaede: "Mmm, I see."

Yui: "Did you want to come over?"

She's met my mom before after that tournament finished, and also back when mom went looking for me, but she still hasn't visited, not even once.

Kaede: "I'd love to... But not today."

Yui: "Hmm? You got plans with Violet?"

Kaede: "No, but I do have plans on trying to meet with Gabriella today. Olivia will be helping me out."

All week now, she's been trying to catch Gabriella. If this continues on, I don't think it'll end well.

Yui: "I see. Well maybe next week you can come visit?"

Kaede: "Mhmm!"

With our plans now made, we kiss for a brief moment before getting out of bed.

Just like usual, I drink Kaede's blood from the palm of my hand. However, I couldn't help but notice Kaede wearing a worried expression on her face. I quickly drink up the rest that's in her palm before I straighten up.

Yui: "What's wrong?"

Kaede: "You feeling okay?"

Yui: "Of course. Although it's still weird having to drink your blood, haha."

Kaede: "Okay, good."

It's strange that she deflected my concern, but I guess maybe she doesn't want to talk about it at the moment? I choose not to pursue it further and begin to get changed. I had to undo the braid that Natalie done up with my hair for the shower last night. I feel bad about doing it, so I'm hoping she could do it again for me. Actually-

Just as I was about to brush my hair, I put the brush down. "If I'm going to be a duchess' daughter, then it might be better for Natalie to brush my hair instead?" I have to give her "some" work after all, haha.

Kaede: "Not doing your hair?"

Yui: "Nope~ I have a personal maid now. Got to give her some work, haha."

Kaede: "I feel sorry for her, hehe."

I think Natalie actually enjoys it. I still remember her smiling, and giggling away as she was treating me. As long as I don't cause another "wet" incident, I think I'll be fine.

We exit our door as we begin to part ways.

Yui: "What time will you be done?"

Kaede: "I'm not sure. I don't know how long it'll take."

Yui: "I'll meet you back here then?"

Kaede: "Mhmm"

With a smile, I turn around to head out of the dorms. Kaede remains back as I take one final look towards her, admiring her beauty before going down the stairs.

Now outside, I'm reminded how I've always had my hair up in a ponytail. The wind is thrashing my hair all over the place, making my already messy bed hair, even more of a mess. Natalie, I hope you're prepared for one hell of a job!

Eventually, I arrive back at home as the butler from yesterday greets me before leading me inside. With the wind now absent, my hair can finally calm down as I brush my hair out of my face.

Head Maid: "Welcome back, young mistress."

Yui: "Good morning. Is mom here?"

Head Maid: "Yes. But she does have plans today."

I do recall my mom saying she was going to be busy during our talk yesterday. I guess I won't get in the way.

Yui: "Did she say what it was she was doing?"

Head Maid: "It's the end of the week now, so she'll be going over all her trade routes like usual."

I guess this might be some kind of hidden message? "Going over her trade routes" could mean that she's getting in contact with the Queen of Yarene. But that's just me over analyzing probably.

Natalie: "Ah! My-"

Coming out from the corner, I could see the familiar sight of Natalie, dressed in her uniform, only this time, it wasn't soaked like yesterday.

Natalie: "Your hair's a mess!"

Yui: "I woke up and I just couldn't get my hair under control. So I rushed over here!"

Natalie: "Pfft! Seriously?"

Yui: "Mm!"

Head Maid: "I'll be heading back now. It's good to see you again, young mistress."

Yui: "Yes, thank you."

She leaves us before heading in the direction to my mom's room. I guess mom is getting ready to today?

Natalie: "Come. Let's get that hair of yours fixed."

Yui: "Yes~"

We both begin to walk up the stairs before heading inside my room. Natalie closes the door behind us as I sit down on a chair in quite an excited manner. I still remember yesterday when she was brushing my hair. Sure I may have been basically naked at the time, but I still remember how relaxing it was to have your hair brushed by someone else.

Natalie: "You seem in a good mood, miss."

Yui: "Of course. I get to be pampered once more."

To be honest, I could take it or leave it. But today, I'm embracing my roots, and living like how a duchess' daughter should be.

Natalie: "Gosh. You didn't even try, did you?"

Yui: "Nope~"

Natalie: "Very well. Please let me know if it's too painful for you."

Yui: "Yes."

The instant the brush made contact with my hair, I could feel my hair being yanked on, causing my head to tilt back. Okay... Maybe I fucked up. This isn't relaxing at all.

Natalie: "You okay?"

Yui: "Yes!"

Natalie: "I'll try and be a bit more gentler."

She moves to brush my hair from the very ends of my hair, but even then, I could still feel some force, however it wasn't too bad.

Natalie: "Your hair's such a mess..."

Yui: "I'm sorry. I didn't think it'd be this bad."

Natalie: "Don't be. This is a part of my duties."

She sure is being gentle with my hair as I begin to feel more comfort with her brushing my hair, rather than discomfort. This is the exact reason why I liked to have my hair short, but I can't go back now. I've grown to love my long hair now, just as much as Kaede.

Natalie: "So how's the academy treating you? What's it like?"

Yui: "You never attended?"

Natalie: "Of course not. Mainly nobles attend that academy. It's too prestigious for someone like me."

Yui: "Well, you're not missing out on much. But I did make some cool friends."

Natalie: "I see, that's good."

I can't see her face since she's behind me while brushing my hair, but I felt like her voice just now was a little off.

Natalie: "Maybe you could invite them over sometime. I'd love to meet them."

Yui: "Y-yes, I was actually planning on bringing one of them over next week."

Natalie: "Really?"

Yui: "Yes!"

...

Yui: "Say, Natalie."

Natalie: "Hmm?"

Yui: "What was your life like? Before coming here?"

Natalie: "Haven't I told you already?"

Yui: "I know. But I just want to learn more about you. Like did you have any friends growing up?"

Natalie: "You caught that, huh?"

Yui: "..."

Natalie: "You're quite perceptive, hehe. Yes, I did have friends-"

"Did." I can't help but focus on that word in particular.

Natalie: "I went to school, so of course I made a few friends along the way. But I couldn't finish school due to my family. I haven't seen my friends ever since."

Yui: "You didn't keep in contact?"

Natalie: "We were only little. And they lived far from our place. Everything happened so fast that I couldn't even tell them before I had to leave school."

My chest begins to sting upon hearing that. Not even able to say goodbye? My mind races at what her friends would think. They probably thought she abandoned them.

Yui: "Why couldn't you visit them?"

Natalie: "I was afraid that they'd hate me. But I did try to after years passed. But I found it was already too late."

Yui: "What do you mean?"

Natalie: "They didn't remember who I was."

The stinging pain in my chest grows hotter once more.

Yui: "What?! Seriously? Friends wouldn't forget each other."

Natalie: "Maybe now, but we were kids back then. Even I was pretty dumb and decided to leave that past behind me."

Yui: "Wait. So you've never made friends after that?"

Natalie: "Not really. Unless you count my fellow maids here, hehe."

Yui: "What about me?"

Natalie: "Hmm?"

It hurts to hear her talk like this. Sure, I'm glad that the other maids are treating her well, but to think my personal maid grew up with no friends to call her own...

Yui: "I'll be your friend."

Natalie: "Thank you, but I am just a maid working for your mom. It'd be rude to be on equal ground with someone such as-"

Yui: "So? I'm a unique case. So what's the harm in making a friend?

She lets out a chuckle and she stops brushing my hair. There's still some knots left, but she's done an amazing job so far.

Yui: "Natalie?"

Natalie: "But I'm just a maid. A commoner. I couldn't ask for something like-"

Yui: "So? I've made friends with 2 commoners now. I don't think status should play a part in who you can be friends with."

Natalie: "But you just asked me yesterday to be your maid."

Yui: "Yes, and now I'm asking you to be my friend."

I can feel her hands gripping onto my hair, like she's trying to seek comfort in my hair which puts a smile on my face. But seeing as she's stopped brushing my hair for the time being, I sit up and turn to face her. It was then that I saw streaks of tears pouring down her face as she avoids eye contact with me.

Natalie: "D-don't look at me."

Yui: "What's so wring with being friends with me."

Natalie: "There's nothing wrong with you-"

Yui: "So? Let's be friends, yeah?"

Natalie: "..."

Yui: "I'm not doing this out of pity. I genuinely want to be your friend. I wouldn't have showed you my- my body like that if I didn't!"

Natalie: "Pfft!"

It might be because of my own, embarrassment, but it seems to have lightened Natalie's mood slightly. The stinging pain in my chest still lingers as I wait for an answer as I try and fight through my embarrassment.

Natalie: "...I'll still be your maid."

Yui: "Not a problem."

Natalie: "So I can be both?"

Yui: "Of course."

Natalie: "Then-"