5

Ayla did not allow me to touch her body, so I couldn't even do maid-like tasks such as brushing her hair from behind.

When Ayla opened the door again, she had not only changed her clothes but had also finished all her preparations, leaving nothing for me to help with.

While waiting outside the room, I briefly pondered.

Should I reveal my true identity?

No. Ayla probably wouldn't remember.

I had changed far too much since those days.

I'm not talking about the change in my gender. Before that, I was essentially a completely different person from the one who wandered through back alleys, not even knowing I was an illegitimate child.

"Hmm."

Her gaze looked down at me.

"You seem to have strength, but your way of using it is all wrong."

Ayla had said that when she subdued me as I tried to steal a wallet without even drawing my sword from its scabbard.

Did she take me to her swordsmanship teacher because she genuinely thought that?

Or was it just cheap sympathy for a passerby?

It didn't matter to me either way.

During training, I was hit here and there, and if I failed to show respect, I was harshly scolded. Cheating was absolutely forbidden, and attire had to always be neat.

And no matter the situation, one must always stand with dignity.

Yes.

Dignity.

"I will leave this place soon."

One day, Ayla said that to me.

I think she was about fifteen at the time.

I was thirteen, and we had known each other for about six years.

I knew.

There were rumors surrounding Ayla. That she was the daughter of a baron who had an affair with a common-born female knight.

I don't know if that was true or not. But at least it seemed to be a fact that Ayla was the baron's illegitimate daughter.

"So, we probably won't see each other again. Goodbye. Please stay healthy."

That was her final farewell.

"Have you finally grown tired of work?"

I blinked at the sudden voice.

Ayla had already stepped out of the door. The outfit she wore was not a dress. It was somewhat dignified but also slightly worn-out trousers. The shirt she wore on top was decent, but it didn't quite match the slightly shabby pants.

Pants for a countess.

Did she secretly bring them when she got married?

"What are you staring at like that?"

"Apologies. I was briefly at a loss for words upon seeing such a beautiful lady in the morning."

"Hmm."

Did she think I was mocking her?

Ayla lightly walked past me and descended the stairs.

I quietly followed behind her.

The count's mansion, without the count, was quiet. It probably wasn't very noisy even when the servants were around.

Even when the count was alive, he was almost always in the capital. Though it couldn't be said that he had completely neglected the estate, seeing even the vassals who managed things disappear revealed the bitter truth of relationships bound by money and power.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, Ayla blinked, as if she had just realized something.

She lifted her head and looked around.

The surroundings were tidier than yesterday.

At least the visible parts were mostly cleaned. In fact, even the hidden areas had been thoroughly dusted and swept. Since Ayla and the young lady had gone to bed earlier than expected, I had plenty of time to clean.

During the remaining time, I lightly organized the storeroom and checked what was left in the mansion.

Simply put, not much remained. At least, anything visibly valuable seemed to have already been taken away.

However, there was still a large unopened safe. Surely, the most important documents would still be inside it.

The count was not the trusting type.

There were also several farming tools and rusty weapons left behind.

"Did you clean all night long or something?"

"It wasn't such a difficult task, Lady Ayla."

When I said that while lightly bowing my head with my hands clasped over my stomach, Ayla stared at me for a moment.

"…Well, it's something expected of a maid."

Ayla seemed slightly embarrassed at having shown a flustered expression and quickly composed herself before resuming her steps.

Still, she didn't say anything about me following her.

She must have noticed from my gait and movements that I was someone who had undergone training.

Until she could fully gauge my skills, she would likely leave me be for now.

The place Ayla was heading towards was the mansion's back door.

And outside the door was a greenhouse.

For someone of a count's status, it's only natural to care about everything they eat. A true gourmet would value fresh vegetables as much as meat and spices.

Even though the count rarely dined in this mansion, he had a greenhouse built and maintained.

"It's not just about saving money."

Young Ayla had said that.

"It's about gratitude."

When I made a sullen face, Ayla smirked.

"Well, I also think it's just an excuse. But the way words are delivered can change how they're perceived."

Yes, no matter how fresh the vegetables are, they can't stay intact in storage for a month.

Back then and even now, Ayla never gave up. That likely had nothing to do with whether the count was alive or dead.

"…"

Then, even when she sat alone, lonely at the ballroom, did she not give up?

Was she waiting for an opportunity?

"I'll help as well."

When I said that to Ayla, who had entered the greenhouse and was lifting a basket, she looked at me.

"There are many ways I can assist you, Lady Ayla, even without holding a blade."

As I said that and bowed my head slightly, Ayla didn't refuse any further.

She didn't show it outwardly, but had she perhaps grown tired?

Was the reason she hadn't left the mansion yet because she was worried about the young lady left behind?

I felt a slight pang of jealousy.

"The sun is already high in the sky, my lady."

"Ugh… Just a little longer…"

The young lady was extremely lazy.

When I first met her, I thought she had been surprisingly well-educated.

Perhaps this personality was an innate trait after all.

"My lady."

When I spoke a little more firmly, the young lady rustled under the blanket and slightly poked her face out.

"Young Lady of the Count's family cannot simply remain in bed all day."

"…Alright."

At my words, the young lady eventually sat up in bed.

For someone who had lost her father only a month ago, she seemed surprisingly composed for a gently-raised noblewoman.

Or perhaps he had been too distant for her to truly recognize him as her father. Whether that's a blessing or not remains to be seen.

"So, what am I supposed to do today? Am I going to have lessons or something?"

"There's no specific schedule today, my lady."

"Then why did you wake me up so early?"

"Because if you sleep too late, you won't be able to fall asleep at night."

The young lady pouted.

I know Ayla didn't get along particularly well with the previous servants, but I wonder how the young lady managed.

Seeing how she behaves, their relationship might not have been as bad as I thought. Considering how distant the Count was.

It's not uncommon for some servants to act as if they were the true masters of the house.

"Then, I'll wait outside."

"Uh…"

As I was about to leave, the young lady's hesitant voice stopped me.

When I turned back, she hesitated briefly before speaking.

"Could you… perhaps help me get ready?"

I silently walked back towards the young lady.

And so, another uneventful day passed.

The young lady seemed slightly relieved by my presence. Yes, as if she had been wondering what would happen next, but now felt reassured because at least one person was left to guard the house.

The expression Ayla once used, 'like a knight,' might have been the very reason the young lady felt at ease.

And, somewhat ironically, even Ayla herself seemed to have relaxed a little.

Though she hadn't completely let her guard down.

"Hm."

I stared into the mirror in my room, deep in thought.

I grabbed my cheeks with both hands and stretched them out, then pressed them down from the sides. The skin, much softer than when I was a man, shifted with my movements.

But no matter how I manipulated it, it didn't look soft.

The young lady is still young, so her innocence might excuse her trust, but Ayla…

Perhaps the more one knows, the more one doubts.

And the meaning behind what I said earlier, that I 'owed a debt to the Count,' might have sounded a bit off to Ayla.

But now, suddenly acting softer isn't an option. There's nothing more suspicious than someone changing overnight.

I must continue playing the perfect maid and gradually make them believe.

While making various expressions in the mirror and wondering which one suited me better—

An alarm rang.

Of course, I had prepared all kinds of alarm traps around the mansion last night. There was a reason my bag was packed full of magical equipment.

"Perfect timing."

It's been a month since the Count died.

It's not surprising that someone would start scouting the area, checking if the mansion was truly abandoned.

Alright.

If being a perfect maid isn't enough to earn their trust—

Then I'll earn it by being a perfect problem solver.