Chương 31: Chapter 26. A Maid's Observation

Anna Mori's Point of View Hello, my name is Anna, I am a Maid by trade. However, my Job is the Druid Class. Once I was Appraised and my Job was known, I worked hard to make my combat abilities as great as possible. After graduating from the Royal Academy I took to the family business. / Sniff. / My Family, who for generation after generation, were part of the Scouting Division of the Royal Diablos Army, after 2 years of my hard work, told me that my Job did not match up well with scouting work.

Instead, I was instructed by my Father to work as a Maid. And like that, I was whisked away to The Royal Palace of Diablos due to my Father's connections. As a person who spent the majority of her days practicing Magic and Martial Skills, I found it incredibly difficult to properly adapt. From my cooking to my etiquette, I could never do anything right. Aside from cleaning, which thanks to the abilities of a Dodomeki, was child's play for me. / Sniff! / 4 months had passed like that.

Perhaps because of my Talent in cleaning, I was given the Honor to continue working in the Royal Palace of Diablos. My Family were very proud of this, but I was filled with dread. Could such a failure as myself, really be worthy of working for the Royal Family of Diablos? It didn't take long for me to receive an emphatic answer to that. On the day after Princess Sarah had drifted to her deep sleep, I had dropped food I was transporting to a dining hall, causing a massive interruption for my co-workers.

After my work had finished, I went to the inner courtyard so I could cry in private. Us Maids of the castle have lodging in a live in dormitory, but the walls are thin. I didn't wish for my sobs to annoy my co-workers even more. Everyone in the Royal Palace were on edge as we all watched Princess Sarah slowly weaken over time. / Sniff! / When I had made it to a location that had become a second home for me, a place for me to unload all of my sorrow in, I was surprised to find someone already there.

Her Majesty Queen Aqua was already there crying as well. I had heard her quiet sniffs as she cried silently to herself. Her Majesty Princess Sarah had been in a deep sleep for around 30 hours at this point, growing weaker all the while. Queen Aqua noticed I was there. As I stood there, flustered at her stare, I tried to hand her a handkerchief, while stuttering trying to speak." Her M- Majesty Queen Aqua! I-I-I I'm sorry to have s-s... Stumbled upon you!" Queen Aqua softened her face and spoke to me."

I highly doubt I'm worthy of being called "Queen", at this moment, I'm just a grieving Mother." The look of sadness permeating her blue eyes left me speechless. Queen Aqua took my handkerchief and proceeded to clean her cheeks of her tears. After handing me back my handkerchief, she began to speak to me." You are the new Maid... Anna! Right?"" Yes, Your Majesty."" Why are you here in this place? Did you get lost?"" No, Your Majesty. I was going to do the same thing you were doing."" Why is that?"

To her questioning gaze, I recounted my tale of how I became a Maid and how I believe myself to be unfit for service and not being worthy of serving the Royal Family. To this, Queen Aqua asked me how long I had been working in the Royal Palace. I answered her after only a moment of thought." 3 months, Your Majesty."" I see..." After her response, we simply stared at each other. Not being able to stand the quiet, I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind."

If only someone could appear out of thin air to help solve my problem. Life would be so much easier!"

"!" Queen Aqua, listening to my words, looked as if she was struck by something. Her eyes widened for a moment and then she was deep in thought. Now, noticing what I had just said and remembering Princess Sarah, I hurriedly got down and bowed with my head to the ground." I'm so sorry Your Highness! What I said was extremely rude!" After 3 minutes of holding my position, I heard the Queen laugh while mumbling " Yes... Yes, that could work... It would be a gamble, but it would be possible with myself directing it!"

After piecing together her words. puzzled by them, I raised my head and called to her." Your Highness?" If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Queen Aqua perhaps snapping out of her trance, remembered I was there and spoke to me." Ah yes! Anna! Thank you, Anna, you've gifted me Inspiration." Queen Aqua had seemed to regain some of her energy finally. I looked at her puzzled, but she seemed to have remembered something and continued to speak."

Now as for your problem, Anna. You must learn the proper way of doing things, through observation with your many beautiful eyes. I will have my Maid, Trish, look after you! Observe her, starting tomorrow. Oh, as an aside, when we are in private call me Aqua! I quite like you, Anna!"" As you command Your Highne.... I mean A-A Aqua!"" Yes, that's good. I will have Trish fetch you in the morning! Good night to you, Anna. I have some work to do now!" Like a woman possessed, Aqua ran towards the castle.

Left to myself, I noticed that I was feeling much better now. I decided to go to bed and returned to my bedroom. After that, I was trained thoroughly by Trish. I am proud to say my Skills have improved remarkably. However, the other Servants have been treating me even worse, perhaps they think I have curried favor with Aqua. This continued on until one day, 2 months after that night with Queen Aqua, I was called into the Private Office of His Majesty, King Warrick.

Believing to have done something wrong, I was beyond nervous. But when I arrived, in the room also sat my Teacher, Trish and Aqua. They beckoned me to sit. I did as I was instructed. I looked around and noticed many old books, noticing my fear, His Majesty spoke." Anna, please, relax yourself. You have done nothing wrong. We simply wish to thank you for helping My Wife come up with a plan to save Our Daughter."" How did I help with that!?" I was so surprised I forgot to mind my manners.

Trish looked at me with her sharp eyes, but Aqua spoke next." Now, now, Trish, you can't blame her for being so surprised." Aqua then looked at me and spoke." That night Anna. You mentioned how if someone could appear to help your problem, it would be so simple. From that, I thought of using the Hero Displacement Spell of old, the Humans are looking to Summon a Hero in a few days. But instead of a Hero, I would find a Paladin or Saint Lord instead." Is that even possible, Your Highness?""

Now, now, I told you Anna, you are to call me Aqua in private.

"My Lady!" Trish spoke out to Aqua telling me to call her by name. Aqua looked at Trish and spoke to her." Oh, come now Trish! No need to be jealous you are forever going to be my Friend and Exclusive Maid." Aqua then proceeded to pet Trish on the head. Trish started to show a side I never seen before." But Big Sis, you need to be careful with how close you are to people."" Perhaps, but my judgement has never led me astray.

From picking up an orphan off the streets and raising her to be a splendid Maid, to capturing the best man in all the world! Fufufu." Aqua began laughing in a prideful manner while Warrick and Trish had complicated expressions on their faces. Aqua continued to speak after laughing." Now, Anna. As I understand it, Trish believes you are a competent Maid now in your own right. However, the other Servants still treat you with scorn. I've thought up a plan to counter act all of this!"" What is it, Aqua?""

The chances of us Summoning a Paladin or Saint Lord is around 80%. After we do and I get a feel for their character, I'd like to make you their Exclusive Maid. The Servants will think twice of messing with the Maid of the person who saved the Princess and is owed a favor by the King and Queen after all!" Aqua explained her plan with confidence. As a Maid, there was only one answer to give to my Queen... No, my Friend!" Ok, I'll trust in your plan and judgment, Aqua." Everyone was smiling.

I was told to continue my Duties and on the day of the Summoning I was given a day off. Perhaps planned out, so that the Paladin or Saint Lord wouldn't run into me. That night, I returned to the castle; I was called by Aqua. As soon as I entered the room, I was warmly welcomed by His Majesty and Aqua. Aqua decided to tell me the news." First off, the Summoned is a Paladin, an 18-year-old boy named John Ericsson. He saved Sarah and they are both now resting in their individual bedrooms.

Due to a few unforeseen circumstances, Sarah has fallen head over heels for John and wants to Marry him as soon as possible."" Wait... I need to process all of that!"" You and me both, Anna." His Majesty Warrick looked befuddled. I suppose it is no easy task to give a daughter's hand away in Marriage. His Highness looked more a sad father than King that night. Aqua continued to speak after I processed everything." Now! I believe he will be a good Master to you. Do you still want to work as an Exclusive Maid?"

I answered." Yes! I trust you, Aqua!" These past few months working with Trish, I've spent quite a few days with Aqua. I've learned her judgement is second to none. So, after answering, I was told to prepare for the Engagement Announcement tomorrow and to start my new job as an Exclusive Maid." Haa..." I could only sigh... Not from meeting him. My first meeting with John was a pleasant one, even though he came from another world, he wasn't disgusted by the large number of eyes around my body.

In fact, he seemed fascinated by it. Like a child seeing a new species of dog or cat for the first time, his expression was quite cute to me. Afterwards, I was there to watch the Announcement and with my Dodomeki Abilities I was able to see his response in the Throne Room clearly. His kindness was appreciated, but his denseness of not noticing Princess Sarah's obvious infatuation was frustrating. After their kiss, it seemed to go well. I simply left it to them after that and proceeded to clean Master's room.

The next day was a turning point. I followed Master to his classes after having him eat the breakfast I made him. Ever since the incident with General Peter, I was informed I would be handling Master's meals as well as general itinerary such as clothes and sheets for his bed. At the classroom is where a certain incident happened... I had to help Master with his Mana Control. I felt his mana, it was so warm, like I was being wrapped in a blanket during a cold night.

I instantly understood why Princess Sarah fell for him. If I was blanketed in such dense, warm, comfortable mana, I would also fall deeply in... Wait I should stop thinking like that! It will only lead to a terrible fate." Haa..." But I could not take my own advice. I watched Master struggle with his Swordsmanship Class. I couldn't help but feel the need to help him. I fought the emotion bubbling within me.

Master eventually, through repetition, was able to lessen the strain, perhaps he is more Talented than I thought. His Ability to adapt to his Control is admirable. it took me 3 days to be able to hold a sword when I first started Controlling my Mana. After the strain lessened, perhaps from exhaustion, Master showed his childish side again. General Crest and I couldn't help but laugh.