Maid Etiquette

“Our shop offers a generous salary, but in return, the requirements for our employees—that is, our maids—are stricter.

“Next, I will teach and train you to become an excellent maid.”

“It might be a bit strict, and I hope you can accept that.”

“Of course, you don’t need to feel too much pressure.”

“Considering you are just a student, I won’t be too demanding.”

“Can you accept these terms?”

Aliciel’s smile vanished, her expression turning serious.

She might be casual about other things, but when it came to the path of a maid, she would devote twelve times her usual effort.

Feeling the pressure emanating from Ciel, Claire shrank back timidly and said intermittently in an unconfident tone:

“I… I will… do my best…”

“Alright, first, let me ask, have you ever been to a maid café before? Or a similar establishment?”

“No, this is my first time in a big city like this.”

“I used to live in a remote village, but I helped out at my family’s restaurant when I was little, so I know a little about cooking.”

“Is that so?”

“I understand.”

“Alright, let’s do a practical exercise first.”

“You will play the role of a customer to experience the differences between a maid café and an ordinary restaurant firsthand.”

“Observe carefully the etiquette a maid should know.”

“Oh, okay.”

Claire nodded.

Perhaps due to nervousness, her steps were a bit stiff as she moved to the door, closed it, and then opened it again.

“Welcome, Master.”

Ciel maintained her gentle smile and welcomed Claire into the shop.

First, she placed a stack of clean, neat wet towels and a glass of lemonade on the table.

“It’s hot outside.”

“Would you like a maid to wipe your sweat for you?”

“N-no need… I can do it myself.”

Although she knew it was an exercise, Claire was clearly not used to being served.

She quickly picked up the towel on the table and wiped her face, then took a sip from the glass.

The iced water, with a hint of sweet and sour, flowed down her throat, indeed quenching her thirst and calming her nervous mood considerably.

Ciel then refilled her glass and handed her the menu.

“Please place your order, respected Master.”

“We’re having a grand opening promotion, with discounts on set meals.”

“Ah, thank you.”

“Oh! So expensive.”

Claire opened the menu and saw the dazzling array of dishes and the prices marked next to them.

Her mouth twitched.

A simple drink started at one Star Coin, which could buy a whole roasted chicken in the village.

And the items on this menu, apart from the suffixes “bread” and “rice,” she couldn’t understand at all.

She recognized every word, but when combined, they were confusing.

Could “duck shit” really be made into a drink?

City folks were really something.

“If Master doesn’t know what to choose, would you like this humble servant to make a recommendation?”

Seeing Claire’s inexperienced look, Aliciel maintained a faint smile, bent down slightly to be at eye level with her, and asked softly.

“Then… please do.”

“Alright, this humble servant recommends Set A, which includes omurice, a full fruit drink, and a milk pudding dessert.”

“Okay, I’ll have that.”

Claire glanced at the price.

Hmm, a full five Star Coins.

So expensive!

But since it was an exercise, it probably wouldn’t actually be served, just for show.

“Certainly, please wait a moment.”

Aliciel took the menu and walked towards the kitchen.

Seeing that Ciel didn’t come out after entering the kitchen, and hearing the faint sounds of pots and pans, it seemed she was actually cooking.

Claire felt a sense of foreboding and was about to speak up and stop her, but the next moment, Aliciel was already walking out with a tray of food.

“Miss Ciel…”

“Don’t be nervous, it’s just an exercise.”

“I forgot to mention earlier, besides the salary, our shop also provides food and lodging for the maids.”

“This meal is free.”

“I-is that so?”

“Of course.”

Ciel smiled and placed the tray on the table, lifting the cover.

The aroma of rice and eggs filled the air.

Claire, who hadn’t even had breakfast, couldn’t help but swallow her saliva just from the smell.

“Now then, please allow this humble servant to cast a delicious spell on this omurice.”

“A spell? Can magic be used for cooking?”

“Of course.”

Ciel smiled faintly, picked up the ketchup and salad dressing bottles, and slowly squeezed them onto the omurice, muttering:

“To the Lord of Stars who created all things, may you look down upon these humble mortals, hear the prayers of the living, enjoy this meager offering, and bestow your starlight to protect the people of this world.”

“May the starlight be with you.”

“The delicacy blessed by starlight will become even more delicious.”

As Aliciel chanted in a rapid, low voice, a magic circle made of ketchup and salad dressing appeared.

The moment Ciel finished the last sentence, the entire magic circle emitted a faint, star-purple light, then melted into a pool of star-purple liquid, covering the entire omurice.

This was not a spell Aliciel made up on the spot.

It was a spell she created by imitating the Head Maid’s delicious spell and infusing it with her own star power.

“So… so beautiful… sparkling… just like the night sky…”

Looking at the sauce on the plate, which sparkled like a night sky, Claire was almost reluctant to destroy the beautiful scene.

“To be a maid here, do I need to know magic?”

“Don’t worry, even ordinary people can learn the delicious spell.”

“And I will adjust it according to your constitution.”

“For a cute girl like you, it will definitely be no problem.”

“Ah… thank you.”

Praised again, Claire shyly lowered her head and focused on the omurice.

She scooped up a small spoonful with her spoon and looked at the red rice wrapped in the egg omelet, feeling a little dazed.

After all, the staple food in the Western fantasy world was still bread.

Rice was mostly imported from the East, and a farm girl like her rarely ate rice.

She put it in her mouth and first tasted the soft omelet, followed by the soft and sticky rice, and the diced vegetables and meat mixed in.

A small bite allowed Claire to taste several flavors at once: the fragrance of egg, rice, meat, and vegetables.

Several delicious tastes perfectly blended together, paired with the mysterious sauce that looked like a night sky.

An indescribable deliciousness bloomed on her tongue.

Delicious!

Delicious!

Delicious!

An indescribable deliciousness filled Claire’s mind, and her body began to eat uncontrollably.

By the time she came to her senses, the entire plate of omurice was gone.

Looking at the empty plate, Claire belatedly realized that her table manners had been somewhat ungraceful.

The girl immediately apologized shyly.

“S-sorry…”