The Wife’s Learning

Ciel didn’t answer. Instead, she reached out, picked up a grain of rice from the corner of Claire’s mouth, put it in her own mouth, and said softly:

“Claire, you are very cute.”

“Ahhhhhhh—!”

Claire cried out in embarrassment again, white steam rising from her head.

“Don’t forget the drink and dessert.”

“Oh, right, sorry, sorry.”

She took a sip of the fruit tea. It was cool and refreshing, sweet but not cloying. The blend of juices from several fruits, paired with ice, gave it a unique flavor.

Most importantly, there were no pits, so she could finish it in one go.

As for the remaining dessert, it was springy and silky smooth. With a single slurp, it was all in her stomach. She hadn’t even had time to savor it, and Claire couldn’t help but feel a little regretful.

“Would you like another one?”

“Huh? Can I?”

“Of course, it’s my treat.”

With that, Aliciel picked up the plate, took it back to the kitchen, and brought back another pudding. The two of them ate and talked.

“How was it? Having experienced a maid’s service firsthand, do you now understand the differences between a maid and a regular restaurant waitress?”

“Uh… probably in the service and the food,” Claire said after some thought.

“First is the service. The maid addresses the customer as ‘Master,’ speaks softly during conversations, and her movements are very elegant. She stands tall and walks with great poise, just like a noble young lady.”

“Mm-hmm, very good. The first step to becoming a maid is to learn etiquette. Elegant etiquette can make customers feel happy.”

“The reason we call customers ‘Master’ is to close the distance with them.”

“People all yearn for recognition and respect. Most people in this world are ordinary and often troubled by real-life problems.”

“But in this café, regardless of class or status, everyone can enjoy the respect of others, and from a young and beautiful maid, no less.”

“Even if this master-servant relationship is temporary and illusory, people ultimately need an outlet, just as some people drink to drown their sorrows.”

“Being called ‘Master’ can also satisfy their vanity to some extent.”

“Can you understand what I’m saying?”

“It feels so profound… I didn’t realize there was so much to being a maid. I’ve learned a lot.”

Claire nodded slightly, seemingly moved by Aliciel’s words. Her eyes even began to sparkle.

Seeing that her maid proselytizing was going smoothly, Aliciel was also quite pleased. This girl had the potential to become her follower and join her maid corps!

“So, next, I will give you etiquette training. I don’t expect you to be perfect. As long as you can sit and stand properly, and the cup of water on the tray doesn’t spill when you walk, that’s enough. Can you do that?”

“I… I’ll try my best…”

“Louder, I can’t hear you! You want to be a maid with such a quiet voice?”

“Yes! I will do my best!”

Claire quickly straightened her back and put her legs together, responding with a serious expression like a soldier receiving instructions from an officer.

“Very good. Now, let’s talk about cooking. Although a maid café’s main focus is service, the food can’t be neglected. Can you cook?”

“Yes, my parents used to be hunters, and even now, they often go hunting in the mountains for wild boars and rabbits. I’ve been helping them since I was little and can butcher a whole wild boar by myself. The people in the village even call me the Wild Boar Princess!”

At the mention of cooking, Claire perked up, as if she had found her area of expertise.

“Oh, you can butcher a whole wild boar by yourself? That’s really impressive.”

Aliciel nodded slightly. This girl was indeed unusual. An ordinary farm child wouldn’t have the strength to butcher a wild boar.

A girl from the countryside with such pure light energy within her… could she be a lucky one blessed by an angel?

“By the way, which academy do you attend?”

“The Triune Theocracy Academy!”

“Oh?”

The Triune Theocracy Academy. Just from the name, you could tell that this academy was directly affiliated with the current state religion, the top academy in the country.

This academy adopted an elite system, recruiting talented young men and women with outstanding magical talents from all over the country, regardless of their background, only looking at their talent and aptitude.

Not to mention nobles, even the royal family couldn’t get in through connections. When Aliciel was still a man, as a duke’s son, she wasn’t even qualified for admission.

After all, the academy was under the church, and even the royal family had no right to interfere with the church.

It seemed that Claire was scouted and admitted by the academy because of her top-notch affinity for the light element.

“Wait a minute, I remember that the academy provides subsidies for students from poor families. Did you not receive it?”

“I did, but I sent all the money home. My parents aren’t in good health, and my family is in urgent need of money.”

“What a filial and good child.”

Aliciel gently patted Claire’s head, growing fonder of this gentle and cute girl.

“Cherish your family. If you encounter any difficulties, you can tell me. I know some famous doctors.”

Aliciel was a little envious of Claire for having a happy family. Her parents had passed away when she was very young. Well, not passed away, but more accurately, they had gone missing.

It was said that they were ordered by the church to conquer a labyrinth, but after entering, there was no news of them. Even the starlight in the clan that symbolized their lives went out, and they were officially declared sacrificed.

It was because of their parents’ death that her sister had to inherit the family business at a young age, managing this huge family while also taking care of her younger brother. The hardships involved were imaginable.

Therefore, Aliciel also felt a great sense of guilt towards her sister, but her longing to be a maid still made her decide to continue on this path. She could only find a way to repay her sister in the future.

“Alright, let’s get back to the topic. Since you can cook, that’s even better. Congratulations, Claire, from now on you are a member of this maid café. I will give you a uniform later. First, sign this contract, and we will have officially established an employment relationship. You can read it first and ask any questions you have.”

“Okay, I understand.”

Claire took the contract, and after reading it and confirming that there were no unreasonable clauses, she signed her name on it.

“Oh? So the Head Maid’s surname is Universe. What a rare surname.”

“It’s alright.”

Ciel smiled faintly. On the first day of opening, she had gained a cute maid. A good start.

Ting-a-ling—!

The clear sound of the bell rang, announcing the arrival of a new customer. Aliciel turned around and bowed slightly.

“Welcome, Master.”