Newcomer? (This chapter is an additional chapter)

“Sigh…”

I swept the hallway alone, a sigh escaping my lips.

Since the ball, I’ve been sighing at least a dozen times a day.

…Good thing the young lady’s at training, or she’d hear me and come to check on me.

I can’t exactly tell her the reason for my sighs is her, can I?

“Sigh…”

Another heavy sigh.

“Why the sighs, Senior?”

“Wah!?”

Lost in my gloom, I hadn’t noticed anyone approaching, and the sudden voice startled me.

“Oh dear, did I scare you, Senior?”

Only when she stepped in front of me did I see who it was.

Dressed in a maid’s uniform, she had long azure hair and a friendly smile on her lovely face, her emerald eyes brimming with energy.

…She seems familiar, but I don’t recall any maid like her.

“…You called me Senior?”

She looks older than me.

“Yes! I’m a new maid, so you’re definitely my senior.”

“A new maid?”

Now that I think about it, after Lord Claude became duke, he decided to hire new staff to address the estate’s chronic shortage of hands.

After the demon attack, no one dared apply, and stricter screenings delayed recruitment… but now, with time passed and a new duke, hiring has smoothed out.

…In my view, this is all to set up the game’s plot. Lord Claude should be returning to school soon, unable to manage the estate forever.

Since Lord Claude chose her, I’m not too worried. We shouldn’t have another traitor.

The last traitor was understandable—Senior Anna passed the estate’s vetting before being swayed by Vladimir.

And the story doesn’t mention any more demon attacks on the estate, so I shouldn’t worry too much.

“So… what do you need me for?”

“Well, I wanted to ask you about work! I’m new, so I’m clueless about everything.”

“I see…”

When I first started, the head maid told me to ask seniors if I didn’t know something.

I was helped by the head maid and Senior Anna…

And now, I’m the senior?

It feels kind of exciting.

“Sure, I can guide you. But my work’s a bit different from other maids, so I might not teach everything perfectly.”

“Different?”

The newcomer tilted her head, puzzled.

“Yes, as the duke’s daughter’s exclusive maid, my tasks differ slightly from other maids… Though, since we were short-staffed before, I’ve done plenty of regular maid work, so I can teach you the basics.”

“Wow!”

Her eyes sparkled at my explanation.

She grabbed my hands.

“You’re the young lady’s exclusive maid? I’ve always wanted to meet you!”

“Uh…?”

I didn’t understand why she was suddenly so enthusiastic.

“So young, yet already an exclusive maid, facing and even repelling demons—Senior, you’re the idol of all the new maids! Getting your guidance makes my life complete!”

…I’m hearing this for the first time.

But being admired feels pretty nice.

“Ahem, I’m just an ordinary maid. Don’t expect too much from my guidance.”

“Got it!”

She responded energetically, pulling something from her pocket.

…A notebook?

…

“Cleaning is a daily must for maids. We sweep the estate, ensuring no cobwebs are left, and ideally, the windows should sparkle. The estate’s huge, so we divide areas, and the head maid checks regularly. If you slack off and get caught, you’ll be scolded.”

“Got it, got it!”

…

“This is the laundry room. Clothes, sheets, and such are brought here. Maids take turns washing and drying, based on the head maid’s schedule… I feel nostalgic. I haven’t done this since becoming the young lady’s exclusive maid.”

“Oh, oh! Got it, got it!”

…

“This is the servants’ dining hall. Come here during meal times, or you’ll go hungry.”

…Now that I think about it, since I started preparing the young lady’s meals, I rarely eat here.

Because of that, I’ve had less contact with other maids and didn’t notice Senior Anna’s scheme.

…It feels a bit melancholic.

“Senior, I have a question!”

The newcomer raised her hand.

“Go ahead.”

“I heard you prepare all the young lady’s meals yourself?”

“Yes.”

“Wow!”

Her eyes sparkled again.

“Your food must be delicious! Can I try some?”

“Well, I could, but it’s a special case, so I get special treatment. I’m afraid I can’t share.”

“Oh…”

Her face fell, clearly disappointed. What an easy-to-read girl.

…She’s kind of cute.

“Then, Senior, let’s go to the next—”

“Hey! Ailena! What are you doing?”

Her words were cut off by a voice that sounded almost accusatory.

I looked and saw the young lady.

Wasn’t she supposed to be at training? Why’s she in the servants’ dining hall?

Under the pressure of her gaze, I explained.

“Young lady, I’m guiding a new maid.”

Instead of easing up, she narrowed her eyes.

“…A new maid? We haven’t hired any new maids yet.”

“…Huh?”

“Oh no…”

If there’s no new maid, then who’s this…?

“Say, Ailena, what does this ‘new maid’ look like?”

“Blue hair… Here.”

I stepped aside, revealing the “newcomer” hiding behind me.

“There you are! Brother, I found her!”

“Oh dear…”

“Haah… haah…”

Only then did Lord Claude arrive, panting.

Seeing the “newcomer,” he looked exasperated.

“…Olivia, what in the world are you doing? Why are you dressed as a maid?”

“Ehe~”

The scolded girl tapped her head and stuck out her tongue, trying to play cute.

…Olivia?

That name rings a bell…

Wait, isn’t that Lord Claude’s fiancée!?