~~~Arc 2: Complications of Relationships~~~
[I Have Been Waiting]
(Syrup Side)
My master had gone to attend Alecidus Royal Academy.
Master could take care of himself just fine, but he found it troublesome. He would only be diligent when it came to his morning routine, but once he went back to sleep afterward, he wouldn’t wake up easily.
Sometimes he would sleep all day. Hence I was concerned he would oversleep at school.
If I was by his side, I would be able to wake him up, change his clothes, brush his teeth as I sat him on my lap… Was he doing all right? Every day, not a single minute passed without me worrying about his well-being.
I was doing my work in the mansion, but suddenly, my ears pricked up; I felt like Master just called me. Before Master had gone to the academy, I had always stayed near his room and waited for him to summon me.
Oh, it was just my imagination… I hurried to Master’s room to see if he was there as I did every day out of loneliness, but once again not finding Master in the room—although it was only natural—my tail hung limp.
“Syrup, you keep doing this every day.”
“Mother.”
“You are Lord Luc’s personal maid. Your role is to protect Lord Luc’s mansion. How are you going to do that if you don’t pull yourself together?”
“But… I’m lonely.”
“Haa~ it’s only been about three months since Lord Luc left… All right. I will take care of the mansion. You should take some time off of your maid duties.”
“Time off?”
“Lord Luc is doubtless growing at Alecidus Royal Academy. So, you must keep up with him.”
I had learned many things from Mother.
But I hadn’t the slightest clue what she was trying to say now.
“What am I supposed to do, then?”
“Well, if you are going to grow, leveling up would be the best option. After all, I’ve taught you all you need to know as a maid. What you are lacking now is the ability to protect Lord Luc. For that, you need experience. Go register as an adventurer and hunt monsters!”
I had learned combat skills from Mother, but I certainly didn’t have much real combat experience.
If Master was ever attacked by some villain he couldn’t handle, I would have to protect him!
“I understand! Mother. I’m going to raise my level.”
The mansion would be safe in Mother’s care.
Lord Luc, I will become stronger!
Monsters were rarely to be found around the royal capital because knights often hunt them on their patrols.
It didn’t suit my goal of leveling up, so I decided to go a bit farther; out on the frontier.
Master would return at the end of the year, so I should return by then.
I worked hard to level up so that Master would praise me for getting stronger when he came back.
There was little discrimination against demi-humans on the frontier.
I didn’t feel the contemptuous gazes that I normally did in the royal capital, and everyone, be they humans or demi-humans, worked together and helped each other against the threats of monsters.
Goblins and orcs destroyed fields, so they must be hunted in large numbers every day, or else they would cause huge damage to villages.
After coming to the Marshall Duchy, I encountered monsters or destruction left by them everywhere I went.
Every day I hunted large numbers of monsters, and my level went up rapidly.
I didn’t find it a chore. In fact, I felt it was very rewarding because it brought smiles to the villagers’ faces when I killed monsters.
“Miss Syrup. Won’t you stay here forever?”
The children in the village were cute, making me want to protect them forever.
But… I had sworn an oath.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t. Because my master is waiting for me.”
“Master?”
“Yes. He is someone who can do anything by himself, but never tries to.”
“Ehh~ he can do anything by himself but he doesn’t? He sounds like a strange person.”
“Hehe, he may be so. But he makes me feel that I’m needed, and that is enough to give me endless joy.”
“Ehh~ Miss Syrup. So you like no-good men? Adults are strange.”
“Hehe, my master isn’t a no-good man.”
“Eek!”
Talking about Master made me miss him all the more.
Half a year had passed, so it should be almost time for school break.
I supposed it was about time I returned so I could welcome Master back.
Had my hunting instincts awakened after hunting so many monsters in the Marshall Duchy? I felt like my mind had become sharper, and there was a sense of confidence to take down any opponents in my heart.
I wanted Master to see my growth… Would he praise me?
“Let’s return.”
With that, I put Marshall Duchy behind me.
“Oh my, welcome back, Syrup.”
Mother greeted me when arrived back at the mansion.
The journey from the Marshall Duchy to the royal capital was really long, and by the time I made it back, it was almost the end of the year. I must hurry make preparations to welcome Master.
“Mother, thank you for looking after the mansion while I was away. I have come to realize that I have been too spoiled by Master; I must be less dependent on him to be able to support him.”
“That’s right, yes. I see you have grown stronger, both mentally and physically. Oh right, we just hired two temporary maids while you were away.”
“Temporary maids? Can they be trusted?”
“They should. Lady Karin recommended them.”
“Did she now?”
“Yes, she wanted us to hire them as maids during Alecidus Royal Academy school break. They are apparently Lord Luc’s classmates and quite close to him, so treat them well, okay?”
I put on the mansion’s maid outfit and braced myself.
“Here they are.”
Mother brought over cute girls with her.
“I-it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Myril.”
“Hello-nya! I’m Ruby-nya.”
So these were Master’s schoolmates. They truly were cute.
And to be able to go to Alecidus Royal Academy together with Master… I was envious of them.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Syrup, Lord Luc’s personal head maid.”
“Personal head maid? Since when did you get promoted?”
Mother commented something, but I decided to pay her no mind.
“You may be Master’s schoolmates, but here you are working as his maids, so I am expecting you to do your job properly. Is that understood?”
““Yes(-nya)””
I decided to personally teach them maidly work.
Miss Myril could be a little clumsy, but she was a fast learner and very organized.
Miss Ruby, meanwhile, tended to get a little carried away, but whether it be window-cleaning, bath-cleaning, or doing laundry, she did each job meticulously and excellently.
“Lady Karin, it has been a while.”
When the two completed the first stage of their learning, Lady Karin came to visit the mansion.
“It indeed has been a while, Syrup.”
“I apologize for being absent during your last visit.”
“It’s fine. More importantly, Luc is coming back today, isn’t he?”
“Master has notified us, yes.”
“Hehe, I’m thinking I’d welcome him back together with you.”
Lady Karin was Master’s fiancée.
Hence, she would one day be my mistress; she was above me
“I believe Master would be pleased.”
Lady Karin came closer and gently whispered into my ear, “Luc said he wishes to take you as his concubine. Would you agree, Syrup?”
Master really cherished me.
I felt my face heat up.
“Hehe, you don’t need to answer; your face says it all. Let us support Luc together, all right?”
Lady Karin was a great woman. She had a big heart and was willing to accept me.
“Ah, the carriage is here.”
Unconsciously, I ran to the side of the carriage so fast I surprised myself.
“Hm? Heya, Syrup. I’m home.”
I was able to welcome Lord Luc first.
“Welcome back, Lord Luc. I have been waiting for your return.”
“Your tail is wagging so much. Did you miss me that much? I missed you, too.”
Master was an amazing person. He immediately understood my feelings and patted my head.
Ahh, Master was taller than before he had gone to the academy.
Before he had been about as tall as me, but now I had to look up to see his face.
“We can take our time catching up at night. Seeing as Karin is here, let us have tea for now.”
“Yes! I will prepare it right away!”
I received an order from Master for the first time in a long while.
I didn’t imagine it would make me so elated!!! I was so blessed.
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Syrup is the best
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