Manners Make the Man (3)

Ever since becoming Ethan’s exclusive maid, my duties have become more structured. And with unnecessary tasks completely eliminated, my work has become much easier these days.

Personally, I feel like each day passes by incredibly quickly.

Just half a year ago, there were times when my mind was filled with thoughts of wanting to die.

But lately, there haven’t been any causes or incidents that would trigger such negative thoughts.

As a result, my life satisfaction has naturally increased, and situations that would cause stress have significantly decreased.

What changed the most over the past six months was Ethan’s personality.

It wasn’t just that he stopped harassing Lillith-his attitude had changed so much that even the mansion’s servants were frequently surprised.

“…That was a satisfying meal.”

Ethan finished his meal neatly, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and left the table.

Compared to half a year ago, his table manners had improved so drastically that even I was occasionally taken aback.

Not a single trace of anything dirty could be found on the napkin he used to wipe his mouth-proof that he hadn’t eaten messily.

It was hard to believe this was the same brat who used to grab meat with his hands and tear into it with his teeth.

‘…Even his overall impression feels oddly cleaner now.’

Honestly, the biggest reason I’d called this brat “Disgusting Dan” until now was his revolting hygiene habits.

Seeing him walk around with food stains on his clothes and around his mouth was unbearable.

But now, he not only avoided making a mess but also maintained a surprisingly neat demeanor throughout meals.

It was a stark reminder of how much cleaner behavior can change one’s entire impression.

I’d known for a while that he’d started attending etiquette lessons with the head maid, but I never expected him to actually take them seriously.

I guess when you’re born with Blackwood blood and a genius mother, learning comes quickly if you put in the effort.

Genetics really are powerful.

‘Still a pig at heart, though.’

Well, the only thing Ethan had been diligently attending was Head Maid Melissa’s etiquette lessons. He still ignored all other classes or required studies.

He showed no interest in learning the Blackwood family swordsmanship that Harold was supposed to teach him.

Nor did he seem to be putting effort into physical training or anything else.

All that had improved were his manners and hygiene-just two of his many flaws.

At least I no longer had to endure his disgusting behavior, which was a relief for me as his exclusive maid.

“You’ve finished dinner. Shall I escort you to your room, Young Master?”

“…I’ll wash up first. Please prepare my bedroom, maid.”

“Understood, Young Master Ethan.”

With manners that would have been unimaginable half a year ago, Ethan waddled out of the dining room.

Despite his still-arrogant pig-like appearance, the contrast with his newfound politeness was jarring.

As I headed upstairs to prepare his bedroom as instructed, Ethan’s voice unexpectedly called out from behind me.

“…Maid.”

“Yes?”

“After you finish preparing my bed tonight, could we talk in my room for a bit?”

“…In your room, Young Master?”

“Yeah.”

…This little shit.

Just when I thought he’d been behaving better lately, he finally starts showing his true colors.

Of course, someone like him wouldn’t change so easily.

Caught off guard by his sudden request, I couldn’t help but frown slightly.

Noticing my expression, Ethan quickly clarified his words.

“Just a quick question. Really.”

“…I see.”

“……Yeah.”

If it were really just a quick question, there’d be no need to call me to his room.

He could’ve just asked here and gotten a simple answer.

The fact that he wanted me in his bedroom-alone-right before bedtime was suspicious.

But the problem was…

‘Ugh, damn it…’

Even if I saw through his intentions, I wasn’t in a position to refuse.

A year later, I was still his exclusive maid.

Though he no longer summoned me multiple times a day like before and had improved his manners enough to stop slurping food messily…

I would still rather die than end up under this disgusting pig.

“Understood, Young Master. I’ll finish preparing your bed and wait in your room.”

“…Alright, maid.”

Since Ethan hadn’t trained in swordsmanship or mana control over the past year, I was still physically stronger than him.

If he tried anything, I could at least resist.

‘If he tries anything stupid, I’ll run first. …I’ll figure out the rest later.’

I won’t let my guard down around Disgusting Dan’s antics anymore.

Never again. Absolutely never.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

Later that evening, as darkness began to fall outside.

After finishing my usual bedroom preparations for Disgusting Dan, I deliberately positioned myself far from the bed and waited quietly for the room’s owner.

I didn’t even sit down-I needed to stay alert in case I had to run.

I also kept the magic lamp at full brightness to avoid being caught off guard in the dark.

-Creak.

“……”

In this tense atmosphere, the door opened with a squeak.

Ethan, slightly more human-looking after his bath, stepped inside.

“You’ve returned.”

“……Yeah.”

The moment he entered, his gaze unconsciously flicked to my chest before he quickly looked away.

After a year of dealing with men, I’d become hyper-aware of these glances.

It wasn’t that Ethan’s stare bothered me more than others-as a man myself, I didn’t care-but still.

“Th-The room’s bright.”

“Should I dim the light?”

“…No, whatever’s comfortable for you.”

“Then I’ll leave it as is.”

Turning it off would just give him an excuse to do something in the dark.

Even if other servants praised Ethan for “changing” or “improving,” I wasn’t fooled.

I’d seen how this bastard treated Lillith in the game-dozens of times.

Most importantly, after all the shit he’d pulled in front of me, did they really expect me to believe he’d changed just because he behaved for a few months?

I wasn’t naive enough to fall for the occasional good behavior of a fundamentally broken person.

I had to stay vigilant and suspicious-at least until I escaped the Blackwood family.

“…You could’ve sat while waiting.”

“No, I’m comfortable standing.”

“…Want to sit now?”

“I’m used to standing.”

“…Fine. I won’t force you. But come closer.”

Ethan sat at the table in the corner of the room and gestured for me to approach.

Still tense, I moved closer.

“…Maid.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Do you… have a man you like?”

“……What?”

What the hell kind of question is this?

As a former man, there’s no way I’d be into guys.

Even though I’m in Lillith’s body now, my identity hasn’t changed.

I shook my head firmly.

“No. Not at all.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes.”

And there never will be.

My answer seemed to brighten Ethan’s mood slightly, and he followed up with another question.

“Th-Then… um…”

“……”

“Do you have a… type? For men?”

“……What?”

“J-Just asking. No special meaning.”

…Yeah, there’s definitely meaning behind this.

Well, Ethan had grown a bit over the past year-maybe he was starting to develop romantic feelings.

And with someone like Lillith as his exclusive maid, it wasn’t surprising he’d be interested.

This was basically an indirect way of asking if I was interested in him.

‘I knew this day would come, but damn, it sucks.’

As I said earlier, I don’t have romantic feelings for men-and even if I did, Ethan would be the last person I’d consider.

But if I gave a half-hearted excuse, it might just give him false hope.

I wanted to shut him down completely.

‘What should I say?’

Part of me wanted to say, “Anyone but you, you little shit,” but…

That might just push him back into his old ways.

Besides, he hadn’t even confessed-rejecting him outright would make me look conceited.

As I pondered how to reject him without sounding presumptuous, an idea crossed my mind.

“…I don’t have a specific type for men.”

“R-Really? Not at all? Like… handsome looks, or… noble status…?”

“No, those things don’t influence my opinion.”

“Oh… I see…!”

“…But there are definitely types I dislike.”

“……Huh?”

Ethan clearly hadn’t expected my answer to continue, and his voice wavered with surprise.

I took the opportunity to lay out exactly what kind of person I despised.

“First, I absolutely hate filthy people who try to force others to eat food covered in their own saliva and bite marks.”

“……Huh?”

“Also, I really can’t stand short, fat, arrogant, lazy people with inflated egos.”

“……M-Maid?”

“But the kind of person I hate most in the entire world is a sexual harasser who gropes someone’s butt while they’re working or pokes them and laughs right in their face. The absolute worst kind of man.”

“I… I see…”

“Was that helpful, Young Master Ethan?”

“……”

Ethan, visibly shocked by my blunt description of his past behavior, lowered his head and nodded silently.

Even someone as shameless as him couldn’t handle being told “I hate people like you” to his face.

At least now he understands-there’s no chance in hell I’d ever like him.

Since the conversation seemed over, I spoke up.

“Young Master.”

“Ah, y-yes!”

“It’s late. May I return to my room now?”

“Yeah… Y-You can go… Thanks for answering…”

“Goodnight, Young Master Ethan.”

“…Yeah, you too, maid.”

With a creak, the door to Ethan Richard Blackwood’s room closed quietly.

At least now that brat won’t see me as a romantic target anymore.

Whether he’s disappointed or depressed-that’s none of my concern.