Girls(?) Talk (1)

Several days had passed since Eiria and Alicia were sent to the Silverwood Territory.

After the flood of visitors coming to see Ethan finally subsided, Isabelle and I were able to return to our original duties.

Instead of spending time and energy on guest reception and kitchen work, we went back to cleaning and doing laundry together around the mansion as before.

…Though saying it was just like before wouldn’t be entirely accurate, as one small thing had changed.

“Lady Lilith…ah, no, Lilith! I finished cleaning all the second-floor hallway floors! Is there anything else I can do?”

“…No, if you’re done, you can just rest for now.”

“Ah, should I help with the windows? Actually, until last year, I used to clean almost all the windows on the second and third floors by myself! I can finish faster than you…I mean, L-Lilith!”

“…No, this is my job. If you’re done with the hallway, just go rest. I’ll take a break after finishing up with Isabelle.”

“Uh, b-but…is it really okay for me to rest while you’re still working…?”

“You’re my senior, Katarina-nim. Stop worrying about me and just go rest already.”

“Mmm, okay…”

Ever since Katarina joined Isabelle and me as part of our team, almost all our work had been like this.

Tasks that Isabelle and I could have leisurely finished together were now 70% handled by Katarina alone, leaving us with little to do while she completed everything.

With Eiria and Alicia gone, it wasn’t strange that Katarina was now working with us.

Frankly speaking, thanks to her, our work finished much faster, giving us more free time.

Physically, the workload had undeniably decreased…but.

‘This is getting ridiculous.’

Seeing Katarina so eager to take over even my tasks was making me increasingly uncomfortable.

I never liked relationships where I only received without giving anything back.

At best, I preferred dry relationships with no expectations, and at worst, I wanted at least some give-and-take.

Having Katarina constantly take over my duties like this just didn’t sit right with me.

“Please, just treat me like a normal coworker.”

“Senior Katarina is a bit overwhelming, isn’t she?”

‘Gah!’

While lost in thought, I nearly jumped when Isabelle suddenly appeared beside me and responded to my muttering.

Seriously, this girl could sneak up on me in the blink of an eye.

“Finished with the windows, Lilith?”

“Just three more to go.”

“Then I’ll help! Let’s finish quickly and take a break together!”

“Thanks, then.”

Isabelle took one of the dry rags from my hands and started helping with the windows.

Yeah, this distance was perfect-not too close, not too distant.

Instead of burdening me with offers to take over my work, a simple suggestion to help out was much better.

This way, I could return the favor naturally when she needed help too.

“Is there really no way to handle Senior Katarina?”

“Why? Did she offer to do your work again today?”

“Yeah. If I don’t say something properly, I think she’ll keep acting like this.”

“It’s good that the false accusations against her were cleared, but she does seem a bit…overenthusiastic.”

“Well, after hearing about Senior Eiria and Senior Alicia, I can kind of understand why she’s like this…”

The fact that Eiria and Alicia had been sent to the Silverwood Territory was now common knowledge among the mansion staff.

Harold had deliberately allowed the rumors to spread as a warning against mishandling Tanathia’s belongings.

Some servants, including me, even understood the true meaning behind their “punishment.”

“They were sent to the Silverwood Territory, right? If Lilith hadn’t cleared the suspicions, Senior Katarina might have ended up there too.”

“…That could have happened.”

“I heard it’s freezing there year-round, with dangerous monsters everywhere. I wouldn’t want to go either…”

Isabelle didn’t seem to know the full truth about what “being sent to Silverwood” really meant.

No need to tell her-learning that senior maids had been sent away as sex slaves wouldn’t make anyone feel good.

In that sense, saving Katarina really was fortunate.

Being condemned to a life of sexual slavery for a crime she didn’t commit would have been unbearable.

Of course, just because I saved her didn’t justify the current situation.

I hadn’t done it expecting gratitude-in fact, I’d used her predicament to get rid of Eiria.

My actions were ultimately for my own survival, not out of concern for her.

Explaining that to Katarina would be pointless-she’d still insist on repaying me.

“Sigh…”

The bigger problem was that Katarina’s behavior was making me stand out too much.

There were dozens of maids in the mansion, not to mention butlers, guards, and cooks-easily 50-60 staff members.

Having Katarina constantly defer to me made it seem like junior maids were establishing a hierarchy.

It was attention I didn’t need-especially not the bad kind.

I was already drawing eyes after recovering Tanathia’s necklace.

More attention could expose my magic-a fatal risk.

I’d warned Katarina countless times, but nothing changed. And I couldn’t just yell at her in front of Isabelle.

Worried, I voiced my concerns, and Isabelle offered surprisingly sharp advice.

“If Senior Katarina is really bothering you, why not settle it properly?”

“I’ve tried talking to her so many times…”

“Not just telling her to stop. Ask her for a proper favor in return.”

“…Huh?”

“Instead of just refusing her help, ask her to do something for you. Then she can consider the debt repaid.”

“Ooh…”

‘Clever Isabelle’-she really was sharp when it came to social wisdom.

Good at work, smart, and even pretty.

If not for her lack of combat skills, she could’ve been a sub-heroine in 『Luminor Academy』.

Nodding, I agreed with her suggestion.

“You’re right, that might work.”

“Really?”

“But what should I ask for? If it’s just maid work, she won’t take it seriously.”

“Hmm…Senior Katarina has worked here a year longer than us, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then why not ask her to show you around Blackwood Territory on our next day off? She’d know the area better than us.”

“Huh?”

“Since she was cleared of suspicion, her debt maid status was lifted too. She’d probably be happy to help.”

Isabelle rattled off suggestions like a chatbot-impressive.

For a moment, I almost forgot my situation and agreed.

But sadly, there was one fatal flaw in her plan.

“Isabelle, I was too embarrassed to say this before, but…”

“Hm?”

“I’m actually a debt maid too-sold off because of my father’s gambling debts. I don’t think I can leave the mansion.”

“Oh, s-sorry…I didn’t know you were…”

“It’s fine. I never mentioned it. Still, thanks for the advice.”

Her suggestion would’ve been great-if I weren’t a debt maid.

If I could leave freely, I’d be hunting slimes in the mountains, not sightseeing.

With my mana capacity now 20 times my stamina, learning new skills was a must.

“But you know…”

“Yeah?”

“You did recover Lady Tanathia’s keepsake. Maybe if you ask the Head Maid nicely, she’ll make an exception?”

“…Do you think that’ll work?”

“Worth a try, right? If not, we’ll think of something else. I’ll finish cleaning-go ask her now.”

“Oh, okay…”

Half-pushed by Isabelle, I reluctantly headed to the Head Maid’s office.

With little expectation, I asked for permission to leave the mansion.

“You want to visit Blackwood Town on your next day off?”

“J-just a thought. Since I’m a debt maid, I know I can’t leave, so if it’s not possible-“

“Approved. Lilith Rosewood is trustworthy-I’ll grant special permission.”

“…What?”

“You’ve been through a lot recently. Take this chance to rest properly with your coworkers.”

“Oh, okay…”

The Head Maid’s immediate approval left me stunned.

…I didn’t expect it to actually work.