The morning maid’s name was Hendel. When I told her that she had a pretty name, she teared up again and told me that it was the first time I had ever asked what her name was. She then saw to her duties with extra devotion. However, I wasn’t able to enjoy the moment.

All I could do was stare at Hendel’s cheeks reflected in the mirror. A light sprinkle of freckles covered her face. Her frame, face, and even her cheeks were all small.

How am I supposed to hit someone like that? Of course, Hendel wasn’t the only option as a maid. Granted, every single one of them was so dainty that they would fall over if I actually slapped them. Most importantly, I simply had no interest in being violent with someone for no reason—this was a huge problem.

What am I going to do? I sighed in frustration that I was getting nowhere. Hendel paused in the middle of doing my hair.

“My lady? Are you well? If you’re still feeling sick, you should take your breakfast in the bedroom.”

“No, I’m all right. There’s just something on my mind.”

Like how I can slap you as lightly as possible... I swallowed another sigh and looked down at my hands. My nails were so long that if I slapped a maid, they would surely leave scratches.

I’d rather slap my own cheek. Wait... My own cheek? My stream of consciousness led to a revelation.

Of course, I can slap myself! How would the mission window even know whether I’m a maid or not? It was an impulsive decision.

I slapped myself hard, forgetting that Hendel was right there. Pain streamed down my cheek. It hurt so much that I was seeing stars. Hendel screamed behind me and asked why I would do such a thing, but I ignored her and looked up at the air instead.

Beep.

================================

ERROR

Not a maid.

================================

A few seconds later, the window disappeared.

Of course... There’s no way it could be that easy. If the window fell for a gimmick like that, Renee would have already tricked it herself.

“My lady! Your cheek!”

Once I realized that I’d failed, Hendel’s words came through to me. In the mirror, I could see a clear image of Renee Blair with one of her cheeks all swollen up.

Hold on a minute... It didn’t work because I’m not a maid. Then why not just become a maid?

“Quick, should I call the doctor? No, I’ll call the doctor right now!” Hendel exclaimed.

That’s it, I need to become a maid! What must I do to make that happen? Well, I do own this place. If I just say I’m a maid, wouldn’t that work?

That was as far as my thoughts could go when I muttered, “I’m going to be a maid from now on.”

“Excuse me?”

Hendel looked at me as if I was out of my mind, but I thought “I’m a maid” over and over again as I held up my hand. I then smacked down at my cheek once more.

***

To cut to the chase, I failed. The error window popped up again to tell me that I was not, in fact, a maid. I felt like it was taunting me.

What’s the problem? The second-in-command of the mansion herself granted me the title of “maid”! I wondered if it was because I didn’t say it out loud, so I said “Renee Blair, I appoint you a maid,” but nothing changed. All I did was make Hendel even more appalled.

I sighed. After three whole slaps, my poor cheek was more than just swollen. It was starting to get bruised. I finally gave up and started thinking about other solutions. If it didn’t work because I was only the second-in-command, I had to borrow the power of the first-in-command: Reuden, the master of the house.

He must be in charge of hiring the servants. Should I ask him to hire me as a maid? No... He’ll think I’m insane. What if I asked him to put me in charge of hiring? The thought crossed through my mind like lightning. It was truly the best idea I had ever had.

If I’m in charge of hiring, then I can hire myself as a maid.

I was just about to put the idea into action when Hendel, who had been fidgeting by my side, suddenly dropped to her knees. “My lady, please, if you’re upset, you can hit me. Please don’t hurt yourself!”

It was such sincere nonsense.

My god, what is she saying? Don’t you see that this is all because I’m trying so hard not to hit you? I sounded annoyed in my mind, but I took her hand and softly helped her back on her feet.

“Don’t say that, Hendel. Why would I hit you?”

Of course, Renee Blair must have beaten you up until now, but still. I couldn’t say this out loud and I couldn’t laugh it off, either. I looked at Hendel. One thing was for sure. As long as I was Renee Blair, I would not be mean to Hendel or any other servant. Hendel’s copper eyes trembled.

My social skills weren’t exactly sharp, so I never knew what to do when someone cried. I patted the back of her scrawny, rough hand to stop her from crying. I wanted to say that she had been through so much. Hendel fixed her eyes on me, and I smiled in response.

“I was just so sleepy. Don’t worry about it too much. I’ll do the rest of my hair, so you can go now,” I told her.

“How could I do such a thing, my lady? Let me finish doing your hair. How about a nice—”

“It’s okay! I’m going to see Reuden anyway. Go on.”

“In that case—”

“Hendel.”

Upon hearing my firm voice, Hendel pressed her lips together. She was holding back tears. It wasn’t long before she got herself together and left the room. As soon as she did, I turned around so fast that the air swished as I cut through.

Looking in the mirror, I combed my hair aggressively. My curly hair spat out dozens of strands but I didn’t care. I was going to find Reuden Blair at the chancery, and I was determined to take over the hiring duties, no matter the cost.

***

I had made it to the front of the chancery door and I was feeling nervous to the point of feeling sick in my stomach. I licked my dry lips and took a deep breath before I knocked.

What if Reuden refuses? I’ll make a deal. I’ll get the job, whatever it takes. Unfortunately, things already went off to a bad start. Nobody answered, no matter how long I waited.

Is he even there?

“What are you doing here?”

A sudden voice from the rear sank my heart.

“Whoa!”

Startled, I screamed and threw my hand toward my back to push away whatever was behind me. I swore it was supposed to be a very light push to ask them to back off just a little. I must have lost control because my hand whacked something pretty loudly.

Oh no, I didn’t mean to do that! It was as loud as a full-bodied tackle. I turned my head and witnessed the following: Reuden staggering back from my push… Tripping over his own feet... And falling backward. There was a heavy thud, followed by a deadly silence in the hallway. I broke out in a cold sweat.

I’m doomed. I came here to win him over, but I’ve pushed him over for no reason! Hearing a deep sigh from him, I got one look at his face and was screaming inside. His eyes were almost dead.

I didn’t mean to! It was an accident! I felt sorry but also defensive, but I couldn’t let my whirlwind of emotions distract me. I had been standing there like a statue, but I gathered myself and offered Reuden my hand so that he could get up.

However, Reuden stared at me coldly before rising to his feet on his own, as if to say that he didn’t need my help. My hand hung awkwardly in the air.

I guess I wouldn’t have taken my hand, either. I balled up my hand and apologized.

“I’m sorry. You startled me.”

“You’re startled?” he asked, sneering.

“Of course I’m startled! A voice came out of nowhere from behind me!”

“You usually sense people like a cat and now you’re saying that you were startled?” he asked again, as if he had nothing left to say to me. He walked around me into the chancery.

I stared blankly and then hurried in after him. The chancery was spacious, about as big as my room.

It’s just an office. It doesn’t need to be this big. A luxurious couch sat in a corner, and thick books lined the walls. They looked very difficult and hard to understand. Most noticeable, though, were the mountains of paperwork piled on the long table. Sunlight seeped in through the balcony behind the table and made a craggy shadow of the paperwork. It looked taller than I was. I wanted to puke.

Ugh, does Reuden do all of that every day? I gawked at the paperwork like it was a swarm of roaches. Amidst the pile, I saw a familiar sight: Reuden, sitting with great posture and working silently. He refused to look at me, though. He knew that I had followed him in, but he didn’t take his eyes off his work. He was clearly ignoring me, but that didn’t stop me from approaching him.

“We need to talk, Reuden.”

“Later. I’m busy.”

“No, it’ll be quick. You just need to say ‘Yes.’” Reuden didn’t answer, but I didn’t give up. “I want to be in charge of hiring and managing servants from now on. Let me take over.”

A long silence followed. Then, he said, “What?” Finally, he looked at me.

I stared back without shying away from his gaze.

He seemed to realize that he had heard me correctly. “What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said. I’ll manage the servants from now on. Let me take over.”

“What’s your motive this time?”

“Nothing! Just give me permission. It’s such trivial work for you to take care of.”

You workaholic... I swallowed the last few words and waited for his answer.

“Well, I am indeed taking care of it because you refused to do your job.”

His response made me squirm.

“Oh.”

Well, this is awkward...