My name is Maroom.
I am a maid in the service of House Kuzuma.
I first began my apprenticeship during the lifetime of Louis-sama’s father, the previous count. This year marks my twenty-fourth year at the estate.
When I first arrived at the manor, Louis-sama had only just been born.
Both the master and the madam were wonderful people. While learning my duties was a challenge, I rarely experienced any true hardship.
My family were merchants once, but my father’s business failed, and we were scattered. Tasked with the care of my younger sister, I sought work under the Predecessor Count as an apprentice maid.
I was fourteen when I began my service. I suppose that reveals my age, doesn't it? Yes, I turn thirty-eight this year.
But I digress.
After three years of training, I was promoted from an apprentice to a formal maid. The Chief Maid at the time was a woman named Luna, a supervisor who was as kind as she was strict.
Every skill I possess was drummed into me by Luna.
In the winter of that year, the madam passed away from illness. Young Louis-sama was only three years old at the time.
It was then that I was assigned to care for the young master.
The reason was simple: I was the maid closest in age to the late madam. She had been nineteen, while I was seventeen. The other maids, even the younger ones, were already past their mid-twenties.
For a time, Louis-sama could not comprehend that his mother had passed—he was only three, so that was only natural—and he did nothing but weep when night fell.
When the household searched for someone to sleep by his side to comfort him, I was the one chosen.
Once I began staying with him through the night, Louis-sama's crying stopped.
However, because I took on this duty, I undoubtedly missed my chance for marriage.
A woman's prime years for wedlock are generally between fifteen and twenty-five. I sacrificed that entire window for Louis-sama's sake.
I have no regrets. It may be improper of me to think this way, but I consider Louis-sama to be like a son. For the seven years from the age of three until he turned ten, I served as the young master’s personal maid—or rather, I served him as a surrogate nurse.
The master—the Predecessor Count—never took a second wife. He remained a widower, likely because he could never forget the madam.
Even from my perspective as a woman, she was a truly lovely person.
Just after Louis-sama turned ten, a conflict broke out on the border with the neighboring Celuroa Kingdom.
That was the beginning of our tragedy.
The master—the Predecessor Count—headed to the battlefield as a commander leading a company and lost his life.
When the news arrived, Louis-sama did not shed a single tear; he simply accepted the truth.
At ten years old, a noble is old enough to inherit the headship of a house.
In that moment, "my boy" vanished, and he became the "Master" of House Kuzuma.
As the new head of the house, Louis-sama spent every day confined to his desk.
He learned everything he could from the steward, determined to become a fine lord who could live up to the Predecessor Count’s legacy as quickly as possible.
But I know the truth.
Deep in the night when the rest of the world was asleep, Louis-sama would weep alone, stifling his sobs.
Time passed in the blink of an eye. Louis-sama reached adulthood and eventually began to participate in national politics.
I, too, eventually found myself entrusted with the role of Chief Maid, leading the other girls.
What became of Luna? She retired at the age of fifty.
And my little sister eventually grew up and married into a merchant's family.
Then, a certain event occurred.
The young master—no, the Master—took a young woman into the manor.
She was a magi craftman named Beena.
For someone so young, she was remarkably firm in her convictions, claiming she wanted to create things that would be useful to commoners.
I suppose that is well and good.
She had a younger brother and sister who were taken in as well, and seeing them work—or at least pretend to work—within the manor was acceptable enough.
However, she spoke with the Master in a very familiar manner.
I worried that the Master might be intending to take her as his wife. My heart grew restless.
What truly constitutes the Master's happiness?
Now that I am the only maid left who remembers the original master and madam, I feel it is my duty to look after "my boy's" happiness.
A certain event called the Golem Party was held in the royal capital.
House Kuzuma was required to prepare a golem.
To that end, the Master hired a young magi craftman named Jin Nidou to construct one.
I understand nothing of golems, but the one created by that Jin Nidou was a magnificent piece of work. If I had one complaint, it was that the machine looked exactly like that Beena girl.
However, that was the Master's wish; it was not my place to interfere.
But there was one thing that did make me happy.
That golem, which was to be presented to the royal family, was modeled after me internally, regardless of its outward appearance.
I heard later that this golem, Lotte, protected the King and the Prince at the risk of her own life.
As her model, I felt a swell of pride. More than that, I rejoiced that the Master's standing with the royal family would be further elevated.
That Beena girl became the Master's fiancée.
As she was a commoner, she could have become a concubine, but never a legal wife. Therefore, the Predecessor Count's close friend, Count Bernard Hams Lonsdale, stepped in to become her adoptive father.
However, Beena's conduct was hardly what one would call suitable for a noble's wife.
She needed to behave in a manner befitting the wife of a man who bore a portion of the kingdom's responsibilities.
A husband can be looked down upon or even insulted based solely on his wife's behavior.
It is unfortunate, but that is simply the reality of noble society.
For the Master's sake, and for the happiness of the two of them, I resolved to harden my heart.
"No, you must not pinch the hem of your skirt up like that."
"Oka-ay."
"Your response should be a sharp 'Yes'!"
"...Yes."
I began putting Beena through intensive training.
I decided that my final duty was to mold her into a woman worthy of being a countess.
"No! When drinking Te-e, you must hold the So with your left hand."
"...Yes."
"Good heavens, you are not to grip the cup, but to pinch it!"
"...Yes."
Her resentment was written all over her face, but I continued to drill her without mercy.
"Clean more quietly! You're kicking up dust!"
Perhaps because Beena was a bit short-tempered, her cleaning tended to be sloppy.
"Being a noble is no excuse for not knowing how to clean. Such ignorance only tarnishes your husband's reputation."
I drilled her from six in the morning until eight at night. It was exhausting for me as well, but it was all for the Master's sake.
"In the bathhouse, you may find yourself among other noble ladies. You must properly conceal yourself with a towel. When pouring hot water over yourself, be mindful of your surroundings so as not to splash others."
"Yes..."
I expected her to give up quickly, but surprisingly, Beena kept up with my demands.
"Listen well. In the bedroom, you must not go to sleep before your husband. Only after your husband has retired to bed should you say 'Excuse me' and lie down beside him."
"..."
I could see her emotions were on the verge of exploding. Even so, I continued to push her.
But Beena did not break. She endured for one month, then two.
The source of her strength was undoubtedly the letters from the Master—who was away in the royal capital on business.
And in the end, I had to acknowledge that her love for the Master was the foundation of her perseverance. Keep trying, Beena. You are welcome to hate me as much as you like...
Due to the massive task of cleaning up after the Golem Rampage Incident in the royal capital, it was the end of August—two months later than planned—when the Master finally returned.
"I'm home, Beena."
"Louis-sama!"
Released from the loneliness of a five-month separation, Beena's face shone with a radiance I had never seen before.
"Were you lonely? I was lonely too."
And the Master's expression as he squeezed Beena's hand was also something new... it was the face of a husband.
In that moment, I realized once again that "my young master" was truly gone.
That said, I wasn't sad. Well, to be honest, I felt a small pang of loneliness.
I have no husband or children of my own. Though it may be presumptuous, "my boy" was like my own child.
No parent is truly unhappy when their child becomes a man and takes a wife.
With that thought, I finally gained the peace of mind to sincerely bless the two of them.
Today was their wedding day.
The lord, Duke Blue, served as the witness. It was not a place where a mere maid was permitted to attend.
I was satisfied simply to pray for their happiness from afar.
There was nothing more I could do.
I slowly packed my things.
I did not wish to be a burden to the young couple, and above all, I assumed that Beena—now the Countess—would never forgive me.
I didn't think she would criticize me to my face, but I believed it would be unbearable for her to have a maid nearby whom she disliked—or even hated.
In that case, it would be better for the house if I simply left in silence.
Just as they hired the fourteen-year-old me as an apprentice maid all those years ago, they could simply hire someone new.
As long as the maids currently in service remained, the household chores would proceed without a hitch for the time being.
It was a little sad to leave the manor where I had worked for twenty-four years, but I told myself to think of it as a new beginning...
...Oh dear, I felt as though I might cry.
Today was the start of a new life for the young couple. Tears are an ill omen.
I straightened my back and took a step...
"Ah."
"Maroom?"
As I was about to leave through the entrance, of all things, I ran right into the Master and the madam. Why had they returned so early...?
While I was wondering that, the Master began to question me.
"Just what... is with that outfit?"
Since I was dragging several heavy bags, I looked like I was leaving no matter how one viewed it.
"Maroom, what is the matter? Why are you leaving?"
Reluctantly, I told him the truth.
"Young Mast—no, Master. Starting today, you and the madam will begin writing a new history for House Kuzuma. There is no need for people of the past. Therefore, I..."
But the Master did not let me finish; he forcibly snatched the luggage from my hands.
"I won't allow it. You are... like a mother to me. Where is the son who would kick his mother out just because he got married!"
What wonderful words. But I wondered what the madam would say...
"He's right, Maroom-san. I know you're probably dissatisfied with calling a commoner like me 'Madam,' but please, stay here for Louis-sama's sake. And please, continue to teach me where I fall short."
Unexpected words came from the madam.
"Attending the ceremony today, I finally understood. Maroom-san, all that time you were so strict with me... it was for this....Thank you. Please, let me say that much."
The Young Mistress is truly kind. I can see why the Master chose her.
"Are you certain...?"
"I'm asking you as well."
The Young Mistress took my hand and bowed her head. Her hand was warm, and I couldn't help but weep.
And so, today as well, I continue to lead the young maids as the Chief Maid of House Kuzuma.
My greatest joy now is the thought of holding "my boy's" child in these arms.
I pray that this happiness continues forever.