The shocking truth that Illness-san was a Count-class High-ranking Demon was revealed with such casual ease, as if she were simply commenting on the weather.
As we stood there, stunned into silence, Lilia-san was the first to snap out of her daze. She immediately rushed over to Illness-san.
"I-Illness is a Count-class High-ranking Demon?! You never said a single word about that until now!"
"You never asked me, after allll."
"...N-No, I suppose I certainly didn't, but... I didn't even suspect it. S-Setting that aside, if you really are a Count-class... why on earth were you working as a maid at the Royal Castle in the first place?"
Having spent quite some time in this world now, I understood that Count-class High-ranking Demons were formidable powerhouses—the kind of elites found in only a handful of places across the globe. They were the sort of people who wouldn't be out of place serving as high-ranking executives under the Six Kings or ruling over their own independent strongholds.
Yet, I recalled hearing that Illness-san had been a maid at the Royal Castle since Lilia-san was a child. What kind of circumstances could have possibly led to that?
"Just because someone is Count-class~ doesn't necessarily mean~ they have to hold a high position, you knowww. As Milady is aware~ I'm not very good with being the center of attention, so~ working modestly~ suits my nature much betterrr."
"...I-Is that so? Well, if that's what you want, I won't tell you to quit being a maid, but... um, Illness?"
"Yes~?"
"As I thought, you really should become the Head Maid..."
"I declineee."
Lilia-san, who shared a long history with Illness-san, nodded as if she understood, but then she tentatively made another suggestion. Illness-san, however, shot it down instantly.
"Ugh... Then, at the very least, let me give you a raise! Given your usual performance, I can't possibly pay a Count-class High-ranking Demon the same wage as an ordinary maid..."
"It is not necessary~ I am quite~ satisfied~ with my current payyy."
"Uguuu... Even so, I have my pride as an employer to consider! Overworking someone who does ten times the work of others... someone who is a Count-class High-ranking Demon... and then paying them such low wages is..."
Hmm. I think I saw what was going on. The "Count-class" revelation was likely just a convenient excuse; Lilia-san had probably been looking for a way to increase Illness-san's salary for a long time.
But Illness-san had always refused. I got the feeling Lilia-san saw this discovery as a golden opportunity to finally force her to accept a raise.
"I do this because I enjoy it~ so it really isn't needed, you knowww."
"Uuuu... I-I won't say ten times. At least double your current amount..."
"I am fine as I ammm."
"...How about 1.5 times?"
"If you have the leeway to increase my payyy, please give the other girls a raise instead~ I'm sure everyone~ would be delighteddd."
It was a total rejection. Lilia-san’s eyes were starting to tear up. She had probably been met with this kind of firm refusal countless times before.
Illness-san was, for lack of a better word, a person truly devoid of greed. In fact, I don't think I'd ever seen her do anything other than work. I hoped I was wrong, but was she literally working twenty-four hours a day?
"...1-1.2 times..."
"Miladyyy."
"Ugh... Y-Yes?"
"I don't~ remember~ raising you to be a child~ who forces her will on others, you knowww? Since you are in a position of leadership, you must learn when to back down~ and respect the opinions of those beneath youuu."
"...Yes."
As Illness-san spoke in that gently admonishing tone, Lilia-san’s shoulders instantly slumped... and she dropped straight into a formal seiza position.
"I said~ there is no need to increase my payyy. Will Milady~ still try to~ force money on meee?"
"...I won't."
Lilia-san truly couldn't stand up to Illness-san; she looked exactly like a child being scolded by a parent. I'd heard that Illness-san had been her personal maid since childhood, so she probably functioned as an educator for her as well.
"Milady is a kind child, so~ I'm sure you're thinking of what’s best for me, but~ that truly isn't necessaryyy. Money~ isn't the only kind of reward there isss. If Milady grows into a fine Head of the House~ and remains healthy and well~ then I am already sufficiently rewardeddd. To receive more than that~ would be far too muchhh."
"...Illness."
Was Illness-san actually a saint? She was like a literal incarnation of motherliness; her selfless, warm affection was almost blinding.
"So~ if you are thinking of my benefit~ then please show me~ your figure as the one~ who firmly supports the Ducal House of Albert~ as its Head of the Houseee."
"Y-Yes! I'll do my best!"
"But~ overworking yourself~ is forbidden, alrighttt? When things are difficulttt, lean on those around you~ and talk to themmm."
"Yes!"
...Wait? Which one was the Head of the House again? And what were we even talking about in the first place?
Well, since Lilia-san seemed to be overflowing with motivation... I guess it was fine.
Dear Mother, Father—Illness-san was truly beyond greed. The way she could say, with total sincerity, that seeing Lilia-san flourish was reward enough... it was incredible. She really was... like a Holy Mother.