The New Maid's Sweeping Debut
Let's tackle the urgent stuff first. A new maid had joined the Azur Estate.
She was barely seven years old. She'd snatched the spot of baby of the house from the girl who'd held it at ten—the youngest in the mansion.
Rumor had it she'd been kicked out of her family because of some divine oracle from the goddess. Just yesterday, she was a count's lady; now she was a criminal who could get stoned to death in the streets without anyone batting an eye.
But to Hillia, the genuine veteran maid turning sixteen this year, it wasn't really her business.
She wasn't a follower of the goddess faith anyway. She had a personality that ignored complications. And above all, this was the first junior she'd ever had in this mansion.
And crucially, she was adorable!
"Eek!"
"Puhahaha…!"
Ellicia had been struggling with a broom bigger than her own body when—thwack!—it smacked her right on the crown of her head. Who could hold back laughter at the sight of her plopping down on the floor like a wet rag, clutching her head with those cute little hands?
Even the way she'd shrieked in embarrassment on her way to the bathroom… Heh heh. I just wanna ruffle her hair and tease her nonstop.
"Eung. Alright, let's start over from the beginning. This is called a broom."
"…"
"And this goes in your right hand… Ah! I mean, the hand you eat with, Ellicia. Yeah, like that. Now swoosh it left and right. Come on, copy your big sis. Swish swish~"
"S-Swish swish~"
"No! Not with your mouth—with the broom!"
Ellicia grumbled a bit but threw herself into the basics without a hint of rebellion.
From the cool, appraising gaze of a true veteran, Ellicia definitely had talent. She shook out the laundry without being told, folding it at just the right sturdy angle with an oddly resilient vibe.
Her only flaw? Broom work.
Was she just born clumsy, or was the broom too long? She kept bonking into things. Still, her dogged persistence was admirable… but it also tugged at Hillia's heartstrings, nearly bringing tears to her eyes.
At seven, she should be throwing tantrums in her parents' arms… Poor thing.
If Hillia were in her shoes, she'd be bawling for her mom and dad. A strange place was scary, no familiar faces, and her whole life flipped overnight—it'd be heartbreaking.
Is that how nobles raise kids? Tough from the start or something?
"Well, they say lions push their cubs off cliffs…"
"……Why would a lion push a baby tiger?"
"Uh… That's too advanced for Ellicia. Anyway…"
Hillia sighed as she watched Ellicia sweep.
Swoosh swoosh. She was working the broom exactly as taught, with real effort.
Advanced technique: gathering dust and sending it all to one spot. Flawless execution. Not half-assed at all—every stroke brimmed with sincerity, thorough to every corner.
The problem? That "one spot" was her own skirt hem, dragging a filthy trail behind her.
"Why?"
Ellicia looked up at Hillia with sparkling eyes, clearly pleased with her handiwork.
"Uh… Never mind."
Hillia shook her head weakly.
Ellicia was a total mess.
Her face smudged with grimy black dust. Chest and sleeves caked in stains. And now her skirt hem was a dust pit…
Look at your clothes. Even a street beggar would be cleaner.
The words rose in her throat, but she couldn't splash cold water on that proud puppy face, like a dog fetching a stick.
"Eung. It's fine. You've got a week probation anyway."
"…?"
Probation maids can be a bit grubby, right? Yeah. No meetings with the young lady or patriarch for a while, so no big deal.
"Um, senpai?"
Poke. A tiny finger jabbed Hillia's hand as she rationalized to herself.
The reason? Obvious.
"Yeah! Want me to reteach which hand is right? You were wiping kinda sloppily—"
"No…! I'm getting hungry. When's dinner?"
Ellicia stomped her foot in frustration.
"Dinner? Oh…!"
Glancing out the window, the sun was already dipping low.
Time flew watching this kid.
Obedient, cute… Training a newbie on the sly felt like a bonus.
"Great! It's about time. Let's go togeth—"
Heading to the servants' dining hall, Hillia froze.
"Nngh…"
"What's wrong? Not time yet?"
In an empire where most folks followed the goddess faith, no way the other seniors would look kindly on Ellicia, the oracle's star. Especially with some harboring noble-hate…
"Not that… Hmm."
Had Ellicia ever tried commoner food? This kid, used to fancy feasts, would freak at hard bread and cold soup.
Seniors might snap, hurling harsh words—or even snatch her meal.
Gods forbid violence.
Hillia cursed herself. If she'd joined earlier with more clout, she could've stepped up. But sandwiched between one above and one below, her influence was too green.
"…Hey! Ellicia, you haven't seen the dorms yet, right?"
"Wasn't that first room the dorm?"
"No way! That's guest quarters. Maids like us don't get those."
So innocent, this lady. Better keep her from seniors till she learns basics.
Guess I'll be busy… but no choice.
"To the dorms first."
"What about food?"
"Eung. Room service for now. Everyone starts that way."
"Everyone…? Ah, got it. Yeah, common sense. Mhm. I know. Mhm mhm."
One solution: Hillia bringing meals to Ellicia's room.
"…Am I supposed to do that as a senior?"
The thought flickered, but.
"What?"
"Sigh. Nothing."
Hillia decided not to nitpick now. Bossing juniors could wait till they pulled their weight.
"Alright! Let's—"
But as Hillia led Ellicia to the dorms—
"Hillia."
"Eek!"
A cold voice from behind made Hillia snap to attention in terror.
The voice she feared most in this mansion. Personal maid to Lady Veronica, wielding near-absolute power as maid hierarchy's number two! Rumor said she rivaled even the head maid… Anyway!
"L-Lian-senpai!"
"Hard work training the newbie. Heading to dinner?"
Lian approached the rigid Hillia, patted her shoulder, and glanced at wide-eyed Ellicia.
"Ehehe… Yeah, just about to…"
"Enjoy your meal."
"Yes, thank y—"
"Hillia, to the servants' hall. Ellicia, follow me."
Hillia, mid-bow, jerked her head up in shock.
"S-Senpai? Then Ellicia for dinner…"
"Lady Veronica summons her. You'll dine with the lady from now on."
"Uh…"
"Broom down. This way."
No room for number-two-from-the-bottom Hillia to butt in.
She stared blankly as they left, only realizing after they vanished.
"She… hasn't changed yet."
Dinner with the lady like that? Should've at least brushed off the dust…
"Ugh…"
Too late. Hillia squeezed her eyes shut.
Veronica had called for me…
Probably not just for dinner. Her feelings toward me were still sour.
Hoping no more scary talk of killing this time.
"Um… Lian-senpai?"
"Yes."
She answered but didn't glance back.
Graceful steps, expressionless face, flat voice. The epitome of a fictional maid—intimidating as hell.
But what can you do? Gotta speak up. Mhm.
I tried my warmest tone.
"What's the lady like?"
"Curious about your intent."
"Well… I'm a maid now, right? Figured I should know about my master…"
But Lian kept walking without replying.
Ignoring me? Or secretly pleased? Total devotion to one's master is peak maid virtue, after all.
"Ellicia."
"Eek? Oh, yes."
Lian halted before a different door. She stared at it a moment, then turned slowly.
Expecting praise? But her gaze downward wasn't kind.
"Don't forget. You're no longer a count's lady—you're just another servant in the Azur Estate. Her ladyship's mercy made you personal maid, but that changes nothing."
"I know tha—wait."
Personal maid? Me?
"Personal maid? First I've heard—"
"Don't betray her grace. Abandon any thought of pity or currying favor."
Currying favor… That stung a bit.
"The instant you inconvenience her, I'll strip that position without mercy. It doesn't suit a criminal like you."
Loathing? Contempt? Lian's raw emotions. Familiar treatment from my past life, but still unfair.
Criminal? What the hell was in that oracle for my family to exile me and strangers to treat me like this?
The oracle about Ellicia. New setting post-Veronica's regression, absent from the original. Maybe clues to my transmigration. When I get a chance, dig into the oracle's content and why it dropped.
"…I assume you understand."
Zoned out a sec, and Lian turned without waiting. She knocked lightly, voice monotone.
"Milady, Ellicia is here."
—Let her in.
Door opened smoothly at the reply; Lian chin-nodded inside.
I'm no saint. No need to play nice with someone who hates me.
I ignored Lian and stepped in.
It was a study with bookshelves on one wall—but not your standard study.
"…!"
Legendary items littered everywhere my eyes landed.
[That pattern…]
[Scattered over there?!]
Treasures that barely showed up late-game, already hoarded like this? Even with regression, this is insane…
"Ellicia."
"Eek!"
Caught red-handed like a thief, I spun around clumsily.
Toward Veronica, lounging in the central chair.
"Veronica… Ah, no, milady."
Luckily, she seemed uninterested in my awkward flailing.
"Hah, suits you. Maid life's your calling."
Veronica smirked crookedly at my rumpled maid outfit.
"You could live like that forever—"
But she cut off. Scanning me top to bottom, her brow furrowed faintly.
"What is that mess? Did you roll on the floor?"
"Huh?"
"What kind of training leaves you like th…"
She beckoned me closer. Standing by her, her gaze stabbed my face—intense.
"…"
Thank gods it's kid Veronica. Adult Veronica—my total type—staring like this would've mortified me into oblivion.
"Tch."
I scratched my cheek in embarrassment; she clicked her tongue softly.
A flicker of annoyance, gone in a blink. Face schooled, she spoke.
"Lian told you? You're my personal maid now."
"Heard… but what's a personal maid do exactly?"
Expected mockery like before.
"Simple. Do what I say."
Surprisingly, she just shrugged, no snark.
"Just that…? Easier than I thought."
"Yeah. But fail or quit, and punishment awaits. Got it?"
Punishment at my age. Weird vibe, but I nodded.
"Good. Before dinner, let's handle the urgent matter first."
She spread her legs slightly, patting the empty space between her knees.
"Sit here."
"…E-Eh?"
Frozen in shock, she yanked my wrist impatiently.
"Eek…?"
A dumb squeak escaped. Next thing, I was primly seated between her legs.
She pulled my shoulders, leaning me into her chest. Warmth from her back, soft body feel—my face burned.
This is basically a back hug, right? My tastes lean toward hugging, not being hugged, but…
"L-Lady? Why all of a sudden…"
"First task. Stay still till the end: success. Squirm away: fail. Harsh punishment."
About to ask what—
Tzzt— A blue glow enveloped her right hand.
The surreal sight snapped me alert like ice water.
Wait. Squirming means fail? So something squirm-worthy is coming—
"I hate dealing with annoyances later."
Her voice chilled my ear. Then her right hand pressed my lower belly.
"Uh…"
Before I could speak, she bore down firmly.