Chapter 118 : Anna Stays Tonight
A maid's day is always fulfilling, and time flew by until evening.
"So tired meow..."
"I'm exhausted..."
Both Carol Cat and Sigrdrífa collapsed on the ground, having entered the [Fatigue] negative status.
"Meow... being a maid is so hard... I need to seriously consider whether to work at a maid café meow..."
"Please don't be discouraged. Working at a maid café is different from being a maid, it's mainly about serving customers."
"Can you rest when there are no customers meow?"
"I think if Carol Cat were working as a café maid, customers would definitely be coming in droves."
Carol Cat shyly twitched her cat ears, while Sigrdrífa over there requested to use the hot springs for another bath, which Chris readily agreed to.
Lily probably had lighter work assigned to her, so she hadn't entered a fatigue state. Even now, she was still quite actively asking the maids for knowledge.
She was quite far... was she deliberately not wanting me to hear? If I used the [Enhanced Hearing] detection skill, I could still hear what they were talking about, but there was no need for that.
The tired Carol Cat opened the friend system panel that only adventurers had, and her spirits immediately lifted.
"That guy Trafalgar replied to my message meow!"
"What did he say?"
"He said... he won't be joining us for now. He plans to make a trip to Reunion Castle to see if he can trigger any clues for a hidden quest."
Carol Cat looked through Trafalgar's message.
"He also said the Black Eagle Mercenary Group might be secretly monitoring him, so for safety's sake, he shouldn't come find us. He wishes us well, and also..."
"What is it?"
"He suggests we watch out for adventurers who've come to Ende recently... He says that the adventurer who knows [Astrology] has reached an agreement with a large guild."
Trafalgar's message brought shocking news.
So they've monopolized the divination source... I need to inform Chris of this news. Perhaps staying at Ende isn't a long-term plan.
However, Chris seemed to be obsessed with Lily, hugging her and nuzzling her face, claiming it was to relieve fatigue. Even when I said I had important matters to discuss with Chris, she said we'd talk after returning to the room.
"Anna will stay in my room tonight. Everyone should rest early."
After enjoying dinner, Chris eagerly announced that Anna would stay the night. What had to come would come eventually. After brewing all day, I thought I had prepared myself mentally.
"Rifa, please stay with Lily tonight."
"I would do that even without you asking, Anna."
Sigrdrífa readily agreed, then seemed to remember something and quietly moved closer.
"Speaking ill of others behind their backs isn't good... but today the maids shared some gossip with me that can't be ignored."
"You're getting along well with Chris's maids."
"I originally didn't want too much contact with humans... but this feeling isn't unpleasant either. They talked to me about the head maid."
"Nora?"
"They said Nora was the earliest maid to serve Chris, and also the most capable maid by Chris's side. Everyone both respects and fears her. They said Nora has never spoken about her origins–her background, family circumstances, even her age and body are all unknown."
"Body..."
Why would they be interested in Nora's body? I admit Nora has a great figure, but we're all girls, right? Who would be interested in the same sex's body?
Sigrdrífa crossed her arms and said: "Even the maids who came to work at Ende earliest after Nora have never seen Nora's body. She always bathes alone, occasionally with Chris."
There's nothing strange about that. Some people just don't like large communal baths. I don't think this can be used as evidence to suspect Nora—at most it's gossip material when bored. Though this morning, Nora indeed didn't join us.
"I'm more concerned about her age. They..."
"Anna~~~"
Sigrdrífa wanted to continue saying something, but Chris was already calling from upstairs, urging me to hurry up.
"Excuse me, Rifa. Let's talk more later."
"Good night."
Sigrdrífa had to stop there.
Age, huh...
Age is a taboo topic for girls, so it's reasonable that Nora doesn't want to reveal it. From what I remember, Sigrdrífa wasn't usually this gossipy. Her race happens to be elves, who have the longest lifespan among mainstream races. Maybe she discovered something new?
I followed behind Chris, who seemed to be in an excellent mood, skipping and hopping as she walked.
It's nothing more than... changing clothes.
Having worn off-shoulder outfits, miniskirts, garter stockings, and high heels, I considered myself to have developed some immunity. There was nothing to fear, and besides, [Bedside Service] was my specialty.
Back in the room, Chris began busying herself with closing the windows. Without her specifically instructing me, I infused fire elements into the room's lighting equipment.
"A bit dimmer, Anna."
"Yes."
I adjusted the brightness of the light. Chris locked the bedroom door and turned around with her hands behind her back, smiling as she looked at me.
"Lady Christiana, do you have any other instructions?"
"I do~ But what if Anna can't complete them?"
"Please trust in my professional abilities."
"If you can't complete them, Anna will have to accept my punishment!"
"Well... alright."
I felt Chris had some scheme brewing, but I wouldn't fear any request.
"Then, Anna! Make me a cup of milk tea..."
"Please wait a moment."
"Make me a cup of milk tea... without the tea."
"Eh?"