Strongest Maid In Another World

The capital was a sight to behold, the large amount of people everywhere a jarring shock to the girl who grew up in a mundane village. Loraine stared outside the carriage window as they moved through the streets, the sights of magic being performed, adventurers roaming around, and so many awakeners being everywhere somewhat startled her.

She turned her head back to give a small glance at the powerful figure sitting beside her, his aura imposing and dangerous, Loraine growing both nervous and terrified as she didn’t know what her life was going to be like, and if she would ever get to see her parents again.

The carriage soon pulled up to the grand gates of the Ashbourne mansion, the imposing gates opening before them as they were granted passage, the carriage coming to a halt shortly after.

"We’re here," Kain said, glancing at the small white haired girl as the door outside opened for them, Kain stepping out and beginning to walk forward.

Loraine remained sat for a bit, still somewhat terrified as she soon hopped off the carriage, the cool air of the capital grazing her body as she shuddered a bit. Her eyes widened in shock and awe as they landed on the grand exterior of the Ashbourne mansion, the marvelous building elegantly crafted and brimming with wealth.

’I....I’m going to be staying here?’ Loraine thought to herself, a bit terrified as she wasn’t sure if this was a good thing, or a bad thing.

Kain turned his head back, giving Loraine a cold stare as she was jolted out of her thoughts, and immediately began to follow after him, not wanting to upset this intimidating figure.

An old woman stepped out to meet them, bowing respectfully to the lord of the mansion. "Welcome back, Lord Ashbourne." She said in an elegant tone, her voice full of respect as she lifted her head, her eyes blinking in surprise as she noticed a small girl standing next to Kain.

’Who is that?’ She thought to herself, taking in the child’s striking beauty but lesser outfit, wondering if this child was perhaps some lowly commoner.

"Margret," Kain addressed the head maid, gesturing towards Loraine as he spoke. "This is Loraine, she will be living with us now, do take care of her and help her get adjusted to her new role." Kain said, surprising Margret as he walked past her, leaving her to deal with the mess that was Loraine.

"S-sir?" Margret turned to him, somewhat surprised that he had just casually handed such a task to her, but he never stopped moving and soon disappeared from their sights, Margret sighing as she turned her attention back to the young girl.

Margret’s expression softened into a kind and warm one, her voice gentle and caring as she crouched down to meet the young girl’s startled eyes.

"Well hello there, dear~" Margret cooed, extending a hand to the young girl. "My name’s Margret, what’s your name?" She asked, her voice gentle.

’...’

Loraine remained silent for a few seconds, her eyes drifting from her hand, to the old woman’s kind facial expression, still not unsure if she could trust her or not.

"I-I’m Loraine," Loraine introduced herself with a bit of a stammer, grabbing the woman’s hand after a few seconds of contemplation. Margret smiled at her, beginning to lead the young girl into the grand mansion.

"That’s a lovely name, dear~" Margret cooed, her eyes narrowing in curiosity as she gazed upon the young girl. Her expression turning into a contemplative stare as they walked through the mansion’s halls.

’Everything’s so beautiful in here...so shiny...’ The young Loraine thought to herself, looking down at herself as she felt like she was dirtying the very air of this place with her very presence, feeling somewhat guilty in doing so.

’I wonder if she is perhaps awakened a Maid Class, or perhaps a Talent similar to it? Surely Kain wouldn’t just adopt someone like this out of nowhere, right?’ Margret thought.

’Unless he bought her as a servant of course, but servants are usually sold when they don’t have anything of value to them.’

"Tell me, Loraine, how old are you? And have you perhaps undergone awakening yet?" Margret asked, Loraine’s eyes widening in fear at her question, a bit hesitant to answer the question.

’Oh no...what do I say?’ Loraine thought to herself in fear, her body trembling a bit from the uncertainty. She knew how Margret would react if she were to find out that Loraine was an unawakened being, as the unawakened were treated less than human and were often valued that way.

If you weren’t an awakened being, then you weren’t allowed to live among the awakened ones. You were seen as trash inside of a cleaned space, you needed to be rid of.

"I...." Loraine swallowed, a giant lump in her throat as she couldn’t bring herself to answer, too scared of what Margret may think.

"Well dear? No need to be shy," Margret said, encouraging the young Loraine.

"I-I’m 12 years old, miss...and..." Loraine swallowed, closing her eyes. "And...I’m an unawakened being..." Loraine said, the air immediately turning cold as soon as she uttered those words.

Margret suddenly stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening with shock, disgust, and rage in an instant as she yanked her arm back, taking a step back from the girl as her were devoid of any warmth in them.

Her hands shook as she gazed at them, as if she had dipped them into filth, feeling utterly insulted as she used [Cleanse] on her own hands, even though they weren’t dirty at all, she still felt like they were.

"Tsk...damn brat, you should’ve told me sooner!" Margret said, immediately mad. "I should’ve known by how you were dressed that you were trash from the moment I laid my eyes on you, don’t you dare try to touch me again!" Margret said, her words causing Loraine’s eyes to widen in hurt as the young girl physically recoiled in pain and shock.

The surrounding maids upon hearing the commotion all turned to look at the young girl as if she were an insect, a pest in their home and all harbored negative feelings toward her.

"Unawakened? Did the lord really bring an unawakened trash into our home?" A maid whispered in surprise.

"It’s a shame really, you can tell that the girl is cute, but I wish I didn’t find out she was unawakened, she’s practically trash now! Urgh!"

"Tch, and now this damn brat thinks she can live among us, I will make sure she is reminded just how low she’s really worth in this place!"

’No....no....no....’ Loraine’s world started to crack once more, hearing the cruel things being said to her by the other maids surrounding her. She wanted to run away, she wanted to leave, she wasn’t safe here, she was in danger!

"I...I want to go home!" Loraine said, tears pricking at the corner of her eyes.

Loraine turned around and was about to sprint away, but Margret reacted quickly and caught the girl by her arm, her grip tight and monstrous as the young Loraine screamed in pain, feeling as if her wrist might snap from Margret’s strength.

"Where do you think you’re going!?" Margret asked with fury in her voice, her eyes widening as she realized she was just grabbing the unawakened trash, instinctually letting go of the girl as Loraine fell to the ground.

"You’re going to live here now, and you’re going to do what you were bought for, this is your purpose now!" Margret said, the words sinking into Loraine’s very being as she felt utterly defeated and hopeless, there was no escape, no running, and no family to protect her.

After all, her very own family had abandoned her, and now she was welcomed into a new one, that was about to ruin her.

The years flew by, and Loraine slowly learned to settle into her new role of being a maid. The training was tough, the lessons far harsher than it should’ve been, and every mistake the young girl made was met with unbearable punishment.

Loraine, now a young teenager of 16 moved through the halls, cleaning the halls of the mansion with a broom in her hand, her eyes in hard focus mode as she had learned that if she weren’t trying her best, she wouldn’t meet the standards Margret and the others had placed on her.

’Sweep harder...move faster...come on..!’ Loraine yelled at herself inwardly, teeth grit as she tried her best to be on the level of the maids she was belittled by.

Thunk!

Loraine’s broom accidentally brushed against the side of a table, an expensive vase being knocked over as her heart dropped in her chest, frantically scrambling to grab it when the vase landed into the hands of a girl with long blonde hair, Loraine’s eyes snapping up to meet her gaze as she didn’t even notice her standing there.

"Woah there! Easy," The young girl laughed, seeing Loraine’s surprised expression as she sat down the vase on the table, Loraine breathing a sigh of relief.

"T-Thank you..." Loraine expressed her gratitude, a bit of a tremble in her voice.

’I don’t think I’ve seen her anywhere before, is she perhaps new?’ Loraine thought, her crimson eyes staring deep into the blonde hairs crystal blue ones.

"I’m Sarah by the way, It’s a pleasure to meet you!" Sarah introduced herself, offering a hand shake to the young Loraine, Loraine instinctually yanking her hand back as to not offend Sarah. Sarah raising her brow in confusion at this awkward act.

"N-Nice to meet you too, Sarah..."

Loraine said, unaware that the girl before her was going to change her life in the Ashbourne mansion forever.