Strongest Maid In Another World

Loraine walked through the mansion’s halls, the sounds of her footsteps echoing throughout as she moved. She glance all over the place, taking in the scenery one last time before she would be gone from this place for who knows how long.

"I still remember struggling to sweep a broom, god that was so embarrassing." Loraine chuckled to herself, the memory of when she first used [Clean] replaying In her mind as she remembered the powerful shockwaves, gusts of wind that almost broke furniture, and yet made the place shine like it was brand new.

She glanced at her palm, having fully mastered her abilities now, and having made them far more potent. She wasn’t sure what awaited her when her Skills would reach level 100, would they evolve? Would they keep leveling up? Or will something different happen?

She didn’t know, but even so she was looking forward to the future.

She reached the mansion’s stairs, steadily ascending the flight of stairs as she arrived on the second floor and made her way to the young mistress’s room, standing outside as she delivered a gentle knock, standing back with her hands clasped to herself.

A few seconds went by, and after a few more attempts, Loraine’s ears twitched with the sounds of the bed rustling and the steady approach of footsteps making their way towards the door, the door creaking gently as it opened.

"Good morning, young mistress~" Loraine greeted with a warm smile, gently kneeling before the young girl.

"Hm?" Lilith mumbled in her half-sleepy state, lazily rubbing her eyes as she glanced up to see Loraine, her eyes widening in joy as she realized that it was Loraine, lifting off the air as she jumped straight into the white haired maiden’s arms.

"Loraine!" Lilith said happily, a small giggle escaping her lips. Loraine flinched slightly, not at the hug as she had become somewhat used to it, but because of Lilith’s joyful screams that made her scared that someone might’ve heard her.

’.....’ Loraine remained silent for a moment, using her [Maiden’s Intuition] Skill to quickly check if anyone was alerted, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as nothing caught her attention.

"You never come visit me this early, are we doing something special today!?" Lilith enquired, her eyes lighting up as she gazed up at Loraine with excitement, assuming that Loraine was perhaps going to play with her.

’I feel so guilty for having to do this, but I would feel even worse If I left without saying goodbye.’ Loraine thought to herself, her expression turning sad and remorseful for a moment, before hardening with determination and a need to get this over with as soon as possible.

"Hey Lilith," Loraine said, her hand coming up to gently pat the young mistress’s head, a pleased smile adorning her lips. "You’re a strong girl, right?" Loraine asked, Lilith nodding hastily.

"I’m very strong! The strongest there is!" Lilith eagerly responded, though Loraine’s next words were about to zap her away of all the strength she had.

"Well Lilith..." She started, her heart clenching for a moment as she swallowed. "I’m leaving the mansion for a while, and I wanted to come say goodbye to you before I went." Loraine said, her expression sad as she watched Lilith’s eyes widen with heartbreak in them, her expression turning pale.

"Huh!? You’re leaving?" Lilith asked, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. "But...you can’t leave, we still have to play together!" Lilith jumped back into Loraine’s arms, gripping the white haired maiden’s uniform tightly as she refused to let go.

"I won’t let go, if you’re not here, who will I play with? Who will make me my favorite slice of pie? Please don’t go Loraine!" Lilith said with a sob, tears of abandonment flowing from her eyes as she didn’t want to let go, her body trembling trembling with the force of her sorrow.

’This hurts....I wish I could stay and hold her tight forever, but...some things don’t last.’ Loraine thought to herself, gritting her teeth as her heart hurt with guilt upon having to see Lilith like this, but she had to go, and she was sure Lilith would understand.

She wrapped her arms around Lilith pulling the girl into a tight hug, her last hug that she would ever be able to give to the young mistress. Gently patting her head, Loraine spoke, her voice warm and nurturing.

"I’m sorry, I really wish I could stay," She said, the corners of her eyes threatening to prick with tears. She had grown to really love and care for the young mistress, and while she may not have known her long, she was sad that she had to say goodbye.

Loraine pulled back slightly, cupping the young mistress’s cheeks in her hands, forcing her to look at her, a warm smile on her face as she gently wiped the tears off her eyes.

"But I know that the others will take care of you, and If you ever need your pie prepared for you, Christine will be more than happy to oblige." She said.

"Will you be gone forever?" Lilith asked, a small sob escaping her lips.

"Of course not, I will never be away from you for too long. If I can, I will come back to visit you often!" Loraine said, trying her best to lift Lilith’s spirits, even though she herself weren’t sure if that was even a possibility.

It all depended on what kind of person Lady Casandra was. And for Loraine’s own well being, she hoped that wasn’t as arrogant as the young master, or someone worse for that matter.

"But I need you to promise that you’ll be strong okay?" She asked, gently grabbing Lilith’s hand. "You’re a strong girl, and strong women don’t cry!" Loraine said, Lilith sniffling as she nodded, trying her best to put on a brave expression.

"Sob...strong women...don’t cry...I’m strong!" Lilith said, her lips curving into a small, shaky smile.

"That’s my girl~!" Loraine said, wrapping her arms around Lilith as she embraced the young mistress one final time, gently consoling her.

A few moments passed before they finally pulled back, Loraine standing up to her feet as she exhaled slowly, preparing herself mentally to leave. Loraine’s eyes met Lilith’s heterochromia gaze for a moment, a small smile appearing on her lips.

"Take good care of yourself, okay?" Loraine asked, Lilith nodding.

"You too! Have a safe trip!" Lilith said, Loraine nodding back as she turned around to leave, her retreating silhouette fading into the distance as she made her way towards the staircase. Lilith watched her go, her expression turning sad once again.

"I love you..." Lilith whispered the next part to herself, not having the courage to tell Loraine that before as she watched her leave.

Loraine’s ears perked up, the words registering in her mind with the force of a thunder shock, her body locking up in place as she stood at the edge of the stairs for a moment, eyes wide with disbelief.

’She...she really didn’t say that, did she?’ Loraine thought to herself, turning around to look at the young mistress, Lilith’s eyes widening in surprise as she didn’t expect Loraine to look back.

A happy laugh escaped Loraine’s throat, her hearts coming up to her chest to perform a heart gesture back to the young mistress, Lilith’s blinking in surprise for a moment, before returning the gesture with her own little hands, a happy giggle escaping her lips.

’Farewell Lilith,’ Loraine thought to herself as she waved the young girl goodbye, making her way down the stairs as she heard the lock on Lilith’s door close, the young mistress having retreated back into her bedroom.

Loraine made her way back towards Sarah’s room, a newfound confidence and determination swelling up in her chest as she found the blonde haired woman standing in the doorway, bags packed, all dressed up, and ready to go.

"Great, let’s get going shall we?" Loraine said, Sarah nodding affirmatively as they began making their way out of the mansion’s gates.

The gates creaked open as they were let out, the wind blowing a fresh cool breeze, the first beams of sunlight stretching over the horizon in a beautiful spectacle that illuminated the Royal Capital’s marvelous architectural structure.

"You know where we’re going?" Sarah asked, turning back to glance back at the mansion one last time, a sense of peace washing over her as she stared at the building where she grew up in.

"Mhm, I’ve studied a lot these past few weeks thanks to my new position, so I know a decent bit about where to go, and what we should expect on this trip." Loraine said to Sarah, her mind flashing back to when she had first received permission from the Ashbournes to use their library to better her knowledge and study, using everyday to read a book and know more about the world and it’s history, though there’s only so much you can learn in one month.

’I guess my education’s going to become my next side quest in the future, but I’m sure we’ll be fine for now.’

Loraine thought to herself, giving Sarah an affirmative nod as the two began their journey towards the Ruby City Of Lazarus.