Side Story: Maria's Decision
The sun has been shining brightly for days, and it's now the season where I get a little sweaty just hanging out the laundry.
With today's weather, it won't take long for the laundry to dry.
When I finished my work, Martha-san, my senior at this mansion, called out to me.
"Maria-san. Let's have some tea."
I nodded and headed towards the kitchen in the annex.
This is like a maid's waiting room in the annex.
Martha-san filled a glass with ice, poured some tea, and handed it to me.
Ice is a valuable item. At first, I thought that it was not for me, a servant... but I realized that this was not the case in this mansion.
This is because the ice is created by Light-sama's magic. Apparently he is caring for the servants who work in the summer and prepares ice for them.
I look at the ice in my glass and remember that day.
A discussion between us and Light-sama.
We were confused and despairing because of the unbelievable stories. To be honest, I suspected that I was being deceived by this boy.
Inflaming our anxiety and placating them with kind words.
I wonder if he is trying to get hold of us using tricks like those of con artists...
But then, while trying to convince us, he started crying.
I didn't understand...
Why is the one who is trying to deceive us crying and why is he so obsessed with us......
Both of us, parent and child, were tired of crying, and Light-sama was in the same situation, so that day's discussion ended.
After returning to the guest room, my daughter, Rain slowly started talking about Light-sama.
About how he desperately nursed me until I woke up, and about that time.
Even though he was being stopped by everyone until I woke up, he held my hand and continued to flow his mana, and he continued to encourage Rain and treat her kindly...
"I... I don't think Light-sama is lying... I can't believe what he said... If it's true, I think Light-sama is doing his best for us... If that's the case, I think Light-sama is a very kind person..."
Rain is desperately trying to tell me while thinking and worrying about what to say.
That's why I decided to believe Rain's words.
"I understand, Rain. Mother will also try to believe in Light-sama."
When I answered that, Rain smiled happily.
The next morning, Light-sama came to pour mana into me as usual.
He did not say much, and although he looked uncomfortable, he didn't seem to be in a hurry for an answer.
And I told Light-sama who was about to leave.
"We will trust Light-sama. So... um... I look forward to working with you."
I said and bowed my head.
When I raised my head, I saw Light-sama holding back his face as if he was about to start crying.
His face looked like that of a seven-year-old child, just like my daughter Rain.
As if he didn't want his face to be seen, he immediately turned around and said [thank you] and left.
After that, I talked with Sebas-sama, Felticia-sama, and Martha-san about life here.
They told me that there was nothing special that I needed to do, but I told them that I would like to work as a servant in the house.
That's how I got to work as a maid for the first time in about eight years.
I offered to work with my daughter, but the three of them stopped me, and we agreed that Sebas-sama and Felticia-sama would teach my daughter.
When I told Light-sama at the dinner table about what we had decided today, he was very worried about my being a maid.
"Is it okay for you to be a maid…? Um... It will remind you of that unpleasant thing......."
Apparently, he really knows my past. I understood that he was worried about me being treated badly by the son of a nobleman.
"It's okay. Besides, Light-sama isn't the type to do something terrible, right?"
When I answered that, Light-sama hurriedly denied it.
"I won't! I won't do anything terrible to you both!"
He looked just like a child, so I couldn't help but smile.
At that, Light-sama looked a little taken aback, and then his face suddenly turned red and he went silent.
From then on, life continued to be surprisingly peaceful.
Even if I say maid, my work is only in the annex, so the amount is small. In my free time, I was able to have tea with Martha-san and see how my daughter was with her studies.
My daughter was quick to learn.
I was surprised that my daughter, who could not read or write, was able to read difficult books in less than a month.
According to Felticia-sama, this was also thanks to the [Hero] skill.
If she had not said so, I would not have been convinced of the speed of my daughter's growth.
I got used to this life, and after about half a year, I started to be thanked by Martha-san, Sebas-sama, and Felticia-sama for Light-sama.
It was there that I heard about Light-sama's upbringing.
He was treated poorly by his family because he was born with talent, he devoted himself to studying and training every day instead of drowning in his own talent, and now he is always working for someone else...
In such a situation, Light-sama seems to have changed since we came.
I was told that he started smiling more, that his daily training was more energetic than before, and that he is working hard in his various trainings.
"Light-sama has always eaten alone. But now, he must be happy that Maria-san and Rain-chan are eating with him."
Martha-san said.
"I think he has something to protect now and he is more determined. It seems like he is using this as a source of energy."
Sebas-sama said happily.
"We couldn't become part of Light-boy's family. But thanks to Maria-san and Rain-chan, I think he is able to experience what it's like to be a family a little bit. Thank you."
Felticia-sama said with deep emotion.
Each of the three said the same words.
[The one who was truly saved was not Maria-san or Rain-chan, but Light-sama]
I myself have not yet been able to think of Light-sama as family.
My daughter, Rain, has come to call him [Onii-chan], but...
As the three said, if Light-sama kept us in search of a family...
His kindness may be the flip side of his loneliness.
If that's the case, the only thing we can do in return to Light-sama, who gave us the peace we have now, is to accept him as a family member.
That's why I wanted to approach Light-sama more.
Half a year has passed since that day's decision.
As I was looking at the ice made by Light-sama, Martha-san spoke with a smile.
"Even so, you've been really attached to him. I was surprised to see Maria-san using your lap for Light-sama the other day."
"Yes. He looked tired and was lying on the bench, so I lent her my lap."
"Fufufu. It's the first time I've seen Light-sama look so happy. He must have been very comfortable."
"I’d be happy if that were the case."
I smiled as I answered that.
Tftc.
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