---

The villa located on the vast grounds of the Ruelberta Mansion.

Wendy, who was spending time with her family during the vacation, was visited by senior maids.

“This kid has monopolized the Count’s favor.”

“F-favor? That’s not…”

“Of course it is. There’s probably no one who has risen as fast as Wendy, right? Plus, sending her to school? That’s some serious favoritism.”

The senior maids all chattered about Wendy.

Being continuously praised in front of her family, Wendy was at a loss, feeling embarrassed.

“I had no idea our daughter was receiving such favor from the Count…”

Eli, hearing the maids’ stories, looked at Wendy with pride.

“Really… you’ve grown up so well… our daughter. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more for you… I couldn’t send you to school, but here… you even got accepted into Meikhael University…”

“Mom…”

Eli, overwhelmed with emotion, burst into tears.

Her son, Tom, sitting beside her, patted her back while holding the youngest, Ruri.

Even though he was only 10, Tom was faithfully taking on the role of the eldest son in place of Peter.

Seeing this, Wendy choked up.

After Peter and then Wendy left home, the remaining family members filled the void left by the two.

Life as serfs was so harsh that they had to rely on each other to endure.

Wendy could almost see the difficult times her family must have gone through, and her eyes welled up with tears.

“Hey, don’t cry on such a happy day.”

“Julie unnie?”

Looking up, Wendy saw Julie, her senior who had worked with her before she became an exclusive maid, smiling.

“Since you’re an exclusive maid, act like one. Wendy, you can’t cry. You have to show your family your best side, right? Hmm?”

“Yes, yes.”

Wendy wiped her tears.

Julie was right.

Who would have thought a day like this would come?

When she first entered the Ruelberta Count Family as the youngest maid, she had given up hope of ever returning to her family.

“It still feels like a dream. That I can be here in the mansion with my family like this…”

Wendy’s parents had been given the position of villa caretakers.

The villa, built for relaxation within the Ruelberta Mansion grounds, was where they would reside and manage.

This was essentially Tristan giving Wendy’s family a home.

Originally, the mansion’s employees had to use the dormitory unless under special circumstances.

So, giving Wendy’s family a house was Tristan’s consideration for them.

Moving from a dirt-covered hut to a luxurious house, her family felt as if they had risen from hell to heaven.

Honestly, it was so unreal that they still hadn’t fully adjusted.

“I can’t believe we’re really allowed to live in a place like this…”

Eli muttered awkwardly, looking around.

The place where they were chatting with the maids was the villa’s reception room.

Indeed, a villa was a villa.

It was much more luxurious and sturdily built than the houses commoners lived in.

Moreover, there was a decently large lake in front of the villa, offering a great view, and being within the mansion grounds, there were no security concerns.

This was the house where Wendy’s family would live from now on.

Wendy made a silent vow.

She would work with all her heart and soul for Tristan.

Then, Julie, who had been chatting beside her, suddenly spoke up.

“Oh, by the way, Wendy, hasn’t the Count been losing weight since you became his exclusive maid?”

“Huh?”

“Huh? Now that I think about it, yeah. I didn’t realize the Count was such a handsome man before. So, Wendy, what did you do to him?”

“I-I didn’t do anything…”

“Come on. That can’t be. Plus, it’s not just the weight loss; his personality has become strangely calm.”

“His cold gaze is still the same, though.”

“Oh! I totally agree!”

As the maids all chimed in, Wendy stuttered.

“W-we just exercise together every morning… Oh, and his meals have been reduced. The Count is busy… and I often break the plates with food, so he sometimes skips meals… Huh? Why are you all looking at me like that…?”

As Wendy spoke, the maids’ faces showed surprise, shock, and pity.

“The Count isn’t someone to be pitied, but this is a bit…”

“…Did he lose weight from stress?”

“Ah… So he wasn’t calm, but just low on energy…?”

“Hmm. Agreed.”

“Really?! Was that it?!”

“Maybe.”

“Sniff… Count. I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… I didn’t even realize…”

Seeing this, Julie poked Wendy’s cheek as she was about to burst into tears again.

“Hmm. I’ll forgive you. But as punishment, I’ll poke your cheek as many times as the plates you broke. Hold still, Wendy!”

“H-huh? Why…?”

It was a relief.

Most of the maids, including Julie, were fond of Wendy.

As they chatted amiably, they lost track of time.

“Alright, alright. Lunch break is almost over. Let’s get ready to go back to work.”

“Yes~.”

The head butler clapped his hands, urging the maids.

Then he spoke to Wendy’s family.

“The kitchen has been informed about the ingredients, so you can receive them every morning. If you need any supplies or anything, just let me or anyone working at the mansion know. From now on, you’re part of our family, so let’s get along well.”

“Y-yes, let’s get along well!”

Eli repeatedly bowed to the head butler. Wendy also bowed to him.

“Thank you, Head Butler!”

“Thank me? Since you became the exclusive maid, our work has become much easier. It’s all thanks to you taking good care of the Count.”

The head butler chuckled and patted Wendy’s head.

As Wendy saw off the people returning to the mansion, she suddenly felt a strange gaze.

Turning her head, she saw…

‘Huh? Master…?’

‘Yeah.’

‘You’re back now?’

The striped cat, Myohail, was twitching his whiskers.

As Wendy spread her arms, Myohail leaped into her embrace.

‘I actually came back a while ago, but there were too many people, so I missed the right time to come in. Hehe…’

‘Roughly, I heard the story. You’re going to live here with your family from now on?’

‘Yes. Hehe… I’m the exclusive maid, so I’ll be staying next to the Count’s room and will visit occasionally.’

Wendy smiled brightly and stroked Myohail’s neck.

Feeling her touch, Myohail purred.

Then he pointed to the family in the reception room and asked.

‘…Are those your family?’

‘Yes. Oh, not all of them. My father is in the hospital, but he’ll be here tomorrow.’

‘Hmm… I see.’

Myohail stroked his whiskers and stared at Wendy’s family.

His gaze carried an inexplicable sadness.

‘…Was it Rihart?’

‘Yes? Yes…’

‘How pitiful. To be so close and yet not find it…’

‘Master…?’

‘It’s nothing. Just an old man’s grumbling…’

Myohail sighed.

An indescribably long time seemed to flow out with his sigh.

If he had been in human form, he would never have shown his face in front of Wendy.

Sensing something, Wendy cautiously spoke up.

‘Um… Master.’

‘Hmm? What is it?’

‘If it’s okay with you, would you like to live here with my family…?’

‘W-what?!’

Myohail was startled and looked up at Wendy.

‘Live together? Why?’

‘Well, um… The mansion people think you’re just a stray cat. But if we say you’re a cat we’re keeping here, their perception might improve a bit…’

‘…Huh.’

Was it perhaps an impolite request?

Wendy anxiously waited for Myohail’s response.

Soon, his telepathic message came to her mind.

‘…Is it really okay?’

‘Yes?’

‘Is it really okay for me to stay by your family’s side…?’

‘Huh? Oh, is there any reason it wouldn’t be…?’

Myohail jumped out of Wendy’s arms.

‘Alright. Then, shamelessly… I’ll stay by your family’s side.’

‘Yes, yes. Everyone loves cats!’

‘Hmm. Being treated as a pet. Well, it’s more than this old man deserves.’

‘Hehehe… I’ll introduce you to my family right now… Huh? Master?’

‘Hmm? What is it?’

As Wendy was about to lead the way, she asked Myohail with concern.

‘Why are you crying…?’

 

---