*

　Ah, this isn't the Viscount Hamal's territory, Cecily said, patting the sheets.
　The bed in the guest room that was addressed to her was uncomfortable compared to the bed used in Viscount Hamal's territory.
　Even though she had left the army, it didn't mean that she hadn't gained anything.
　Cecily gained her brazenness in the army.
　If she wanted to, she could sleep in a crappy bed and endure a crappy diet.
　The room to which Cecily was assigned was, of course, a private room.
　There are few furnishings, and the furniture is simple in structure.
　Cecily's impression of the room was that it was a poorly appointed one, but in terms of practicality it was a passable one.
　I'm sure that as time passes, my thoughts become clearer and clearer, and I suddenly feel a surge of anger.
　After all, that man is the son of an upstart.
　Since I am the Viscount Hamal's daughter, and since I am accepting me as an apprentice, I should be on my knees to express my gratitude.
　Change," said the son of the upstart, "I don't want Cecily.
　In addition to this, he has been forced to imitate a waiter, a son of an upstart, and he must not understand the system of apprenticeship.
　Apprenticeship, like marriage, is a way to strengthen the relationship between families.
　Perhaps, though, my brother is planning to set Cecily up as a second lady or mistress.
　Quite right, your brother is your brother, too. Cecily gritted her teeth at the thought of offering me up to someone who couldn't tell the difference between a stone and a jewel.
　But Princess Tilia understood, didn't she? For now, I'm going to take the Princess Tilia's side and manipulate that despicable mercenary's son to my will, Cecily says with a dark sense of pleasure.
　Suddenly, Cecily felt the presence of people approaching.
　All she could make out was that there was more than one person, but since they were zipping along, they weren't going to hide their presence.
　Just in case, Cecily reached for the dagger she kept under her pillow.
　It's important to be cautious.
　It's important to be cautious, because if you're not careful and you're made to feel like a damaged item, your value will be lowered.
　Boom!　And the door was kicked in.

"Flame Dance!

　Flashy flames lit up the room, and the sound of an explosion rang out.

''........!''

　In a sudden outburst, Cecily rolled off the bed with her dagger clenched in her hand.
　Naturally. Even though she was of a lower class, she had never experienced having offensive magic unleashed in a room.

''Get up, get up!　How long are you going to sleep, you d*mned maid!
The less-than-wormy bad maids, or crappy maids for short, don't get up any later than we do!

　 They were on either side of the room.
　First, it was Princess Tilia who came into the room, then a maid who was a little over thirty.
　The last to come in was also a maid.
　Her age was about fifteen years old.
　She was dark in color and had a bad look in her eyes anyway.

'You're over there.'
Yeah.

　When instructed, the bleary-eyed maid moves next to Cecily, biting off a sleepy absent-mindedness.

What's this all about?
"Flame dance!

　As soon as she approached Princess Tilia, the offensive magic sparked again.
　Cecily stopped and looked at Princess Tilia.

''Maid education.''
I'm an apprentice, not a maid!

　Cecily said, and Princess Tyria beckoned the twin elves to join her.
　The three of them formed a circle.

'They refuted me. The note Crono gave me was ... ugh, nothing but cuss words.
Like I'm not supposed to be a coward!
We just have to push through it.
Yeah, I guess so.

　The Kohon and Princess Tyria gave one cough.

''You are ... a maid. From now on you will be educated to be a maid.
'I'm a novice!　As a nobleman, I demand to be treated with honor!

　Huh?　The twin elves said mockingly.

'You used us as shields to escape, and you make me laugh about honor and all that.
I mean, he sold you out, but it hurts like a sore thumb.
'I'm not for sale!　Take it back!

　Huh?　And the twin elves laid into Cecily.

'If you come any closer, I will stab you!
I'm good!

　The twin elves jumped at her and Cecily quickly tried to pull the dagger out of its scabbard as quickly as possible.

''..........''

　A jolt of shock and a choking fit.
　The blind maid beside her kicked Cecily's dove-tail.

'Dagger, take it!'
I'll rip you off!

　Oh, no!　Instead of the word "kehu," what came out was a kehu, kehu sound.
　Cecily flailed her arms and legs and fought back, but it was two against one.
　Her nightgown was torn off and Cecily stared at the twin elves, hiding her breasts.

''Well, just as well.''

　Princess Tilia threw the clothes she had received from the maid behind her towards Cecily.

'What is it?'
An apron dress. You don't have to wear it if you don't want to. I'll have you naked then.

　Cecily glared at Princess Tyria.
　I was wrong to think that she understood.
　No, from the beginning, Princess Tilia has been on the side of that upstart.

''Viscount Blood Hamal will be embarrassed. After making so many concessions to Crono, his sister would be kicked out without a satisfactory job. I suppose the contract could be reviewed?

　A chill creeps up my spine.
　I don't know why.

''Well okay. I'll change in a minute, would you please leave?

　Huh?　The twin elves asked back in dismay.

'I understand,'

　With anger in her voice, Cecily changed into an apron dress.

''Well it was a bit of a struggle, but oh well.

　Princess Tilia said with satisfaction.

''I'm sure you wore your apron dress of your own volition. You're about to enter your maid training now... but don't open your mouth unless you're spoken to!　From the mouth.....

　Princess Tyria looked down at the stack of papers and swept her gaze over them as if she were confused.

''The only two responses are 'yes' or 'no'!
....
Yeah.
The answer is 'yes'!
"Yes!

　When Cecily and the poor-eyed maid replied in a loud voice, Princess Tyria nodded again, this time with a look of satisfaction.

''Then let me introduce myself. I'm ..............................Good for me. Alyssa will be in charge of your training.
Nice to meet you.

　The maid behind Princess Tilia Alyssa said in a well spoken voice.

''Deneb and Alydead are my training assistants. And I will be in charge of cursing. You can call Alyssa your instructor during training, and she is my senior to all maids except Alyssa and myself. As for me you are to call me ... ma'am.
"Yes, ma'am!
...your wife, that sounds wonderful.

　A blush flashed across Princess Tilia's cheeks as she became excited.

''Good!　Now you are less than maids you are less than feathers!　You are the most inferior creature on this world!　If you want to be treated as a maid, you'll have to go through the ordeal!
"Yes, ma'am!

*

　I was worried about what kind of punishment I was going to receive, but Alyssa her training as head maid was straightforward.
　The first thing she was taught was to prepare herself.
　In short, she was to be loyal to her master, Crono, and work to maintain the Marquis' mansion so that she could welcome unexpected visitors, no matter what they might be.
　Next, I will use a diagram to explain where the maids work in the mansion.
　It may have been partly out of consideration for Verna, who cannot read, but the diagram makes it easy to understand where the maids are working and what kind of work they are doing.
　When the explanation is finished, it's time to practice.
　It's a good idea to practice the manners of the guests, how to clean the house and how to carry the food while listening to the explanation.
　It's not a bad idea to practice kata if you put it in the context of kenjutsu or bodywork.
　Oh, that's good, Cecily thought to herself in relief.
　I don't know why I'm doing this.

　.... There was a time when I thought that way, too.

　Cecily waved the broom she had named Leonhardt with a trembling hand.
　According to Princess Tilia's explanation, the broom was Cecily's lover, who was less than a featherworm.

''What's the matter?''　Does it look like we're slowing down?　Get your head out of your ass!　Move your ass!　We're losing the sun!　Are you not going to feed me the same way you did last night?
Yes, ma'am!

　Cecily's voice rang out in a corner of the Marquis' mansion.
　It was one of the guest rooms that had been chosen as the place for the maid training.
　It's a well-cleaned room.
　Even with a broom sweep, there was no visible debris.
　Princess Tilia's words were tantamount to an accusation.

"....Princess Tyria.
What?

　Alyssa seems to have noticed something and gives an earful to Princess Tilia.

'Are you going to shake your ass and dance?　Or are you asking a man out?
.....

　Cecily glared at her, and Princess Tilia laughed as if to say she had been waiting for it.

'What's that defiant look in your eyes?　Okay, so you want to swing your hips that badly?　Then I'll let you swing it!　Squat!
Oh, for God's sake!

　Buh!　'Yes,' said Princess Tilia, waving her horse whip.

'The reply is, 'Yes, ma'am!

　Cecily and Verna carefully placed their brooms on the floor and crossed their arms behind their heads.

'Deneb, Alide, count it.
"One, two....

　As Cecily and Verna began to squat, Princess Tilia began to walk slowly.

''Well you will abhor me like a snake scorpion. But as much as you hate me, you will be closer to your true maids. Do you understand!
"Yes, ma'am!
You're kidding me!　Shout it out!

　He barely squeezed out his voice, but what came back from the Tyria Princess was a curse.

''Yes!　Ma'am!

　Cecily had learned that if she was defiant in a short time, the penalty push-ups and squats would be added on top of the penalty.
　Acting obediently was the right response.
　But even with the right response, Princess Tyria's abuse would rain down relentlessly.

''Your speed is slowing down!　You're trying to imitate a newborn foal!
"No, ma'am!

　Princess Tilia waved her horse whip and smiled lecherously (sadistically).

''Kuhu, kuhu, my mission is to eliminate the useless. Instead of thinking about what I can do for Crono, I'm going to get rid of those useless people who are less than feathers that think about what Crono can do for me.

　Princess Tilia was so impressed that she shook her body.

''Hmmm, you people who are less than a winged insect don't need a name. I'll give you a name that you deserve.

　Bishops, Princess Tilia thrust the tip of her horse whip at Cecily.

'I'll call you a spoiled tit. A fitting name for you, with your wasted nourishment in your breasts and your big, wasted breasts.

　Princess Tilia laughs as if she can't stand it.

"You're such a... you're such a bad tit! You are such a useless teat. Cows are better at producing milk. You are nothing but milk.

　Princess Tyria looked down.

'I'm not a cunny!　Chrono-oh!　You asked me to do it, I did it!　I tried so hard!　We did our best!
Your Highness, calm down!
Get a grip!

　Ororo~n, Ororo~n, the twin elves supported the sorrowing Princess Tilia from both sides.

''......................''
Guck!

　Princess Tilia glared at Verna, who blurted out unbearably, with a devilish look on her face.

''Your name has been chosen!''
....

　Princess Tilia lifted it up with her crossed arms, which seemed to emphasize a fuller bulge than Cecily's.

''A ... chopping board.''
.....

　When Verna's expression intensified, Princess Tilia nodded in satisfaction.
　She liked the name she had given herself so much that she repeated it over and over again, chopping board, chopping board.

''I will thoroughly adore you!　I won't let you cry or laugh!　Give me 50 more squats!　If you can't stand up, do push-ups!

*

　Late at night my thoughts were fuzzy.
　He didn't know if someone had guided him or if he had walked by himself, or even that.
　Before I knew it, Cecily was in a room in the basement of the Marquis' mansion, collapsing onto her bed.
　The room was small and gloomy, just because it was in the basement.
　The furniture consisted of two dingy beds, with a crude table and chairs between them.
　Someone must have brought them in.
　There was soup and bread for two on the table.
　The air in the room was polluted with the smell of dust and mold, and I had no appetite after all that work.
　Sluggishly, Cecily and Verna sat down and mechanically poured the food into their stomachs.
　The cold, hardened grease stuck to their lips.
　The sensation was unpleasant, but if they didn't take a meal like this, they would get sick and be turned away by Viscount Hamal.
　After finishing the meal, Cecily collapsed into bed again.
　Verna was also in a similar state, squirming on the bed.

''........This isn't too much.
You'll just have to wait until I finish my training.

　As Cecily looked up at the ceiling and muttered, Verna said in a moaning tone.

''I'm a nobleman, you know?''
Oh, really? So why don't you just go home?
Aren't you going to get punished when I leave?

　Normally Cecily would have rewarded Verna's disrespectful dialogue with force, but what if they found out?　The thought of "I'm not going to be punished for this," made me hesitate to resort to violence.

'I won't be punished much, probably.

　Scratching her head in a raggedy way, Verna said languidly.

Well, there's nowhere to run. And it's not much better now, but this place is a paradise compared to the last place you were in. There's food and shelter. They even teach you how to read and write if you want.
If you want to, I can help you. Of course, I can assure you that I will provide for you after your escape.
I don't want to.

　Verna turned her back on Cecily.

'Why?　It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a poor man like you, isn't it?

　The poor are poor for a reason.
　They are lazy and short-sighted.
　That's why we need to beat their warped natures back in places like the poorhouse.
　At least that's what Cecily thinks, and I'm sure many of them think so too.

''Marquis Erakis I owe Master Crono a debt of gratitude for taking care of my business. I wouldn't betray someone who did that for me, who I only met once.

　And besides," Verna adds.

"I don't like that you're using me as an excuse to escape.
Are you trying to insult me, you poor bastard?　Take it back!
Hey, man.

　Verna got off the bed and readied her fists.

'Are you going to do it, Teme?'
'Ha, I'll tell you what happens when a poor man's mind is challenged by a nobleman!
That's good, b*tc*!

　It was too soon to say, but Verna plunged in with her fists at the ready.
　Perhaps it was due to the lingering effects of the squats and push-ups, but she was staggeringly slow.
　I'll show you what I'm talking about, Cecily said, holding her fist up on the spot.
　Verna launched her fist at Cecily's face.
　Cecily bent down and ducked Verna's fist.
　If he could move as he should, he could have ducked through Verna's attack and slammed his fist straight into her, but his tired body did not follow Cecily's image.
　Biting her teeth at her body's staggeringly slow reaction, Cecily slammed her fist into Verna's side in an arcing trajectory.
　Verna's face contorts in anguish.
　But that's it.
　Either fatigue prevented her fist from being powerful enough, or Verna was too sturdy.
　The moment Cecily slammed her fist into Verna's pigeontail, if one shot didn't work, there was a shock to her shoulder.
　Verna swung her fist down.
　Cecily hesitated, wondering if she should keep her distance or stop and strike at each other.

''What's the matter, nobleman?''
I've decided.

　When Cecily raised her fist, Verna deflected her upper body.
　She didn't even know it was a feint.
　Kicking the floor, Cecily collapses and hits Verna in a crumpled heap.
　She wasn't going to fall down with him.
　No, there wasn't.
　Cecily felt a severe pain in her head at the same time as the floor was getting closer.
　Verna grabbed Cecily's hair in anguish...maybe she was aiming for it...but she grabbed Cecily's hair.
　There was enough time for me to understand that.
　We both fall to the floor.
　Cecily is on top and Verna is on the bottom.
　In a situation like this, whoever is on top has a huge advantage.

''......................This, you coward!
"There's no such thing as cowardice in a fight!

　Guffawing, Verna pulled Cecily's hair to the side.
　A strange sound came from her neck, but Cecily didn't care and swung her fist into Verna's face.

'Kuh, my arms!
I don't want to hear your excuses!

　That day, Cecily and Verna beat each other until they ran out of steam.

*

...you less than a winged insect.

　As Cecily dragged her body through the sore muscles from the squats and push-ups, the damage from the fight, and the exhaustion from lack of sleep to reach the meeting place, Princess Tyria was the first to say those words at the opening.
　If the twin elves were there, they would have been cheered, but fortunately, they were nowhere to be seen.

''You don't even have the idea of washing your dirty clothes?''

　Kufu," laughed Princess Tilia.

Squats and push-ups as punishment.
"Yes, ma'am.

　When she replied in a flat voice, Princess Tilia raised her eyebrows in displeasure.

''Your voice is so low!　Speak from your stomach!
"'Yes!　Ma'am!

　When she shouted in half desperation, Princess Tilia nodded in satisfaction, seemingly satisfied with her educational achievement.
　However, as Cecily and Verna began to squat, Princess Tilia's expression changed to disappointment.

''Well........no more.''
I'm so dead.

　It was Verna who raised the sound first.
　'We've made it this far,' said Cecily, raising the sound with the extra strength she had left.

''Princess Tilia, you both seem to be at the end of your physical strength?''
Hmm, yeah.

　Princess Tyria nodded with a divine look on her face at Alyssa's point.

'Crawl down and polish the floor. This hard floor........

　Dan Dan and Princess Tyria pounded the floor with their feet.

'Think of this hard floor as a chrono and brush it with your big, flat breasts for no good reason. Serving, if you will. Yes, serve with your breasts.

　Cecily glared at Princess Tilia. Even though she glared with all the hatred she could muster, Princess Tilia was proud as if she was receiving a compliment.

''Are those breasts a decoration?''
....

　Gritting her back teeth, Cecily got down on all fours, thrusting her hips up and rubbing her chest against the floor.

*

Well, that's about it. Tomorrow you'll wash your clothes properly.
"Yes, ma'am!

　Cecily and Verna collapsed to the ground as they watched Princess Tilia and Alyssa leave.
　They couldn't feel their hips after more than half a day in the ass-pumping position.

'It wouldn't have taken me this long if I'd been doing my normal job.

　Crawling to a nearby wall, Verna stood up, relying on the wall.
　Cecily sat down on the floor and looked away from Verna.
　There was no way they could work together after they had just had a fist fight last night.
　However, I can't sit there forever.
　Cecily stands up, thinking that if she could use her divine power technique at a time like this, she could disguise her fatigue.
　Cecily headed to the room in the basement, stopping on her way.
　Because she heard the voice of that upstart's son and Verna.
　That upstart's son must know what the Princess Tyria was doing.
　No, there is a good chance that he will be stopped here and given unreasonable orders.
　That man is the son of an upstart, filthy mercenary.

''Well that's a tough one.
I really wish you wouldn't do that. I mean, it's all one big deal. I'm doing my job and you're screwing it up, all right?

　But that man's voice in Cecily's ear is terribly calm.
　It could be that he's trying to get her into bed.
　I hear that man is a womanizer.
　He would like to hold Verna like a skinny chicken.
　Cecily peeked at them from the corner of the hallway to avoid being spotted.
　That man ... he was talking to Verna with a calm expression on his face.

''We'll just have to be patient for a little while longer.''
Yeah, I know, I know. I mean, I'm paying for her to be here, for all I know.
'Sorry. I thought it would be better if we were in pairs to help him learn responsibility.
No, it's okay.

　Verna scratched her head in embarrassment.

'It would be nice if Verna could fill in for what Cecily is missing. 'You know, give her some advice about work or something.'
But that guy doesn't seem to listen to anybody. His pride won't allow him to take lessons from the poor.
Ha, ha, ha, ha.

　Verna said, and Crono laughed happily.
　What is it, that man?　Such a calm, kind face...what an unpleasant man, Cecily gritted her back teeth.
　She felt a presence and turned around to find Faye standing there.
　Faye scratched her cheek as if she were troubled.
　Cecily turned over and gripped her apron dress.
　The smell of lavender wafted from Faye.
　It must have been after using a scented or perfume-infused soap.
　There is not a single stain on the clothes she is wearing, perhaps because she has just washed them.
　Cecily's apron dress is dirty and smells badly of sweat.

'What do you say?'
....

　Faye shushed him as if she was at a loss for an answer.

'Isn't it better if I laugh at the fact that it's a nice touch?　I'm the one who kept mocking you, calling you a horseshit, and now I look like this!　Or am I not worthy of ridicule?

　Cecily exploded with emotion and crowded Faye.
　But Faye didn't move an inch and looked at Cecily.

'....Why?

　After a painful silence, Faye muttered softly.

''How could it have come to this, sir?''
I don't know!

　Cecily doesn't understand who Faye is talking about.
　It could be about Cecily's current situation, or it could be about Cecily's relationship with Faye.
　Cecily is a hostage in the name of an apprentice of conduct.
　And she's an unwanted hostage offered up by her brother to impose on her.
　She could still have been saved if she had been asked to be a woman.
　If so, she could have looked down on that man.
　But Cecily was denied her value as a woman.
　Face to face, and also with a strong resolve to be willing to break up negotiations.
　Right now, Faye is the deputy captain of the cavalry of the Thirteenth Kingsguard.
　Moreover, I even hear that she is wanted as a woman by that man.
　He got to his current position by opening his legs to the son of an upstart.
　No, as long as he was given a place to play an active role, Fei was good enough to belong to the First and Second Konoe Order, which was regarded as the most elite of the Konoe Order.

''It is time to go.
....

　He wanted to call out to her, but no words came out to stop Faye.
　Cecily clenched her fists.
　The back of her eyeballs are numb.
　If she opened her mouth, she felt like she was going to start crying.
　When she returned to the basement room, the soup was on the table, just as it was yesterday.
　Verna sat in a chair, not touching the food.

'You're late. Well, sit down.'
....

　Verna was in such a good mood that it irritated Cecily, as if she was happy to have talked to the man.

'Yeah, well, what the hell. I'm sorry I didn't do it, I was sorry too.
....

　Cecily silently sips her soup and brings the shredded bread to her mouth with her fingers.

'No, you know what ... can't we just work a little more efficiently?　If you're not used to it, I can help you with that.
Would you please shut up for a minute?
Oh, oh, hey, I'll shut up.

　We finished our meal.
　Before I knew it, there was a large tarai and a water bottle in one corner of the room.
　I guess that's what I'm supposed to do with it, wash my clothes.

'Hey, to continue the conversation.
Please don't stop. I'm tired today.

　I can't wait to wash my clothes and go to sleep.
　Cecily takes off her apron dress and throws it on the bed.
　She transfers the water from the water bottle to the tarai and throws the apron dress in.

'No, no,' she says, 'it has to be now. If you want, I can do it while you wash your clothes.
Would you please be quiet?

　Cecily said, and Verna raised her eyebrows in displeasure.

'I stopped!　I was going to take care of you because Master Crono told me to.
I didn't ask you to take care of me!
'That's right!　I don't give a shit about you!

　Spitting out, Verna lay back down on the bed.
　She turned her back on it, as if she didn't want to talk anymore.
　Cecily rolled her back and washed her apron dress.
　She had been taught how to wash it in the classroom, but she had a knack for it, and even when she washed it as if she were rubbing the fabric together, it didn't remove any of the dirt.
　At this rate, I'd be forced to do squats and push-ups tomorrow.
　I'm growing impatient, frustrated and miserable.
　After cleaning the dirt to a somewhat better level, Cecily crawled into bed and cried aloud.



　The next day, Cecily's eyes widened when she saw her apron dress.
　The apron dress had been cleaned.
　Reflexively, she looked to the side and saw Verna with a sullen expression on her face.

''........What?''
I don't know how to thank you.

　Verna gave one tongue-lashing.

'I didn't want you to thank me for it, so it's fine. If you can't do a single wash, talk to me. You didn't get the dirt off, man.
I did my laundry like you taught me!

　Ha, Verna laughs.

'That stain can't be removed by just washing it off by hand. You have to use a washboard and soap.
Washboard?

　Looking near the tarai and the water bottle, I saw a board placed on it.
　It was a rectangular board with an uneven surface.
　I don't remember seeing the same thing.

'I wasn't taught that,'
That's because you only taught me the rudiments of the basics. Washing boards are just starting to be used.

　Boribori and Verna scratched their heads.

'd*mn, it's disgusting. Maybe the lack of a washboard and soap was on purpose. They were testing us. Come on, let's get some food and get to work.
Okay, okay.

　She felt terribly miserable that she couldn't do a single load of laundry without the help of a child five years younger than her.
　Cecily changed into her apron dress and sat down to eat her breakfast.
　Soup and bread, the same menu as usual.
　When they finished their meal and went to the meeting place, Princess Tilia looked disappointed.
　Alyssa, who was standing behind Princess Tilia, looked somewhat happy.
　As she began her work, Princess Tilia looked more and more disappointed.
　It's a good thing that you're able to do this, because Verna warned her earlier than Alyssa could overhear the Tilia princess.
　There wasn't an ounce of restraint, telling her to move a little more crisply, to sweep that way because there was no way for the two of them to freeze together, or to cooperate because she couldn't lift the furniture alone, but from Alyssa's reaction, Verna's attention seemed to be accurate.

'Mmm, boring.'
Well, at least give me a sense of substance.

　Alyssa chided Princess Tyria for letting out her true feelings.

''You don't need the 'cursing book' anymore. You still have half of it left.
I'm pleased that we're able to work together.

　Mmm," the Tyria Princess quirked her lips in frustration.

Alyssa thinks it's a fair grade?
I still think we need more training.

　Princess Tyria handed the Book of Curses to Alyssa.

'I'll leave the rest to you,'
Where are you going?
'It's swordsmanship training. I've skipped out on my training by keeping up with you two.

　After saying that, Princess Tilia left the room.

''Princess Tilia has left, but I will strictly supervise her. Let's work efficiently today so that we can have a warm dinner.''
"Yes, instructor!

　Alyssa laughed as Cecily and Verna shouted.

*

　Alyssa's words about being efficient were not false.
　Since she had worked as a maid for a long time, Alyssa's instructions were accurate.
　If it had been Cecily on the first day, she would have spouted one of her rebellious lines, but perhaps because Princess Tilia was that thing, she was able to accept Alyssa's instructions and attentions with open arms.
　It was also nice to be praised for the little things.
　Like the other maids, she had lunch and went about her afternoon work.
　And in the evening my work for the day ends with cleaning the office.

''Master, I'm here to clean.

　He must have taken the lack of a response as approval.
　Alyssa opens the door to her office and smoothly enters the room.
　Following Verna, Cecily enters the room and sees the man working at his desk.

''Good work.''
It's what I do.

　Cecily braced herself for any kind of harassment, but surprisingly, nothing was done by that man.
　However, he didn't talk to Cecily at all, but he talked to Alyssa and Verna quite a bit.
　It was depressing how the weather was today, how the condition of the Marquis' mansion was, how the city was doing, if there was anything that was troubling them, and so on.
　Alyssa and Verna both answer as they clean up.
　Even though he was a new nobleman of an upstart, Cecily felt it was impolite to give a response while working, but the son of an upstart... Crono didn't seem to mind.
　If he missed a question, he would ask the same question after a while, as he remembered.
　When he was about to leave the room after spending twice as much time cleaning it as the rest of the room.

Oh, Cecily stays here.

　He called out to her.
　After Alyssa and Verna left, Cecily confronted Crono.

''How's ... how's work going?''
What's the matter with you?
'Did Tilia fail?'

　Cecily spat, and Crono poked her cheekbones in a boring way.

'Oh, my dear sir, that's not going to break my heart.
I guess so. I'd have been grateful if you'd run off.

　That's what you really mean, Cecily said, glaring at Crono.
　Perhaps last night's incident was just a way to make Verna feel better about working.

To be honest, I didn't expect you to work this hard.
If that's what you're thinking, you might want to look a little happier.

　Cecily returned the sarcasm.
　Crono's words were not a compliment, but a disappointment that he had missed his predictions.
　I defied this man's expectations.
　That alone makes me feel fine.
　Of course, he will continue to harass me in the future, but I just need to discourage him each time.

''Is the conversation over?　If we're done with this, I'll have to leave the room.
Well, good luck with that.

　Without being told, Cecily turned her back to Crono.
　Crono opened his mouth next as Cecily put her hand on the doorknob.

''Well I'm sure there will be times in the future when your inferiority complex will be stimulated, though.

　Cecily stopped moving and slowly turned around.
　As before, Crono was poking his cheekbones in the same way as before.

'This me being inferior?'

　Thud thud thud thud thud, my heart beats like an early bell.
　My head jolts like I've been hit with a blunt object.

'Cancel it!'

　Cecily exclaimed, and Crono smiled wickedly.

'You don't have to be so distraught to understand ... well, I can imagine.
What do you mean by that?

　It's a joke.
　This man is trying to shake things up.
　Cecily is the daughter of the old noble family of Hamar and a former vice-captain of the Twelfth Order of the Kingsguard.
　She has mastered both swordsmanship and horsemanship at a high level.
　What element of inferiority do you have in such a person that makes you feel inferior?
　You should be angry.
　You should not allow any more outbursts.
　Yet Cecily couldn't say a word.
　I'm watching.
　They are watching.
　Watching Cecily with only one eye.
　No, they were watching her.
　From the first moment they met, Crono had been watching Cecily.
　He had been observing her.
　What was he looking at, what was he seeing?
　It's fear.
　The fear of not knowing what he was seeing.
　Crono stood up and slowly closed the distance between him and Cecily, as if to fuel the fear.
　He can't look away from Crono.
　He took a step or two back, and the wall blocked Cecily's path.
　Bulletily, Cecily reached for the doorknob.
　Crono gently grabbed Cecily's wrist.

'You've worked hard, and you've gotten there and done well, but no matter how hard you try, you're not a genius.
Oh, shut up.

　Her voice trembled miserably.
　Zakzak and Crono's words became an invisible blade, cutting Cecily's heart into pieces.
　She tried and got the results.
　But he couldn't match the genius of a swordsman like Fay, or the genius of an equestrian like his brother.
　A wall of talent that can never be crossed, and yet, you are still expected to achieve what is appropriate for your position.

'That's why I escaped before they gave me credit for it. 'Maybe next time?　You can't. There's no point in just changing places when you're not changing yourself.

　Crono's tone was kind.
　But the sound of his voice, as gentle as fellowship, gouged Cecily's heart.
　He ran away.
　He ran away.
　Because I found out that I couldn't produce the results I deserved as a second-in-command.
　I ran away from the Twelfth Kinsman Guard and from Gaul.

''So then, it's something different?　That might be a possibility, but you know that, right?　You know that, right?
Let go of me!

　She tries to shake him off, but Crono doesn't let go of her hand.
　Crono pulled her hand away and Cecily was pushed against the door.
　Cecily turns over.
　He can't meet his eyes.
　She was afraid that she would find a definite breakdown in his eyes.
　She could fool herself now.
　Crono pointed to Cecily's heart.

'Even if you go somewhere else, even if you do something different, even if you cling to being a nobleman, even if you look down on others... there's no escaping your inferiority complex. It's just you, you know.

　That was the end of it. He turned away and was caught by the one that had been running away.
　Crono removed his hand from Cecily's wrist as if he'd lost interest.

*

　We need to keep that man quiet.
　You would kill him to keep him quiet?　I can't.
　If I do, I'll lose my honor as a nobleman.
　Escaping to Viscount Hamal's estate?　If I escape and return home, my brother will think I'm incompetent and unable to handle even a hostage situation satisfactorily.
　Maybe he can even see through what I'm thinking right now.
　I was underestimating him.
　He reckoned that he was the son of a filthy mercenary, an ordinary man with only the same or even lesser talents than himself.
　That man is an ordinary man.
　A man who knew the limits of his talents, and who probably had the same inferiority complex as himself.
　That's why he understands Cecily's weakness.
　He observes Cecily's behavior and compares it to his own experience and drags out the fact that he has been hiding it in the back of his mind.
　What to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do Ba..., Cecily continued to ask herself in her bed.

*

You know what they say about training.
Yeah?

　
　It would be good to make it a habit if he would go out with her, but Crono has a section of his mind that thinks it's a bad idea to leave work in the middle of the day and it's not likely to happen.

'Yeah, what's up with that training?'
The famous 'Eiga'... well, it's based on a story, but in the film, one of the trainees who couldn't stand the training went insane and killed the instructor, then committed suicide afterwards~
"...Hey!　Why didn't you say something so important!

　Tilia exclaimed.
　She had only been told that that training method was famous in the world of Crono, and that the maids of the Barony of Crawford were also using it.

''No, I wasn't told, and...''
"Who's going to listen to him when he explains it to me like that?

　Tilia tightened her grip on her sword and searched for signs of the surroundings.
　At the same time, he strengthened his hearing with the Divine Majesty Technique 'Activation'.
　The sound of footsteps is getting closer.
　One, or maybe two, Tilia put her hand on the hilt of her sword.
　With a clatter, the door opens and the two maids - Verna and Cecily - enter the dining room.

''I came to clean up, but you were using it?''
'Mr Verna. That language is disrespectful to your husband and your wife.
Oh, yeah.

　Cecily chided her in a soft tone, and Verna replied in a bemused way.

'Verna, Verna,'
Have you turned off the chopping board?

　Tilia beckoned to her, and Verna approached with a sense of disapproval.

'What's going on with Cecily?'
'I don't know. I thought you'd been talking to yourself lately but then I woke up this morning to find you like this. Well, that's a good thing. I've been working very hard and when I tell him, he just goes along for the ride.

　Crono's words about having a mental breakdown weighed heavily on Tilia.

'Oh~, Cecily, Cecily?'
What is it, ma'am?

　Tilia called out to Cecily as she touched the hilt of her sword carelessly.

'Hmm, what, I was wondering if you had anything against me.
I'm sure I don't resent you, ma'am. In fact, I'm grateful to her. She taught me to be humble in spite of my arrogance. I feel like a new person. The sun is shining brightly on me.

　Holding out her hand, Cecily squinted dazedly.

''........Oh shit.''
No, it's a good thing, isn't it?

　This kind of anomaly would be welcome.
　Well, Verna is looking at Cecily like she's looking at a bug.

'No, no, it's more like, yikes. It's a shame you've got a bad head on your shoulders.
'No problem. Viscount Brad Hammar will thank you, maybe.
'I don't, thanks. Where in the world would you find a brother who's grateful for his sister's disappointing head?
'Think about it the other way around. The Cecily of the past is the disappointment, and the Cecily of the present is the normal. When questioned by Viscount Brad Hammar, I will insist that this is how it was all along, I will say so. So, you'll be able to say I don't know about it, too. You don't want to lose your job, do you?
Yeah, that's true. What if it gets worse?
We'll take care of that in due course.

　Tilia brought the cup to her mouth with a trembling hand.

'You want a drink too?　Peppermint has a sedative effect.
Oh, yeah.
"Funny wife and Mr. Verna

　Tilia turned away from Cecily, who was cooing and laughing.
　Verna has a somber expression on her face.

'Cecily, hey,'
What is it, sir?

　Cecily walks up to Crono with a soft smile on her face.
　That soft smile seemed to be a product of madness to Tyria.

''The mood has changed a bit, hasn't it?''
Yes, thanks to you and your wife.

　Crono smiled wickedly and touched Cecily's bottom.

'No, sir,'
'Hmm, good response. Would you like to come to my room tonight?
Crono!

　Tilia protests, slamming the desk with a bang.

'Oh my, your wife is staring at you with a scary look on her face.
Yeah, I'm scared. But you're coming, right?　If you'd come....

　Cecily put her ear to Crono's mouth.
　Cecily's calm smile froze at what she said.
　Bash!　There was a sound.
　Cecily slapped Crono on the cheek with a slap.

'This, you upstart!　The son of a filthy mercenary, he thinks he can do that to me!

　It was as if she heard such a sound with a purr~ruri.
　Cecily looked awkwardly at Tilia and Verna.

'Unfamiliar acting, thank you for your efforts.'
If you know it's an act, get your hands off me!

　Apparently, Crono didn't take his hand off Cecily's ass when he was slapped.

'Acting?'

　When Verna turned her voice inside out, Cecily turned away awkwardly.

'You were thinking of strengthening your position by pretending to be submissive, weren't you?　But it's sweet, prodigally sweet. I'm ready to pass on my kicked-up resentment to my children and grandchildren.

　As usual, Crono is a small human being.

'It's obnoxious!'
Hey! What are you doing for a living?

　Verna follows Cecily out of the dining room with a rough gait.

'Crono, what would you have done if Cecily had been really sorry?
It's delicious.
What were you going to do if you stuck to your act?
It's delicious.

　Tilia looked at Crono, wondering if he was enjoying it either way.
　She was curious what Crono had said to Cecily, but Tilia didn't ask.