"Martha,
What's going on?　Yuki-sama.
'What if I told you that my previous life was an immortal sorcerer and I'm reincarnating with those memories and skills?

A few days before the orientation of the "Magic Guild".
　At lunch, I said this to Martha.

　I thought it was time to talk about it.
　I will eventually stop growing and stop aging.
　Then I'll have to disappear from the world of men.
　I don't want Martha to be surprised when that happens.

　To me, Martha is more than family.
　And now that I've found out about Lyle and Remilia, and I'm about to deal with what happened in my previous life, I don't know when it will happen to me, either.
　That's why I decided to talk to you while I'm still calm.

You didn't even notice.
I'm sorry. You scared the shit out of me.
That's what I'm used to.
I'm so sorry.
...what if Yuki-sama is the reincarnation of an immortal sorcerer?

　Martha nodded her head as she poured additional honey on my pancakes.

'Right. Also, when I say I'll be gone from people's world one day,'
Are you going to leave?
'You don't age after your growing up years. You can't have a guy like that in the human world all the time.
I understand. If you said Yuki-sama is immortal and will be gone someday, that is.

　Martha nodded her head a little, then

In the meantime, we think he's testing Martha's loyalty.
Do you think I'm lying?
No, sir, I don't think so.

　Shaking her head, Martha shook her head.

'Yuki-sama doesn't lie about things like that.
So, what's this about trying?
'Either Martha will drop everything and follow Yuki-sama, or she won't.
I don't think I'm such a bad master. I am.
That's the problem.
Does it bother you?
'Because if I said I'd follow you, Yuki-sama would probably say, "Martha's mother - what are you going to do about Melissa? And you'll tell me that, won't you?
That's what I'm talking about.
So I have this letter.

　Martha took out a small piece of parchment from the pocket of her maid's uniform.

'It's a letter from my mother──Melissa. It's to inform you that I'm feeling better and will be able to return to work as a maid in the mansion next month.
'Seriously?　Good for you, Martha.
Well that's the problem with what you say.
What?
It's nothing.

　Martha put down the bottle of honey with a calm look on her face.
　Honey spilled from the pancake plate, wetting the table. But she didn't seem to notice.

Martha-sama. There's going to be hot water soon.
This is a good opportunity. You should practice making a cup of tea. Mr. Remy.
You got it.

　I hear Remy's voice and the sound of the water boiling from the kitchen.
　Martha has a soothing smile on her face, waiting for me to speak.
　So I decide to continue my explanation.

　That I was killed by the 'Sanctuary Church' in my previous life.
　Three years ago, I remembered the memories of my previous life.

　A girl chased after me in my previous life and reincarnated.
　I had to take her as my wife - or rather, take her in as my wife, according to a promise made in my previous life.
　I had to take her in as a wife, or rather, I had to protect her from the possibility of immortality.

I was actually planning to disappear when I beat up the teacher, Kachel, at the baronial estate. I got into a fight with my brother Xellos and I lied about my identity.
Is that so?
Yeah. But Brother Xelloss said he would risk his life to protect my secret. Also, he declared me his brother. And I've lost my chance to disappear.
I see. That makes sense.

　Martha nodded.

'As a matter of fact, it was Lady Xellos who encouraged my mother to return to being a maid.
My brother?
Yes. He says it's so that Martha can serve Yuki without a care in the world.
You're good, brother.
You're Yuki's big brother, after all.
Is this my fault?
What do you think?

　Martha smiles in annoyance and hugs the parchment.
　Then, quietly, she closes her eyes.

How many years later?
What?
It's a time when Yuki-sama stops growing and can no longer live in the human world.

In the meantime, I'll get my affairs in order.
Whose?
It's Martha's.
You know what, Martha?
'I don't take rebuttals. Yuki-sama.

　...I suppose.
　Because Martha is staring straight at me.
　Her eyebrows are a little furrowed, her gaze strong.

　I haven't seen Martha look like this since I was little, when I was attacked by a wild dog.
　Back then, I hadn't yet awakened to the memories of my previous life either.

　I was sneaking along with Martha on a shopping trip, and we were attacked by a wild dog.
　I was injured, but I managed to fight off the attack.

　At that time, Martha was very angry with me. I mean, she cried.
　I haven't seen her since. I hadn't seen Martha's face turn so serious.

'It can't be helped. Martha has already been adjusted as Yuki-sama's special maid, so...''
I don't remember doing that.
You should be aware of that.
I'm sorry.
'Yuki-sama's words, her actions, everything she says, everything she does has an effect on Martha. What do you want me to do now, away from Yuki-sama?
I just want Martha to be happy.

　I mean it.
　I owe Martha so much.
　Honestly, I was thinking of selling off one of the 'Ancient Artifacts' and leaving Martha some cash.

"Yuki-sama... Martha-sama.... Tea is here...

　Remy comes over with a tray in his hand.
　On the tray are three teacups. The tea inside is spilled loudly.
　But more than half of it is still there. That's very impressive.

"You've come a long way in such a short time. "Impressive, Remy.
Heh.

　Nodding her head, Remy laughs, shaking her hair.

'Yuki-sama and Martha-sama, are they fighting?'
I didn't.
I didn't. I'm certain that Martha will be following Yuki-sama.

　Martha puts her hands on her hips and munches and turns her chest back.
　Somehow Remy is in the same pose next to her.

'I don't care about your previous life's loyalty. It's nothing compared to the loyalty of Martha, who is by your side in this life.
No.
You have no idea what I'm talking about. Remy.
'As Yuki-sama's maid, it means I'll be with you all the time, right?　Mr. Remy.
Okay.
Here. Even Remy knows that.
You got it?
It's all right. It's too late for both of us.

　It was a surrender.

　I wanted Martha to have a normal, happy life in the human world.
　She's a pain in the ass, and I didn't want her to get involved in my fate.

　But I know Martha's character. When she starts talking, she doesn't listen, Martha.

　This is why Martha should be made immortal.
　If I give her a lot of my Myster Blood, she'll be immortalized for about 50 years, so let's look for an ancient artifact that can make her immortal.

''To begin with. Once Martha is gone, how will Yuki-sama wash her hair?
I can wash it myself. That much.
"Yuki-sama's doesn't say wash. He says to wet it.
All right. I'll tell you the truth.
What is it?　Yuki-sama.
''Immortal sorcerers are susceptible to getting bubbles in their eyes. That's the kind of race they are...
"...Mr. Remy. The water is boiling, isn't it?

　Hey guys.
　Why are you smiling so fearlessly? Martha.

No. I wanted to confirm that Yuki-sama is the reincarnated form of an immortal sorcerer. I will make sure of that weakness.
I made a lot of hot water. I'm going to put it in the tub!
Good. Now, Yuki-sama. It will take some time to prepare the bath, so let's just wash your hair today. Please lie on the couch over there on your back.
Do you have to?
''Since it's before the 'Magical Guild' orientation, I thought you should make sure you're presentable.

　With that, Martha unbuttoned her maid's outfit.

''........I always thought....
"Yes. Yuki-sama.
'You don't need Martha to be in her underwear to wash my hair, do you?
Yuki-sama's request?
Me?
'Yes, when I was nine years old, Yuki-sama refused to wash my hair and said, "It's not fair for me to take off my clothes alone. I'll listen to you if you take off your clothes too.'
I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

　...What are you doing? Me before the memories of my previous life return.

　While I'm thinking about it, Martha starts unbuttoning my clothes.
　I can't help it, so I take off my top and lie down on the couch in my room.
　I just let my head stick out of the edge of the chair, and Martha takes it, softly.

　The rest is the same as usual.
　Martha's fingers find their way into my dark hair and gently pour hot water over it.

'You know what, Martha?'
What is it? Yuki-sama.
How about I wash Martha's hair once in a while?
That's good. Have a good practice.
'That way, Martha won't have to spend all her time washing my hair.
That's another story.
Another story.
Yes.

　Shakashka shakashka.

　The only sound in the midday living room is the sound of Martha washing my hair.
　Before I know it, Remy is asleep under the couch.
　The fact that the top of her maid's uniform is flapping off must have been an imitation of Martha's.

'It's Martha's job to take care of Yuki-sama's personal care, right?
Well yes.
Always?
All right. Always.
I promise.
Yes.

　Martha let out a sigh of relief.
　Then I had Martha wash my hair profusely and...

　Then we switched roles and got Martha soaked all over, but that's another story.