Chapter 48: Encounter with a Boy
《Liese’s Side》
I’m so happy to be back in my hometown after all. And I was so delighted when Lord Serios said we would liven up the domain together.
I want to do my best with my studies too, but first and foremost, dedicating myself to my daily work as a Maid is my greatest Happiness.
Serving Lord Serios and working for Lord Serios’s sake is my purpose in life, my joy.
Today, I’m heading to the Village Market with a shopping list my Mother asked me to take care of.
When I was little, I remember being told things like, “Go away, you filthy thing!” or “I have nothing to sell to you!” because I was so poorly dressed and dirty.
I don’t know how many times I thought about stealing the things right in front of me.
Even so, though my Mother worked so hard to feed me, I was a child who couldn’t be satisfied.
But now, I can look for fresh vegetables, fruits, and even some special seasonings, and pay for them properly with gold.
Shopping is fun, and I’m truly happy that because I studied, I can read, do math, and shop properly.
I feel like I’m able to be of at least a little help to Lord Serios.
As I was quickly making my way through the lively atmosphere of such a market, I suddenly heard a faint groan coming from the shadows on a road at the edge of the village.
“…Is someone there?”
I stopped and called out softly.
There was no reply, but I sensed something moving deep within the bushes. Wondering if it was a cat or a dog, I cautiously approached, and there, a boy lay collapsed.
He was a boy with a very beautiful face.
Seeing him, I couldn’t help but gasp.
The boy’s hair was as white as snow, and his Wounds-covered body was draped in filthy clothes. Painful scars remained on his emaciated arms and legs.
“Are you alright?”
I rushed over to him and called out.
The boy faintly opened his eyes, but he only looked up at me weakly, seemingly unable to even make a sound.
At a time like this, Lord Serios would surely help the boy.
“Hold on! I’ll take you to a safe place now!”
I placed my shopping on the ground, then helped the boy up as if to carry him, and stood. He was so light, like a leaf blown by the wind.
“There’s an Abandoned House a little way from here. Let’s rest there.”
Supporting him, I headed towards an old Abandoned House on the outskirts of the village.
When we arrived at the Abandoned House, I laid the boy down on a pile of straw that served as a bed.
I wiped his Wounds with a clean cloth and administered first aid. Fortunately, I had experience nursing my Mother, and I had also learned simple treatments at the academy.
“This should make you feel a little better…”
As I was wiping the boy’s forehead with a cloth soaked in water, he let out a faint voice.
“…Why?”
Despite his Wounds, he looked at me with anxious eyes.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s only natural to help you. Because my master is the kind of person who would definitely do so.”
He then fell asleep as if he had exhausted all his strength.
I removed the clothes of the sleeping boy, treated his Wounds, and bought him new clothes with my own money to change him into.
“There, that’s better.”
Leaving him asleep, I returned to the mansion once to drop off my shopping, then went back with food and drink to check on him.
He had woken up and regained a little of his strength. His Wounds were also starting to close up a bit.
“You’re awake.”
“…Who… are you…?”
He asked.
“I’m Liese. I work as a Maid in this domain. And you are?”
He looked down, seeming a little perplexed.
“I’m… Kyl.”
“Kyl, why were you injured?”
“I messed up at work… and ran away.”
“I see, it must be a tough job. For now, heal your Wounds and rest well.”
I offered him the Soup I had brought, smiling. He hesitantly accepted it and began to drink it sip by sip.
“…It’s delicious.”
He didn’t say much, and his expression hardly changed. But his honest words warmed my heart deeply.
For the next few days, I visited the Abandoned House every day and continued to look after Kyl.
I made him meals, tended to his Wounds, and watched over him as he gradually regained his strength.
“Liese, why are you helping me?”
He murmured one day.
“Because I thought that’s what my master would do.”
“…Your master?”
“Yes. My master is a truly wonderful person! He saved me when I was unsightly and filthy, and gave me the chance to study and work as a Maid!”
I couldn’t help but tell Kyl all about Lord Serios.
“Do you like your master?”
“Eh!! Y-Yes!”
“I see…”
When I affirmed his words, he fell silent and went to sleep.
A few days later, Kyl’s Wounds had mostly healed.
“You seem to be alright now. What do you plan to do from here?”
When I asked, he thought for a moment before answering.
“…I’ll go back to my job.”
“Will you be okay?”
“Yeah. I understand now, so I won’t make the same mistake again.”
“It must be an important job for you.”
When I asked, he shook his head slightly.
“It’s for my older sister.”
“Your older sister? Hehe, you two siblings must be close.”
“Yeah.”
He nodded, his pure white hair swaying. Then, he looked at me with serious eyes.
“Thank you, Liese-san. I’ll never forget your Kindness.”
His words warmed my heart, and tears welled up in my eyes unbidden.
“Take care, Kyl. I’d be happy if we could meet again somewhere.”
Kyl gave a smile and left the Abandoned House.
In the days that followed, I sometimes found myself thinking of Kyl.
I dedicate myself to my daily work, hoping that the white-haired boy is alive and well somewhere.
If I could do for someone else what Lord Serios did for me, I believe Lord Serios would surely be pleased.
I hope that Kyl grows up and comes to work for Lord Serios someday.