◆◆◆
At the front gate of the Aster Ducal Estate.
In the gentle light of dusk, a massive figure stood towering like a guardian statue.
It was Gaddem.
His imposing presence was greater than that of the gate itself.
The skin of the man who bore the blood of the Great Oni was a burnished bronze, and the faint remnants of small horns rose from his brow.
His muscular arms were like thick logs, and in his hand he held a colossal battle axe.
Should anyone attempt to pass through the gate without permission, they would be cleaved in two.
In fact, he had done so before.
When Hein appeared, Gaddem’s stern expression softened slightly.
「Welcome home, Hein-sama.」
He bowed deeply, his low voice resonating with respect.
Hein raised one hand lightly.
「All is well.」
At those words, Gaddem responded with a salute.
Passing through the gate, Hein followed the stone-paved path, where five women stood in line before the entrance.
At the front were Feri and Misha.
Behind them waited three maids.
All of them were of the Dalfen race, with dusky skin.
「Welcome home, Young Master.」
Feri bowed deeply.
Her long silver hair shimmered faintly in the light of the setting sun.
Hein shifted his gaze to the three maids standing behind her.
On the far left stood Rachel.
Her amber eyes stood out against her tanned skin, and her short, neatly cut black hair gave her a lively impression.
At the center was Parash.
Her complexion was darker still than Rachel’s, and her waist-length hair was woven into braids that flowed down her back.
Her eyes were a deep green.
And on the far right was a face unfamiliar to him.
She was more slender than the other two, with striking pale violet eyes.
Perhaps from nervousness, her thin shoulders trembled faintly.
「The one on the far right is new?」
At Hein’s words, Feri immediately answered.
「Yes, Young Master. She is Rieshe, who begins her service today.」
At the sound of her name, the girl hastily bowed low.
「Y-yes, Young Master. My name is Rieshe. I look forward to serving you from today.」
Her voice wavered.
Hein studied Rieshe with an appraising gaze.
「She is of your kin?」
「Yes, Young Master. She is a distant relative of mine.」
Feri replied calmly.
「I care not how many you add, but be sure you have Mother’s permission.」
「Of course. I have already reported to Madam.」
Hein gave a slight nod, then swept his eyes once more over the maids.
Suddenly, as if recalling something, he furrowed his brow and turned on his heel.
「I will be in my room.」
Leaving only those words behind, he strode quickly into the mansion.
◆
Once Hein’s figure disappeared from sight, the tense atmosphere instantly loosened.
「Phew…」
Rieshe let out a long breath.
「You were nervous, weren’t you?」
Rachel turned back, her tone gentle as she addressed the newcomer.
「Y-yes… his presence was far more overwhelming than I imagined…」
「Well, everyone feels that way at first.」
Parash chuckled softly.
「But the Young Master isn’t nearly as frightening as he looks. As long as you do your work properly, you’ll be fine.」
「That’s right. Actually, I don’t think he’s ever even scolded us──」
At that moment, Misha cleared her throat.
「That’s enough chatter. You still have work to do, don’t you?」
Feri had been quietly watching, but now she spoke.
「Rieshe, for today, just follow your seniors and learn the tasks. There’s no need to rush.」
「Y-yes, Feri-sama… no, Princess…」
At her choice of words, Feri faintly furrowed her brows.
「In this mansion, I am Feri. There’s no need to call me Princess.」
「B-but…」
「That’s enough.」
Feri’s voice carried a tone that allowed no argument.
Just then, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from deeper within the manor.
「Oh-ho! Everyone’s gathered here!」
Graman came striding down the hall.
At his booming voice, Rieshe flinched and her shoulders trembled.
「How goes supper? Both Madam and Hein-sama have returned, after all.」
「Preparations are already underway in the kitchens.」
Misha replied.
「Good, good. Now then, Feri」
Graman turned his gaze toward her.
「Who is assigned to the night watch this evening?」
「Tonight, Rachel and I will take the first half, while Misha and Parash handle the latter.」
「Mm, very well. Then I shall go inform Oma in the courtyard that his duty is finished.」
With those words, Graman strode off again with long, purposeful steps.
Watching his retreating back, Rachel murmured under her breath.
「The steward is as loud as ever.」
「But dependable, isn’t he?」
Parash gave a small shrug.
「Do you think it’s true he’s lived more than two hundred years?」
「Who knows… though in this household, it wouldn’t be impossible.」
Listening to their exchange, Rieshe hesitantly asked.
「Um… this Oma-sama… who is he…?」
For a brief moment, the air fell still.
Rachel and Parash exchanged glances.
「Ah, right. You haven’t met him yet.」
Misha gave a wry smile.
「Oma-sama is… hm, how should I put it… a rather unique individual, let’s say…」
「He is… officially, the gardener.」
Feri answered calmly.
「However, he is no ordinary gardener. You will meet him eventually, but… be prepared not to be startled.」
Rieshe’s face clouded with unease, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask further.
◆
The courtyard was bathed in the glow of dusk.
The well-tended flowerbeds were filled with blooms of many colors, and at the center, a fountain whispered with quiet splashes.
With practiced steps, Graman made his way deeper inside.
「Oma, your shift is over.」
He spoke into what appeared to be an empty courtyard.
And then,
The soil of a flowerbed swelled unnaturally, and a black, liquid-like substance seeped out.
With a sloshing sound, it crawled along the ground before gradually taking the shape of a human figure.
『iS it』
A flat, expressionless voice rang out.
『UndeRstood』
The black silhouette, Oma, wordlessly began to drift toward the back of the manor.
Its movements were as fluid as flowing water, as though it were one with the earth itself.
Once Graman had confirmed its departure, he headed toward the main gate.
Gaddem was still standing in the same posture, guarding it.
「Gaddem, it’s time for the changeover. Your replacement should arrive shortly.」
「Yeah, understood.」
Gaddem gave a nod.
「Anything unusual?」
「No, nothing in particular. I’ll go grab some food, then.」
「Mm, take your time and rest well.」
The two exchanged nods and each went on their way.
These changeover calls were always handled by either Graman or Feri.
After all, for the others, fear tended to take precedence.
Not that relations were bad, by any means.
In fact, compared to other noble houses, one could say there was a stronger sense of unity here.
The pay was exceptionally high, and more than anything, the working conditions were excellent.
Hein strictly regulated working hours so that each servant could perform at their very best.
Breaks and days off on a fixed cycle were mandatory.
In this age, most noble houses paid little attention to the working environment of their servants, but the Aster Ducal House was a rare exception, a household with an uncommon worker-first mindset.
Still, fear was fear, and there was no changing that.
And so, another day drew to a close at the Aster Ducal Estate──.
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