âWelcome home, Your Royal Highness, the Kingâs brother Raidorl Zain.â
As soon as Raidorl and Neimilia entered the house, twenty stewards and maids greeted them in unison.
âHurm??â
The sight of well-bred men and women bowing to each other in unison is something of a spectacle.
Even if Raidorl was once a prince living in the royal palace, since he had spent so much time in the remote countryside, Raidorl could not help but feel pressured.
âMaster-â
âHm, aa..â
Neimilia, standing behind him, tugged at the hem of Raidorlâs jacket. Raidorl nodded, regained his composure and cleared his throat.
âNow, who is the master of this house, and who represents all of you?â
âIt is I, Your Royal Highness.â
Stepping forward is a man in a butlerâs uniform with a moustache.
His carefully groomed hair and beard are tinged with romance grey, and the way he greets you, his hips carefully folded, exudes a sincere personality.
âYou look familiar. You used to work at the Royal Court, didnât you?â
âYes, itâs been a long time. My name is Salawin and I used to work for His Majesty Granard.â
The butler, Salawin, smiles at Raidorl with a relaxed smile.
His calm and serene mood is the same as it was five years ago. Raidorl remembers the time when he was a child and Salawin gave him sweets at a tea party held by his brother.
âAhh, I see. Itâs you Salawin, itâs been a long time.â
âItâs a pleasure to see you again, sir. Good to see you back.â
âThank you. By the way, âŠâŠ, thereâs something Iâd like to discuss with you, or rather, with everyone here.
âHurm? What is it?â
When Salawin looks at him suspiciously, Raidorl smiles, his mouth forming a crescent.
âYouâre all fired. You need to leave now.â
âHaâŠâŠ?â
Salawinâs face freezes at the unexpected words. The other servants in the room behind him begin to stir.
âWa, is there something wrong with us? If so, please tell usâŠâŠâ
âOh, thereâs nothing wrong. I just donât need you all. I just want all of you to leaveâ.
Raidorl declares in a sarcastic tone.
Salawinâs gaze wanders from side to side in bewilderment, but he persists.
âThe house is huge, as you can see. Itâs not as if one of your maids is going to be able to clean up after herselfâŠâ
âIt is not for you to worry aboutâŠ.. Let me set this straight, there is only one person I trust here, and that is Neimilia. Iâm not going to have anyone else around.â
âButâŠâŠâ
You canât be trusted.
So, get out.
Salawinâs face twists in humiliation as he is told by this.
The old butler stared at Raidorl and Neimilia for a while with a grudge, but then he gave up and sighed.
ââŠâŠI understand. I will inform His Majesty Granard of this.â
âPlease do so, and thank you for your trouble.â
Raidorl waved his hand and watched the servants go out of the door. The servants leave the house with Salawin in the lead. Their faces were all puzzled.
Eventually, he saw that everyone had left and looked back at Neimilia.
âCheck the âŠâŠ house. Every inch of it.â
âUnderstood, Master.â
Neimilia pinched the hem of her apron dress and reverently replied with an understanding.
â <b>Shadow Servant</b> .â
Shadow version of Neimilia changes its shape and forms a human figure.
Itâs slowly shaping from the shadows into women in maidâs uniforms. They have black hair and dark skin. The faces of these maids look as if they have been kneaded out of darkness, with no eyes or noses, and are as smooth as eggs.
They are not human, of course. They are the messengers of Neimilia, who live in the shadows and are born from the shadows.
âSearch the house. Please make sure there are no dangerous objects or people lurking around. Those who are free should check the supplies in the house. Especially clothing and foodstuffs.â
âYes, Mistress.â
The ten or so shadow maids scattered around the house with a gliding gait.
They are able to enter every corner and explore every detail of the house. Neimilia nodded in satisfaction as the ants explored every nook and cranny.
âWellâŠâŠ, you may now rest in peace, my Lord. I will take care of the house and all its affairs.â
âHum, Iâm counting on you.â
With her strong loyalty, Neimilia would be able to take care of the whole large house by herself.
The witch who had once almost destroyed the world was now an accomplished maid.