A noblewoman living in an old mansion in a quiet estate in the southern part of the Demion Empire. After losing her husband in the war against the Kapkan Federation, only she and her personal maid, Neriya, remain in the manor.

The mansion began to appear at the end of the road.

It was said to be the home of a famous Count's family in the south, but now it looked as if it had been abandoned for a long time.

I walked slowly along the path where mud had pooled in places.

The stories I had heard on the way suddenly flashed through my mind.

Count Monterosa died in the war.

All that remains is a cranky widow and a small maid of unknown identity.

The villagers all had strange expressions on their faces.

One person told me not to say anything unnecessary in front of the lady,

And another told me to pretend I didn't see the small green shadow roaming the mansion at night.

One old man even grabbed my shoulder and said seriously,

"Just take the money and do your job. Never take an interest in that family's affairs."

...Maybe I should have turned back when I heard those words.

But I had already received the down payment.

Above all—

I have to work to make a living.

I let out a sigh and passed through the old iron gate.

A long path stretched out beyond the gate.

And at the end of it, the Monterosa mansion looked down at me silently.

And so,

I took my first step into the mansion where Serafina de Monterosa and her strange maid lived.

At that time, I didn't know yet.

The reason why the villagers warned me in unison,

And the story hidden between those two women.

As I stood before the door, the surroundings seemed to grow even quieter.

I hesitated for a moment before raising my hand to knock on the old door.

Knock, knock.

After a moment—

Creak.

The massive door opened just a tiny bit.

Something was looking up at me through the gap.

A small frame.

A black maid's uniform.

And golden eyes that were exceptionally vivid even in the darkness.

There was no need to ask who the 'small green maid' the villagers spoke of was.

"...How can I help you?"

It was a cautious voice.

Just as I was about to state my name and business,

A faint sound came from inside the mansion.

Step.

The sound of footsteps coming down the stairs.

It was strangely quiet, too quiet to be the sound of heels.

Pure white bare feet appeared beneath the hem of a dress.

One step.

And another step.

Feet landing on the cold marble.

Step.

Finally, those footsteps stopped beside the small maid's brown shoes.

Pure white bare feet under a black dress.

Beside them, a pair of small brown shoes placed neatly.

And—

"Neriya."

A low, calm voice spoke from above.

"How long do you intend to keep the guest standing outside the door?"

"Ah... I'm sorry, My Lady."

The maid hurriedly opened the door a bit wider.

Only then did I raise my head.

The woman the villagers advised me it would be better not to meet.

The widow of Count Monterosa.

Serafina de Monterosa.

My first meeting with her—

Was strangely quiet.

The woman who appeared at the door was much more composed than I had imagined.

A black dress, perfectly tidy hair, and blue eyes that seemed to quietly size a person up.

She folded her hands neatly and bowed slightly at the waist.

Serafina "I am Serafina de Monterosa."

As she lifted her head, her gaze turned toward me.

Serafina "You have worked hard to come such a long way."

The stories I heard in the village suddenly came to mind.

A cranky widow.

At least based on first impressions, she was a bit different from those rumors.

Serafina "It is a humble place... but I will ensure you are not uncomfortable during your stay."

The small maid standing behind her moved her eyes very subtly.

As if—

'So you do admit it's a humble place,'

She was thinking.

Serafina "Neriya."

Neriya "Yes, My Lady."

At the short call, the small maid headed toward the window.

Lightly.

Lightly.

Her footsteps were as small as her frame.

Neriya grabbed the heavy curtains with both hands.

Swish

As the thick fabric parted to the left and right,

Dazzling sunlight poured into the drawing room that had been dark for a long time.

Dust floated slowly through the beams of light.

Unlike the old and neglected exterior,

The interior of the mansion still held the dignity of the past.

Neriya "It will be a bit bright."

Neriya looked back at me.

Neriya "Come this way."

I followed Neriya into the drawing room.

The small maid led the way, then glanced back slightly.

Her golden eyes scanned me from head to toe.

She was clearly guiding me politely—

But I was being observed.

I couldn't shake that feeling.

Neriya "...."

Our eyes met.

Neriya looked forward again as if nothing had happened.

Neriya "The floor is old, so there are slippery spots. Please be careful."

"Ah, yes."

Neriya "And it's better if you don't open unused rooms without permission."

A moment of silence.

Neriya "My Lady dislikes it."

Her tone was polite.

But that last sentence—

It was hard to tell if it was advice or a warning.

As the curtains were fully drawn, the scenery of the mansion changed.

Old furniture.

Wallpapers that had faded bit by bit.

Old portraits hanging without their master.

Over them, the bright southern sunlight settled long and deep.

Serafina moved toward the inner part of the drawing room first,

And Neriya naturally followed behind her.

The two of them presented a strange contrast.

A noble lady and a small goblin maid.

These were the two women the villagers gossiped about so suspiciously.

And yet—

Serafina "Neriya. Tea, please."

Neriya "Yes, My Lady."

Neriya took two steps and then stopped.

Neriya "Yours as usual, My Lady?"

Serafina "Yes."

Neriya "And for the guest?"

Serafina looked at me.

Serafina "Ask them yourself."

"Ah."

Neriya looked up at me again.

Neriya "How do you take your tea?"

It was a more normal conversation than I had expected.

I looked back and forth between the two of them.

All the grim stories I had heard before coming to this mansion began to seem a bit silly.

I didn't know then.

Why that small maid called that woman 'My Lady.'

Why Serafina lived in this massive mansion with only one maid by her side.

And

What remained in the space below the hallway I had just passed,

A place that had not been opened to anyone for a long time.

On a sunny day,

My first day of work at the Monterosa mansion was beginning.