"Sigh, so many women ready to work here despite such a bad reputation! Are they all mad or what?" A cute girl spoke frustratingly as she stood in line with many other women, all waiting for temporary work. The queue stretched long ahead of her, winding around the corner and out of sight. Women of all ages filled the line, their faces showing various degrees of desperation, determination, or resignation.
"He's the richest person here, so even working for a single day can earn you good money that can make you worry-free for the whole month. So why not?" Another woman spoke from behind her reasonably, her voice carrying the wisdom of experience. "Miss Sio, would you not want to work here if you lacked money?"
"Big Sister Maid, for one day maybe I would," Sio admitted, walking ahead slowly, one step at a time in the long queue. The line moved at a glacial pace, each step forward feeling like an achievement. "But still, aren't there many women working inside long-term?"
"Hmm, yes, there are," Big Sister Maid also moved slowly ahead with her, shuffling forward with the crowd.
"Then why are they walking into this hell on their own accord?" Sio's voice carried genuine confusion, unable to understand the choice.
"Miss Sio, there is no 'own' in the life of desperate and poor people," Big Sister Maid explained with a knowing tone, her eyes distant as if remembering something. "And do you think other houses are all some heaven? There are only a few houses in Fifth Rock that treat their maids and butlers with respect and dignity. Others just use them as they please, sometimes worse than here."
She shook her head slowly, a bitter smile touching her lips.
"Is it that bad? Sorry, Big Sister Maid, I didn't know," Sio said, feeling guilty for her sheltered perspective. Then curiosity got the better of her. "Then why did you choose being a maid as your profession when maid life is so hard?"
"Please, Miss Sio, don't apologize to me," Big Sister Maid said warmly, waving off the concern. "And regarding me choosing this job, it just happened, I guess. I didn't really have any desired job when I was looking for one, and truthfully, I like taking care of and serving people. It makes me feel useful."
Her expression shifted to something more playful, eyes sparkling with mischief. "And..." She leaned in conspiratorially, lowering her voice. "Isn't it a great job to check out handsome men? I mean, look there! Such handsome people! Uff, even their pets are so clean and beautiful!"
Big Sister Maid pointed enthusiastically at a gathering of people in a courtyard away from their line, her finger shaking slightly with excitement.
"Gah! Big Sister, your true intentions are leaking out!" Sio exclaimed, her face heating up with embarrassment at the woman's boldness. "Are you aiming for Brother Oliver or what?"
Sio asked while checking out the people herself, tiptoeing and craning her neck, trying to see over the tall women blocking her view from other lines beside her. The courtyard was full of well-dressed people, their clothes clean and expensive-looking.
"Ahm! Young Master is indeed the most dashing man!" Big Sister Maid's eyes got dreamy and unfocused, as if she was seeing something beautiful only she could perceive. "Even when he was smaller than you, he looked so cute!" Her voice took on a wistful quality. "Sobb, sobb... But this young and beautiful lady never got a chance!"
Big Sister Maid shed some tears of disappointment dramatically, dabbing at her eyes with exaggerated movements that made it clear she was enjoying the theatrics.
"You know Big Brother Oliver from way back when he was even smaller than me?" Sio asked expectantly, her eyes lighting up with interest. She was already hoping to get some gossip to tease him with afterwards, mentally filing away potential ammunition.
"Indeed! I was one of the lucky ones who got into the Coghian house," Big Sister Maid said proudly, her chest puffing out slightly. "It was a few years after the original Master and Miss of the house passed away. There was a lack of people inside the house at that time. It was a sad and empty place. I personally didn't want to work there because of the rumors, but my parents forced me since I wanted to work as a maid. We didn't really have much money to begin with, so I was looking for a high-paying house, but eventually I came to this one."
She paused, her expression softening into something genuine and tender. "And when I first saw Young Master, he smiled so beautifully that I fell for him the first day! Just like that. One smile and I was done for!"
"KYYAAA! Young Master was so cute, and he still is!" She clutched her hands to her chest, practically vibrating with excitement. "Sigghhh! It's because of that old woman head maid that I can't approach Young Master, otherwise he would have fallen for this beauty! Hohohoh! Let me tell you, one time I sneaked a quick glance when he was changing! Did you know what I saw? His—"
"STOP! STOP! I don't want to hear your adventures!" Sio interrupted quickly, her face flushing bright red as she waved her hands frantically. "Tell me something interesting about Brother Oliver so that I can tease him afterwards! And clean your drooling!"
Sio pointed at the corner of Big Sister Maid's mouth where a bit of drool had actually appeared.
"Gah! Sorry, sorry!" Big Sister Maid wiped her mouth quickly with the back of her hand, looking slightly embarrassed. "Ahm! Well, there isn't anything that can really embarrass him. Young Master, from what I've seen, was always mature and sensible, way beyond his years. He took care of the house with the help of senior maids and butlers, managing things that even adults would struggle with. I've seen him working day and night, going over accounts, making decisions, dealing with suppliers."
She continued thoughtfully, her voice becoming more serious. "Actually, he was much more serious back then than now. It's only when he got close to Master Zack and others that I saw his youth come back, like he finally remembered he was allowed to be young, to have fun."
Her expression brightened again. "Well, he changed quite a lot during those times. He became more of a flirty type of man, not that I mind. BUT HE DIDN'T ACT FLIRTY WITH MEEEE! Except one or two times in a day! BUTTT IIIII WAANNTT MORREE!!"
Her voice rose to almost a wail, drawing some curious glances from nearby women in line.
"Sighhh... Big Sister Maid, I think I know why Head Maid stops you," Sio shook her head in disappointment, though there was affection in her exasperation.
"Huh! Miss Sio, we're here together in this hell! Shouldn't you be on my side?" Big Sister Maid protested indignantly. "Why are you taking that hag's side? I got embarrassed in front of Madam Dreka because she didn't warn me beforehand! Gah!! Thinking about that brings me to tears! My road ahead is so bad! Maybe I should soothe myself with Young Master's picture—"
After saying this, she started opening her top button with trembling fingers, reaching inside.
"STOP! Don't be impulsive! And where did you put that picture? Calm down, we're trying to blend in! Control your emotions, Big Sister Maid!" Sio said urgently, grabbing her arm and pulling her hand away from her chest. Her eyes darted around to see if anyone was watching their spectacle.
"Fine, fine. Don't worry, I'm a professional," Big Sister Maid replied confidently as she calmly fastened the button again, smoothing down her clothes with practiced ease.
"It doesn't look like that," Sio said flatly, shaking her head before letting out a long sigh. The line moved forward another few steps. "Still... why did you volunteer to come here? What if something happens inside?" she asked worriedly, her voice dropping lower. The concern in her eyes was genuine.
"Do you think I wanted to come here? No, never!" Big Sister Maid snapped back, her face scrunching up in disgust. "There are barely any single maids left in our group. I just happened to lose the rock-paper-scissors tournament. Such terrible luck! Whose face did I see first thing this morning?"
She struck a dramatic pose, one hand on her hip, the other against her forehead. "This beautiful woman is bound to be targeted by those filthy bastards! Sobb, sobb! Living life as a beauty is such a burden."
She wiped away clearly fake tears with exaggerated swipes of her hand, sniffling theatrically.
Then she glanced at Sio, tilting her head curiously. "What about you, Miss Sio? Why did you come? You could have easily refused."
"Because I'm the only one who can go," Sio replied with a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping. "As you know, in our group there are two royal crown females, two others who are busy elsewhere with important tasks, and the rest all have their own roles to fulfill. I wanted to help in some way, so here I am."
She let out another heavy sigh, her expression darkening. "Such bad luck... whose face did I see when I woke up this morning?"
Both looked at each other with tired, knowing expressions, united in their shared misfortune.
"SIGGHHHHHH!" They sighed in perfect unison, the sound long and suffering.
"Miss Sio, don't feel down! There's always something good in bad luck," Big Sister Maid said, trying to brighten the mood. Her expression lifted considerably. "Even Young Master gave me extra attention because of this. He talked to me a lot in the morning! He was so concerned, so caring, so loving!"
"Hmm, that's called giving instructions, not talking," Sio said bluntly, bursting her bubble without mercy. "And forget about him! Even though he's a womanizer, his eyes are set on Big Sister Emmy, so you don't have any chance. Sorry, but it's the truth."
"Gah! I forgot about her!" Big Sister Maid's face fell dramatically, her hand flying to her mouth. "I didn't see her when we gathered together. How is she? Is she more beautiful than me? Does she love Young Master more than me? What's her personality like? TELL MEEE, MISS SSIOOOO!"
Big Sister Maid grabbed Sio's shoulders desperately, shaking her slightly, her eyes wide and pleading.
"Well, first of all, she's been present there when you came. You just never noticed her. Second, yes, she's beautiful. And third... her personality is a little odd, but she's a good woman overall," Sio replied calmly, patting her hands to stop the shaking. "They're still early in their relationship, but Big Brother seems to like her a lot. He gets this look in his eyes when he talks about her. Soft, warm... it's actually kind of sweet. But Big Sister Emmy doesn't seem to like him that much."
"Hmmm, is that so?" Big Sister Maid pulled back, crossing her arms and pouting dramatically. "Humph! Why's she being so wishy-washy? If Young Master had fallen for me, I would've jumped at him that very second! No hesitation!"
Big Sister Maid declared boldly, her confidence absolute.
"Yeah, I wouldn't doubt that! Haha!" Sio laughed, the sound genuine and light. The image was too vivid, too perfectly in character.
"Miss Sio, I'm serious, I do love Young Master and I have protected him all these years!" Big Sister Maid insisted, though she was smiling now too. "There were so many women who tried to seduce Young Master in the past. From all high Crowns to poor women, everyone wanted a piece of him. But it was thanks to our Maid Squad and Miss Maren that he's still pure! Otherwise, our poor Young Master would have been devoured by lusty women! Grr, those bitches!"
Big Sister Maid clenched her fists angrily, her face scrunching up with remembered frustration at having to fend off so many advances on his behalf.
"Aren't you the same?" Sio smirked while closing in at the front, where many older maids were assessing the people and assigning them to other maids who would take them to different places for work. They were almost there now.
"Ahm! No, don't lump me in with those women!" Big Sister Maid protested, looking genuinely offended. "I was the first one hired who was the same age as him, and I had plenty of opportunities to try something if I wanted. But Young Master is so cute that I'm happy just seeing him smile. Hehe."
After the emotional roller coaster of the conversation, she smiled warmly, her expression softening into something sincere and gentle. There was real affection in her eyes, not just lust or infatuation.
Seeing that genuine smile, so different from her usual dramatic expressions, Sio returned it and asked softly, "What if Big Brother Oliver never sees you as a woman, considering how he's ignored so many women, including those like you?"
"Gah! Don't say such scary things, Miss Sio!" Big Sister Maid clutched her chest, looking genuinely pained. "...Well, I'm happy as long as Young Master is happy. I know Young Master doesn't look at me as a woman, and I also know he truly loves Miss Emmy. Even though I hate that, hate that it's not me, I wish all happiness to her. I hope they get married and have so many babies, making our house fill with laughter and happiness."
Her voice softened, tinged with wistfulness. "Young Master has been alone for so long... even though he's surrounded by wonderful people who care about him. I just want him to have someone he can truly call his own. Someone who feels like family, but closer. Someone who's his."
Big Sister Maid smiled while looking at the sky with genuine warmth, her eyes slightly misty but happy.
"Big Sister Maid, you truly love him, don't you?" Sio asked, her own eyes shining with emotion at the heartfelt confession. This wasn't just a crush or infatuation. This was real.
"Hmm, haven't I been saying this all this time?" Big Sister Maid looked confused, tilting her head as if it was obvious.
"Haha, yeah, sure you were!" Sio laughed hard, the sound bright and genuine as they got closer to the front of the line. Only a few people remained ahead of them now.
"Yeah, even all the other maids and butlers know it. The only one who doesn't is Young Master," Big Sister Maid said with a frustrated sigh, shaking her head. "Well, it's because I've never really spoken about it in front of him. Still... why does no one ever take me seriously?"
"Haha, best of luck, Big Sister Maid!" Sio said encouragingly, squeezing her arm in support.
As both of them talked, they got close to the front desk, the end of their wait finally in sight.
"What is your name and experience working as a maid?" An older maid at the front desk asked in practiced repetition, not even looking up from her papers. Her voice was bored, mechanical, like she'd asked this question a thousand times already today. Her quill scratched across the parchment without pause.
"Sio Healey, a newbie with zero years of experience," Sio spoke in a calm manner with a straight face, keeping her voice steady and professional.
"Hmm, next. Name and experience?" The older maid waved her forward dismissively, already writing something down.
"GRACIE MAHER... My name is Gracie Maher with ten years of experience!" Big Sister Maid declared proudly, puffing out her chest. Her voice rang out clearly, full of confidence.
The older maid finally looked up at that, one eyebrow raising slightly as she took in Maid Gracie's appearance. She made a note on her paper, nodding slowly. "Ten years. Good. We need experienced ones."
After doing some small paperwork and getting their assignments written down on slips of paper, both were sent to an appointed maid who took them through a side corridor. The woman was silent and efficient, leading them without a word to the changing room.
Inside, they changed into maid outfits along with several other women, all looking various degrees of nervous or resigned. The room smelled like sweat and cheap perfume. Clothes were being pulled on and off hastily, the rustle of fabric filling the space.
"Tsk! I don't like this maid outfit! What kind of fetish do they have?" Maid Gracie spoke in annoyance while adjusting the revealing outfit, tugging at the hem. "There are no sleeves in this. My shoulders are completely naked! This blouse barely hides my breasts, and this frilly skirt is way too short! Agh! My legs are naked and these shitty white thigh-highs are making me uncomfortable! Agh! What a pain!"
She twisted in front of a mirror, trying to pull the skirt down, but it stubbornly remained indecently short. The outfit was clearly designed to appeal to male tastes. Tight, revealing, and impractical.
"Sighhh... Men. These men are always like this," Sio also wore the outfit and felt uncomfortable, tugging at the short skirt that barely covered anything. The fabric was thin and cheap, and the fit was too tight across her chest. She felt exposed, vulnerable. Her shoulders felt cold and naked without sleeves.
"These are not men. They're just hungry animals!" Maid Gracie closed her fist and thought of something specific, her expression turning dreamy for a moment before she nodded to herself firmly. "A real man can even find sexiness in normal clothing! A real man appreciates you for you, not just your exposed skin!"
"Those are called perverts, Big Sister Maid," Sio's eye twitched at the distinction, pretty sure Maid Gracie was thinking about Oliver again.
"Ahm! Whatever!" Maid Gracie waved it off, then her whole demeanor changed. Her playful expression vanished, replaced by something hard and serious. She grabbed Sio's arm, her grip firm, and looked directly into her eyes. "Now remember, working in a place like this, just keep your head down and nod to everything. Don't stare, don't speak unless spoken to, don't react to anything you see or hear. Just be invisible."
Maid Gracie spoke seriously, her voice low and urgent, all traces of her usual silliness completely gone. This was the voice of someone who knew what they were talking about, someone who'd survived by learning how to blend in.
Sio nodded in understanding, her expression becoming equally serious as they prepared for what lay ahead. The playful banter was over. Now came the real test.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself. Just survive. Get the information. Get out.
Around them, other maids were finishing changing, all of them wearing the same revealing uniform. Some looked confident, experienced. Others looked terrified, their hands shaking as they adjusted their outfits.
Maid Gracie squeezed Sio's hand once, a silent gesture of solidarity. We're in this together.
Then they turned toward the door, ready to face whatever came next.
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END OF CHAPTER
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AUTHOR BLABBERING
"OW, MY EYES!" — Author screamed dramatically as a ray of sunlight bounced off a shiny surface straight into my pupils. It's funny how something that gives life to the planet can also momentarily destroy your will to live.
But here's the science behind that painful yet dazzling moment: sunlight is made up of many wavelengths — visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet (UV). When it reflects off smooth surfaces like metal, glass, or even water, it becomes specular reflection — basically, light waves bouncing in the same direction, forming an intense glare. That's why your eyes feel like they're being laser-beamed by nature itself.
Fun fact: the human eye can detect around 10 million colors, but it's also super sensitive to brightness. Even a short exposure to reflected sunlight can cause something called afterimages — those weird colored spots that float around your vision after you blink.
And if you ever wondered why you squint automatically — thank your pupillary light reflex! Your brain orders your pupils to shrink within milliseconds to protect your retina from damage.
Nature's built-in sunglasses!
So next time sunlight attacks, just remember: you're not weak — you're experiencing optics in action. Science hurts sometimes… literally. 😎☀️
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