"Will you? Be my maid."
Alyssa, having heard Verlith’s story, wanted to help. She’d first thought of giving gold coins as thanks but worried about hurting her pride. So she offered a self-reliant job instead.
Though she was overthinking it a bit.
It hit the mark perfectly—Verlith did need work. As for the role…
Once head of the Northern Coalition’s intelligence bureau, Verlith had exceptional learning skills and judgment. She believed no job was beyond her. Disguise was her specialty; being a personal maid would be effortless.
Still, the word "personal" piqued her interest.
Spending days with such a beautiful woman might feel awkward, yet it was a decent proposal.
Especially with Alyssa. Verlith wasn’t lecherous—she wouldn’t get close for that reason.
She pitied the fine girl, wondering how she’d caught that strange illness.
Now in a female body, pairing up was impossible. But curing Alyssa could resolve a regret. If she found the cause and healed her, it’d ease Verlith’s heart.
A tender protectiveness stirred within her.
Ansal’s warning echoed: avoiding Northern Coalition ties meant she couldn’t take violent jobs, despite her sword skills.
Without capital for business, she’d have to work for others. Her current looks might attract trouble with shady bosses. Quite a hassle.
She still needed gold and shelter. Alyssa’s familiar offer was a practical temporary solution.
It also gave her a legitimate identity to stay with the mercenary group, easing her search for clues.
All in all, a win-win.
"Families who hire maids aren’t ordinary, Alyssa. Merchants? Or nobles?"
She didn’t know Alyssa’s background. A family raising such a dignified girl must be wealthy or noble.
"Look at me—I forgot to introduce myself!" Alyssa said. "My family’s been in medicine for generations. We run four apothecaries in Seaside City. I live at the East Apothecary. Full name: Alyssa An. My father joined the army young, earned merits, and gained a hereditary earldom. So I’m nobility-born. Won’t being my personal maid suit you? I won’t give you heavy chores—just keep me company."
Alyssa awaited the reply, watching the Silverhaired Maiden tilt her head in thought. She genuinely wanted her close. In those seconds, tension peaked—Alyssa could almost hear her own heartbeat.
"What if I want to leave…"
"Anytime!" the girl blurted eagerly.
"Alright. I accept, Miss Alyssa."
Alyssa sighed in relief, her smile relaxing.
"Hahaha, Vier, you’re adorable! Don’t be stiff. Calling you my maid’s just an excuse to keep you home. Alone, we’ll use first names—I already see you as a friend!"
"My only… friend now!" the girl added with a bright smile.
Verlith’s heart skipped. She pictured confidants abandoning the girl one by one. A sorrowful ache of parting washed over her. Alyssa hid a painful past too.
"Of course we’re friends!"
The Silverhaired Maiden smiled, lips curving like a crescent moon. Alyssa stared, captivated by that ethereal beauty.
As the Northern Coalition’s First Knight, Verlith once owned a garden villa with twenty staff. She knew maid protocols well—this job would be easy.
At noon, during a carriage stop, Alyssa thrust a thousand gold coins into Verlith’s hands. "Advance pay," she insisted, as if fearing she’d flee.
Verlith was slightly surprised. Regular maids earned seventy or eighty coins monthly, paid at month’s end. Prepaying invited slackers—no way to deduct wages.
But Verlith stayed silent. Reading Alyssa’s expressions, she understood: this wasn’t trust in her diligence. Alyssa was simply giving money. From chats, Verlith knew she had no close friends and craved company. Verlith was that person.
Gold meant little to Verlith the knight. Now penniless, she needed work to survive. She accepted the high pay because she’d deliver worthy results.
A maid’s salary was one-tenth of this offer. Protecting Alyssa from harm deserved ten times more. Northern Coalition bodyguards earned thousands. Thus, Alyssa’s safety became Verlith’s top priority.
