“No need to feel embarrassed. There's nothing wrong with liking your name. Many don't, and it's a blessing that you do,” Deon finally said, noticing that the young maid could no longer endure the tension she was trying to suppress.

Her flushed expression and burning embarrassment were so intense that it almost created the illusion of smoke rising above her head—or was it perhaps real?

Deon's words didn’t seem to help Yven, so he shifted the topic to something that had intrigued him about the girl from the very first day.

“I’ve noticed your work attire is quite different from the other maids. I thought it was because you were my personal maid, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

Indeed, compared to the other maids in the palace, Yven’s uniform was much more... provocative.

The standard uniform for the maids was a longer dress that nearly touched the floor, with long, classic, and elegant sleeves. The outfit included a white apron with ornate edges that softened the black dress, creating a balanced yet practical look.

In stark contrast, Yven’s uniform embraced a design reflecting lightness and boldness—a short black dress ending just above the knees, paired with a white apron adorned with soft ruffles. The apron was tied neatly at the waist with a carefully knotted ribbon, and a small black necktie rested around her exposed neck like an ornament completing the look.

Even her black stockings, which covered her slender legs, seemed like they were added purely to harmonize the black-and-white color scheme.

Yven's expression returned to one of embarrassment at her master’s observation. She was fully aware her attire was far more daring than the other maids—and much less practical, especially with the high heels that made standing steadily a challenge. Yet, it was all she had, and she wasn’t permitted to change it.

“My apologies, Master, but this is all I own,” she said, her voice low.

That was all she could say; she couldn’t burden her master with her grievances.

“This is all you own? Not what you were given? Explain,” Deon commanded firmly.

Yven flinched at his authoritative tone. She clasped her hands together behind her back to stop herself from trembling and began explaining as she had been ordered.

“My uniform belongs to the De Avila Household... When I moved to House Eirenios as your personal maid, I submitted a request to the head butler for a new uniform that matched the standards of my current workplace... But... but I was told that what I had would suffice.”

Deon’s expression didn’t change as he elegantly drank his orange juice, finishing the last of his breakfast.

“A hierarchy among the staff,” he muttered aloud without realizing it.

Hearing this, Yven lowered her head, her body trembling slightly.

“Master, there are kind servants here. I—”

Deon interrupted her. His curiosity was piqued for multiple reasons.

“You're being suppressed, why?”

He could also learn more about the world through the underlying details of her answer.

Yven’s shoulders shook even more. She truly didn’t want to talk about it, as it would only bring her more trouble. She didn’t want to face more oppression within the palace than she already endured.

At least now, she had a few people she could talk to.

But under her master’s command, she had no choice but to answer his curiosity.

“When any noble family member comes of age, it is tradition for one of the head butlers—the most experienced servant—to become their personal attendant…”

“And your appointment as my personal maid is a challenge to tradition and a disruption of norms. More importantly, in the head butler's eyes, you took what was supposed to be his opportunity.”

Yven lowered her head as Deon finished her sentence for her, though she would never have said it so boldly herself.

“But, again, it was Mother who chose you as my personal maid. You shouldn’t lower your head because of that—not to anyone. Do you understand?”

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Yven raised her head to meet Deon’s calm, violet eyes. She did her best to suppress the tears threatening to spill as she nodded.

“Were you a maid at the De Avila Household?” Deon asked, steering the conversation back to what truly interested him.

The mother of the body he now inhabited was Viktoria De Avila, and her personal maid had grown up in that household. She might know something.

“No, Master. I was never a maid there.”

Her answer caught Deon off guard.

“Then what was your position there? And why do you own a De Avila maid's uniform if you were never a maid?”

Under Deon’s string of questions, Yven felt her master's curiosity was unusually intense.

‘Why does he want to know so much about me?’

“I was studying to become the librarian of House De Avila... I received the maid’s uniform when I learned I would be your personal maid.”

‘She’s educated! There’s something odd about this girl’s sudden change in status,’ Deon thought.

“So, Mother was the one who altered your future plans?”

“No, no, no... It was by my choice. Lady Viktoria gave me an option, and I chose it. I wasn’t forced into anything,” Yven answered quickly, not wanting her master to get the wrong idea. The truth was as she stated: she had chosen to become a personal maid rather than a librarian. The benefits of the former far outweighed the latter.

“So you and Mother were close! She gave you a choice instead of issuing a command. Was this because you’re the daughter of her personal maid?”

“Lady Viktoria was always kind to me, and my mother, Yolna, encouraged me to pursue becoming a librarian, as it’s a safe and low-pressure job,” Yven replied honestly.

“As for why Lady Viktoria gave me the choice, or why she would want someone as inexperienced as me as your personal maid... I don’t know, and I beg your forgiveness for my ignorance.”

She couldn’t say it was likely that her mother might have had a hand in Lady Viktoria’s decision.

‘Although my mom wanted me to become a librarian. She would jump at the chance of me being a personal maid.’

Deon’s curiosity about the girl skyrocketed. Her status made her close to Viktoria De Avila, the woman he sought information about due to a possible connection to his transition to this world.

He wanted to ask more, to dig deeper, but Deon knew his limits. The maid was already suspicious of why his curiosity was so intense, and he didn’t want to draw undue attention to his interest.

‘At least she’ll be near me as my maid. I can slowly extract knowledge from her,’ he thought.

For now, Deon decided to change the subject.

“Since it was your choice, I have no objections. I’ll count on you to take care of me from now on.”

“I’ll do my best, Master.”

“One more thing, regarding your work uniform: why would De Avila Household settle on such impractical attire? Does it have something to do with the over—interest of someone important in the household?”

Yven’s cheeks turned red with embarrassment. Deon wasn’t wrong, but his assumptions were slightly off from the common truth.

Indeed, her attire had brought her both embarrassment and attention, but Yven was also somewhat different from a typical maid.

“The differences in the uniforms for House De Avila’s servants are due to the orders of one of the family heads—the fifth generation. She insisted that elegance and sophistication were symbols of the family, and this had to be reflected in everyone under their authority. A woman’s elegance is her beauty, and a man’s elegance is his precision.”

“As a result, apart from Magicians, the roles of men and women in the De Avila Household were distinct. Women occupied roles in service and care, while men took on roles requiring strength and endurance.”

Deon nodded with interest. He wouldn’t say he agreed with this fifth generation’s policies, but waking up every morning surrounded by servants as beautiful as Yven sounded refreshing.

Still, despite his preferences, Deon couldn’t help but feel pity for the girl. It wasn’t easy to face rejection for something beyond her control.

“I understand that. But if you wish to obtain a uniform like the other maids, you have the right to do so. You may use my name or my sister name as leverage if you’re still being oppressed.”

Yven’s breath hitched for a moment, her green eyes widening. She felt a deep sense of gratitude toward her kind master.

Using his name would solve many of her problems, but Yven felt it would be wrong.

‘I won’t do that, even if I face an impossible situation,’ she resolved internally.

Yven made her decision and smiled a dazzling smile that lit up her beautiful face.

“Thank you, master, for your kindness.”

Deon nodded silently, wondering what had caused the sudden shift in her demeanor.

But his curiosity vanished as she quickly returned to her usual nervous and overly active behavior.

Deon simply shook his head as if she were beyond help. He wanted the girl to feel comfortable enough around him that he could ask her anything without her overthinking it. But that would take time—he couldn’t force her to develop positive feelings for him.

After all, to her, Deon was still her master.

He rose from his seat at the large redwood table. He was very pleased with his breakfast, especially the milk coffee. Even more so, he was glad he could request it whenever he wanted without consequences.

But for now, Deon had a duty to himself.

‘It’s time to return to the cube. I can’t waste any free time,’ he thought.

“Yven, I’m heading back to my room now. I don’t want anyone disturbing me until sunset. You have permission to bring lunch at the appropriate time, and when sunset begins, remind me.”

Before making his way to his room, Deon gave a few orders to Yven, who responded with as much professionalism as she could muster—which wasn’t much.

“I will fulfill the master’s orders.”

“Also, no one is allowed to enter my room except for my sister and you. Keep that in mind.”

With those final words, Deon made his way out of the dining hall, leaving Yven alone with her excited smile.

‘This went better than I could have hoped. The young master is different from the rumors... better than the rumors.’

As if recalling something suddenly, her expression shifted.

“Oh no, the cleaning! The cleaning!...”

Yven hurried off, her steps quick and slightly unsteady due to her high heels, intent on fulfilling her duties. Despite her nervous energy, a spark of determination gleamed in her green eyes.