Righteous remain.

Mei's POV

"Pant! Pant! Great! I never know that the skill has a cooldown!"

'At least you've figured it out~'

Let's go back to them, shall we?

'Nah~! It's your job, don't count me in~!'

Despicable goddess!

'Formidable girl~!'

***

After a moment of walking and arguing, I finally back at the back garden where both of my ladies are there except, there is one more person and she is Mrs. Claudia, she was accompanied by two, Clara and Gales.

"Greeting madame Claudia, My name is Julie Prim."

"Greeting, I am Wiela Riceliac, pleased to meet you, madame Claudia."

Both of the ladies great madame who turns out to be my supervisor back when I was taken a test.

They've really put their plan on motion! I was hid around the corner of the building and no one noticed me yet.

"No need to be such formalities. What do you need of me? I assume that one of my recommended personal causes you a problem?"

Mr- Madame Claudia does not waste time and go straight into the matter.

"Yes, Mei Sakumo, she's causing too much of a problem lately."

"!!!"

I could clearly see Gales's face turned to surprised while Clara does not change her expression one bit. Why do I feel slightly hurt?

"Mei Sakumo? Indeed that girl was unruly but, could you tell me what exactly are the cause?"

Madame... Why? Was I that unruly? I mean why everyone thinks that?

'Reflect back on what you've done~ According to my superb memories~ You've caused many headaches to master and also treat him indifferently~'

'Even though, you often messed up your act and end up throwing tantrum~'

H-He deserve it! Why would I be the one who receives the consequences!

'It's your fault~ Karma nowadays is as fast as rocket you know~?'

...

"Yes, She often disobeys my orders, and as her superior, what would you think that if someone under your command does not fulfill my desire? it's her duty after all."

"And she splashes water on my friend too. That time, I was hosting a tea party for all my friends and relative in Roland. So I have her attend them at that time but, she doesn't willing so, she acted sick and tired and make scene of me over-work her."

That is a nice tale! But there is a flaw, you know, the two that stand close to, one of them witnessed your evil deed!

"M-Madame Claudia! It-"

Gales tries to Interrupted but Madame raises her hand to pause him.

"Clara, go and get Mei Sakumo."

Clara bowed and mysteriously, walk to my way.

D-Did she noticed me from the beginning? Or does I'm poor at hiding? No that must not be it.

She walks in my hiding spot and I presented her with an innocent smile that was decorated by a lot of sweat.

"You heard it, but don't worry, I'll help to defend you too, I- I-really don't want them to slander you."

She blushes when speaking about the last line. I feel that I could fight a demon king right now, at least they're here for me.

'Friends is good right~ Treasure them~'

"Alright, thank you for having me, I couldn't find a suitable word to thank you enough."

Clara fixed her expression and again, returned to the stern self but her lip was curled.

"Keep that for later, now, let's go and bombard them shall we?"

"Yeah, let's bombarding them to a pulp."

***

As we walk toward them, I could feel the two ladies look at me with scorn and envious, especially Lady Wiela who forget that madame Claudia was here too.

"Ahem! Sorry for my impoliteness."

Lady Wiela quickly corrected herself and now, act as if she was a victim. I look at her, feeling disapproved.

"Look at her, she looks at me that way. Even madame is here, she doesn't care."

She fake cry and madame give me a signal to bow and apologize for to her. But I don't feel like apologizing to her, but if it the only way of changing the situations I'll do.

"I sincerely apologize to my lady, please have forgiveness on me."

I pulled out a manhua's servant act that I've read back in the time I was an on earth.

"..."

There is no respond, did I pull the wrong way? Or did she feel like being guilty now?

"Okay, Mei Sakumo, if you have anything to admit, now admit it here."

With a warming tone of madame Claudia, It's encouraged me to expose them of their rotten act but as I've read a Chinese novel and manga about you, a lowly servant that being bullied by the noble consort and concubine, she must make herself as pitiful as possible to win the emperor.

And the emperor who coincidently took a liking in the lowly servant helped her and punished the evil woman, they're living together happily ever.

'Do you want to win Louis's heart~? You're so bold~!'

Nope, never that would happen. All I think is how could I adapt the situation in the novel familiar to right now to cause as much damage as possible? Or could I go the

" This lowly servant has nothing to say, it's all my fault for being incompetent." route?

Or the "It's totally not me who at fault, It's them, they've to frame me up and plan to drive me away!" route?

'Why won't you act according to what you yourself would act~?'

Option two? Blast them in the face and cause them humiliation in an obvious way. But if it's failed and none back me up enough, I guess I'll end up a neet from now on.

It's not the same world as in those Chinese novels after all.

"Have nothing to say for yourself?"

Madame Claudia repeated again. Shit! I spend too much time thinking.

"I- I-"

Why my voice comes out a little like this! Where are my confidence now!?

"Speak properly, didn't the test taught you anything?"

Madame Claudia is squeezing me with her word and still, all my mind was completely blank just ago my perfect dialogue is plenty but it's all gone.

'It's was him~ Louis has stolen your mind~ So you don't have any space for your logic, other than him~."

Shut up! This is not the time for a joke!

"I-I- I don't, I mean, I was really over-worked myself and I barely have time to rest, so I don't have much energy to control my body, and that time, lady Julie was ordering me to serve her a drink but I, already tired and restless, tripped on my foot and the drink was splashed on her face, that time I-I don't really mean to do that to her."

I manage to put on the first route mixed with the two into action, with my guilty face put on, the effect was great.

"So that was what the problem? Is that true that You, over-worked her?"

Madame Claudia asks lady Wiela back. Lady Wiela, she also put on concerning mask and look at me with pity as she speaks.

"I know I over-worked her but, I do offer her a time to rest but she always refuses to and end up like that."

'Oh~! Wiela has used your behavior against you~!'

Damn!

"She's not only unruly but she also reckless."

Lady Julie added.

"Mei Sakumo, do you have anything to explain?"

Madame looks at me with a disappointed look but her tone still, care for me as if she wanted me to say that it's all a lie.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

"Madame, she has no word for this so that means that she already admit it."

No! I wasn't say anything because I've admitted it! I'm just... just.

"Madame Claudia, please pardon this servant's impoliteness!"

Gales Interrupted. Lady Wiela wants to argue but madame pauses her from doing it.

"You may speak."

"It's not Mei's fault, it's wasn't that she declined lady's offer but, the lady doesn't offer her any rest in the first place, same to us all, we've also been over-worked and barely have any time for rest."

"And Mei, the lady ordered her to attend thirty peoples without any help from other personal! And if we were to help her, the lady would separate us from and threaten us."

Thank! I-I gladful that I've you all as my friends.

"Is that true Wiela? Is that was what you have done to them?"

Madame Claudia asks lady Wiela who she is gritting her teeth while keep smiling.

"Oh, no madame! It's not like I treat them bad or anything, they're doing their duty and get paid."

Now this sentence get madame Claudia to infuriated, she hid it but her eyes tell it all.

"I never know that the soon to be the wife of the renown Estatec house would be this narrowed minded!"

Lady Wiela was shocked by a sudden change in the atmosphere and her friend cannot do anything to drive the storm away.

"The "Hornered" title is doesn't for decoration. Don't compare them with those lowly servants of your back in the Riceliac house! These girls and boy are working hard, they abandoned their status and for them to be rewarded!"

"They're respected! They're capable and they're master of their own field! If those are what money could buy, then I'm afraid that you've got the wrong servant to work under you."

"It's for them, to archived their dream."

"Now, Clara, Gales and Mei tell me about your life in working under this household."

"T-There's no nee-"

Madame Claudia shot her a deadly glare, completely have her choked in her words. Clara looks at me, she barely smiles.

"Yes madame, I'll tell you about everything."

***

The stories go like this: Clara and Gales bombarded lady Wiela badly, while lady Julie pray that they aren't targeting her right now, leaving her friend at fault.

While she was left speechless, she often leaks her killing intent out for us to feel it, hoping that we realize what will happen to us after this matter settled.

But Clara doesn't take her indirect-threat seriously, she continues to expose lady Wiela of her unbecoming act of a fine lady such as bad-mouthing other, inconsiderate, spendthrift and you know, arrogant.

Madame Claudia is very serious right now, just looking at her making me feel like an earthquake may occur soon.

Lady Wiela just keeps smiling despite the truth that she is going to get denounced soon.

"That's all I can tell you, madame."

With a curtsy, Clara takes a step back and let madame processing the information given by her.

She rubs her temple for a moment, and I can see that her switch is flipped.

"You three, please left for a moment, I have a "lengthy" matter to discuss with them."

She sips a tea brewed by Clara. The three of us comply to what she orders and move back into the kitchen while walking pass lady Wiela I could feel some heat emitting from her, It's kinda scorching hot really, what are you! A human reactor?

"That's really hurt, I mean, the truth hurt really bad."

Gales sighed while rubbing the scalp.

"Yes, they're deserved it, and we're innocent, why have to be afraid?"

Clara speaks with her chilling tone. Gales continue to sigh again.

"Well, I guess that will bring them some senses, God! seriously! Are you crazy! You know that she is master Louis's fiancee right? I mean they're just receiving some lecture from madame! It's doesn't make us completely at ease!"

So that what he's worried about, he has a point, now we just openly declare war on them.

Annoying! Was what my life so complicated?!

"Do not worries, I don't let them have their way, we have the right to speak, and we're not her servants."

Clara hugs her chest as she speaks. Somehow, this time it's was soothing to hear.

"Y-Yeah! I just worry too much, It's better than sit and endure."

Then I feel a hands on my shoulders, It's was Clara's.

"W-What is it?"

I nervously ask her but, under her warming look, It's hard for me to maintain a eyes contract.

"Giggle~ Without you, my whole life is just grey, you're my rainbow. I'll protect you, as long as you accept me as yo- your..."

W-What? What did I do? We just met no more than a month and y-you already l-l-like me?! S-She is h-ho-homosexual? As I thoughts about it, my face is red and hot from both the embarrassment and naughty thought, but Clara.

She adverts her eyes and pulled her hands away from me, she looks sad. She turned away and walk pass Gales.

"Madame is probably done, we need to escort her back."

She returned to her stern self and walk out of the kitchen. Gales looks at me and give me a shrug.

"I guess it not so "Lengthy" talk."

I follow them, I can't let myself alone with that thought. I-I'm her r-rainbow? What does that mean to her? I-I-

'I'm back~! How are you doing my little tomato~?'

Tomato?! Tomato! I'm not that red!

'So you're admitting you blushing~'

Y-You! Are you there, listening and watching the whole time?!

'Nope~! I just go and enjoy my time playing building sandcastle somewhere in this world~'

Her voice sounds unconvincing, she really eavesdropping.

'I'm a goddess with moral you know~?'

No strawberry and I'll only make you one honey cake!

'!!O

I ignore Purin's whining as I followed Gales back to take madame. When we arrived, the two ladies already left while manmade sit and sips her tea elegantly.

"Who told you to go that far? Doesn't you have any sense? Next time, just wait nearby, it's fine since it takes a long time to bring them to realization."

"We're sorry madame, we're afraid of hearing the conversation unintentionally."

Clara bows and we all followed her.

"Sigh~ I guess It's time for me to leave."

Gales help madame stands from her seat.

"Let's us send you back to the carriage."

She waves at dismissal at Gales and Clara and then she looked at me.

"You two can go and continue your duty, I'll have Mei sent me off."

Clara gives me a nod before she and Gales walk into the mansion. Now it's me and madame Claudia.

"Sigh~ do not stand there, here, walk alongside me, I've something to talk with you."

"Y-Yes madame."

I get to her side and walk the same pace as her, she walk a bit slow and we'll reach the front yard soon.

"I've wonder quite some time now since I first saw you In the back then when you are participating in the event."

"I've seen this apron before whenever I saw you, an image of a person who I admire alway resemble you, both personally and the atmosphere around you."

"If I ask, Is this the one, gifted by someone?"

S-She ask me out of nowhere. This was true, given to me, Mrs. Crissy, was she an old friend of madame?

"Yes, this apron was given to me, she said that she once use this in her career as "Honored" maid."

"Chuckle~ Even if you aren't blood-related, I could hardly believe it, the more I know, the more she haunt me Chuckle~"

"I still remember when she used to cause trouble and with her master, but who knows? in the end, she ended up with him."

"Lately she hasn't sent me a single letter, I still worry about that girl, she talented but she is some time, silly."

'Aren't that exactly you~?'

Shut up! I know she was talking about Mrs.Crissy but, I wonder how a madame met her? They're opposite of each other but they have somehow shared a similarity, madame is noble, elegant and serious, but she is kind while Mrs. Crissy is commoner yet talented and an easy-going but sometimes she really is scary.

'Don't you realized that is also applied to you~? You're talented and formidible~'

Purin!

"Yes, why would you wanted to become a "Hornered" maid?"

Madame asked me, she looks at me as if she looks at her own daughter.

"It's my dream, I enjoy helping others."

"Chuckle~ I do have a double Image right now, you do resemble her."

Then my curiosity strike.

"Excuse me, madame, I wanted task about something."

I asked her in demure mander.

"Yes, what is it."

"How you and she met?"

She was in a daze in a moment of nostalgia.

"It's was a long story but I could only describe her as "Mommy of the team", she was dependable and whenever we lose our hope, she will encourage us without afraid of embarrassing herself."

"She was the best friend I made during I was participating in the event. This is the reason why Roland treasure this tradition, what worth more than wealth is the life of someone, someone who worthy of my life."

"But don't get it wrong Mei Sakumo, I'm not homosexual, I'm talking about friendship, and I'm not telling you to get married, you're so young and there are many rooms left for learning."

She covers her mouth with her hand as she smiles brightly at me, she looks so beautiful when she smiles.

'Every woman can be beautiful~ only you're an exception~'

But I can be pretty right?

'Isn't that the same as beautiful~?! You aren't going be cute as long as y-'

Shhh~! Isn't you said you wanted to apologize to me? If not, not even a single cake for you~

'!O"w'o" S-Sorry~! I will not eavesdrop anymore~! At least considered it for our friendship~!'

Oh~ As for our friendship, I'll make you one more extra honey cake.

'Really~! You're my best friend~!'

Of course, I am, This week you'll only get two honey cakes~

'W-What~! Aww no~! Don't lie to me~ I know you give me a dozen, and I already aporogized~'

Yes, you did apologize but you said I'm not beautiful, so I was hurt by your word, as a punishment, you'll get only one honey cake, but as for our fruitful friendship, I decided to give you one more!

"Okay, thanks for answering my silly question out of curiosity."

"I don't mind if you ask me more, but I do mind that you don't treasure yourself and let the two of them harm you, maybe not physically but please, if there is something similar happened in the future, do not hesitate to send a letter to the headquarters or you can directly come over to my place, I always welcome those who in need of my help."

"I have no word for your kindness madame, the least I can do is make your food in the future."

"No need to be formal when we're alone. As for your offer, I'm glad to accept it, I would like you to surprise me with your food."

"Let me know when you're going to make, I'll send someone to receive it."

"N-No madame, I'll deliver to madame myself."

"Chuckle~ You better not neglect your duty because of me."

'You can use a list of skill I've granted you~ Even teleportation is included in my blessing package!'

Later!

'Hhpmh~! I'll go and build my sandcastle with Cajone then~ Bye~!'

Childish goddess...

I almost hit a wall when I realized that we are at the front door now.

There is a carriage parked at before us and five butlers stood to wait.

Then there comes a one of the five, he takes madame into the carriage but pauses upon entering and look at me.

"Keep it in your mind and do not forget, and if that girl writes you a letter, could you say hello to her in my stead?"

"Yes madame, I'll keep this close to my heart."

I bow as I reply to her.

"Then, I'll be waiting for your surprise."

With that, she entered the carriage and left the mansion.

"Sigh~ Mrs. Crissy is really something."

I look down to see my apron given by her.

If Kevin know this, I wonder what reaction he'll have on his face~

Claudia Rose

Crissy Vangril [+]

-A close friend of Claudia Rose met eight years ago, Crissy Vangril is married to marquis ?????? of the Vangril household in secret and having a son named Kevin Vangril.

-Crissy Vangril, formerly Crissy Talen, she is the sole daughter of the farmer family in Haves village, she's born to be a genius, she is highly skilled in various field.

-Now the skill will show further information such as fighting abilities, weaknesses, and will unlock the "Guidance assistant" skill.

Woah! Woah! Suddenly, many dings! sound ringing in my head. These are the notification? Cool! My skill leveled up and I've gained a new skill, "Guidance assistant" which I believe it has something to do with the "Guidance".

... W-What?! I just realized that there is something added to my vision. M-My eyes just turned into a Head-up display(HUD)!

There is time labeled above in the right corner, it's 13:43 right now. There is a mana bar displayed, right now it is 367/600, 191/250. At first, I was confused but there the first bar is blue while the other is green, which is mana and natural mana, convenience.

There is also a thermometer, humidity, mini-map, and a health bar? I was a red bar with no number indicated how much the value and no Icon at all. What was it?

Oh and I noticed in the mini-map, there are four blue dots with their name above which are Vinca, Rola, Kevin, and Sauvel. I liked this feature but, can it be disabled?

That convenience! I'll keep it on, for now, I'll take a nap.

Meanwhile

3rd Person's POV

"Julie! You need to do something now!"

"I've lost my face by that girl and yet, you said nothing to defend me!"

"Tsk! Wiela, It's has nothing to do me, and quit being paranoid, if it is about getting rid of her, there are plenty of easy ways."

"And don't worry, this time, I'll do it myself."

"Mei Sakumo, you won't last long... After what you and your friends have done to me!"

Wiela cry as she clenched her fist tight, so tight that her long nail Peirce into her delicate skin, making her bleeding.

"Just hand over the matter to me! I'm tired of seeing you being a crybaby! If you don't succeed in marriage with the Estatec, you know what will his highness do to your family right?"

Julie crossed her arm on her chest as she leans on the wall, she was smirking devilishly.

"I have already been told many time Julie! Don't you have your own matter as well? Why don't you get yourself on how to get rid of that girl and my plan will work eventually."

"Hahaha! Killing a maid won't be hard! But now you're in the same room with the killer, won't you afraid of dying?"

Julie laugh but Wiela, she doesn't scare at all.

"How about you? Won't you afraid that your head will roll off your shoulder if you kill me?"

This time, it's was Wiela turn to smirk.

"Tsk! If it's not for Ralies's order, you and that Estatec will already be beneath soil by now!"

Then Julie leaves the room.

"Let's see how will you struggle, Mei Sakumo!"