Author's Note: Thank you guys for reading! I really do enjoy writing this kind of fiction, even if it doesn't seem original. This is a first in writing a fiction and posting it on royal road. Usually, I would rather read many great fictions on Royal Road from the sidelines, but I decide to try and write my own. It's a new and exciting experience, with lots of room for growth and improvement. I like to apologize in advance if I made any sort of grammar mistake or spelling mistake. These tend to happen when.
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"Ahh! I'm so nervous!" One of the lower butlers exclaimed rather dramatically.
"There is never a big meeting with our Master before. I don't know what to say to or act when she arrives!" another said.
Many servants chatted among their peers, some were anxious and some were excited.
"Maybe it has something to do with our awakening?" one of the maids named Claire suggested. It was the most reasonable proposal, and somewhat obvious since there would be nothing else to direct with their Master's sudden request.
Claire held a bubbly and curious personality, but she was unable to fully express it until now. After the awakening, it seemed everyone was able to freely move around and express themselves like they never had before. The pain of having their movements wired to a set of commands and a sense of conformity were washed away.
A sense of fear and confusion washed over them at first but gradually changed into excitement and joy.
Claire gently smiled at her fellow peers who were happily chatting among their group. Each member was now able to express their own individuality and talk about things they were unable to do before. A sense of pure happiness emerged from her chest, as she felt her smile grow genuinely wider.
I hope this new found freedom would last....
It was a silent and earnest wish of hers. Unknowingly, everyone had the same thought too.
"Everyone please line up. It's unfitting for us servants to crowd ourselves like a pack of social animals, when our Master is arriving," Ashlyn, the head maid said.
Like a cold bucket of water being poured down upon them, the group quickly dissipated.
Ashlyn stood on the side watching everyone line themselves up in a uniform fashion. Her molten golden eyes gave a quick glare to anyone who dared to be out of place.
The butlers lined themselves on the left side of the throne room, while the maids were on the right side.
The doors opened revealing their Master with Nico by her side. As a sign of respect, the servants made a deep bow, unwavering before Nicole made it up to her throne.
"You may rise," she said.
They lifted their heads, their prior expressions reverted back to their rigid expressions. It was an unconditioned response to hide any form of emotions when they were in the presence of their Master. It was a sign of strength and resolute loyalty towards their Master. Even Claire's soft expression had slightly tightened. She swallowed deeply as she stared at her Master.
Other than feeling intimidated and tensed, her dark eyes held such intensity as if you stared too long she would know and condemn you for all of your sins. Claire felt a shiver run down her back as goosebumps formed on her arms. At the same time, Claire couldn't help but admire her Master's ethereal beauty, enough to put everyone in a small trance-like state.
"I'd like to get straight to the point, that everyone in this room somehow developed your own consciousness. This means making simple decisions without any specific strings of commands, your ability to fully interpret and analyze information, making use of that information, and they underlying fact that you are what I consider as a free individual with your own rights," Nicole said, effortlessly relaying her knowledge to her servants.
"That is correct Master," Ashlyn replied.
"I see. If so, then I don't feel the need to unreasonably force any of you to do something you do not particularly like. I should settle this matter quickly and move on to the main discussion." Nico's face remained passive, while the others displayed a subtle amount of confusion.
Nico spoke up on behalf of the servants, "What do you suggest Master?"
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"It's very simple actually," Nicole said. "I ask all of you to treat each other equally, this also includes me. If any of you feel uncomfortable in any type of situation regarding any matter, I'd urge all of you to speak your mind and confront me of any problems you may have," she explained standing from her seat.
"Also I'd like to place in some simple ground rules in order to regulate a healthy and safe environment that everyone can enjoy."
1. Violence is not allowed within my premise, unless necessary.
2. You must always tell the truth and be honest. This only applies when you talk to me, other than that you are able to freely lie to anyone else.
3. At all times, you are to keep your powers in check and your true forms concealed, unless you have permission from me.
"I hope these rules aren't too restricting, but they are necessary. Some may be flawed but we can easily change it and reshape it in the near future. For now, I like to request that everyone here treat me as one of their comrades. You do not have to recognize me as your Master, but I do ask for all of your help to help me fulfill something I've been tasked with. So please relax, as I'll be under your care," as Nicole said this, she gave a gracious bow.
The throne room fell into a complete silence as if it weren't already. Many servants before her fell into a great shock seeing their Master bow before them, but a sense of relief had washed over them.
Claire being the bravest and the most accepting spoke up, "We shall serve you to the very end, Master." She gave a bright smile, that could win the hearts of many.
"Thank you, Claire. I really appreciate it," Nicole replied, giving a fixed smile.
"Forgive me if my smile seems unnatural. Most of my memories and emotions have been forcibly sealed away by someone I have yet to remember. Because of that, I may have some trouble expressing or actually feeling something that is normally acceptable in any type of intercourse. Therefore, I like to request again for everyone to help support me in conquering and uniting this world, in order to regain the aspects that make up myself back," she said.
Claire gave a wide and radiant smile that could even rival the sun. "Of course Master! You can count on us."
To Claire, who had a better understanding of her Master's situation, she felt a wave of sympathy for her. She was a lost lamb with no sense of direction, wandering in the vast plains of the grassland with the only purpose of finding its missing mother. Understanding that pitying her will not help, instead only cause more pain and inconvenience for Nicole to shoulder. Instead, she needed support from someone who will be there in dire times when her emotional and physical state was the lowest.
Realizing this, she felt a surge of responsibility emerge from her.
"Master, there is no need to worry." She motioned the other servants to follow. "We will definitely support you to the best of our abilities. So please rely on us too and let us shoulder some of your burdens, even if it is just a sliver of it. We will be the future pillars that will support you to the very end!"
With that, she ended her small but heartfelt edict. The whole room erupted with words of agreement and sincere promises from each and everyone one of the servants.
Nicole's eyes slightly widen in shock, her mouth unable to utter any words. Mere words would not be able to describe what she was feeling in this moment. However, she felt a sharp tingly warm sensation that flashed across her heart. Her hand had unconsciously placed over to where the sensation had been. It was a fleeting feeling, but it was enough to cause something to slip out within her. Behind her eyes, she saw a small streak of a warm and fuzzy orange light slip by.
Unknownst to her, Nicole's dark eyes looked glossier with a slight amount of wetness gathering in the very corners of her eyes. A very faint smile emerged from her lips, but nonetheless a genuine smile.
Everyone paused to see such miraculous spectacle otherwise, they would surely never see it again. Before they knew it everyone had a smile on their face even the usually passive faced Nico and stern Ashlyn. To move such stone-hearted characters, with a small unprecedented action was truly amazing.
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