“Wait, work?”

“Why are you so surprised? I need work to live, or did you also forget the concept of work?”

“Ah no, that’s not it. Are you working on a maid café?”

She tilted her head in confusion and even I did so. My question just came out of nowhere.

“Well whatever maid café is, I don’t work on one but I do work as a maid in a mansion. As you can see with the dress I’m holding.”

She waved the dress as if she’s showing it off to me. So maid café’s isn’t a thing. I’m surprisingly surprised by that.

“So I have to dress up as a maid too?”

“No, you idiot. As a butler of some sort. The place I’m working on is in need of an extra butler and they don’t care if it’s a two horned or not so you’ll fit right in.”

“But there’s no mansion here as far as I can see.”

“Not here. From another town. Or a kingdom I should say.”

I think I get where she's coming from but thinking about it, it doesn't really fit the criteria of being able to do anything as I please. In other terms, it means I'm only working there and that's it. So basically it doesn't really matter if I work there or not except for the fact that I can learn something as I'm doing the job.

"What's with that disappointed face?"

I didn't notice that expression changed but in any case...

"Not to doubt your plan or anything but, I can't see how this will help me. Technically, I am out of town but I'm not necessarily free from doing what I want."

She closed her eyes as she puts away the maid outfit that she's holding and soon after, looked at me again.

"Of course I know that. Think about it. Do you really think there are any other option? If you were to use any form of transportation here then you would be easily found out. You should be aware that your face is all over the place which I'm guessing is also one of the reason why you want to move out of this place so badly. Furthermore, I am quite trusted by the Master of the manor so surely he will listen to my request."

Then I'm guessing that I have to work there for some time so I could earn the request she's talking about which I think would be my freedom or something.

"You said that your master lives in a mansion and also you are a maid there then why aren't you living there? Shouldn't maids and other staff have their own rooms in the mansion?"

"About that, I'm currently in my weekend vacation and tomorrow I would be moving there again."

"What about this house then? You only have this with the sole purpose of being your vacation home? Then if so, why didn't you pick a better town? You should be also aware of how stinky this town is."

"Although I may have the option to choose a better town to reside in but this is my birthplace. The place where I grew up on. Surely you would like to live in or at least visit your place of birth no matter how much you hated it?"

I can't argue with that. Even after spending only half a day in this place, I really do miss my own world regardless if it's destroyed or not. Is this what they call homesickness?

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"I presume that this is your old home when you were just a child?"

"I would be lying if I said no."

So this shabby place is her old home.

I wonder where he parents might be but I'm afraid to ask as it might open up old wounds. Done it many times in the past. It's really regretful.

?

"Wait, aren't we facing the same dilemma here?"

I asked her once I realized a very crucial detail which she only responded by tilting her head.

"How would we even reach the mansion when I'm wanted? You said it yourself, didn't you? That we can't use any form of transportation in this town or we'll get caught."

She took a sip of tea which she had brewed moments ago and spoke nonchalantly.

"Idiot. There's a personal carriage that we will be receiving. Thankfully, the carriage is closed off and the coachman being the only one seen outside."

That's good and all but...

"Then what if they checked inside the carriage?"

"That wouldn't happen. In the orders of my master, the King, it is not permitted for people ever disturb a staff of the Manor unless they have permission."

Bulrom's master is someone with a high status in society. If I get to earn his trust, I could somehow get his help. If I think about it, if she were to suggest me as a butler, being her trusted as she claimed to be, the King would think that she saw my potential and thus, have a slightly higher expectation from me which is a double edged sword too. If I'd didn't meet said expectation, my reputation towards the King would drop, lessening my chances of receiving his help and also, the request of Bulrom. But if do work diligently there then my chances are pretty high and thus, freedom!

"I guess that's fine. You said it will arrive tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Then what would we do then?"

An awkward question if I think about it. Could be interpreted in a lot of ways too but I don't think she's that shallow minded to do that.

"Firstly, we will write a letter of recommendation to my master, Zagan, then we should fix that ignorant brain of yours. It will only severely affect the both of us."

"Sorry to be holding us back."

"Well it couldn't be helped. Then shall we get to it? Writing that recommendation letter that is."

"Right."

Taking two sheets of paper.

?

"—And done."

Right after she said that, a thud this could be heard as she placed the quill down on the table, declaring more clearly that the task at hand is done.

That took longer than expected. I guess the writing in this world is so complex that even writing a single letter requires a lot of words and punctuation just to get a message across. It other words, the writing is ineffective and should be revised as soon as possible.

Sadly, I'm a mere amateur photographer, I don't think I can handle language. Or the language of another world for that matter but at least I can understand it so that's good enough.

"All that is left is to send this off to the local post office and we're good to go."

She said as she waved the letter up in the air. While tucking in the scratch paper in her pocket.

As the fire from the candle flickered aimlessly, casting dark shadows across the room from various objects, I stared out of the window from which the moonlight shined dimly, telling me one thing about this world.

It is night and the fact that it is night means that somehow, this world revolves around a moon which of course, the world having its own rotation.

Though there is a moon, it is a fuck ton larger than how the moon appeared in earth.

I could only guess that this world got its climate from having too much greenhouse gases or maybe that bastard God fucked around with it.

"You seem deep in thought?"

Said so by the one horned whom helped me, a complete strange, Burlom.

But I shouldn't call her stranger now, should I?

"I didn't expect that this world has a moon."

I faint sigh could be heard. The culprit being Bulrom.

"There you go again, spouting weird lines. Of course this world has a moon. It acts as a stabiliser for the constant fire to stop it from being too unpredictable."

"Well, I can't promise that I will stop saying things like those."

"I don't expect you to. Shall we go?"

Wait...

"Why should I come along?"

"So you could see more of the town. You'll be spending more time here than you would expect."

"Why?"

Just then, she took in a deep breath and sighed, wearing an annoyed face.

"Every weekend, we'll be returning here so it's better if you know more of this place. I can't let you staying here forever now, can I? By doing this, you can be a little more useful to me."

"Then what if I get caught?"

"I'm sure you can manage to escape like you did in that hospital. Plus, people usually don't question someone wearing a robe but since a certain two horned is wanted then there might be risks but that risk is very much low if I talk our way out of trouble."

For her to not be concerned about her own safety... It's a little unsettling for me.

"Aren't you going to be in trouble also? I mean, if you're seen with a two horned and a wanted one at that, won't they also do something to you?"

"They would but they won't"

What the heck does that mean?

Like she just read what's on my mind, she replied so half-heartedly.

"If any form of harm were to be done to one of master Zagan's staff without any strong enough reason, then consequences shall be put forth. Plus, in the eyes of the law, it would only look as if I'm just trying you in so my actions are completely justified and the suer would be punished because of what I just said before."

"Is that's so? Sorry for—"

Before I could even finish, she swiftly placed her hand on my mouth and glared at me like how she usually does recently.

"I don't want to hear it. Can't you hear yourself? Your apologies are getting annoying. I'm starting to see it in a lesser value."

I was about to mumble "sorry" but held myself from speaking.

She lets out another sigh and eventually removes her hand away from my mouth. Even for someone who lives in a dirty town like this, her hand smells like lavender, inevitably leaving a lingering scent on my mouth.

"I will be saying it again, shall we go?"

For a brief pause, I readied myself. Looking back on the things that had happened so far, formed a slight smile on my face.

"Yes."