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Rand's weary and sorrowful expression contrasted sharply with the confident voice echoing from the room to the kitchen. He sighed softly, shaking his head, and after a quick wash of the cups, he stepped out of the kitchen.
"Mengdie, it's almost time. Are you ready?" Rand asked.
Mengdie and Nia stood in front of Rand, nodding determinedly. Rand led them through the castle to a small back door used by the maids. There, many girls dressed as maids were coming and going, supervised by two soldiers and a stern middle-aged housekeeper, who was busy directing the maids.
"Quickly! Is the princess's meal ready? Hurry up! And you, how did you tie that bow on your dress? It's crooked! And you! I've been watching you, why is there a stain on your apron? What will the princess think?!"
Mengdie was intimidated by the housekeeper's commanding presence, and Nia was even more scared, hiding behind Mengdie's tail, trembling.
Rand, bent over, approached the housekeeper. "Madam Marafe, I have a request," he said, gesturing towards Mengdie and Nia. "These are my granddaughters, orphaned and recently came to live with me, looking for work. Since some older maids have left for marriage, I was wondering if..."
Madam Marafe nodded, surprised to learn that Rand had granddaughters. Despite her doubts, the shortage of staff made her overlook her suspicions and turn to Mengdie and Nia. She briefly acknowledged Nia but paused noticeably upon seeing Mengdie.
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"Rand, one of your granddaughters... is a beastman? And so..."
She stopped short of commenting on Mengdie's beauty. Rand replied with a forced smile, "Yes, my son's first wife was a fox-woman from the beastman tribe, but she passed away early. His second wife was human, but alas... they left us too soon. Oh, the sins of my life..."
As Rand spoke, he became emotional, turning away to wipe his tears. Mengdie believed his tears were genuine, perhaps stirred by painful memories.
Moved by Rand's display, Madam Marafe softened and gestured to Mengdie and Nia, "Alright then, since we're short-staffed and your granddaughter's 'appearance' is passable, even for a beastman, I don't think the princess would mind. Nanma, come here. Take these two girls to change. Remember, we serve the princess. Any mistake, and I can't save your heads. Be on your best behavior. Understood?!"
"Yes, Madam Marafe," Mengdie managed to reply, intimidated by the woman's demeanor.
"Say 'yes'!"
"Yes! Madam Marafe!!!" Mengdie and Nia shouted in unison.
Satisfied, Madam Marafe nodded, and the girls followed another maid to change. Rand exchanged a few more words with her before returning to his cottage, reluctantly resuming his sword instruction with Edward.
※※※
"Mengdie, what's wrong?" Nia, already dressed in a cute blue and white maid outfit, looked at Mengdie, who stood dumbfounded and pale-faced, staring at a particular garment on the hanger.
A maid's dress?
Mengdie's tail shot upright, her face flushed with embarrassment and nervousness. Only now did she realize that to play the part of a maid, she would have to wear a woman's outfit. The thought of wearing women's clothing filled her with dread.
As the time to meet the princess drew near, Mengdie struggled internally. To her, this seemingly normal task felt incredibly difficult.
Just as she was about to touch the blue maid's dress, Nanma, the plump maid, intervened, "Oh, young lady, you don't need to wear this one."
Relieved, Mengdie watched as Nanma removed the dress from the hanger. The ordeal of wearing women's clothing had been averted, at least for the moment.
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