CH 21

“Welcome home, Your Royal Highness, the King’s brother Raidorl Zain.” 

As soon as Raidorl and Neimilia entered the house, twenty stewards and maids greeted them in unison.

“Hurm??”

The sight of well-bred men and women bowing to each other in unison is something of a spectacle. 

Even if Raidorl was once a prince living in the royal palace, since he had spent so much time in the remote countryside, Raidorl could not help but feel pressured.

“Master-”

“Hm, aa..”

Neimilia, standing behind him, tugged at the hem of Raidorl’s jacket. Raidorl nodded, regained his composure and cleared his throat.

“Now, who is the master of this house, and who represents all of you?” 

“It is I, Your Royal Highness.” 

Stepping forward is a man in a butler’s uniform with a moustache.

His carefully groomed hair and beard are tinged with romance grey, and the way he greets you, his hips carefully folded, exudes a sincere personality.

“You look familiar. You used to work at the Royal Court, didn’t you?”

“Yes, it’s been a long time. My name is Salawin and I used to work for His Majesty Granard.”

The butler, Salawin, smiles at Raidorl with a relaxed smile.

His calm and serene mood is the same as it was five years ago. Raidorl remembers the time when he was a child and Salawin gave him sweets at a tea party held by his brother.

“Ahh, I see. It’s you Salawin, it’s been a long time.”

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, sir. Good to see you back.” 

“Thank you. By the way, ……, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you, or rather, with everyone here.

“Hurm? What is it?” 

When Salawin looks at him suspiciously, Raidorl smiles, his mouth forming a crescent.

“You’re all fired. You need to leave now.”

“Ha……?”

Salawin’s face freezes at the unexpected words. The other servants in the room behind him begin to stir.

“Wa, is there something wrong with us? If so, please tell us……”

“Oh, there’s nothing wrong. I just don’t need you all. I just want all of you to leave”. 

Raidorl declares in a sarcastic tone.

Salawin’s gaze wanders from side to side in bewilderment, but he persists.

“The house is huge, as you can see. It’s not as if one of your maids is going to be able to clean up after herself…”

“It is not for you to worry about….. Let me set this straight, there is only one person I trust here, and that is Neimilia. I’m not going to have anyone else around.”

“But……” 

You can’t be trusted.

So, get out.

Salawin’s face twists in humiliation as he is told by this.

The old butler stared at Raidorl and Neimilia for a while with a grudge, but then he gave up and sighed. 

“……I understand. I will inform His Majesty Granard of this.” 

“Please do so, and thank you for your trouble.” 

Raidorl waved his hand and watched the servants go out of the door. The servants leave the house with Salawin in the lead. Their faces were all puzzled.

Eventually, he saw that everyone had left and looked back at Neimilia.

“Check the …… house. Every inch of it.” 

“Understood, Master.” 

Neimilia pinched the hem of her apron dress and reverently replied with an understanding.

“Shadow Servant.”

Shadow version of Neimilia changes its shape and forms a human figure.

It’s slowly shaping from the shadows into women in maid’s uniforms. They have black hair and dark skin. The faces of these maids look as if they have been kneaded out of darkness, with no eyes or noses, and are as smooth as eggs.

They are not human, of course. They are the messengers of Neimilia, who live in the shadows and are born from the shadows.

“Search the house. Please make sure there are no dangerous objects or people lurking around. Those who are free should check the supplies in the house. Especially clothing and foodstuffs.” 

“Yes, Mistress.” 

The ten or so shadow maids scattered around the house with a gliding gait. 

They are able to enter every corner and explore every detail of the house. Neimilia nodded in satisfaction as the ants explored every nook and cranny.

“Well……, you may now rest in peace, my Lord. I will take care of the house and all its affairs.” 

“Hum, I’m counting on you.” 

With her strong loyalty, Neimilia would be able to take care of the whole large house by herself.

The witch who had once almost destroyed the world was now an accomplished maid.