The Head Maid, sprawled flat on the floor and sobbing pitifully as if the world itself were ending, finally calmed down only after I grew worried she might dehydrate.
"Ugh... Young Master, I'm so sorry... sniff..."
Like a child clutching a Christmas present, the Head Maid hugged her maid uniform tightly to her chest and apologized to me, sniffling all the while.
"Everyone loses it sometimes."
"Sniff... Thank you..."
It wasn't like she'd done it to spite me on purpose, and aside from the servants' sharp glares, it hadn't caused me any real harm, so I just brushed it off with a smile.
"So, what made you cry like that?"
"Well..."
The Head Maid carefully pulled out the maid uniform she was cradling and held it up so the front faced me.
"Because of this... it just overwhelmed me all at once..."
It was made of silk, just like the one I'd made for Emily, with the exact same dress design. But there was a strange emblem embroidered on the chest that I definitely hadn't added.
"...A crest?"
"Yes..."
And not Father or Mother's personal crest, but the Count Family's official one.
The family crest was reserved for things the family head deemed important.
For example, classified documents, letters to the imperial family, or engravings on the swords and armor of vassals who had sworn loyalty to the family.
That vital symbol was now embroidered on a maid's battle gear—her uniform.
"The moment I saw it... sniff... I realized I'd finally been recognized as a true vassal of the Count Family..."
"Ah..."
I could understand her reaction—the crest carried such heavy symbolism. The problem, though...
"But who added the crest? I didn't draw anything on the chest."
"Who else but your father could use the family crest?"
"Ah... right..."
I'd asked the most obvious question.
No one but a madman would dare use the family name on something without permission.
"Isn't it a bit sudden?"
"It was a bit impulsive, sure. But after decades of service to the Count Family, why shouldn't we treat her like one of the knights?"
"That's true."
"Madam..."
The Head Maid's eyes grew misty again.
"Ester, if you start crying again, I'll confiscate that uniform right now."
"Eek...! Y-yes, ma'am...!"
Startled by Mother's stern warning, the Head Maid clutched the uniform tighter, hiccuping in panic.
She looked so shocked that I half-expected her to faint if it were actually taken away—her face had gone completely pale.
"Still, Ester, it's nice to see you so moved... but how long do you plan to sit on the floor? People might think we're working our slaves to death."
"Ah, u-um... Sorry!"
The Head Maid's face flushed beet red as she sprang to her feet.
Even then, she refused to let go of the uniform for even a second, keeping it pressed to her chest the whole time.
"Hmm..."
Mother eyed the Head Maid, who was a total mess from rolling around on the floor, then reached out toward her disheveled hair.
She gently combed through the tangled strands with care, her lips curving into a soft, teasing smile.
"Ester, how happy must you have been to roll around until you looked like this?"
"M-Madam, I can do it my..."
"Stay still. You're fidgeting like you're terrified the uniform might slip even a little—what could you possibly do?"
"Y-yes..."
Once the formerly messy hair was neatly smoothed without a single strand out of place, Mother withdrew her hand and patted the Head Maid's shoulder.
"There, all done."
"Thank you."
"Now that you're calm, get back to work. The other maids are waiting for you, and everything's at a standstill."
"Yes, excuse me."
"Good luck."
The Head Maid bowed to Mother and me before hurrying away with quick steps.
Mother watched her retreating figure wistfully, then murmured softly.
"It's been so long since I've seen Ester show her emotions like that. Maybe since I gave birth to Evelyn..."
"She's just that stoic."
"If I'd known she'd be this thrilled, I should have done it sooner."
"Better late than never."
"Yes, at least we did it now."
_
The Head Butler, next in line to receive his uniform, had a similar reaction when he got his—complete with the family crest.
Unlike the Head Maid's flood of tears, he merely dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief. But the emotion stirred by that crested uniform was undeniable.
Their unexpectedly passionate responses put Mother and Father in high spirits, and the next day, they gathered all the servants and made this declaration.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[Those who devote their loyalty to the family shall be treated as equals to the knights.]
[!]
With that declaration, what had been meant only for the Head Butler and Head Maid now extended to all the personal butlers and maids who served us directly.
The servants' motivation soared so high it seemed ready to pierce the heavens.
It was heartwarming to see everyone so happy, but in a way, it left me a little sad.
How the uniforms were used was up to Mother and Father, so I had no real complaints. But Father's surprise addition of the crests overshadowed almost all reactions to the tailcoats and maid uniforms.
I'd hoped to hear the maids giggling over how cute they were, not vows to bury their bones in service to the Count Family just for a crest.
It was disappointing.
But what was done was done—best not to dwell on it.
Whining over things I couldn't change wouldn't help. Better to focus on future designs and what lay ahead.
"Hmm..."
I closed the book I was reading and set it on the desk.
Then I turned my head slightly to look at Emily, who sat quietly nearby.
The moment she sensed my gaze, she turned to meet my eyes, her expression impassive as she whispered softly.
"Do you need something?"
"No."
I shook my head gently and let my eyes drift to her chest.
My exclusive maid, Emily—who also enjoyed Mother's favor—had naturally been included among the highly loyal recipients of the crest.
Second only to the Head Maid among the maids, she was exceptionally capable and outstanding.
Gazing at the crest on her maid uniform's chest, I grinned and said.
"Wonder what it feels like to have a crest right there on your chest."
"Ugh..."
Emily, who had become a glorified servant equal to the knights as of yesterday, frowned and subtly covered the crest with her apron strap.
Wearing a sullen look, she grumbled.
"It's burdensome."
"Burden-some?"
"The butlers have been hitting on me more because of it."
"Ah..."
A pretty nineteen-year-old maid favored by the Count Family? Yeah, that'd draw attention.
"Hmm..."
I felt pleased, yet not.
It was nice that others thought highly of Emily, but I wasn't thrilled about all the extra attention.
"Want me to talk to Father?"
Emily shook her head at my casual offer.
"It's not that bad, and the interest will fade soon enough."
"Good to hear. Still, if it gets tough, tell me. I'll help however I can."
"Yes."
"By the way, no one's jealous, right?"
"No jealousy, but... there are folks hoping for the First Young Master's child."
"Makes sense, since his wedding's coming up."
The other spots were filled, so they were eyeing new openings.
Any maid—man or woman—could aim for wet nurse duty, which was a solid bet.
The First Brother's heir would outrank me in succession, so they might hire a renowned outsider, but second or third children offered chances too.
"And interest in you has spiked, Young Master."
"Me? Why?"
"You're different—you only keep me around."
"Ah... I don't really want to add more, though."
Emily didn't bother me, but I didn't like people hovering, so expanding my retinue was the last thing on my mind.
"You used to be like that, but rumors say you're suddenly so attentive to the servants, even making clothes for them. Everyone's hopeful now."
"I want to tell them to wake up."
"Don't be too harsh. It's your fault for being weird."
"Ugh..."
I had nothing to say to that.
_
As the tailcoats and maid uniforms gradually spread among the servants and I pondered new designs...
"Brother."
Mother's daughter and my one-year-younger sister.
Hayes, who usually treated me with zero respect, had come to my room with her maid Letisha.
It wasn't rare for my little sister to visit, so I wasn't too surprised.
"Who are you...?"
But her calling me "Brother" for the first time since we were kids made me swallow hard and step back.
"Hah? Brother, did you just ask your cute little sister 'who are you'?"
"Don't lie. Hayes would never call me 'Brother'."
"What's weird about a sister calling her brother 'Brother'?"
"Have you ever used anything but 'hey', 'you', or 'idiot'?"
"..."
Hayes clenched her teeth, squeezed her eyes shut, and something made her shoulders tremble.
Then she opened her eyes, lips quivering, and muttered in an irritated voice.
"This little shit... I try being nice for once, and you make a fuss?"
The bizarre sense of a twisted world snapped back to normal—the one I knew.
I relaxed and beamed innocently.
"You really are Hayes, huh?"
"I seriously want to kill you."
"So, what brings you here?"
"Ugh... I came to ask a favor."
"A favor?"
Hayes asking me for something?
If it was in my power, she'd be better off going to Mother or Father...
As I stared at her in confusion, Hayes shyly ducked her head and mumbled.
"Brother, could you make me just one dress?"
"Oh..."
This was very welcome news.
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