It rained heavily on that day—rained so much that I felt genuinely scared. The sound of lightning split the sky at regular intervals, each thunderstrikes more terrifying than the last, like devastating claps, resonating across the wide canvas of the sky above.
It was on this day that I first met master.
The boy who, at the lowest point in my life, became my pillar of strength.
It was on that day when I had lost everything.
My modest family served under the Constel household. My father was a Baron—even though we held the lowest possible rank in the hierarchy of nobility, we were okay. I don't remember much from my early childhood, but I do remember what led to all of it. The day that took everything from me, the day I lost my family forever.
I think it was some sort of compromise at the border, something went terribly wrong and mysteriously, ether beasts managed to breach the defenses outside the border and got into our little town at the outskirts of the Constel duchy. Everyone died that day—men, women, children, all torn apart by creatures that should never have made it past the barriers. I myself was only able to survive because I had suddenly awakened during the attack. It was my sylph that protected me until help finally came.
At least, that's what I remember.
I was taken to the Constel mansion by Lady Rena, Anderson's mother. It was her death a year later that made him the way he is now. The moment she died, the boy I knew completely disappeared. He became someone else entirely, someone I couldn't recognize. I knew it was the pain of losing the only family that ever truly cared for him that transformed him this way. After all, I myself had experienced that same devastating loss.
But I know deep down, he is still the Anderson I remember, and maybe one day, he will realize that I care too. I am as much family to him as he is to me.
"Wake up," I groaned as a familiar voice reached my ears, pulling me from restless dreams.
I frowned and looked up, squinting my eyes against the soft light filtering through my fever-addled vision.
"M-master?" I stuttered, and then I felt his warm hand pressing gently against my burning forehead.
"Damn, you're burning up," he murmured with genuine concern. I felt warmth bloom in my chest seeing him worry about me like this. This was the first time since the day I became his personal maid that he had given me such focused attention.
"Lenora, focus," I heard his stern voice cutting through my dazed thoughts. I pushed myself up with effort, relaxing my back against the soft pillows behind me. My vision cleared gradually, and I could see him seated by my side on the edge of the bed, a ceramic tray balanced on his left hand and a golden spoon brought close to my lips.
"Open up," he said softly, and I focused on the spoon. The contents were liquid and steaming hot, aromatic steam rising from the surface.
'Soup?'
"Ah," I opened my mouth obediently, and he carefully fed me. It was slightly spicy and wonderfully hot—not only because it was literally heated, but because there was a generous amount of pepper.
"Mmm," I swallowed the fifth spoonful of the nourishing broth.
Cough cough.
"Take it easy," I heard him say gently, feeling his large hand rubbing soothing circles on my back until the coughing subsided.
I smiled despite my illness, treasuring this rare moment of tenderness.
"Come on," he encouraged, and I continued drinking the soup he had prepared. Once the bowl was completely finished, he carefully set the empty dish back on the tray beside the nightstand, then helped me settle back comfortably against the pillows.
"Just rest up. With your ether now fully restored, you should be back to your normal self by tomorrow," he said with a gentle smile, but I felt conflicted emotions swirling in my chest.
I loved the attention he was giving me now, but if I recovered by tomorrow, would he still treat me with such care?
"Wait..." I reached out and caught his hand before he could pull away.
"What?" He looked directly into my eyes, pausing his movement to tuck me properly under the warm blankets.
"Did you... make it yourself?" I asked hesitantly.
"Well, yeah," he said matter-of-factly, "Alright, enough talk. Sleep—I need you at your peak by tomorrow."
Then, without warning, he leaned down and gave me a quick, gentle kiss on my forehead before ruffling my hair affectionately.
I froze completely, my heart stopping for several beats.
Master.
"Hmm~" I smiled blissfully, a warm feeling spreading through every fiber of my being.
"My master... all mine~" I whispered to myself, hugging the blankets close as I basked in the lingering warmth of his touch.