Ai’er had heard a saying before: cross-dressing happens either zero times or countless times.
Once you crossed that line and entered the other side of that mysterious world, there was no turning back —
After all, everyone had a love for beauty. When your reflection in the mirror appeared with a brand-new look, who could possibly hate a cute girl? Especially one that you knew inside and out.
As the saying goes: the only one who understands you best is yourself.
Even a couple who had lived through thick and thin couldn’t know each other’s thoughts at every single moment!
From that perspective, the girl in the mirror and the person outside of it already had a relationship that far surpassed that of a husband and wife!
How could anyone not love a girl like this?!
“How could anyone not love her?!”
After questioning the air like that, Ai’er tilted her nose up slightly and let out a soft huff. Then, she locked her gaze onto the silver-haired girl in the mirror.
‘Hehe… I’m really gorgeous…’
After holding the corners of her skirt and spinning in front of the mirror once more, Ai’er broke into a silly grin again.
“But even if it’s a maid outfit… doesn’t it feel a bit too luxurious?”
Although the overall color scheme was the classic black and white of a maid, it featured gold ribbons, exquisite lace patterns, and fabric with a silken texture. Combined with the fine embroidery — it looked like a white formal dress with some black fabric added as an afterthought.
But even the added fabric looked like it was of the highest quality.
“As expected of aristocrats, even the clothes the maids wear are this refined?”
Ai’er could only come up with that explanation. Or perhaps it was because she was going to be Elena’s personal maid, and she couldn’t look too shabby and embarrass her mistress?
She had never been a proper noble before… She couldn’t wrap her head around it.
“Miss Ai’er, is the outfit a poor fit? You’ve been in there for almost half an hour.”
“Sorry, sorry! The clothes are fine, I’m coming out right now!”
Waiting outside the room, the Head Maid recalled what Lady Elena had said.
Previously, when Sebas informed Elena of Sirius’s impending visit, he had also asked about Ai’er. The Head Maid had been present at the time.
So, the Head Maid knew very well that the silver-haired girl in the room was indeed her lady’s savior.
However, the Head Maid also knew that Miss Ai’er was more than just a savior.
When they spoke of Ai’er, Elena had smiled.
Although Lady Elena said this silver-haired girl named Ai’er was here to be a maid, all the remaining servants in the mansion understood that their lady didn’t need a servant.
She needed a friend who could stay by her side.
Even though the Master and Madam had passed away, it didn’t mean the mansion lacked the resources to take in one more girl.
“Sorry, sorry! It’s mostly because this outfit is so beautiful that I accidentally got mesmerized… Hehe~”
When the door pushed open and Ai’er stepped out in her “maid outfit,” the Head Maid’s eyes widened slightly.
For no apparent reason, seeing Ai’er apologize while giggling reminded the Head Maid of Lady Elena back when the Madam was still alive.
There were no maid outfits in the mansion meant for such a young girl, so according to Elena’s request, the “maid outfit” Ai’er wore was actually one of Elena’s formal gowns that had been altered.
After the Madam passed away, Elena stopped wearing white dresses like this. But if her lady could step out from the shadow of being a “Witch” and show a smile once more…
In the Head Maid’s mind, an image surfaced of Elena smiling at her while wearing a white gown…
And that image overlapped with Ai’er.
“Since Miss Ai’er has finished changing, please go and show the lady quickly. She has been waiting in her room for quite some time.”
**[Reminder to Host: Current task: Enter Elena’s room and retrieve the Magic Stone placed intentionally to disrupt Mana Control.]**
‘Stop rushing me… I’m going to Elena’s room right now, aren’t I?’
But speaking of which, there was a question Ai’er had wanted to ask for a while — “a Magic Stone placed intentionally to disrupt Mana Control” — meant someone was hindering Elena from controlling her own Mana?
But what was the point? This Mana wouldn’t hurt Elena herself, right? Besides further reinforcing her reputation as a “Witch,” what other purpose did it serve?
**[Impression of Host updated once again. Retention keyword: Idiot]**
‘Hmph~ The fact that you keep adding labels like that just proves you’re the stupid one, System!’
‘It’s clearly my way of indirectly asking you: Who exactly is persecuting Elena? Tsk, tsk, tsk… Who’s the real idiot if you can’t even understand that?’
**[Host has consumed 1 System Point — ]**
‘No, no, no! I was wrong, I was wrong! >_
—
“My lady, Miss Ai’er is here.”
“Mm, come in.”
After escorting Ai’er to Elena’s room, the Head Maid closed the door and waited outside.
In the room now, there were only Elena and Ai’er.
Elena was sitting on the sofa. When she saw Ai’er approach, she let out a smile.
“The clothes suit you well, Ai’er.”
“Hehe~ I think so too! This outfit is seriously super cute!”
Smiling, Ai’er grabbed her skirt and spun around. The fluttering hem, decorated with layer upon layer of lace, looked like a blooming white rose.
“Yes, it really is cute.”
Elena replied in a small voice, but she wasn’t looking at the clothes Ai’er wore; she was looking at the silver-haired girl’s smiling face.
“Right, Mi — Elena. What do I need to do next?”
It seemed that after putting on the maid outfit, Ai’er had inexplicably awakened a “Maid Spirit.” But just as the word “Miss” was about to slip out, she noticed Elena’s brow suddenly furrow. She corrected herself immediately, and Elena’s locked brows relaxed instantly.
Regarding how she was addressed, was Elena being a bit too sensitive?
Ai’er didn’t understand, as she wasn’t yet used to her identity as a girl and didn’t understand a maiden’s heart.
But now that she was in the maid outfit, what was she supposed to do? The Head Maid had avoided the question on the way to Elena’s room.
If she asked directly, she would only get an answer like, “Just stay by the lady’s side.” Wait…
Did they think she looked like she couldn’t do anything? That she could only be a decorative vase by the lady’s side?!
In that instant, Ai’er’s brows twitched into a tiny arc. ‘You can’t look down on people like that! I even fold my own blankets every morning!’
Seeing Ai’er’s face, which screamed “no matter what the job is, I can handle it,” Elena smiled and began to think.
“Let me see… Ai’er, do you want to eat some cake?”
“I do! I want some! So, do I need to go get the snacks? Then wait a moment, Elena, I’ll go get them right — eh?”
Before she could finish her sentence, Ai’er felt a slightly cold but soft sensation on her wrist.
She turned her head back to see Elena grabbing her hand and standing up.
Somewhat forcefully, Ai’er was led to the sofa by Elena and pressed down onto it.
“Um… Elena?”
“I’ll go get them. Ai’er, wait here for a bit.”
“But, but I’m the maid, right? Isn’t this kind of thing my job — “
“Just sit here. Ai’er, be good.”
With the girl leaning forward, the faint scent of her body, and Elena’s clothing dipping slightly due to gravity, Ai’er’s gaze drifted past the girl’s collarbone…
At this moment, Ai’er couldn’t move a muscle.