Unlike other Apprentice Maids, even after becoming a Formal Maid, there was a high chance they would continue working in the Crown Kitchen for life, never having the opportunity to see the face of Her Majesty the Queen.
But in the Contract Hualà signed, it clearly stated that upon becoming a Formal Maid, she would serve as Sidella’s Personal Maid.
Therefore, during her apprenticeship, the etiquette Hualà needed to learn was naturally different.
And after becoming a Formal Maid?
She would probably have to accompany Sidella, the Blood Queen, at all times, always prepared to meet her needs~
“Ah, damn it! Why didn’t you say something so important earlier!”
HualÃ’s face went pale with shock.
Jeilinfa spread her hands helplessly.
“It’s all written in the Contract. You’re the one who didn’t read it carefully.”
“But… but…”
Hualà could already imagine the miserable days after becoming a Formal Maid, staying by Sidella’s side every day.
If there was work, the maid did it; if there wasn’t, the maid got worked.
“Then… then did Sidella have a Personal Maid before? What happened to them? Are they still alive?”
HualÃ’s small mouth trembled like a wavy line, asking in terror.
Could it be that all the previous ones were worked to death, and that’s why they were recruiting her now, just because she was sturdy and capable?
Walking along the corridor, Jeilinfa turned back with a displeased frown.
“HualÃ, you’re just an Apprentice Maid now. Calling Her Majesty the Queen by name would get you beheaded by the King’s Guard!”
“You must address her as ‘Her Majesty the Queen’!”
“S-sorry…”
“Don’t let it happen again.”
Jeilinfa led Hualà toward the Teaching and Training Room they had cleared out the previous night.
It was quiet there, free from distractions—a perfect place to train HualÃ.
Jeilinfa walked in front, Hualà following closely behind.
“Her Majesty the Queen likes peace and quiet, so there wasn’t such a thing before. HualÃ, you’re the first.”
Even Jeilinfa couldn’t understand what kind of magic this seemingly clueless Human Race girl behind her possessed to draw Her Majesty’s attention.
Jeilinfa glanced sideways at HualÃ’s appearance, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Every feature of her delicate face seemed calculated to golden proportions, flawless—there was no doubt about her cuteness.
She wondered internally about the possibility of Hualà being chosen as the Queen’s first embrace.
“Yo, I didn’t expect Her Ma— She… to be like that… Hmph! I thought she had a harem of three thousand beauties in the palace or something.”
The way Sidella acted so shamelessly in front of HualÃ, someone who didn’t know better might think there were parties in the palace every day.
“Where did you hear that?”
“Every Court Minister among the Human Race has several wives.”
Jeilinfa shook her head.
“Her Majesty the Queen has always been alone.”
“Alright, we’re here.”
She stopped in front of a wooden door, took out a silver key, and inserted it into the lock.
With a creak, the door slowly opened.
“Although there haven’t been any maids serving Her Majesty the Queen as a Personal Maid before, I’ll do my best to teach you everything I know, so you can pass the Formal Maid Examination in a week!”
***
A week later, Hualà would face the special Examination set by Sidella—a test that would determine whether she could become a Formal Maid and receive the high Welfare Benefits.
Without a doubt, it was a tough trial not only for HualÃ, but also for Jeilinfa, the Maid Chief responsible for her training.
The first thing to address was HualÃ’s posture.
In the spacious Teaching and Training Room, a straight white line was drawn with paint from one wall to the other.
Hualà was instructed to stand straight, holding a tray with a full cup of steaming hot tea, and walk along the line from one wall to the other.
She had to maintain graceful posture, keep her steps aligned with the line, and avoid spilling a single drop from the teacup.
At first, this wasn’t too difficult. Even after a few mistakes, Hualà quickly got the hang of it.
But then Jeilinfa increased the difficulty—she placed a cup of iced fruit juice on top of HualÒs head.
The challenge grew exponentially!
Now she not only had to walk the straight line, prevent the hot tea from spilling, but also keep the cup on her head steady.
If she lost focus for even a moment and her body wobbled, the juice would start to tip.
Chilled strawberry juice, mixed with ice, would trickle down her neck and seep into her maid uniform.
“Nguh…!”
The cold ice slipped into her clothes, pressing against her skin and sending chills through her body, making Hualà shiver.
Hualà tried to reach for the ice trapped in her clothes, but Jeilinfa sternly called out from nearby.
“Don’t move! You can’t put down the tray until you reach the end of the line!”
“If you’re serving tea or coffee to Her Majesty the Queen and a fly gets into your clothes, you must endure it—don’t lose your composure and spill hot tea or coffee on Her Majesty!”
Jeilinfa’s tone was so harsh that Hualà lost all will to resist and could only grit her teeth and keep walking.
The sticky sweetness of the juice soaked into her uniform, rubbing uncomfortably against her delicate skin.
Meanwhile, the ice trapped inside gradually melted, and cold water trickled down her abdomen and thighs, dripping onto the floor.
It was a truly miserable scene—one that brought back unpleasant memories for HualÃ.
Her face turned red, ears burning.
***
Time passed quickly.
By 4:30 in the afternoon, the first day of Apprentice Maid training was finally over.
“That’s enough for today. HualÃ, you can return to your room for a bath. I’ll have someone bring a clean maid uniform for you to change into.”
Back in her room, Hualà couldn’t wait for the new uniform.
She stripped off her sweat- and juice-soaked clothes, tossing them to the floor, and ran into the bathroom stark naked.
The bathtub was filled with hot water.
Hualà tested the temperature with her toes before sliding in.
“So tired~”
Her arms ached from holding the tray so long.
She lathered soap in her hands, scrubbing every inch of her skin to wash away the sticky juice.
Steam filled the bathroom, and soap bubbles drifted everywhere.
After such a grueling day, Hualà soon drifted off to sleep in the tub.
She dreamed of passing Sidella’s Examination after a week and officially becoming a qualified Personal Maid.
In her dream, she sat barefoot on Sidella’s desk, laughing and popping champagne, stamping on Sidella’s face with her toes.
Drooling in her sleep, she mumbled,
“Hehe… what’s with that disgusted look, Sidella? Are you dissatisfied with the great HualÃ-sama? This is your reward……”