Episode 3
It was truly shocking.
The gardener who turned the trees into green soup was not a demon, but a human.
How did someone with that skill call herself a gardener?
She was working here because it matched the demons’ taste, but if this were the human world, she would have been fired immediately.
Suspicious.
I narrowed my eyes and asked,
“Estelle, how long have you worked here?”
“Uh, about two months now.”
Two months ago was before the Demon King kidnapped the prince.
So she was not a hero.
“Ah, I love this time of day. Isn’t it beautiful? So cute…”
Estelle stopped walking and looked at the garden glowing in the sunset, smiling shyly.
All I saw were monsters preparing for war.
What a strange person.
I added Estelle’s personality to my mental list.
We were almost at the kitchen when—
“Aaaah!”
Crash—!
A scream and the sound of things breaking.
“What was that—”
“Sigh.”
Estelle sighed.
I was about to run, but her calm reaction made me hesitate.
She turned to me, looking more annoyed than surprised.
“Ah… that startled you, right? It’s probably nothing. There’s a guy named Freddy who works in the kitchen. He’s clumsy, so this happens often.”
Often?
When we arrived, I stopped in shock.
The small space, more like a kitchen than a dining hall, was a mess. Ingredients and cooking tools were scattered everywhere.
Flour had been spilled, covering the counter in white powder. Smoke rose from the oven.
“Freddy! Take out what’s in the oven first!”
At Estelle’s shout, a man covered in flour jumped and quickly pulled out a lump of burnt charcoal with a shovel.
At the same time, Estelle opened the windows to let the smoke out.
It really did look like something that happened often. She moved skillfully.
“What happened? I smell something burnt!”
Peter rushed in, then froze at the sight of the white covered kitchen.
“…Is anyone hurt?”
“I’m sorry…”
“No one’s hurt?”
“No.”
“That’s good.”
But his face looked bitter as he stared at the kitchen.
Without saying more, Peter began cleaning. Estelle helped.
I helped too. Not because I felt awkward standing still, but because if we did not clean quickly, dinner would be delayed.
“I’ll take care of the glass—”
“No. We’ll clean it. Please prepare dinner.”
“Yes…”
Freddy looked sad but began seasoning minced meat.
Under Peter and Estelle’s watchful eyes, he managed to cook dinner properly this time.
The well baked meatloaf smelled delicious.
As I cut a piece and put it in my mouth, I studied the cook.
Freddy Lee.
Blue hair. Brown eyes. A clueless looking man.
And once again, human.
“Ah, Freddy. This is Illy. She started as a maid today.”
Freddy smiled brightly.
“Illy! Nice to meet you, Illy! I’m Freddy! Please take care of me!”
Bright personality too.
“Nice to meet you.”
Someone like that could not be a hero.
But I needed to check.
Freddy grabbed my hand firmly.
His hand was rough and thick with calluses.
I knew immediately.
That was a hand that had held a sword for a long time.
Then… is he the hero?
Earlier, when Peter asked how the kitchen became such a mess, Freddy had said,
“Hehe, I tripped…”
I glanced at the smooth floor.
Where could he have tripped? There was nothing there.
I got my answer soon.
“I’ll pour you some water!”
Freddy picked up a kettle.
He was walking fine, then—
“Ah!”
His body tilted.
The kettle rattled.
Cold water splashed onto my face.
He had tripped over his own feet.
“…”
“Illy!”
“Miss Illy! Are you alright?”
“I-I’m so sorry!”
I wiped my face with my hand.
Looking like a drowned mouse was fine.
My meatloaf turning into beef stew after one bite was also fine.
“I’ll make you another—!”
I stopped him and picked up my spoon.
“It’s fine.”
I ate the soggy meatloaf, hiding my complicated feelings.
That guy is the hero?
I had assumed I was not the only one who had infiltrated the castle.
But I never imagined someone this clumsy would be here.
This was the demon world.
Even if war had not happened for years, this was still the Demon King.
Instead of feeling happy that I had an ally, I felt annoyed that I had gained a burden.
Before finding the prince, I should get rid of him first.
If he keeps making mistakes like this, he will be kicked out by Peter soon anyway.
Still, the soaked meatloaf was not bad.
It was a dinner that hurt my pride for some reason.
***
The next morning, after breakfast, I met another woman in the hall wearing the same uniform as me.
Brown hair. Green eyes. Tall and strong.
“Hello! I’m Veronica Franko!”
Her loud voice echoed in the hall.
I had a bad feeling.
Maybe it was because of what happened with Freddy yesterday.
I held out my hand.
“I’m Illy.”
“Peter told me about you. We’ll be cleaning the castle together starting today. Nice to meet you.”
Veronica’s hand was firm.
She had calluses, but not the kind made by swords or spears.
More like from physical labor.
“Let me explain. There’s no assigned cleaning area here. Just clean whatever you see that’s dirty. You’ll notice soon enough, there isn’t a single clean place in this castle. I’ve never seen a castle this big and this dirty!”
She opened a wooden drawer under the stairs.
“Cleaning tools are here. I’ve also never seen cleaning tools this old!”
“You seem experienced. Have you worked here long?”
“No? Just about two weeks.”
“I see.”
So those calluses were just from labor.
“I’ve been cleaning the far end of the west first floor. Are you good at cleaning? Since it’s your first day, do you want to work together?”
It would be better to stay close and observe her.
But—
“I’ll take the east side.”
“Alright! Good luck! See you at lunch!”
For now, I decided to wait.
I did not have the confidence to handle her fast talking.
Veronica grabbed a broom and bucket and disappeared.
I picked up my tools as well.
I promised myself again not to reveal my identity.
This was the beginning of my life as a maid.
***
After walking for a long time, I reached the far eastern room.
The door creaked open.
Compared to the size of the castle, there were barely any signs of people.
There must not be many servants.
Leo had said they regularly posted job notices.
It must have been hard to find workers.
The carpet was covered in dust.
I opened the window and tore down the tacky curtains.
I removed the white covers over the canopy bed, bedding, sofa, and carpet.
I pushed all the laundry into the hallway and picked up the broom.
I cleaned the ceiling, walls, windows, furniture, and floor.
After cleaning nonstop, I grew hungry and looked around.
The room was spotless.
As expected of me, I can do anything.
Satisfied, I carried the curtains back toward the hall.
I met Peter coming out of the kitchen.
“Laundry? If you go behind there, there’s a washing area. Freddy made potato soup for lunch. It’s good.”
“No, Peter. Don’t you plan to replace these tacky curtains? It would look better without them than putting them back up.”
