"What?"
Lawrend looked at Albert in shock. Just what happened to his father that he's this distrustful of maids? It genuinely made him want to find his father and ask him.
"It's true, Young Master."
Another butler agreed with Albert's words.
"Whatever. I'll talk with my father after he returns. Starting from now on, I want you to trust Aleshia. I won't forgive anyone who does otherwise."
Lawrend ordered and eyed the butlers one by one.
"Yes, Young Master."
They all echoed.
The butlers could only nod their heads and follow his order. Though, they could sense that something was different about Lawrend. It was like he became more confident with himself.
"Where's Ella?"
Lawrend suddenly asked.
"Ella is sleeping in her room."
Albert replied to Lawrend.
"Lead me there."
Lawrend ordered him.
"Follow me, Young Master."
Albert bowed respectfully before leading the way. Lawrend, Aleshia, and Olgar followed him. The butlers scattered after Lawrend left. They went back to what they were doing prior.
"This is..?"
Lawrend realized where they were going.
"Yes, Young Master. Ella demanded that she sleeps in her Elder Sister's room."
Albert explained to him. Right now, the path they are taking leads to the living quarters of the butlers and the guards, and also where Aleshia's room was.
Lawrend looked towards Aleshia after hearing that.
"What, Young Master?"
Aleshia asked as she was taken aback by the look he was giving her.
"Ella is such a nice girl, huh."
Lawrend said to her with a teasing smile.
"Yes, I raised her rather well."
Aleshia nodded her head and smiled back.
"You're even a reliable big sister. Color me impressed."
Lawrend replied to her with amazement evident on his face. He really hit the jackpot by meeting her and having her as his maid.
Albert, who was leading the way, glanced towards them as he furrowed his eyebrows. It became obvious to him that their relationship is different from before.
A few turns later, they arrived at the guard and butler's living quarters.
"Here."
Albert stopped in front of Aleshia's old room and moved to the side. Lawrend also stopped, and he motioned for Aleshia to open the door herself.
Aleshia gave him a curt nod and approached the door. She understood what Lawrend was trying to tell her. Basically, he was giving her the chance to have her reunion with her little sister.
She grabbed the door handle and opened it slowly. She looked through the gap and saw Ella writing on a desk as she swung her legs back and forth.
"Ella?"
Aleshia called her name as Ella still hadn't noticed she was behind her.
"Hm?"
Ella swiftly turned her head towards Aleshia's direction. Her eyes glowed brightly, and she immediately dropped whatever she was doing and ran towards Aleshia.
"Big Sister!"
Ella shouted with joy.
"Ella!"
Aleshia caught Ella happily. It had been less than a week, and Ella was still Ella.
"Mm Mm… Big Sister, welcome back."
Ella rubbed her face on Aleshia's maid uniform before looking up at her and greeting her with a sweet smile.
"Ella… Why are you wearing a maid uniform?"
Aleshia was just patting Ella on top of her head when she noticed the clothes Ella was wearing. It was familiar to her, but she was not familiar seeing Ella wear it.
"Uhm… You see, Big Sister. I also want to be a maid!"
Ella fidgeted shyly as she revealed to her big sister.
"A maid?"
Aleshia blinked her eyes repeatedly. She couldn't believe that her little sister would want to be a maid herself.
"Mm! Ella wants to be like Big Sister!"
Ella nodded her head and explained innocently. Lawrend, who was watching this unfold couldn't help but let out a chuckle. Who knew that Ella would also want to be a maid? [Author's Note: Probably me since day 0? *wink*]
Aleshia turned her head to Lawrend and smiled wrly. Ella is now also Lawrend's maid.
"I don't mind."
Lawrend reassured her. He could tell that he was worried that he wouldn't like the idea. But contrary to what she may think, he was more than willing to have a cute girl such as Ella become his maid.
"You hear that Ella, you're now a maid!"
Aleshia said to Ella with a joyful face.
"Thank you, Young Master! Ella will work hard!"
Ella turned towards Lawrend and bowed respectfully.
Lawrend and Aleshia widened their eyes in shock. They both turned their heads to Albert.
"I taught her, Young Master."
Albert responded. He could understand that they were curious how Ella learned to bow and call Lawrend 'Young Master'.
"Yes, Big Sister! Mr. Albert taught Ella many things."
Ella supported Albert's words with a smile. She was happy to tell her sister what she has been doing while she was away.
"Even that?"
Aleshia turned her head to the desk. There was a pencil on top of it and a piece of paper.
"Yes! Ella can write now."
Ella said to Aleshia.
"Very good! Big Sister is happy."
Aleshia embraced Ella in happiness. Though, deep inside her heart, Aleshia was feeling pain. They took great care of Ella, and all she thought of back then was to extort Lawrend.
Aleshia let go of Ella and stood up facing Lawrend.
"Young Master, I'll teach Ella to be a great maid!"
Aleshia promised Lawrend resolutely. She has decided. Even if Lawrend marries another noble lady in the future, she would not mind. Even if she was pushed to the side, she will still be his maid. She will be loyal to him forever.
"Hahaha. Ella will be a great maid with your guidance. I have no doubt."
Lawrend laughed and nodded his head at her. He could rely on Aleshia for something like that.
"Yes, Young Master."
Aleshia nodded her head solemnly. Now that she promised Lawrend that, she will go and do it no matter what.
"Young Master, Ella will be a great maid!"
Ella echoed her big sister's words with an innocent smile on her face.
"..."
Albert was speechless. Even though he was prepared for it, it still surprised him how quickly his young master got more maids. Won't it be long before they are all replaced? Albert couldn't help but feel the threat to his job security.