For two consecutive days, Shendu and the two maids at her side lived a life of eat, sleep, repeat, their spirits in excellent condition.
Rem and Ram, the twin sisters, took meticulous care of Shendu's daily needs. Elsa and Meili, the other pair of sisters, massaged and attended to her every day.
If not for the tasks that still awaited completion, Shendu might have continued indulging in such aristocratic comfort, fully embracing a life of leisure.
However, reality was reality. Shendu was destined not to remain at ease for long.
One morning, Shendu rose early and strolled through the garden courtyard. After only a few steps, she noticed Rem holding a watering can, tending to the vibrant flowers.
Hearing footsteps behind her, the blue-haired maid paused her work and turned to see Shendu slowly approaching.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
As Shendu drew closer, Rem felt her heartbeat quicken. Ever since Shendu had saved her, Rem's gratitude had come from the depths of her heart.
"Good morning, Lady Shendu. Did you sleep well last night?"
Rem bowed at a perfect ninety degrees, looking up at Shendu with obedience and a hint of liveliness, completely devoid of the hostility she once held.
Winning over a beautiful girl truly feels wonderful, Shendu mused inwardly.
"Quite well. You clean the guest room very thoroughly every day, Rem."
Shendu stepped closer. Under the sunlight, her silver hair shimmered with a golden glow, leaving Rem momentarily dazed. Shendu seemed almost holy.
She was even more beautiful than Lady Emilia.
"This is what Rem ought to do. As long as I can serve Lady Shendu, it is only right that I repay the kindness you showed me before."
Rem had grown up with her sister. Aside from her slightly better attitude toward Roswaal, she rarely showed warmth to anyone else.
But ever since Shendu saved her, the image of this cool, silver-haired girl had taken root in her heart.
"By the way, Rem has also learned how to brew tea. Lady Shendu, would you like to try some?"
After the greeting, Rem smiled brightly. She wanted to display her tea-making skills and not lose to her sister.
"Of course. I would love to taste your tea."
Shendu agreed without hesitation and sat down in the garden pavilion, quietly waiting for Rem to finish brewing.
Before long, Rem brought over a tea set and placed it before Shendu. She first rinsed the cups with hot tea, then poured in the freshly brewed black tea.
The fragrance rose from the cup, rich and enticing.
Shendu lifted the teacup and took a sip. Her eyes brightened slightly.
"Very nice, Rem. You must have practiced with Ram for quite some time."
She drank contentedly. The flavor suited her perfectly.
"As long as Lady Shendu likes it, no matter how troublesome it is, Rem will learn."
A blush spread across Rem's cheeks. Simply being near the girl before her made her feel incredibly fortunate.
Seeing the rosy hue on Rem's face, Shendu smiled helplessly. She could already guess that this little maid had set her heart on her.
Saving someone's life really does shorten the distance between two people, she thought.
...
Not far away, Ram had originally come to call Rem to the kitchen for work. However, upon seeing the two conversing, she quietly hid among the garden shrubs and began eavesdropping.
Watching her sister grow so close to Shendu, Ram felt a surge of dissatisfaction, tinged with a sour jealousy.
She liked Shendu just as much and was willing to do anything for her. If her sister intended to compete, Ram would never yield.
"That annoying Rem... Lady Shendu belongs to Ram."
As Ram muttered to herself and prepared to rush out to interrupt the atmosphere, Shendu suddenly raised her head and spoke words that left both twin maids utterly stunned.
"All good things must come to an end. I've stayed here long enough. I plan to leave. Rem, I wanted to ask you to pass a message to Emilia and Roswaal—tell them I will be departing."
After finishing her tea, Shendu set down the cup and spoke in a serious tone.
"What? Lady Shendu, you're leaving?"
Almost simultaneously with Rem's cry, Ram rushed out and echoed the same words.
Seeing the anxious expression on Ram's face, Shendu's lips curved into a faint smile. She had sensed someone in the garden earlier but had not expected Ram to be so easily provoked.
With just a light test, Ram had leapt out. It was rather amusing.
"That's right. I've stayed here long enough. I intend to depart for the royal capital tomorrow morning."
Shendu shook her head casually. In truth, she wanted to visit the royal capital to assess the progress of the merchant guild.
"No! Rem and Ram have not fully repaid Lady Shendu for your kindness. We were even disrespectful before. If you leave like this, we will never be able to repay you."
Rem and Ram shook their heads vigorously, refusing to accept it.
The twin maids silently regretted not treating Shendu better earlier. Otherwise, perhaps she would not be leaving so soon.
"You two... It's not as though we'll never meet again. Why make it sound like life and death?"
Shendu pressed a hand to her forehead, her crimson eyes fixed on the twins. She felt an inexplicable headache coming on.
Ever since they had been won over, the maids had become far clingier than before. During the past two days, they had stuck to her intentionally or otherwise, nearly ignoring their own master entirely.
"Even so, Lady Shendu, the kindness you showed us can never be fully repaid. Besides, Lady Emilia plans to depart for the royal capital in three days. Surely Lady Shendu would not mind waiting just a little longer?"
Rem grasped Shendu's hand and looked up at her pitifully, her eyes brimming with reluctance.
"Ram feels the same. If you leave like this, Lady Emilia will be heartbroken."
Ram did everything she could to stop her, the unwillingness clear on her face.
"Very well. Since both of you insist, I have no reason to refuse. I'll stay a few more days."
Twins truly brought double the joy. Faced with their persistent entanglement, Shendu ultimately agreed.
Leaving a little later made no real difference. Her plans could proceed more slowly if necessary. After all, certain matters were already firmly within her control.