Gratitude
I didn’t really understand why Siana seemed a little upset, but I answered her question honestly, just as it came to me.
“I’m not sure if you’d call it ‘bringing her in,’ but… yes, I invited a woman—Florence-san—into my room.”
“…!”
When I said that, Siana’s eyes widened in surprise. After a brief pause, she composed herself, then spoke with calm restraint.
“…Master, have you already forgotten the advice I offered you this morning?”
“No, I remember. You told me not to invite people we don’t have a strong foundation of trust with, especially women, into the mansion.”
“Then if you remembered, why did you invite Florence-san here—into the mansion, and even more so, into this very room?”
…Yeah, she’s definitely a little angry.
Siana usually laughs off most of the little missteps I make in daily life. To have her actually angry with me like this—no, this might be the very first time.
The reason she brought it up this morning was because, if something dangerous were to happen to me inside the mansion, she might not be able to protect me. That’s why she warned me to avoid letting in people we barely know, especially women. I ignored her concern, disregarded the care behind her words, and that’s probably why she’s upset now.
“I’m sorry for going against your warning. This is completely my fault… But even though I remembered what you said, I invited Florence-san because I believe she’s someone I can trust. And since you’ve met her once before, I thought it would be okay.”
“That may be true… but then, why did you invite her into your room, Master?”
“Florence-san said she wanted to come to my room. I didn’t have a reason to turn her down, so I simply invited her in.”
“That’s—”
Just as she began to speak, Siana’s eyes widened, then she lowered her gaze and bowed her head deeply.
“Master, I apologize… I’ve spoken out of turn.”
I placed my hands gently on both of Siana’s shoulders and spoke softly.
“There’s no need for you to apologize, Siana. You were only thinking of my well-being. If anything, I should be the one apologizing—for ignoring what you said and making that decision on my own.”
I slowly lifted my hands from her shoulders, then bowed my head in apology.
“I’m sorry, Siana.”
“…! P-Please, don’t do that, Master! There’s no reason for you to bow your head to me!”
…Seeing how troubled she was by it, I realized it wouldn’t be right to bow any further. I slowly raised my head and met her eyes.
“I’m truly sorry, Siana… for making you worry because of my carelessness.”
“That’s not true at all…! Master…!”
Her voice trembling, Siana suddenly embraced me tightly.
In that moment, I could feel it—just how deeply Siana cherishes me, even as a maid.
“I-I’m so sorry, Master!”
“No, it makes me happy… because it shows just how much you care about me, Siana.”
I wrapped my arms around her in return, gently holding her as she clung to me.
Then Siana spoke, her voice firm and unwavering.
“Master…! I… I truly, from the bottom of my heart, adore you!”
“I feel the same, Siana. Thank you so much for coming here, to serve as a maid in the Rodwell household.”
When I said that, Siana hugged me even tighter and responded.
“Those are my words, Master. Thank you, always… from the bottom of my heart.”
We stayed like that, holding one another as we exchanged words of gratitude, until finally, we gently let go.
Then, in a calm and composed voice, Siana spoke.
“…I’m terribly sorry, Master. About the conversation we were supposed to have tonight—would you mind if we postponed it a little?”
“Sure. It’s almost time for dinner anyway. Let’s do that.”
“Thank you… Now, please excuse me.”
Siana bowed her head and quietly left my room.
I already told her this, but I really mean it… I’m truly glad Siana came to this Rodwell household as a maid—no.
Meeting Siana might be the single greatest happiness of my entire life.
Siana’s Side
“…Violet.”
After returning to her room, Siana softly called that name.
“Yes.”
And then, from what should’ve been an empty room, Violet appeared, her head hidden beneath a black hood… or so it seemed.
The next instant, Siana rushed forward and embraced Violet, tears spilling as she cried out.
“L-Lux-kun… Lux-kun told me… He said thank you. He thanked me for coming to the Rodwell household!!”
As she clung to her, Violet gently wrapped an arm around Siana’s back and began to lightly rub it.
“I heard everything… I’m happy for you.”
“It’s not just happiness! I kept wondering if I’d made the right choice—becoming a maid to get close to Lux-kun. I kept worrying if I was just burdening him… But those words of his, they saved me completely! Lux-kun said thank you—but really, those words belong to me! If Lux-kun hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Without him, I’d just be a cold, emotionless person, doing only what was necessary, nothing more… So the fact that I can cry now, that I can feel happiness, that I can believe being near him makes me truly happy—it’s all because of Lux-kun!”
Hearing her words, Violet’s lips curved into a small, joyful smile.
“…Yes, that’s true.”
“It is! And there’s more—”
From there, Siana went on and on, pouring out just how deeply grateful she was to Lux. Violet never interrupted, simply listened—ten minutes, twenty minutes—her expression warm and content the entire time.