[I] Servants

Fixing the sword on his waist, Walter made a quiet sigh, and after, he focuses his gaze in front.

The sun just arrived and its sunlight coming from outside the window blends with the dim light that is produced inside of Walter's personal room. And there - stood in front of him are his two servants, Alice and the newer one, Ayla.

[ Alice... I thought I told you to wear something other than your uniform...? ] he complains as he looks at her, disappointed that she was still wearing her frilly maid outfit. And still, with a gaze, he shifted to Ayla who is looking down, apparently also guilty of not changing her butler outfit into something else.

Before arriving in this room, he had actually asked them to change their formal clothes into something casual, not because he wanted to see them wearing something different, but because he had planned to take both of them outside the city for the very first time, especially Alice who had only seen the city from the window of a carriage so far.

Yet right now, for the very first time, they did not obey what he had told them to...

[ Err... Ayla is very sorry, Walter-sama... ] Ayla murmurs, shy and afraid she might get punished, and after her, comes Alice, who also apologizes.

[ We're really sorry, Walter-sama... But... ] she bows her head a little and lifts it up after she prepares her next words.

[ I've tried to wear the clothes you've previously given me, but they're all... unfortunately doesn't fit me anymore... neither does Ayla... ]

Immediately, as Walter hears her explanation, his displeased attitude vanishes and he turns embarrassed from his bitter attitude. If he knew that, then he wouldn't show this side of him to them - and though it wasn't really a big deal, it was rare for him to get disappointed and speak at them with an angry tone, especially towards Alice, so he regrets that he did so.

[ Is that so...? ] he whispers to himself as he observes the two of them from their feet all the way on the top of their heads.

Walter can't really see anything that changes on Alice's appearance, but if what she had told him was true, then there must be something. He thought that maybe he wasn't only able to recognize it as he was always with her. It's not like he'll be able to recognize anything little by little that changes about her every single day.

As for Ayla's case, it was easy to understand Alice's clothes won't fit her as her appearance doesn't really differ from hers - while her body is a little mature, her height is still smaller, but the difference is very little, Walter was only disappointed as he was hoping that some of Alice's clothes will fit her, but it seems that it wouldn't be the case.

[ Fine... We'll shop for clothes on our way... ] he said, aiming to lightened their apologetic mood, but though surprised, Alice spoke again only to deny what he said - the same was the case for Ayla who also seemingly baffled.

[ But... umm... Walter-sama... ] murmurs Alice.

[ Since you're now away from your family... I'm sure your income is limited so... you shouldn't be spending any money for us anymore... We already have enough clothes... ]

[ Well, that's... ]

Of course, Walter knows best himself what kind of situation he is in now. There's just no way he wouldn't understand what Alice meant.

Sure, he was provided some amount of money and an entire mansion for himself, but after a month or two, that amount will surely be gone already - that was just how it works for their family: that was why almost immediately, they need to find work where they could earn money from.

The best choice he could take back then was to become an adventurer, but say it is fortunate or not, he found Arthur Brunhild to provide him a good amount of income from easy jobs. And though it might be sometimes risky, it was still the best job he could probably find in this city, that's why he had abandoned the idea of becoming an adventurer and had stuck himself to it.

But since this information is still blurry to Alice, she, of course, would be worried if she finds his master ever running out of money, which if he continues to do his job of being some kind of a mercenary-like worker for Arthur, he wouldn't, ever.

Though the fact that Alice is still like her usual self: the kind of person who prioritizes and worries about him most, Walter just couldn't help but make a contented smile, and as he did, he closes their gap to pat her head - her gray hair felt like fine white silk on his hand as he strokes it.

[ Wa-Walter-sama...!? ] panicking, she exclaims.

[ Wouldn't it be much wasteful if I don't see you in different clothing other than your maid uniform? I'm sure we can pick something that would look good on you. ]

Walter has actually tried to hide his childish attitude just a while ago, but then again, he just couldn't help but pat her head to show his gratitude towards her. And if he remembers correctly, Alice really liked being pat in the head when they were still kids, this might be the only time he gets to do it again for a while.

[ Uhh... Walter-sama... ]

( She's just too cute... ) he thought as he continues, only then his eyes flew towards the other person in the room, hiding away from the two of them - but of course, Walter wouldn't let her do so. So with his other hand empty, he also did the same for Ayla, only this time, he caresses her mixed-color cat-ears, which felt like soft cotton on his hand.

[ Mnh...! ] a quiet moan escapes Ayla as Walter plays with her ears. There's a reason why instead of being shy like Alice, Ayla was different, instead, she felt embarrassed and aroused - as it's a well-known fact that ears such as hers work as pleasure spots for demi-humans.

[ Please... don't... master's hand feels good... Ayla can't take it. ] as she quietly spoke, her body begins to tremble and Walter immediately felt her vibration through the skin of his hand, so knowing that it's too much to tease her that much, he immediately brought his hand back.

[ Sorry, Ayla... you were just too cute and... your ears felt really great. ] he compliments, turning Ayla bright red in embarrassment.

[ Of course, Alice too. ] and turning away from Ayla, he won't let Alice feel left out.

[ Tha-thank you very much... Walter-sama... ] she bashfully nodded, and like Ayla, she was brightened up, pink.

[ Un... Well, now that we've taken care of that... Let's not waste time and head out. ]