[45] A Night in Vespera

After navigating the crowded streets of Vespera, Sophie and I checked into a hotel near the docks, a modest place that seemed decent enough for a night's stay. The room, however, presented an unexpected situation – it had only one bed.

Sophie's cheeks flushed a soft pink as she took in the room. "Um, there's only one bed," she murmured, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.

I glanced at the bed, then back at her. "Looks like it. But remember, we're just setting the spawn point here. It's just a practical thing for the game."

"Right, of course," she replied, still looking a bit uneasy.

I sat down on the edge of the bed, patting the space next to me. "Come on, Sophie. It's no big deal. We're just two players setting a spawn point. Nothing to get worked up about."

Sophie hesitated for a moment before gingerly sitting down beside me, maintaining a respectful distance. Her demeanor was still one of a maid mindful of her boundaries, despite the unconventional circumstances.

We both lay back on the bed, staring up at the virtual ceiling. The silence in the room was filled with a palpable awkwardness, a stark contrast to our usually professional interactions.

After a few moments, I turned to Sophie. "Hey, I know this is a bit weird, but it's just part of the game. We need to be practical about these things."

Sophie nodded, her voice soft. "I understand, master. It's just... new to me, this whole in-game dynamic."

I chuckled lightly, trying to ease the tension. "Yeah, 'Game of Kings' can throw some curveballs. But hey, we're a team, right? We look out for each other, in and out of the game."

Sophie turned to face me, a small smile on her lips. "Yes, we're a team. And thank you for being understanding. I'll adapt, I promise."

***

The next morning, Sophie and I prepared to continue our journey. I had secured two premium tickets for a merchant ship bound for New Rome. The VIP cabin was comfortable and private, a far cry from the crowded conditions elsewhere on the ship.

As the vessel cut through the blue waters, I turned to Sophie, who was gazing out at the sea. "Sophie, I realized I don't know much about your background. Would you mind telling me about where you come from?"

Sophie turned from the window, a hint of surprise in her expression. "Of course master. I'm from the countryside. It's nothing like this," she gestured to the expanse of ocean, "or Zurich. I have several siblings. We grew up in a small house, lots of noise and chaos, but it was fun."

I nodded, encouraging her to continue.

"Since the rise of AI, it's been tough to find stable work," she continued, a tinge of sadness in her voice. "So many jobs got automated. It's like the world changed overnight, and we were left scrambling to catch up."

I could hear the underlying struggle in her words. "That must've been hard," I said sympathetically.

She smiled, albeit wistfully. "It was, but it's part of life, I guess. That's why I'm so grateful for the job you've given me. It's more than just a job; it's stability, a chance to learn new things. I really appreciate it master."

Moved by her sincerity, I reached out and patted her head in a friendly, reassuring manner. To my surprise, she leaned into the gesture, her face lighting up like a happy puppy.

"I'm glad to have you on board, Sophie. Both in the real world and here in the game. You've been a big help," I said, smiling.

Sophie's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thank you, Master Wang. That means a lot to me. I'll always do my best for you, in any world."

Q: Would you want a personal maid?