Conditions

"Fine," she said at last, her voice sharp. "But I have conditions."

Sebas’s eyebrow twitched, but the lord simply nodded. "Go on."

"First," Lina said, lifting a finger, "I get paid for my work. And free food and lodging."

Sebas’s composed expression fractured. "You dare demand wages on top of room and board?" His voice was dangerously calm. "After we saved you from the town guards—"

The lord raised a hand, cutting him off. "It’s fine, Sebas. Fair pay for fair work."

Sebas exhaled through his nose but said nothing more.

Lina smirked, emboldened. "Second," she continued, "I’m free to leave the mansion whenever I want—as long as I don’t neglect my duties."

The lord tilted his head. "Why do you need to leave?"

"Not your business," Lina shot back.

Sebas’s knuckles whitened where they gripped the back of a chair. "You insolent—!"

"Sebas." The lord’s voice was firm.

The butler clenched his jaw but fell silent.

Lina crossed her arms. "And third—I’m not going to your bedchambers."

The lord blinked. "…What?"

"You heard me," she said flatly. "I’ll sleep in the kitchens, the hallways, the damn stables—but I’m not stepping foot in your room."

A beat of silence.

Then—

"Oh." The lord’s voice went oddly high-pitched. "Oh! No! That’s—that’s not—" He flailed his hands in panic, nearly dropping his helmet. "I would never—I mean, even if I could—which I can’t—"

Sebas pinched the bridge of his nose.

Lina smirked. "Good. Then we’re clear."

The lord clutched his chest, muttering under his breath: "Oh god, if this were in Earth, I’d be on a registry right now…"

Sebas sighed. "My lord, perhaps we should focus on the actual job offer."

"Right! Yes! Professional maid duties only!" the lord babbled, still visibly traumatized. "No bedchambers! Ever!"

Lina rolled her eyes but finally nodded. "…Then we have a deal."

Sebas looked like he wanted to strangle something.

Lina exhaled, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. "…Lina," she muttered. "My name’s Lina."

The lord nodded. "Welcome aboard, Lina."

Great! We now have a maid that can help around the manor. A fantasy world cannot be completed without maids after all.

"Well then, you can start tomorrow morning. Sebas will show you around the manor during that time. For now, rest."

Lina, the little thief, stared at the lord's hollow eyes through his visor.

"Fine. Whatever." She rolled her eyes and slumped back into the couch, already looking like she regretted her decision.

I left Lina to rest in the guest room as Sebas and I headed to my study. The grand hallway echoed with our footsteps - mine heavy and metallic, his unnaturally silent.

"Sebas."

"Yes, my lord?"

"I remember you saying you handled the paperwork in my absence, so you must have some idea what's happening in town, correct?"

"That is correct." Sebas produced a thick ledger from seemingly nowhere. "I shall provide you with a detailed report on the town's affairs."

"Yeah, about that..." I rubbed my helmet where my temples would be. "Didn't the girl say the town was facing poverty? Yet I remember some rather extravagant meals being served here."

"Of course," Sebas replied without hesitation. "As the lord, it is only proper for you to dine in a manner befitting your station."

"Uh huh." I sighed. "And what about the corruption in town? Surely you noticed something while handling the paperwork?"

Sebas tilted his head. "I do not understand human empathy, my lord. I am, as you know, a monster. I processed only those documents that seemed beneficial to you - gifts, tribute, that sort of thing."

"Gifts?" My voice cracked. "Sebas, please tell me you didn't accept bribes."

The butler looked genuinely puzzled. "I would never, my lord. The merchants were quite clear these were tokens of generosity for the great lord of the estate!"

"Oh jeez..." I slumped into my chair, the metal creaking under my weight.

I'd forgotten - Sebas was fundamentally a monster. His understanding of human society was... selective at best. To him, a starving child was irrelevant, but a poorly set tea tray was an outrage.

This was going to be a bigger problem than I thought.

Sebas, ever attentive, poured me a goblet of wine. "Is something troubling you, my lord?"

I stared at the dark liquid. "Sebas, from now on, I want you to show me every document that comes to this manor. Every single one."

"As you wish. Shall I retrieve this month's pile?"

"...How big is the pile?"

Sebas gestured to an ominous-looking cabinet in the corner. "The active correspondence fills approximately four drawers. The archived documents occupy the neighboring room."

I made a mental note to find an assistant. Preferably one who understood human morality. And filing systems.

"Let's start with the most recent," I sighed, I guess adventure can wait.