It was fortunate I had to wake up early. I was confident about waking up, but sleeping soundly without interruption was different from sleeping while waking up multiple times like this.

I carefully placed the chair back in its spot without making noise and cautiously left the room.

“Phew…”

Only after closing the door did I let out a small sigh of relief. The thought of being able to sleep with my legs stretched out made me feel good. Still, just in case, I returned to my room as quietly as possible. I flopped onto the bed and closed my eyes.

I worried that Russell might wake up during that time and ring the bell again, but fortunately, no bell sound came. Only then did I completely relax my body and fall into sleep.

I even had a dream. A dream where I plucked clouds and ate them like cotton candy.

And when I opened my eyes in the morning, I nearly fainted at the sight of Russell lying next to me, fast asleep.

“Gasp…!”

Russell slowly opened his eyes, perhaps hearing me fluttering around in surprise. His red eyes, similar to rubies, revealed themselves—clear and brilliant even in the morning, not hazy at all.

“What’s with all the noise…”

“Why, why… are you here?”

“I didn’t want to sleep alone.”

I opened my mouth with trembling pupils.

“Then have you been sleeping with your personal maid all this time?”

“No.”

Russell shook his head decisively.

Then why are you sleeping next to me now?

I decided to give up on arguing and just send Russell back to his room.

“Come on, go back to your room for now.”

“Why?”

“…Because I need time to get ready too.”

Right now I was in my pajamas. To start work, I needed to change into my uniform, but no matter how young he was, I couldn’t change clothes in front of my employer.

Fortunately, Russell didn’t throw a tantrum.

“Fine, then.”

He answered simply and walked out of the room with big strides by himself.

Left alone in an instant, I stared at the closed door with a dumbfounded expression.

“What on earth…”

Does the male lead act this strangely because he’s the protagonist?

I had a feeling things were going to be rough ahead.

Still, I had work to do, so I hurried to change clothes. The uniform was easy to put on—I could change into it in just 5 minutes.

I quickly washed my face in the attached bathroom and tied my hair up tightly. Since my hair was long, leaving it down would interfere with work, so tying it up was convenient and better.

Finally, I finished checking myself in the mirror and hurried toward Russell’s room.

I knocked twice formally and spoke up.

“I’m coming in, Young Master.”

When I opened the door, I saw Russell sitting quietly on the bed.

He looked at me expressionlessly and said:

“You’re late.”

“…I’ll come earlier next time.”

Are you kidding me?

I woke up earlier than usual because of someone, and now you’re saying I’m late.

‘Patience. He’s my boss, my boss.’

I swallowed my sigh and busily drew the curtains and brought wash water. Watching him splash around with his small hands while washing his face looked somewhat cute.

Helping him dress was very easy. When I dressed him skillfully, Russell spoke up.

“Do you have siblings?”

“Huh? Oh, I’m from an orphanage.”

I said matter-of-factly.

Coincidentally, ‘Roselia,’ whom I had possessed, was also from an orphanage.

The memories about ‘Roselia’ had naturally entered my mind, so I could answer without panic.

“So you don’t have parents?”

“Well… I’ve never seen them, but they might be somewhere.”

I shrugged my shoulders, and Russell didn’t say anything further. However, he continued to scrutinize me with those probing eyes.

‘He’s not thinking about what I’d look like when he kills me later, is he?’

I mustn’t forget my duty. Brainwashing him that killing people is wrong. That was my goal.

“Young Master.”

“What?”

“What kind of food do you like?”

Russell tilted his head.

“What are you going to do with that information?”

“I want to know more about you, Young Master.”

“I don’t like anything.”

Not a very good answer. This way, he’ll grow up to become a maniac who enjoys murder.

I smiled brightly and spoke up.

“Then how about we find out what you like together?”

“That’s bothersome.”

Russell cut down my suggestion immediately.

After finishing getting dressed, he left the room without even looking back at me.

“Sigh…”

It seemed like brainwashing would take some time.

Fortunately, Russell’s daily routine included snack time. As his personal maid, I was the one who decided the snack menu. So I used snacks as an excuse to make Russell try various things. At least it was fortunate that he ate everything without being picky.

‘If things continue like this, it should be fine…’

I squinted my eyes and glanced at Russell’s face while he ate his snack.

Then I heard his voice in my ear.

“Why do you keep looking?”

“…How did you know?”

“Anyone would notice if you stare that obviously.”

Did I really stare for that long? I don’t think so.  

I coughed awkwardly, feeling embarrassed.  

But wait—how does a ten-year-old speak so eloquently?  

Still, I couldn’t stop myself from observing Russell. When I glanced at him again, I noticed his lips curling up ever so slightly.

‘So he does like chocolate after all.’

Though it was a very subtle difference, Russell seemed a little happier when eating chocolate-related desserts.

“How’s the dessert?”

“It’s edible.”

“It’s delicious, right?”

“Are you forcing me to say it?”

Russell raised one eyebrow and looked at me.

“No, it’s not forcing—I just want you to speak honestly.”

“It tastes good. We brought the head chef who used to work at the imperial palace.”

He put the last piece of chocolate cake in his mouth and chewed.

“Try many other types too. You need to find what you like.”

“Why do I need to find what I like?”

“…Because that’s how you can enjoy eating?”

Russell looked at me like I was crazy.

I said indignantly:

“Young Master, don’t you know how important the joy of eating is?”

“Important?”

“Of course! You need to eat delicious food to have energy for other things.”

“Hmm…”

He was deep in thought until I cleared the dessert plates and came back.

“What are you thinking about?”

“It’s none of your business.”

I asked out of curiosity but only got a curt answer. On top of that, he even issued an order to leave. I had to go anyway since I had work to do, but leaving on my own and being kicked out felt different.

“Call me if you need anything, Young Master.”

“Get out quickly.”

Russell waved his hands dismissively.

I managed my expression and left the room.

“That kid won’t have any friends later.”

Looking at the closed door, I grumbled quietly.

More importantly, I thought my workload would decrease when I became Russell’s personal maid, but if anything, it increased rather than decreased.

But what could I do? I worked hard at my assigned tasks for a month.

The result was…

‘I never expected to become Employee of the Month.’

I had become an outstanding employee and received a bonus. Uniquely, Duke Etraoh’s household selected an outstanding employee each month and immediately paid a bonus on top of the regular salary.

The bonus was 10 gold. I didn’t know what the currency value was, but it seemed like quite a lot of money here. Everyone was looking at me with envious expressions.

I stared at the 10 gold and then applied for time off. Since I received a bonus, I thought it would be good to buy Russell a gift.

Well, let’s call it a bribe of sorts.

“What should I buy…”

After much deliberation, I chose a rabbit doll. It was an expensive doll that cost a whole 5 gold.

Since I invested half my bonus, it must be expensive, right?

I tilted my head, had it wrapped prettily, and returned to the duke’s household.

I was changing back into my uniform when the bell rang with a jingle. I hurried to finish changing, grabbed the doll, and headed to Russell’s room.

“Did you call for me?”

“Where did you go?”

“Oh, I went out briefly.”

I really went out for just a short while, so I hadn’t told Russell. But apparently, he had called for me during that time.

“You weren’t running away, were you?”

“Why would I run away?”

When I asked genuinely curious, Russell mumbled.

“I’m… not cute.”

“Pardon?”

I looked puzzled at the sudden comment.

Come to think of it, there was recently some social gathering or something where he met with peers his age. It seemed like he heard something then and compared himself to other children.

I chuckled and spoke up.

“You are cute, plenty cute.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

I nodded and moved closer, holding out the rabbit doll I had brought. Russell looked bewildered but took the doll.