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"Madam! You should go and rest."
"I'm fine. I'll go check..."
Just then, there was a violent knock on the door.
"Madam! Miss, Miss is back!"
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"Although this is expected, I still feel a little uncomfortable being guarded like this." Aya said softly, looking at the four maids surrounding her in a semicircle.
Although they were wearing maid outfits, the four maids clearly radiated a sense of readiness for battle. Aya's [Beast Instinct V] also allowed her to sense that at least one of them was carrying a blade-like weapon.
"Carly, step back." Aya calmly instructed the girl who was about to draw her sword. Aya took a step forward while the maids became more alert.
The girl was none other then Camilla.
"I'm just an adventurer passing by, and I happened to save your eldest daughter." Aya said, while still holding Angelina steadily in her arms.
Although Camilla had asked her multiple times to carry the load, Aya was a boy right now after all, so she took on the job anyway since it wasn't heavy.
Seeing the girl safe and sound in the boy's arms, the maids seemed to relax a little.
"If possible, may I see the Duchess? Is she asleep?" Aya asked.
"Not yet, but..." The leading maid hesitated.
"We don't know the full story or your identity. In the worst case, there's even a possibility that your purpose is to assassinate the Duchess."
Theoretically, they should first find out the identities of the two mysterious individuals and the circumstances behind everything. However, whether it was conducting inquiries or making judgments, that wasn't something they, as openly employed maids, could handle.
The most appropriate action would be for the Duchess to come forward, but if an assassination was planned, could the Duchess stop it alone?
The maid had no confidence. Even though the man in front of her wore only a bronze medal around his neck, and she had been a mithril-level adventurer before retiring, she knew well enough that only fools would judge strength based solely on medals.
"So strong." She muttered. She couldn't sense any aura from the young man, and the woman standing behind him displayed no movements or posture, but gave off the oppressive aura of a powerful predator.
"Go and inform the Duchess." In the end, this was the only course of action. The maid instructed the guards standing behind her.
"Please come in first, and allow me to take the lady."
"No problem." The other party agreed smoothly, and the maid breathed a sigh of relief. This would ensure the safety of the young lady.
Taking Angelina from the boy's arms, it was evident that she was sleeping restlessly at the moment.
"She fainted, and we couldn't wake her up," the boy explained. The maid nodded.
"The Duchess will be here soon."
What a hassle, Aya thought to herself.
To be honest, she didn't mind interacting with people—it was quite interesting, and she was good at reading or guiding others' actions.
But on the other hand, while interesting, Aya was somewhat lazy and often found those things troublesome.
Aya had such a contradictory and awkward personality.
Following the maid toward the main entrance, a figure suddenly rushed out.
It wasn't Operan, but the housekeeper in a black suit.
"Something happened! Priest, is there a priest here? Get a doctor and a priest! The Duchess has fainted!"
The unexpected situation unfolded suddenly, causing panic among everyone present.
"Sir, what should I call you?" The maid asked Aya hurriedly.
"Just call me Levi."
"Okay, Mr. Levi, could you please wait in the reception room for a while? We'll handle things here..."
"No problem. I'm sorry that this happened. I'll wait patiently." Aya nodded to show her understanding.
"Thank you for your understanding. These two will prepare tea for you. Thank you for your patience."
After saying this, the maid half-bowed and hurried out of the mansion.
Her speed indicated that she was no ordinary maid.
"Mr. Levi."
"Please follow us."
Following the two designated reception maids, Aya successfully arrived at the reception room. Without much ceremony, she sat casually on the sofa, with Camilla standing behind her like a guardian angel.
"I'm boiling water, please wait for the tea. Do you want any snacks?"
"Tea will do." Aya said, "If you don't mind, how about chatting with me?"
"Of course, it's a pleasure."
Should she say she is worthy of being the maid of the Duchess' family? Her appearance wasn't stunning, but she was undeniably dignified. The most important thing was her impeccable attitude and etiquette, which made Aya have a better impression of this family.
"Did the maid just now go to ask for a doctor?" Aya asked.
"They should have gone to ask for the priest. The priest hired in the mansion can use second-level healing magic. The head maid probably went to ask for the high priest in the city who can use third-level magic."
It seems that this world values the use of magic more than ordinary medical treatment.
Taking a sip of the vanilla tea brought by the maid, Aya thought silently. At the same time, her [Clairvoyance] activated, and she had a panoramic view of the entire mansion.
Except for the two here and the two who stayed with Angelina, all the maids were now gathered in one place. The woman lying in the large room was probably Duchess Operan Colswaite.
"There are only maids in this house, no male servants?" Aya asked.
"Because both the Duchess and the eldest lady are women, it's more convenient to have maids. The gardeners and workers are still men. Besides, the only male servant is Mr. George, but he's missing now."
Besides the maids, there were two men beside the Duchess. One was likely mixing herbs, while the other was attempting to cast magic.
The magic used should have been second-level healing magic, but it didn't seem to work.
Oh? Is that so? Then even with a priest who can use third-level magic, it may still be useless.
After taking a quick look at the Duchess's condition, Aya shook her head and deactivated her [Clairvoyance].
The chance of death wasn't high, and she'd probably be able to stand up after lying down for two or three days. But in this situation, healing magic would be ineffective.
As for how much of her life would be shortened by this illness or what sequelae she would suffer, it was hard to say.