Steampunk Era: Mad Abield

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"Like," Malin felt that if he dared say he didn't like it, the next second he would be facing the blade of a murderer.

"That's really wonderful," the maid sister said with a smile as she left, once again leaving the private space to Faye and Malin.

Faye seemed somewhat puzzled by the appearance of her family's maid, but she quickly dismissed her doubts and turned to Malin, "How about we leave Maya here and continue with our class?"

"...No, father entrusted my sister to me, not to leave her out of sight," Malin shook his head, "I plan to skip class today; there's not much to learn in combat class anyway. Just consider it a half-day of rest."

"Then I'll skip class too," Faye said with a smile.

"Why would you skip class, what class do you girls have?" Malin asked curiously—he hadn't even a clear idea of what his little Leopard Girl was learning.

"Knitting class. Maya didn't tell you, probably because she always messes up the balls of yarn," Faye mentioned Maya and then was laughed by the little Leopard Girls so much she could barely stop.

This also made Malin want to laugh—this was really just a matter of nature.

......

The head maid returned to the kitchen, put down the tray, then turned and bowed slightly to the woman standing at the kitchen door, as part of a courtesy, she turned to her kindred, "Madam."

"My daughter has grown up, hasn't she." The lady with elvish features had a slender figure, golden hair like a waterfall, and golden eyes; the owner of those eyes looked at the head maid: "I remember telling you not to let any man enter this mansion."

"They are the foster son and daughter of Gaiate His Excellency," the head maid bowed her head even lower.

"Gaiate's foster son is no good either. If it were his own child, there would be no problem, but like that Colin, a weed picked up will never bloom into a flower," the lady huffed, "Foolish humans are always dreaming unrealistic dreams."

"...Madam," the head maid tentatively raised her head, looking at the long-eared kindred before her.

"...This is unlike you, speak, what's the matter?" the lady stopped her steps toward the living room, turned around, and looked at the head maid.

"That child named Malin, he resisted my Heart-Searching Spell Formation," the head maid looked up as she said, "Madam, he is a trueborn."

"...Really?" The disdain for the child of unknown origin quickly vanished from her face.

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"Yes, Madam, I haven't told a single lie. If possible, you could see for yourself; the child is just an apprentice. He instinctively feared me and didn't notice that I had been staring directly at him. If he had darkness in his heart, it would have exploded out at that moment without any reservation..." At this point, the Head Maid fell silent for several seconds, giving her mistress ample time to ponder: "But he didn't. He just stared back at me instinctively, like a dying young beast struggling helplessly, scared, but never resigned to its fate."

"So, it seems I was mistaken..." The Noble lady frowned - she suddenly realized that not everyone in the short-lived human race was worthless; she had also seen individuals of astonishing talent... although, there were far more seeking fame without merit.

"Moreover, Madam, when I was there just now, I noticed something about the child from the tips of his hair; his ears are not like those of humans, nor like ours, but square-shaped," the Head Maid said with a gentle smile on her face, noticing the softness on her mistress's.

"Square-shaped, that's impossible." The Noble lady found it hard to believe this fact, but when she saw the smile on her Head Maid's face, she finally frowned: "That Frost Giant... I have never wanted to kill her as much as I do today."

"But Madam, we are all children brought up by our mentor; the only difference is that she once truly adored our mentor," said the Maid, speaking presumptuously, which brought a smile to her mistress's face: "Indeed, we even blessed her then. We just didn't expect that we would encounter this child. The Noble lady paused, then sighed, "Her kin must have found her by now; she left the child and yet did not notify us... It seems she hates the mentor... But the mentor and us do not belong to the same world, and she does not realize it; today our mentor's affairs are but legends, known only to us disciples... So don't spread the word, don't talk recklessly, this child is still the adopted son of Gaiate."

"Indeed, Madam, young master Malin is indeed a good child," said the Head Maid with a smile: "But, Madam, if we treat them differently, wouldn't it affect Miss Margaret and Mr. Colin..."

"...Indeed, given these circumstances, I will no longer oppose his being with her," said the Noble lady, smiling as she looked at her Head Maid: "You really do like Margaret, Lena."

"Yes, Madam, she is, after all, the child I have raised with my own hands. Even a cat or dog can give genuine affection, let alone a human child. Just like our teacher did for us, watching us grow up. Margaret lost her mother at a young age, and I feel... She is like me..." Lena lifted the hem of her maid outfit: "Madam, I shall take my leave."

"...Hmm, go ahead, I should leave too." A deep blue Spell Formation appeared in front of the Noble lady. She took a step forward, and the owner of the high-heeled boots stepped briskly into it.

The Head Maid prepared two portions of cookies in the kitchen, and, carrying the cookies, she went toward the kitchen. As she walked along the corridor, she stopped in front of a painting. She turned to look at the painting, which depicted a youth with black hair wearing a bright smile. He was sitting in a rocking chair, and behind him stood a crowd of children of all sizes - Dwarves, Elves, Humans, and members of beast tribes.

There was she, there was the Noble lady, and there was the master and his first wife. Everyone was from different corners of the world.

There were esteemed princes, proud Nobles, children of Merchants, and also orphans and foundlings.

Together, they lived by the teacher's side, learning his knowledge and understanding of the world.

"Teacher, I met your child today, another joyful day."

The Head Maid with grey hair withdrew her longing gaze and resumed her steps.

Lena, you know, I would not want the time that stands still. In life, every step we take must be forward; only then can we recapture this beautiful world from the hands of villains and Chaos.

Remember, these are the teacher's words, Lena, and all of us will always remember them.