Chapter 2

“Hmm… Huh… Ah, no… Hyaaah!!?”

Something… something’s stuck in my throat! It’s… what?

……? Huh? What was that?

It felt like something was about to come to mind, but it quickly scattered like a mirage, leaving behind an unidentified memory.

And then, my consciousness gradually sharpened, filling my vision with the familiar sight of the room.

Fiddling with the blanket on the bed, I finally woke up completely and let out a small sigh.

Lately, it had been quiet, but… I had that strange dream again.

It definitely wasn’t a good dream, but strangely, it always scattered like fog as soon as I woke up.

Of course, as a mechanical doll—an Automaton—it was nearly impossible for me to dream like real lifeforms.

But for some unknown reason, I could.

It was a unique function, a special element that didn’t appear in other units of the same type.

Even so, it was one of my least favorite parts because it left me with an uncomfortable feeling and ruined my day.

[Good morning, Kaya. Did you sleep well? It seems you had another rough night.]

“…Good morning, Mark. Sigh, I definitely went to bed feeling good last night, so why did I have such a nightmare…? I really envy you at times like this.”

[Haha, since I’m not a humanoid Automaton, my concept of sleep is closer to charging. Honestly, I’m a bit envious of you for having such a special function.]

The black box on the desk started operating as soon as I got up, speaking to me in a friendly tone.

It wasn’t human, just like me.

A mass-produced Automaton created for administrative assistance.

The only other being managing this humble yet cozy Blue Palace alongside me, officially named ‘Mark Prototype 1142.’

Aka, Mark.

Our relationship was something like colleagues.

Working in the same palace, serving the same master—a reliable companion in the same position.

At the same time, as I thought of my one and only Master… the most precious and noble lady, I felt motivated and my eyes sparkled with determination.

But when I naturally glanced at the clock on the table, I froze.

Because the clock hands were pointing… far past the time I was supposed to wake up.

Maybe I was still half-asleep and seeing things wrong.

After staring at the clock for a while, I finally accepted reality and forced a smile as I spoke to him.

“Um… Mark? Could you tell me what time it is now?”

[Of course, here you go.]

Still speaking in a kind tone, Mark displayed the current time on his screen.

Looking at the numbers, I realized there was no escaping the truth.

I had slept in—big time.

After years of experience as a maid, how could I make such a rookie mistake…?

Not only did I have a nightmare, but I also couldn’t believe my own carelessness. I rubbed my face with both hands and quickly started moving.

The milk was already spilled.

There was no point in just sitting here blaming myself.

I hurriedly threw off my pajamas, pulled out the maid outfit I had neatly prepared the night before, and changed into it with practiced ease.

After fixing my disheveled silver hair in the mirror and tidying up my appearance, I finished preparing several times faster than usual and rushed out the door.

My destination was the palace’s only dining hall on the first floor.

Praying silently, ‘Please let the lady have slept in too…!’ I carefully opened the old dining hall door, but unfortunately, my wish didn’t come true.

There she was, sitting at the long rectangular table in the center of the room, sipping tea with dignified grace.

A beautiful woman with long black hair and bright red eyes, wearing a neat blue dress.

Along with the horns symbolizing the Demon Race and the black wings on her back.

The only flaw was her worn-out dress, but aside from that, she was the epitome of beauty, the eighth princess of the Demon Emperor’s Nation.

And… my one and only Master.

“Lady Yuria… I’m sorry. Did you wait long? I overslept…”

“Huh? No, Kaya. It’s fine if you’re tired sometimes. No need to worry too much. Besides, I’ve left all the palace management and my personal care to you… I’m always the one feeling sorry.”

Even though she must have been hungry while waiting, instead of scolding me, she expressed her apologies.

Facing her radiant, angelic smile, I clasped my hands together, my eyes sparkling with emotion.

For an Automaton to feel tired was impossible.

So her words meant she was thinking of me that much.

She saw me not just as a lump of metal for chores, but as her precious maid and a person with her own identity.

That alone brightened my previously gloomy expression.

While silently thanking the blessing of serving such a beautiful and kind, perfect Master, I glanced at her worn-out dress and the desolate interior of the dining hall and sighed deeply.

As the child of the Demon Emperor, Lady Yuria held the status of a princess.

But in reality, she was far more humble compared to other ordinary members of the royal family.

The Blue Palace, located on the outermost edge of the vast and grand imperial palace, was barely worthy of being called a palace.

With only me and Mark as her attendants, it was practically abandoned.

The reason she, a legitimate member of the royal family, was treated this way was simple.

She was the Emperor’s illegitimate child, a hybrid of the Demon Race and Humans.

Unlike other demons who all had blue skin, Lady Yuria’s skin was the same as a human’s.

Crucially, unlike the Emperor’s other children who inherited his strength, she didn’t inherit any exceptional combat abilities, making her a natural target for discrimination and contempt.

If she didn’t even have the horns and wings symbolizing the Demon Race… she wouldn’t have been able to stay in this cold imperial palace.

The more I thought about Lady Yuria’s pitiful treatment, the more my anger rose, but as a mere Automaton, there was little I could actually do.

The best I could do was support her as much as possible and manage the Blue Palace, her only haven.

Despite such harsh conditions, she grew up splendidly without causing any trouble.

Having watched her grow over the past ten years, I was confident no one loved her more than I did.

In the past, I actively expressed dissatisfaction with her situation and tried various ways to improve it, but now I had almost given up.

All I wanted now was to continue living peacefully with Lady Yuria, even if it was a bit impoverished.

Since everyone in the imperial palace treated her as if she didn’t exist, as long as we could be self-sufficient, it wasn’t an impossible dream.

Thinking this, I hurried to the kitchen and started preparing the breakfast menu I had planned the night before.

Since I made her wait so long by oversleeping, I was determined to make up for it by cooking something even more delicious than usual.

—

“Mark, really? You couldn’t wake me up when I overslept? That’s so mean!”

[…I’m truly sorry. I happened to be in sleep mode running this month’s financial simulation for the Blue Palace, so I didn’t notice. I’ll be more careful next time.]

After the morning commotion, time flew by, and it was already the drowsy afternoon.

While sweeping the hallway with a broom, I coincidentally ran into him and pouted, pouring out my complaints.

Since he had woken up before me, if he had just paid a little more attention, he could have prevented the morning mishap.

But what came out of his mouth next quickly plunged me into deep concern.

“Running a simulation… Is this month’s financial situation that tight?”

[Well, there were many expenses this month. I’m not blaming you, but Lady Yuria’s coming-of-age party cost much more than expected.

Plus, the cost of purchasing various specialized books she wanted.

It’s a difficult situation.

I’m trying to find ways to cut costs, but it’s not easy.]

—

(Here’s Kaya, diligently cleaning!)