Volume 1 Chapter 3 Nike the Lady’s Maid
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
In one corner of our estate stands a stone, cylindrical structure known as the Village Head Tower¹.
Because of its heavy, imposing exterior, the locals often call it “The Fortress.” Despite the name, it lacks an armory or a granary, and it certainly isn’t large enough for the villagers to take shelter in.
It simply houses an administrative office on the first floor, a document archive on the second, and a semi-basement dungeon that has been gathering dust for years.
To the adults, it’s an uninviting government building for handling registries, land titles, and taxes.
But to a child, it’s something else entirely.
True to its name, it is the tallest landmark in the village, featuring an iron ladder on the outer wall that leads to the roof.
Climbing it is strictly forbidden for safety reasons, but such a hollow warning can never truly extinguish a child’s curiosity.
The terror of the climb and the certainty of a scolding later are small prices to pay for the view.
From the top, you can see the entire village, the hills blanketed in deep forests, and the Horn Mountains to the south, their peaks draped in snow even in the height of summer.
This village might be small, but looking out toward the horizon where cities and metropolises lie beyond sight, your heart can finally race.
Up there, you can brag about your meager knowledge and indulge in the kind of dreams only a child can believe in.
As I glanced up at the Fortress from the courtyard, a black shadow suddenly darted out of sight, despite the early morning hour.
(Was that Tim?)
Tim Dvorak turned fourteen and became a man just three months ago.
His father took him to the River District of the trading city, Obernbach, to “graduate” and lose his virginity.
Even though he bragged about every sordid detail to me-since I’m coming of age next month-is he really still up there playing games like a kid? I’m jealous of a first-born son who still has his father to show him the ropes.
”A rite of passage, huh…” I can’t imagine my stern-faced Uncle Klaus doing for me what Tim’s father did for him.
Hans wouldn’t even remember my birthday, let alone my age.
Which leaves… surely my sister-in-law wouldn’t…
(Heh-heh-heh…)
No, no, no! That’s impossible! My sister-in-law is a beautiful, intelligent, and kind goddess.
She wouldn’t do that… would she? “No way, no way!” I accidentally blurted out while trying to shake off the delusion.
”What exactly is ‘no way’?” A voice suddenly cut through the air, making my heart nearly leap out of my chest.
This was bad.
Of all people, it was Nika, my sister-in-law’s lady’s maid, and she had heard me.
”What’s with that look on your face?” Nika asked.
She peered up at me from below, a mean, mischievous smirk spreading across her lips.
”Hah! I bet you were thinking about something perverted, weren’t you? Like… about Teressa-sama?”
My sister-in-law’s name is Teressa Kneff Fee.
She married into our family from the Kneff house, who serve as vassals to a Viscount in the regional capital.
The goddess who descended upon our household was a bride far too good for this backwater countryside.
She has a slender frame, yet her curves are stunning even under a modest dress.
Her small face is flawless, featuring sharp, strong-willed eyebrows and long, gentle eyes framed by thick lashes.
Her golden hair, tied back to reveal the soft downy hair at the nape of her neck, falls into elegant ringlets that sparkle in the morning sun.
She truly is a goddess.
She stole my heart the moment I saw her.
My eldest brother and Teressa-sama got along well, and they soon had their first daughter, Lyrica.
Even after she had the child and cut her hair short, her beauty didn’t fade.
Three months ago, their second daughter, Maria, was born.
Even when she spoke happily of being my brother’s wife, she remained my goddess.
But tragedy struck.
My brother Iffens was killed in battle three weeks ago.
For a while, she could barely eat; her skin lost its glow, her cheeks sank, and her eyes were perpetually swollen.
I was terrified she might simply waste away and die.
A few days ago, expression finally returned to her face.
When she asked me to help her with her work at the Tower, I was so happy I actually shed a few tears.
I suppose this is what people mean when they say they’re walking on air.
”Th-that’s not true at all!” I stammered.
Nika had hit the bullseye, and my voice cracked as my thoughts scattered.
”How pathetic,” Nika said. “Everyone knows you’re in love with Teressa-sama, you idiot.”
(What? Is that true?) If it was, it was more than just a little embarrassing.
”Hey, I-” I tried to stop her, but she just gave me a dismissive look and started toward the main house.
Then, she suddenly paused.
”Don’t follow me, you little pervert! Go peek at someone else in the bathroom! Hmph!” Nika snapped.
She was clearly still holding a grudge about me accidentally walking in on her this morning.
Her mood was souring by the second.
As she turned on her heel, her long bronze ponytail swung sharply, brushing against my chest.
(Why is she such a brat? She’s nothing like her mistress.)
”Did you say something?” Nika turned back with a terrifying glare.
I didn’t dare say it out loud, so I just shook my head vigorously.
She just huffed and started walking again.
(Can this girl read minds? Terrifying.)
Then, I noticed she was struggling with a heavy bundle of firewood in both arms.
”Nika, want me to take half of that?”
”I don’t need your help.” She said that, but after only a few steps, she set the bundle in her right hand down on the ground, hugged the remaining wood with both arms, and trudged on.
(Geez. If only she were more like Yutia.)
Around here, it’s custom for wealthy families to bring workers along when a child marries in.
When Teressa-sama arrived, Nika came with her to look after her, along with the maid, Yutia.
Nika isn’t a common servant, though.
She’s an educated free person and a cousin to Teressa-sama, even if they have different surnames.
Now that I think about it, they do look alike.
Her face is covered in freckles, but the underlying features are the same.
Instead of silky blonde hair, she has wavy bronze hair.
Her figure is decent, but compared to my sister-in-law, her chest is… well, modest.
It’s the exact opposite of her personality.
They definitely look alike, but she’s like the budget version.
While I was lost in thought, I picked up the bundle she had left behind.
I realized she had stopped and was watching me.
(Wait, can she really read minds? No… that’s impossible.)
”Well… I guess I’ll say thanks. Thank you,” Nika muttered.
(Huh. Maybe she has a cute side after all.)
—
Summary:
Larry reflects on the Village Head Tower and his jealousy toward his friend Tim’s rite of passage into adulthood. His internal fantasies about his widowed sister-in-law, Teressa-sama, are interrupted by the sharp-tongued Nika. Despite their bickering over a morning incident, Larry helps Nika with her chores, revealing her slight softer side.
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Trivia:
- The Village Head Tower serves as a dungeon and archive, not just a landmark.
- Adulthood in this world is officially recognized at age 14.
- Teressa-sama’s family, the Kneffs, are vassals to a Viscount.
- Nika is a ‘free person’ and Teressa’s cousin, distinguishing her status from Yutia.
- Iffens died only three weeks prior to this chapter
—
Character Insight:
Larry is deeply lonely and craves the father-son guidance he sees others receiving. Nika masks her loyalty and hard work with a prickly, defensive exterior, likely due to the stress of caring for the grieving Teressa-sama.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The mention of Obernbach’s ‘River District’ hints at a developed urban trade culture existing outside the rural village.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Tim – A 14‑year‑old village youth, the eldest son of the Dvorak family, has just ‘graduated’ into adulthood. With short dark hair, a lean build and thoughtful eyes, he recently traveled to the riverside town of Obernbach accompanied by his father.
• Klaus – Larry’s maternal uncle, head of the Thalbach family and a vassal to Viscount Bizan. He dislikes Larry and Hans. He is described as a thin, grumpy-looking man, wears a light grey cloak and a black hat with gold ornaments signifying his rank in a Viscount’s house.
• Hans – Second son of the Fee family, known as Mad Dog of Strock Village, a rugged, violent delinquent and chronic alcoholic with a history of assault, extortion and other crimes.
• Nika – A fourteen-year-old personal maid to Teressa. Freckled, has wavy bronze hair, flat chest, and prone to mocking Larry. Lady’s maid and cousin to Terese. Educated free person with a prickly personality. Terese’s lady’s maid and cousin. Known for being sharp-tongued toward Larry.
• Teressa – The widow of Iffens and Larry’s sister-in-law. Currently serving as the deputy village head. Larry’s sister-in-law and widow of the deceased eldest brother. She has an infant daughter. Has blonde short hair and big chests, and big sister/motherly aura. Wears a wool jacket over her blouse, which its button almost split.
• Lyrica – A toddler under three years old with an innocent but devastatingly honest way of speaking. She repeats scandalous things she hears adults say.
• Maria – The three-month-old second daughter of Ifens and Therese.
• Iffens – The deceased eldest son of Fee family.
• Yutia – Maid with a muscular abnormality and hunched back; former lady’s maid to Teressa.
• Larry – Thirteen‑year‑old third son of the Strock headman, with reddish‑white skin, bronze eyes and curly bronze hair, holds faint Showa‑era memories and minor fire magic. He hides a crush on his sister‑in‑law, does chores despite quasi‑noble status, and is also the third son of the Fee family.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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