I Choose The Heroine's Route

21 Family Is Not Only About Being Related By Blood

Amy Taylor Point Of View
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My name is Amy Taylor. I'm a mere maid working for the Euridice family – and if there's something I'm proud of despite being a 'mere' maid and a commoner, it's being my lady's personal maid. Aksia Euridice, that is the name of the lady I'm serving. All I could say is that she's... lovely. Too lovely and precious for this world. Although other people say that I'm naive, and even though I also agree with them, I'm not that naive to not see the suffering of the lady I'm personally serving.

I started working as a maid for the Euridice family when I was still in my twenties. At age twenty-five, I met lady Aksia who was ten years old at that time. I was just promoted, and soon after that, I was immediately assigned as lady Aksia's personal maid which I didn't expect.

Why would they assign a newly promoted maid as the young lady of Euridice's personal maid? Shouldn't they find a more experienced one? I was confused.

Then the day where I would meet the lady has come. The meeting... was a traumatizing experience, to say the least. I was on my way to meet the lady at that time, but when I arrived outside her bedroom, I saw that the door is slightly open. I can also hear some muffled noise.

Hesitant and curious at the same time, I silently walked closer to the door as I took a peek at what's inside. I know it was rude and improper of me to do that, but my twenty-five-year-old self didn't think about any of that at that time. I was... simply curious.

However, what I saw made me gasp. I couldn't help but raised one of my hands to cover my mouth. It was a horrifying sight. A child, who seems to be barely ten years old, is sitting on the floor with her back exposed. Her raven hair – that is almost black, only reaches past her shoulders. All I could see is her back, so I can't see her face.

From where I'm standing, I could see the Duchess back and she's holding a... whip or some sort. Frozen in my place, I didn't know what to do.

"It's your fault. It's because you were born that I lost his love!" The Duchess lashes out, raising her hand that is holding the whip as she strikes, "Why do you have to have that cursed Magic out of all Magic?! No –" She paused before striking again, "Why are you even born?! You're not my daughter!"

With every strike, the child whimpered in pain. With every strike, a new injury was added to her back. With every strike, I flinched.

Trembling as I feel tears streaming down my face, I took a step back. This... this is child abuse! Why is the Duchess doing this to her own daughter? Does anyone know about this? Why is no one stopping her?!

Earlier, all I was feeling was curiosity, and now, I'm feeling a lot of emotions all at once. I was horrified, scared, sad, mad – and a lot more feelings that I can't properly explain into words.

I'm... a mere maid, a commoner. I'm not from a poor family, but we're also not rich. Just average. My mother died because of an Illness when I was fifteen, and my three siblings and I were left with our father who was devastated by mother's death. Wanting to help, I applied as a maid of a noble.

I really didn't think that I can become one. I'm usually clumsy, naive, and slightly slow at picking things up. I'm basically useless considering how I also don't have any Magic. But unexpectedly, I was accepted. My first work experience was at a Count's house. Then when I turned eighteen, I went to another place – until I found myself working for the Euridice family.

As a maid, what could I possibly do in a situation like this? I... I can't possibly go against the Duchess, can I? I have my father and siblings relying on me. I can't do this, right?

However, before I could even think of an answer. My body was already moving, I abruptly opened the door and it made a loud noise. The Duchess looked at me, shock. I wasn't really thinking at that moment, it's as if my mind and heart were functioning separately as my body moved before I can even process what's happening. Ignoring the Duchess, I run towards the child. I kneel down to her level as I gently hold her shoulders, I made her face me and when she did – I saw the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.