Scale of Reality

Leona Estate: Part 4

Muji POV

"You see Muji, this is how I make that dear money you love so much."

I breathed heavily.

"M-Mom, l-leave me alone."

"No Muji, come closer. Let me show you the love a child deserves."

I began to tear up.

"N-No! I-I don't want your love!! G-Go away!! Please!!"

I jerked up from my bed covered in sweat and tears, breathing desperately for air. I placed my hand on my face as I looked around.

Karin was sleeping nicely, the same with Daiki, and the twins were sleeping while pushing each other or fighting for the cover it seemed. For a brief moment, I wondered how they ended up on the same bed.

I hated the fact that I was still scared of her.

"Dang it..."

I rolled back over and shut my eyes, hoping to get some sleep. Today was the day I started my butler training in order to earn our keep here at the mansion.

Timeskip

"Are you Muji?"

"Yes sir."

I currently stood in front of this old man in a suit. He was the guy who Mr Nate sent me to for butler training.

"You seem to be useful at least. I like that look in your eye."

"Thank you...sir."

"You also have mannerism. Good. You'll make a fine butler."

I began to grow annoyed of these compliments.

"Let's start with the basics. Follow me, you must memorize the entire mansion."

"H-Huh? The entire place?"

"Yes."

For about almost an hour, I was dragged around the large mansion. His name was Eazer, and he was the head butler.

He was also a total bully.

After making me walk around the mansion five times to memorize it, he began to make me sweep. The endless tiles I've swept in the last thirty minutes was enough to make me consider quitting.

Then there was doing dishes, mopping, dusting, cleaning windows, yard work, and all the other things that was required of a butler.

He made me do them all in one day.

At the end of the day my body was sore all over. I managed to get to our room and collapsed on my bed, watching my younger siblings around me.

Karin was studying like always, I think she was reading something on multiplication. She's super smart even at eight years old, I started on multiplication at 9.

Daiki was playing with Kaia and Kyle, I don't know what they were playing but they were having fun.

It made me happy.

Timeskip

About two weeks have passed since I became a "butler in training". I guess I've been doing pretty well because Mr Eazer doesn't stop praising me.

Then again, he might just be doing that because that's how he is.

I had begun to get the hang of doing all these chores. Karin found out about my job and offered to help, but I told her she could when she turned 10.

I knew if I just told her no she would want a valid reason.

She's such an Angel.

Lately, I've also been feeling someone watching me. I keep sensing another presence around me whenever I'm not inside of the room.

The more I feel it the more annoying, it's getting, but it's also beginning to worry me. However, I decided to just ignore it and continue to focus on my work.

Currently, we all sat at the dinner table with Mr Nate.

It was the only time of the day where everyone left the room. I guess they were still scared of Mr Nate or of being in a new area.

"How is the food?"

I looked at the others, they were quietly looking down while eating. The only words they had said to Mr Nate was thank you for the food.

"It's wonderful, Mr Nate."

"I'm glad."

The table was so quiet.

Back when we were at home, it was always noisy when we would eat.

Kaia and Kyle would often argue over who can eat more or who can eat it faster.

Karin would always try to tell them to stop arguing and be grateful.

While Daiki would always try and egg them on or say he was the best.

"Guys, it's ok if you're shy. I just want you to know that it's ok to be yourselves, you don't have to be quiet just because we're in this fancy place now."

Kaia and Kyle looked at me before smiling and looking at Mr Nate.

"It's really good!"

"Thank you Mister!"

Karin bowed her head a bit.

"I-I wanted to say t-thanks."

Daiki bowed his head too after seeing Karin do it, causing me to chuckle a bit.

"You're all very welcome children. Feel free to do whatever you like while staying here, after all your brother is working hard to earn your keep."

Kaia spoke with food in her mouth, causing Kyle to look at her weird.

"Muji said don't talk with food in your mouth."

Kaia swallowed her food before sticking her tongue out at Kyle.

"Muji is always working hard to help us, that's why Muji is the best!"

Kyle nodded.

"The bestest in the world!"

I smiled and continued to eat while silently listening to Kaia and Kyle argue if bestest was a word or not. Daiki said his usually smart remarks while Karin tried hard to calm them down a bit.

I liked the warm feeling in my chest whenever I seen this scene. It made me forget about all the pain and suffering we had to go through back in that small house.

It made me forget about mom.

And I loved that.

I loved them.

Timeskip

"It's about time I gave you your role, Muji."

I swallowed a nervous gulp, my official butler work was about to begin.

"Will it be yard work? Or dishes? Or maybe he'll have me sweeping...or washing clothes..."

Mr Nate cleared his throat.

"You, will be my granddaughters personal butler."

I blinked twice.

"I'm sorry, what?"