Shiori Novella One-shots

Shiori and the Impostor

It's the end of the great war. Many families are looking for ways to recover from such a devastating conflict that tore across the continent. Luckily, or maybe unluckily, your father left behind his estate and wealth for you when he sent you off to avoid the horrors of battle. Now that you're back home, all you have left is the money, the house, and your name. Other than a maid who has been with your family for several years, you have nobody to guide you or accompany you in this new regime.

You yawn as you return home from a long day out. Your legs and arms are worn out from the lack of sleep and food since you spent most of the day trying to form alliances through hushed whispers and covert handshakes. Your forehead throbs with a migraine as you try to recall the names of the people in high places who could benefit you. The stress continues building up after remembering just how many people are after your neck as well due to your inheritance. You open the door to your house and breathe a sigh of relief as your maid greets you with a soft smile and even softer voice.

"Welcome home, master. Would you like dinner? Would you like a bath?"

Just as you're about to say that you would much rather prefer sleep, she pulls out a large scissor blade and gives you a curtsy with her free hand. As the tip of her sword touches the ground, the onyx sheen from her weapon tells you just how polished and sharp the blade is. Wait a minute-this isn't your maid at all. Now that you have a closer look at her, the eyes are actually glowing bright yellow. Every movement of her arms gives off a whirring sound like a machine. The floor shakes as she takes a step towards you.

"Or would you like your blood splattered across the room?"
~~~~~

You freeze, your exhaustion gone, completely overwritten. The... being in front of you, masquerading as your maid, takes another step forward and its eyes glow brighter. The danger you feel now far exceeds anything you felt in the war, even when your camp was ambushed in the dead of night by the enemy.

"I must say, your maid going shopping just now was quite lucky for me," its voice now carrying a distinctly cold, mechanical undertone. "She would have been... problematic."

"Who sent you?" you manage to force out, your voice strained, betraying your fears.

"Does it matter?" the being tilts its head, making for an uncanny resemblance to the maid you'd been expecting. "The result will be the same."

You take a step backwards as the floor beneath you rumbles again as the machine before you takes another step. You reach behind you for the doorknob before freezing, your blood running cold as it narrows its eyes at you.

"Let's call it the curiosity of the doomed." You speak quickly, hoping to stall for even another moment. It mentioned that your maid was 'problematic', so maybe she could help, even if you aren't sure how.

The being before pauses, its stance relaxing slightly. It's confident, and seems to be... slightly arrogant? Whoever sent this has access to some incredible resources.

"Put that way, it's rather difficult to refuse. The most I will say is you met with them today," it grins coldly.

Suddenly, everything clicks. There was someone you met with today that you'd expected to give you much more trouble than they did. That particular meeting went so smoothly that you suspected yourself of missing something.

"Your eyes tell me you realized who. In that case, I certainly cannot let you live, now can I?"

"Well, never know until we try," you grin weakly.

The shadows in the room darken over a matter of seconds and, before you can respond, the machine is right in front of you, its scissor blade swinging down, inches from your neck. You shut your eyes tight, bracing for your imminent, untimely demise.

After waiting a few moments, you slowly open your eyes to see your maid before you. This time, it's really her. You can smell her perfume and the lingering aroma of tea that clings to her.

Seeing, and smelling, your trusted maid, you let yourself crumple to the ground in relief. She smiles softly and steps forward, gently wrapping her arms around you, holding you close.

"Your story isn't over yet, Master. Please breathe, you're ok, now," she whispers, her voice lulling you to a well-deserved rest.

You can't see anything around you, but that, and the one who betrayed you, are problems for later.

For now, you should rest.