When it comes to maids, or expanding to the entire category of servants, most people have the impression that they are constrained.
This inherent impression is understandable. After all, in reality, the predecessors of servants were slaves who had no freedom whatsoever—they were their masters' private property, and even if killed by their masters, no one would hold anyone accountable. As times progressed and human rights consciousness gradually awakened, the definition of servants began to change slightly.
The game uses the medieval period as its background template, though strictly speaking, maids as we know them came after the medieval era. At that time, machinery was not yet developed, manual labor was the primary form of work, and with so few jobs available for women, many women from poor families became maids to make a living.
Later on, the demand for manual labor decreased, and only wealthy households would employ maids.
But regardless of the era, certain impressions about servants in the public eye have never changed.
—No one would willingly choose to become a servant.
In the past it was for personal freedom, now it's for survival—people are forced to become servants due to unavoidable circumstances, and thus serve others.
When you think about it, it makes sense. Those with status and position are the ones who enjoy being served. Everyone wants to be the center of attention; no one is willing to become the supporting foliage.
Speaking from my experience in my previous life, this perception isn't prejudice. Having lost both parents, I was raised by the Neumann family from childhood. To repay this debt of gratitude, becoming a servant of the Neumann family was the only way I could show my gratitude. But after coming to the game world, as Anastasia, I have no compelling reason to become a servant.
Sigrdrífa gazed straight at me.
"Although we haven't spent much time together, I think that with your abilities, serving under others is far too much of a waste. I'm not demanding that you become famous throughout the world, but even if you opened your own little shop, you could live completely freely, couldn't you?"
Rather than saying elves love freedom, it would be more accurate to say that no race could possibly exist that enjoys being constrained.
Therefore, Sigrdrífa was genuinely puzzled as to why I wouldn't abandon my servant identity and do what I wanted to do.
On the continent of Lemoria, servants also come from the bottom of society, forced by circumstances to make a living. There are no specialized training institutions, and it's very difficult to find employment in the households of good officials and nobles. Overall, being a servant isn't generally considered a respectable profession in people's perception. Only when someone finds employment with a renowned great family or becomes a royal maid would their family be willing to mention it as drinking conversation.
"If it were just for survival... that would indeed be enough."
"Then why do you..."
"Because I like it, I suppose."
"Huh?"
Sigrdrífa's eyes widened. I understood her confusion at this moment. Initially, my view of servants was the same as Sigrdrífa's. How could a servant living under someone else's roof possibly find happiness?
I responded honestly to Sigrdrífa.
"Usually, masters strictly discipline their servants, but in reality, servants also hold hopeful thoughts toward their masters, hoping their masters will grow stronger than anyone else, hoping their masters will always move toward where bright sunlight shines. When a servant is fortunate enough to encounter a master worthy of respect and love, their mindset changes without them realizing it. I love the feeling of being useful to a master I respect. Once you've experienced it even once, you can never give up that joy that comes from the depths of your soul."
For me, being a maid is absolutely not a lowly profession.
"It's not that because I'm a servant, I must help my master out of duty... but because I want to do my part for the master I love, I willingly stay by my master's side to become her servant and attend to her."
Only when one's mindset has changed in this way can they truly love this mission from the bottom of their heart.
"Therefore, what I desire is not a constraint on freedom."
To be able to meet this person (master) is truly the greatest happiness.
"...Have you had a master before?"
That was—beyond employment relationships—what could be called an idealized one-sided devotion. Sigrdrífa seemed to be saying that without having encountered such a master, it would be impossible to have such thoughts. I also understand how luxurious a wish it is to find a master whom you genuinely want to serve from the heart.
"Yes. Serving her was the pride and glory of my life, and she taught me that an excellent master should be able to make a servant, through their own resolution, dedicate their body, soul, and everything."
After a moment of silence, Sigrdrífa suddenly smiled gently.
"What's this? You're talking as if you've lived a complete life already."
"Mmm..."
Could I say that I really did die once?
"What you're looking for isn't someone with the means to employ you, but someone to whom you can willingly offer your loyalty, right?"
I nodded in response. If it were the latter, I would be willing to dedicate everything until death separates us.
But after leaving the Young Miss, I haven't encountered such a person.
Strangely enough, after hearing my answer, Sigrdrífa seemed to be in much better spirits.
"If this is your way of living, I won't say anything more. Ah, by the way, you can call me Rifa if you want."
"You change topics so quickly..."
"Let me give you one more piece of advice. It's best not to pursue non-human races that don't match your body type just for momentary excitement, or else it’ll be embarrassing when you have to present yourself to your master?"
"Shut up..."
I already told you I won't use the [Dragon's Root].
Besides, in order to perfectly perform household duties even when my master puts strange things into my body, my receptive capacity is Lv. Max.
As expected of me.