Chapter 46 – Pampering a [Lady] 1

As Fayette went over her power-leveling options, she realized she would be facing a special challenge: organizing proper [Lady]-level service in the middle of a caravan trip would not be the easiest task. However, that would just up the challenge factor, potentially giving her even more experience. Her mind set, she excused herself from the group for the morning and went for a manic shopping spree through town to gather all her needs.

Once done, she caught up with the group and began forming more concrete plans. She only had one chance at a first-time experience bonus for everything, so the [Maid] intended to get everything just right on the first go.

It wasn’t a simple matter, so just in case, she kept a ways from the group and tested things out to ensure they would work in practice.

The process took her the whole day, so it wasn’t until the late evening, when the caravan had stopped for rest, that Fayette finally approached the [Lady].

The caravans were arranged in a semi-circle with a campfire in the middle, like travelers huddled together for warmth. Fayette saw the rest of her party eating and sharing words with the members of the Salted Knives, while their charge, the so-called “[Governess] Adrianne”, sat on one of the wagons, busy scribbling in her notebook.

Fayette checked over her uniform one more time, just in case its pristine look had been sullied by a stray bit of grime, then walked forward, falling into her practiced and poised [Maid] mannerism.

“Miss, excuse me, would you like to retire for rest? The night is drawing near.”

The woman flinched, looked up at Fayette, then hurriedly stored her notebook away into a pocket.

“Ah? Fayette, was it? I didn’t see you all day. Also, please call me Marie.”

Fayette held the woman’s gaze, then slowly repeated herself.

“Miss, would you like to retire for rest? The night is drawing near.”

The woman’s face grew puzzled for a moment, before she caught herself and slowly nodded. “Umm—sure? I guess it is time for that.”

Fayette nodded, then motioned for her to follow.

“This way then, please.”

She made sure the woman was following, then led her to their group’s designated wagon, where she had cordoned off one section with a curtain. Fayette hopped up, then turned around, extending a hand to the [Lady]. The woman hesitated for a moment, but then grabbed Fayette’s hand and let the [Maid] help her up.

Hmm, no experience just for that. Time to get serious then.

Fayette pointed at the curtained-off section. “Miss, your chambers have been prepared.”

“My chambers? I don’t think I had—”

Fayette silenced her with a motion, then spun around, stepping back and opening the curtains. Behind them, a comfortable alcove was revealed. Bedding with heaps of blankets lit by a lantern, with a washing basin to the side. “Of course you do, miss. How could you not have your own chambers?”

The [Lady] looked at Fayette for a moment, then to the bed within. Slowly, the comfort evident in it broke her restraints, and she finally accepted. “…I do? Well, I suppose it’s fine then…”

Fayette waited for her to step inside, then followed her in, closing the drapes behind her. The moonlight from outside dimmed, leaving the lantern as the sole source of vision.

“Miss, let me help you undress.”

The [Lady] turned and took a step back from Fayette, almost stumbling at the bedding.

“Um, I can handle that fine on my own, thanks. I don’t think that was part of your duties.”

Fayette took a step forward, closing the distance. “But miss, of course it is part of a guard’s duties to help their charge undress.”

The [Lady] drew her hand back behind her dress, fiddled at the laces there, and laughed nervously. “Thank you for the offer, but I am completely fine on my—”

Fayette took another step forward, then grabbed the [Lady’s] arm at the wrist, stopping her from acting by herself. Fayette stood half a head taller than her, so she had to bend down slightly to look into her eyes. Once more repeated herself. “Please. I must insist. Let me help you undress.”

The woman seemed to shrink back under Fayette’s gaze, and turned her head down, fleeing it. “…Alright,” she finally answered, almost in a whimper, cheeks flushing.

Fayette released her hand, motioned for her to turn around, then once she had done so, began unlacing the dress.

For a moment, the only sound inside the wagon was the swishing of the ties as Fayette unfastened them, until the [Lady] broke the silence.

“I’m just a [Governess], there’s no need for all this. I just hired you for guard work…”

Fayette finally managed to get the dress loosed up, and began helping the woman out of it. “Think nothing of it, this is just all just a natural part of guard work.” She got the dress off, set it down to the side, then moved to the corset. “I’m just doing my natural duty here.”

And getting some good experience. She silently added.

For the rest of the process, the miss stood silent, letting Fayette remove each garment one by one. As Fayette removed her last stocking, leaving her in only a night chemise, she finally heard the notice she had been working for.

[Good work! Progress towards next level: 60%]

Fayette smiled. Nice, a whole 20%! I knew this would work, now then....

She moved a bit to the side, then motioned at the room’s washing basin. “Now, let me wash your face for you. Let’s get that makeup off.”

The [Lady] gave Fayette a long look, looking as if she was debating something, then finally sighed and walked forward, letting the [Maid] have her way.

Fayette grinned with satisfaction, then got back to work.

[Good work! Progress towards next level: 70%]

Fayette woke up early next morning, nudged between Mireille and the wagon wall. With a good bit of the wagon cordoned off for their charge, the rest of the party had ended up rather cramped. Mireille had been a bit upset, but Fayette had promised that it was all for a greater purpose. She got up and stretched to get herself ready—there many preparations to make.

She carefully stepped over Mireille’s and Olivia’s sleeping forms and got to their baggage, where she quickly dressed herself up. Her uniform ready, she silently crept to the curtain and drew it back just a bit, letting her peek inside. She saw Adrianne, snugly tucked inside her many blankets, eyes closed in peaceful rest. Good, seems I have plenty of time.

She stepped off the wagon, and let her eyes get used to the growing sunlight outside. She nodded at the morning-shift caravan [Guards], then walked to the middle of their encampment, where she began to make her morning preparations.

First, she went to the still-burning campfire and set a tea kettle to heat atop it. Then, she walked a slight distance away and began pulling out bits of wood from her [Apron of Holding]. It had been a bit of a rush job, but the local merchants had been all-too-eager to help after Fayette threw some money around.

She sorted the bits of wood according to their purposes, then began attaching them together, sliding blocks of wood into holes carved for them, until she had a tea table and a set of chairs for it. She went back to check on her kettle, nodded with satisfaction at the boiling liquid, then crept back to her wagon, this time all the way into the miss’s compartment.

“Miss, excuse me, it is time to wake up.”

The [Lady] turned around in her bedding, the groggily answered. “Please—, just five more minutes…”

Hm, a bit of a late sleeper are we? Well, that’s what [Maids] are for.

She stepped forward, leaned down, then pulled the blankets off the woman in one smooth motion. “No, it is really time to wake up.”

The [Lady] flinched up, forcibly ripped awake, then began staring around and blinking with confusion, slowly getting conscious of the situation.

Hmm, she seems a bit addled by her sleep. Good. Should make these next parts easier.

Fayette grabbed the woman by the waist, then lifted her up.

“Huh? Wait—wha—”

“Miss, let me help you get dressed. Here, let’s start with the stockings, sit down there.”

Fayette drew out a stool from her [Apron of Holding], then pushed the [Lady] down onto it, then started pulling up her stockings. The woman herself was still a bit out of it, confused by the rush and still addled by sleep. She only blankly watched Fayette at work.

“Up we go—there. Next, let me fasten up these garters—there. Good, now, stand up would you? Keep your hands up—just like that—Here’s your petticoat. All fastened up? Good. Then, the corset…”

By the time she was fully awake, the [Lady] was already fully dressed and even had her makeup in order. Fayette stood back a bit, admiring her work, satisfied that the [Lady’s] appearance was finally in order.

Newly brushed up and styled, her golden curls were now set into long drills that ran by her sides. Her freshened dress was finally in order, which gave the woman an elegant power. The lilies embroidered at the hems now shone in the sunlight, like flowers facing a new summer.

Fayette felt drawn to the image. Now that’s more like it—I guess these sorts really do need a proper [Maid]…

[Good work! Progress towards next level: 90%]

Hmm, good. Seems dressing up and undressing count separately. Now—moving forward…

Adrianne herself seemed amazed at her own transformation and looked at Fayette with a new respect in her eye. “You know, I really must thank you for this, it’s all quite—”

“It’s quite alright miss, I’m just doing my work,” Fayette cut in, then beckoned forward. “Now, let us go for your morning tea.”

The [Lady] looked at Fayette for a good, long moment, then sighed, shoulders slumping down. “Alright then… But please call me Marie.”

“Of course, of course, miss. Now, follow me. This way please.”

A/N Sorry for the late chapter, I moved to Japan finally, and things have been a bit of a mess. I still don't have internet in my dorm, and probably won't for some time still. 

We'll see how I survive. I think I'll try to post a few more chapters, then go on a short break to get settled here. After that, I'll get back to regular postings.

Should I go visit a maid cafe? If there are no more chapters after this, it would mean that I died from the cringe