The Imperial Castle was unusually quiet that morning.
Kael Veyris walked through one of the enormous eastern halls with Aurelion.
They had just returned from the Hall of Forgotten Forms.
Aurelion looked around.
"Your castle is enormous."
Kael nodded.
"It needs to be."
"Why?"
Kael glanced toward the endless corridor.
"Because my family keeps growing."
Aurelion laughed.
"Fair enough."
Then...
A soft voice came from behind them.
"Lord Kael."
Kael stopped.
A young woman stood at the entrance to the corridor.
She wore an elegant black-and-white maid outfit decorated with dark-blue accents and silver ornaments.
Her dark violet-black hair fell neatly around her shoulders.
Her bright blue eyes calmly observed the two men.
A delicate white-and-blue floral headpiece rested in her hair.
She stood perfectly straight.
Silent.
Composed.
Aurelion looked at Kael.
"Who is she?"
Kael smiled.
"Someone I recently hired."
The maid stepped forward and bowed.
"My name is Shalya."
She raised her head.
"I am a maid of the Veyris Imperial Castle."
Aurelion looked surprised.
"Just a maid?"
Shalya's expression didn't change.
"That is correct."
Kael added calmly,
"She's extremely capable."
Shalya looked toward him.
"You flatter me, Lord Kael."
Aurelion noticed something strange.
The castle guards passing through the hallway all greeted Shalya respectfully.
One knight stopped.
"Lady Shalya."
She nodded.
"Good morning."
The knight immediately continued walking.
Aurelion raised an eyebrow.
"Everyone seems to respect you."
Shalya smiled faintly.
"I have served the Imperial family for a long time."
Suddenly...
A loud crash echoed through the palace.
BOOM!
Aurelion jumped.
Kael didn't even move.
Shalya sighed.
"I believe that was the eastern kitchen."
Kael looked at her.
"Again?"
"Yes, Lord Kael."
"Who caused it?"
Shalya calmly answered.
"Your daughters."
Kael sighed.
Aurelion burst out laughing.
"I knew I liked this place."
Shalya immediately walked toward the kitchen.
Kael followed.
Inside...
Veyloria Kaelthera stood beside Kaelignis and Seralyth.
A cooking pot floated upside down.
Several ingredients were scattered across the room.
Veyloria looked at her father.
"Father..."
Kael crossed his arms.
"What happened?"
Veyloria pointed toward Kaelignis.
"She did it."
Kaelignis immediately pointed toward Seralyth.
"She started it."
Seralyth calmly responded,
"I was simply observing."
Kael closed his eyes.
Shalya walked into the kitchen.
Everyone became quiet.
She looked around.
Then calmly said,
"I see."
Veyloria smiled nervously.
"Shalya..."
"Yes, Princess?"
"Can you fix this?"
Shalya smiled.
"Of course."
She snapped her fingers.
Everything immediately returned to its proper place.
The kitchen became spotless.
The ingredients returned to their shelves.
The pot returned to the stove.
Aurelion stared.
"That was incredibly fast."
Shalya turned toward him.
"Cleaning is one of my duties."
Kael smiled.
"She's good."
Shalya looked at him.
"I may be a maid..."
Her blue eyes briefly gained a mysterious shine.
"...but I am deadly when necessary."
Aurelion stopped smiling.
"Deadly?"
Kael simply nodded.
"Very."
From the doorway...
Lilith laughed.
"I told you."
Nyx stood beside her.
"Shalya isn't an ordinary maid."
Shalya bowed respectfully.
"Lady Lilith."
"Ladies."
Lilith smiled.
"You don't have to be so formal with us."
Shalya shook her head.
"I serve the Imperial household."
"And I take my duties seriously."
Nyx smiled.
"That's exactly why Kael chose you."
Kael looked toward Shalya.
"You're part of the family now."
Shalya became quiet.
For the first time...
Her normally calm expression softened.
"Thank you, Lord Kael."
Veyloria smiled.
"Welcome to the family, Shalya!"
Kaelignis nodded.
"Welcome."
Seralyth smiled gently.
"We're glad you're here."
Shalya bowed.
"Then..."
"I will do everything I can to protect this home."
Kael smiled.
"You already are."
Outside the kitchen...
The Imperial Castle continued its peaceful morning.
The Architect of Existence had countless forms.
Countless powers.
Countless realities.
Countless worlds.
But sometimes...
The newest member of his household wasn't a god.
Wasn't an outer goddess.
Wasn't a primordial entity.
She was simply...
Shalya.
The quiet maid of the Veyris Eternal Castle.
Loyal.
Observant.
Kind.
And, when necessary...
Extremely dangerous.