"What? What do you mean you want to be my servant?"
"I mean what I mean, I want to be your servant for life."
How the hell did this happen? I was just walking around with my party, and we made it to this town, then we split up to relax. I was staying at this inn for a few days, and... Then this boy in a maid outfit walked to my room and started saying stuff about inheritance and how I'm next in line for something...
"Hold on, hold on... You're saying that my brother had servants like you and that now because he's dead, you belong to me?"
"Precisely. What is hard to understand there? Your brother, the late Ivan Iglesia, rest his soul, has perished, and you, as his closest living relative, Lauralei Iglesia, now owns me as her servant. As stated in his will."
"And... Nothing else?"
"Unfortunately no, the only thing he had given to relatives in his will was the ownership of me in particular. All of his other belongings and even his mansion will be donated to the city he lived in, to be turned into an orphanage and care facility for orphans like me."
"Really...? I mean, I guess I knew that he liked helping kids, but... Even after his death..."
"I know. He was an even better man to know in person, bless his soul. I miss him greatly."
...
Ok, so... The rest of my party is still out relaxing, and I'm the only one able to deal with this situation... I have to figure out a possible wage now... And now we have to figure out how we're going to get out of this town. We only have the horses for the just the four of us, and we can barely get all of our supplies on just them alone...
"Kid... What's your name?"
"Hm..? Name? Oh, it's... It's... It is..."
...
"Oh dear. I don't have a name."
"What do you mean you don't have a name? You mean you were never named?!"
"Of course that's what I mean, what other meaning would there be in those words?"
"Then! How old are you then kid?"
"17 years, I will turn 18 in the coming year."
"HoLD oN! Is it even legal for me to even have an underage boy as a slave?"
"No no! Not a slave! A servant. As the uniform would suggest. I would just follow your orders and do whatever as you please."
"Sounds like slavery to me..."
"But with the consent! I want you to be my master! I'll even call you whatever you want! Are you ok with being called Master Lauralei?"
"Oh god no, please don't say it like that! It sounds all dirty and wrong when you say 'with consent.' "
"But, you're fine with me calling you master right?"
"Yes, that's fine if it suits you. Now, about your job as my... servant. How much do you expect in pay?"
"Oh! No, no! You don't need to pay me, I'll work and survive off the satisfaction of serving you. And by survive, I mean you don't have to pay may in money, just shelter and food."
"But... You, as an underage boy, who looks like an even younger kid, are you sure I don't have to pay you? I mean, it's your job after all. I don't want to think I'm just taking advantage of such a pure kind soul."
"Oh... No, you have it all wrong, Master."
"Eeeep?!"
"No no... Master. I'm not the pure, innocent, kind soul you think I am. My only purpose in life is to serve those I consider as worthy. Your late brother, he had earned my trust and friendship through saving my life. He had earned it. You, on the other hand, have simply been given this opportunity, by the man I so loved to serve. If you are anything like your brother, you will allow his final wish in life to come to fruition, and let me join you and your party as your servant and close friend. It's... It's what he would've wanted, you know."
"Ah..."
Geez, this kid... He may look like he's twelve, and he may sound like he's 17... But he sure acts like he's 39, but he just lost his soul mate...
"Ah~ Ok... So... Let me get this straight. My brother's will said that you are now my servant, and as my servant, you are happy to do anything that I ask of you, in the memory of my late brother..."
"So far so good master..."
"And... You don't expect any pay, just the life I give you as you serve me, oh and the friendship and bonding of course... Right?"
"Of course, master."
"And you're fine with the rest of my party and friends right?"
"Well... I'm not serving them, so I don't have to listen to them. And if I don't like them, I'll tolerate them for you master."
"Don't worry, I consider them as good people, and better friends..."
"That is good then, master."
...
"Hey, can you call me mistress instead of 'master.' I think it suits my style better."
"As you wish then, mast- mistress. Mistress Lauralei it is then."
"And is it alright if I occasionally ask for your own personal opinions? Or is it too much?"
"No no... Of course not, I'll give my own opinions when I need to."
"And if you need to, you'll advise against any commands I give you right?"
"Only if I'm allowed to interject my own opinions when I need to, mistress."
"Alright then, from here on out, you are completely allowed to interject your opinions about anything I do, or anything I tell you to do."
"But obviously, unless I need to, I won't. Thank you, mistress."
"Then it is settled. Welcome to my party, my humble and loyal servant... Kuro."
...
"Is that a bad name? I think it suits you... I don't know why though.."
"It's... It's..."
*the boy suddenly begins to cry
"Hey! Hey! I don't have to call you that if it's that kind of bad!"
"No! No! Mistress..! It's just... It's just-"
"It's just... what?"
"It... It was the nickname your brother used for me too..."
"Oh! Really? Wow... Then... Is it too much for you? For me to use the same name that he did?"
"No, no, mistress... It's perfect... You two really are siblings. I felt it the moment I first found you and your party."
"Alright then, Kuro. You're fine with your, 'uniform,' right?"
"If you want me to change it, I can."
"Not if you want to keep it. It is another memento of my brother, isn't it?
...
"Yes. Yes, I'd love to keep it, please."
"Then it's even more settled, Kuro, welcome to my party."
"Thank you, mistress. I won't disappoint you."
"Hey, when it's just us two talking to each other, you can just use my first name. If you want of course.."
"I'd love to. It makes our relationship even more personal. Mistress Lauralei."
"Alright, Kuro, I'm looking forward to working with you. I hope you're looking forward to meeting the rest of the team."
"I am! Oh! This is the most excited I've been since the day before your brother passed."
"Then. Let's go meet them. Come on."
"Coming Laury!"
"Is that the nickname your going to use?"
"Well, it's definitely easier to say than Lauralei, and far faster to say than mistress Lauralei. Also, it's cute.."
"Well, that I won't object. It does sound cute."
"Then I can keep it?"
"Of course. Now let's go already."
"Alright then, Laury~"
~End