A Maid’s Resolve?

“A library?” She said, but those words didn’t do the place justice.

The only apt name for it was The Grand Library. Hundreds of Bookshelves lined hundreds of floors, books flew about like birds through the middle column that stretched for meters above and below. The rich smell of books and wood made Grayfia sure that she’d enjoy this place. Reading books in her free time, old or new was a hobby of hers.

“I thought that you’d get bored, so I used all the books in my storage to form this place. There are books about cooking, magic, history, books I got from other worlds, novels, and even manga if you like them.” It didn’t take long to compile because Adam had planned to make a Grand Library similar to the one he read about in a novel.

But, the main reason he pushed it forward for Grayfia was so she could do her own thing. He was sure she’d like to learn more about cooking and magic tomes to power herself, the other sections were there to give her relaxation and partly because he wanted it too. Having a Grand library full of Light novels and Manga sounded like a dream, a dream he could achieve.

“Are the one Master wrote also here?” Her red eyes lit up, it was cute to see her all excited.

She had read the books he gave Roygun and the doors to a new world opened to her. However, she couldn't contain her shock when Adam said that these were books for beginners. It made her curious about how much insight the later books would provide, and how much would she improve.

‘I want Master to taste the best food, for that, I need to work hard.’ Now, she had the chance to stand true to her decision.

“Yes, all the books are here. I ones I wrote make up the majority of this library.” Adam laughed. The habit of writing down his findings so that they weren’t lost with his memories came a bit late, but he hadn’t been able to get rid of that yet.

Even in his later years when his memory became perfect, he still wrote down his findings from all the Professions in book forms. However, these did become handy as he had thought.

“If you need a book, you need to think of the topic and the most suitable book will appear in front of you.” A book flew onto the floor from above and stopped in front of Adam.

[Advanced Cooking Techniques Part 1: Nothing is Inedible.]

Grayfia read the title of the book and gave a subtle nod as the book flew back. She closed her eyes and thought of the books she needed, knowing that she could access the advanced books was enough for her.

Ten books flew into the floor from above and below, they stopped before her in a row. Reading the titles Adam tilted his head in confusion, why did Grayfia call for the beginner books? She already read those, and her level should be above that already.

“I still think that I am lacking in practice, but do not worry Master. I will be sure to overcome my shortcomings as soon as possible.” Grayfia said placing the books on the empty desk. She planned on getting back to them after completing her daily tasks.

“I am sure you will.” That wasn’t empty praise, Grayfia had potential already. It was just that the cooking techniques in her world had their limits, however, here there was an abundance.

With the library’s effect of increasing comprehension ability and the fact that she was now Adam’s servant, Grayfia would reach greater heights in due time. He knew that she would focus on cooking and household abilities first. Soon several tall stacks of such books got formed on the table before they left.

After the library came the combat zone, he explained to her that sometimes some clients liked to have a talk with their fists instead of words or sometimes they made contracts related to combat. So, he used this place for those situations, thus it didn’t need any cleaning. The second room was the one he spent most of his time in.

In this area he made most of the things used in the shop, from the couch to the spoon, everything was made in this area aside from food. Grayfia now knew where to find Adam most of the time, also this place had to be the messiest of all the rooms so far. So, she had to take extra care of this place.

Lastly, came the second bedroom, or the main bedroom. This was the core of the Shop alongside the living room. If he made contracts in the living room, he received the payment in this one, most of the time.

‘It has a pleasant feel to it, such a subtle scent that eases my mind too. I wonder if it is another artifact.’ Grayfia looked around the room to capture the position of everything so she wouldn’t misplace things when cleaning.

“Well, that is all there is to this place. I know it feels a bit caged in, but we’ll go out from time to time.” Adam sat on the couch in the living room. Getting used to this place would take time, he had gotten used to being alone for the better part of his life. However, Grayfia might need some time to adjust.

“I don’t feel caged in, Master. In a way, it isn’t even a concern for me.” Though she had different thoughts. When she heard of the shop where Adam lived, Grayfia already had an idea that it was a secluded place.

After all, Akeno did mention that there were no windows in that place, and after confirming it with her eyes, she knew that this area was limited to the place Adam had shown her. There was nothing beyond the confines of the shop, and time itself may flow differently for them than for others. Even then, it didn’t bother her.

“I am your maid, Master. I will be with you wherever you are, no matter the situation. If I ever complain, I plead with you to not go easy on me… I hope that you can promise me that.” She handed him a teacup with a faint smile.

Grayfia was sure she wouldn’t complain about anything, but on the chance that she did, she wanted to prepare for that.

“Well… sure.” Adam too smiled. He couldn’t refuse a request made with such earnestness. Even if the topic wasn’t as subtle as he would’ve liked it to be.

However, he didn’t mind the slight liveliness that she brought to the shop since her arrival.

Grayfia stood nearby as Adam enjoyed his tea. With this, the tour had ended, but there wasn’t anything to do.

Most of the things in the shop were in order. She didn’t have any immediate tasks aside from cleaning the Workshop which he delayed. However, at the moment he was recovering some energy and relaxing.

That was why Grayfia stood around and brought him things if he needed them. Like pouring more tea or refilling the snack tray. After learning more about the shop, she became curious about how it worked normally.

Even when she heard about it from Rias there were things she could only understand when seen first-hand. The contract she made with him too was a novel feeling way different from what she heard.

But, more than that she had an interest in the type of women that came in. Rias had asked her to stay on her guard and protect Adam from anyone troublesome. That went without saying if she saw a potential threat to him. Grayfia would move no doubt, but in the end, she was a maid.

‘Although Master isn’t well versed when it comes to dealing with women, I doubt he’d require my lowly opinion on things.’ Grayfia had seen the way Adam handled the situation in her world, at first she too had her doubts but as of late he had learned a thing or two, ‘However, if needed I would speak so that he can be without worries, even if I am punished for speaking beyond my station.’

With a resolute resolve, Grayfia waited for someone to come into the shop. And she didn’t have to wait for long. The bell chimed,