(Story of a Certain haunted maid)
A Few Years Ago...
Before the Kyros household, before the title of “servant” was properly attached to her name, Elena Eleanora had been something else.
She did not remember her parents clearly. Only fragments. A vague warmth. A voice that might have been gentle. Or perhaps she imagined it. Memory was unreliable, easily changeable, no matter how important it was at some point.
Her grandfather never spoke of them.
“They had passed away, focus on your task. Only the useful ones get kept around” he would say. “You were fortunate to be brought here and given the opportunity to serve.”
Fortunate.
That word had been repeated often enough that she accepted it as truth.
Elena Eleanora did not laugh. That was not an exaggeration. It was a fact. From the moment she was brought into the Kyros household, she had always been like this. Always quiet, composed, and especially efficient. Her grandfather often said she was “born to service the Kyros.”
Others said she was “creepy.” People avoided her, leading to her being alone most of the time even among the other servants.
Elena did not care. Emotions were unnecessary for her role. A servant existed to fulfill duties. Nothing more, nothing less. That was what had been taught to her. That what was instilled. That was what she practiced. That was what she believed.
And that was why, when she was introduced to the young master by her grandfather....
“You look like a doll.”
she stared silently at the golden-haired boy in front of her.
Amos E. Kyros. Young master of the Kyros family. Six years old at the time, two years younger than her.
Her soon to be master. How troublesome. How loud. Utterly inefficient.
“You haven’t blinked in like ten seconds,” he added, tiptoeing to slightly to meet her eye level.
“I blinked three seconds ago,” Elena replied.
“That’s not the point.”
“Then your observation is inaccurate.”
“You’re annoying.”
“Yes.”
He stared at her. She stared back. A full five seconds of stare down between the two.
“You’re definitely a doll.”
“I am human.”
“Prove it.”
“I am speaking.”
“That could be advanced doll technology plus there is many creatures that can speak.”
“Young Master.”
“Yes, Doll Elena?”
“My name is Elena Eleanora.”
“Too long.”
“That is your problem.”
“You’re talking back.”
“Yes.”
“I like you.”
Elena paused.
“That is unnecessary.”
'Like me? Someone so boring like me? Nonsense, utterly nonsensical. He must be trying to cause a reaction'
“You didn’t deny it.”
“I am not required to respond to statements that hold no real feeling behind them.”
“You don't believe me?”
“No.”
“Cold.”
“Yes.”
Amos grinned. A bright, troublemaking grin that didn’t match his noble face at all.
From that day onward,
He decided something. This one is interesting. Elena observed him. That was part of her duty.
But also, out of necessity. Because Amos E. Kyros was difficult. He pulled pranks on everyone. Including her. Especially her.
“Young Master,” Elena said calmly, standing still.
“Yes?”
“You placed a frog in my drawer.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to see if you’d react or maybe scream a little.”
“I did not and will not.”
“Exactly. That’s the problem.”
“I fail to see the issue.”
“You’re being too doll like.”
“That is how I supposed to be, my role.”
“That's boring.”
“I am not required to entertain you.”
“Well, you should entertain me.”
“No.”
“You do now.”
“…I see.”
And so—
It began. Days turned into months. Months into years.
Amos continued. He hid things. Swapped objects. Appeared behind her without warning. Said ridiculous lines.
“You activated my trap card, Elena.”
“I did not.”
“You stepped into my domain.”
“This is the hallway.”
“You cannot escape now. Cease all your meaningless thoughts”
“I am leaving.”
“NO WAIT!”
And through all of it, Elena remained unchanged. No reaction. No laughter. Just the usual deadpan look.
“…You’re impossible,” Amos muttered one afternoon, lying face-down on the carpet.
“Yes.”
“I’ve tried everything.”
“No.”
“…What do you mean ‘no’?”
“You have not tried everything.”
“Give me an example.”
“...”
“So got nothing to say, you are starting to like it, don't you?”
“No.”
“You’re lying.”
“I am not.”
Silence.
Amos rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling.
“Elena.”
“Yes.”
“Do you ever laugh?”
“No.”
“Ever?”
“No.”
“Why?”
A pause. A slightly longer one than usual.
“I simply do not find things amusing.”
“That sounds sad.”
“It is how it is.”
“That sounds even sadder.”
“I disagree.”
Amos turned his head, looking at her.
“…Then I’ll make you laugh.”
Elena blinked once.
...
“You will not.”
“I will.”
“It is very unlikely.”
“I like impossible things.”
“It will remain impossible.”
“You’re underestimating me.”
“I am evaluating accurately.”
“Then, prepared to be impressed.”
“Yes.”
Amos sat up.
Determination burning in his eyes.
“Then I’ll aim even higher.”
“Higher?”
“If I can’t make you laugh…”
He pointed at her.
“I’ll make you laugh the hardest.”
Silence.
Elena looked at him.
“That is contradictory.”
“Don't think too hard about it.”
“It is foolish.”
“It’s a promise, my promise, I, Amos Eos Kyros shall make Elena Eleanora laugh until she cries her hearts out.”
Another pause.
This time slightly longer.
“Understood,” she said.
“Understood what?”
“That you will fail.”
“You’re really bad at being supportive.”
“I am being realistic.”
“Fine, Let's make a pinky promise.”
Amos holds his right arm out.
“Then just watch.”
“I will.”
And she did accept the promise.
Present
Elena stood behind Amos as he sat at the dining table.
As always.
Her gaze rested quietly on his back.
On the boy who had grown—
Slightly on his maturity. Not much of a height growth.
But—
Slightly.
'You have grown a little.'
She had think that to herself.
And it was true. He had not tried to provoke the girl. Had not tried to force a reaction. Be unnecessarily cruel. That alone was significant.
“…However,” she thought.
He is still far from his goal. Amos shifted slightly in his seat. Clearly plotting something unnecessary again.
Young Master. Your promise remains unfulfilled. You have yet to make me laugh. Her expression did not change. And I shall wait for the day you finally fulfilled your promise to me, no matter how long it took. I have no doubt. Not even slightly. I will continue observing. Because if there was one thing she knew it was that. Amos E. Kyros never stopped trying and never had failed.