Tsuare sat on Sebas' lap and pressed her face into his chest, tears had been pouring from her since she heard the news. She cried more that day than she had when her rescue had finally made her safe. Now, since news reached her about the attack on the Sorcerous Kingdom's carriage, she could not stop.
"They're all going to die… aren't they?" she asked, turning her head up to meet the rugged face of her rescuer, but Sebas didn't meet her eyes until a hand that shook like a leaf in a steady breeze touched his cheek and turned him down toward where their eyes could meet.
"Tell me the truth… I beg you…" Tsuare whimpered.
"It is… possible." Sebas admitted, rubbing up and down on her back with a tender hand.
"We're not all bad, he knows that, right… I mean… I'm faithful. I'm loyal. I work hard, I'm from there… can't they…" Tsuare pleaded with her beloved protector, her rescuer, the only good thing she'd had in her life for years, and the best she'd had before and the best she knew she'd ever have in all the days ahead.
"It is not so simple." Sebas replied, "This was food aid meant for the people of the Holy Kingdom, an international ally, and it was marked. This was a surprise attack while we were under a treaty after the last war. My Master was lenient before, he showed mercy on the Katze Plains by allowing the survivors to live. Now?"
"Now… now what?" Tsuare pleaded. Her eyes blinked until the tears were cleared long enough to perfectly lock her eyes on his, "Tell me… please."
"Now we look weak, if we don't respond with overwhelming force, we look weak and what happens to the weak in this world… you know the answer to that, don't you, Tsuare?" Sebas replied with a pitying tone and pressed the side of her face against his chest again.
"But… we didn't all do that, we didn't… we don't all deserve to die because of the stupid nobles, can't he just kill those and…?" Tsuare trailed off and fell to a choked, childish sobbing for her former home.
"You know it doesn't work that way… perhaps wars would be fewer and less cruel if the ones who wanted them were also the ones to fight them… but this is nation against nation, and that is how it is." Sebas replied and stroked her hair from the top of her head down to where it fell against the small of her back.
The scent of flowers and tears blended bitterly coming from off the small body of the little human maid. Her tiny fist pounded in futility on his chest, venting out her frustration and hopeless anguish. A gut-wrenching cry came from her that left her thin lips parted and trembling as she mourned the death of what little she remembered fondly.
"I'm truly, truly sorry." Sebas said to her, though she kept her eyes closed as he said it, so she could not see his eyes. But even without seeing them, she could feel his pity, and it was like a knife in the guts that twisted and tore her open the way brutish men had done so in the hellish brothel where she was once trapped as nothing but a doll that breathed and cried.
"C-Can you do something? Ask him for mercy… ask him… tell him about the villagers! The Sorcerer King is the wisest king in the world, he is the fairest king in the world, he is the greatest king in the world… if someone like you asks him to pity us, to help us… weren't the people in Carne part of the Kingdom! He saved them, he protected them, twice. We can be loyal servants! If you just remind him of that…" Tsuare hung her head when Sebas shook his own.
"I cannot. I asked him once, for your sake, I am a servant of Nazarick, and cannot go against my lord for my own wishes, or even for yours. My heart is moved for the pain ahead, but some things are beyond even my ability." Sebas said and kissed her forehead.
"Just don't think about it, you live here now, you are safe, let that be enough, as it's more than most will ever have in any world. To ask for more would be too greedy." Sebas put his white gloved hand on her cheek and wiped away a tear with his thumb, it stained the white fabric with its wetness, and Tsuare covered that powerful hand of steel which she loved, and held it against her cheek. "I know… I know… I can't ask this of you, I have no right to ask for anything from either you, or His Majesty. I'm… just a maid, just a human maid, one of countless peasants with no past beyond my parents or grandparents, and no future beyond any given day I'm alive. I never had anything that anyone wanted but a body, and then I didn't even have that as my own anymore. That I got you…" She took his hand away, folded his fingers into a fist, and kissed the place her tears stained into an offwhite dampness, "is miracle enough for a thousand lifetimes. That I have all this… is worth ten thousand lifetimes."
"I will spend your lifetime making it worth a million more of the same… but still, I cannot do what you ask." Sebas replied, and Tsuare stood up, rising from his lap and then moving in front of him.
"I know, and every day has been, or will be, a blessing I never imagined. You already made that living hell worth enduring, knowing where I ended up at last." Tsuare pressed her lips to his, her own, she was sure, were salty from where tears stained them over the course of hours pouring them down her face. But Sebas didn't complain.
His own always had an odd taste to them, like if 'warm' could be called a taste, that was it. Tsuare loved that, and pressed her kiss more fervently, drawing him to stand as well while they embraced. The warmth and taste of his lips, tongue, and body were her greatest treasures. 'Given a million lifetimes to live in one second, any one of these kisses would do… I will miss them.' She told herself as she savored this one moment more than all the others.
But all good things had to end, and slowly they broke apart, "You're going to attend him now, aren't you?" Tsuare asked, wiping her sniffling nose with the back of her hand.
"Yes, yes I am." Sebas replied, and Tsuare jumped to her question immediately.
"I know my Lord can't eat, but he can smell and touch, can't he? He can enjoy those things, right?" Tsuare asked, her bright blue eyes still shimmering as if there were still tears to be shed.
"Yes… he can." Sebas replied, raising a white eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because I've been working hard on some new dishes, and I wanted to show that I've grown… that I'm… I'm worthy. I remember Miss Solution saying my cooking wasn't worthy of Nazarick. I'm not a master chef, but I'm learning. Can I… can I show him? Can you ask him that, invite him to be here when I serve dinner?"
"That, I can do." Sebas replied, and kissing her lightly on her lips once more, he left Tsuare alone.
The next few hours were a frenzied effort at collecting all the ingredients she could, her harried efforts brought together all the most fragrant ingredients she could manage, from sweets for making fresh baked pies, to garlic to make fresh bread, even ginger to make cookies and then savory potatoes and broth and other things.
Tsuare went to work right away, the kitchen provided for Sebas' quarters was far and away superior to anything in any village or manor, but after all this time, she'd mastered its uses. Slender hands moved with rapidity and certainty in equal portions. Her knife chopped like the sword of a master, the steady clatter of the blade on board filled the kitchen, scraps were swept into a bin to feed Lady Aura's animals, while water boiled slowly, waiting to be used.
Tsuare flew about the kitchen on feet that moved with grace beyond the ability of dancers, her mind a focus like a beam of light in the darkness, she wiped the sweat from her brow as she prepared for the battle ahead, while within, her heart quailed and quaked with the fear of a bird hiding in the brush, knowing that to go out on the wing was to die, that staying in hiding where it was, was safety… but still beset by the quaking urge to flee.
Nothing however, could stop her. The little maid forged ahead in a battle all her own, in the only way she could wage it, and by the time Sebas entered, she was finally, at long last, done.
She could hear him speaking from the other room, "My Lord I'm beyond pleased to have you in my room, all our rooms are yours, so you certainly don't have to apologize or suggest it's an intrusion. I expect if anything, the others will be jealous, and I should apologize for the many invitations that will come to you when the others learn it's an option to ask for you to come by."
Tsuare's pounding heart froze in her chest when she heard the voice of what she judged to be a god. "Not at all, Sebas, you're the children of my friends, if one of your spouses or yourselves does something to be proud of, I'm pleased to be able to see it."
Tsuare looked around one more time, everything was perfect. Small candles were lit, the black table cloth was flawlessly hung with no part unequal to the rest. Three plates were set down, and an array of covered dishes at the back of the kitchen beyond the dining room were waiting for her to fetch them.
As an added bonus, her efforts included a teapot and some cups, learning that their Master liked a place in the books called 'Japan' and it had something called 'Tea Ceremony' she did her best to prepare to conduct it.
'Step one…' She told herself and went back into the kitchen to take up the glass dish holding a richly prepared roast slathered in beef broth and fresh vegetables. She removed the covering and waited.
"That smells magnificent." The Sorcerer King's voice carried to her and the trio entered the dining room all at the same moment.
Tsuare immediately smiled as widely as she could, set the dish down in the center of the table, and knelt to him, bending on one knee and lowering her eyes. "My Savior, my God, my King. Welcome to our home… which is yours. I've done my best, and I hope my efforts please you."
Ainz almost felt his nonexistent stomach rumble.
"I'm sure you've done well, sadly I can't partake, but as I can still smell, I can tell if you have improved. So far, it is a fine start." Ainz praised her openly, and Tsuare blushed a deep crimson.
"They are still not worthy of this marvelous place but… I am trying, so th-thank you, my Lord." Tsuare said with deep and quiet humility.
When he permitted her to rise with a wave of his hand, she got up and returned to the kitchen.
So it went, one by one, dish by dish, trip by trip, she brought out all that she prepared, cookies of ginger. Fresh baked bread, hot pies of cherry, blueberry, strawberry, and chocolate. A thick stew of rabbit that would have made any man's mouth water.
Soon the table was filled with dishes, and she began to bring in small metal carts, until she lined the far wall with the proof of her efforts. Throughout all of this, Sebas and Ainz simply talked.
Tsuare herself was a background in her home, going to and fro to show off her efforts.
Finally it was done, the whole of Sebas' quarters was like an expensive bakery or restaurant filled with many wonderful scents.
And once it was done, she stood beside her husband rather than sit, her head bowed, her hands folded in front of her so that one could hold the other still and keep back the fearful tremble. That was successful, but her little rabbit-like heart was racing against all her efforts to contain it.
When he noticed she was standing, head bowed and waiting, Ainz turned to the black and white clad maid and asked, "Is there more? There can't be, can there? I must admit if you tell me there is, I might not believe you because this is impressive progress. To master so many dishes in so short a time isn't something just anyone could do, and it smells wonderful."
She blushed a little, fidgeting with her toes scrunching in her small white flat shoes, "Th-There is one more thing, Master. I l-learned that you liked a place called Japan, from out of the story books. So I learned the tea ceremony for you, in the hopes that I could show you I was not a waste to save… if-if it pleases you, I would like to show you."
Ainz quietly inclined his head and waited as it was performed for him. She moved with steady, unbroken and measured steps. Before his eyes, she prepared and served the tea without her eyes or body ever straying from the task, she even used the proper type of cups from his home country.
'The clothing isn't right but… she isn't Japanese and she probably doesn't have traditional Japanese clothing in her inventory.' Ainz reflected, but nonetheless it was pleasing to see her do so thorough a job in imitating the customs of his world.
To praise her efforts, he and Sebas each raised a cup, though Ainz himself did not drink from his own.
"This is all my humble efforts have yielded, Master." Tsuare said and swept her hands open to encompass a room filled with food enough that it seemed it might feed an army of guests, tray upon tray, plate upon plate, bowl upon bowl. Silver carts with steaming tureens lined end to end, tiny clouds rose from every direction, raising the temperature of the room and assaulting the senses with enticing smells that would have pulled Ainz in numerous different directions if he could have satisfied himself with food.
When she spoke she went down to both knees and then pressed her forehead to the floor near to her Master's foot. She felt tears begin all over again, but despite her shaking, she held her tongue.
"You have grown, when the others learn of your progress, I'm sure they will recognize the effort behind it." Ainz said, then added, "Hard work, I believe, should be rewarded. Only a bad boss neglects the growth of his subordinates. Is there something I can grant you?"
Tsuare's heart was in her throat, she felt Sebas' eyes on her, and felt his realization of what she intended.
But it was too late to stop her. "Mercy!" Tsuare cried out in a choked voice. "Please have mercy, Master!"
Ainz had no eyebrows to raise and no eyes to widen, but they could sense his surprise.
"Has someone threatened you, Tsuare? I promise you'll be safe." Ainz answered, and she kept her eyes focused on where his foot met the floor.
"No, Master! Not for me… I know- my- Sebas- he told me what my country did! He told me what would happen, not that he needed to. Even a stupid peasant like me understands that much! But still! I have to beg mercy! My sister is out there somewhere… and… we're not all trash… Carne used to be of the Kingdom… so was I… mother… father… nice people. Just poor… though we're only little animals under your might… please don't crush us… I beg you Master… show mercy…"
Tsuare's plea was loud and filled with anguish, "Sebas didn't know my plan to beg this from you, Master! I swear it! If my plea offends you… I can… I can only offer my little life to atone. But please… mom… dad. My sister… and there are others… little ones who don't even know what country they live in… and have never done you any harm… and never would. We'll be good servants if you give us a chance… please…"
She hugged her own body from her place on the floor, and Ainz looked at her again as if seeing her for the first time. 'She's braver than she seems. She didn't run from the command of execution, ready to die for Sebas. Now she's ready to give up her life again, either for him, or for people who may not even be alive. Humans… if they were all like that, I wouldn't have to crush the Kingdom so thoroughly.' Ainz reflected, and at his nod, Sebas arose and went to her side, then slowly helped her rise to her feet.
"Tsuare, it wasn't that long ago that another young woman presented herself to me and offered her life. She made a request that I change my mind, during an official audience, speaking out of turn and offering her head as compensation if I was offended. It was because of that boldness that I went to their rescue, did you know that?" Ainz asked, and a fragment of light seemed to shine through the clouds that obscured Tsuare's thoughts of her futureless existence.
"N-No, my Lord. Sebas never spoke of it, and I-I don't talk to many of the others." Tsuare replied with a shaking of her hanging head.
"I see… then this couldn't be false to try to elicit some form of sympathy…" Ainz half muttered, but more vocally he answered, "Then this was very, very brave. I respect true courage in the face of hopelessness. A resolve to die if it saves even one comrade… show me your eyes, Tsuare, look up at me." Ainz gave the order, and she slowly raised her head, Ainz stood up, took her chin between boney fingers and tilted it higher.
Tsuare did not have a warrior's eyes, the fearlessness in the face of death… she was not Gazef, or Brain, or Neia. But she was there, mourning her death or exile, but going forward anyway. 'Brave little maid, she may cry, but she has tears of steel.' He thought, and dropped his hand away from where she stood, trembling and still looking up at him.
"Very well, Tsuare… this is what I will do. I will not spare your former lord or his family or retainers. But I will spare your village, and I will put your people to the test. I will send out a few of my agents in disguise for one day. They will have to interact with your Kingdom's people. For every ten they find worthy in a day, I will spare one percent of the population. The rest will remain an example to the rest of the world, so that they know to never… ever strike at anything protected by Nazarick. Is that merciful enough?"
Tsuare hung her head, "It is… Master. I was always on borrowed time from the day I was born, I thought my time ran out when I was taken, and I'm… I was… I am happy for the heaven I found here. Your kindness to my selfishness is more than I expected. If you take my life now, I am content. If I can be a little bit more selfish, let me kiss Sebas goodbye, and make it painless."
"I don't believe I said I was going to kill you. You named your reward, and I am granting it, that is all." Ainz answered matter of factly.
Sebas let out a deep breath he hadn't known he was holding, and Tsuare fell again at their Lord's feet. "Thank you! You truly are the greatest of all the lords this world has ever seen… Long Live Ainz Ooal Gown!" She cried from the depths of her heart.
A skeletal hand touched the top of her head. "I believe I have done enough for now, I leave the rest to you, eat well, Sebas."
"Thank you, My Lord." Sebas answered when Ainz departed with a steady, stately walk, at his back, Tsuare was still crying out, "Long Live Ainz Ooal Gown!" until the door shut and their Master was gone.
"You're the bravest human I have ever met… and I'm so very… very proud of you." Sebas said when they were alone, and drew her into his arms, where she clung to him as tears of misery became tears of relief, certain that most of her people would survive.
...Months later...
When… at the war's end, Tsuare learned that a mere ten percent of the population survived, she had no tears left to shed. 'My Master gave them a chance nobody else would have offered, all I can do now is wish they'd taken it.' She thought, and went back to work with barely a pang for the forever nameless dead.