A Maid Named Siesta + Author note

[A/N: Soooo, I'll be totally honest. I kind of forgot I was even published story. XD To be fair, it's not completely my fault. For whatever reason my laptop completely broke down a few months ago around the time I was writing this story. I. lost. EVERYTHING. It was an incredibly frustrating time for me because I had a lot of stuff I needed for my daily life on that damn thing. Ugh even just remembering it is making me upset. Moving on from that, there's still no good news. I no longer have any of the pages and pages of notes I had for this story. I've started to use google docs now but back then I typically kept everything on notepad or word since it was easier to pull up quickly when I got a sudden idea I needed to write down.

For a lot of my other stories I'd be able to just pick up where I left off no problem, but this one was actually in the works for over a year before I even wrote the first chapter since it was the first story I planned to put up on Pat.reon. I lost oc character sheets, a lot of explanations and exposition for the magic which was a major part of this story, plot points I had to make sure I hit so her past made sense, certain character interactions I needed to get out of the way, etc. This story quite literally can't continue unless I can get my notes back, which is a shame because I spent a LOT of time on this one.

So for now I'm just going to upload the other unreleased chapters. Hopefully there comes a day when I can complete this story but we'll have to see what happens. Thanks for the reading.]

-_-_-_-

Vestri Courtyard, Tristain Academy

Siesta sighed as she gave the cute silver haired girl directions on how to serve the nobles at the gathering.

Truly she didn't know how her life had become so complicated. Just this morning, she was a normal commoner girl doing her best to make a living to send money to her struggling family.

She didn't have any big dreams or grand ambitions. She wasn't the most attractive in the world but she couldn't be called hideous either. If she had to be a bit vain, she'd only be able to call herself slightly above average in terms of looks. Her black hair was a bit exotic but that was it. None of the students had even tried to seduce her into their beds like a few of the older maids had warned might happen.

The only thing she really could be proud of was her skills as a maid. Although she had only spent the last two years here at the academy as a maid, she had plenty of experience picking up after her younger siblings and cousins back home, which made her a valued member of the academy staff. But even that wasn't really anything to brag about.

That's why when she was sent to deliver a uniform to one of the noble students this morning, she really didn't think much of it.

How that ended up with her knocked unconscious, tied to a bed and looking into the eyes of the founder's sister, she couldn't even begin to fathom. The news she had for her even more so.

-_-_-_-

Room of Louise de la Valliere, Tristan Academy for Magic

"Um…So if I understood everything correctly…after getting too close to the book, I can use magic now? And if I don't learn how to move the air properly in my body, I'll get sick and die?" Siesta asked while trying her best not to be frightened by the current situation.

Siesta wasn't the smartest person in the world, but she did have to say she was fairly confident in understanding people after having served so many for so long.

Louise's familiar, Zero, wasn't a bad girl. An airhead maybe, but not bad or malicious. If Siesta had to describe her, she was kind of like a lost puppy in some ways. Trying her best to do what she thought others wanted of her even if she didn't know why she had to do it. That was the brief impression she got of her in their short time together but she was fairly confident in that assessment.

Her origins aside, Zero…wasn't really a complicated individual to understand. At least Siesta thought so.

"Mn. Air is not mana but mana is in the air so that's basically right." Zero nodded after pondering the idea a moment. She had tried to explain the concept of mana, od and gates but her master told her she was pressed for time so she tried to simplify the explanation as best she could. Which was surprisingly easy with her simple thinking.

"And, I'm tied up…why exactly?" Siesta asked just to be sure only to have Zero tilt her head and Louise suddenly looked anywhere that wasn't directly at her.

"Master said to do so," Zero said as if that explanation was enough to solve all of life's mysteries.

"I see…Miss Vallière?" Siesta directed her question to someone better suited to answer her.

"...I had to be sure you wouldn't try to leave without hearing the entire situation." She replied a little bashfully in a way that Siesta would have thought a little cute if not for the situation. Well, it was still cute since it didn't seem as if she meant any harm. Still she had one more question to get off her chest, just to be sure.

"And you just have chains lying around, because…?" She asked tersely and perhaps a little teasingly.

"They aren't mine! Zero made them out of thin air!" She responded with heated cheeks at the accusation and Siesta couldn't help but giggle a bit at the situation.

As previously stated, Siesta was a good judge of character and she had known Louise for the better part of a year now. The girl was cold and aloof on the outside but on the inside she was a lonely girl looking for acceptance in a world that constantly shunned her.

When she had first heard of the explosive "Zero" she wanted nothing to do with her out of fear of accidentally making her mad and having that be her last day on this planet. But after finally meeting her after being assigned to attend the second year female dorms, she had really come to appreciate the grit and determination the girl showed despite all her failures.

Although Siesta couldn't relate, she could empathize with the girl. That's why when Louise asked her to wake her up in the mornings should it be a problem, she didn't mind even if she didn't really have a choice in the matter.

It was in that way that Siesta got to see a side of Louise only privy to her family members and closest friend. She got to hear the girl's vulnerabilities, fears, dreams and desires from the sleep walking and talking noble.

That's why, although she was frightened, Siesta trusted both Zero and Louise to treat her kindly. Maybe not as an equal, but at least as another human being.

"So, uh, what do I need to do? And can you let me go, too?" Siesta asked.

Louise didn't respond and just gestured for Zero to release her, which she did after taking a moment to figure out exactly what Louise was asking her to do. The chains suddenly disappeared allowing Siesta to sit up unimpeded.

"The most efficient way would be to teach you to cast a spell, but Master has said that suddenly being able to cast magic would be…problematic? So instead I will manually circulate the mana inside of you by applying a few runes. So as to not raise suspicion, it will be a simple physical enchantment. Once it becomes more convenient for my master, I will begin teaching you a few spells as well." Zero said, leaving Siesta with more than a few more questions. Unfortunately before she could ask any of them, Zero continued on, leaving her with funnily enough one less question than before.

"I would have applied them already, but master has said that it is…inappropriate to remove a person's clothing without their consent." Zero said, sounding a little dejected, like a scolded puppy.

"But…I'm not a noble. How could I cast a spell?" Siesta asked the most prevalent question on her mind. Zero's previous explanation mostly went over her head and the concept of mana was somewhat foreign to everyone, even nobles in Halkaginia. At Louise's insistence, Zero simplified the concept as special stuff in the air that lets nobles use magic.

"It's not important for now, we'll get back to that later. For now just move on, there's a lot I need to do today, thanks to a certain someone." Louise insisted with a small glare that tapered off into one of discomfort once she remembered who exactly she was glaring at, or at least who they claimed to be. She had a lot to think about and do today so she was being a little impatient and on edge.

"Of course, Master." Zero responded, causing Louise to grimace. Once again remembering their positions and her insistence on how to be addressed. It seemed more than a little inappropriate now that she "knew" who her familiar was, or was at least related to.

Not much long after that, Zero managed to coax Siesta out of her uniform and bra revealing her rather prodigious chest in its full glory. Siesta blushed and both Zero and Louise seemed enraptured by her boobs, though for different reasons.

Louise felt a little annoyed at the reminder of being surrounded by large chested bimbos and her own itty bitty tidies. Also trying to ignore the feelings of excitement welling up in her at the rather tantalizing sight. While Zero was simply looking for the best place to apply the runes on the rather soft looking surface. She also remembered when Louise played with her own chest earlier that morning and idly wondered if Siesta would feel the same. So, maybe they weren't so different after all?

Having finally decided on a place, Zero placed her hand directly over Siesta's stomach and began applying the runes. She would unfortunately have to curb her desire to feel her chest. It was simply the most optimal position to place the runes as it was here one of Siesta's open gates was located. The maid/budding mage had had a primary earth affinity it seems.

The gate in a person was usually stationary but there were certain conditions that made them move around, causing a person to get extremely ill. It was apparently called having a defective gate and a condition recorded in her library. Thankfully Siesta just had an unopened gate and not a defective one so once she learned what she was doing, she would be the same as any normal mage. Probably…

In any case the location of one's gate usually determined what element they were naturally attuned to. The heart for fire. The liver for water. The lungs for wind. The stomach for earth. And finally, Yin on the forehead and Yang, just above the groin.

People commonly only have one gate, but it is possible to have more than one. That said, not having a gate for a certain element doesn't prohibit you from casting spells for that element, but it will cost more mana, willpower, and the effects won't be as strong. It is also possible to obtain artificial gates but that's a topic for another time.

Siesta sighed in relief when Zero chose her exposed stomach to place the runes, not even remotely understanding the significance. She was just glad the girl wasn't taking the opportunity to harass her. Though she truly wondered if she would mind if she had. Zero was extremely attractive and gave every indication that if such a situation did present itself, she would not be the one to take the lead.

Siesta had already resigned herself to the fact that one day she might be the plaything of a random horny noble somewhere, but being in a situation where she had the most control in the encounter never crossed her mind. While Zero etched the runes into her body, she had to think that maybe it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

Maybe it was because she walked in on Zero and Louise doing lewd things earlier that morning. Maybe it was because she was sitting half nude while someone else caressed her body, but Siesta had the vague thought in her mind that she actually wanted Zero to grab her-

"Ahn~!" Siesta was surprised when Zero suddenly grabbed her breasts looking intrigued.

"Wha- What are you doing!?" Siesta was so surprised she momentarily forgot she was speaking with a noble.

"Hm? But you asked for it?" Zero responded with a head tilt. Louise on the other hand looked surprised while a blush also colored her cheeks at being reminded of her actions while she was half asleep.

"Pervert." Louise said while looking away. Leaving Siesta flabbergasted at the insinuation before realization struck her.

"B-But, I didn't say anything!?" Siesta's own face gained a crimson tint after realizing her inner desires had been found out. She was sure she hadn't said anything though as knowing when to keep one's mouth shut around nobles was a skill any servant needed to learn.

"Mn. Your thoughts are being broadcast over the connection." Zero tried to explain simply. She had used her own familiar runes as a base for Siesta's runes, a common tactic when contracting multiple familiar, so she was essentially on the same network as herself and Louise. Zero wasn't sure what Gandalifr meant as there were no records of it in her library, but she'd determined by now that it at least gave a physical enhancement as well so it made sense to use it for a more subtle enhancement.

Siesta's problem right now was only that she wasn't used to controlling her mana so she was automatically triggering the connection. Zero or Louise would have to manually shut off the connection to prevent it until she gained more control. Unfortunately, Louise lacked that kind of control herself to manipulate the flow of mana in her familiars so it would be up to Zero for now.

So...it should be fine?

-_-_-_-

Vestri Courtyard, Tristain Academy

After that embarrassing moment, Louise ordered Siesta to return to work and for Zero to stay near her while she went to handle various things they would need for the immediate and long term future. Her plans to have Siesta train Zero as a common servant completely thrown out the window until she could get the girl's identity figured out. She wasn't sure she would be able to sleep at night if she forced the founder's sister to wait on her hand and foot like that.

Zero was reluctant to leave her master for reasons she didn't quite understand herself, but orders were orders. Plus she took this as a confirmation of her earlier theory and vowed to keep Siesta safe, else her master would be upset.

"Siesta! Where have you been? Is everything alright? And who is this?" Marteau, the head chef, asked once Siesta found her way to the kitchen with Zero. Marteau is a well-rounded man well into his forties. Naturally, he was also a commoner like the rest of the servants, but with his position of head chef at the Academy, he earned as much as a lower class noble, a fact he could be proud of.

"Sorry, Mr. Marteau. I was requested by Miss Vallière to assist with the training of Miss Zero." Siesta bowed in apology before gesturing to Zero who was carefully observing the controlled chaos of the kitchen.

Louise had told them to go about the day as normal for now until she had more time to think. They were to stay out of trouble and try not to draw any attention. Although she would have liked it if Zero had just remained in her room for now just to be sure, Siesta's situation unfortunately prevented Zero from being too far from her for now. That and she didn't quite trust the maid to keep her mouth shut about who Zero claimed to be. Heck she didn't trust Zero to keep her mouth shut about it. So she had no choice but to let Siesta go back to work with the staff lest someone start wondering where she wandered off to or worse, she got fired before Louise could buy her contract.

Louise just knew that Siesta's contract would be expensive and likely cost her almost everything she currently had on her. Even if she was just a servant, the academy pays extremely well considering they housed the younger generation of nobles from all around the country and even some from other countries as well. They only hired the best of the best. Although Louise would likely never admit it, some of the servants even surpassed the capabilities of the ones her family had hired.

Louise originally intended to ask her family for money to pay for Zero's expenses, but now it looked like most of it would be going to Siesta, unless she could negotiate something with the girl herself. Louise had a lot to consider at the moment.

"Miss Vallière, huh? I take it this is the commoner familiar I've been hearing about?" Marteau questioned while looking over Zero a bit. He had to admit she was incredibly attractive just like the rumors stated. It's just that he wasn't interested in her that way, forget the fact that she looked young enough to be his kid, he liked men more anyway.

"Welp, as long as she doesn't get in the way, more help is always welcome. You're one of the best maids we've got, so I trust you to know what she needs to know." Marteau complimented before going back to cooking. Although it was already past breakfast, with the students out in the yard with their familiars today, he'd be working overtime preparing refreshment for them and possibly their familiars if requested.

Siesta sighed in relief when Marteau didn't ask any more questions. She didn't trust herself not to spill anything she wasn't supposed to as she still couldn't fully grasp the situation she inadvertently found herself in. The fact that she could now apparently use magic and could be considered a noble was so foreign to her that she still thought everything that happened was just a dream or some elaborate joke Louise was playing on her.

It was only her trust in her own abilities to read others and her first impressions of Zero and Louise that kept her from expressing her doubts.

Siesta went about her job, bringing snacks and drinks to the various students in the courtyard and picking up after them when needed. In between she gave small instructions to Zero which the girl thankfully picked up rather quickly, meaning she didn't need to split her focus too much. Additionally this kind of work didn't require much focus as the students generally ignored her unless they wanted something specifically, so she was free to get lost in her thoughts for the moment and ponder her new situation.

Unfortunately this was a bit of a mistake as she was so preoccupied she didn't notice her own abnormal actions. The runes on her stomach, hidden from all subtly glowed as she maneuvered back and forth carrying plates and drinks to the students.

Siesta was the type of person that did everything until just before her limit to give herself room to breathe. So not feeling any strain, exhaustion or balancing problems made her gradually increase her work load.

Still this was fine, Siesta had been used to this kind of thing for years now so she wouldn't make any mistakes. Sadly, the same couldn't be said about the little shadow she had picked up and momentarily forgotten about.

"Ah?" *Crash* "Kyaah!"

So much for not attracting attention.