Servants are people too.

"UGH?! The living room is a Mess?!...where the hell are they?!" Ned Asked when he inspected the empty living room.

Suddenly, "After partying, everyone was Too tired to clean-up after themselves, so they each retired to a room, that's why the living room looks like this." Yuri said popping from behind the Ned.

Raising an eyebrow, "Judging by how you're wearing Jade's shirt as a nightgown, You slept in my daughter's room." Ned said making Yuri blush.

"I can't control the fact that I'm a much smaller size than Jade." Yuri said embarrassed, "What the hell? I'm not talking about that? I'm talking about the fact that you're wearing my daughter's shirt as a dress when you have your own magical inventory of a clothes! you cheap wizard." Ned replied.

"Oh that! sorry darling, I misunderstood." Yuri replied back.

"Hey, chill.

I know you're nervous around me now that you're basically married to my daughter, but you need to relax...We're friends Yuri and I know at least now that your intentions are good, I'm not planning to give you a hard time." Ned said.

"Thank you Ned darling, your words means a lot to me but There's something that I'm afraid if I tell you about, you'd actually give me a hard time." Yuri replied, "Unfortunately, I feel obligated to tell you about it." they added.

All of the sudden, the doorbell began ringing, "I suppose that'll have to wait for later." Ned said heading for the door.

When Ned opened the door, he found two people waiting for him outside.

"Sir Valentino!" The stressed-out maid from yesterday greeted her boss with a smile, "Miss Short! you're back already? Jade said you were on the brinks of losing your mind, so she sent you away?" Ned asked.

"I was! but who thought that all I needed was one quiet goodnight sleep! I feel better now!" She replied, although Ned could see that she's only pretending to feel better.

"Miss Short, I understand you're in need of financial support but pushing yourself to the limits is not worth it, you'll be spending the money you're collecting in the hospital instead of on what you actually want." Ned said, "I recommend you take few more days off at least, And try not to do anything...I won't be cutting it from your pay, so don't worry." he added.

"Listen to big brother, I'm a stranger yet I can see you're not doing well, Miss." Nashoba spoke-up, he was the second person waiting for Ned.

"Nash! you're here finally." Ned said, "I apologize big brother, I know I was supposed to come yesterday but I had something unexpected turn-up.

Anyways I'm here to help." Nashoba replied, "Also, I'm concerned for her health...I happened to arrive at the same time as your Maid and I can't help but think she's not feeling well." he added pointing at the maid.

"Oh please I said I'm feeling better! I really am!" The maid said.

"Miss Short, I highly recommend that you go back home, but if you insist then I have to warn you, The living room is a warzone right now...it might spook you." Ned replied.

"I'll be the judge of that, thank you sir." The maid replied pushing past the men to get into the house.

When Miss Short was gone inside, Ned turned his attention back to Nashoba, "What's the matter with you?" he asked as he noticed the short Young man seemed bothered.

"You seem happier, Your bond...You've sealed it haven't you?" Nashoba Asked,

"How did you know?"

"Through your Aura, I can see your soul extending to someone else in the house...when you came to me the other day, your soul had a different color and wasn't stable, but now it's getting consistent.

Also that little maid of yours, something about her is off...I think it's destiny that she came back here today."

"I honestly don't think Miss Short should be here, and about my Aura...you never told me you can see that Nash?"

"Big brother, I never told you because it never mattered before."

"Anyways, come inside with me." Ned replied guiding the boy.

As the two passed by the living room, they saw The maid Miss Short already working on cleaning the living room, she seemed oddly calm as she did so, "I expected her to run away." Ned whispered.

"Earlier I saw that her Aura was smoking grey...but now it's pitch black." Nashoba said with a hint of worry in his voice.

"What does it mean?" Ned asked.

"It was grey because of how gloomy and depressed she was feeling, the fact that it changed so quickly to black, means she's probably having suicidal thoughts." Nashoba explained.

"You're kidding me right?" Ned asked, "I'm not joking, do you know why she would be like this?" Nashoba asked.

"It can't possibly be the state of the living room." Ned said skeptically, then he looked around and noticed something, Yuri was already gone.

"Come with me quickly, I'll take you to him and then come back and deal with this." Ned said.

...Few minutes later...

After taking Nash to Fernando, Ned spent the next few minutes locating everyone in his house.

He forced everyone out of bed and made them follow him to the living room, while still in their pajamas.

"What's going on Ned?" Yurei said annoyed, "Yeah, we had a long night, can't we sleep more?" Jade complained, "Shut-up, all of you." Ned hissed at them.

"Neddie seems on edge today!" Muriel whispered, "I wonder if it's something to do with Garrick, since I can't see him anywhere?" Thorn replied.

"I bet he's still asleep, hehehe." Rapunzel said giggling.

As the group of people made it to the living room, they found the maid still trying to clean the mess they left yesterday.

"Oi! Shortie You're back!" Jade said, "You're yesterday's maid." Yuri said surprised to see her.

"Mistress Jade! good morning." Miss Short greeted her.

"Ned did you...bring us here...to clean-up?" Tacito asked, "HUH?!" Yurei gasped.

Surprised, "Sir I told you I can handle it on my own!" Miss Short said.

"Cleaning? you want us to clean?" Henrietta asked, "Wait, are you mad that Shortie is cleaning by herself?" Jade asked, "We were planning to clean-up in the morning I swear! we didn't know she'll be back anyways." she added.

"That's true, we had no idea so don't get mad at us." Jasper said.

"I don't care, the fact that she's cleaning this wreckage all by herself is enough evidence that you guys are irresponsible.

Ensuring that my servants Are Not Overworked, is my job.

We've sent everyone but her away for the holidays, letting her do the work of an entire group of servants is heartless." Ned replied.

"Neddie we are sorry, like Jade said we never intended to cause trouble, we had no idea she would be here...personally I am to blame for suggesting the party in the first place.

Everyone was too tired afterwards to clean-up." Muriel spoke-up, "Muriel is right, mother we never intended to cause anyone any harm." Faunus said.

"Sir it's okay, I'm not overworked, I'm fine." Miss Short said, "You...for how long have you been feeling like this?" Ned asked her.

Taken by surprise, "What are you asking me? I don't understand." the maid replied.

"How long have you been suffering inside, it's obvious that you're mentally struggling and you're keeping it under wraps, but you can't do that forever...you're already having dark thoughts Miss Short." Ned replied.

"There's nothing sir, I'm okay! really!"

"Miss Short, I don't believe you and until I believe that you're not struggling because we're overworking you, everyone here must help you clean-up." Ned said.

"I suppose that is fair, we made this mess, so we should clean it." Faunus said, "Okay everyone, let's get started already." Jade said loudly.

"Why don't you start cleaning first before giving me commands, this party was for you after all." Jasper replied to his sister.

"Jasper my love...No need for this hostility, Jade only wants to help." Faunus Scolded him, "Help my ass." Jasper replied.

"Tch, Arrogant Nerd." Jade said.

"Whatever, Stupid Jock." Jasper replied.

"Mean Asshole!"

"Broke Ass bitch."

"Four-eyes!"

"Knuckles!"

"Please, stop insulting each other!" Henrietta spoke-up irritated while Rapunzel giggled, "She started it!" Jasper said, "Huh?! you're the one who provoked me!" Jade replied.

"And Voila! the fucking Valentinos!" Yurei said sarcastically while Faunus rolled his eyes at him, and poor Tacito sighed in disappointment.

"THAT'S ENOUGH, ALL OF YOU SHUT-UP!" Ned shouted startling Everyone.

"Geez what the hell?! what side of the bed you woke-up on?!" Yurei asked.

"Shut-up you little shit and start cleaning." Ned replied.

"Sir..." The maid sighed, "You shouldn't punish them.

I admit the workload lately made things worse, this house is always a mess and weird things keep happening but the real reason I'm struggling is not just work, I say it's work because I'm ashamed to admit the real reason." she spoke-up.

"Shortie, you can talk to us you know." Jade said, "I don't know...you guys are my employers not family." the maid replied.

"I hate to agree but you're right, we're not your family...however, we're not cruel either." Jasper said, "You sure?" Yurei mocked him.

Taking a deep breath, "What Jasper is trying to say, is that we treat everyone here with respect.

You might be a maid Miss Short, but you're a person...and your wellbeing matters to us." Ned said.

"Hey, I don't know you or what you're going through, but don't worry cuz we're not gonna be Judging you, and if you feel uncomfortable talking with us all gathered-up like this in here, You should go with Ned and talk privately somewhere." Thorn spoke-up.

"No it's okay...I just need to sit for this one." the maid said before sitting on the couch, Everyone else followed her and sat somewhere.

"Umm where do I start..." She said, "Anywhere you like...dear...we're here to...listen." Tacito replied.

...Few minutes later...

"Shortie..." Jade handed the maid some tissues as she started crying, "You've been working for us all this time, yet you never mentioned anything about your struggles." Ned said.

"Like I said I was ashamed to admit that." The maid replied, "This job is the center of my life, and the source of my income, but the thing is...I always mess-up, I'm not a good enough and I have zero useful skills, I'm not sure why was I even hired.

I keep feeling like I don't deserve this job."

"Miss Short, when I hire people around me It's for three reasons, Skills, Trustworthiness, and hardworking." Ned said, "You may not be my most skilled maid, but you're trustworthy and you work harder than the rest.

Don't think I didn't notice that." He added smiling.

"Thank you sir, it means a lot to me." Miss Short replied, "Now, I think you should go back home while we clean this place ourselves." Ned said.

"Are you sure sir?" she asked, "Just leave already." Jasper said, "We can take care of things, worry not sweetheart." Faunus replied.

"Yeah, we're capable adults, we can clean after ourselves once in awhile, although I do it all the time." Thorn said, "Thank you All, I'm really grateful for this." Miss Short replied smiling happily at last.

"Wow! she's not smiling like a dead person anymore! WOOHOO!" Jade cheered making everyone laugh.

Suddenly the doorbell rang, the maid was about to go open it when Ned said, "Miss Short, Grab your things with you as you leave, remember you're on vacation now."

The maid nodded, then grabbed whatever belonged to her and headed to the door.

When she opened it, "Miss Jeannette! good morning and goodbye to you!" Miss Short said before walking out of the house while Matilda watched her leave confused.