CHAPTER 01 ……………………………………
I Am the Regressing Young Lady’s Personal Maid
A Minble Full-Length Novel
Theme Keywords
#RomanceFantasy #TimeSlip #ComingOfAge #FirstLove #PureDevotedMaleLead
#CapableMaleLead #GentleMaleLead #CapableFemaleLead #QuirkyCheerfulHeroine
#EasygoingHeroine #ContractRelationship #ClassDifference #RomanticComedy
Work Introduction
I was the maid of the protagonist in the novel Aria of Return…
—or rather, I was Lowell, her personal maid.
“Miss… this is already the seventh regression.”
The problem was that Aria’s regressions showed no sign of ever ending.
At this rate, it felt like the story would never reach its conclusion…!
If that was the case, then why not try something different from the original plot?
“You want revenge, don’t you? Let’s get married!”
So, pretending I’d lost my mind, I proposed a contract marriage to Leon Riefmann—the original story’s overpowered villain.
At first, Leon Riefmann kept his distance, wary and suspicious.
They said he was flawless and cold-hearted, but…
“Look at me, Lowell.”
Instinctively raising her head, Lowell saw Leon step forward and kneel before her.
“What are you—?”
“It’s an oath passed down in the Hiln region. By borrowing the life force of flowers, magic binds the promise eternally.”
“……”
“And this is my birthday gift to you. If there has never been a day more precious than any other in your life,
if such a day hasn’t come yet—
then I hope today becomes that day for you.”
“Leon… I—”
“I swear. As long as you allow it, I will remain by your side forever.”
He’s supposed to be a villain, but why is he far kinder than expected?
This contract… feels like it might have gone terribly wrong.
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Chapter 1: Already the Seventh Time
“Gasp—hah, hah…”
Aria woke with ragged breathing. Moments later, she jerked her upper body upright and began frantically patting herself down, as if checking something.
“Miss, you’re awake?”
At the familiar voice, Aria turned her head and saw a black-haired girl entering through the door.
“Lowell…?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Don’t tell me… again…”
After carefully scrutinizing the girl—her personal maid and longtime friend—Aria’s face twisted completely.
As the intensity of her gaze made the girl flinch, Aria suddenly leapt out of bed as if shoved by an invisible force.
“Miss! Be careful—”
She dodged the girl trying to stop her and rushed straight to the mirror. Her movements were smooth, almost instinctive, as though she knew exactly where it would be.
“…This can’t be real.”
Aria’s voice trembled as she stared into the mirror.
“…Lowell, what year is it?”
“Imperial Year 478.”
“…No.”
The strength drained from Aria’s legs. Whatever hope she had clung to vanished completely. She collapsed to the floor, her body slack.
Miss… this is already the seventh time.
And as the black-haired girl, Lowell, gently held and supported that limp body, the same all-too-familiar thought passed through her mind.
It had been a boring life. No particular talents, no real dreams—just drifting along as circumstances dictated.
There was only one thing that gave that life meaning: writing novels.
She wasn’t a popular author, but reading comments left on her chapters—written by stealing time after work—made her smile even when juggling both her job and writing was exhausting.
Maybe even if life stayed dull, she could have lived quite contentedly with just that hobby.
…Crash!
No—she would have lived contentedly.
If not for the truck that slammed into the bus she was riding home from work.
Lowell took her collapsed lady’s hand and helped her back to her feet, guiding her to the bed. After that, she handed her a cup of steaming tea.
“I don’t want it.”
Aria muttered emptily, staring at the cup.
“You need to drink it so you can sleep again.”
Lowell soothed her with practiced ease. After several exchanges, Aria finally accepted the cup.
“Please rest. I’ll wake you when it’s time to eat.”
After straightening the disheveled bedding, Lowell left the room.
…Click.
“Haa…”
Leaning against the closed door, hand still on the knob, Lowell stared up at the painfully familiar ceiling—spotless and white.
A sigh slipped out.
“Already the seventh time.”
Seeing that ceiling again brought back memories of the very first time she arrived here—when she knew nothing at all.
“What? You were hit by a carriage?”
People had said it was memory loss from the accident. Back then, she’d simply accepted it.
“Lowell, what year is it?”
But when Aria’s first regression occurred, Lowell finally realized where she was.
This was the world of her own novel, Aria of Return.
And she—the author—had possessed the body of the female protagonist’s personal maid.
It had been her first work, written impulsively without much planning. Just as it was getting interesting, circumstances forced her to stop serialization abruptly—making it all the more memorable.
At first, she was thrilled.
Possessed into her own novel!
She could finally witness the ending she never got to write.
There were other pleasant surprises too: a gentle heroine, kind and cheerful companions, and a work environment with guaranteed work-life balance.
To someone hardened by Korean corporate life, this world felt perfect.
All that was left was for the regressed heroine, Aria, to reach a wonderful ending.
“Lowell, what year is it?”
But soon enough, she realized something was terribly wrong.
“Lowell! What are you doing? Come help with the garden!”
At the head maid’s call, Lowell hurried forward. As she approached, the scent of food clung to the woman—she must have just come from the kitchen.
“Is the young lady still sleeping?”
“Yes, she seems very tired.”
“Well, she did come back quite late from the market yesterday. You should stop her when she’s being stubborn, at least. She’s always been lively—it’s nothing new.”
“…Ah, that’s right.”
As they descended the stairs, Lowell slowed her steps.
“…Head Maid.”
“Hm?”
“Have you ever felt like the same day was repeating over and over?”
“What?”
The head maid narrowed her eyes, staring at Lowell.
“What are you talking about? You’ve been acting strange all day. You’re usually sharp—now you look like your mind’s wandered off.”
“Haha, just a joke. A joke.”
Under her piercing gaze, Lowell quickly looked away and hurried down the stairs, forcing a bright smile as though she’d said something amusing.
“What a strange joke.”
The head maid laughed soon after and waved her along.
As always, only Miss and I remember.
That familiar, weary thought crossed Lowell’s mind.
Later, while helping in the garden, Lowell pulled out a piece of paper she’d hidden in her clothes. It was covered with notes she’d scribbled in stolen moments.
“So far, this is the situation…”
‘Declaration of staying single—failed.
Marrying someone else—failed.
Entering the academy for professional training—failed.
And everything else—failed.’
“Why does everything fail?”
Just rereading it made her head ache.
When the first regression happened, Lowell hadn’t worried much.
As the protagonist, Aria had carved her own path through repeated timelines—avoiding the lover who murdered her for her magic, distancing herself from the brother who exploited her power, and learning magic to protect herself.
But the result was always the same.
Death—and regression.
Lowell could only watch as Aria grew more and more worn down.
“And it’s happening faster each time.”
Her eyes traced the dates written on the paper.
“…This won’t do.”
After staring at the page for a long while, Lowell brushed off her skirt and stood, determination shining in her eyes.
“Lowell? Where are you going?”
That night, as Lowell checked her surroundings near the garden’s back gate, a familiar voice called out.
“Ah—! You startled me… Miss, you’re not asleep?”
“I wanted to take a short walk. And you?”
“Ah, I’m…”
Caught off guard, Lowell fiddled with the edge of her cloak, searching for an answer.
Even after repeating time countless times, coming up with a good response in sudden situations was never easy.
“…A date.”
“I’m meeting someone tonight.”
“A date?”
Aria raised an eyebrow.
“You had a lover at this point?”
“Yes!”
Lowell answered a bit too loudly, then quickly lowered her voice.
“I have one now. And we’re meeting today.”
She deliberately emphasized now.
“…I see. Well, if you say so. My memories have been getting mixed up lately. Sorry.”
Fortunately, Aria didn’t press further. She rubbed at the shadows under her eyes.
“You must be tired.”
“Go on. I’ll tell everyone you’re with me.”
“Thank you.”
“Wait.”
Aria suddenly grabbed Lowell’s wrist.
“Yes?”
“Stay a moment.”
Aria slowly reached out, and Lowell instinctively squeezed her eyes shut.
“…?”
But Aria only placed her hand gently against Lowell’s left cheek.
When Lowell opened her eyes, warmth spread from that touch.
“When did you get hurt?”
A cool, refreshing scent—Aria’s healing magic flowed into her cheek.
“Ah… I must’ve scratched it while cleaning the garden.”
“Don’t get hurt, Lowell.”
At those warm words, Lowell looked up at her mistress. Green eyes filled with kindness traced her face.
“…Yes, Miss.”
Her voice caught, but she managed to nod.
“The sky was always this beautiful at times like this.”
Perhaps satisfied, Aria looked up at the sky. Following her gaze, Lowell saw a clear sky and a thin crescent moon.
“Have a safe trip.”
After that, Aria turned back toward the garden entrance.
“….”
Watching her retreating figure, Lowell took a deep breath.
Then she whispered, resolute—
“Your sky will remain beautiful from now on, Miss.”
