Nae

**Nae** (ナエ, *Nae*?) is a housemaid at the Kudou villa.

## Appearance

Nae is an elderly woman around the same age as her husband Sasaki. She has distinctive thin eyes and a gangly physique which gives her a somewhat timid impression. When Nae smiles, she would squint her already narrow eyes even further.

## History

At a certain point in her life, Nae began working for the Kudou family, along with her entire family. This includes her husband Sasaki, son, daughter-in-law Mitsu, and grandson, all of whom serve as household staff for the Kudous.

Despite their positions, Nae and the other housemaids would occasionally express their opinions directly to Fuyu Kudou, the mistress of the house. They don't shy away from questioning her directives or admonishing her behavior when needed. Among the servants, Nae is notably perceived as the one who understood Fuyu the best. Although Fuyu never explicitly acknowledges it, she also places considerable trust in Nae.

## Plot

After the villa's master Tadakiyo Kudou returns from the Imperial Capital, along with his son Kiyoka Kudou and future daughter-in-law Miyo Saimori, Nae and the other servants of the house gather in the entry hall and bow their heads unison to welcome them. As Miyo introduces herself and faces Fuyu's harsh criticism, Nae and the other servants witness the ensuing tense confrontation between Kiyoka and his mother. Like everyone present she watches it with bated breath, looking worried that Kiyoka would really lose it over his mother’s abrasive remark.

Later that evening, upon Kiyoka and Miyo's return from the nearby village, Nae welcomes them at the door with a smile. Kiyoka asks if "she" will be joining them for dinner, and Nae quickly understands the subject of his inquiry from the displeased expression on his face. Her smile fades, and she gently shakes her head, explaining that the mistress has decided to remain in her room for the night and doesn't wish to disclose her reasons. Nae tells them she will summon them once dinner preparations are complete and excuses herself.

The next morning, Nae informs Miyo smiling but with a dispassionate tone that Fuyu wants to see her. She quickly guides Miyo to Fuyu's room, knocks on the door and receives permission to enter. Fuyu orders Nae to bring her what she asked Nae to prepare. She leaves and returns shortly with a plain navy kimono, the housemaid's uniform. On Fuyu's order, she hands it to Miyo. After Miyo changed into it, Nae is ordered to work Miyo to the bone. Initially hesitant, Nae questions the wisdom of this decision, but Miyo agrees to the task. Under Nae's guidance, Miyo starts with cleaning windows and Nae compliments her for doing an exceptional job. When she asks her mistress' opinion, Fuyu orders Nae to get the girl to work on her next task. Throughout the morning, Nae assigns Miyo various cleaning tasks, and by lunchtime, they're done with everything. Fuyu then orders Nae to summon Miyo again.

On the third day, Nae is by Fuyu's bedside as Fuyu is unwell. When Miyo visits Fuyu, Nae greets her and prepares a chair for her. However, Miyo's conversation with Fuyu quickly turns sour, leading Miyo to leave the room in tears. Concerned, Nae follows her and calls out to her. Miyo requests Nae to give some work to distract herself, which Nae initially disagrees on. However, after Miyo pleads, Nae reluctantly asks her to assist her with cleaning and laundry. They spend the rest of the day working together on household chores.

On the fourth day, a village youth arrives at the villa in need of help and loses consciousness. Miyo asks Nae if they can place the man in the vacant guest room on the first floor. Nae, who is waiting nearby, quickly directs the other servants to prepare the room. Once the man has been relocated, Miyo attempts to use Dream-Sight to save him, but she is halted by Arata Usuba, who arrives hastily to stop her. Nae and the rest of the servants stand by the partially opened door of the room, looking confused about what they are supposed to do with Arata's unexpected arrival.

On Miyo's last day at the villa, Nae knocks on Miyo's room and tells her she came to assist her with packing, but notices that Miyo doesn't need much help. Nae then admits it's actually just a pretext, but acts evasive, as though she is having difficulty broaching the topic. Fuyu, overhearing, scolds Nae for saying that and proceeds to criticise Miyo. Nae attempts to reprimand her mistress but is rebuffed, with Fuyu calling her a "backstabber" and accusing her and the other servants of all siding with Miyo. However, Fuyu surprises Miyo by gifting her a lace ribbon. After Fuyu leaves, Nae suggests that Miyo accept the ribbon, believing it to be a sign of Fuyu's hidden affection and acknowledgement. She explains that Fuyu, despite her temperamental nature, might be impressed by Miyo's actions of saving the villager. After Miyo changes into her first Western outfit, Nae compliments her and then helps her tie up her hair with the ribbon beautifully.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3  Novel, Volume 3 Chapter 2
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1  Novel, Volume 3 Chapter 1
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1  Novel, Volume 3 Chapter 3
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1  Novel, Volume 3 Chapter 6
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1  Novel, Volume 3 Chapter 5