With this particularly country being a smaller one, there a fewer mages and people tend to be a little wary if the first learn about the person is that they're a mage, rather than some other aspect of them, but there's not like a generic hate of them. It's just something this country isn't as well read up on so non-mages aren't as understanding I suppose is the way to put it. 

And yes you are right, the servant should work fine, so long as they aren't like so young that them wielding a weapon and participating in battle isn't really a hard concept to grasp. But, if they can hold their own in a fight, why not? 

Also, I understand busy. I'm a middle school English teacher. This is my escape when I can find the time to get there lol