diff --git a/esphome/esp-masterbdrmwest.yaml b/esphome/esp-masterbdrmwest.yaml
index e9595d1..e23a85d 100644
--- a/esphome/esp-masterbdrmwest.yaml
+++ b/esphome/esp-masterbdrmwest.yaml
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 # https://home.fox.co.nz/gitea/zorruno/zorruno-homeassistant/src/branch/master/esphome/esp-masterbdrmwest.yaml
 #:########################################################################################:#
 # VERSIONS:
+# v1.4 2026-07-20 Flattened retained North and South MQTT status topics to the device roots.
 # v1.3 2026-06-12 Reassigned logical controls after live wiring checks.
 #                 Relay 1 on both switches = North Lights virtual/Tasmota control.
 #                 Relay 2 on both switches = South Lights control; WEST Relay 2 is physical load.
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@
 #     NOTE: TOGGLE is intentionally not handled here to avoid double-toggle if both switches receive it.
 #
 # - North Lights retained status/sync topic:
-#   ${mqtt_local_status_topic1}/state
+#   ${mqtt_local_status_topic1}
 #     Payload "On" / "Off" mirrors the actual North Lights state.
 #
 # - South Lights local command topic:
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@
 #     NOTE: TOGGLE is intentionally not handled here to avoid ambiguous multi-device toggles.
 #
 # - South Lights retained status/sync topic:
-#   ${mqtt_local_status_topic2}/state
+#   ${mqtt_local_status_topic2}
 #     Payload "On" / "Off" published when Relay 2 changes state.
 #:########################################################################################:#
 # OFFLINE NOTES:
@@ -88,7 +89,6 @@
 # - Accurate time is NOT needed (SNTP not needed).
 #:########################################################################################:#
 
-
 #:########################################################################################:#
 # SUBSTITUTIONS: Specific device variable substitutions
 # If NOT using a secrets file, just replace these with the passwords etc (in quotes)
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ substitutions:
 
   # Project Naming
   project_name: "Zemismart Technologies.KS-811 Triple"
-  project_version: "v1.3"
+  project_version: "v1.4"
 
   # Passwords & Secrets
   api_key: !secret esp-api_key
@@ -217,22 +217,22 @@ globals:
   - id: north_update_from_sync
     type: bool
     restore_value: false
-    initial_value: 'false'
+    initial_value: "false"
 
   - id: south_update_from_sync
     type: bool
     restore_value: false
-    initial_value: 'false'
+    initial_value: "false"
 
   - id: north_lights_state
     type: bool
     restore_value: false
-    initial_value: 'false'
+    initial_value: "false"
 
   - id: south_lights_state
     type: bool
     restore_value: false
-    initial_value: 'false'
+    initial_value: "false"
 
 #:########################################################################################:#
 # MQTT: Device-specific MQTT command + retained status/sync triggers
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ mqtt:
             }
 
     # Retained North status is a secondary mirror/sync path.
-    - topic: "${mqtt_local_status_topic1}/state"
+    - topic: "${mqtt_local_status_topic1}"
       then:
         - lambda: |-
             if (x == "On" || x == "ON" || x == "on") {
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ mqtt:
             }
 
     # Retained South status keeps this physical relay and the SOUTH mirror in step.
-    - topic: "${mqtt_local_status_topic2}/state"
+    - topic: "${mqtt_local_status_topic2}"
       then:
         - lambda: |-
             if (x == "On" || x == "ON" || x == "on") {
@@ -415,7 +415,7 @@ script:
           id(north_update_from_sync) = true;
       - switch.turn_on: relay_1
       - mqtt.publish:
-          topic: "${mqtt_local_status_topic1}/state"
+          topic: "${mqtt_local_status_topic1}"
           payload: "On"
           retain: true
       - lambda: |-
@@ -429,7 +429,7 @@ script:
           id(north_update_from_sync) = true;
       - switch.turn_off: relay_1
       - mqtt.publish:
-          topic: "${mqtt_local_status_topic1}/state"
+          topic: "${mqtt_local_status_topic1}"
           payload: "Off"
           retain: true
       - lambda: |-
@@ -554,10 +554,10 @@ switch:
           }
       - if:
           condition:
-            lambda: 'return !id(south_update_from_sync);'
+            lambda: "return !id(south_update_from_sync);"
           then:
             - mqtt.publish:
-                topic: "${mqtt_local_status_topic2}/state"
+                topic: "${mqtt_local_status_topic2}"
                 payload: "On"
                 retain: true
     on_turn_off:
@@ -568,10 +568,10 @@ switch:
           }
       - if:
           condition:
-            lambda: 'return !id(south_update_from_sync);'
+            lambda: "return !id(south_update_from_sync);"
           then:
             - mqtt.publish:
-                topic: "${mqtt_local_status_topic2}/state"
+                topic: "${mqtt_local_status_topic2}"
                 payload: "Off"
                 retain: true