My maid is cute chapter 5 : One Stormy Night (Patreon)

"Rebecca!"

Hearing my name, I turned around to see my roommate, Carrie, running toward me.

"I heard! You've become Milady's new caretaker..."

"Yes, well..."

"Are you okay!?"

Carrie's face was pale as she asked, so I smiled slightly to reassure her.

"Well, I'll manage somehow."

"Manage somehow... b-but if the curse transfers to you..."

"Getting cursed or killed seems to be just a rumor. So, I'll be fine."

Carrie's mouth hung open in disbelief, but eventually, her eyebrows rose in slight anger.

"Rebecca, you're being way too carefree! There are servants who have taken to their beds just from being Milady's caretaker!!"

"Hmm. I did hear that... but the Head Maid told me it was fine... and, well... I couldn't refuse..."

"They knew you couldn't refuse! They pushed it on you because you're a newcomer!"

Carrie said this clearly and loudly, then held her head and sighed deeply.

"Haa... what a mess... Anyway, if you feel any danger, run away immediately. Understand?"

"You make it sound like Milady is a wild beast..."

"A wild beast would be better."

I chuckled wryly at Carrie's words and continued.

"So, Carrie, because of that, I'm moving into a private room starting today."

"...Ah, I heard. I'll be lonely. But really, I beg you, if it gets dangerous, run away immediately."

"Yes."

Rebecca smiled again to reassure her, but Carrie still looked worried.

***

The new private room given to Rebecca was a large, magnificent room close to the Count's daughter, Wendy's, room. No matter how you looked at it, it was a room disproportionate for a maid.

"......"

Apparently, when Wendy needs something, she rings a bell, and I have to head to her room when I hear it. That must be why I was given this unnecessarily large room close to hers.

"Milady almost never rings the bell. So it'll be fine."

The Head Maid explained it as if glossing over the details. I was happy to get a private room, but I felt somewhat tricked.

"I'm tired..."

With all my work done, I lay down on the bed in my new room. It was far more luxurious than the bed I had used until now. It was fluffy and comfortable, but somehow unsettling. I stared at the ceiling for a while, closed my eyes, and sighed heavily.

"Well, whatever will be, will be..."

As Carrie said, I might be too carefree. But there's no turning back now. Worrying won't help, so I have no choice but to move forward.

Thinking this, my consciousness drifted away before I knew it.

***

Being Wendy's caretaker was, as I expected, not such a difficult job. My daily routine consisted of transporting meals and necessities, cleaning the room, preparing the bath, and cleaning up afterward. Other servants looked at Rebecca with pity from afar, but I got used to those stares. Whenever Rebecca entered the room, Wendy usually covered her whole body with a sheet and sat still in the corner, turning her back to me.

"I have come to clean."

"Mm."

She rarely spoke and wouldn't even meet my eyes. She only gave small replies to Rebecca's calls and never initiated conversation herself.

However, I noticed she would sometimes glance at me as if she wanted to say something.

This awkward relationship changed about a month after I became Wendy's caretaker.

"I have come to clean."

As usual, I called out while knocking on the door.

"Mm."

Hearing a small reply, I opened the door and entered.

Wendy was, as always, wrapped in a sheet sitting in the corner of the room. However,

"Ah."

I inadvertently let out a voice. It seemed she had been reading, as a large book was placed beside her. I recognized the cover, so I ended up speaking to her.

"That book is interesting, isn't it?"

At that moment, Wendy's back trembled. She slowly turned to look at Rebecca.

"Y-You know it?"

"Yes. I read it a long time ago."

The book was a children's book collecting fairy tales from various countries. It wasn't famous, but it contained many comical and rare stories, compiled in an easy-to-read and interesting way.

"I like the story about the Snow Princess."

Since I was young, I loved reading books. I spent a lot of time alone at my parents' house, so I usually spent my time reading. Fortunately, my grandfather also seemed to love books, so there were many books in the family mansion.

"I-I like that one too!"

Wendy's eyes sparkled at Rebecca's words.

"The Snow Princess risks her life to save the person she loves, right?"

"It's a very sad and heart-wrenching story, isn't it?"

"Yes! It's so poignant!"

"Also, the story where the traveler defeats the giant with just a spoon is good too."

"I love that story too! But, you know, the story where children are kidnapped into the sky is very scary and——"

Wendy, continuing to talk enthusiastically, suddenly seemed to come to her senses and shut her mouth. Then she abruptly turned her back again,

"......Finish your work quickly."

She said bluntly.

"......Yes."

Rebecca replied briefly and started cleaning as usual.

While cleaning, I secretly glanced at the small back in the corner. I couldn't forget her radiant face just now. Since she was always expressionless, I was truly surprised. She can make such a childlike face, I thought as I finished cleaning.

"I am finished. Excuse me."

Saying that, I left the room. Wendy said nothing.

***

"How is she? Milady, I mean."

When I stopped by the laundry room, I happened to meet Carrie, who asked me that. Rebecca tilted her head as if troubled and spoke.

"......She is a difficult person, I suppose."

"Well, she's someone who has lived almost completely without interacting with people since she was born."

Carrie looked at Rebecca with concern.

"Are you really okay? No problems?"

"Yes. The work isn't as difficult as I thought."

When I smiled and said that, Carrie smiled back, looking a little relieved.

***

About a week later, on a certain night.

"......The weather is bad."

Having finished my work for the day, I returned to my room and looked up at the sky from the window. The usual starry sky was invisible, covered by thick clouds.

"I'll go to sleep early today..."

Just as I muttered that and was about to change into my nightclothes,

"......Hmm?"

A terrifying rumbling sound came from the sky. The sound of thunder.

"......"

I quietly stared at the scenery outside.

Suddenly, I remembered the past. Memories from when I was small. My younger self was terrified of thunder. It was so scary that I once ran into the maid Rebecca's room in the middle of the night.

『Rebecca! I'm scared, the thunder is scary!』

『Now, now, Milady, it's alright. Look, it's just a loud noise and a flash of light.』

『But, but you know, on nights when thunder rumbles——』

Trembling with fear of the thunder, I sobbed and clung to Rebecca. Rebecca gently patted my head and stayed with me all through that night. It's a nostalgic memory.

I'm not scared of thunder anymore. I don't cry and cling to anyone out of sheer terror like I did back then.

But——

"......"

Thinking for a moment, I quietly left my private room. I headed straight for the kitchen. Fortunately, a cook I knew was still working there.

"Excuse me."

When I called out, the cook looked a little surprised.

"Oh, what's up?"

"Could I have a little milk and honey?"

The cook tilted his head at Rebecca's words.

"Eh? What for?"

"......I need a little. Please."

"Well, sure. Wait a sec."

Saying that, the cook brought a small jar of honey and some milk from the back of the kitchen.

"Is this okay?"

"It helps a lot. Thank you very much."

I bowed lightly and left the kitchen, clutching the milk and honey.

I headed straight for the intended room. On the way, a tremendous sound roared, and I stopped for a moment. Thunder echoed as if tearing the sky apart.

"......"

I started walking again. Quickening my pace a little, I climbed the stairs. Finally, I arrived at Wendy's room.

I knocked lightly on the door and called out.

"......Milady, may I have a moment?"

There was no reply for a while. Just as I hesitated, wondering if I should go back,

"......Come in."

I heard a small voice, so I opened the door.

"Excuse me."

Saying that, I opened the door. Wendy wasn't in her usual corner but was curled up under the sheets on the large bed.

"......Did you need something?"

As always, her words were curt. Just as Rebecca was about to answer,

『BOOM!!』

A flash of light appeared before my eyes, and a roar that seemed to shake the room resonated. At that moment, I didn't miss Wendy's body jolting with a tremor. Even after the roar subsided, she continued to tremble.

Rebecca smiled wryly. Just as I thought.

"Milady."

"......W-What?"

"I am not good with thunder."

At those words, Wendy poked her face out from under the sheets. She looked at me in bewilderment.

"——Eh?"

"I am not good with thunder."

I said clearly again. Then, tilting my head as if troubled, I added.

"Being alone makes me anxious, so may I stay here?"

At Rebecca's words, Wendy's mouth hung open in shock. Then, letting her eyes swim, she spoke in a small voice.

"......W-Well, if that's the case, it can't be helped. You can stay here."

Even while saying that, Wendy looked relieved. Rebecca, confirming her guess was correct, secretly smiled wryly and bowed her head.

"I am grateful, Milady."

Wendy must be scared of thunder. What made me think that was the children's book from the other day and my conversation with Wendy.

『The story where children are kidnapped into the sky is very scary and——』

Wendy's words reminded me. A story included in that children's book. It was a somewhat rare horror piece. At night, monsters descend from the heavens to the earth along with thunder. And they kidnap children—it was a scary story. The descriptions were surprisingly terrifying for a children's book, and it traumatized Rebecca when she first read it as a child. Being bad with thunder was also an influence of that story.

Just like Rebecca back then, Wendy was surely alone and frightened by the thunder at night. Imagining that, I couldn't leave her be. I knew I shouldn't do anything unnecessary, but I was so worried that I came here even though it wasn't work.

Rebecca spoke to Wendy as gently as possible.

"Milady, would you like to drink some milk?"

"......Milk?"

"Yes. Milk with honey. It's sweet and delicious."

Saying that, without waiting for Wendy's reply, I warmed the milk with magic and poured it into a cup. I added a little honey to it. A sweet scent filled the air.

"Here you go."

Smiling, I held out the cup. Wendy hesitated but reached out her hand and accepted it. When she took the cup, I caught a glimpse of the red mark on her arm and my heart skipped a beat.

Wendy stared at the cup in her hand for a while, but eventually, she took a slow sip. Then,

"——It's delicious."

She said, smiling just a little. That face was so adorable that Rebecca couldn't help but smile too.

At that moment, thunder roared again. Simultaneously, Wendy's shoulders trembled, and she let out a small shriek.

"Hii!"

Then, as if flustered, she spoke.

"N-No. That just now, I was just a little surprised——"

"Yes. It was startling, wasn't it?"

Rebecca shrugged and continued speaking.

"But it is fine. The thunder will go somewhere else soon."

"......Really?"

"Yes. If you sleep and wake up, the thunder will be gone."

At those words, Wendy looked relieved again and drank the milk. Then, she slowly spoke.

"T-Then, until the thunder goes away, will Becca stay here?"

"It is Rebecca, not Becca. Yes, I will. Being alone makes me anxious, so I will stay here the whole time the thunder is rumbling."

At those words, Wendy smiled just a tiny bit and finished her milk.

"Milady, it is about time to sleep."

Rebecca said, putting the cup away and covering Wendy with a blanket.

"Now, please sleep."

"......I might not be able to sleep."

I laughed a little at Wendy's anxious words. She must be scared of the sound of thunder. Rebecca thought for a moment and spoke.

"Then, I will sing a lullaby."

"A lullaby?"

"Yes."

In a small voice, I sang a lullaby. It was a famous lullaby. I thought she would stop minding the thunder and fall asleep soon, but upon hearing Rebecca's singing voice, Wendy made a strange face.

"What is the matter?"

"......Becca, you're tone-deaf, aren't you?"

"Eeeh! Surely not!"

Shocked by the unexpected words, I exclaimed, and Wendy looked exasperated.

"Did no one tell you anything?"

"......I have never sung in front of anyone before."

"From now on, you should refrain from singing in front of people."

Wendy looked at me with genuine pity, and Rebecca slumped her shoulders in defeat.

Again, light flashed before my eyes, and a loud sound rang out. Wendy trembled again and pulled the blanket over her head.

That frightened figure overlapped with my younger self, and my chest tightened. Naturally, I reached out and lightly patted her head over the blanket to reassure her. I felt Wendy stir under the blanket.

"It is alright, Milady. It is alright, it is alright..."

"......I'm not really scared or anything."

"Yes. I know. But it is alright. You are not alone... It is alright, it is alright..."

I continued to pat Wendy, repeating that it was alright.

Before I knew it, the sound of thunder could no longer be heard. The trembling of Wendy's body had also stopped. She seemed to have fallen asleep safely.

Relieved, Rebecca left the room, careful not to wake Wendy.