My Maid Is Cute Chapter 6 : Closing the Distance (Patreon)

After the stormy night, I felt that Wendy's attitude had changed somehow.

"I have come to clean."

"Mm."

When Rebecca came to clean the room, she was still curled up in the corner, but she no longer turned her back to me. She would quietly watch Rebecca cleaning. However,

"Is there anything troubling you?"

Even when I asked that, she would only shake her head. She was still taciturn and rarely spoke.

***

One day, having finished cleaning as usual, I turned around to speak to Wendy.

"——Oh."

Wendy was leaning against the wall, fast asleep. Her face looked peaceful, and I could hear cute, small breaths.

I slowly approached Wendy and gazed at her defenseless, innocent sleeping face. It was so adorable that my face naturally relaxed into a smile.

Looking at her like this, she truly is a beautiful girl.

"Such beautiful hair..."

Shining blonde hair long enough to reach her waist, skin as white as snow, long eyelashes, and shapely rose-colored lips. Although she always wore a plain dress, if she dressed up, she would shine even more. There was no doubt she would become a peerless beauty when she grew up.

However, a sinister red mark was carved onto her limbs. As long as she had this, this small girl would continue to be loathed, feared, and shunned by those around her.

"......"

Suddenly, I felt so sorry for Wendy in front of me that my chest tightened. I slowly reached out and patted her head.

"Mmh, ......mm."

Wendy's face relaxed slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes. She looked up at me blankly.

"Ah, are you awake?"

When Rebecca spoke, Wendy, seemingly fully awakened by the voice, jumped up.

"W-Wha...!"

Flustered, she backed away while still sitting.

"You, you touched me!?"

"Ah, if that offended you, I apologize."

Surprised by her reaction, I hurriedly apologized and bowed. I opened my mouth as if making an excuse.

"You looked so cute sleeping, I just——"

"C-Cute...!"

Wendy's face turned bright red, and she trembled. Then,

"I-If you touch me without permission next time, I won't forgive you!"

Saying that, she ran into the bathroom and slammed the door shut violently.

"......I messed up."

Reflecting on my actions, I called out toward the bathroom door.

"Milady, I apologize. ——Since I have finished cleaning, I will take my leave."

There was no reply from Wendy. It seems she is quite angry. Rebecca sighed softly, slumped her shoulders, and left the room.

***

I thought I might get fired, but that didn't happen. The next day, when Rebecca entered the room, Wendy stared at me with slightly glaring eyes but said nothing.

"Um, I am truly sorry for yesterday."

I apologized again and bowed.

"I will not do it again."

When I said that, Wendy looked like she wanted to say something, but immediately looked away.

"......It's fine, now."

Hearing her small voice, I felt relieved. I started cleaning as usual.

Just as I finished cleaning and was about to leave the room, Wendy unexpectedly called out to me.

"......Hey."

"Yes?"

Surprised that she initiated conversation, I turned toward her, and Wendy held something out to me. It was a small pink envelope. I accepted it hesitantly. Wendy spoke in a small voice.

"Send this."

"A letter?"

"Mm."

Wendy nodded lightly and then, perhaps going to take a bath, went into the bathroom.

I stared intently at the envelope. There was no address written on it. Not knowing what to do, I left Wendy's room for the time being and headed to the Head Maid's room.

When I told the Head Maid that I had been entrusted with a letter, she immediately said,

"Ah, it's fine. I'll send it."

Hearing that, I was relieved for the moment. However, curious about who the letter was for, I asked.

"Um, who is the letter written to?"

I thought she wouldn't tell me, but contrary to my expectations, the Head Maid answered immediately.

"It's for Master Christopher. He is the Count's son and Lady Wendy's older brother."

"Eh."

Learning for the first time that the Count and Countess had a son, Rebecca involuntarily raised her voice.

"They have a son?"

"Did you not know?"

The Head Maid looked exasperated as she told me.

Christopher, the Count and Countess's only son and heir, is 16 years old. He apparently lives in the Magic Academy's dormitory. He is said to be a serious, diligent, and kind-hearted boy.

"Well, his life at the academy seems busy, so he can't come back here very often."

He is on good terms with his only sister, Wendy, and they apparently exchange letters. perhaps because they are eight years apart, Christopher seems to dote on Wendy very much.

"Eh? Milady is eight years old?"

Because she was small and thin, I had assumed she was five or six.

As I was surprised by this newly learned fact, the Head Maid looked even more exasperated.

"Rebecca, you really don't know anything about this house, do you?"

"Ahaha..."

When I laughed to cover it up, the Head Maid sighed heavily. Then, looking as if she realized something, she spoke.

"Come to think of it, Rebecca, you've been working non-stop lately. You can take tomorrow off."

"Eh, is that okay?"

"You haven't rested at all recently, right? We finally got a few new people, so one day should be fine."

"But what about Milady's care..."

"I'll handle it myself for just tomorrow."

Reassured by the Head Maid's words, Rebecca bowed deeply.

"Thank you very much!"

***

The next day, I changed into my casual clothes for the first time in a while and went into town. Since starting my job as a maid, I had saved up quite a bit of money. Financially, I had a good amount of leeway, so I enjoyed shopping leisurely for the first time in a long while. I browsed through clothing and accessory shops, stopped by a bookstore to buy a book I had been interested in, and returned to the mansion feeling satisfied.

The following day, I put on my uniform and went to the kitchen to pick up the meal. Then, as usual, I headed to Wendy's room, placed the meal on the table next to the door, and knocked.

"I have brought your meal."

The moment I called out, there was a loud thud. Surprised by the sound, my eyes widened, and then, with a click, the door opened. It was the first time the door had been opened from the other side. As I stood there wide-eyed, Wendy appeared from behind the door, wearing a negligee with her hair in a mess. For some reason, her eyes were bright red, and she stared at me blankly. As I was bewildered by her appearance, Wendy's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. Startled, I called out.

"W-What is the matter? Are you feeling unwell?"

Without answering the question, Wendy began to sob. As Rebecca flustered, not knowing what to do, Wendy finally opened her mouth.

"——Y-You didn't quit?"

"Huh?"

At those words, Rebecca looked blank. Tilting my head, I replied.

"Quit? What do you mean...?"

"......Y-Yesterday, you didn't come here all day. I-I thought Becca was gone..."

Hearing her trembling voice, Rebecca let out an "Ah."

"I was given the day off yesterday, so... I was just resting normally..."

Thinking I should have told Milady beforehand, Wendy then raised her voice, sounding angry this time.

"If you're going to rest, tell me you're going to rest...!"

"I am terribly sorry."

Reflecting on my mistake, I bowed deeply.

"It was my failing. I am truly sorry."

When I said that, Wendy sighed.

"You really are a hopeless maid."

"You are absolutely right. I am truly sorry."

Wendy stared at Rebecca for a while, but eventually spoke in a small voice.

"——Milk."

"Yes?"

"As punishment, I'll ring the bell tonight, so bring me milk."

Surprised by her first command, I looked up.

"Milk, is it?"

"With honey."

At those words, I couldn't help but smile. It seems she liked the hot milk with honey from the other day.

"Yes, understood."

When I answered with a smile, Wendy, still looking angry, took the tray with the meal and went back into the room. Rebecca quietly closed the door while smiling.

***

That night, hearing a bell-like chime, Rebecca stood up. Since it was a bit chilly, I put on a shawl. Then, carrying the prepared tray with milk and honey, I left my room.

I knocked on the door and called out.

"Excuse me. I have brought the milk."

"Mm."

Hearing a small voice, I slowly opened the door. As I expected, Wendy was sitting on the bed, her body hidden under the sheets.

Rebecca smiled and headed toward the bed.

"Milady, here is the milk. With honey, just as you requested."

"Mm."

When I held out the cup with milk, Wendy nodded slightly and accepted it. After taking a sip of the warm milk, her stiff expression softened just a little.

"Once you drink that, please rest. It is already late."

When Rebecca said that, Wendy looked a little sulky but nodded without saying anything.

Suddenly turning my head to the side, I noticed a small table next to the bed. There was a book on it.

"——Ah."

I inadvertently let out a voice. It was the second volume of an adventure novel that was currently the talk of the town.

"Is this interesting?"

When Rebecca asked, Wendy's shoulders jolted. Then, looking bewildered, she spoke.

"——W-Well, it is interesting."

"Is that so?"

Answering that, Rebecca continued with a slight smile.

"I went to the bookstore on my day off yesterday and bought the first volume of this novel. I've only read the beginning, but I was thinking if it's interesting, I might buy the sequel..."

At Rebecca's words, Wendy took a sip of milk and spoke slowly.

"M-My brother."

"Yes?"

"My brother sent it to me... He said it was very interesting and that I would surely like it..."

At those words, I couldn't help but smile.

"He is a kind person, isn't he?"

"......Mm, he is kind... My brother, too, and..."

Wendy tried to continue saying something but faltered. Then, she started fidgeting, her eyes darting around. Wondering what was wrong, Rebecca watched her, and finally, she spoke.

"It, it is very interesting, so... so..."

"......? Yes?"

"If you want the sequel, you can read this. I've already finished reading it, and... since it's here... y-you don't need to buy it, right?"

Surprised by those words, I involuntarily raised my voice.

"Eh, does that mean you will lend it to me!?"

Wendy looked frightened by Rebecca's loud voice. Then, trembling, she spoke again.

"......If, if you don't want to touch my book, t-then never mind..."

"No."

I said clearly and shook my head. Then, smiling, I spoke.

"If it is alright with you, please lend it to me by all means."

Wendy smiled just a tiny bit. Then, averting her eyes from Rebecca, she spoke.

"——I-I guess it can't be helped. It's special, just for Becca."

Then, she pushed the empty cup onto Rebecca. When I accepted it, Wendy wrapped herself in the sheets again.

"I-In exchange, starting tomorrow, when I ring the bell, bring me milk."

Smiling wryly at those words, I replied.

"Understood."

"A-Absolutely."

"Yes. Well then, goodnight."

I replied, bowed deeply, and moved away from the bed. Trying not to make noise, I quietly opened the door and left the room. And just before closing the door,

"——Th-Thank you."

I felt like I heard a faint voice.