My maid is cute chapter 8 : Unknown Worlds (Patreon)

"Becca! Becca!"

"Yes, Milady."

The distance between Wendy and me had shortened once again. Recently, Wendy no longer stayed in the corner of the room. Whenever I entered, she would immediately run over to me. She had started initiating conversations more often, and she would even occasionally hold my hand.

"Here, I'll lend this to you!"

Wendy spoke clearly and briskly as she held out a large book. It had a cover I had never seen before.

"Is this a new book?"

"Yeah! Brother sent it to me again. It's interesting!"

"Are you sure it's alright for me to read it?"

"Yeah!"

Since Wendy nodded vigorously, I accepted the book with a smile.

"Well then, once my work is finished today, I will read it right away."

While studying the book's cover, I asked Wendy a question.

"What is it about?"

"It's a story about a main character who goes on a journey to find a flower that grants wishes. It's a little long, but it's interesting."

Just as Wendy said, it was a somewhat thick book that looked like it would take time to read. An adventure story, perhaps? I thought as I flipped through the pages. Then, realizing something, I smiled slightly.

"You really like adventure stories, don't you, Milady?"

The books Wendy favored usually involved protagonists traveling or going on adventures. at my remark, Wendy’s eyes went wide.

"Oh... is that so, I wonder?"

"You hadn't realized?"

"......Yeah."

Wendy gave a small nod.

"I like them too. Adventure stories. They’re exciting and fun, aren't they?"

At my words, Wendy nodded vigorously again.

"Right! I like them because I can learn about unknown worlds!"

Wendy and I giggled together.

***

At night, visiting Wendy's room to prepare milk with honey had become something of a custom.

"I like the milk you make, Becca."

Wendy murmured this with a relaxed expression after taking a sip. Seeing her soft expression, I smiled and spoke.

"I used to drink this too, a long time ago, on nights when I couldn't sleep. It was made for me just like this."

When I was young, back at my parents' home, the one who used to prepare milk for me was a maid—now deceased—named Rebecca.

Here you go, Milady.

I remember how the milk she offered with those gentle words was surprisingly sweet and delicious, and how it made me feel relieved.

As I was immersed in nostalgia, Wendy stared at me with a curious look.

"Becca? What's wrong?"

I turned my face toward Wendy and couldn't help but laugh.

Now, I was in the same position as that maid, Rebecca, pouring milk for my own master. The situation felt somewhat funny, so I giggled as I reached out and gently patted Wendy's head.

"I just thought that you are very adorable, Milady."

"Wh-What, all of a sudden..."

Wendy made a flustered face. Laughing, I piled on the words.

"The cutest in the world. Truly."

"......Ugh, what is with you, really!"

Wendy turned bright red and lightly swatted my arm. Even so, I continued to pat her head while laughing.

***

One day, in Wendy's room, after finishing the cleaning as usual, I spoke to her.

"Milady, I apologize, but tomorrow's cleaning will be a little late. I will start in the afternoon."

Wendy, who was reading a letter from her brother at the table, tilted her head slightly at those words.

"That's fine, but... is something happening?"

"No, I was asked to help the gardener tomorrow... I'll be doing yard work... so I think it will be difficult to come here in the morning... I will bring your meals at the usual time, however."

"Okay."

Wendy gave a small nod and returned her gaze to the letter. Feeling slightly relieved that she didn't say anything in particular, I put away the cleaning tools and left the room.

The next day, as soon as I finished tending the garden with the gardener in the morning, I headed to Wendy's room.

"Excuse me. I apologize for keeping you waiting..."

"I wasn't really waiting."

Wendy was sitting on the sofa reading a book.

"Then, I will begin."

"Mm-hm."

Announcing that, I started cleaning. As I was cleaning the floor and wiping the windows, Wendy, sitting on the sofa, suddenly closed her book and spoke to me.

"How was the garden work?"

I turned around to answer her question.

"It was a little tough, but it looks beautiful now. The yellow roses are blooming beautifully right now."

"......Roses."

"Yes."

I spoke up as if suddenly struck by an idea.

"If you'd like, why don't we go to the garden together and take a look? They are truly beautiful roses."

Thinking it would be a nice change of pace, I invited her without thinking too deeply about it. I lightly thought that spending time in the garden once in a while might be nice.

Wendy's shoulders twitched at my invitation, and then she said nothing. Silence continued for a while.

"Milady...?"

Just as I called out in confusion, Wendy finally shook her head.

"I won't go."

I was a little surprised by her firm voice. Wendy's face had stiffened.

"Ah... I see."

When I slumped my shoulders in confusion, Wendy gasped and opened her mouth in a panic.

"Ah, n-no. It's not that I don't want to go with you, Becca..."

"Eh, o-oh..."

As I stood there bewildered, Wendy looked away awkwardly.

"......If I..."

"Yes?"

"If I go outside... everyone will be scared of my mark, and they'll get nervous. So, it's fine. I won't leave this room."

At those words, I was struck speechless. At the same time, I deeply regretted casually suggesting we go out to the garden.

"I-I am terribly sorry."

When I bowed my head deeply, Wendy spoke quietly.

"I'm sorry too, Becca. Even though you were kind enough to invite me."

"......I am so sorry."

I apologized again, trembling. My face grew hot with shame at my own thoughtless words and actions.

I really am an idiot and far too carefree. To think I would make my master feel sad without considering her feelings.

In that moment, I suddenly realized. The reason Wendy likes reading books is that she has given up on leaving this room. Wendy has lived shut away in her room since she was born. She favors adventure novels because she doesn't know the world outside this room, because she cannot see the outside world with her own eyes. That is why she wants to touch unknown worlds, even just a little, enjoying the world of imagination through books.

Because that is the only way she can live.

The moment I realized that, my heart sank, and my chest tightened. My heart hurt so much. I felt anger at my own denseness for not noticing until now.

Just then, I sensed Wendy standing up.

"Becca."

"......"

"Lift your face."

told to do so, I slowly raised my head. My little master was smiling right in front of me.

"You said it for my sake, didn't you? Thank you."

"......"

Making Wendy thank me made me feel pathetic, and my face twisted involuntarily. Wendy took my hand in hers on her own initiative.

"Hey, tonight, I want to drink milk together. With honey, okay?"

"......Yes."

"Also, hold my hand until I fall asleep again."

"Yes."

"And then, I want to hear Becca's lullaby. Sing me a song, okay?"

"......I-I'm tone-deaf, so I'd rather not."

"That's fine. I want Becca's song."

Wendy laughed happily. In contrast, looking like I was about to cry, I squeezed Wendy's hand tightly and managed to nod.

I wanted to protect this smile.

***

The next day.

"This is..."

Wendy looked up at me, her mouth hanging open in a daze. With a nervous expression, I held out a bouquet of roses to Wendy.

"I received permission from the gardener and the Head Maid to bring these."

Looking at the bouquet of yellow roses, Wendy was taken aback, but eventually, she laughed aloud.

"Fufufu, they really are beautiful, aren't they?"

"Yes, I wanted you to see them too, Milady."

"I like these roses very much."

"Really!?"

"Yeah. Decorate the room with them."

Wendy ordered while laughing. I nodded vigorously and replied.

"Understood!"

Borrowing a vase from another servant, I displayed the roses on the table in the room. Wendy and I sat side-by-side on the sofa, gazing at the roses.

"They bloom so beautifully..."

"There are other beautiful flowers blooming in the garden too. I will get some again."

"I want cute flowers..."

"Understood. Oh, come to think of it, I heard an interesting story from the gardener. These roses are for viewing, but apparently, there are roses you can eat."

"Eeehh? No way..."

"It's true."

"You're joking, right?"

"No, it really is true."

While chatting together, we gazed at the roses. Wendy laughed happily and looked up at me.

Smiling back, I thought to myself that this time spent together was truly fun.

***

Several days later.

"Rebecca, bring the cleaning tools from the supply room."

"Okaaaay!"

Asked by another servant, I hurriedly headed to the supply room. Once this is done, I have to bring Milady's dinner and finish my work in the kitchen. I wonder what time I'll finish work today, I thought as I hurried along. Just as I turned the corner—

"Ah."

I bumped into someone. Feeling a light impact, I spoke reflexively.

"I am terribly sorry!"

"No, I should apologize. Are you hurt?"

Hearing a voice I didn't recognize, I looked forward. Standing there was a beautiful young man, visibly dressed in elegant, high-quality clothes. He had pale blond hair that was slightly long and tied back. His eyes were as beautiful as amethysts. It was the first time I had ever seen such a beautiful man. As I stared, captivated in spite of myself, the young man spoke with a troubled expression.

"Perfect timing. Do you know where a maid named Rebecca is?"

At the young man's question, my eyes widened involuntarily. Not knowing how to answer, a confused voice slipped out.

"U-Um..."

"Ah, sorry, sorry. You must be surprised to be asked something like this so suddenly."

The young man smiled wryly and added more words.

"My name is Christopher Jean Caldwell. I am looking for a maid named Rebecca. ——You wouldn't happen to know where she is?"