My maid is Cute Chapter 11 : Birthday (Patreon)

The magic academy entered its long vacation, and Christopher returned to the mansion. On the day of his return, the entire household was busy with preparations to welcome him from the morning onwards. As usual, the Count and Countess did not make an appearance, but the servants were somewhat restless; the young maids, in particular, were fluttering about with excitement.

Wendy, too, seemed unable to wait for her brother's return, pacing restlessly around her room since morning. She glanced repeatedly out the window and at the clock.

"Not yet, I wonder?"

"I am sure he will be here soon."

Rebecca stayed in Wendy's room, waiting for Christopher with her.

"It has been a while since you last saw Master Christopher, hasn't it?"

"Yeah. I'm happy."

"When he comes here, I shall pour some tea."

"Include some sweets, too. Brother likes sweet things."

"Certainly."

Just as Rebecca answered with a smile, the sound of a knock was heard. In that instant, Wendy's face lit up.

"He's back!"

Shouting loudly, she rushed to the door and flung it open with vigor.

"Brother!"

"I'm home, Wendy."

The moment the door opened, Christopher appeared, and Wendy leaped at him. Christopher caught Wendy with a smile.

"I got tired of waiting."

"Sorry, sorry. I am happy to see you, Wendy."

"Yeah!"

Smiling at the sight of the close siblings, Rebecca bowed deeply to greet Christopher.

"Welcome home, Master Christopher."

"Ah. It's good to be back, Rebecca."

After exchanging a brief greeting, Rebecca began preparing to serve tea.

"Was school fun?"

"Yeah. But I was lonely not being able to see you, Wendy."

Listening to their conversation, I carried the fragrant tea and the baked sweets I had brought from the kitchen to the table, arranging them in front of the two.

"Oh, that looks delicious."

Christopher looked pleased when he saw the tea and sweets.

"Becca prepared them just for you, Brother."

"Is that so? Thank you, Rebecca."

Thanked, Rebecca bowed her head quietly.

Sitting on the sofa, the two began to chat happily while drinking tea. Wendy spoke to her brother with delight.

"Guess what? The book you sent me the other day was very interesting. Becca said it was interesting, too."

"That's good. I'm glad both of you liked it."

Christopher replied gently while patting Wendy's head with a smile. Not wanting to intrude, Rebecca stood quietly in the background, watching over them.

They really are close siblings, I was thinking vaguely, when Christopher suddenly turned his face toward me.

"What kind of books do you usually read, Rebecca?"

"Eh..."

Suddenly addressed by Christopher, I answered, albeit with some bewilderment.

"Um, let me see... I like anything, really... but I like mysteries, literary fiction... and romance novels as well..."

Hearing that, Christopher voiced his pleasure.

"That's good. I like mysteries too. Let's talk about them at length sometime."

"Oh..."

Just as Rebecca gave a vague reply, Wendy spoke up with a face that looked somewhat sulky for some reason.

"Me too! I want to read the books Becca likes too!"

"Ehh...? That might be a little..."

Those genres were a bit difficult for an eight-year-old girl to read. When Rebecca made a troubled face, Wendy raised her voice, looking even more indignant.

"It's unfair if it's just Brother! I want to talk about books with Becca too!"

"But you do that with me almost every day, don't you, Milady...?"

At Rebecca's words, Christopher burst out laughing. He continued to chuckle.

"I knew it from Wendy's letters, but you two really are close friends. I'm a little jealous."

"......"

I wonder what on earth was written in Milady's letters, Rebecca thought. Then, Christopher turned his gaze to her again.

"I'll look for more books that Wendy and you might like next time. Look forward to it."

"......Yes."

I bowed my head in gratitude for his words. Wendy still had a sulky look on her face.

***

The day after Christopher returned, a stranger visited the mansion. He was a middle-aged man wearing glasses and sporting a magnificent beard.

Christopher welcomed the guest with a serious expression. Then, the guest entered Wendy's room.

"......?"

I wonder who that was just now? Just as I thought that, the Head Maid spoke to me.

"Rebecca, it would be best if you didn't enter Milady's room for a while."

"Ah... yes."

Told so, I nodded reflexively. Afterwards, though hesitant, I took the plunge and asked the Head Maid.

"Who was the person who just entered Milady's room?"

The Head Maid's face clouded over, and her eyes swam for a moment, but she soon spoke.

"......You ought to know, I suppose."

Keeping her clouded expression, the Head Maid continued in a slightly lower voice.

"He is a renowned magician. ...Master Christopher hired him to break Milady's curse."

My eyes widened greatly at those words.

"Ca-Can it be cured? The mark?"

The Head Maid made a difficult face.

"I don't know. We have invited famous doctors and magicians to look at the mark several times before... but it was completely hopeless. But, perhaps... this time..."

Expectation rose at the Head Maid's words. After that, even as I worked, my mind was elsewhere. Worried about Wendy, I went to the front of her room several times and paced around.

Eventually, Christopher and the magician emerged from Wendy's room.

"Ah..."

I hurriedly hid in the shadows. Christopher wore a look of devastation, and the magician was bowing his head apologetically. Guessing the result from their appearance, Rebecca slumped her shoulders as well.

The magician left the scene immediately, leaving behind a gloomy-looking Christopher. Rebecca spoke timidly to his back.

"......Um."

Christopher turned around, looking momentarily confused upon seeing Rebecca. Then, forcing a smile, he spoke.

"......Hello, Rebecca."

"Um, how is Milady...?"

At Rebecca's words, Christopher's face stiffened.

"......Shall we talk a little? Let's go to the garden."

Told so by Christopher, Rebecca nodded, confused. She then quietly followed behind Christopher as he began walking toward the garden.

Once outside, a clear blue sky without a single cloud spread out above. Soft sunlight was pouring down. It was a calm, pleasant day.

In the vast garden, Christopher stopped. His face harbored deep disappointment. He was silent for a while, but eventually, holding his head in his hands with a dark expression, he spoke.

"......The man who came just now is a famous magician. I had him look at Wendy's mark."

"......Yes."

Rebecca replied briefly and stared at Christopher. Christopher made a pained face and let out a heavy sigh.

"——It was no good."

Clenching his fists tightly, he turned his face away from Rebecca and looked down. Christopher spoke, his voice trembling.

"I thought this time, for sure. But I was told it cannot be broken."

"......"

"My sister's curse... cannot be broken. No matter what. At this rate, that child will... bear that ugly mark for the rest of her life... and be all alone. She has given up on leaving her room... she cannot even walk under this sun..."

"......Master Christopher."

When I involuntarily called out to him, Christopher finally raised his face. He forced a smile again.

"I'm sorry. Venting such complaints to you..."

"No."

I hurriedly shook my head.

Silence fell again. Just as Rebecca was agonizing over what words to say, Christopher made a face as if remembering something and spoke.

"That's right, I have a request for you, Rebecca."

"Y-Yes. What is it?"

"It's Wendy's birthday soon. In one week."

"Oh."

Since I didn't know, I let out a loud voice in surprise.

"Normally, we would throw a grand party... but that is difficult."

"I see..."

I suppose so, I nodded secretly in my heart. A Count's daughter would usually invite many friends for a birthday party, but Wendy, who shuts herself in her room, would hate a grand party, and likely has no friends to invite.

"If you are willing, I want to celebrate Wendy's birthday this year with just the three of us—me and you. I'm sure Wendy would be happy, too."

At Christopher's words, imagining Wendy's smile, Rebecca nodded.

"Understood."

At Rebecca's answer, Christopher's face relaxed.

"I'm glad. It looks like it will be a fun birthday."

"Um, what should I prepare?"

At Rebecca's question, Christopher shook his head while laughing.

"Nothing is needed. I just want you to celebrate Wendy with me."

"Oh..."

"I will arrange for the cake and the meal."

I gave a small nod at those words.

***

Having agreed to celebrate Wendy's birthday, Rebecca panicked. Christopher had said no preparation was needed, but surely a present was essential.

"Hmmm."

After work, I went out to the town for the first time in a while and looked around various shops. I didn't know what to buy as a present for Wendy.

"Clothes... toys, stuffed animals...?"

I had absolutely no idea what to send to a girl turning nine, and a Count's daughter at that. I looked around various shops, but nothing really clicked.

Come to think of it, I don't really know what Wendy likes, Rebecca thought.

"I know she likes books, but..."

Thinking I might play it safe and buy an adventure book Wendy seemed likely to enjoy, I was about to head to the bookstore when it happened.

"......Ah."

An item in the glass display case of an accessories shop caught my eye.

"......"

After thinking for a moment, I stepped into that shop.

***

One week later, having received permission from the Head Maid, I headed to Wendy's room at noon.

"Excuse me."

When I knocked on the door and entered, Christopher was already waiting inside.

"Hi, Rebecca."

Wendy also saw Rebecca and raised her voice.

"Becca! Did you bring the meal?"

Rebecca laughed slightly and shook her head.

"No. I am not working today."

"......?"

Wendy looked puzzled. Rebecca slowly approached Wendy, crouched down, and met Wendy's eyes.

"——I came here today to celebrate."

Wendy made a surprised face. Smiling, Rebecca added more words.

"Happy 9th Birthday."

Wendy's face turned red, and she whipped around to look at Christopher. Christopher nodded with a smile. Wendy turned her face back to Rebecca and spoke, trembling.

"Y-You're going to celebrate? You too, Becca?"

Rebecca nodded and gently held both of Wendy's hands.

"Yes, of course. ——I am grateful for the miracle that you were born into this world, Milady, and that I was able to meet you."

At Rebecca's words, Wendy's face froze.

A moment later, tears began to spill down her cheeks. Seeing those tears, Rebecca spoke up in a panic.

"M-Milady, what is the matter? Was it unpleasant?"

"That's not it, Rebecca. Right, Wendy?"

Christopher interjected with a laugh, and Wendy nodded her head vigorously over and over.

"Wendy is crying because she's happy."

Listening to Christopher's voice, Rebecca flusteredly took out a handkerchief and wiped Wendy's tears.

"——Th-Thank you, Becca."

Wendy spoke with a trembling voice.

"I-I am happy... to have met you too."

Saying that, she finally smiled. Rebecca smiled back.

"Now, let's have our meal. We have cake, of course."

As soon as Christopher said that, a knock was heard, and several servants entered. In the blink of an eye, many dishes and a cake were laid out.

"Becca, let's eat together."

Wendy took Rebecca's hand and pulled. Rebecca nodded with a laugh and headed to the table with Wendy.

During the meal, Wendy was in good spirits the whole time. Laughing innocently in excitement, she spoke to Christopher and Rebecca repeatedly, eating her cake happily.

Rebecca laughed along with them, enjoying the meal.

The meal ended, and Christopher stood up to call the servants. Rebecca, feeling nervous, spoke to Wendy.

"U-Um, Milady."

"What is it?"

Rebecca took out the wrapped present she had prepared and held it out to Wendy.

"This is... a present."

"Eh."

Wendy made a surprised face again.

"F-For me?"

"Um, well, it isn't anything very expensive, and you might not... like it, perhaps, but..."

Seeming not to hear Rebecca's words, Wendy took the package and immediately opened it.

"Wow..."

What was inside the package was a lace ribbon. It was a lovely design with delicate embroidery.

"......"

Wendy stared at it in a daze, without saying a word. Anxious about her reaction, Rebecca spoke up as if to cover up the silence.

"U-Um, I thought it would look good on you, Milady... b-but if you don't like it—"

"There's no way I wouldn't like it."

Wendy replied as if offended by the suggestion. Then, her face relaxed, and she hugged the ribbon, wrapping and all, gently to her chest.

"Thank you, Becca."

"Y-Yes."

Rebecca felt relieved and stroked her chest to calm down. Wendy spoke, keeping her smile.

"I'll put it in my hair."

"Ah, shall I do it for you?"

"Eh."

Rebecca nodded lightly and moved behind Wendy. Then, she spoke again.

"If you'd like, I can tie your hair for you."

Wendy stiffened her body nervously for an instant, but immediately held out the ribbon to Rebecca.

"Okay, please do."

"Yes."

Touching her silky long blond hair, I carefully braided it at the back. Finally, I tied the lace ribbon I had given her.

"It is done."

"Show me a mirror."

"Yes."

When I brought the hand mirror from Wendy's room, Wendy took it and stared at her reflection intently.

"How is it?"

When Rebecca asked, Wendy looked up and smiled brightly.

"Becca."

"Yes."

"Crouch down."

Ordered to do so, Rebecca sat down on the spot as told, though puzzled. The moment she crouched, Wendy hugged Rebecca from the front. Taken by surprise, Rebecca's whole body went rigid.

"I've never had such a happy birthday."

Wendy whispered in her ear, and Rebecca's heart pounded.

"Thank you, Becca. I love you."

At those words, feeling joy, Rebecca slowly wrapped her arms around Wendy's back.

Christopher watched the two embracing quietly, with a gentle smile on his face.