My Maid is Cute Chapter 14 : Two Lonely Souls (Patreon)

"Rebecca, what happened today? You were late to the kitchen, it seems..."

Asked by Carrie, Rebecca replied with a twitching face.

"Ah, I overslept a little..."

Laughing to cover it up, she picked up the breakfast tray.

"Well then, I'll go deliver this!"

Saying that quickly, she dashed out of the kitchen as if fleeing.

Carrie watched her leave with a puzzled expression.

***

"M-Milady, I have brought your meal."

I placed Wendy's breakfast on the table beside the door and called out while knocking. I intended to run away immediately, but Wendy's voice was heard right away.

"——Come in."

Rebecca's face stiffened. Then, exhaling a small breath as if resigning herself, she opened the door.

"Excuse me."

Inside the room, Wendy was sitting on the bed, looking at me.

"Good morning, Becca."

Her voice was a little stiff, making me want to look away involuntarily.

"......Good morning."

Returning the greeting, Rebecca bowed deeply right there.

"Um, Milady, regarding last night... I am truly sorry."

"......"

"......Presumptuously falling asleep in your bed, I am truly sorr—"

"That's fine."

Wendy spoke up, interrupting Rebecca's words. Rebecca raised her face in confusion.

"Y-You aren't angry...?"

"No. When I woke up, I was a little disappointed that you weren't next to me, Becca."

"I-Is that so."

Not knowing how to answer Wendy's words, I bowed my head again and spoke.

"Um, I truly apologize. I will be careful not to let something like this happen again, so..."

"......It's okay if you do."

"Excuse me?"

Not understanding the meaning of Wendy's words, I raised my head involuntarily. Confused, I spoke.

"Umm... eh?"

"When I hug you, Becca, it's warm and feels nice. So, you can sleep with me again."

"......Eh?"

"Besides."

Wendy got off the bed and approached Rebecca. Wearing a mischievous smile, she grabbed Rebecca's apron. Then, with a happy expression, she spoke.

"Your sleeping face was very cute, Becca."

"......"

I was at a loss for words, and felt my face heat up for some reason. Wendy looked up at Rebecca, this time with a serious face, and added more words.

"But, you mustn't show it to anyone but me."

"......Yes."

When I answered instinctively, Wendy laughed with satisfaction.

***

During the day, while hanging laundry in the garden, I repeatedly recalled what Wendy had said.

Very cute.

The words she said with a smile echoed in my mind. When Wendy called me cute, I felt a strange sensation, somewhat fluffy and ticklish.

But I must be careful never to sleep in Milady's room again, I thought as I finished hanging the laundry and heaved a big sigh. Next was kitchen duty.

Returning to the mansion, I headed straight for the kitchen. On the way, I passed several maids I recognized. As usual, I bowed lightly.

"Good work."

When Rebecca greeted them, the maids blatantly ignored her and walked away quickly. Confused by their behavior, Rebecca turned her gaze toward them. The maids were whispering something amongst themselves.

It was a very unpleasant atmosphere somehow.

"That's jealousy."

When I told Carrie about it in the kitchen, I was surprised by her immediate, concise answer.

"Jealousy?"

"Rebecca, you've become friendly with Master Christopher recently, right? The maids don't like that."

Surprised by those words, I opened my mouth.

"I only spoke with Master Christopher a little and had a meal with him and Milady, just the three of us!"

"Exactly, isn't that what they envy? Master Christopher is extremely popular with the servants, but... aside from his personal butler, he apparently doesn't let anyone get close. They're jealous that you can talk to him casually."

"Ehh...? What is that...?"

When I muttered in bewilderment, Carrie frowned and continued.

"Be careful, Rebecca. They might harass you."

"H-Harass me!?"

"I don't know for sure... but girls who are seriously in love with Master Christopher might be capable of it..."

At those words, I involuntarily held my head and groaned.

"Even though there's really nothing between me and Master Christopher..."

Carrie also tilted her head, looking troubled.

***

At night, since the bell rang, Rebecca quickly prepared milk and headed to Wendy's room.

"Excuse me."

Wendy was sitting on the bed, quietly waiting for Rebecca.

"Becca, milk."

"Yes. Please wait a moment."

As usual, I prepared the hot milk. Watching Rebecca warm the milk and open the jar of honey, Wendy tilted her head.

"Becca, do you have no energy today?"

"Eh."

At Wendy's words, my hand almost stopped pouring the milk.

"Milady, why do you think so?"

"Hmm, just somehow... I felt like you seemed gloomy..."

Smiling wryly at that answer, I held out the finished hot milk to Wendy and replied.

"It's nothing. Please don't worry about it."

I couldn't say that her brother was the cause even if my mouth were torn open. Even while drinking the hot milk, Wendy looked at me worriedly.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes."

When I forced a smile to reassure her, Wendy looked relieved. Gazing at her face, Rebecca spoke.

"Milady, well then, I shall take my leave—"

"Wait."

Just as I was about to leave the room, Wendy called out. She patted the bed lightly and looked up at me.

"Becca, sleep with me."

At those words, Rebecca's whole body froze. She immediately shook her head.

"——No, that is..."

"I want to be with you, Becca."

"......I-I can't. Really."

Confused, my voice trembled. This was the first time she had been so selfish.

"......I cannot do such a presumptuous thing ever again."

"I am saying it's okay."

At those words, I shook my head vigorously again.

Wendy pouted sulkily, but eventually sighed heavily as if giving up.

"Then, stay here just a little longer."

At those words, I thought a little and slowly nodded.

"Certainly."

Wendy's cheeks relaxed, and she patted the bed lightly again.

"Sit, here."

"Yes."

When I sat as told, Wendy immediately laid her head on Rebecca's lap, looking happy. Surprised by her action but smiling wryly, I gently stroked Wendy's forehead. Wendy closed her eyes comfortably.

"I like being stroked by you, Becca."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. Even when we first met, you stroked me like this, didn't you?"

Wendy opened her eyes and looked straight at Rebecca.

"I felt extremely relieved back then."

Then, she smiled like a flower.

"Thank you."

"......I am honored."

When Rebecca smiled back, Wendy slowly closed her eyes again and spoke.

"Sorry, for being late to say thank you."

"Excuse me?"

"Thank you for saving me when I was collapsed that day. I've wanted to thank you for a long time."

"Thank me?"

"Yeah. But I didn't know how to say it..."

While continuing to stroke Wendy's forehead, Rebecca recalled the time they first met and laughed a little.

"I was surprised back then. Since you were collapsed in the room... I was desperate too."

Wendy spoke again while dozing off.

"Why are you so kind, Becca?"

"Yes?"

"Everyone is scared of me. They never talk to me, and they don't even try to get close. Why do you treat me kindly, Becca? Aren't you scared of the curse?"

At that question, Rebecca fell silent for a while. Then, as if thinking, she opened her mouth.

"Well, I was scared at first, of course... but there was no helping feeling anxious, and... well, I thought whatever happens, happens."

"What is that..."

"Besides, I couldn't leave you alone. Milady."

Rebecca laughed and added more words.

"I used to be alone too, a long time ago. At that time, there was just one person who supported me. Because that person was there, I could move forward even when things were painful or sad. ...I felt like my past self and you were somewhat similar, Milady... so I think I couldn't leave you alone."

I lightly squeezed Wendy's hand.

"Because being alone is lonely... I wanted to be close to you and protect you, Milady. That is all."

"......"

Wendy said nothing with her eyes closed. Is she asleep already? Just as Rebecca thought that, her small lips finally opened.

"You really are carefree, Becca..."

"Eh? What is it, all of a sudden?"

"......Mhm-hm."

Wendy opened her eyes slightly and laughed softly.

"Hey, sing me a song."

"......You know, don't you? My singing is—"

"I want to hear Becca's tone-deaf song. Please."

I smiled wryly at Wendy's words. Then, I sang a lullaby slowly in a small voice. Wendy laughed and closed her eyes.

The night quietly deepened.

Suddenly, Rebecca thought, I am happy.

***

Thank you for reading. Next, I would like to write from Milady's perspective for the first time.