My Maid is Cute Chapter 21 : The Beast (Patreon)

"Brother!"

The moment we entered Wendy's room and she saw Christopher’s face, her expression lit up. She ran straight to him and threw her arms around him.

"Why are you here?"

"I came back to see how you were doing, Wendy. I’m glad to see you looking well."

Christopher broke into a warm smile as he gazed at her.

"How long can you stay?"

"I can't stay too long, I'm afraid. I have to return to the academy tomorrow."

Wendy’s face fell in disappointment at his words.

"So soon? I wish you could stay longer..."

"I’m sorry. But in exchange, let’s spend the whole day together today. I didn't get to talk to you at all last time."

When Christopher said that, Wendy smiled just a little.

"Rebecca, would you prepare some tea?"

"Yes."

At Christopher’s order, Rebecca moved immediately. She headed toward the kitchen to prepare tea and snacks.

In the kitchen, the servants were buzzing with excitement for some reason. She found it strange, but since she didn't want to keep Christopher and Wendy waiting, she quickly finished preparing the tea and slipped out of the kitchen without asking questions.

"So, how far have you written?"

"Guess what, guess what? With the typewriter—"

When Rebecca entered the room, Wendy, who had been chatting happily on the sofa, saw her and immediately clamped her mouth shut with a start.

Tilting her head at Wendy’s reaction, Rebecca bowed.

"I apologize for the wait. Lord Christopher, Milady."

She quickly raised her head, approached the sofa, and set the tea and sweets on the table.

"Ah, that looks delicious. I heard the new cook is skilled at making sweets, so I’ve been looking forward to this."

Seeing the baked goods lined up on the table, Christopher let out a pleased sound. He stuffed a cookie into his mouth and immediately relaxed his expression.

"Mm, this is good. I like it. I feel like I could eat these forever."

"Brother, you still love sweets just as much as ever, don't you?"

Wendy laughed happily as she picked up her cup and sipped her tea. Watching them, Rebecca glanced around the room and spoke.

"Come to think of it, where is Mr. Reed...?"

Not seeing the butler who usually attended to Christopher, she asked about him. Christopher waved his hand with a wry smile.

"He took time off to go on a date with his wife. It’s been a while since they met just the two of them, so he looked quite happy."

"Ah..."

So that explains why I didn't see Carrie in the kitchen earlier, Rebecca thought, smiling wryly in understanding.

Christopher and Wendy continued to chat happily on the sofa for a while, but eventually, Christopher cried out as if remembering something and stood up.

"Ah, that's right. I bought a few more books for you, Wendy..."

Hearing that, Wendy clapped her hands together in delight.

"Really? I'm so happy!"

"I left them in my room with my luggage. I'll go get them right now. Rebecca, there are quite a few, so could you give me a hand?"

"Certainly."

Rebecca nodded immediately and left the room with Christopher.

They walked side by side down the hallway. As Rebecca followed silently a step behind, Christopher spoke up.

"Wendy has changed considerably."

When Rebecca turned her gaze toward him, Christopher continued with deep emotion.

"She’s grown taller than before, and she looks healthier. She was so small, you wouldn't think she was nine, but she’s growing little by little. More than anything, she talks more now, and her expressions have become so much richer."

"——Do you think so?"

"It’s thanks to you, Rebecca."

Christopher turned a radiant smile toward her.

"The fact that Wendy has changed is all thanks to you."

"——I haven't done anything..."

"It’s because you stayed close to Wendy. Because you were by her side, my sister was able to change this much."

"..."

Rebecca fell silent, unsure of how to respond. Paying no mind to her reaction, Christopher stopped in the middle of the hallway. He looked straight into Rebecca’s face and bowed his head.

"Thank you, Rebecca."

"P-Please, raise your head!"

Flustered by Christopher’s action, Rebecca cried out in panic. She averted her eyes from the bowing noble, her hands fidgeting nervously. Christopher lifted his head, and while gazing at Rebecca, he spoke again.

"I am truly grateful. If not for you, surely my sister would have—"

Suddenly, Christopher’s words cut off abruptly.

Rebecca looked up, knitting her brows. Then, she froze.

In Christopher’s eyes resided a terrifying rage and hatred unlike anything she had ever seen. His gaze was fixed on something behind Rebecca.

When Rebecca hurriedly turned around to look...

"——Ah."

Count Cordwell was walking down the hallway, arm in arm with a woman Rebecca didn't know, a smirk plastered on his face.

The Count returned to the estate too? Rebecca was shocked. She instantly understood why the servants in the kitchen had been making such a fuss earlier. It must have been a surprise to have both the Count, who rarely returned, and Christopher back at the same time.

As she thought this, Count Cordwell seemed to notice them and looked their way. The moment he saw Christopher, the nasty smirk on the Count's face stiffened.

"——Let’s go."

Christopher spoke in a hard voice and took Rebecca’s hand. Ignoring the Count completely, he turned his back on him and began to walk away, practically dragging Rebecca along.

"U-Um, Lord Christopher?"

She walked while being pulled by Christopher for a while, but seeing the terrible expression on his face, Rebecca finally called out to him. Reacting to her voice, Christopher finally stopped. He turned back to confirm the Count was no longer visible, then let out a heavy sigh.

"Rebecca, I’m sorry."

He released her hand and held his head in his hands.

"I never thought that man would be back here too."

As Rebecca felt bewildered that he called his own father "that man," Christopher sighed again.

"This is the worst... It was supposed to be a fun day."

"U-Um..."

Tilting her head at his demeanor, Rebecca spoke up.

"Um, Lord Christopher... do both you and Milady... find the Count... difficult to deal with?"

"..."

Christopher didn't answer and grimaced deeply, so Rebecca hurriedly continued.

"M-My apologies! I... I spoke out of turn—"

"‘Difficult’ doesn't even begin to cover it."

Christopher turned his face away from Rebecca and spoke.

"I hate him more than anything in this world."

At those words, spat out with venom, Rebecca furrowed her brows.

"You hate him...?"

"I don't want to think of him as my parent. Just remembering that his blood flows in my veins makes me want to vomit. If I could, I would never look at his face again. I want him to disappear from this world."

"..."

Rebecca’s eyes widened as these unbelievable words flew from the mouth of the usually gentle Christopher.

"I never want to call him ‘Father.’ He is selfish, self-righteous... a truly disgusting man who only thinks of his own desires. Rebecca, you must not get close to that man. Because of that man, Wendy is—"

Christopher stopped himself, as if suddenly realizing what he was saying. As Rebecca watched him in confusion, he took a deep breath to calm himself. Then, he gave a weak smile.

"——I'm sorry. Saying things like this to you..."

"...No, it is fine."

"Anyway, Rebecca, stay away from that man. Now, let’s go."

Pulling himself together, Christopher started walking toward his room. Rebecca hurriedly moved her feet to chase after him.

***

Count Cordwell apparently left the estate immediately that afternoon. Hearing this, Christopher looked relieved. Wendy, on the other hand, had spent the entire day with her brother and was smiling in good spirits, clearly having had a wonderful time.

The next day, Christopher returned to the academy, though he seemed reluctant to part. Rebecca was worried Wendy might be depressed, but Wendy wasn't as downcast as she expected.

"Brother said he would come back soon. I'm okay."

Wendy smiled as she said this to the worried-looking Rebecca.

Why does Christopher hate his father so much? Rebecca wondered, lost in thought as she cleaned the hallway with a serious expression. It was hard to believe the always kind and calm Christopher held such intense hatred toward the Count. There must be some massive feud between them. What on earth happened in the past?

'Because of that man, Wendy is—'

Christopher’s last words weighed heavily on her mind. What did it have to do with Wendy?

Could it be—

Just as Rebecca was trying to gather her thoughts...

"E-Excuse me, Miss Rebecca."

Her name was called from behind. Turning around in a hurry, she saw a young man with straw-colored hair wearing a cook's uniform.

"Um...?"

Rebecca tilted her head. She didn't know his name, but she had seen his face in the kitchen a few times. He seemed to be a young cook who had been hired recently.

"U-Um! My name is Locke!"

Rebecca was confused by the red-faced young man introducing himself as Locke, but she responded politely.

"Oh, hello... I am Rebecca. Um, did you need something...?"

"Ah, er, um... there was something I wanted to ask..."

Locke was fidgeting, opening and closing his mouth repeatedly. Seeing Rebecca tilt her head in confusion, Locke hesitated, then clenched his fists and shouted loudly.

"U-Um! Well... I was just really wondering... the baked sweets from yesterday, I made them... and, well, did Lord Christopher say anything? I just really wanted to know if Lord Christopher liked the sweets I made..."

Rebecca was a little surprised by his words, but she smiled wryly and spoke in a reassuring tone.

"Yes. He said they were delicious. He seemed to like them very much."

At Rebecca’s words, Locke’s face lit up instantly. Overcome with emotion, he grabbed Rebecca’s right hand firmly.

"T-Thank you! Thank you!"

"E-Eh..."

"I'm still just a fledgling cook, and I lack confidence... but I feel like I can keep trying now! Really, thank you!"

Seeing him so incredibly happy, Rebecca’s face naturally softened into a smile as well.

"That is wonderful news."

Seeing her smile, Locke’s face turned even redder. Then, looking as if he had made up his mind, he spoke again.

"U-Um, if it's alright with you, maybe we could grab a meal sometime—"

At that moment, a loud voice rang out.

"BECCA!!"

She spun around at the sharp sound. There stood Wendy, her expression filled with rage.

"Ah, Milady—"

Wendy marched stomping toward Rebecca and Locke. She glared at Locke’s hand, which was still holding Rebecca’s. Then, extending her small hands, she forcibly ripped Rebecca’s hand away from Locke. She kept hold of Rebecca’s hand and tugged.

"Come here."

"U-Um—"

As Rebecca stood flustered, unable to move, another sharp command flew at her.

"Listen to my orders!"

"Y-Yes!"

She hurriedly started walking, pulled along by Wendy. Glancing back slightly, she gave a small bow to Locke. Locke just watched Wendy and Rebecca leave with a stunned look on his face.

***

"U-Um, Milady?"

As soon as they entered Wendy’s room, Rebecca was made to sit on the sofa. Wendy sat on Rebecca’s lap and immediately clung to her.

"Milady? What is the matter?"

Even when Rebecca spoke to her, Wendy didn't answer. She only tightened the arms hugging Rebecca.

Rebecca timidly wrapped her arms around the small body in return. When she did, some of the tension left Wendy’s body.

"Milady?"

When Rebecca called out again, Wendy finally pulled away.

Then, staring at Rebecca as if glaring, she took Rebecca’s right hand in both of hers.

With her small hands, she squeezed and kneaded Rebecca’s right hand repeatedly. Pouting her lips, she continued to hold and stare at the hand.

"What is wrong?"

When Rebecca tilted her head and asked again, Wendy finally opened her mouth.

"That person just now."

"Eh?"

"The person who was holding Becca's hand just now."

Wendy turned a strong gaze toward Rebecca’s face.

"Don't talk to that person. Don't go near him. Making eye contact is forbidden too."

"Ehh...?"

Surprised by those words, Rebecca let out a voice of protest.

"No, that's impossible."

"Why!"

"He is a servant of this estate and a cook... we work together. So, even if it is your order, Milady, that is impossible."

"......Ugh!"

Making a strange groaning sound, Wendy started lightly hitting Rebecca.

"Even so! No! It's no good!!"

"M-Milady."

"I can't forgive anyone getting close to my Becca!! Absolutely not!!"

Rebecca caught the hands of the tantrum-throwing Wendy and spoke in an exasperated tone.

"No, but listen... if talking, approaching, and even making eye contact are forbidden, it will actually hinder my work... I'll end up getting fired."

"......! That's even worse!!"

Wendy shouted and puffed out her cheeks.

Seeing her state, Rebecca smiled wryly and this time, she took hold of Wendy's hands herself.

"...Understood. Then, I will try not to speak to him as much as possible outside of work."

"..."

"Will you forgive me with that for now?"

"..."

"Milady, please."

When Rebecca asked with a troubled expression, Wendy let out a big breath and muttered quietly.

"——I guess I have no choice."

Rebecca smiled at those words.

"I appreciate it, Milady."

"But, really, don't talk to him outside of work. If you let him touch you like that again, I won't forgive you."

"Yes."

When Rebecca nodded, Wendy’s anger seemed to subside, and she buried her face in Rebecca’s chest again, hugging her tight.

Is this jealousy again? Rebecca thought as she gently stroked Wendy’s back.

At that moment, she heard a small whisper.

"——Sometimes."

"Yes?"

"Sometimes, you know... I get a strange feeling."

"A strange feeling...?"

"You know..."

Wendy lifted her face from Rebecca’s chest. Looking into those eyes, Rebecca’s heart gave a massive throb. Wendy’s beautiful emerald eyes were so intense, so sharp, emitting a terrifying light—

"You know, sometimes... I feel like putting a collar on you, Becca. Am I weird?"

Her eyes truly looked like those of a beast, Rebecca thought.