My Maid is Cute Chapter 25 : Good Night (Patreon)

"——What exactly is the 'curse' Heidi cast? Even now, I don't know the details."

Christopher continued speaking in a flat, emotionless voice.

"The servants who witnessed the incident back then were afraid of Wendy, and most of them quit. ...Nowadays, very few people even within this estate know about the incident."

Then, contorting his face as if in anguish, he slowly exhaled.

"From the day Wendy was born, we showed her to many mages and doctors. But everyone said they had never seen such eerie bruises. I also searched through and read every text and document I could find, but I still haven't found any curse that manifests as bruises on the body."

Christopher glanced at the surrounding books, then turned his face back to Rebecca.

"This is everything about the incident that happened in the Count's family in the past. Wendy's 'cursed bruises' are the result of the Count intentionally destroying a family's happiness."

"...That's... that's just..."

Having finished listening to Christopher's story, Rebecca cried out, her voice trembling.

"Milady was just dragged into it, wasn't she!"

"Yeah, exactly."

Christopher frowned and nodded.

"Wendy got caught up in it simply because she is the Count's daughter."

Then, holding his head, Christopher looked down.

"...Because of the cursed bruises, Wendy has lost and given up on various things since she was born. Loathed and feared by others, unable to even lead a normal life, she has remained shut away the whole time. ...Wendy's mother was disappointed by the Count's womanizing and was furious that it led to such an incident. And, finding the eerie bruises on the daughter she gave birth to creepy, she left the estate. She almost never returns here now. Wendy probably doesn't even remember her mother's face anymore..."

Christopher squeezed the words out, clenched his fist, and slammed it hard onto the table.

"Heidi miscalculated one thing. That man is scum unlike anyone else. Heidi targeted his daughter, Wendy, to make the Count suffer... but the Count only thinks about himself. He doesn't care about his family at all. Even his own flesh and blood are nothing but tools to that man. Even though his daughter is suffering because of him, he shows no remorse. Pretending not to see, averting his eyes from the problem, he continues to live his life of debauchery just as before. When I confronted him, that scoundrel said this: 'I'm really glad the curse didn't fall on me.' ...I hate him so much I want to kill him with my own hands..."

To Christopher, who was burning with the flames of anger, Rebecca asked timidly.

"...Um, does Milady know about this—"

"I haven't told her."

Christopher shook his head.

"I didn't know how to explain the circumstances to Wendy while she was still so young... She knows nothing. I know I have to explain it from my own mouth someday, but..."

And he sighed heavily.

"——Rebecca. Please don't tell anyone about this. Not the people around you, and of course, not Wendy. I will tell her properly when the time is right."

"...Yes."

When she gave a small reply, Christopher looked straight at Rebecca with a serious face and continued.

"I intend to uncover the true nature of the curse without fail. And I will definitely save Wendy. So Rebecca, please, continue to support Wendy from now on."

"..."

"That child needs you. Please, stay by her side."

"——Yes."

When Rebecca nodded, Christopher relaxed his lips just a little.

***

After returning to her private room, she immediately crawled into bed, but she couldn't sleep at all. With her eyes closed, lost in thought, she tossed and turned repeatedly. The story Christopher had told her ran round and round in her brain.

I want to break the curse placed on Wendy somehow. I want to be of help to the suffering Wendy.

But what can I do? Is supporting her by her side the only thing I can do?

Overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness, she almost groaned. To think being unable to do anything is this painful.

What should I do? There must be something I can do for Milady.

If there is anything I can do—

"Can't sleep?"

Startled, she opened her eyes. Before she knew it, Wendy was on the bed, looking down at her with a curious face.

"M-Milady?"

Rebecca voiced her surprise.

"It's rare for Becca to still be awake. Usually, you're sleeping soundly, suu-pii."

When Wendy said this while giggling, Rebecca sat up with a troubled look on her face.

"Did you come here again...?"

"Mm. I thought we could sleep together."

Seeing Wendy smile brightly, Rebecca sighed softly and spoke.

"Milady, for a master to sleep in a maid's room is..."

Just as she was about to start her lecture as usual, Wendy tilted her head with a puzzled look.

"Becca, did something happen?"

"——Huh?"

Rebecca stopped her words and tilted her head as well.

"What do you mean by 'something'?"

"Becca, you seem kind of down. Did something happen?"

Pointed out like that, Rebecca was stuck for words. Flustered, she involuntarily looked away from Wendy and waved her hand.

"That's not true. Just, well, how should I put it, I'm just a little tired—"

Wendy stared silently at Rebecca, who was making excuses in an obviously suspicious manner. Then,

"Becca."

"Y-Yes?"

"Sleep here."

Suddenly, Wendy pointed to the bed as she said this. Rebecca replied with a blank look.

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

"Just do it, sleep here!"

"Y-Yes."

Ordered in a strong tone, she replied reflexively. She lay down on the spot as told.

"Um, Milady—"

Just as Rebecca spoke to Wendy, a small hand reached out.

"——Eh."

Wendy began to stroke the head of the reclining Rebecca. She stroked her repeatedly, gently, as if comforting her.

"Um, Milady...?"

As Rebecca looked at Wendy in confusion, Wendy spoke with a slightly anxious expression.

"——Becca, does this make you feel better?"

"Yes?"

"When I'm stroked like this by you, Becca, I feel very happy and energetic. Are you happy when I stroke you, Becca? Does it make you feel better?"

Wendy's words choked her up. Wendy must have noticed Rebecca was down and tried to cheer her up in her own way. That feeling made her truly happy, and tears almost welled up.

Rebecca laughed a little and spoke.

"...It is true. I feel very, truly very much better."

When Rebecca said that, Wendy's face lit up.

"Then from now on, whenever you're down, Becca, I'll stroke you!"

"...I am very happy to hear that. Thank you, Milady."

When Rebecca smiled, Wendy nodded vigorously with a serious face.

While having her head stroked by Wendy, her eyelids grew heavy. Feeling an intense drowsiness wash over her, her consciousness began to blur.

Ah, this is no good. I have to escort Milady back to her room—

Even though she thought that, she couldn't resist the drowsiness. Slowly, Rebecca's eyes closed completely.

And her consciousness fell into the dream world.

"......Becca?"

Wendy called out to the completely asleep Rebecca. Perhaps because she was tired, Rebecca didn't wake up at that voice and slept soundly.

"..."

Wendy stared silently at the maid's peaceful sleeping face. Then, suddenly, she took a lock of Rebecca's long black hair in her hand, scooping it up. Bringing it close to her face, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the scent of the hair. Then, after glancing at Rebecca's face, she pressed her lips against the hair. A light smack of the lips echoed.

There was no sign of Rebecca waking up. Staring at the slumbering Rebecca, Wendy released her hand from the hair. Then, she eagerly burrowed into the bed and hugged Rebecca. And,

"——Good night, Becca. Sweet dreams."

Whispering softly, she smiled happily and slowly closed her eyes.