My Maid is Cute Chapter 34 : Secret Conversation (Patreon)

When Rebecca woke up, the first thing she felt was a small hand stroking her head. The soft touch was comforting.

"...Nnn?"

"Ah, Becca's awake!"

Startled by the voice, she turned her gaze to the side to see Wendy standing right next to her.

"She's awake! Becca's awake, True!"

She called out happily.

"My Lady...?"

Rebecca slowly sat up while calling Wendy's name. It seemed she had been sleeping in Tatiana's bed. Just as she was about to speak to Wendy, she saw True come running over in a bustle.

"Oh, thank goodness~. Ms. Rebecca, how are you feeling? Do you feel sick at all?"

To that question, Rebecca shook her head and answered.

"No, not particularly..."

"I'm so glad~. You didn't wake up for so long, so I was really worried..."

"Eh, what do you mean, for so long..."

Rebecca tilted her head at True's words. It was Wendy who answered.

"Becca, you were sleeping fooorever. Two whole days."

"Eh... that long?"

Surprised that she had slept for such a long time, she immediately gasped and called out to Wendy.

"My Lady, are you alright?"

Wendy smiled brightly and nodded vigorously.

"Yeah! Look, look, Becca!"

Saying that, she held out her arms. They were pure white, with no bruises marked anywhere.

"They're gone! There's nothing there anymore! Not on my hands, not on my legs! It's all thanks to Becca!! Thank you, Becca!!"

Saying so, Wendy hugged Rebecca with great force. Relieved by her energetic appearance, Rebecca hugged Wendy back. It was then.

"Oh, you're awake."

"Ah, good... how is your condition?"

Tatiana and Lauren entered the room. Rebecca pulled away from Wendy and turned her face to the two of them.

"Yes. I am sorry. It seems I slept for quite a long time... I caused you trouble."

"Don't worry about it. Thanks to you, the dispel was a success."

Tatiana shrugged. Rebecca suddenly looked around and frowned.

"Um, where are Lord Christopher and Lord Evan...?"

At Rebecca's question, everyone except Wendy clouded their expressions.

"Um...?"

As Rebecca was bewildered by their reaction, True suddenly spoke to Wendy.

"Wendy, I want to make some tea for Ms. Rebecca. Would you help me?"

At those words, Wendy energetically nodded.

"Yeah!"

True glanced at Tatiana, then took Wendy and left the room.

"Um... did something happen?"

When Rebecca asked in confusion, Tatiana sighed softly and sat down on a nearby chair.

"Well... where should I start..."

Tatiana hesitated, looking unsure, but then continued in a calm voice.

"It's a bit hard to say, but... those two returned to their own homes for a bit. They intended to stay here until you woke up, actually... but, well, something unexpected happened..."

"Unexpected?"

When Rebecca tilted her head, Tatiana, looking reluctant, told her what had happened while she was asleep.

A few hours after the dispel was finished, urgent news arrived from Christopher's butler, Reed.

It was news that Count Caldwell had died.

"E-Excuse me?"

Rebecca's mouth fell open involuntarily. It was so sudden she couldn't process the reality. Her mind went blank.

Watching Rebecca's reaction, Tatiana continued her explanation matter-of-factly.

Count Caldwell had apparently been enjoying a night with his mistress, but early in the morning, he suddenly collapsed in pain and breathed his last. It seemed to be a heart attack. The time of the Count's death was almost exactly the same time Wendy's dispel was completed.

"T-That is..."

Rebecca voiced her thoughts in a daze.

"Is that... a coincidence...?"

Tatiana frowned and shook her head.

"I don't know either... It seems certain it was death by natural causes, but..."

It didn't seem like a coincidence at all. Feeling as though an unseen force had been at work, Rebecca felt a chill run down her spine. At the same time, she understood why Wendy had been sent out of the room.

"Does My Lady know about this..."

"No, she doesn't know yet. So many things happened so suddenly... Christopher said he would tell her properly once things settled down."

Although bewildered by the overly rapid developments, Rebecca asked again.

"...Um, then, Lord Christopher is..."

It was Lauren who answered.

"He went back to the mansion for now. Since it was sudden, it seems he'll be busy with various arrangements and procedures. That Prince seems to be helping him out too. Both of them were worried about you, Missy."

Feeling guilty for worrying them at Lauren's words, Rebecca then heard Tatiana speak.

"Now, it's your turn."

"Yes?"

"Tell me what happened when the curse went berserk."

"Ah... um..."

At that question, Rebecca didn't know how to answer and hesitated. However, unable to withstand the intense gazes of Tatiana and Lauren, she eventually told them what happened, briefly but truthfully.

Just as Rebecca finished speaking, Wendy and True returned to the room with tea.

"Becca, here, please have this!"

"Thank you, My Lady."

Accepting the cup from Wendy's small hands, she took a sip of the warm tea. Feeling her heart settle a bit, she let out a sigh of relief.

"..."

"..."

Tatiana and Lauren were staring at Rebecca in silence.

"...Um?"

When Rebecca looked back while tilting her head, the two quietly exchanged glances. Tatiana immediately returned her gaze to Rebecca, sighed slightly, and spoke.

"...Anyway, I'm glad you're safe. I thank you; without you, the dispel would have failed. You really saved us."

"Ah, no, thank you very much as well!"

Rebecca hurriedly bowed her head too. Tatiana looked at Rebecca with a strangely complex expression. She opened her mouth to say something, but,

"..."

In the end, she closed her mouth and said nothing.

As Rebecca looked wonderingly at Tatiana's behavior, this time Lauren spoke up.

"——Well then, since Missy has woken up, I'm going home."

At those words, Tatiana turned her face to Lauren.

"What, you're leaving already?"

"Yeah. I ended up staying longer than planned."

Laughing cheerfully, Lauren picked up the luggage he seemed to have prepared. Then, he pressed a large box onto Rebecca.

"Here, Missy. This is yours."

"Yes?"

Although confused, Rebecca reflexively accepted it. Inside the box lay a long, slender sword.

"Eh, th-this is..."

"This guy chose you as its wielder. So, it belongs to you, Missy."

Surprised by Lauren's words, Rebecca hurriedly spoke.

"Eeeh, w-wait a minute! Um, I don't really understand, but this is something extremely valuable, isn't it!? I can't possibly accept—"

Rebecca tried to push the box back to Lauren in a panic, but Lauren lightly waved his hand with a wry smile.

"No, well, it is sort of a family heirloom, true... but it's way too difficult to handle, and honestly, I didn't know what to do with it... It's useless for me to keep it, so you take it, Missy. Do whatever you want with it."

Rebecca was flustered and panicking, but eventually accepted the box. Watching Rebecca happily, Lauren added more words.

"Irydia."

"Yes?"

"That sword's name is Irydia. Take good care of it."

Rebecca looked at the sword with a curious face.

"It sounds somewhat like a person's name..."

True also spoke while looking at the sword with deep interest.

"Perhaps the name of the person who made it?"

"Nope. My ancestor made it... but that wasn't their name. It's unknown why it's called Irydia. Well, maybe they had some thought in mind when naming the sword."

Saying this while shrugging, Lauren threw on his tattered cloak.

"Well then, see ya."

Then, waving his hand lightly, he gave a short greeting and left like the wind.

***

That afternoon, Christopher and Evan visited the house.

"Rebecca! Ah, thank goodness. You're awake—"

Christopher entered the house and immediately rushed to Rebecca with a look of heartfelt relief.

"Lord Christopher, I apologize for causing you trouble—"

"No, thanks to you, we were really, really saved. Thank you, truly, thank you, Rebecca."

Christopher held Rebecca's hand with both of his and bowed his head repeatedly while saying so.

"Rebecca, is your body okay? You don't feel sick anywhere?"

Evan asked from the side, and Rebecca nodded.

"Yes. I am fine. Nothing is wrong."

Evan smiled relieved at those words, and Christopher also sighed in relief.

"Ah, I'm really glad. I was wondering what I would do if something happened to Rebecca."

Christopher's face as he said this looked somewhat tired. His complexion was a bit pale, and he had dark circles under his eyes.

"Um..."

Rebecca tried to ask about the Count, but remembering Wendy was next to her, she hurriedly shut her mouth.

At that moment, Tatiana called out.

"Can I have a moment?"

Her gaze was fixed on Christopher.

"——I have something to discuss."

"Eh? With me?"

Christopher frowned. Tatiana nodded lightly.

"...Come over here."

Tatiana gestured to the back room and headed there. Christopher followed Tatiana with a puzzled look.

Left behind, Rebecca exchanged glances with Wendy.

"What are they talking about?"

"Who knows...?"

At that moment, Evan touched Rebecca's hand.

"I'm really glad you're safe. Losing a cute girl like you would be a loss for the world."

Rebecca's face twitched at Evan's passionate words. Wendy glared sullenly at Evan and spoke up.

"Hey! Take your hands off my Becca, you fluffy idiot!"

"W-Wait, My Lady—"

To say such a thing to a Prince—Rebecca opened her mouth to stop Wendy in a panic. However,

"Eeeh, that's cruel, calling me a fluffy idiot..."

Evan didn't seem to mind much and smiled brightly. He squeezed Rebecca's hand tightly. Seeing this, Wendy raised her eyebrows even more.

"Don't touch Becca, she's mine!!"

"Eeeh~, that's unfair, just you. A little bit is fine, isn't it?"

"Not a little bit! Not a little bit at all!! Let go right now!! Don't even touch her with one finger!!"

As Wendy shouted, she tried to pull Evan away from Rebecca.

"It's become lively, hasn't it?"

True watched with a smile without stopping them.

While Rebecca was flustered alone between the arguing Wendy and Evan, Tatiana and Christopher returned.

"What are you doing?"

Christopher asked with an exasperated look.

"Brother, this fluffy idiot is touching Becca!!"

When Wendy said this indignantly, Christopher gave a wry smile.

"I'm really glad Wendy is energetic..."

Suddenly, his eyes met Rebecca's. Christopher looked at Rebecca with a peculiar expression. It was a strange expression, hard to describe. However, before Rebecca could think about its meaning, Christopher smiled again.

"——Shall we head back to the mansion soon?"

"Eh, we can go home already?"

"Yeah. We can't cause any more trouble."

Christopher turned back to Tatiana.

"I'll thank you properly another time."

Tatiana crossed her arms and shrugged silently.

"Rebecca, Wendy, go get ready to leave."

"Y-Yes."

Rebecca hurriedly stood up to prepare her belongings.

When everything was ready, Rebecca went outside Tatiana's house with Wendy.

"I'll prepare the 'Teleport,' so wait a moment."

Evan said this and began preparing the magic.

"True, aren't you coming back with us?"

Addressed by Christopher, True nodded with a smile.

"Yes. I have something left to do. Please don't mind me and head back."

What could she have left to do? As Rebecca wondered, Tatiana spoke next to True.

"——Don't speak about me or Lauren outside. I don't want noisy people knowing of my existence."

"Yes, of course."

Christopher nodded firmly.

Rebecca suddenly turned back and looked at the small house. She felt as though she had spent a very long time here.

"Becca."

Hearing her name, she looked to her side. Wendy was smiling brightly.

"Becca, let's go home."

Then, she placed her small hand over Rebecca's hand.

"Let's go home to our mansion."

Rebecca smiled back at Wendy.

"Yes, My Lady."

And she squeezed that small hand tightly.

***

After the four left, True and Tatiana were sitting facing each other on the sofa in the room, drinking tea.

"Big Sister."

"Ah?"

"Was it alright? Not telling her."

"...About what?"

Tatiana replied calmly. True took a sip of tea and continued.

"——She doesn't seem to realize. Shouldn't you have pointed it out properly?"

"Pointed out what?"

"..."

True placed her teacup on the table, looked straight at Tatiana, and spoke.

"——The one who brought the curse on Wendy infinitely close to completion was Ms. Rebecca, wasn't it?"

"..."

Tatiana remained silent for a while as if refusing to answer True's question. However, she glanced back at True's eyes and reluctantly opened her mouth.

"——It is only conjecture. No one knows the truth."

Tatiana sighed deeply and continued.

"...Originally, the curse cast by the girl named Heidi was incomplete because Heidi's own magic power was too weak. As a result, instead of taking the Count's daughter's life, it likely just carved bruises into her body... Well, it seems the bruises were eroding her body little by little over many years, but..."

True lowered her face and spoke.

"And Ms. Rebecca's magic power ended up assisting the curse. And so, in a short period, the curse's power increased and approached completion..."

Tatiana nodded slightly.

"That maid——Rebecca, seems to have been the Count's daughter's personal servant. Most likely, she was the person closest to her... The core of the curse was sucking up Rebecca's magic power little by little. Probably, originally, Heidi and Rebecca's magic power had slightly compatible wavelengths... It was bad luck. Normally, when magic power is sucked out, the body weakens... but Rebecca's magic power was just too immense. As a result, even with her magic power being drained, Rebecca's body showed no abnormalities, and Rebecca herself didn't notice. It's just a guess, though."

"No. That theory is likely correct."

True frowned slightly.

"That's exactly why, when Ms. Rebecca touched the core of the curse, the curse suddenly weakened. ...Ms. Rebecca unconsciously took back her own stolen magic power."

Tatiana lowered her face and answered slowly.

"——It is nothing more than our conjecture. There is no proof. Even if this thought is correct... Rebecca didn't do it intentionally. Besides... although Rebecca brought the curse close to completion... it was also Rebecca herself who broke the curse."

"——What incredible magic power."

True looked up at the ceiling.

"Ah, jeez, how envious... I want to research her sometime..."

Muttering this, she turned her face to Tatiana again.

"——Was it really okay not to tell Ms. Rebecca?"

"I was told to keep quiet."

At those words, True widened her eyes.

" told to keep quiet?"

"Aye. By that young man——Christopher."

"Eh."

"...When I explained it earlier, he asked me to stay silent. He didn't want me to tell Rebecca. Most likely, if told, Rebecca would feel responsible and try to leave... He said he absolutely wanted to avoid that."

Christopher's voice from their earlier conversation echoed in Tatiana's mind.

『Rebecca risked her life to save my sister. I was powerless. Even though my sister was suffering, I couldn't do anything. But Rebecca put herself in harm's way and fought for my sister. Even if Rebecca is the cause, that fact doesn't change.』

『Besides, Rebecca has been saving my sister's heart since long, long ago.』

『The curse is gone now. My sister won't suffer anymore. So, please, don't say anything.』

Tatiana exhaled slowly and sipped her tea again.

True looked at Tatiana with a somewhat complicated expression. However, she eventually sank slowly into the sofa without saying anything.

Silence dominated the space. Eventually, True sat up from the sofa as if pulling herself together and leaned forward.

"By the way, Big Sister, there is something I haven't asked yet."

"——Is there still something? I want to rest soon."

Ignoring Tatiana's lethargic manner, True stood up. She went around behind Tatiana. Slowly, she placed her hands on her slender shoulders. Tatiana grimaced and turned her gaze to True's face.

"...What is it?"

"That person, Mr. Lauren, what is your relationship with him?"

At True's words, Tatiana's shoulders jumped. Seeing that reaction, True's face stiffened.

"I knew it! I thought something was suspicious!! What kind of relationship is it? Don't tell me, don't tell me he's an ex-lover or something—"

"Like hell he is!"

Tatiana shouted and held her head. True pouted her lips and continued.

"But, but, you seemed really intimate, didn't you! You were standing close to each other and..."

"I said, you're wrong!"

Tatiana sighed in exasperation and spoke.

"With him... we lived together for a time."

"Li-Li-Li-Lived together? You lived together? I-I knew it—"

"I said, you're wrong! He... has been like a little brother to me since way back... When my grandmother died, I became a bit mentally unstable and got sick... Worried about that, he lived here for a while just to take care of me. Absolutely nothing like that ever happened!!"

Tatiana said this firmly, and True tilted her head with an anxious face.

"Really?"

"Aye."

"Really, really?"

"You're persistent. I told you it's true. In the first place... he has a wife and son."

"Eh."

True let out a voice in surprise. She stared at Tatiana's face. Eventually, seeming relieved, she slowly hugged Tatiana from behind.

"Ah, jeez, thank goodness... I was really anxious..."

"Yes, yes."

Tatiana pulled away from True with an exasperated look and stood up.

"I'm going to make fresh tea. You want some too?"

True watched her back as she prepared to boil water in silence for a while. Eventually, she slowly spoke.

"No... I'm fine without a refill. I'll return to the Academy too."

"Eh."

Tatiana turned around, looking surprised. True let out a short breath and continued.

"You seem tired too, Big Sister, and it would be a nuisance if I stayed, right? So, I'm going home. Excuse me."

True said so and spun on her heel. She walked briskly, trying to leave the room. However, suddenly she was pulled from behind and stopped in her tracks. When she turned around, Tatiana had grabbed True's clothes, stopping her from leaving.

"What is it, Big Sister?"

"..."

Tatiana lowered her face and mumbled something. True leaned in to look at Tatiana's face and added.

"I can't hear you with such a small voice?"

At True's words, Tatiana lifted her face. It was dyed bright red.

"——I never said you were a nuisance."

To Tatiana's whispering voice, True retorted with a calm face.

"...And?"

"——There's no particular need to go home right now, is there?"

"..."

"..."

True stared at Tatiana in silence. Tatiana also silently averted her gaze from True's face. Eventually, she lowered her face again and finally spoke in a small voice.

"...I want to spend time with you."

Hearing those words, True smiled brightly.

"Ah, I can't stand it when you make such a cute face, really."

She pushed Tatiana down onto the sofa. Tatiana grimaced, her face still bright red.

"Shut up."

"Ufufu, Big Sister, even your ears are bright red."

"Shut up, shut up."

True chuckled looking down at Tatiana, who was raising her voice.

And then, she sealed those lips to silence her.

Tatiana opened her eyes wide for a moment, but soon closed them and accepted it. Eventually, True pulled her lips away and spoke with a gentle smile.

"Why were you in a bad mood?"

"——Because you brought a man here."

"Ah... you were jealous."

True nodded repeatedly as if convinced, and then started chuckling again.

"Isn't that the same as me?"

Tatiana pouted her lips sulkily.

"...You seemed to get along well."

"Geez, I am devoted only to you, Big Sister~."

At those words, Tatiana involuntarily relaxed her lips.

Seeing this, True smiled happily. And then, she dropped another kiss onto those red lips.

***

*Secret Settings*

Tatiana Mueller

A descendant of the "Lost People." Originally, her ancestors were a clan skilled in magic related to "water." Her unique way of speaking is because she lived with her elderly grandmother, and it rubbed off on her. Currently, her grandmother has passed away, and she lives quietly alone near a small village. Her house is full of books and tools left by her ancestors, but she is bad at cleaning and organizing, so she doesn't grasp where everything is. Her magic power itself isn't that high, but her technique is superb. She usually makes a living by making medicine and selling it to the village.

She acts cold, but ultimately loves True the most. Surprisingly, she is the type whose love is heavy and troublesome.