My Maid is Cute Chapter 38 : Promise (Patreon)

Feeling the morning light, Rebecca roused from sleep.

"Mmm..."

She groaned groggily. She could sense birds chirping outside the window.

—Ah, I have to get to work soon. But I’m sleepy. So very sleepy.

"...?"

What was this? She felt something was off.

She felt a warmth like a patch of sunlight. It was as if someone was hugging her from behind—

"Oh?"

Her eyes snapped open. Her drowsy consciousness rapidly switched to reality.

Thinking it couldn't be, she turned her gaze backward. There, she found Wendy sleeping, clinging to her waist.

"My Lady!"

When she called out in a loud voice, Wendy slowly opened her eyes.

"...Mornin', Becca."

She greeted Rebecca while looking up at her with upturned eyes.

"Geez! Did you sneak in secretly again?"

When Rebecca said this while sitting up, Wendy also rubbed her eyes, sat up, and gave a small nod.

"This is not allowed. You have to sleep in your own room..."

"...Hmph."

At Rebecca’s words, Wendy looked away, sulking.

"Anyway, please go back quickly. I need to prepare breakfast..."

When Rebecca said that, Wendy grimaced and moved sluggishly to get off the bed.

"...Tomorrow."

Wendy spoke in a small voice, and Rebecca tilted her head.

"Yes?"

"Tomorrow... You remember, right?"

"Ah."

Rebecca nodded with a wry smile.

"We are going out, right? Yes, of course."

It was the day she had promised Wendy. Tomorrow, per Wendy’s wish, the two of them were scheduled to go to the bookstore.

"I’m looking forward to it."

At those words, Wendy glanced at Rebecca. Then,

"...Mn. Me too."

Murmuring that, she slowly stood up and left the room.

"...I wonder if she is still bothered by it."

Left alone, Rebecca voiced her thoughts quietly. The marriage interview had fizzled out because Rebecca had sent a refusal to Paul, but ever since then, Wendy had seemed somewhat low in spirits. The number of times she secretly snuck into Rebecca’s room at night had also increased.

She recalled Wendy’s desperate, tear-stained face from that time. Perhaps Wendy had suffered more emotional distress than Rebecca had imagined. Regretting that she had done something thoughtless, Rebecca changed into her maid uniform. As she picked up a comb to tie her hair back...

"...Ah."

She let out a short sound and stopped her hand. Standing before the mirror, she stared at her reflection and furrowed her brows. A faint red mark still remained on the nape of her neck. Sighing slightly, she arranged her hair to hide the mark.

It felt a bit bothersome while working, but it couldn't be helped.

"I hope tomorrow's outing will be a good change of pace..."

Muttering this, she stepped out of her room to begin her work.

***

"Ehhh, you turned it down!?"

During a break in work, when Rebecca told Sadie—who had brought up the marriage interview with excitement—that she had refused, Sadie raised a loud voice.

"Even though you were so enthusiastic about it, Miss Rebecca!?"

"No, I wasn't particularly enthusiastic..."

Rebecca smiled wryly. Just what kind of rumors were spreading among the maids?

"Why did you turn it down? Did something happen!? Could it be there is someone else you like..."

"Sadie, calm down."

It was Jeanne who lightly chopped the head of Sadie, who was leaning forward eagerly.

"You're troubling Miss Rebecca. Don't pry too much."

"Ugh, okaaaay..."

Sadie sat back down, pouting her lips. When Rebecca mouthed "Thank you" to her, Jeanne gave a small, silent nod.

"Ah, that’s right. I’m off tomorrow, so I won't be at the mansion. I feel bad, but I’m leaving the work to you two."

When Rebecca said this to change the subject, Jeanne spoke up.

"Are you going somewhere?"

"Yeah. I’m going to town with the Young Lady."

At Rebecca’s words, Sadie and Jeanne voiced their surprise in unison.

"Eh?"

"The Young Lady is going out? That’s rare..."

"Where are you going?"

At Sadie’s question, Rebecca answered with a smile.

"Just to the bookstore in town. The one right nearby. I’m just her escort."

Jeanne nodded in understanding at those words.

"...Come to think of it, the Young Lady was quite a bookworm, wasn't she?"

"Yes. I think there is a book she wants."

As Rebecca said this with a smile, Sadie made a face as if she remembered something and spoke up.

"Ah, come to think of it, it seems Lord Christopher is going out tomorrow too."

"Eh, really?"

When Rebecca asked back, Sadie nodded.

"The Head Maid was mentioning it briefly. She was saying something about Lord Christopher also being absent tomorrow..."

"Oh... I wonder if it’s for work...?"

Just as Rebecca muttered that,

"Rebecca, Sadie, Jeanne! Could you help us with this job over here?"

A fellow maid’s voice called out. The three of them replied,

"Yes!"

They hurriedly stood up and returned to work.

***

The next day, Rebecca changed into her street clothes, picked up her bag, and headed to Wendy’s room.

"...Excuse me, My Lady."

After knocking and entering the room, she saw that Wendy was already dressed in elegant blue street clothes. She was sitting in front of the mirror.

"Becca, are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Then, could you fix my hair simply?"

At Wendy’s words, Rebecca said, "Understood," and approached her. She stood behind her and took the golden, shining hair in her hands.

She picked up the comb and gently brushed the hair.

"Your hair is beautiful as always."

Rebecca spoke to her, but Wendy only nodded slightly and didn't answer. Wendy’s expression in the mirror seemed a bit tense.

"How would you like your hairstyle today?"

"...Tie it."

As Wendy said this, she held out a ribbon. Seeing it, Rebecca’s face softened. It was the lace ribbon Rebecca had given her as a present several years ago for the first time.

"Then, let’s tie it to look exceptionally cute."

Rebecca said in a bouncy voice.

"...You don't have to put that much effort into it... we’re just going to the bookstore right there."

Saying that, Wendy finally smiled just a little.

She gathered the hair at the back and finished by tying the ribbon.

"There, it is done."

When Rebecca spoke, Wendy checked her appearance in the mirror and then slowly stood up.

"Well then, shall we go?"

"Yeah..."

The bookstore in town was located relatively close to the estate. They considered using a carriage, but Wendy shook her head.

"It’s right nearby... I’ll walk."

The Head Maid had a sour look on her face, but Wendy ignored it, grabbed Rebecca’s arm, and pulled strongly. They went straight out of the mansion.

"It has been a while since you went outside."

"Yeah..."

When Rebecca spoke, Wendy nodded lightly. Wendy tended to be a shut-in at the mansion. The cursed bruise was no longer carved into her body, but even so, she rarely went out. Perhaps it was because she wasn't good at dealing with people, but Rebecca guessed that fundamentally, she just wasn't very interested in the outside world. Wendy only left the mansion when she had errands that absolutely required her to go out. And those were rare.

She glanced at Wendy’s face as she walked beside her. Her expression was stiff, as if she were nervous. Her complexion also looked a little pale.

Rebecca reached out toward Wendy. Then, to reassure her, she gently held her hand. Wendy looked up at Rebecca as if startled.

"My Lady, I have really been looking forward to today."

When Rebecca spoke to her, Wendy replied in a small voice.

"...Is that so?"

"Yes. I wanted you to teach me your recommended books, My Lady."

At Rebecca’s words, Wendy burst into a laugh.

"Becca, you’re always thinking about books."

"I don't want to hear that from you, My Lady. What book do you want to buy today?"

"A novel that goes on sale today... I wanted to read it quickly."

"What kind of story is it?"

"Umm..."

As they continued walking hand in hand, Wendy’s tension gradually dissolved. By the time they arrived at their destination, her expression had brightened a little.

Entering the small bookstore, Wendy looked around restlessly at the many books sleeping on the shelves.

"Which one are you looking for, My Lady?"

When Rebecca asked,

"This one!"

Wendy picked up a single book.

"It was being serialized in the newspaper. It’s interesting!"

Seeing Wendy looking so happy, Rebecca smiled and spoke.

"Then, shall we buy that one?"

When she said that, Wendy shook her head slightly.

"Ah, wait. Let me look around a little more."

At those words, Rebecca nodded and said, "Okay." Wendy began wandering back and forth in front of the bookshelves again.

—She’s so cute.

Rebecca watched her, thinking this. She was always lovely, but Wendy happily searching for books she liked in front of the shelves felt even cuter than usual.

Eventually, looking satisfied, Wendy called out to Rebecca.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Becca."

"Are you ready?"

"Yeah!"

Wendy nodded with a smile. Rebecca smiled back, and the two headed to the counter.

After paying and stepping out of the bookstore, Wendy spoke up.

"Becca, thank you for coming with me today."

"Not at all. Shall we go home now?"

"Yeah. I bought the book, after all."

"Then—"

Just as Rebecca was about to continue, Wendy gasped sharply. The next instant, Wendy grabbed Rebecca’s hand tightly. She then forcibly pulled Rebecca.

"M-My Lady?"

"Quiet!"

She was pushed into the shadows.

"Um, what is wr—?"

Wendy placed her index finger against her lips. Then, she peeked out from the shadows ever so slightly.

"——Look."

"Yes?"

Rebecca also peeked out a little. There...

"Oh? Lord Christopher?"

Rarely enough, Christopher was walking alone. For some reason, he was wearing plain clothes like a cloak, as if to hide his face.

"Why is he here—"

"——Surely, he intends to meet someone secretly near here."

Rebecca tilted her head at Wendy’s words, which sounded like she knew something.

"My Lady? What on earth..."

"——Follow me."

Wendy quickly chased after Christopher. Rebecca moved hurriedly as well.

"M-My Lady! Please wait!"

Rebecca followed in confusion as the sister stealthily chased the stealthily walking brother.

"My Lady, isn't this bad..."

"Shhh, Becca, you're loud."

Disregarding Rebecca’s words, Wendy simply chased after Christopher. Eventually, Christopher stopped, perhaps having reached his destination. Wendy and Rebecca also stopped and quickly hid in the shadows again.

"Um, My Lady."

"Becca, look."

At Wendy’s command, Rebecca turned her gaze toward Christopher. And then,

"——Ah."

She let out a voice involuntarily. She was dumbfounded to see someone running up to Christopher.

It was a beautiful woman wearing elegant clothes. She was probably about the same age as Rebecca. Her flaxen hair was shining brilliantly.

The two smiled at each other, exchanged a few words, and then linked arms and walked away somewhere.

"——Shall we go home?"

Having witnessed this, Wendy spoke.

"Eh, ah, um, we don't need to chase them!?"

When Rebecca instinctively said that, Wendy shook her head.

"I think they will probably get in a carriage and go somewhere after this. In that case, chasing them is impossible."

Wendy shrugged her shoulders and started walking. Rebecca hurriedly followed and spoke to Wendy.

"U-Um, that person just now was..."

"Lady Lizette Branfield. The daughter of Viscount Branfield."

Rebecca was startled by Wendy’s smooth answer.

"W-Was she an acquaintance of yours, My Lady!?"

When she asked in confusion, Wendy glanced at Rebecca as if amazed.

"No. There’s no way she would be my acquaintance."

"Eh, then why—"

"...She appeared several times in the letters sent when Brother was at the academy... It’s my first time seeing her, but I think there is no mistake... She was Brother’s junior... and someone Brother got along with very well."

Wendy said this with her face downcast, and Rebecca’s smile stiffened.

"I-Is that so..."

They fell silent for a while. Just as Rebecca was wondering what to say, Wendy spoke up.

"——I think he will probably marry her."

"Eh."

"Brother seems to like her... I don't know how far the talks have progressed, but..."

Because Wendy sounded so incredibly lonely, Rebecca couldn't help but peer into her face. Wendy’s expression was very complicated, and her eyes were filled with loneliness.

"...My Lady."

Not knowing what words to offer, Rebecca fidgeted for a while, but eventually took Wendy’s hand.

"My Lady!"

Wendy frowned and looked up at Rebecca.

"...What?"

"Won't you go along with me for just a little bit?"

"Eh?"

"Please come this way!!"

"Eh, Becca? Where are we going?"

Disregarding the bewildered Wendy, Rebecca proceeded through the town.

"There is something I definitely want to show you, My Lady."

"What is it, something you want to show me..."

"Over here."

Rebecca brought Wendy to a small park in the middle of town. There were few people, and it was quiet.

"This place is..."

"I often come here when I’m shopping. I’ve been thinking I wanted to show you someday, My Lady..."

Rebecca smiled brightly and walked forward. Eventually, the object she was looking for came into view, and Rebecca pointed ahead.

"Look, please look!!"

Wendy turned her gaze in that direction. And then,

"Wow..."

She let out a voice of admiration. Where Rebecca pointed, there stood a very large tree. Beautiful pale-colored flowers were in full bloom, coloring the tree. Small petals were scattering and dancing like snow.

Wendy stared at the dreamlike scene in silence for a while, as if captivated.

"Isn't it beautiful? I definitely wanted to show you, My Lady."

Rebecca smiled brightly.

"It’s a rare flower that only blooms for a very short period in this season."

"Truly, it’s beautiful..."

At Wendy’s words, Rebecca nodded vigorously.

"It is my favorite flower."

Staring at the falling petals, Wendy smiled too.

"——I like it too. This flower."

Rebecca was relieved at Wendy’s words. It seemed her mood had lifted a little. Wendy turned her face to Rebecca and slowly added words.

"Thank you, Becca."

At those words, Rebecca smiled back and nodded.

"You are very welcome, My Lady."

A gentle, warm breeze blew softly. Wendy turned her gaze back to the faintly swaying flowers and muttered,

"——Going outside isn't so bad, I suppose."

"I want to come see these flowers again."

At those words, Rebecca tilted her head in a troubled manner.

"Hmm, they will all fall very soon, you see... So it will have to be next year."

Hearing that, Wendy reached out to Rebecca. Then, she squeezed her hand tightly.

"Well then... Becca, let’s come see these flowers together again next year."

Rebecca nodded greatly.

"Yes, definitely!"

"It’s a promise, okay? Don't forget."

"Yes, of course. I will look forward to it."

Wendy smiled happily. Rebecca smiled too, squeezing Wendy’s small hand back. Then, she looked up at the beautiful tree with its flowers in full bloom.

Rebecca never imagined that she would be unable to fulfill the promise she made with Wendy on this day.