My Maid is Cute Chapter 45 : Stardust Dance (Patreon)

The following day, talk that a dance party was to be held at the Caldwell mansion spread among the servants working there.

It was to be a party hosted by the Caldwell family, who had long been estranged from high society due to Wendy's curse. Although the event itself was still a little ways off, preparations had to begin early.

Just as Rebecca had predicted, the workload increased all at once. The head maid and the butler, Reed, were swamped with party preparations and were on edge. Christopher, too, appeared to be working calmly, but one could sense the composure gradually fading from his expression.

However, the person having the hardest and busiest time was likely Wendy.

In preparation for the party, the number of lessons for dance and etiquette—things she hated—had increased.

The dance instructor's voice echoed through the hall.

"My Lady, please raise your right hand a little higher. Straighten your back more!"

"..."

"Your steps are off. Please move faster!"

"..."

In response to the dance instructor's words, Wendy moved her body with a serious face, not saying a word.

"Please be more conscious of your expression! Elegantly, refined, and with a smile!"

"..."

Wendy forced a smile that looked more like her lips were twitching. Rebecca watched from the sidelines, her heart pounding with anxiety for her.

Wendy, who was shy, taciturn, and hated interacting with others, hardly even spoke to the instructor. She simply did exactly as she was told.

However, when night came...

"I'm tired. I'm so tired. Ughhh, Beccaaa."

"Yes, yes."

Wendy would invariably summon Rebecca to her room, hug her, and whine.

"I hate dancing. How can I smile when it's not even fun?"

"You are right. That is exactly right."

"What does 'elegantly' even mean? I don't get it. My feet hurt, I hate this already..."

"Indeed. It is unpleasant, isn't it?"

Wendy buried her face in Rebecca’s chest as Rebecca sat on the sofa, clinging to her tightly and spewing out her complaints. Listening to her, Rebecca gently stroked Wendy's small head and back.

"Becca, Becca, Becca..."

"Yes."

"Squeeze me tighter..."

"Understood."

When Rebecca hugged her tightly as ordered, Wendy finally seemed satisfied and looked up.

"Mn, thank you."

"You are welcome. ...Shall I prepare some milk?"

When Rebecca asked this, Wendy pulled away and answered briefly.

"No. I don't need it."

Rebecca tilted her head at that answer. Strangely enough, Wendy had stopped asking for hot milk recently. She would call Rebecca at night, demand hugs or a lap pillow, but she wouldn't order hot milk to be made.

"...Um, My Lady, you don't seem to be drinking hot milk lately... is something the matter?"

When Rebecca asked, Wendy answered with a wry smile.

"Because if I drink hot milk, I'll get sleepy... and there's something I want to do at night."

"...? What are you doing?"

Wendy's eyes swam slightly, but she spoke up immediately.

"Things I can't do during the day. Like assignments from my tutor..."

"Ah, I see."

Rebecca smiled and nodded.

"Is there anything I can do to help? If there is anything you need..."

"No, it's okay. You go back to your room, Becca. Sorry for keeping you up so late."

At Wendy's words, Rebecca bowed her head deeply.

"Well then, excuse me. If anything happens, please call me anytime."

"Yeah."

Rebecca took a step, quietly opened the door, and left Wendy's room.

Left alone, Wendy let out a huge sigh. Then, she turned her feet toward the table. She picked up the typewriter sitting nearby. Moving slowly toward the desk this time, she placed the typewriter down. Sitting in the chair, she stared straight at it for a while.

Eventually, she slowly began to move her hands.

***

Though they were chased by preparations, the day of the dance party approached steadily.

Today, a tailor had been called for Wendy's dress fitting.

In a room with few windows, Wendy immediately slipped her arms into the dress the tailor had brought.

"Oh, my..."

The head maid, who was present, murmured in admiration. Rebecca also opened her eyes wide in silence.

The pale red dress the tailor had made was magnificent. It was an impressive dress with beautiful, intricate embroidery and ruffles and lace that spread out airily.

It suited Wendy perfectly, more than anything else could.

"It is wonderful, My Lady."

"Truly, you are beautiful."

At the praise from the head maid and the tailor, Wendy gave a small nod.

"...Yeah."

She glanced at Rebecca repeatedly as if she wanted to say something. However, Rebecca...

"..."

She simply stared at Wendy in silence, looking dumbfounded.

—She was very, very beautiful. Truly.

She looks like a princess from a fairy tale, Rebecca thought as she continued to gaze at Wendy.

"Now then, will this dress be acceptable?"

"Yes. Let's see, as for the rest..."

Leaving the head maid and tailor, who had started discussing something, aside, Wendy approached Rebecca looking restless.

"Be... Becca, ...how is, it?"

"...Ah, yes... i-it suits you very well. I was so captivated I forgot myself."

When Rebecca answered hurriedly, Wendy smiled shyly, looking happy.

***

After rushing through chaotic days, the day of the dance party finally arrived.

Naturally, both Rebecca and Wendy were busy from the morning that day and hardly saw each other.

As the start time of the party approached, the invited guests arrived one after another. The great hall of the Caldwell house was bustling like never before.

"It looks like fun..."

When Rebecca murmured this involuntarily while handling tasks in the kitchen, the veteran head chef smiled wryly and nodded.

"In the old days, the previous Master used to throw parties often... It's been a truly long time since we've had something like this. It'll be tough, but hang in there."

At those words, Rebecca smiled wryly and answered,

"Yes."

Before long, the party began. The atmosphere of dressed-up, glamorous people happily conversing and enjoying their meals drifted in.

Amidst this, Rebecca was working hard behind the scenes in the kitchen.

"Oh? Rebecca, are you in the kitchen all day today?"

Addressed by Jeanne, Rebecca nodded while washing dishes.

"Yeah. It looked like it would be tougher in here..."

Originally, the number of cooks and servants working in the Caldwell kitchen was small. Anticipating that the day of the party would be quite busy, Rebecca had volunteered for behind-the-scenes kitchen work herself.

"Rebecca, sorry about this."

The head chef called out to her apologetically.

"We're short-handed... You're really saving us."

Rebecca shook her head with a laugh.

"No, no. Please don't worry about it. What should I do next?"

"Well then, could you prepare the tableware? And then—"

She continued to move her body while listening to the head chef's instructions.

Eventually, the faint sound of elegant music could be heard. Thinking that the Young Lady must be dancing right about now, she tackled the work in front of her.

It was about an hour later.

"Rebecca."

"Yes?"

Called by name by one of the cooks, she answered, and the cook pointed toward the door. She turned her gaze in that direction. Near the door stood the butler, Reed. He was beckoning to her.

"...?"

Tilting her head, she ran over to him, and Reed opened his mouth, his expression blank.

"The bomb is on the verge of exploding."

"...Excuse me?"

When Rebecca looked blank, Reed gave a small cough, ahem.

"—Apologies. It seems the Young Lady's mental state is approaching its limit."

"Eh."

"She seems to be desperately maintaining her composure for now... but Master Christopher says she might explode soon. It is not yet possible for her to leave the party... so, he asked me to call for you, Rebecca."

"...Um."

She glanced at the head chef. The head chef nodded graciously, as if telling her to go. Rebecca bowed slightly and left the kitchen with Reed.

In the great hall, many people seemed to be enjoying the party in their own ways. Amidst them, Wendy stood alone in a corner of the hall. She was wrapped in a beautiful dress, and her hair was elegantly arranged. Seeing that figure, Rebecca murmured involuntarily.

"...Ah."

At a glance, Wendy appeared to be smiling and enjoying the party. If someone spoke to her, she responded pleasantly. However, her eyes were not smiling at all. She was staring at her surroundings with vacant, hollow eyes. If one looked closely, her lip was also twitching faintly.

"She is considerably exhausted."

When Rebecca said that, Reed also nodded deeply.

"Yes. ...I doubt she would snap in front of this many people, though."

"By the way, where is Master Christopher?"

"Over there."

Looking in the direction Reed pointed, Christopher was arm in arm with his fiancée, chatting with many people.

"It seems many friends of his fiancée, Lady Lisette, are present, so he is attending to them. Therefore..."

Rebecca sensed that he didn't have the leeway to help Wendy. It seemed he had ordered Reed to call Rebecca to calm Wendy down even a little.

"Um, what should I do?"

When Rebecca asked Reed, Reed smoothly held out a glass of water.

"Give this to the Young Lady. And please offer her some words. Presumably, she will calm down a little with just that."

Rebecca took the glass with a wry smile.

She slowly stepped into the great hall. Just like that, she moved quietly and quickly through the crowd. Fortunately, no one called out to Rebecca.

"—My Lady."

When Rebecca spoke to Wendy, Wendy, whose eyes resembled those of a dead fish, turned her face sharply as if startled.

"...Becca."

"Here is some water. Please drink it little by little."

She handed over the glass. Wendy accepted the glass nervously and, as told, slowly let the liquid flow down her throat.

"Please take a deep breath, slowly and quietly."

When Rebecca said this, Wendy obediently inhaled deeply and exhaled. After repeating this a few times, Rebecca gently held her hand.

"My Lady."

"...Yeah."

"When this is over, there will be a reward."

When she whispered softly into her ear, Wendy's shoulder twitched.

"...A reward."

"Yes. So, let's do our best for a little longer."

I'll be waiting, she whispered softly, looking into Wendy's eyes. Wendy nodded.

Rebecca smiled softly and gently stroked Wendy's hand.

At that moment, the crowd stirred as if agitated. Many people were looking somewhere in surprise. Rebecca and Wendy also turned their gazes in that direction.

There stood Prince Evan. Without caring about the gazes of others, he walked pleasantly through the hall, approaching Christopher.

Rebecca opened her eyes wide in surprise. It had been a long time since she had seen Evan's face. Christopher had told her about a year ago that he had married a high-ranking noblewoman from another country. Since getting married, he hardly came here anymore, so she hadn't expected him to come today either.

Many people saw Evan and were distracted, buzzing with conversation. Without minding the state of the people, Evan began to exchange words familiarly with Christopher.

Rebecca smiled wryly and exchanged a look with Wendy. Then, she slowly let go of her hand and left the spot.

It happened just as she was walking stealthily to leave the hall. Suddenly, her eyes met with Evan's, who was conversing with Christopher. Evan's face lit up, and he waved at Rebecca. The people around him turned their gazes toward Rebecca. Rebecca hurriedly bowed slightly and left the hall at a quick pace.

***

At night, after her work had settled down, Rebecca was waiting for Wendy's return in Wendy's private room.

Presumably, it should be soon. Even though Wendy had ordered it, waiting in an empty room felt unsettling. She put her hand in her pocket and checked the contents. While glancing at the clock repeatedly, she continued to wait for Wendy.

Eventually, she heard small footsteps. Just as Rebecca rushed to the door, there was a click, and the door opened.

"...Becca."

"Yes, My Lady. Thank you for your hard work."

When Rebecca bowed and said this, Wendy ran up to her looking relieved.

"I'm tired. Truly."

"Were you able to dance?"

"Yeah. First with Brother. Then I was invited by a few others. I was able to dance properly without stepping on feet."

She chuckled at Wendy's words.

"Is the party over already?"

"No. Not yet but... it's already late at night and I was tired, so I told Brother I wanted to rest and slipped away. Even without me, everyone is having fun on their own, so."

Wendy sighed as she sat on the sofa. Apparently, she really was tired.

"Are you all right?"

"Yeah. It's the first time I've spoken to so many people."

"Was it fun?"

"..."

Wendy pouted silently. Understanding the answer from that expression, Rebecca smiled wryly.

"You really worked hard. It must have been difficult."

"It really was. I never want to dance with people I'm not close with ever again."

At Wendy's words, Rebecca tilted her head in a troubled manner. No matter how much Wendy hated it, she would likely have to dance many times from now on.

As Rebecca wondered what to say, Wendy suddenly stood up. Then, as if she had thought of a good idea, she held out her hand to Rebecca.

"Hey, Becca, dance with me."

"Excuse me?"

Surprised, Rebecca looked back at Wendy.

"I want to try dancing with you, Becca."

"...Umm, My Lady. I am a little bit, with dancing..."

It wasn't that she couldn't do it. When she was at her parents' home, she had received dance lessons just as much as Wendy had.

As Rebecca equivocated, Wendy spoke to her again.

"I'll lead. So, please."

Being told that, Rebecca had no choice but to take her hand hesitantly.

Wendy smiled slightly and kissed Rebecca's hand. Rebecca's heart shook with a loud thud.

"M-My Lady..."

"Becca, come."

Wendy said this and pulled her hand, signaling the beginning.

There was no music. No lively voices, no dazzling lights.

The only things watching the two were the moonlight and the twinkling of the stars.

Rebecca moved her feet while being led by Wendy. The steps weren't difficult, so she gradually began to catch the rhythm. Her movements became smooth, and the distance between her and Wendy grew closer and closer.

"—Nfu, nfu-fu."

"Fufu."

Wendy smiled happily, and Rebecca laughed aloud, drawn in by her.

Marking the steps with stardust as their rhythm. Bathed in moonlight, a time of happiness passed by.

Eventually, Wendy stopped her feet and opened her mouth.

"Becca, you can dance."

"...Because I was always watching your lessons, My Lady."

Rebecca relaxed the grip of their joined hands and answered.

"...That's right. You are always watching me, Becca, aren't you..."

Wendy grasped Rebecca's hand, which she had tried to pull away, once again. Just like that, Wendy brought Rebecca's hand to her own face, closed her eyes, and rubbed her cheek against it.

"My Lady?"

"...Even during the party, I was thinking about you the whole tiiiime."

Wendy opened her eyes.

"I wanted to see you."

Seeing that face, Rebecca's heartbeat quickened again.

That expression of Wendy's. It was an expression she had seen a few times before. Adorable and lovely, yet somehow fleeting, it was a captivating face. Strangely enough, she realized right now that Wendy was becoming an adult.

Surely, she could no longer pick up and carry the current Wendy.

The lonely girl wrapped in sheets in the corner of a dark room was no longer there.

"...My Lady."

"Hm?"

"...My Lady, you've grown up."

At Rebecca's words, Wendy pouted her lips as if sulking.

"What is that? All of a sudden..."

Rebecca laughed slightly. Then, she gently released her hand from Wendy's and thrust it into her pocket.

"My Lady, congratulations on your 13th birthday."

Rebecca took a present out of her pocket and held it out to Wendy. Wendy's face lit up.

"Can I open it?"

"Yes, of course."

Wendy opened the small package. Inside was a handmade bookmark.

"A flower bookmark?"

"Yes."

It was a pressed flower bookmark Rebecca had secretly made.

Wendy looked at it happily and immediately hugged Rebecca.

"Thank you, Becca!"

"You are welcome."

Rebecca returned the words with a smile.

It seemed she was pleased, which was a relief. I'm glad I could celebrate this year too, Rebecca murmured in her heart, and hugged Wendy tightly.

***

Planned sudden developments from next time.

Part two is approaching its end. Updates are irregular, but I would be happy if you stick with me.