My Maid is Cute Chapter 46 : Voices from the Past (Patreon)

One month after the party, the whirlwind days came to an end, and a quiet daily routine returned.

"Rebecca, did something good happen?"

Sadie asked the question while they were having lunch.

"Huh? Why do you ask?"

"Well, your expression just looks so bright..."

Rebecca laughed at that answer.

"Someone who has helped me a great deal is returning to work soon."

While she was working that morning, Reed had spoken to her. Apparently, Carrie would soon be officially returning to her duties as a maid. She had been quite busy since giving birth, but it seemed her life had finally settled down.

"That is wonderful news."

"Yeah. I'm really looking forward to it."

Rebecca answered as she continued her meal.

That afternoon, as Rebecca was cleaning the hallway, someone called out to her from behind.

"Ah, Becca!!"

When she turned around, she saw Wendy running toward her with pattering footsteps. Wendy then threw her arms around Rebecca in a spirited hug.

"Whoa, My Lady, is something the matter?"

"Ehehe."

Rebecca tilted her head at Wendy’s unusually high spirits. Wendy pulled away from Rebecca slightly and whispered in her ear.

"Listen, listen, I have some very wonderful news."

"Wonderful...?"

"Uh-huh!"

"What is it?"

"Well, you see... I—"

Wendy started to say something, then suddenly clamped her mouth shut.

"Actually, I'll tell you later!"

"Ehh...? What is it? You're making me curious..."

"Nfu-fu-fu. Tonight, I'm having dinner with my brother in my room. You come too, Becca."

"Eh, dinner, you say...?"

"I've already told Brother. I'll tell you during dinner."

Wendy kissed Rebecca lightly on the cheek, a fleeting touch.

Before Rebecca could even register her surprise, Wendy pulled away.

"Tonight is a feast. Look forward to it. See you later, then!"

With that, Wendy left with a skip in her step, looking as if she were dancing.

***

In the evening, Rebecca was asked to clean the garden. She went out into the vast garden alone and moved her broom.

"I wonder what's going on with the Young Lady...?"

Rebecca murmured, thinking back to Wendy's earlier behavior.

She had such a happy smile. It was very rare for Wendy to laugh like that.

Imagining that something very good must have happened, she finished her cleaning. Surely, she would tell her at the dinner table.

Just as she was about to head back inside the mansion, visualizing Wendy's radiant smile...

She suddenly felt an impact. Then, a sharp pain followed.

"Ah—"

She cried out instinctively, but her mouth was covered by something.

She didn't understand what was happening.

Her vision swayed violently. The surrounding scenery spun.

Someone was standing in front of her. A petite, unfamiliar figure.

—Who?

Before she could form the question, Rebecca's consciousness was enveloped in darkness.

***

A few minutes later, Wendy was looking for Rebecca. There was still time before the promised dinner, but she wanted to see her early.

She asked other servants for Rebecca's whereabouts. Hearing that she was likely cleaning in the garden, Wendy headed there with quick steps.

Wanting to see her very own maid as soon as possible, she moved her legs in time with her pounding heart.

Something very happy had happened today. The only other person who knew was her brother. But she intended to tell Rebecca at dinner.

When she told her, Rebecca would definitely be happy for her. And then, surely, she would give her a gentle hug.

Wendy imagined it and laughed to herself.

She ran down the hallway, her footsteps pattering loudly. If the head maid saw her, she would likely be scolded. But she didn't care. No matter what anyone said today, it didn't matter. It was a momentous day.

Finally, she stepped out into the garden. The twilight was already beginning to show in the sky. She searched for Rebecca's figure, advancing into the garden.

"Becca? Where are you—? I've come to get you."

She called out loudly, looking around the garden. Rebecca was nowhere to be seen. Usually, if Wendy called, she would get an answer immediately. Suddenly, her eyes stopped on the ground in the middle of the garden, and she furrowed her brows. A broom was lying there, abandoned. But there was no sign of the maid nearby.

She ran over to the broom and looked around.

"...Becca?"

She called her name once more.

There was no one to answer Wendy's voice.

***

The first thing she felt was pain. As her consciousness surfaced, a strange sound echoed inside her brain.

"...Ugh."

Her whole body felt wrong. She was conscious, but she couldn't move. She had to go quickly, the Young Lady was waiting... the dinner... the feast...

—Huh?

Rebecca jerked her head up. Then, she froze in bewilderment.

Rebecca was lying in an unfamiliar place. It was a stark room with no furniture or decorations. There was a single window nearby. She could see a door a little further away.

"Eh, wha... where is this...?"

Why was she in a place like this? She was supposed to be cleaning in the garden.

That's right, Rebecca finally remembered. Just as she finished cleaning and was returning to the mansion, she felt like someone had struck her.

But, who on earth—?

Despite her confusion, Rebecca approached the door to leave the room. If she got out, she might figure out where she was. However...

"H-Huh?"

Whether it was locked or jammed, the door wouldn't budge at all.

She struggled with it for a while, but since there was no sign of it opening, she reluctantly gave up. Next, she went to the window, but that too seemed locked and wouldn't open. She tried looking outside, but because it was night, she could hardly see the scenery. However, she knew from the height that this wasn't the first floor. In the darkness outside, she could only see a few trees.

"...Hm?"

Feeling something odd, Rebecca touched her neck.

"...Eh? What is this...?"

Without realizing it, she was wearing something like a strange collar. What was this...?

At that moment, she heard the creaking sound of the door opening. Rebecca turned around, her mouth falling open in shock.

"Finally woke up, you slowpoke."

At that voice, Rebecca's shoulders trembled.

The person who entered was a woman wearing a revealing purple dress. She had strong-willed reddish-brown eyes and bright brown ringlets to match. Staring straight at Rebecca, the woman smirked.

"As usual, you have such a meager-looking face."

Hearing that voice, she felt cold sweat running down her back.

"—It's been a long time, Carol."

Addressed by her old name, Rebecca opened her mouth.

"...Sister Juliet."

Pathetically, her voice trembled with terror.