My Maid is Cute Chapter 54 : Convey Your Love (Patreon)

*Convey Your Love*

The next day.

Before the morning light could illuminate the world, Rebecca was awake.

"Riesie, wake up! Wake up!"

She shook Rieserago’s body, who was sleeping in the bed next to hers.

"Ugh...? Rebecca, it's still too early..."

"I want to leave early!"

"I want to sleep a little longer..."

"Riesie!!"

"Alright... I get it, just wait a minute..."

After dragging the groggy Rieserago out of bed, Rebecca smiled brightly.

"Come on, let's go! First, the carriage!"

"...Not even the birds are awake yet, let alone the humans. Besides, breakfast comes first."

Rieserago muttered in exasperation as she sat up.

***

After quickly finishing breakfast in the dining hall, Rebecca immediately grabbed her luggage.

"Alright then, let's depart!"

She dashed out of the inn.

"Rebecca, don't just run off on your own!"

Rieserago immediately grabbed Rebecca by the scruff of her neck to stop her.

"But if we don't hurry, we'll be late!!"

"There is no way we will be late. It is still quite early. Anyway, it's dangerous, so don't walk alone."

Saying that, Rieserago took Rebecca's hand and squeezed it tight.

"I understand how you feel, but don't rush. Calm down. Okay?"

Being spoken to in such a soothing tone, Rebecca nodded reluctantly. Rieserago gave a wry smile and lightly patted Rebecca's head.

Then, she said,

"Come now, let's go. Without rushing, slowly."

Saying that, she stepped forward, still holding Rebecca's hand.

***

Looking at the map, the two walked side by side and soon arrived at the carriage stop. From here, they had to take a shared carriage to a nearby town with a port. Upon arrival, they checked the departure time. It seemed they had about an hour before leaving.

"Riesie, um... are we okay on money?"

When Rebecca asked timidly in front of the ticket counter, Rieserago smiled.

"Didn't I tell you? Don't worry about money. It's no problem."

Saying that, she promptly settled the bill.

"Um, thank you very much. I don't know when it will be, but I will properly pay you back..."

Rebecca bowed her head as she said this. Rieserago lightly chopped Rebecca on the head.

"I told you, don't worry about such things. Even if I have money, I don't really use it anyway."

While nodding at Rieserago's words, Rebecca secretly vowed to definitely pay her back later.

As the departure time approached, the two boarded a large carriage together. Surprisingly, the carriage was crowded. There were men who looked like merchants and an elderly couple sitting there; Rebecca was the only child.

—No, well, I'm not actually a child though.

Muttering in her heart, Rebecca looked for empty seats. Because it was full, she couldn't sit next to Rieserago, so they had no choice but to sit facing each other.

"It's surprisingly spacious, isn't it?"

When Rebecca said that, Rieserago nodded with a stiff expression, looking nervous. Just as Rebecca was about to speak again, the carriage began to move with a rattling sound. It seemed they had departed.

Rebecca immediately turned her gaze outside. She stared at the passing scenery.

—I'm sure I'll be able to see her soon.

Rebecca imagined Wendy's face, and the corners of her mouth relaxed.

—The Young Lady is seventeen. I wonder how she has grown.

—When I see her, I want to apologize immediately. And then, I want to talk a lot.

—I'll try asking Master Christopher if I can work at the Caldwell house again somehow.

Just as Rebecca was deep in thought, an elderly woman sitting next to her spoke up.

"Little miss, are you out on a trip with your mother?"

"Ah, y-yes."

Rebecca nodded inadvertently, but feeling Rieserago's intense gaze, she hurriedly shook her head.

"Ah, n-no. That's wrong. Umm, not my mother, she's my sister..."

"Oh my, is that so?"

The elderly woman smiled brightly and nodded at Rieserago. Rieserago also bowed her head silently.

"If you'd like, would you like to eat this? It's a snack."

The woman offered a small bag of what looked like cookies from her bag.

"Are you sure?"

When Rebecca asked back in surprise, the woman smiled and nodded.

"Thank you very much!"

Thanking her cheerfully, Rebecca accepted the bag and opened it immediately. She took a cookie and stuffed it into her mouth with a wide opening. The sweet taste spread in her mouth, and naturally, Rebecca's cheeks relaxed.

"It's delicious!"

Seeing this, the men who looked like merchants sitting nearby also called out.

"Little miss, you can have this too. It was a gift, but I don't drink it."

"I have candy too. Want some?"

Saying that, they offered small bottles of juice and candies. Rebecca's face lit up instantly.

"Wow, so much! Thank you very much!"

When Rebecca said that, the merchant men laughed heartily.

The passengers watched with heartwarming smiles as Rebecca happily consumed the snacks and juice. Only Rieserago muttered,

"...Carefree as always. You really seem like a child, don't you?"

Fortunately, her words did not reach Rebecca's ears.

***

After several hours, the carriage arrived at the destination town as scheduled.

From here, they would board a ship and aim for a large city called Falishka.

Rebecca and Rieserago said their goodbales to the people they rode with, got off the carriage, and headed toward the port together.

They arrived at the port quickly. With the sea in front of her, Rebecca involuntarily let out a small breath.

"It's been a long time..."

The last time she saw the ocean was during her trip with Wendy. She had expected to see a blue sea, but unfortunately, the sky was cloudy, and the sea also felt somewhat murky. Looking up at the sky, Rebecca had a bad feeling. It looked like it was going to rain.

"Eeeh, we can't board!?"

At the ticket counter, Rebecca was stunned. According to the staff, there were many passengers for the ship heading to Falishka, and the tickets were already sold out.

Rebecca slumped her shoulders in defeat. Rieserago patted her head as if to comfort her.

"Don't be so depressed. We can get on the first ship tomorrow morning."

"That's true, but..."

"Let's get a room around here for today and eat something good."

Sighing at Rieserago's words, she nodded.

"Is there an inn near here?"

"There must be. If we look for an information center and ask..."

It was at that moment. Along with the sound of a splash, Zaban,

"Kyaaaa!"

A loud scream was heard nearby. Surprised, Rebecca and Rieserago turned their faces toward the voice.

"My child, my daughter fell into the sea...!!"

A young woman was panicking, reaching her arms out toward the sea. Apparently, a child had fallen from the quay into the water.

Seeing that, the one who moved faster than anyone else was Rieserago.

Rushing over as swiftly as the wind, she dove into the sea without hesitation.

"R-Riesie!"

Rebecca cried out in surprise. When she hurriedly ran over, people around them also gathered. Rieserago emerged from the sea holding the drowning little girl in her arms. It seemed both were safe. When Rieserago handed the girl to the woman who appeared to be her mother, the woman hugged the girl while crying and bowed repeatedly to Rieserago.

"Thank you, thank you so much!"

Rieserago, soaking wet, nodded silently at this and left the place as if running away. Rebecca hurriedly chased after her.

***

After that, the two were able to safely secure an inn near the port. Upon entering the inn room, Rieserago took off her soaking wet clothes and spoke while changing into new ones.

"It's a bit early, but shall we go for dinner?"

"It seems this inn has a dining room too."

"Then let's go there."

The two immediately left the room and headed to the inn's dining hall. After ordering some food, the dishes were brought out quickly. Perhaps because the port was close, there were many fresh fish dishes. Rieserago began eating them with tremendous momentum. Rebecca also spoke to Rieserago while eating her salad little by little.

"It was unexpected."

"Ah?"

Rieserago furrowed her brows.

"Because you seem to dislike humans... I thought it was unexpected that you saved her."

Rebecca spoke while recalling the earlier event. Rieserago's hand, which was eating fish, stopped for a moment. She immediately resumed eating and spoke while grimacing.

"I don't particularly dislike them. It's just..."

"Just?"

"...Just, I don't trust them."

Rebecca stared back at Rieserago quietly. After a while, she asked.

"—Does that include me?"

Rieserago's hand stopped abruptly again. She fell silent, her expression hard as stone. After a long silence, Rieserago replied in a small voice.

"...You are an exception. You, and my friend Setsuna..."

Rebecca stared at her silently. After that, both of them continued eating without saying anything.

***

After finishing the meal and returning to the inn room, Rebecca opened the window and gazed at the night view. There was a faint scent of the tide. A large moon illuminated the sea, and a soft breeze caressed her skin. Before she knew it, the clouds covering the sky had disappeared.

Just as she was thinking it looked like it would be sunny tomorrow, Rieserago, who was lying on the nearby bed, called out to her.

"Hey, Rebecca."

"Yes?"

When she turned her gaze that way, Rieserago had spread out the map on the bed.

"This is where you want to go, right?"

Since Rieserago pointed to the Caldwell territory on the map and asked, Rebecca nodded.

"Y-Yes. That's right."

"—Is your home here?"

At that question, Rebecca's face scrunched up in a troubled expression for a moment, but she immediately put on a smile and shook her head.

"No... I don't have a home."

Rieserago tilted her head.

"Then why are you going there? You said you were 'returning'..."

"—There is someone there more important than family."

Come to think of it, she realized she hadn't told Rieserago about the Young Lady or the Caldwell family. Rebecca began to speak briefly about herself.

About her real family, running away from home, working as a maid at the Caldwell house, and the Young Lady—

Rieserago nodded as if convinced.

"What, so you are going to your employer's place?"

While feeling complex emotions at the word "employer," Rebecca nodded.

"Yes... because it is a precious place to me."

"Hmm..."

Rieserago turned her gaze to the map again and added more words.

"What will you do if you are not accepted there?"

At that question, Rebecca's face froze for a moment. But she immediately voiced her answer.

"—I don't mind."

Pathetically, her voice was trembling.

"If that happens... I'll think about it then. O-Only, I..."

No matter how much time passes, no matter the time gap, she has only one wish. Keeping her face down, she voiced the feelings in her heart.

"...I want to go back, Riesie..."

Rebecca continued, hugging her knees.

"I want to see the Young Lady... even just a glimpse is enough..."

She might have been forgotten. Her existence might not be accepted. But even so—

"That is where I belong. No matter what anyone says... I want to go back..."

She buried her face in her knees.

"I want to tell the Young Lady I'm sorry. Even if I'm not accepted... even so... I want to convey that I love her very much and that she is precious to me..."

—I want to go back. To that warm place.

—I want to see the Young Lady.

"...I'm sorry, Riesie. For dragging you along... You might not be able to understand, but even so..."

"No, I understand."

Suddenly, Rieserago spoke, interrupting Rebecca.

"I am a non-human being... one who lives in a time different from humans... but even I can understand somewhat. Surely, for you, that person is... an existence similar to what Setsuna was to me, right?"

At those words, Rebecca raised her head. Rieserago was sitting on the bed, gazing at the starry sky visible from the window.

"—I understand the feeling of wanting to see someone, Rebecca. That's why I will stay with you until the end."

Rebecca quietly gazed at Rieserago's profile as she whispered those words.

After a long silence, Rebecca opened her mouth.

"Riesie, you've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you?"

"Hm?"

Rieserago turned her face to Rebecca. And she tilted her head.

"Lying? About what?"

Rebecca's eyes wavered as if hesitating, but she continued immediately.

"About Setsuna-san."

"About Setsuna?"

"You call Setsuna-san a friend... but the truth is—"

She hesitated for just a moment, but Rebecca asked Rieserago.

"The truth is, he was your lover, wasn't he?"

When Rebecca said that, Rieserago opened her eyes wide.

Silence fell again. Eventually, Rieserago burst into small laughter.

"What is that..."

Rebecca stared at Rieserago, who was chuckling kuku. Under that gaze, Rieserago finally stopped laughing and averted her eyes awkwardly.

"—Not a lover."

"...Really?"

"It wasn't that kind of relationship... but."

Rieserago stopped speaking and glanced at Rebecca. When Rebecca stared straight back into Rieserago's eyes, she added more words, seemingly hesitant.

"—But, at least... for me, for the me of that time... Setsuna was everything. Setsuna, who jumped into my closed world... At first, he was annoying, but before I knew it, I came to care for him so much it was helpless... spending the same time together was joyful, fun... and I was happy..."

Hearing those words, Rebecca's mouth hung open blankly. Eventually, she started giggling. Rieserago spoke up, looking sullen.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Riesie... that is totally love, isn't it?"

Rieserago opened her eyes wide in surprise.

"You loved him, didn't you?"

When Rebecca said that, Rieserago blushed slightly and turned her face away abruptly.

Rebecca laughed at Rieserago's reaction. Then, she climbed onto the bed, approached Rieserago, and spoke.

"—Someday."

"Ah?"

"Someday, if you are able to meet him again, when that time comes—"

She hugged Rieserago tightly from behind. She gently patted her head just like that.

"You should say it properly in words. So that you won't have regrets anymore."

—Setsuna is no longer in this world. So, she can never meet him again. I know that.

But even so.

If it's Rieserago, I felt like she might be able to meet her precious person again someday.

"Please tell him you love him."

Rieserago glanced at Rebecca. And then,

"...I will keep it in mind, just in case."

Saying that, she pulled away from Rebecca and burrowed under the sheets as if to hide.