My Maid is Cute Chapter 59 : Scenery Lost (Patreon)

*Scenery Lost*

The darkness of the sky gradually faded, and the morning sun rose. Bathing her whole body in the crisp morning light, Rebecca gazed at the scenery from the window.

On the bed, Rieserago rustled as she woke up and called out.

"—You up already?"

"Yeah."

As Rebecca answered, she turned her gaze to Rieserago’s face.

"—Are you okay?"

"Mm."

Rieserago nodded lightly at Rebecca's inquiry. She swept back her long hair and closed her eyes. A moment later, she opened them and nodded once more.

"I'm fine now."

Saying that, she smiled at Rebecca.

Relieved, Rebecca forced a smile in return and slowly stood up.

"Well then, shall we get ready and go for breakfast?"

***

The two packed their bags and left the inn. They went straight into a small nearby restaurant and ordered breakfast.

"Next is the carriage," Rieserago said as she shoveled vast amounts of food into her mouth, one dish after another.

Her appetite was the same as always, with no trace of the instability she had shown the previous night. Secretly relieved by this, Rebecca began to eat her own meal.

"Yes. ...Just a little further."

They were getting steadily closer to the Caldwell domain. All that remained was two more carriage rides. If they made good time, they might even arrive this evening.

Having finished everything on the table, Rieserago let out a small breath and stood up.

"Alright, let's go."

They headed to the shared carriage stop. They purchased tickets and checked the time. It seemed there was still about an hour before the carriage departed.

"Shall we wait somewhere?"

"Let's wait over there, then."

Rebecca pointed to a bench for passengers set up near the stop. Rieserago nodded, so the two of them headed over to the bench and sat down together.

Since there was nothing to do while waiting for the carriage, Rebecca took Finley's Adventure out of her bag. Just as she was about to turn the page, intending to kill time reading until departure, Rieserago spoke up.

"Is that the book you bought yesterday?"

"Eh? Yes, it is."

Rebecca replied, turning the cover toward Rieserago.

"It's actually quite interesting."

"Hmm..."

Rieserago looked at the cover and tilted her head slightly.

"...That's an unusual name."

"Huh?"

Rieserago's gaze was fixed on the author's name printed on the cover: Renatoa Cel Ward.

"That word feels a bit unnatural for a person's name."

"...? What do you mean?"

When Rebecca frowned, Rieserago replied with a look as if recalling something.

"'Renatoa' is a very ancient word. If I recall correctly, it meant something like 'eternal' or 'never-ending.' Using that word as a name is a bit strange..."

"Huh..."

Murmuring in surprise, Rebecca looked at the cover again. Rieserago gave a slight, wry smile and spoke again.

"I'm going to go buy some drinks. Do you want something?"

"Ah, yes please."

When Rebecca replied, Rieserago nodded and stood up. Then, taking the coin purse, she headed toward a nearby shop.

Rebecca watched her go quietly, then let out a small sigh. She glanced at a nearby clock. It wasn't long until the carriage departed. She might actually be able to see Wendy today. Just thinking about it made her heart feel light. As she tried to suppress her eager heart and opened her book once more, it happened.

"...Hm?"

Her gaze stopped across the road, a short distance away. Two people were standing there. A young man and woman stood arm in arm, talking happily. Rebecca narrowed her eyes and stared intently at the pair. The man was tall, a youth with gentle, drooping eyes. The woman was petite, her long, fluffy red hair standing out. Her sparkling brown eyes were adorable.

She didn't know the man, but the woman was someone Rebecca knew very well.

"...Sadie?"

She muttered softly. Her hair had grown longer than it was four years ago, and she looked more mature, but that woman was unmistakably the junior maid of the Caldwell household, Sadie Vince.

Rebecca involuntarily stood up and opened her mouth to call out.

"Sa—"

However, as if to block her, a carriage stopped in front of Sadie and the man.

The carriage door opened immediately, and Sadie stepped forward to board.

"...Ah."

At the moment she was about to board, Sadie suddenly turned her gaze in Rebecca's direction. Their eyes met. As Rebecca hesitated, wondering what to do, Sadie tilted her head in puzzlement, then looked away and entered the carriage.

"..."

Rebecca's entire body turned to stone, and she stood rooted to the spot. Paying no mind to the frozen Rebecca, the carriage carrying Sadie and the man rattled away. Rebecca watched the carriage leave in silence.

Once the carriage disappeared from sight, Rebecca unsteadily sat back down on the bench. Seeing her former junior after so long had shaken her greatly.

No, more than that.

She had definitely made eye contact with Sadie. But Sadie hadn't recognized Rebecca at all. Those eyes were the eyes of someone looking at a complete stranger.

"Rebecca, what's wrong?"

Before she knew it, Rieserago had returned, arms full of items. She sat down next to Rebecca, looking at her dazed companion with curiosity.

Rebecca explained what had just happened in bits and pieces.

"You met someone from your past?"

"Yes... well, met isn't the right word. I just saw her face from a distance."

Rebecca drank the tea Rieserago had bought and looked down.

"She didn't seem to notice me..."

"Well, that's to be expected."

Since Rieserago said it so matter-of-factly, Rebecca raised her head.

"Excuse me?"

"Your appearance is completely different now compared to the past. She wouldn't think you'd turned into a child, so recognizing you would be impossible."

"..."

Rebecca fell silent and stared at her own small hands.

Rieserago was right. It was no wonder Sadie didn't recognize her in this young form.

She understood it in her head. But, shocked more than she expected, Rebecca let out a deep sigh and held her head in her hands. With an awkward expression, Rieserago held out some sweets she seemed to have purchased.

"Here, I'll give you this. So cheer up."

"..."

Rebecca accepted it silently.

Finally, the time for the carriage's departure arrived. Rebecca and Rieserago boarded the reserved shared carriage. There were a few other passengers besides them, but it wasn't particularly crowded. Rebecca shifted in her seat next to Rieserago, settling in.

The carriage departed immediately. As it rattled along, the scenery flowed by. Munching on the sweets Rieserago had given her, Rebecca hardly spoke as she was swayed by the carriage.

They arrived at their next destination, a town called Rildant, in about two hours. They had to change carriages here. Finally, once they passed this town, they would be in the Caldwell domain.

They had plenty of time until the next carriage departed. It was a little early for lunch, but they entered a café near the carriage stop to eat. Because of the early hour, the only other customers besides Rebecca's group were a pair of middle-aged women. The women were chatting lively while drinking their beverages.

Rebecca and Rieserago were guided to a table by a server and ordered a simple meal and drinks. After the server left, Rieserago spoke.

"Just a few more hours and we'll arrive."

"Yes. It's been long... truly..."

"Where are you going once we reach Caldwell?"

"For now, I intend to go to the mansion where I used to work. Come to think of it, what will you—"

Just as she was about to ask 'What will you do?', one of the middle-aged women at the nearby table spoke to them.

"Oh my, are you two going to the Caldwell domain?"

Apparently, they had overheard Rebecca and Rieserago's conversation. Rebecca nodded slightly, bewildered by the sudden address.

"Y-Yes."

The pair of women smiled warmly and continued.

"That's nice. A trip?"

In place of the silent Rieserago, Rebecca gave a vague smile and nodded.

"Umm, yes, something like that..."

"The weather looks like it might get a bit rough, so you should be careful."

The woman said this while looking outside. Rebecca followed her gaze. It wasn't raining yet, but as the woman said, it was a bit overcast.

"Looks like rain..."

Rieserago also looked outside, frowned, and muttered. Just then, the server brought their food. Rieserago immediately shifted her attention to the meal and began eating heartily. Rebecca started her meal with a wry smile.

Meanwhile, the middle-aged women, seemingly having lost interest in Rebecca and Rieserago, resumed their chatting.

"Speaking of Caldwell... did you hear? That rumor."

"Oh, yes, yes. I heard."

"It was quite a surprise, wasn't it?"

The women continued their conversation in somewhat loud voices.

Rebecca glanced outside again. I wonder if I should get an umbrella if it rains, she thought as she took a sip of her drink.

At that moment, the woman's words jumped into her ears.

"I heard the daughter of the Caldwell family is getting engaged."

Hearing those words, Rebecca sprayed her drink with full force. Rieserago, sitting directly opposite her, took the spray head-on.

Ignoring Rebecca, who was coughing and choking, the women continued their conversation.

"The partner is the son of the Lambert Marquess family, isn't it?"

"Right, right! It hasn't been officially announced yet, but it's basically a done deal—"

With a sullen expression, Rieserago took out a handkerchief and wiped her juice-soaked face.

Forgetting even to apologize to her, Rebecca sat frozen like a block of ice, an expression of utter shock on her face.

***

In the carriage she had boarded with Rieserago, Rebecca stared wordlessly at the changing scenery outside.

The conversation of the women from earlier wouldn't leave her head.

—I never imagined Wendy would be getting engaged.

Are you stupid? she wanted to smack herself. To think she hadn't even imagined such a thing. She was a noble young lady of high standing and appropriate age; it wasn't strange for engagement talks to arise. In fact, it was natural.

But—

"...Haa."

Rebecca let out a heavy sigh and held her head in her hands.

Rieserago occasionally glanced at the brooding Rebecca with concern. However, perhaps out of consideration, she didn't say anything.

Paying no mind to Rieserago, Rebecca continued to think. Her thoughts spun round and round.

Wendy is getting married. That is something to be happy about. Something she should bless.

She understood it in her head, yet she felt a shock as if she had been struck in the chest. Her head felt like it would burst from the confusion. She was also shocked at herself for being so flustered upon hearing of the engagement.

The image of Wendy as a small child floated into her mind.

‘Becca, hold me.’

That little girl was going to belong to someone else.

—No, that’s wrong.

That little girl from back then doesn't exist anymore.

Rebecca grimaced and bit her lip hard. She cast her face downward.

While she was asleep, Wendy had grown up, becoming seventeen years old. Turning into an adult woman...

Surely, if it's Wendy, she will have a happy marriage. She had become a woman beautiful enough to be called one of the three great beauties, so surely she would be deeply loved by a splendid man and—

"...Gh."

Just imagining it made her feel as though her chest had been stabbed. Her heart was turbulent, her mind spiraling into distress.

She didn't know why she was agonizing over this. Her precious Young Lady was going to be happy, so she should be glad.

She couldn't be glad. She was irritated. It hurt; it was suffocating, frustrating, unbearable. What was this feeling?

Unable to understand her own emotions, Rebecca felt like she was going to cry. Desperately holding back the tears threatening to spill, she looked up. Looking outside, she realized it had started raining before she noticed. It was a damp, thin rain. Looking at the dark sky, she felt her own heart sinking as well. It felt as if she had stepped into a deep quagmire.

Rebecca sat in the carriage seat hugging her knees, burying her face into them.

She closed her eyes. A heavy, oppressive time passed.

"...Rebecca."

Suddenly, Rieserago, who had been silent until then, spoke.

"What?"

At Rebecca's curt reply, Rieserago glanced at her and continued.

"—The Caldwell domain is coming into view."

At Rieserago's words, she lifted her head. Looking outside, dark shadows were flickering in the rain. Presumably, that was their destination.

She had finally returned. To the Caldwell domain.

To the land where Rebecca's precious person was.

***

As soon as they got off the carriage, Rieserago picked Rebecca up.

"Riesie?"

"It's faster this way."

She then opened an umbrella she seemed to have bought somewhere.

Carrying the heavy luggage and Rebecca while holding the umbrella, Rieserago smiled and spoke.

"Come on, where are we going? I'll take you wherever you want to go."

Rebecca tried to open her mouth,

"..."

But closed it again. Her eyes darted around, and she looked down as if troubled.

"Rebecca?"

Rieserago tilted her head in puzzlement. To her, Rebecca let out a small, faint voice.

"I-I..."

"Hm?"

"Maybe... maybe it was a mistake for me to come back here..."

"Haaah!?"

Rieserago's eyes widened in shock, and she let out a loud voice.

"Y-You're the one who said you wanted to come here, aren't you!?"

"That's, that's true, but..."

With a face on the verge of tears, Rebecca gripped Rieserago's clothes tightly.

She came back here because she wanted to see Wendy. She simply wanted to see the girl who was the most precious person in the world to her. She wanted to see her so much it hurt.

But, it might be a nuisance for Wendy. Four years ago, she had disappeared without a word. No, it wasn't Rebecca's will—she hadn't run away but was kidnapped—yet the result was that she went missing. She couldn't make contact, and four years had passed. Even though she said she would stay by her side forever, she had left her alone for a long time.

And now, she had returned without thinking about anything. Just shamelessly waltzing back in because she "wanted to see her."

That might just be Rebecca's selfish desire. How would it be for Wendy? For someone who disappeared on their own to return now, after all this time.

"...Ugh."

She buried her tearful face into Rieserago's chest.

Wendy had grown. She had become an adult, and there was even talk of an engagement. Was it really okay for someone like her to return to such a person? Someone who disappeared without permission appearing now might just be a bother. And on top of that, she had turned into such a young child. She would only disrupt Wendy's current life.

Watching Rebecca's thoughts spiral in circles, Rieserago stared at her and,

"Haa."

Let out a huge sigh.

"...I don't really get it, but there's someone you want to see, right? Then you should go see them."

"...But."

"Rebecca."

At that voice, when Rebecca looked up, Rieserago smiled gently.

"Be honest with your heart."

"..."

"If you don't meet them, you will absolutely regret it. You can't let it end like this."

At Rieserago's encouraging words, Rebecca couldn't answer anything and simply looked down.

Rieserago smiled wryly and spoke again.

"...Shall we go a little later?"

"..."

"Let's take it easy until the rain stops. We have to look for an inn for today, anyway."

"...Okay."

When Rebecca nodded slightly, Rieserago smiled.

Still carrying Rebecca, Rieserago began walking. They walked slowly through the town amidst the lonely rain. Perhaps because of the rain, there were few people on the streets.

From within Rieserago's arms, Rebecca gazed at the surroundings. It was a nostalgic landscape. Compared to four years ago, the town had changed in places—houses she knew were gone, new shops had been built.

"Isn't there an inn around here?"

"...I don't know. It's changed from when I was here."

"I see... Hm?"

At that moment, Rieserago stopped, having seemingly spotted something.

"What is that?"

"Eh?"

Rieserago's gaze was directed toward a corner of the street. There was a rest area where people tired from shopping could spend time. Under a roof, a solitary bench sat empty.

"It's a rest area. Anyone can use it..."

When Rebecca answered, Rieserago headed straight for it.

"Riesie?"

When Rebecca voiced her confusion, Rieserago took a coat out of her bag and put it on Rebecca.

"Rebecca, wait here."

"Eh?"

"It's a bit cold, so I'll go buy some hot drinks nearby. While I'm at it, I'll ask if there's an inn around here."

"B-But..."

"I'll be right back."

Saying that, Rieserago ran off, leaving Rebecca behind.

Rebecca watched her go, then sat down on the bench. She gazed blankly at the rainy scenery.

She had caused so much trouble for Rieserago. Feelings of guilt clogged her chest.

Rieserago was right. She should meet her. She wanted to see Wendy. If she didn't, she was bound to regret it.

But—

"...Ah."

Gazing at the scenery, Rebecca suddenly realized something. This place was, if she recalled correctly...

She stood up unsteadily. She pulled up the hood of the coat Rieserago had put on her. Then, she dashed out into the rain.

Not caring about getting wet, she ran through the town. Heading straight for her destination, she moved her legs. The cold rain hit her skin mercilessly, but she didn't care.

It should be right near here.

‘Becca.’

She felt as though she heard that voice she loved so much.

Thump, thump, the sound of her heart echoed in her ears.

‘It’s a promise, okay?’

—Milady.

‘Don’t forget.’

I won't forget, absolutely not.

That beautiful scenery I watched with you.

To me, having thrown everything away, you were my everything.

Again and again, I replayed your smile in my memories, and I wished.

I want to see you.

Just that.

I walked a lot. I traveled so far.

May I wish to be by your side once more?

She caught sight of a small park ahead. Thank goodness, it was still here. Relieved, Rebecca entered the park as if diving into it.

Looking around, she ran through the park.

Where was it? That's right, just ahead—

Breathing hard, Rebecca proceeded to the back of the park. In this park, there was a tree that bloomed with Rebecca's favorite flowers. A tree with beautiful, pale-colored flowers that she once viewed with Wendy. It wasn't the season for blooming. But—

"...Ah."

Finally reaching her destination, Rebecca let out a voice.

She stared blankly at the scene before her eyes.

The tree was not there.

Only a stump existed there, looking solitary and lonely.

When on earth was it cut down?

Even though it was a tree that bloomed with such beautiful flowers.

Amidst the falling rain, Rebecca shed tears. Her heart felt like it would break at the cruel reality. It felt as though she had been rejected by the world, and it hurt.

It hurt so much she felt like collapsing.

—Those beloved times will never return.

—I made a promise to Milady, but I couldn't keep it.

Suffering from violent palpitations, she rubbed her chest. She desperately inhaled and exhaled deeply.

She wiped her tears with her sleeve. Yet, drops continued to spill over one after another. She slowly opened her mouth.

"Mi... lady..."

She would never be able to see those flowers from back then again.

Realizing that, she felt a sensation of being severed from the past.

—So many things have changed.

The town, the people, and of course, her Young Lady.

She realized now, too late, that all time was moving forward.

Only her time had stopped in the past. Just as it was back then. Unable to accept the current situation, she felt like she was going mad.

Too much time had passed.

She felt keenly that lost time would never return.

"Miss... Wendy..."

She whispered softly. Of course, no one answered.

"Uh... ugh... sob..."

A small sob leaked from Rebecca's mouth.

***

How much time had passed?

Before she knew it, the rain had stopped. Rebecca looked up at the sky and rubbed her eyes vigorously.

She had come here impulsively. She had to go back quickly. Surely, Rieserago would be worried.

She looked at the stump one more time.

Taking a deep breath, just as she was about to leave the spot.

"Oh? Why is a child in a place like this..."

The moment that voice entered her ears, a shiver ran through her.

As if struck by lightning, something raced through her entire body.

This is... this voice.

She didn't know it, yet she knew it.

"Oh my, you're soaked... Are you lost?"

She took a sharp breath. Then, she turned around slowly.

Standing there was a single person holding an umbrella.

The moment that figure jumped into her vision, Rebecca lost her words. It was a girl beautiful like an angel. Blonde hair shining like carefully woven jewelry, translucent white skin, lips glossed in red...

And deep green eyes like emeralds.

She was a girl glowing so brightly she didn't seem of this world. She was so beautiful, one couldn't look straight at her.

"...Ah,"

Her eyes met the girl's, and Rebecca's time stopped. Forgetting to breathe, forgetting to blink, she stared at the girl.

The girl frowned for a moment at Rebecca's state. However, she suddenly gasped and opened her eyes wide. Speechless, she covered her mouth with her hand.

The girl and Rebecca stared at each other in silence for a while.

Eventually, trembling, the girl removed her hand from her mouth. Then, slowly, she voiced it.

"...Becca?"

Rebecca's shoulders trembled at that call.

For just a moment, she closed her eyes and pulled off her hood. Then, opening her eyes, she moved her lips.

"...Yes, Milady."

The moment she answered, the umbrella slipped from the blonde girl—Wendy's—hand. At the same time the umbrella fell to the ground with a thud, she rushed to Rebecca and hugged her with great force.

"Becca, Becca... Beccaaaa!!"

She was hugged so tightly her breath stopped.

Feeling the hot body temperature and heartbeat, Rebecca's whole body went rigid. However,

"Becca... sob..."

She soon realized Wendy's body was trembling. She couldn't see it, but she knew she was crying.

Rebecca opened her eyes wide, and immediately her face crumpled. Tears overflowed from her own eyes, and she felt her vision grow hot.

Slowly, she wrapped her arms around Wendy's back.