My Maid is Cute Chapter 89 : Explosion (Patreon)

*Explosion*

Continuation of Estelle's point of view.

Inside the Marquisate mansion, the siblings Estelle and Nicholas grew up supporting each other, leaning on each other. They only had each other to trust. For Estelle, Nicholas was the only existence she loved, and most likely, for Nicholas as well, Estelle was his only beloved family. Their father Tobias seemed as disinterested in his children as ever, rarely coming near the mansion. That man was no longer family. Outwardly, she pretended to respect and love her father. But to Estelle, a father was an existence equivalent to a stone rolling on the side of the road. Only Nicholas was Estelle's family. To Estelle, he was her dearest, her one and only, and the existence she must protect.

Her guilt toward her mother faded day by day, buried in the depths of oblivion. Instead, what she remembered from time to time was the scene of Nicholas lying in the room on that day.

Estelle still dreams about it. In her dream, Nicholas is lying down with a pale face. When she lifts him up, Nicholas's body is cold and doesn't move an inch. Every time, Estelle wakes up screaming. Estelle's regret over not being able to protect Nicholas grew little by little. That feeling led directly to her obsession with Nicholas. He was the one and only, dearest existence to Estelle. She absolutely did not want to lose him. She had to protect her precious brother. She would absolutely never let go of him again. Yes, absolutely.

Estelle continued to build emotional barriers against the people around her, including her father, almost unconsciously. Humans other than her brother Nicholas were irrelevant existences to Estelle. As long as she had Nicholas, she didn't need anything.

For Nicholas too, the only one he should love was Estelle. Occasionally, when Nicholas directed his interest toward other things, she became angry. On the surface, she accepted it generously, pretending to be a tolerant sister. But deep down, the thought of Nicholas thinking about anything other than Estelle was sickeningly hateful, and anger swirled within her. Her heart would be disturbed, and she would almost collapse from bitterness. Therefore, to get his attention, she occasionally pretended to be ill. When she did, Nicholas would abandon everything in front of him and rush to her side. That way, even if Nicholas directed his interest to other things, Estelle could forgive him even while angry in her heart. Because she knew that in the end, he would absolutely, definitely return to Estelle.

The fact that Estelle was number one for Nicholas as well made her happier than anything, and her obsession with her brother grew ever stronger.

As long as Nicholas was by her side, that was enough. Her dearest brother in the world.

Always, forever, only Nicholas was the sole precious existence for Estelle.

***

As she grew up a little, Estelle also stepped into high society. Ordered by her father, who had returned to the mansion unusually, Estelle learned etiquette almost out of a sense of duty, dressed up with the help of servants, and attended parties and soirées.

In the elegant and glittering social world, Estelle became aware of her own beauty for the first time.

People around her widened their eyes at Estelle's beauty. Girls of the same age sent gazes mixed with envy and jealousy.

Estelle, who attracted much attention and was spoken to by many, built a barrier around her heart as usual. No matter how many kind words were spoken to her by handsome men, nothing resonated with her. She wasn't happy, nor did her heart dance. She simply returned words to the people around her according to the etiquette she had learned. She instantly forgot what she said. But just by Estelle speaking and smiling a little, people's faces would light up, and they would sway happily. Even seeing that, she felt nothing, and her heart was drawn to no one.

—It doesn't matter. People other than Nicholas don't matter.

Eventually, several marriage proposals came flying Estelle's way. Estelle politely refused all of them, but suddenly, a certain prediction terrified her.

Nicholas also had a beautiful face, very similar to Estelle's. Surely, if he went out into society, he would attract the attention of many people. Just like the current Estelle. And surely, women around him would give him their hearts, and talk of marriage would arise. Someday, he might connect his heart with some woman. Letting go of Estelle's hand, leaving. Her beloved brother becoming the possession of a woman other than herself.

Just imagining it made her chest ache sharply, feeling as if she would faint and collapse.

She had to keep Nicholas away from marriage proposals somehow. Estelle just had to maneuver skillfully. While continuing to build barriers in her heart, she went to as many social gatherings as possible and built good relationships. Expanding her connections little by little. Thus, she resolved to crush any women who tried to approach Nicholas from the shadows.

With renewed determination, she showed her face at parties, dinner parties, and tea parties, deepening exchanges with many nobles. In her heart, it was troublesome and she couldn't help it, but she rationalized that it was necessary to build connections and to protect Nicholas. While doing so, before she knew it, Estelle became the center of attention in high society, becoming an object of admiration not only for men but also for many women.

Although Estelle became an absolute favorite in high society, she had absolutely no interest in the people around her; her thoughts were still solely directed toward Nicholas as always. Once Nicholas started going out into society, she had to protect him with her own hands. However, fortunately for Estelle, Nicholas seemed to dislike places where people gathered, such as parties and dinners, and rarely attended. He went to parties he absolutely had to attend a few times, but each time he came back with a pale face.

“Parties and places like that... I just can't handle them... I'm sorry, Sister.”

Nicholas apologized apologetically with a pale face. However, Estelle secretly rejoiced in her heart as if this were a godsend.

“It can't be helped if you're not good with them... I will attend in your place, so it's okay.”

Saying that, she stroked his back to comfort him. Nicholas looked down, his expression clouding.

***

Eventually, Estelle turned 15 and enrolled in the academy in the Royal Capital like many nobles. It was painful to leave Nicholas and enter the dormitory, but this couldn't be helped. Besides, Nicholas would also enroll in two years, so it was just a little patience. However, out of worry, she secretly won over several servants in the mansion to her side and had them report Nicholas's condition regularly.

Even after entering the academy, Estelle was the center of attention for the entire student body. She applied herself to her studies reasonably well and built inoffensive relationships with those around her. Estelle herself had absolutely no interest or concern for the people around her. However, many students called her the "Perfect Lady," and her immense popularity knew no bounds; before she knew it, she was recommended by her classmates and selected as Student Council President. She had absolutely no interest in the student council, but thinking that having the status of Student Council President wouldn't be a bad thing for protecting Nicholas when he enrolled, she accepted it.

“Lady Estelle is truly beautiful. If possible, I would like to get closer to her.”

“Excellent at everything, kind and gentle, truly a wonderful person.”

“Truly a perfect person, isn't she? I admire her.”

Many people praised Estelle as if worshipping her. Hearing this, she felt nothing in particular, nor did she even think she was happy, but she thought it wasn't bad that the students adored her as if worshipping her. Most humans would do as she wished if Estelle just smiled a little. As Student Council President, she moved the people around her for her own convenience. To that end, she became the "Perfect Lady" who was always bright and smiling, whom everyone loved. While doing so, before she knew it, Estelle came to be called one of the Three Great Beauties.

Since they were called the Three Great Beauties, it meant there were two other beautiful women besides Estelle. She knew that, but Estelle, who thought people other than Nicholas didn't matter, didn't pay it any particular mind.

Estelle never imagined. That one of those Three Great Beauties would become greatly involved with Nicholas.

***

Finally, the year came for Nicholas to enroll in the academy. As his sister, and as Student Council President, Estelle made perfect preparations to welcome Nicholas.

More than anything, she feared female students becoming attracted to Nicholas and approaching him. She had to stop it no matter what. For that purpose, she had built connections. By now, many students would do Estelle's bidding. She would pull strings from the shadows and secretly crush any humans approaching Nicholas. She would not allow Nicholas to be taken away, absolutely not. With renewed determination, Estelle worked hard preparing for the entrance ceremony.

On the day of the entrance ceremony thus welcomed, many students stepped into the academy. Finding Nicholas among the new students, Estelle smiled secretly. However, her gaze stopped on a certain student standing a little distance away from Nicholas, and her eyes widened.

The moment she saw that female student, Estelle unintentionally gasped. A troublesome appearance, she thought instantly. She was wearing the academy uniform as a matter of course, but her presence could only be described as exceptional. Estelle knew she herself was beautiful. But the beauty of the female student she was looking at now was not in that dimension. Possessor of a beauty so great one might suspect she was the finest work of art created by God. At beauty that felt even dangerous, Estelle bit her lip without realizing it. The surrounding students were keeping their distance from the female student with timid looks. Estelle learned that day that beauty exceeding limits makes people shudder.

That was the first day she became conscious of the human named Wendy Caldwell.

She only knew the name. Despite being a noble lady of the same age, it was the first time she had seen her. Wendy was famous for disliking socializing and almost never participated in parties. Estelle had never even paid attention to the existence of Wendy until now.

In terms of simple beauty, she probably surpassed Estelle. Many humans were captivated by Wendy's beauty. Not only men, but even women would open their mouths wide and be unable to take their eyes off her figure.

A quite dangerous existence. Estelle secretly held her head. There was a fear that the status she had built up would be destroyed. Above all, the fact that she was in the same grade as Nicholas was troublesome. She worried about what to do if she became close to Nicholas, but that anxiety was needless worry.

Contrary to her beautiful appearance, Wendy's reputation was surprisingly bad. She was indifferent to her surroundings and seemed to dislike people considerably. A silent and cold-hearted human; apparently, classmates and many other students spoke to Wendy, but all they received in return were cold, sharp glares. Naturally, she had absolutely no friends, but she showed no sign of caring about that. Above all, there was a strange rumor that she was a "cursed lady," and many students avoided her blatantly.

“...Beautiful, but... she's really beautiful, but her personality is...”

“She hardly speaks at all... and even if you talk to her, she doesn't respond at all; she's cold.”

“Apparently, if you get close, you get cursed. How terrifying...”

People rumored so. Even with bad rumors circulating, Wendy herself showed absolutely no sign of caring. Without making friends, she lived her student life indifferently. Although they were in the same class, there was no sign of her even exchanging conversation with Nicholas, let alone having a connection, so Estelle was relieved.

***

As Estelle expected, although not to the extent of Wendy, Nicholas also became the center of students' attention as soon as he enrolled. Due to his childhood trauma, Nicholas was still seemingly bad with women and didn't try to become very close with female students. However, there were still female students who tried to approach Nicholas forcibly. Estelle pulled strings from behind the scenes and crushed such students one after another.

Just by Estelle smiling a little, the students who worshipped Estelle moved easily. Estelle hardly took action herself. She just gave smiles and kind words. using them, she secretly harassed and sometimes lightly threatened the female students trying to approach Nicholas. She pulled strings so they wouldn't complain to teachers or parents, thoroughly eliminating elements of anxiety.

She also secretly took measures to protect Nicholas even when graduating from the academy. Immediately after graduating, she got engaged to Brooks Armand, who was two years younger. Brooks was the heir to the long-established Baron Armand family, a serious young man with strong magical power. But she didn't particularly love Brooks. She chose him as a fiancé simply because she judged he could be used as a pawn. Brooks had been devoted to Estelle since childhood. Since becoming a student, he had even joined the student council to get closer to Estelle. Estelle utilized his feelings to the fullest and used him like a servant. No matter how he was treated, Brooks worshipped and loved Estelle like a goddess. Although she thought that attitude was slightly annoying, Brooks would do anything Estelle wished. She thought Brooks, who was in the same grade as Nicholas and a close existence, would move well even after Estelle graduated, and in reality, he did. Just as Estelle ordered, Brooks reported Nicholas's condition in detail via letters and granted everything Estelle wished. A young man obedient as a dog. She was grateful, but had absolutely no romantic feelings. When she got bored, she could just make up a reason, break the engagement, and use another young man. After all, there were plenty of other men who would grant whatever Estelle said.

***

Some time after Estelle graduated from the academy and became engaged to Brooks.

Estelle was astonished to learn a certain fact from a letter from Brooks.

That Wendy Caldwell and Nicholas were seemingly becoming close.

Hurriedly gathering information from students remaining at the academy, she learned it was an undeniable fact.

The circumstances were quite simple. A few days ago, Estelle had fallen ill. Not her usual feigned illness, but she had truly caught a cold at the turn of the seasons. Unfortunately, she had been invited to a party hosted by a high-ranking noble, but became unable to attend. Nicholas went to the party as Estelle's proxy, and apparently became close with Wendy there. After that party, Nicholas began to call out to Wendy occasionally and exchange conversation. Apparently, figures of them talking secretly just the two of them came to be seen often within the academy, and other students seemed to be rumor that they had become lovers. Apparently, Wendy called Nicholas by the nickname "Colin."

Hearing that rumor, Estelle felt blood rushing to her head. She tried to build a barrier, but it didn't work. Something like this hadn't happened since the incident her mother caused. Attacked by tremendous anxiety, everything went dark before her eyes. This was the first time a woman had gotten this close to Nicholas. Nicholas might leave Estelle's side together with Wendy. Just imagining it made her feel like she was going crazy.

She tried asking Nicholas about Wendy in letters, but Nicholas wouldn't tell her anything. Estelle pretended to fall ill many times and informed the academy. Then, not knowing it was feigned, Nicholas would invariably submit a request to leave the academy and return to the mansion. Each time, Estelle brought up Wendy over and over again, trying to question their relationship, but Nicholas absolutely refused to open his mouth. While growing impatient, outwardly pretending to give her blessing, she even overtly brought up talk of engagement, but Nicholas continued to dodge evasively.

Because Nicholas was too tight-lipped, Estelle decided to probe by other methods.

She gathered information about Wendy from one end to the other using people. Using believers who worshipped Estelle in the academy and high society, she continued to probe into Wendy even a little. She also showed her face at a tea party held at the Caldwell house, and pretending to be lost, tried to investigate inside the mansion. She hoped to grasp even a little secret about Wendy, but unfortunately, she was found by a girl who appeared to be a servant of the mansion, so she gave up.

In the meantime, the rumor that Nicholas and Wendy were in a close relationship spread even to high society, and talk of imminent engagement even emerged. Hearing that rumor, Estelle nearly fainted as anger boiled up.

Worst of all, Wendy was more beautiful than Estelle. Nicholas might have been captivated by that beauty. No, that's not it. Surely Wendy forced herself onto Nicholas using that beauty as a weapon.

—That woman, unforgivable.

Estelle clenched her fist so hard it seemed she would bleed from anger.

Nicholas was being deceived. By that woman who only had her face. Yes, it must be so.

She needed to wake Nicholas up somehow.

She had to eliminate that woman.

Estelle moved to the next action. She ordered Brooks and Estelle's believers inside the academy to start harassing Wendy.

She wrote letters repeatedly saying things like "Do not speak to Nicholas Lambert" and "Cursed monster" and sent them to Wendy. Furthermore, ordering Brooks, she carried out harassment by cutting up textbooks with scissors. Wendy apparently reported it to the school, but the effect was weaker than expected, and she showed no sign of caring. Far from it, it seemed the distance to Nicholas was getting even closer. The time spent alone together increased, they attended the graduation party as partners, and rumors even began to flow that they would announce their engagement at that venue.

Furthermore, with the long break fast approaching, an outrageous letter arrived for Estelle. The letter was from Nicholas, stating that he would not return home for the next long break. She couldn't possibly believe that Nicholas, who had considered Estelle first so much, wouldn't return home. Even though he had always returned every break out of worry for Estelle until now. According to the letter sent by Nicholas, it seemed he would take a room at an inn near the academy and spend his time there. Just in case, considerate words like "Enjoy your time alone with Brooks" were written, but he must be avoiding Estelle. Perhaps he intended to meet Wendy during the long break too. Imagining that, Estelle called Brooks, who was at the academy, and took her anger out on him.

“Nicholas is being deceived. It must be so. Isn't that right?”

“Yes, that is correct. Lady Estelle...”

Estelle's voice was quiet but harbored intense anger. Brooks looked down once, trembling at her menacing attitude. However, immediately looking up,

“I apologize for not being of use, Lady Estelle... However.”

Saying that, he puffed out his chest a little and continued.

“The harassment didn't have much effect, but this time I think it will definitely go well.”

Estelle furrowed her brows at Brooks's words.

“Hah? Brooks, what did you do?”

“I sent a handkerchief to Lady Caldwell as a present.”

At those words, Estelle looked back at Brooks with a sharp gaze.

“Hah? A handkerchief? Why did you send something like that? If you get caught—”

“It's okay. The sender isn't written. It is scheduled to arrive at the Caldwell house during the long break. I cast a magic on the embroidery of that handkerchief that sucks vitality little by little. Surely it will go well—”

“Are you an idiot?”

Estelle threw a cushion that was nearby to interrupt Brooks's voice.

“What kind of lady carries around a handkerchief sent by a sender who didn't write their name? Use your head a little.”

“...Eh... b-but...”

Brooks froze in confusion. Most likely, he had expected to be praised by Estelle. His face turned pale, but Estelle paid it no mind, sighing while exposing her anger.

“Enough already, go home.”

Saying that, she looked away from Brooks and crossed her arms. Brooks was flustered, but eventually dropped his shoulders in dejection and left the room.

Left behind, Estelle thought irritably. Brooks was obedient and listened to whatever she said, but he was naive and lenient at crucial moments. There was no way this would be effective.

By now, due to her feelings for Nicholas and anger toward Wendy, far from building barriers, Estelle couldn't even control her emotions well.

—I can't endure it anymore. I have no choice but to take direct action.

Estelle finally made up her mind.

A while after that, the academy entered the long break. As written in the letter, Nicholas indeed did not return. Instead, Brooks came to see Estelle while looking timid. To such a fiancé, Estelle smiled brightly.

“I have a request. Will you listen?”

Brooks nodded greatly.

“Of course. Any wish, if it is for you...”

Apparently, he was frightened that he might be hated for angering Estelle last time. Watching Brooks's state, Estelle voiced her demand.

“I can't stand it anymore. Bring that woman to me.”

“Huh?”

Brooks looked blank. Estelle continued clearly.

“I will threaten her directly, that woman.”

“Eh? T-That is...”

“Bring that woman, before me.”

When she ordered so, Brooks turned pale and continued in a panicked manner.

“B-Bring her... you mean that Lady Caldwell? Threaten her...”

“I will do the threatening. You just have to bring her.”

Bringing Wendy before Estelle was impossible no matter how one thought about it. Brooks had absolutely no interaction with Wendy until now. Even if he called her out, now that her vigilance was heightened due to harassment, she wouldn't follow him quietly. Besides, threatening a Count's daughter was completely crossing the line, and he couldn't possibly think that the current Estelle, who lost herself in anger, would end with just threats. She might inflict some harm. If that happened, and they got caught, who knew what would happen.

Brooks, who had accepted any request of Estelle's until now, was shaken and voiced his hesitation.

“L-Lady Estelle, um, that is—”

“We'll just talk a little. I'll just warn her not to approach Nicholas. I don't care if it's somewhat forceful. Even if you have to use force, bring her before me.”

Estelle spoke calmly, but understanding that intense anger dwelt in that voice, Brooks shivered.

“E-Even if you say force... if I do such a thing—”

The word kidnapping he was about to continue with was drowned out by Estelle's voice.

“Don't make me say it again. If you want to marry me, listen to my orders.”

***

And now, Wendy Caldwell was in front of Estelle. Although her hands and feet were bound with rope, Wendy sent a sharp gaze toward Estelle.

"Why did you bring me to a place like this?"

Wendy said "a place like this," but this was undeniably a building owned by the Armand family. Brooks's father, Baron Armand, was a pharmacist and scientist. Out of love for research, Baron Armand built several research institutes himself. This research institute was one of them.

It was an old building, and currently, it seemed to be used almost like a warehouse rather than a research institute. Around Estelle and Wendy, many books and bottles seemingly containing medicine were lined up. Some bottles seemed to contain quite dangerous drugs, but she didn't particularly care. Using the Lambert mansion was impossible due to the eyes of servants, so she forcibly borrowed this research institute from Brooks. Brooks had been reluctant, but here, there was no need to worry about people's eyes. Since almost no one set foot around this old building, even if she shouted, it wouldn't be noticed. It was impossible for Wendy to call for help.

"What is your objective?"

At Wendy's question, Estelle closed the fan she held in her hand and smiled.

"...Seen up close, you really are a beautiful person."

She brought the fan close to Wendy, forced her chin up with it, and made her look up. Then she spoke in a cold voice.

"With this face, did you seduce Nicholas?"

Wendy furrowed her brows at those words and involuntarily spoke.

"...Haa? What are you saying?"

Estelle, enraged by that attitude, instinctively threw away the fan and raised her hand. Then, she slapped Wendy's cheek with force.

"Lady Estelle!"

Wendy opened her eyes wide, and Brooks, who was waiting behind, raised his voice. Without answering Brooks's voice, Estelle turned burning eyes toward Wendy.

"Because of you! Because you stole him, Nicholas stopped coming home!! It's all your fault!! Everything, everything!!"

Tears spilled from Estelle's eyes as she screamed like she was throwing a tantrum.

"Return my Nicholas! Return him!!"

At that sorrowful voice, Wendy gasped. However, she immediately looked straight at Estelle and spoke.

"I didn't steal him... Colin cherishes you. Colin is—"

Wendy started to say something. But Estelle's anger exploded, unable to tolerate Wendy calling Nicholas "Colin."

"He's my brother!! Not 'Colin'!!"

She took out a knife she had kept hidden. Then, she pressed it against Wendy's cheek.

"Lady Estelle! Please calm down!"

Brooks, shocked upon seeing the knife, tried to rush over. Estelle blew such a Brooks away with magic. Brooks screamed and fell, but paying him no mind, Estelle glared at Wendy.

"I intended to just threaten you a little... But, you are the one at fault... You, trying to take my brother away from me..."

Her voice trembled with anger. Wendy, having a knife pressed against her, naturally turned pale, but still continued speaking calmly.

"No, I mean, that's not it... Me and, um, your brother, are a bit special, or rather, quite peculiar... just a troublesome relationship..."

Wendy let her eyes swim, not knowing how to explain. Her relationship with Nicholas was definitely not what Estelle thought. But not knowing how to explain a complex story involving not only Nicholas's but also Estelle's past in this situation, no further words came out. However, the moment the word "special" came out, Estelle's face turned bright red. She realized she should have clearly denied "we aren't lovers," but it was too late.

Screaming, Estelle kicked Wendy's abdomen with force. Her breath caught in her throat, and Wendy fell backward. Her vision went dark as pain prevented her from thinking. But only Estelle's voice could be heard.

"Nicholas is mine!!"

Screaming that, Estelle brandished the knife. Wendy, sensing it through presence, instinctively closed her eyes.

The next moment, a sound like an explosion was heard.

She didn't know what happened. She thought it was thunder, but it probably wasn't. The sound of something like glass breaking echoed, and immediately after, Estelle gave a short scream. Feeling a strong impact, Wendy finally opened her eyes.

The first thing that entered her eyes was a crumbling wall. The wall that should have been in front of Wendy had vanished. The door Estelle and Brooks had entered through was gone too. The door that looked solid was completely destroyed along with the wall. For some reason, smoke was swirling around. She saw fragments of the crumbled wall and door falling apart. Wendy opened her eyes wide at the scene while dumbfounded. Seeing a figure in the wavering whitish smoke, a voice leaked from Wendy's mouth.

"Ah..."

Someone was standing where the wall used to be.

And then,

"Good grief... I finally found you."

The woman with eyes like the ocean grinned.

"Well then, let's have a curtain call."