My Maid is Cute Chapter 98 : To My Dearest Becca ( FINAL CHAPTER ! ) (Patreon)

*To My Dearest Becca*

"...And then?"

Rieserago frowned at the question.

"Huh?"

"And then, what happened after that? What happened to those two?"

Rieserago made a fed-up face and flopped down onto the sofa.

"Listen, stories like this are fine ending at the happy conclusion... the happy ending. Wanting to know more is just tactless."

"...But I want to know."

Clicking her tongue at those words, she didn't answer and moved her arm. She grabbed a book lying on the nearby table.

"Rieserago, tell me."

"No way."

"Oh, come on, Rieserago!"

As if turning her face away from the angry voice, Rieserago flipped through the pages of the book.

"In the first place, I was an outsider. It's not like I knew that much about them."

"...But you should know best... You visited Milbasa Island more frequently than I did, didn't you?"

"That's... well..."

Rieserago made a complicated expression, her eyes wavering.

"Hey, I want to know. About the two who lived in this world... beyond the 'happy story'."

At that voice, Rieserago looked thoughtful in silence for a while, but eventually let out a huge sigh. Then, hiding her eyes with the book, she opened her mouth.

"She, Rebecca... really did her best. She fought against her fate. ...She lived for more than ten years."

Rieserago began to speak in a small whisper.

***

Rebecca continued her quiet, hidden life with Wendy on Milbasa Island.

Those days were very calm and happier than anything else for the two of them.

Wendy continued to be active as a novelist with remarkable momentum. Most of the books she wrote received high praise and entertained many readers. On the other hand, she kept the true identity of Renatoa Ser Ward hidden and never appeared in the public eye.

Rebecca continued to support Wendy by her side. Even after moving to Milbasa Island, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she devoted her entire life to Wendy, spending her days taking care of her as a maid. She herself was fully satisfied with that life and felt happy.

Rieserago occasionally visited Milbasa Island to see how the two were doing. Most likely, Rieserago knew the details of their life on Milbasa Island best.

Whenever she visited, Rebecca welcomed Rieserago with a smile. Wendy seemed to find Rieserago difficult to deal with and would retreat into the back of the room immediately after greeting her, but it was clear enough that the two were living happily together.

Sometimes, the two were playing and frolicking inside the mansion.

Sometimes, they held hands and climbed the nearby hill, spending time just the two of them while gazing calmly at the scenery.

Sometimes, in the large garden, under a tree blooming with beautiful flowers, they nestled together and exchanged words.

It was so dazzling.

A dream-like scene overflowing with happiness.

Rieserago watched over the two of them from the closest distance.

—If it could come true, I wished they could have lived happy days forever. Truly.

The cracks in that life appeared about twelve years after Rebecca and Wendy moved to Milbasa Island. By that time, Rebecca's body had grown almost into that of an adult.

It started with intense fatigue. Rebecca's body became easily tired, and it gradually became difficult for her to handle work. Just moving a little caused dizziness, and difficulty breathing appeared. Even so, she desperately continued to work as if whipping her own body, but one day, Rebecca suddenly collapsed. The cause was clear. Rebecca's body could no longer withstand Rieserago's magic.

Receiving the news from Wendy through the mirror, Rieserago immediately rushed to Milbasa Island. When Rieserago arrived, Rebecca was sleeping in bed with a pale face. There was no response to Rieserago's calls, and her heartbeat was clearly weak. Beside the bed, Wendy was quietly holding Rebecca's hand while shedding tears.

Just as Rieserago expected, after that, Rebecca's body grew weaker and weaker, and never recovered. She came to spend most of her time sleeping in bed. Without eating, without excreting, she just continued to sleep quietly. Even when she woke up occasionally, she would lose consciousness again in a few minutes.

One day, during a moment of wakefulness, Rieserago exchanged a few words with Rebecca.

'...Riesy, thank you.'

Even realizing the limit of her life, Rebecca smiled calmly.

'Really, thank you.'

Unable to bear those words, Rieserago involuntarily averted her eyes from Rebecca.

'Idiot. You really are carefree. Resent me... Please, despise me, curse me...'

To Rieserago who said that, Rebecca replied in a whisper from the bed.

'I told you before, didn't I? I'm grateful... Thanks to you, I was very happy.'

To Rieserago who pressed her lips together tightly, Rebecca desperately spun words while smiling.

'...I love you too, Riesy... My precious friend... Please, you be happy too.'

—If I had to feel this way, I wish I had never met this human.

Just for a moment, that thought crossed her mind.

But she immediately denied it within herself.

That's wrong.

Absolutely wrong. To think such a thing even for a moment.

—The idiot is me.

Because for Rieserago too, this human named Rebecca was...

Someone who understood her within her long life, and a very, very precious friend.

An irreplaceable friend with whom she shared many memories.

Even if it's sad, painful, or agonizing.

Still, Rieserago thinks.

Meeting Rebecca was a miracle, and a shining hope itself.

Wendy, like Rebecca, did not blame Rieserago. She must have held many thoughts in her heart, but she never directed them at her.

She just intently stayed by the side of the sleeping Rebecca, holding her hand, nestling close.

Once, Rieserago witnessed Wendy clinging to Rebecca while sobbing.

'Becca..., Becca...'

She buried her face in the bed, calling Rebecca's name over and over in a weak voice. Rieserago secretly watched that figure from outside the room.

Rebecca, who seemed to have woken up, desperately moved her hand and stroked Wendy's head.

'...If I am reborn... I want to become a protagonist in one of Lady Wendy's novels.'

At those words, Wendy's shoulders twitched, and she answered with her face still buried.

'...I don't want that... Then I can't talk to you, I can't touch you...'

Rebecca smiled and touched Wendy's hand.

'But... if I can live in the world of the story you weave... I think that would be a very wonderful thing...'

Wendy didn't answer those words and just kept crying.

A few days after Rieserago witnessed that scene, Rebecca passed away.

It was a day with a cloudless deep blue sky and bright sunshine pouring down. That day, Rebecca's breathing and pulse gradually weakened, and eventually, her bodily functions stopped completely.

In the end, she apparently disappeared like a fleeting star while smiling happily in Wendy's arms.

She completely vanished from this world.

Receiving that news, Rieserago closed her eyes for just a moment on the spot. Immediately opening them, she looked up at the heavens.

'...Ah.'

A small voice leaked out.

Even though it was so sad, a hatefully clear blue sky spread out above.

'...It was fun. The time I spent with you was truly fun.'

She muttered softly.

Of course, there was no one to answer that voice.

She simply couldn't bring herself to say the words "goodbye".

***

"...She was a truly precious person to you too, wasn't she? Miss Rebecca."

At those words, Rieserago lifted the book and turned her gaze to the person sitting on the sofa nearby.

"So, why do you want to know so much about those two? Friederike."

The woman called Friederike tilted her head slightly.

She was a tall woman with a straight back. Her loosely wavy blonde hair was tied back in one. Her eyes were beautiful like clear amethysts.

Her name was Friederike Mayles.

Christopher Caldwell's daughter, and Wendy's niece.

Due to certain circumstances, she had been adopted by another family, so she didn't carry the Caldwell name, but her appearance was the spitting image of her father, Christopher.

Friederike opened her mouth with a slightly hesitant look.

"I'm writing, you know, a memoir."

"A memoir?"

"Yeah. Just little by little... I thought I'd write about Aunt Wendy..."

Hearing that, Rieserago's face twitched, and she sat up.

"You, don't tell me you intend to publish that to the world..."

Perhaps blood will tell; Friederike was also quite the book lover. Despite being raised as a noblewoman, she was currently in the writing profession, just like Wendy. Though in her case, she was a playwright, not a novelist.

Friederike shook her head vigorously.

"No way! I wouldn't do that!!"

After denying it forcefully, she added in a small voice.

"I'm just writing it for myself. I don't want to forget about Lady Wendy..."

"...What's that about?"

Rieserago made a disgruntled expression.

Friederike stood up and sat next to Rieserago. Then, with a serious expression, she continued.

"Rieserago, you know too, don't you? About Lady Wendy after Miss Rebecca disappeared."

"..."

Rieserago looked away from Friederike with an awkward face. Friederike looked down, her face clouding over.

"Aunt Wendy... after losing Miss Rebecca... her beloved... she became broken from grief..."

***

Since she was little, her Aunt Wendy had been an idol to Friederike.

Taken by her father Christopher, she had visited Milbasa Island several times. Wendy was a woman whose beauty shone even as she aged. She didn't laugh much and spoke little, but her eyes were always filled with benevolence. Friederike had a younger brother, and Wendy doted on her niece and nephew without discrimination, but she got along particularly well with Friederike, who loved books.

'Rike, come here.'

Wendy called her niece by a nickname, introduced her to various books, and sometimes let her read the novels she was writing.

'You really like books. Just like me.'

Wendy said so, her lips curving slightly into a smile.

Friederike had adored her beautiful aunt, who read many books and created works herself, for as long as she could remember. Then and now, she was the person she respected most. The fact that Friederike was in her current job was undoubtedly largely due to her aunt's influence.

And Friederike remembered that there was always a maid nestled beside such an aunt.

The maid was an ordinary girl you could find anywhere. Her appearance was plain, but she had a soft smile and a gentle voice. Although no one told her, Friederike had realized since childhood that this maid girl was a special partner to her aunt.

After all, her aunt always followed the maid's figure with her eyes. If the maid wasn't nearby, she seemed restless and unsettled.

Once, a young Friederike had witnessed the two embracing from the shadows. Realizing immediately that she had seen something she shouldn't have, she panicked and secretly ran away. The guilt from that time remained strong in her memory.

'Auntie, you like that person, don't you?'

One time, when Friederike asked that, Wendy made a surprised face. Afterward, she gently stroked Friederike's head.

'Yes, I do. I love her. More than anyone in this world.'

Her heart stung a little at those words, but Friederike pretended not to know.

—They loved each other so much, so why did God do something so cruel?

Upon receiving the news that Rebecca had disappeared, the Caldwell family was enveloped in shock and confusion. Christopher and his family rushed to Milbasa Island immediately, but when they arrived, Wendy was already like a husk.

'Wendy...'

Christopher gently hugged Wendy's shoulders, and Lisette softly held both her hands. Wendy showed no reaction to it.

—Surely, at that time, Wendy's heart died once.

Having lost her beloved, she completely lost the will to live.

From then on, Wendy completely shut herself away in the mansion on Milbasa Island, overwhelmed by despair and grief. Staring into the void on the sofa, she spent every day in a daze. Her appearance was so painful to look at directly, filled with sorrow. She stopped writing the novels she loved so much and didn't even pick up a book anymore.

Worried about Wendy, Christopher frequently came to Milbasa Island to check on her. However, even as time passed, Wendy did not recover and remained crushed by grief. Christopher, sensing the danger that she might end her own life out of despair, apparently tried to bring Wendy back to the Caldwell house somewhat forcibly.

But...

'I hate the idea of leaving here. This is the place for me and her.'

Wendy said that and refused strongly.

Seeing his sister's stubborn attitude, Christopher eventually gave up on bringing her back home, but he continued to visit Milbasa Island frequently to check on Wendy.

He must have been hoping that someday his sister would regain the will to live and stand up again.

Friederike also sometimes accompanied her father to visit Wendy. Even when Friederike called out to her, Wendy didn't react much and wouldn't return words. Still, she wanted to stay close to and support the aunt she loved and respected.

Wendy's condition changed about a year after Rebecca disappeared.

One day, when Christopher and Friederike visited the mansion on Milbasa Island, Wendy was absent. Usually, she would be shut in her room as if hiding, staring blankly.

Christopher was greatly shaken by his sister's absence and frantically searched for Wendy. Friederike, worried just like her father, searched around the mansion.

Wendy was found easily.

On a small hill near the mansion, Wendy stood alone.

Friederike would surely never forget the sight of that moment.

Wendy was staring straight at the sky.

Skin white as snow, blonde hair fluttering in the wind, and green eyes like jewels.

Her figure was so ephemeral, beautiful, and unreal.

She thought it was a scene like a dream.

'...Aunt Wendy.'

When she called out, Wendy finally noticed Friederike's presence and turned her gaze.

'Ah, Rike... you were here.'

'Yes. Father was worried because you weren't home. What were you doing here?'

At that question, Wendy smiled. Friederike widened her eyes in surprise. It had been a truly long time since she saw Wendy smile. Wendy, paying no mind to Friederike's reaction, turned her face to the sky again.

'...I had a dream.'

'Yes?'

'I had a dream for the first time in a while. Of Becca...'

The wind blew again, and the surrounding greenery rustled. Wendy held down her hair fluttering in the wind as she continued.

'Surely, because I was waiting for so long... she came to meet me in my dream...'

Tears like light flowed quietly from her green eyes.

Friederike couldn't bring herself to say anything to her.

Wendy changed from that day on.

She still shut herself in her room, but she no longer spent her days lethargically. Instead, she faced her desk and began typing intently on the typewriter.

Her figure, typing characters single-mindedly without looking aside, seemed as if she were possessed by something.

'Aunt Wendy, what are you writing?'

When Friederike asked, Wendy answered with just one phrase.

'...A story for her.'

It was a few months later that Wendy passed away.

It was the commuting servant who discovered Wendy's lifeless body. Wendy had apparently breathed her last in a posture slumped over the desk in front of her typewriter. Her face was peaceful, looking only as if she were sleeping.

The cause of death was a heart attack.

Perhaps she had been writing until just before she passed away; inside the desk drawer was a completed new manuscript. Through the efforts of her brother Christopher, that manuscript became a book and was successfully published.

Apparently, Wendy had originally told Christopher and the publisher that they could reveal the true identity of Renatoa Ser Ward after her death. Christopher and the publisher discussed it for a considerable amount of time. As a result, simultaneously with the book's release, they announced that Renatoa Ser Ward was actually the Earl's daughter, Wendy Caldwell, who was once called one of the Three Great Beauties. Furthermore, when they announced that she passed away immediately after completing this novel, it shocked not only fans of Ward's works but also other people, becoming a huge topic.

***

"So that's this book, huh."

Saying that, Rieserago turned her gaze to the single book she was holding.

"Yes. Aunt Wendy's final work."

Friederike reached out and gently stroked the cover of the novel.

There, the title "A Story Dedicated to You" was inscribed.

"It's a novel Lady Wendy wrote for Miss Rebecca."

"Ah... I see. Come to think of it, she did say that. That she wanted to live in a story."

At Rieserago's words, Friederike nodded greatly.

This book, published as a children's book, is an adventure novel featuring two girls as protagonists. A cursed girl with red birthmarks on her limbs, and an obedient maid girl who serves her. The content is about the two joining hands, traveling, and overcoming various hardships.

The models for the two protagonists were, of course, Wendy herself and the maid Rebecca.

This novel became hugely popular as soon as it was released. Praised by adults as well as children, it recorded a phenomenal hit and, despite being a children's book, won the highest domestic literary award. It became the best-selling book of that year and is still loved by many people today.

"What's this preface?"

Opening the book and seeing the first page, Rieserago furrowed her brows. A short sentence was written there.

"Ah... Lady Wendy had written that by hand on the edge of the manuscript. Father included it as the preface just as it was."

"...I see."

Rieserago stared at the sentence for a while but soon closed the book. Then, she spoke to Friederike.

"...So? You're writing that memoir for yourself?"

Rieserago asked while flipping through the book. Friederike smiled brightly.

"Yes. Only us family know the real Aunt Wendy. I don't want to forget her. I want to leave it in proper form. Proof that she lived in this world... Ah, but my brothers said they wanted to read it, so I might let them read it when it's finished."

Friederike moved her hands enthusiastically. Rieserago watched Friederike's bright smile. Reaching out, she gently stroked her white cheek.

"...? What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Amethyst-like eyes stared back at her wonderingly. Rieserago continued to stroke her face with a complicated expression.

This Friederike Mayles is the reincarnation of Rieserago's former friend. Of course, her appearance is completely different, and she doesn't remember her past life. But the brilliance of her soul was exactly Setsuna's.

She felt it was a truly strange twist of fate. Even in this form, she was naturally happy to be reunited with Setsuna. Even if she doesn't remember her, even if she is a completely different human, she is grateful from the bottom of her heart to have met her in this world again.

Strangely enough, even though Friederike doesn't remember Rieserago, she showed affection from the first time they met. Even after knowing Rieserago wasn't human, that attitude never changed.

"...Well, do as you like."

When she said that while looking away, Friederike tilted her head.

"Are you angry about something?"

"I'm not angry."

Rieserago pouted and turned away.

"You are angry... Ah."

As if realizing something, she smirked.

"Rieserago, you're jealous, aren't you?"

At those words, Rieserago snapped her eyes open.

"Wh... That can't be true! Why would—"

"Because whenever I talk about Lady Wendy, you always get into a bad mood."

"Wrong! Are you an idiot!"

Ignoring the shouting Rieserago, Friederike picked up the book and placed it on the table.

"Well, my first love was Lady Wendy, so it can't be helped."

"...Uh."

"But you loved Miss Rebecca too. Even I get extremely annoyed when you talk only about Miss Rebecca."

When Friederike voiced her sulkiness, Rieserago muttered in response.

"She and I weren't in that kind of relationship... She was just a precious friend... No, in the first place, I talked about her because you kept nagging me to tell the story... Anyway, just a friend. It's different from you."

"Oh?"

Friederike wore a challenging smile.

"Different, how? How is it different?"

Rieserago was stuck for words. Seeing her state, Friederike giggled softly and stood up. She turned to face Rieserago and took her hands.

"Hey, the current me... wants to be by your side forever. The time that flows for you and me is different. I'm fully aware of that. Still, as long as I live, I want to be connected with you."

"...Rike... I..."

Rieserago tried to answer, but her voice trembled, and she couldn't continue. Still, Friederike continued with serious eyes.

"I'm prepared to shoulder everything, the past and the previous life. I affirm all of it. So, I want you to accept the current me. As long as this life lasts, I want to live together with you."

"..."

"I love you, Riesy."

Friederike said that and dropped a kiss on Rieserago's hand. Then, she looked into Rieserago's eyes as if waiting for an answer.

The moment she saw those eyes, a voice echoed in her head.

'—Someday.'

'Someday, if you meet again, you should say it out loud properly then. So you won't regret it anymore.'

'Please tell her you love her.'

A voice from sometime. She remembered the warmth of being embraced. She would absolutely never forget it.

"...What the hell. It really turned out just as she said."

"Hm?"

Friederike made a puzzled face, not understanding the meaning of those words. While looking like she was about to cry, Rieserago pulled Friederike's hand.

"Whoa."

She caught the falling body and hugged it tightly.

"The you of the past, and the you of the present... I love all of it."

When Rieserago whispered that, Friederike blinked in surprise. Then, wrapping her arms around Rieserago's back, she laughed happily.

***

Renatoa Ser Ward's posthumous work, "A Story Dedicated to You".

In its preface, a certain message from the author is inscribed. Not words as Renatoa Ser Ward, but as Wendy.

'I dedicate this work to the person I love.'

*'To my dearest Becca,

I am so very happy to be able to meet you again!'*

*(End)*

-- next chapter from this is special chapter.. so this day i rest.. haha...