ITRDBDWTDE 04

~Chapter 4~

“Your Ladyship, wear this!”

I hurriedly took off my cardigan and offered it to Cecilia.

Cecilia stared blankly at my shabby cardigan.

“…Why are you giving this to me?”

“Because the person crying in the backyard today isn’t you, it’s me.”

I handed the cardigan to her.

“Look! My skirt is purple too, right? If you wear my clothes, no one will think that Your Ladyship was the one who cried.”

Phew, no wonder I wanted to wear a purple skirt today.

What a relief!

Cecilia’s expression, however, became very strange.

‘What… why… what?’

Was there any other solution?

I looked her in the eye boldly.

“I have blonde hair and green eyes, right? If you wear my clothes, from a distance people won’t know if it’s me or Your Ladyship.”

“But you’re not from the guest house either?”

“They’ll just think I went on an errand. If anyone asks, I’ll say I ran an errand to the guest house.”

“You didn’t cry…”

“Well, I can start crying now!”

I rubbed my eyes as hard as I could and tried to think of the saddest thoughts.

‘Sad thoughts… sad thoughts…’

Mom’s medical bills.

The transportation cost to the hospital.

Living expenses during treatment.

‘Ha, it’s too overwhelming.’

My nose tingled, and tears welled up.

I quickly looked at Cecilia.

“See? Isn’t this enough to convince people?”

“Enough. That’s… too much.”

Cecilia clearly looked flustered now.

“No, wear it!”

If anyone found out that she cried, they might think I spread it!

“Besides, it’s quite cold. The sun will set soon… If you catch a cold, it’ll be bad.”

“……”

Her teal eyes reflected a complicated light.

Fiddling with the cardigan, Cecilia suddenly asked me:

“Why are you doing this for me?”

Because I didn’t want to make the heroine angry…

But I couldn’t say that openly.

“Helping someone doesn’t always need a special reason.”

“……”

Cecilia paused for a moment.

“Of course, Your Ladyship is noble, and I’m just a commoner.”

I shrugged lightly and draped the cardigan over her shoulders.

“If you were crying like that, it must mean your heart was really heavy.”

“That is…”

“I think even Your Ladyship deserves a time to cry freely sometimes.”

Hmm, that should be a proper answer taking the heroine’s side, right?

I sneaked a glance at Cecilia’s expression.

It was… mysterious.

I couldn’t tell if she was happy or upset.

I guess now’s the best time to slip away.

“Then, can I go now? I need to start cleaning soon.”

I added cautiously.

Cecilia suddenly stared at me.

“You, a maid of the Trangsie Barons?”

Why ask that now?

I calmly bowed my head.

“Yes, Your Ladyship.”

“Alright, understood. You may go.”

Cecilia nodded and quickly turned, leaving toward the backyard.

I was left alone, sighing in relief.

‘Phew, I thought I was done for.’

Even though I met the heroine of this world, I managed to get through it safely.

‘But… isn’t this strange?’

I frowned slightly.

I heard that the Lucerte family went to the hot springs together.

Why is Cecilia alone?

As the sun began to set,

I held a heavy basket carefully and smiled as I walked home.

Ah, what’s in the basket?

Some leftover food ingredients were shared with me from the kitchen today.

‘Not a bad day at all.’

Of course, when I met the heroine, my heart nearly dropped!

But I had escaped safely without getting on her bad side.

‘I’ll make sure to avoid running into her again.’

Determined, I opened the front door energetically.

“Mom, I’m home…”

At the same time, I dropped the basket I was holding.

“Cough, cough, hack!!”

Mom bent over, coughing violently.

The sound of her scratching throat sounded serious.

“Mom!!”

I ran to her in alarm.

“Cough! …Hah, you’re home, daughter?”

Mom tried to smile, pale as she was.

But just for a moment.

“How was… today… cough!”

She broke into another violent coughing fit.

I supported her hurriedly, worried, and asked:

“Why, why are you like this? Since when have you been coughing so badly?!”

“Ah, ahem, just a cold.”

Mom looked at me with a red face, but tried to smile casually.

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious.”

…There’s no way it’s just a cold if she’s this weak.

My gaze fell on the cup on the table.

The dried leaves inside…

‘Her remedy for coughing.’

She had been boiling herbs as a temporary solution all this time?

And never told me she was sick?

“Mom, did you see a doctor?”

“Doctor? Do you know how expensive a consultation is?”

Mom answered casually.

I raised my voice in frustration.

“Consultation fees don’t matter now! If you’re sick, you have to see a doctor…!”

“Alright, alright. Rest and it’ll get better. By the way, what’s in the basket?”

Mom waved her hand to change the subject.

“……”

I glared at her in dissatisfaction.

Mom grinned slyly.

“Daughter, you won’t tell me what’s in there?”

“…I got some potatoes and meat. They said there were leftovers.”

I answered in a sulky voice.

Mom spoke warmly again.

“Really? Then how about meat and potato stew for dinner? I’ll cook it.”

“No, I’ll cook today. A sick person shouldn’t…”

“Look at you! You’re not old enough to make a working daughter cook food.”

Mom teased me playfully.

I felt a little emotional.

Even though she was so weak from coughing,

she tried to act fine for me. I felt her love deeply.

‘I will do whatever it takes to make Mom better.’

I clenched my fists with determination.

But then…

‘…So, how do I earn money for the consultation?’

My maid’s salary isn’t nearly enough.

I swallowed a sigh that reached my throat.

The next day,

I received shocking news right after starting work.

“Milena, was it?”

Lady Tilda looked at me with a strange gaze and suddenly spoke.

“From today, you’ll work in the guest house for visitors.”

“W-what? The guest house… why?”

“The Lucerte Lady requested that you serve as her attending maid.”

What?!