Chapter 61
“You’ll need to come with me for a moment.”
It was impossible to tell whether she was calling me or Rex. I looked at the maid, curious, and she met my gaze with a slightly annoyed expression.
“I said you must come.”
The sudden interruption stiffened Selex’s expression first.
“Your Highness the Archduke said to treat Aisha as a guest with utmost courtesy. So who are these people, barging in without even stating their affiliation?”
He couldn’t not know who worked for this family.
That’s why, even knowing it, he spoke in a sharp tone.
Since Selex was the Archduke’s closest knight, the maid’s response to him was very different from how she acted toward me.
“My apologies.”
“The one who should be apologizing isn’t you—it’s Aisha.”
“…….”
“Apologize again.”
It was unexpected. Since coming here, I’d always been treated like that, so it wasn’t particularly a problem. I just thought, same as usual. But Rex looked at the maid as if he were angry.
Yet the maid didn’t speak. It was obvious whose side she was on. She clearly didn’t even treat me like a guest.
“Will you not speak? I’ll report this directly to His Highness the Archduke.”
Only then did the maid show signs of discomfort.
“Is this really such a problem?”
“Do you think it’s fine to speak to a guest like that?”
Most maids in the Archduke’s household came from quite high noble ranks. On top of that, they were the hands of the influential Archduchess, so how haughty could they be?
They acted as if they themselves were priceless treasures, even when selling expensive items. The maids in the twins’ rooms were somewhat different, but the rest often looked down on us.
Of course, we couldn’t let the twins notice, so it was normal for the maids to vent their discomfort openly toward me. That’s why the maid’s reaction didn’t surprise me at all.
“……So what do you want me to do? And isn’t it the same for the knight who hasn’t stated his name or affiliation?”
“You think it’s the same? I don’t consider someone who doesn’t properly greet a guest specially requested by the Archduke to be the same as a household servant. So I see no reason to introduce myself properly.”
“…….”
If Rex’s family weren’t prominent, such blatant disregard wouldn’t happen. Still, the maid looked at Rex with dissatisfaction.
“Then we shall leave now, Aisha.”
“Ah… is… that alright?”
“Yes. From now on, if anyone tries to take you like that, just ignore them.”
“Ah…….”
I looked between Rex and the maid and nodded.
“Yes.”
“What…! What did you just say!”
The maid stammered in confusion, but Rex passed by her as if she weren’t even there. He seemed worried I might not come because of her and blocked her line of sight completely.
Thanks to that, I could walk comfortably beside Rex.
“Wait! Are you… planning to ignore the Archduchess’s orders?”
“Oh, so the Archduchess called?”
The end. Without looking back, Rex walked in step with me, muttering his impressed remark. I couldn’t help but laugh at how he ignored the Archduchess’s maid so completely. No one else could have done that. Even the Archduke’s knights would have been cautious.
Did the Archduke assign him to me because of something like this? No. He probably just wanted a trusted aide to keep an eye on me.
Even if that were the case, it didn’t feel unpleasant. It was far better than being monitored slyly by the Archduchess. Rex gave the impression he genuinely cared about me, so I liked him.
Eventually, the hesitant maid rushed toward us again and blocked our way.
“What is it?”
“…I’m just not used to it yet.”
“Not used to what?”
“…Calling me ‘Aisha’.”
“Oh… I see.”
He was endlessly kind to children or his own sister, but stern with others. It felt strangely satisfying.
I want to speak like that too when I grow stronger.
I looked at him with admiration.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No, it’s just… nice.”
“Nice?”
“Because everyone else always ignored me. But with Rex here, it feels like that will never happen again.”
“Ah… I’m sorry.”
Before I could say anything, she apologized.
“No! I’m glad Rex is here.”
“From now on, I’ll protect you. I didn’t even know you felt that way…”
“Good! But please keep this between us and don’t tell the Archduke.”
“Keep it secret…?”
“Yes. You can tell other things, but this is a little embarrassing.”
I hesitated, looking at him. Rex’s expression showed slight confusion.
“Do you think I would tell?”
“Eh?”
Just as Rex seemed about to say something important, the maid complained.
“Are you ignoring me right now?”
“Ah! I didn’t realize you were there.”
“Hah, now… you dare ignore me, a maid of the Archduchess?”
“Even if you weren’t, I would ignore you. I don’t want to speak to a servant of the Archduke’s house who doesn’t show proper courtesy.”
Faced with Rex’s firm tone, she finally backed down.
“My apologies. I’m just not used to it yet… Ah… Aisha.”
“Ah… yes… it’s fine.”
“The Archduchess wishes to see you, Aisha. If it’s alright, will you come with me?”
Her tone was far softer than before, and I nodded slowly. I had planned to see the Archduchess anyway, so this invitation was welcome.
“Are you saying we’ll go immediately?”
“Yes.”
“It’s unusual to call a guest like that, but if Aisha wishes, it seems fine. But this won’t happen again.”
Rex seemed to give me this special chance intentionally. He also showed that he wasn’t the type to call someone and then leave them or kick them out—he could be relied on.
Finally, I had someone solidly on my side.
“What do you mean by ‘won’t happen again’?”
“It means that unless you make a proper appointment, it will be difficult for anyone to see you, even the Archduke himself.”
“Ha… really… saying it as if it’s some big deal…”
“It is a big deal. You’re a special guest of the Archduke’s house, personally instructed to be treated carefully. Understood?”
The maid, realizing she couldn’t argue, finally nodded.
“Alright then, let’s leave it at that for today.”
“Introduce yourselves first.”
“Ah. Yes. I’m Elaine Derpia, maid to the Archduchess.”
“And I’m Selex, a knight of the Archduke’s First Order. Aisha, let’s stop by your room first and leave your things.”
I nodded at his words.
“No. The knight can carry my luggage. I’ll go with you.”
“Maid Elaine Derpia, I’ll stay with Aisha at all times.”
“Is that necessary?”
“Are you going to escort Aisha back and forth?”
She nodded without hesitation.
“Of course.”
“Exactly. That’s only natural.”
“Then let’s stop wasting time with unnecessary words and go.”
“You failed to do this last time. I heard Aisha got lost on her way back from meeting the Archduchess because no one accompanied her. That’s why this is important.”
“That… can’t be true.”
She raised her shoulders as if flustered.
“Do you think I’m making this up?”
Elaine’s eyes flashed a dangerous look for a moment, as if to say, You dare question me?
I felt a little wronged.
“Aisha didn’t tell anyone. Only the Archduke noticed directly. So please stop glaring at her like that.”
“When did I…!”
“Just now.”
“Ha……”
“I heard that the Archduchess cherishes the twins and Aisha too, but apparently that’s not entirely accurate. The Archduke believes it wholeheartedly, but seeing how the Archduchess’s maids act, I must correct him.”
Rex’s firm words finally softened the maid’s expression, and she waved her hands in surrender.
“It’s a misunderstanding. The Archduchess cares for Aisha as much as the twins. My expression… I guess it just looks that way naturally. Sorry.”
Through her change, I could better understand the Archduchess’s character.
To her, the maids were tools—cherished when useful, discarded when troublesome.
The Archduchess doesn’t seem to care much about the Archduke… that must be right.
How weak must the Archduke’s influence be for the Archduchess not to watch him?
It was a little sad, but also frustrating.
“After all that, will you forgive me, Aisha?”
