Chapter: 8
The young master leaned his back comfortably into the soft sofa and began reading. Hearing the soft flutter of pages turning somehow made me want to yawn.
No matter how much he told me to sit, dozing off would be rude.
I forced my eyes open, but the young master glanced at me and spoke with a faintly pitiful look.
“If you’re bored, why don’t you read a book or something?”
“A b-book?”
“Don’t like books?”
“N-no! I like them. Then I’ll go get one I can read.”
Not wanting to ignore his consideration, I went to the bookshelf, chose a book of moderate thickness, and sat back down on the sofa.
Seeing that I’d brought a book, the young master returned his attention to his own. I quietly turned the pages so as not to disturb him.
Swish— rustle.
The occasional sound of paper turning echoed pleasantly through the quiet room.
I’d never imagined a leisurely life like this—sitting on a soft sofa reading a book. Becoming a maid of the Hamilton household really did feel like a blessing.
Lost in my thoughts, I turned the pages at a steady pace—when suddenly the young master snapped his head toward me.
“Are you really reading that book?”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“You’re lying.”
“Why would I lie? I’ve already read this much.”
I fluttered the pages I’d turned so far. An incredulous look came back at me.
“Do you usually read books upside down?”
“Gasp—! It was upside down?”
At his sharp observation, I let out an awkward laugh.
“Hehe… you caught me.”
I thought my acting had been perfect! To think I’d been holding the book upside down.
I decided to be honest.
“I’m sorry. Actually… I couldn’t attend the academy, so I can’t read.”
My voice shrank with embarrassment as I spoke. The young master tilted his head slightly and asked,
“Didn’t you say you read a fairy tale about a cursed prince?”
“I didn’t read it myself. The lady next door read it out loud to me. I just looked at the pictures.”
He frowned, clearly dissatisfied.
“Then why pretend to read?”
“Because you told me to read.”
“……”
“I’m your maid, Young Master. I have to listen to what you say.”
Repeating his own words back to him, I saw his lips twitch. Soon, the tension in his eyes melted away, and his chubby cheeks lifted slightly.
“Right. You understand that well.”
His tone was as curt as ever, but the happiness hidden beneath it was unmistakable.
Thank goodness. He must have liked my answer.
He cleared his throat and asked,
“Still, you don’t need to force yourself to do everything I tell you. If you can’t do something, it’s fine to say so.”
“Yes, Young Master. I’ll make sure to tell you next time.”
“Good. And from now on, I’ll teach you how to read.”
The unexpected offer made my eyes widen in shock.
“Y-you will?”
“Don’t want me to?”
“N-no! I’d love that! I really, really would!”
I nodded repeatedly, afraid he might change his mind.
I’d always wanted to properly learn how to read someday. Not knowing how was embarrassing—and inconvenient in so many ways.
But I’d never even dared to dream of it, since I didn’t have the time or means.
So the fact that the young master himself would teach me filled me with genuine joy.
“Since we’re already talking about it, want to start now?”
“Are you sure? It looks like you haven’t finished your book yet…”
“I can read it later.”
With a faint smile, the young master went to the desk and brought back paper and a pen.
“I’ll start with the basic letters, so watch closely.”
He carefully wrote each letter, one by one, onto the page, looking surprisingly pleased.
As I studied the black ink forming on the white paper, something suddenly came to mind.
Since he’s in such a good mood… maybe he’ll let me open the curtains?
I asked cautiously,
“Um, Young Master… it’s a bit dark to see clearly. Would it be all right if I opened the curtains?”
“What? You can just turn up the lights.”
Ah. Not so easy.
Though his answer wasn’t what I’d hoped for, I didn’t panic and smoothly continued.
“I’m not used to this kind of lighting. And I’ve always dreamed of learning how to read by a window with warm sunlight streaming in. If you’d allow it, I think I could make that dream come true… Would that be alright?”
Clasping my hands together, I looked at him with earnest eyes. The young master flinched.
“What kind of dream is that? It’s so… modest. Fine, I’ll allow it—just this once.”
Yes!
I cheered silently.
That means sunlight will fill this room every day now!
“Thank you, Young Master!”
I ran over and pulled the curtains open. Brilliant sunlight poured in, making my eyes sting.
* * *
No sooner had Ricardo finished speaking than Mary scampered over and drew the curtains open. Bathed in sunlight, she turned back with a radiant smile.
“Look, Young Master. The sky is so clear today.”
Squinting because the sunlight was too bright, Mary laughed cheerfully.
Unfortunately, neither the refreshing sky nor the flood of light beyond the large window registered in Ricardo’s eyes. His gaze was fixed solely on Mary’s face.
Her wheat-colored hair, as soft and fine as freshly spun silk.
Her golden eyes, brighter than jewels.
Tiny freckles scattered across her softly rounded, pale cheeks, like stars sprinkled across the sky.
“…It really is bright,”
Ricardo murmured, half-entranced by Mary’s smile—brighter than the sun itself. He barely even knew what he was saying.
He almost said it.
Mary, you’re warmer and brighter than the sunlight.
For some reason, heat kept rising to his face. His neck felt warm, his head light.
It had to be the sunlight. The light that filled his usually dim room was simply too hot—so hot it must have made his face warm as well.
* * *
From that day on, I learned how to read from the young master every afternoon. Thanks to that, I didn’t have to keep going back and forth between rooms.
He also reduced the number of times he tugged on the bell cord—though he still rang it mischievously at the exact moment I returned to my room.
That much I could endure, thinking of it as a child’s harmless prank.
And so, as the days passed and I continued learning—
The young master asked me,
“By the way, why didn’t you attend an academy? These days, even commoners learn basic knowledge at one, don’t they?”
He was right.
In the past, commoners had little to no access to education. But after imperial laws were revised and policies introduced for commoners, many public academies were established.
Even small villages had teachers dispatched so children could study. My hometown, Millerton, had a small academy too.
“Did you just not want to go?”
At his follow-up question, I quickly shook my head.
“No. I wanted to.”
Most of the village children attended the academy. I envied them.
“Then why didn’t you go?”
“Well… um…”
I laughed awkwardly and answered honestly.
“We couldn’t afford it.”
“Public academies for commoners are free.”
“You don’t pay tuition, but you have to buy your own supplies—books, pens, and things like that.”
The young master looked as though he didn’t see the problem.
Of course he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t know how expensive books and pens were for a poor commoner.
“And if I went to the academy, I wouldn’t have time to work.”
“…How old were you when you started working?”
“Hmm… probably when I was seven? I cleaned and washed dishes at a restaurant. Later, I did sewing and took care of children.”
As I listed my past jobs, the young master asked in surprise,
“Do all commoners start working that early?”
“Oh, no. These days, most children attend the academy until they’re about ten to learn the basics. I just started working a bit earlier.”
“Why?”
I’d answered every question without hesitation so far, but this one made me pause.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to say it—my throat just felt tight.
It’s okay. I didn’t do anything wrong. There’s nothing shameful about this.
I took a deep breath and smiled as I spoke.
“Because I don’t have parents.”
My voice trembled.
It wasn’t a sad story. I wasn’t upset at all—yet my heart pounded, and my throat stung.
For some reason, memories of everything that had happened until now began to surface in my mind.
