Chapter 19
“Even if you like the gold coins the Duke gives you, and even if the desserts you eat here every day are sweet—”
“……”
“They’re not more precious than your life, are they?”
The nanny said that and held out a paper bag to me.
From the sweet smell, I could tell it probably had snacks inside.
“I packed some of the treats you like. Take it home and think things over while you eat them.”
But I didn’t accept the bag. Instead, I looked straight at her and asked:
“Then why are you staying by the young lady’s side? You know it could put not just you, but also Sally, in danger, don’t you?”
“T-That’s…!”
The nanny, caught off guard, hadn’t expected me to turn the question back on her. She faltered for a moment, but soon regained her composure and replied:
“Because I’ve pledged my life to the young lady. I believe she’s worth it, and that this cause is worth it too.”
“……”
“But you’re still young. You don’t know anything yet. With your mindset, you’ll definitely regret the choice you’re making now.”
“So do I.”
“…What?”
By then, we had reached the end of the garden path.
Just a few more steps would take us into the front yard, where the carriage was waiting.
I ran ahead into the yard, then turned back to face her.
“I’ve staked my life too.”
The moment I stepped into the sunlight, the strange suffocating fear that had been pressing down on me disappeared.
When I met the nanny’s eyes with my resolute gaze, her face twisted into a menacing scowl from the shadow of the mansion.
Leaving her behind, I strode toward the carriage, thinking to myself:
‘I have to separate that woman from Rachel.’
I didn’t know if the nanny had truly isolated Rachel to protect her, or if she had some other hidden motive.
But one thing was certain.
‘Whatever the reason, hurting Rachel is wrong.’
Climbing into the carriage, I looked up at the massive mansion and hardened my resolve.
‘Then the first thing I need to do is…!’
The next day.
I brought Rachel down into the village.
Since she disliked people’s stares, the carriage dropped us off in an alleyway, while the knights escorted us from behind.
The reasons I’d brought her into the village were simple:
First, to let her look around and explore.
Second, to launch what I called the “Make Rachel Popular at the Mansion” plan.
‘Rachel relying solely on the nanny right now isn’t good.’
To fix that, Rachel needed to get closer to more people in the mansion—maids, the Duke, everyone.
[…Why do I have to befriend the maids?]
[If you’re close with them, you can secretly ask them to bring you snacks at night.]
[I don’t care about that.]
[And they could help braid your hair beautifully too.]
[I don’t need that either.]
[Ah, anyway! Being close with them will bring all sorts of benefits.]
…Of course, Rachel herself showed not the slightest interest in this plan.
But still, she willingly came along when I suggested going into the village.
And now—
We were standing in front of a shop.
“What’s this place?”
“A general store. They sell things people need for daily life.”
“And why are we here?”
“To buy gifts for the maids.”
“Gifts? Why?”
“Because the easiest way to win people’s favor is with presents.”
But Rachel was pessimistic.
“…That won’t change anything. No matter what, they’ll still be scared of me.”
Maybe the wounds from her isolation were too deep for her to hope things could improve.
Thinking that made the anger toward the nanny—who had driven Rachel’s friends away—flare up again.
I forced it down and gently corrected Rachel’s view.
“That’s not because they dislike you. It’s just because they don’t know you yet.”
“……”
“Everything unknown is scary. Unknown roads, unknown problems.”
“……”
“So once they get to know you, they won’t be scared anymore.”
Rachel, who had been cold and cynical, suddenly opened her eyes wide.
Could that really be true?
In her blue eyes, I saw two feelings at war: the wish to believe me, and the fear of hoping only to be hurt again.
I squeezed her hand firmly, so she wouldn’t waver anymore.
“Come on, let’s go in.”
Then we stepped into the shop.
Clink—
“Gah! W-Welcome!”
I had expected Auntie Loren to be there, but instead, it was Peter, who had been dozing off.
“Hey, Peter.”
Seeing me, Peter clutched his chest in relief.
“Phew, you scared me! Vivian, it’s you?”
“I’m telling your mom later that you were sleeping on the job.”
“I wasn’t sleeping! I was… uh… meditating! Yeah, meditating.”
“Who snores while meditating?”
“You misheard! Anyway, what did you come to buy—”
Peter was laughing and joking with me when his eyes landed on Rachel standing by my side.
He froze. Then, as if realizing something, he leaned in and whispered:
“Wait… is this girl… no, is this lady the young miss?”
Word had spread quickly in the village that I’d become the young lady’s playmate.
And since Peter was Auntie Loren’s son, it didn’t take him long to put the pieces together.
When I nodded, Peter’s face went pale. He bowed deeply.
“H-Hello, milady.”
Though Peter belatedly paid his respects, Rachel’s gaze stayed cold.
She even squeezed my hand tighter.
‘Hm? Is she uncomfortable because he’s a stranger?’
The awkward air lingered, and I was about to intervene when Rachel tugged on my hand.
“Let’s go.”
I gave Peter an awkward smile and followed Rachel further into the store.
Rachel asked:
“Who is he?”
“My friend. He’s Auntie Loren’s son, the shop owner’s kid.”
Rachel suddenly stopped in her tracks.
“…He is your friend too?”
She sounded downright displeased.
‘Is it because Peter didn’t greet her properly at first?’
Rachel was kind to me now, but she wasn’t warm to everyone.
Worried Peter might get into trouble, I quickly nodded.
“Yeah. He’s a close friend.”
“So… you like him too?”
“Of course. He’s my friend.”
Since I said he was my close friend, surely she’d let it slide?
But instead, Rachel only looked more serious.
“Milady?”
When I tilted my head in confusion, Rachel spoke.
“…Call me by my name too.”
“Huh?”
“Call me by my name, the way you call him.”
Her sudden demand made my eyes widen.
“But how could I possibly—”
“You can if I allow it.”
I hesitated, but her determined face gave me no room to refuse.
So I carefully tried:
“Umm… then… Rachel?”
Her expression softened, just slightly.
Ah, now I get it!
‘Rachel wants to try everything that friends do!’
Realizing that, I smirked inwardly.
“Is that better?”
“Also… talk casually.”
To speak informally with the young lady of the house!
For a commoner like me, there was no reason to refuse such an offer.
“Alright! …I mean, okay!”
I accepted without hesitation.
Speaking casually with her made me feel even closer to Rachel.
When I kept grinning like a fool, Rachel frowned slightly, perhaps embarrassed, and urged me on.
“So, what are you going to buy as gifts? Did you decide already?”
Her words reminded me of our original purpose. I nodded confidently.
“Of course!”
Oops—too formal again.
I quickly corrected myself.
“Of course! Just leave it to me!”
