CH 7

My name is Rouge Smith. I’m a live-in maid for the Archelaus family.

Right now I am pushing a cart down the hallway that leads to the study.

I make a cup of tea with brandy before bedtime in the chilly months so that my dear Master can sleep well.

Even though it’s only a short time to serve, it’s one of the few times I can be alone with my beloved Master. After dressing up as usual, I knock on the door to get permission to enter the room and go into the study.

“I’ve brought you some tea.”

I moved closer to the Master and poured the tea into a cup that I had warmed in advance. A little drizzle of fragrant brandy was served to finish.

“Ah, thank you.”

The master turned to me and thanked me properly, despite my servant appearance. I reply with a small bow. This is one of the wonderful things about this gentleman.

I loved this time very much.

Because I could imagine a very intimate relationship with my Master, serving him a cup of tea by myself, in a private moment before bedtime.

It was almost like a healthy wife taking care of her husband!

Pale light blue hair that reminds me of the master’s crystal clear deep blue eyes.

Even the color is beautiful beside this person…And I as his wife who is quietly making tea. Oh, what a beautifully perfect scene!

I shove such a fantasy—no, I will soon make it a reality—in the back of my mind and decided to have the usual exchange.

“Would you like to hear about the Mistress’ condition?”

“…Yes, let’s hear it.”

That’s right. During this cup of tea, I always report to my Master on the state of that damned woman. Of course, in a negative way.

I don’t have a monopoly on the role of making tea, so it’s not every day. But I figured that would make it less overdone and more believable.

“Your wife was out to see Master Oedipus when people were cleared out of your daughter’s room during the day. Later, when she returned home, the maid told her about the young lady, but she was absent-minded and didn’t seem to care…the maid spoke to her, but she was silent, staring into space…”

I made sure to put on an extremely somber expression while I informed him of this.

“……I see. Eleanor is already…”

The master twisted his beautiful face into a pained expression and muttered.

“Master…Nevertheless, after everyone cleared out, the young lady’s room was off-limits and everyone is worried about what is going on. What happened to the young lady?”

Yes, there was an order for everyone to clear out today from that dirty former orphan’s room.

After that, the room was banned, and the maids who usually stay in the room to take care of the things were removed so that nothing could be seen. The only thing I saw was Alphonse coming and going in place of the maids.

The master and Alphonse, who came out of the room right after the people were paid, had a stiff expression on their faces, but they didn’t say anything.

After that, that woman who was unusually out of the house also looked even more unsteady than usual and was holed up in her room.

This was the perfect opportunity to corner the mother and child, but there wasn’t enough information to go around.

Did the condition of that damned child deteriorate? Is she dead? Or is it possible that she has recovered?

I’d like to know as soon as possible.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you that. Tell everyone not to worry too much.”

“Is that so…No, I’m sorry to have gone out too far. I’ll let the others know as well.”

I pulled back my inquiry, but my heart was not calm.

The joy of hearing of her death, the dark stagnation of wondering how to finish the job if she was recovering, and the impatience of wanting information.

These intense emotions were all jumbled up in my chest, but I refrained from letting them out.

After a few moments of silence, the master suddenly muttered to himself,

“…I’m so tired…”

“!!”

I quickly tried to look at my master in the eye, but swiftly turned away.

I’ve never heard him complain like this before.

The master looked limp and covered his eyes with one hand and leaned back in his chair.

“Ma-Master…?”

Somehow, he seems different than usual. It’s more like he’s talking to me than a usual soliloquy.

My heart fluttered at the prospect.

“…Ugh, my daughter is like that, and my wife is at her limit. I’m tired of it, too…Rouge.”

!!!

Just now… my name was…?

The Master called my name…?

I feel my face turning red. Did my Master’s beautiful, deep voice just speak my name…?

The master is a person who knows the names of his servants well, but of course he rarely has the opportunity to call them by their names. He only calls out “you” to me.

I trembled at the sweet sound that emanated from the master’s lips.

“Ah…I’m sure you’re having a hard time with that…I’m sorry to hear that both your wife and your daughter are suffering from a terrible illness. You have my deepest condolences.”

Oh God, I can’t think of anything more witty to say!

I was shocked by the sudden, private conversation.

“Oh. My wife’s brother has asked me to leave her, and maybe it’s time for me to get rid of this…I’m about to give it all up and get comfortable, just between you and me.”

“Oh! Of course, Master…!”

The development I’d been craving for so long came out of nowhere. I gulped and swallowed.

But a further shock hit me.

The master, in his tenor’s seductive voice, turned to me as if to whisper.

“…Come to think of it, you always made me tea when I was tired like this. I was always grateful for that.”

“Oh, no. It’s just my job…”

The master smiled and continued with a laugh.

“No, the tea is always soothing with the care it is made for me. The taste is different. I’m sure you have aristocratic blood running through your veins to begin with. You have that charm.”

“Thank you” I reply, embarrassed. I am so saturated with joy that I can’t think straight.

Very few people know anymore that I have noble blood in my veins, but the Master does!

“You’ve always done so much for me…The truth is, I’ve always been looking forward to these pre-bedtime moments lately.”

Oh. My. Is this…Is this really happening?

Before I knew it, the Master moved forward in a position to put his elbows on the table and look into my face. Then he moved his beautiful lips.

“I wish I had more time for these moments…Hey, Rouge.”

“Ah…Master…?”

I hugged my body, which was about to collapse in ecastasy, and I waited for my Master to continue with his words.

Oh, what kind of eyes is Master staring at me with now? I regret not being able to stare back.

“Only if it is okay with you…won’t you become my comfort?…Will you come to my bedroom after this?”

I pretend to be embarrassed by covering my mouth with my hands.

“Ah…that is…such…”

The Master stared at me like that, and then slowly whispered in a seductive voice.

“Give your everything to me.”

Oh, what a day this is.

I whispered a small ‘yes’ in reply.

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T/N: I think we all know what’s about to go down next.