9
「ええ......。お願い。遠慮しなくていいから」
では、とアリサが咳払いをして、
「はっきり言ってとても我が儘な人でした。その上短気で、すぐに暴力を振るう。あまりに理不尽すぎてもう呆れるしかありませんでしたね。欲しいものがあれば何が何でも手に入れようとするのもひどいと思っていました。なにせ旦那様の名前ですら遠慮なく使うのですから。正直、ここで働き始めたことを後悔していたほどです。......どうしました?」
リリアが蒼白な表情になっていることに気づいてアリサが首を傾げる。リリアは頬を引きつらせながら、首を振った。
「何でも無いわ......。続けて......」
そうしてアリサからさらにだめ出しの連続。怒りなど通り越して泣きたくなってくる。さくらにすでに言われていたことではあるが、こうして改めて目の前で口にされると、なかなか堪えるものがあった。
「ですが」
アリサがそこで言葉を区切る。リリアが生気のない瞳でアリサを見ると、アリサは何故か微笑んでいた。
「私はリリア様が実は優しい人だと知っています。信じています」
「は......?」
優しい。誰がだ。さすがにそれはリリア自身ですらおかしいと思う。リリアにとって、他者に対する優しさなど隙を作ること行為でしかないと思っている。その考えは今も変わらないことであり、アリサが言っていることが最近のリリアの行動のことを言っているのなら、それはさくらの指示に従っているだけだ。
仕方がないとは分かっていても、少しばかり落胆してしまう。だがアリサの続きの言葉を聞いて、リリアは首を傾げた。
「私は幼い頃、リリア様に助けられているんですよ」
リリアが怪訝そうに眉をひそめ、それを見たアリサが苦笑しつつ教えてくれる。
「まだずっと幼かった頃、家族と王都旅行に来たことがあるのですが、その時に両親とはぐれてしまいまして......。道に迷って、気が付いたら大きなお屋敷の側にいました」
「へえ......。どの家の屋敷かしら」
――いやリリア、ここでアルディス以外の名前は出てこないでしょ......。
――そうなの。そいういうことにしておきなさい。
いまいち釈然としないものを覚えながらも、リリアはアリサの話に耳を傾ける。
「その時の私は何を思ったのか、そのお屋敷に入ってしまいまして......。当然のことながら、あっという間に捕まりました」
「それは......。処刑されなかったの?」
――いやリリア。ここで処刑されていたらおかしいでしょ。
――貴方の目の前にいるのは幽霊なの? 良い話じゃなくて実はホラー?
――ああ......。
ようやくさくらの言いたいことを理解したのか、なるほどとリリアは納得して頷いた。さくらが、大丈夫かなほんと、と何か心配しているようだが、リリアはとりあえずアリサの方に意識を向ける。
「本来なら、子供であってもその場で殺されてもおかしくはないのですが、その時にリリア様が助けてくれたんです」
「私が? どうやって?」
「えっとですね......。こんな子供を恐れて殺してしまうなんてアルディス家の名前に傷をつけるつもりか、と」
――それ、優しさじゃなくてプライドの問題のような......。
「その後、裏で殺したりしないようにとリリア様が護衛の方と共に私の家族を探してくれたんです。護衛といっても、旦那様でしたけど」
アリサがどこか懐かしむように目を細め、そして次いでくすりと笑みを零した。あの時の両親の反応はおもしろかった、と。
――リリア、覚えてないの?
――覚えてるような覚えてないような......。ただ少なくとも、そんな善意の感情ではないと思うのだけど。
――まあ......。多分アリサもそれはもう分かってるんだろうね。だからさっきも、知っているの後に信じていますって言い直したんだと思うし。それに。
さくらが言葉を止める。何となくアリサを見ているような気がする。アリサはこちらを真剣な表情で見つめていた。リリアの言葉を待つように。
――アリサにとって、助けられたという事実は変わらないから、どっちでもいいんじゃないかな。それなら都合の良いように解釈しちゃえ、じゃない?
――そんなものなの?
「アリサ。正直私はその時のことを覚えていないわ。ただ、少なくともそんな善意の感情じゃなかったとは思うのだけど」
「はい。今ならそれも分かります。ですけど、私にとっては助けられた事実は変わらないですから。リリア様のご恩返しになるのでしたら、喜んで協力させていただきます」
しっかりとした口調でアリサが言い切った。リリアはしばらく唖然としていたが、やがて、自身も気づかぬうちに笑顔になっていた。
「よろしくね、アリサ」
アリサがその場で深く頭を下げ、リリアは満足そうに頷いた。
寮は学園の敷地で最も大きな建物だ。全生徒がここで生活しているのだから当然とも言える。寮は三階建てとなっており、一階が食堂や売店など、大勢が使う施設がそろえられている。入ってすぐのエントランスは広く、いすやテーブルなども用意されているため学生の憩いの場となっている。
二階は庶民や商人、下級貴族などの部屋が並び、三階は上級貴族の部屋になる。
リリアとアリサは大きな玄関から寮に入った。授業の前後は大勢の生徒で賑やかなこの建物も、昼食時も過ぎて午後の授業が始まった今の時間は静かなものだ。エントランスには誰もおらず、リリアとアリサの足音だけが響く。
エントランスの最奥に螺旋階段があり、リリアがその一段目に足をかけたところでアリサが口を開いた。
「あの......。リリア様......」
「なに?」
「本当に私も......リリア様のお部屋なのですか?」
何を今更、と小さくため息をつきながら振り返る。アリサの瞳は不安そうに揺れていた。
「何か問題でもあるの?」
「問題と言いますか......。その、聞いたことがありませんよ? 貴族の方がただのメイドと同じ部屋だなんて......」
Haunted Duke's Daughter Chapter 9
"Yes... Please. You don't have to hold back."
"Well then," said Alisa as she cleared her throat,
"To be frank, you were a very selfish person. Furthermore, with that short temper you were also quick to be violent. One could only be amazed at how unreasonable you could be. I also felt that doing whatever it took to get your hands on the things you wanted was horrible. If nothing else because you would use the Master's own name without reservation. Honestly, it was to the point that I had regretted coming to work here in the first place.
Upon noticing Lilia's expression turn pale Alisa inquired tilting her head slightly to one side. Lilia's face was cramped as she shook her head.
"It's nothing... Go on..."
Saying so Alisa continued her critical criticism combo. It went to the point where rather than anger Lilia felt more like she would simply start crying. She had received similar scoldings from Sakura before, but once again, and having it said straight to her face, it was certainly something hard to endure.
"However."
Alisa paused her words there. Looking at Lilia's lifeless eyes, for some reason Alisa smiled.
"I know that Mistress Lilia is really a kind person. This I believe."
"Ha...?"
Kind. Who's kind. Even Lilia herself was of a different opinion. To Lilia, something like kindness was only seen as a tool in getting people to lower their guard. Such thinking hasn't changed even now, so if Alisa's words were regarding the current Lilia, that was simply a result of following Sakura's instructions.
Thinking it couldn't be helped, she felt just a little despondent. However, Lilia tilted her head upon hearing Alisa's next words.
"When I was little, I was saved by Mistress Lilia."
When Alisa saw Lilia frown dubiously, she explained with a wry smile.
"When I was still very young, I went on a trip to the Royal Capital with my family, and it was then that I had gotten separated from my parents... Losing my way, before I realised I had happened upon a large estate."
"Is that so... Which family's estate was it."
--Uh, Lilia, how could any name other than "Aldis" come up here...
--Really. Please expect such things.
Though not quite satisfied with the explanation, Lilia continued to listen to Alisa's story.
"I don't know what was going through my mind back then, but I ended up entering that estate... And of course, I was immediately caught."
"That's... You weren't executed?"
--Uh, Lilia. Her being executed there would be ridiculous right?
--Is the one in front of you right now a ghost or something? Is this nice story really a horror?
--Ahh...
Perhaps finally comprehending what Sakura was trying to say, Lilia went 'I see' and nodded in understanding. Sakura wondered if it was really okay and was worrying about something, but for now Lilia turned her attention towards Alisa.
"By all rights, even being a child it wouldn't have been strange for me to be killed there but, it was right then that I was saved by Mistress Lilia."
"I did? How?"
"Well you see... 'To be wary of such a child to the point of ending her life, are you trying to stain the Aldis name' was what you said."
--That's, less about kindness and more to do with your pride isn't it...
"After that, so that I wouldn't get killed in some alley Mistress Lilia accompanied me with an escort to help look for my family. And though I say escort, it was really the Master who came along as well."
Alisa narrowed her eyes as if recollecting some nostalgic memories, and then let out a giggle.
--Lilia, you don't remember?
--I'm not quite sure if I have such memories or not... Though at least, I don't think my feelings back then were of pure good will.
--Well... Alisa probably knows that by now as well. That's why, earlier, I think she was trying to convey that she believes in you despite that. Besides.
Sakura stopped her words. It felt like she was somehow looking at Alisa. Alisa was gazing over with an earnest expression, seemingly waiting for Lilia to speak.
--To Alisa, the fact that she was saved won't change, so isn't it fine regardless. That way it's a convenient interpretation for everyone, right?
--Is that how it is?
"Alisa. To tell you the truth, I don't quite remember what happened back then. Just, I think that at least my feelings back then were not out of simple good will."
"Yes. I understand that now as well. However, to me the fact that I was saved will not change. That is why, if it is for my grat.i.tude towards Mistress Lilia, I would happily give my humble a.s.sistance."
Alisa confidently declared so. Lilia was dumbfounded for a while, but before long, without quite noticing it herself her expression turned into a smile.
"Take good care of me, Alisa."
Alisa bowed deeply, and Lilia nodded in satisfaction.
The dormitory was the largest building on the academy grounds. Since all the students in the school lived there, you could say it was a matter of course. The dormitory stood three stories tall, with the first housing things like the cafeteria and shops, with all the common necessities prepared. Upon entering the grand entrance hall, tables, chairs and such are prepared all around as well, creating an oasis for the students.
Lined up on the second level were the rooms for commoners, merchants, and lower ranking n.o.bles, and the upper n.o.bles had their rooms on the third floor.
Lilia and Alisa entered the dorms through the great entryway. There would be a ma.s.s of students bustling around the building before and after cla.s.s time, but right now as lunch had just gone by and the afternoon cla.s.ses had already begun it was quiet and empty. The entrance was devoid of people, and only the sound of Lilia and Alisa's footsteps resounded through the building.
At the very back of the entrance hall was a spiral staircase, and as Lilia took her first step up Alisa opened her mouth.
"Ummm... Mistress Lilia..."
"What is it?"
"Am I really... also going to be in Mistress Lilia's room?"
'To ask again now,' thought Lilia as she looked back at the maid. Alisa's eyes were wavering uneasily.
"Is there a problem with that?"
"A problem so to speak... That is, such a thing is unheard of right? For a lowly maid to stay beside n.o.bility in the same room..."
Haunted Duke’s Daughter
取り憑かれた公爵令嬢
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/haunted-dukes-daughter/
Comedy Fantasy Romance School Life Shoujo Slice of Life Supernatural
Broken Engagement Character Growth Determined Protagonist Different Social Status Female Protagonist Friendship Hard-Working Protagonist Heartwarming Loyal Subordinates Maids Nobles Otome Game Possession Royalty Second Chance Servants Sharing A Body Sword And Magic Unrequited Love Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5708cr/
龍翠