翌日。あの後、リリアは安堵したためか、いつの間にか意識を手放していた。起きて窓の外を見ると、朝日の光が差し込んでいた。まさか夢だったのか、とまた落ち込みそうになったところで、
――おはよう、リリア。
その声に、何気ない朝の挨拶に、リリアは心の底から安堵した。
「おはよう。そう言えば私、貴方の名前を聞いてないわ」
――え? ああ、名前か......。さくら、でいいよ。
「さくらね。分かったわ。それで、私はまずどうしたらいいの?」
――うん。廊下に出て、朝の挨拶! まずはメイドの皆さんにだね!
リリアは目を丸くして、そしてすぐに不愉快そうに眉をひそめた。なぜ自分があんな召使いどもに挨拶せねばならないのか、と。そう思っていることが分かっているのだろう、さくらはあからさまにため息をついた。
――リリア。貴方の失敗は、他の人を見下すその姿勢だよ。分かるでしょ?
「それは......そうかも、しれないけど......。でも何もメイドにまで媚びを売る必要はないでしょう!」
リリアほど激しくないにしても、多くの貴族が使用人をあごで扱う立場だ。この国の使用人にとって、働きやすい職場とは人間関係以上に主人の性格に左右されると言っていい。確かにリリアは厳しい方だという自覚もあるが、しかしこれに関しては直すつもりもなかった。
だがさくらは、あからさまにため息をついた。
――リリア。仲良くしている友達がメイドに対して辛く当たっていたらどう思う?
「使えないメイドを持って大変そう、かしら」
――君に聞いた私が馬鹿だったよ!
どう言えばいいんだ、とさくらが叫ぶ。リリアは怪訝そうにしながらも、扉の前で立ったままさくらの言葉を待っている。やがてさくらは、よし、と頷くように言って、
――説明は諦める! ねえ、リリア。私は貴方を助けたいの。
突然話が変わり、リリアは首を傾げた。
――私のことがまだ信じられない?
「信じられるかどうかで言えば、まだ微妙なところね。でも一先ず貴方に従うと決めているわ」
――じゃあ従って。
「む......」
なるほど、とリリアは内心で納得した。さくらの中では明確な理由があるようだが、それをうまく言葉にできないのだろう。ならばそれを無理に教えてくれと言っても仕方がない。リリアは、分かった、と小さく頷いた。
自室の扉を開ける。開けた瞬間、メイドの顔が目に入った。
「あ......」
自分と同い年ぐらいの少女だ。リリアは目を見開き、感情を押し殺した声で言う。
「人の部屋の前で、貴方は何をしているのかしら......?」
意識したわけではなかったが、とても低い声になってしまった。案の定、目の前のメイドがびくりと体を震わし、視線をあちこちへ彷徨わせながら口を何度も開閉させる。その態度に腹が立ち、リリアは再度口を開いた。
――わー! 待って待って! リリアストップ!
さくらが慌てて叫び、リリアの言葉は無音のため息となった。
――あのね、リリア。貴方はいつも、自分が呼んだ時に少しでも遅れたら、メイドさんを怒ってるでしょ? だからメイドさんたちは、ずっと貴方の部屋の前で待機してくれているんだよ。特に最近の貴方の様子がおかしかったら、みんな心配してくれていたんだよ?
まさか、とリリアは目を見開いた。自分の態度が間違っていたとは思っていないが、それでも決して好かれるような人間ではなかったはずだ。それなのに、心配されているとは思わなかった。
――もちろん全員じゃないけど。貴方に怒られるのが嫌で渋々ここに来ているって人もいるけど、中にはこの子みたいに本当に心配してくれている子もいるんだよ。そんな子は大事にしてあげないと。
だから、優しくしてあげて。
さくらの声は真剣そのものだった。リリアはその言葉をかみしめ、自分の中で整理する。もう一度しっかりメイドの顔を見ると、こちらを上目遣いに見つめていた。
「あの......。申し訳ありませんでした、お嬢様」
そう言って頭を下げるメイド。頭を下げたまま、動きを止める。自分の言葉を待っているのだろう。私が何も言っていないのに顔を上げるな、と怒ったことが確かにあったような気もする。癇癪同然の怒りだったが。
「気にしていないわ。少し気が立っていたの。ごめんね」
リリアがそう口にした瞬間、目の前のメイドが勢いよく顔を上げた。その目は大きく見開かれ、リリアを凝視してくる。そんな反応をされるとは思わずに、リリアは思わず一歩後じさっていた。
「お嬢様!」
「体調でも悪いのですか! 何か変な物でも食べたんですか! 待っていてください、すぐにお医者様を呼んできますから! だから今すぐに部屋に戻ってください!」
「ちょっと、どういう意味よ」
あまりの言い草にリリアが不機嫌そうに目を細めた。だが目の前のメイドは止まることなく、部屋に戻ってください、すぐにお医者様を、と何度も繰り返してくる。結局自分は正常だと認めてもらうのに、短くない時間を費やしてしまった。
その間、さくらが楽しそうに笑っていたことに、リリアは気づいていない。
部屋に戻れと言うメイドを何とか宥めた後、さくらの指示のもと、とりあえず庭に出ることにした。メイドと別れて歩き出したところで、メイドから待ってくださいと止められた。
「お着替えはどうしますか?」
言われるまで、すっかり忘れていた。リリアの服装は、現在通っている学園の制服だ。その制服は、王子から婚約破棄を言い渡された日から着替えていない。そのことを思い出すと、途端に臭いような気がしてくる。
――事実臭いよ、リリア。
「分かっているなら言いなさいよ!」
目の前のメイドがびくりと体を大きく震わせた。すぐに、申し訳ありませんと頭を下げてくる。リリアから見てもかわいそうなぐらいに小刻みに震えている。さすがに申し訳なく思い、リリアは少し慌てて言った。
「違うのよ。貴方に言ったわけじゃないの。だからそんなに怯えないで......」
――きっとその子、思ってるよ。私以外いないじゃないかって。
リリアの頬が引きつる。また怒鳴ってしまいそうになるが、自分の目の前にいるのはメイドただ一人だけであり、リリアが聞いている声の主の姿はない。またメイドを怯えさせてしまうだけだ。
普段ならメイドがどう思おうとリリアの知ったことではないが、ずっと自分を心配してくれていたと知るとどうにも無下にできなくなってしまう。そう思っている自分に、リリアですら内心で驚いている。
――ああ、ちなみに声に出さなくても、心の中で言えば私に聞こえるから。
――最初から言いなさいよ!
本当に信用していいのか分からなくなってしまうが、すでに信じてみようと決めたのだ。簡単に自分の言葉をひっくり返すのは自分の性に合わない。リリアは大きくため息をつくと、目の前のメイドに向き直った。
メイドは顔を真っ青にしながらも、こちらの様子を上目遣いに窺っていた。リリアは小さく吐息して、使い慣れていない顔の筋肉を動かして笑顔を作る。そのぎこちない笑顔にさらにメイドが怯えるが、リリアはそれには気づかない。当然ながらさくらは笑いを堪えるので忙しい。
「気分転換に少し庭に出るわ。ただ貴方の言う通り、ちょっと、その......。臭うでしょう?」
「申し訳ないけど、湯浴みの用意をしてもらえる?」
「え? あ、はい!」
メイドが驚いたように言葉を詰まらせたことにリリアは怪訝そうな表情をするが、とりあえずは気にしないことにした。メイドの反応が、普段は命令口調のリリアが今日はお願いという形を取ったことによる驚きだとさくらはやはり気づいている。だがそれを指摘するようなことはしない。なぜならいっそ爆笑したいほどの衝動を堪えるのに忙しいからだ。
「ああ、それと。貴方、名前は?」
リリアが聞いて、メイドはまた言葉を詰まらせながらも、答えてくれる。
「アリサ、です」
「アリサね。覚えたわ。年は?」
「今年で十五になります......」
「そう。なら私の一つ下ね」
リリアは満足そうに頷き、続ける。
「貴方を私の専属にしてあげる。いいわね?」
「え? あ、えっと......」
言われた意味が分からないのか、見て分かるほどにアリサは狼狽している。その理由にリリアはすぐに思い至った。
「ああ、そうね。まずはお父様に許可を取らないといけないわね。後で確認しておくわ」
「え、と......。はい。よろしくお願いします」
深々と頭を下げるアリサに、リリアは満足そうに微笑むときびすを返した。そのまま振り返ることなく、浴場に向かった。
――ところでさくら。うるさいわよ。
――だって......! く、ふふ、ひひふ......!
気持ちの悪い笑い声を必死に堪えようとしているさくらに苦言を呈しておいた。
After the her reunion with the voice in her head, Lilia had at some point pa.s.sed out, probably due to having finally calmed down after a week of distress. Having woken, Lilia looked outside, as the bright morning sunlight streamed in from window. As the prospect that last night could very well have all been a dream crept into her mind, Lilia was starting to feel crestfallen once again when-
--Mornin', Lilia.
At that voice's carefree morning greeting, Lilia felt relief from the bottom of her heart.
"Good morning. Come to think of it, I still haven't gotten your name yet."
--Eh? Ahh, my name, huh... Well, you can just call me Sakura.
"Sakura, is it? Alright. Well then Sakura, for now, what should my next actions be?"
--That's right. It's time for your morning greetings! Out to the halls! The maids would be your first targets!
Lilia's eyes went round in astonishment, and an unpleasant frown quickly surfaced on her face. Why she should have to give greetings to the lowly servants here, was the question that both of them knew to be running through Lilia's mind. Sakura let out a small sight and said frankly.
--Lilia. The problem here is your att.i.tude of looking down on everyone else. Do you understand that?
"Well that... may, be the case... But if anything there shouldn't be a need to even flatter the maids is there!"
Even without a temperament like Lilia's, most n.o.bles would still have cold att.i.tudes towards their servants. To the servants of this country, just serving a master with an indifferent att.i.tude towards them would be considered a blessing. Lilia herself was certainly aware that she possessed a severe personality, but she had no intention of reforming her att.i.tude towards her servants.
But Sakura only gave an exaggerated sigh.
--Lilia. What would you think if a good friend of yours mistreated their servants?
"That it must suck to have useless maids?"
--I was an idiot for asking you after all!
What should I do, Sakura lamented. Lilia remained dubious as she stood before the door, waiting for Sakura's next words. Before long, Sakura, with a small nod and an "Alright", said this.
--I give up on trying to explain it to you! Hey, Lilia. I want to help you.
At the sudden change of topic, Lilia tilted her head.
--Do you still not trust me?
"Honestly, I'm still not completely certain of my trust in you. But for now I've already decided to follow your words."
--Then do as I said.
"Muu..."
Lilia understood, and accepted the fact in her heart. That Sakura had a clear reason behind her instructions, even if she couldn't put it into words very well. Since it couldn't be helped, she wouldn't force herself in thinking about it. Lilia gave a small nod.
She opened the door. At that moment, what immediately came into view was the face of a maid.
"Ah..."
It was a girl around the same age as her. Lilia widened her eyes, and spoke with a voice devoid of emotion.
"What might you be doing, standing around outside someone's room...?"
Though it wasn't on purpose, her voice was cold and low. Consequently, the maid in front of her shook in fright as her eyes darted every which way, her mouth repeatedly flapped open and closed in panic. Angered by such an response Lilia prepared to speak out again.
--Wah! Hold up, hooold up! Lilia, down! Sit!
As Sakura shouted frantically, the words about to come out of Lilia's mouth turned into air and dispersed.
--Hey, you know, Lilia. With the way you are usually, you'd get angry at the maids if they were even a little bit late in responding to your summons right? That's why the maids, they probably always keep someone posted on stand by outside your room. Especially since you've been in an abnormal state recently, they're probably feeling quite worried about you, yeah?
Lilia's eyes widened in disbelief. While she herself felt there was no fault with the att.i.tude she took with them, she certainly shouldn't be someone who the maids looked fondly upon. Despite that, to think that they were worried about her, it was something that would have never crossed her mind.
--Of course, the same can't be said for all of them. Not wanting to incur your anger, some people only begrudgingly take their posts out here, but among the maids there are girls like her here who are genuinely worried for your well being you know. You've gotta treasure these people more.
That's why, you should treat them nicely, okay?
Sakura's tone was overflowing with earnestness. Taking in those words, Lilia sorted out these feelings swirling inside of her. Returning her sight to the maid once more, Lilia found the girl gazing up at her with upturned eyes.
"Umm... I am terribly sorry, mistress."
Perhaps she was waiting for my response, thought Lilia. "How dare you raise your head without my approval!" was probably something I've yelled in anger before. A naturally wrathful temperament, isn't it.
"Don't mind it. I just got a little worked up. Sorry about that."
The moment those words came out of Lilia's mouth, the maid before her raised her face with vigor. Her eyes opened wide as she stared at Lilia. At the unexpected reaction from the maid, Lilia involuntarily took a step back.
"Mistress!"
"Are you feeling unwell?! Was it from eating something strange?! Please wait here, rest a.s.sured I'll go and bring the doctor immediately! So, please, let us quickly return to your room!"
"Wait up, what are you talking about."
Lilia narrowed her eyes in displeasure at the excessive comments being hurled at her. But, the maid before her did not cease her actions, and continued to repeat that Lilia must please return to her room, that she'll immediately find a doctor, and so on. In the end, after much time was wasted, Lilia finally managed to convince the girl that everything was alright.
And while all this was going on, Lilia never noticed the fact that Sakura was enjoying herself, laughing away at such a spectacle.
After having soothed Miss "Please return to your room!", following Sakura's instructions, Lilia decided to head out to the garden for now. While walking with the maid following behind, her feet were halted by a call of "please wait", that came from the maid.
"What shall we do about your change of clothes?"
Until it was mentioned just now, this fact had completely slipped her mind. What Lilia had on at the moment was the uniform she wore for the academy. Since the day the crown prince had revoked their engagement, Lilia had yet to change out of these clothes. Right as that fact surfaced, the resulting odour too surfaced along with it.
--That's some serious funk, Lilia.
"If you'd known all along then tell me sooner!!"
Startled, the maid before Lilia started to tremble furiously. She hastily lowered her head, apologising with "I am terribly sorry". Even in Lilia's eyes, the figure of the trembling maid seemed quite pitiful. Feeling apologetic, Lilia spoke somewhat frantically.
"That's not it. It wasn't actually directed at you. So, please don't be so scared, okay..."
--Well, that girl is definitely thinking right about now. That there really isn't anyone here but her.
Lilia's cheeks twitched. She was on the verge of yelling out again, but seeing that the only one in front of her was the maid, the figure that belonged to the voice Lilia heard was certainly nowhere to be seen. Yelling again would only serve to further frighten the maid.
Lilia would not usually care about a maid's feelings, but she just could not bring herself to coldly ignore the feelings of the girl who had shown that she truly cared for her master. Lilia was even a little surprised, deep down, that she could have such thoughts.
--Aww, by the way, even if you don't say it out loud, I can still hear all the mutterings of your heart you know~
--These feelings, just express them from the start, silly!
Though she was starting to question whether she really should have trusted such a voice, Lilia had already decided to believe in Sakura. Simply put, going back on her words was something that went against Lilia's nature. Heaving a large sigh, she turned to face the maid before her.
With a pale, fearful face, the maid also peeked up at the situation of her master with upturned eyes. Letting out a small sigh, with unpracticed facial muscles Lilia attempted to form a smile. Receiving the awkward, crude smile only added to the maid's fright, but Lilia paid no mind to that detail. As a matter of course, Sakura was kept busy trying her best not to laugh at the scene.
"I'll be heading out to the garden for a bit of fresh air. But, as you said, I, well, that is... It stinks right?"
"Sorry but, could you prepare the bath for me?"
"Eh? Ah, yes!"
Lilia wore a dubious expression at the astonished maid's hurried reply, but paid no mind to it for now. The surprise change that, the Lilia who had commanded her servants with an iron tone had actually made a gentle request, was something that did not go unnoticed by Sakura after all. But she held off on doing something like pointing out this fact. After all, Sakura was already plenty occupied with simply trying to keep herself from bursting into laughter at this point.
"Ah, also. You, what's your name?"
To Lilia's question, the maid, still nervously hurried with her words, gives a reply.
"It's, Alisa."
"Alisa is it. I've got it. And your age?"
"I turn fifteen this year..."
"Is that so. Then you're a year younger than me huh."
Lilia nodded in satisfaction, and continued.
"I shall make you into my personal maid. Alright?"
"Eh? Ah, umm..."
Perhaps not understanding what Lilia had meant, it was clear to see that Alisa was in a state of panic. Lilia quickly realised the reason behind Alisa's hesitation.
"Ahh, that's right. First I'll have to get approval from Father. I'll confirm it with him later."
"Eh, ahh... I understand. I look forward to your guidance."
Seeing the deeply bowing Alisa, Lilia left with a satisfied smile painted across her face. Without looking back, she headed off towards the baths.
"By the way, Miss Sakura. Would you mind shutting up?"
--But...! Just... Ku, fufu, hehefu....!
Lilia proposed such to the Sakura who was desperately trying to hold in her unpleasant laughter.
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