Chapter 19
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Chapter 19
"Even if the gold coins I receive from the Duke are wonderful, and the desserts I eat here every day are sweet."
"...."
"They're not worth more than your life, are they?"
The Nanny said this and held out a paper bag to me.
Given the sweet aroma wafting from it, it seemed to contain snacks.
"I've packed some of your favorite treats. Go home and eat them while you think this through carefully."
But I didn't take the bag. Instead, I looked her straight in the eye and asked.
"Then why do you stay by Miss's side, Nanny? You could be put in danger, and so could Sally, couldn't you?"
"That's...!"
The Nanny, struck by my counterargument, seemed momentarily flustered as if she hadn't anticipated it, but she quickly composed herself and answered.
"Because I've staked my life on Miss. She's worth it, and this is something worth doing."
"...."
"But you're still young and know nothing, are you? With that mindset, you'll surely regret your choice right now."
"So have I."
"...What?"
Just then, we reached the end of the Walking Path.
A few more steps ahead lay the Estate's front courtyard, where the carriage awaited.
I dashed into the courtyard and turned back to answer the Nanny.
"I've staked my life too."
As I stepped into the light, the fear that had subtly weighed on me moments before vanished.
When I looked at the Nanny with resolute eyes, her expression twisted grimly in the shadow of the Estate.
I left the Nanny behind and headed toward the waiting carriage, my thoughts crystallizing.
'I need to separate that woman from Rachel.'
I wasn't sure whether the Nanny had isolated Rachel truly to protect him, or if she had other motives.
But one thing was certain.
'No matter what reason is given, hurting Rachel is wrong.'
Climbing into the carriage, I gazed up at the massive Estate and steeled my resolve.
'Then the first thing I need to do is...!'
* * *
The next day.
I brought Rachel down to the Village.
Mindful of Rachel's dislike of people's stares, I had the carriage stop in an Alley, and instead brought along the escort knights behind us.
The reason I brought Rachel down to the Village was....
First, to show him the sights of the Village.
Second, for what I called the 'Make Rachel Popular at the Estate' plan.
'The current situation where Rachel depends only on the Nanny isn't good.'
To break free from this situation, it would be best if Rachel became close with many people at the Estate.
With the Maids, and with the Duke too.
[...Why do I need to become close with the Maids?]
"If I get close with the Maids, they'll sneak me snacks at night."
"I'm not particularly interested."
"And they can style my hair nicely too."
"That's unnecessary."
"Anyway! There are so many benefits to getting along with the Maids."
Yet the person in question seemed utterly indifferent to my grand scheme.
Still, when I suggested we visit the Village, Rachel followed without complaint.
And now.
We stood before a shop.
"What is this place?"
"It's a General Store. They sell everything you need for daily life."
"Why did we come here?"
"I want to buy gifts for the Maids."
"Gifts? Why?"
"The most effective way to win people's favor is through generous gift-giving."
But Rachel remained skeptical of my plan.
"...That's pointless. They'll be afraid of me anyway."
The wounds from isolation ran too deep for Rachel to hope that relationships with others might improve.
As that thought crossed my mind, fresh anger surged—anger toward the Duke's Nanny, who had orchestrated Rachel's friends leaving.
I suppressed my fury and gently corrected Rachel's thinking.
"It's not that they dislike you. They simply don't know you yet."
"..."
"The unknown is always frightening—unfamiliar paths, unsolved problems, all of it."
"..."
"So once they get to know you, they won't be afraid anymore, right?"
Rachel, who had maintained a cynical demeanor throughout, widened their eyes at my words.
Could it truly be so?
In those blue eyes, I could see the struggle between the desire to believe my words and the fear of being hurt, the refusal to even harbor hope.
I grasped Rachel's hand firmly.
To keep them from wavering beneath that fear any longer.
"Come on, let's go inside."
And with that, we stepped into the shop.
Ding—
"Welcome! Come right in!"
I expected to see Lauren, but it was Peter who greeted us, rousing from a doze.
"Hello, Peter."
Peter clutched his chest in surprise upon seeing me.
"You startled me! Vivian, it was you?"
"I'll have to tell Lauren later that Peter was sleeping instead of minding the shop."
"Wait, I wasn't sleeping! I was meditating—yes, meditating on something important."
"Who meditates while snoring?"
"You must have misheard. Anyway, what are you here to buy today―"
Peter, who had been playfully bantering with me, stopped mid-sentence when his eyes met Rachel's standing beside me.
After blinking for a moment, as if something had occurred to him, he leaned in and whispered to me.
"Is this girl... or rather, is this the Young Lady?"
The news that I had become Rachel's playmate had spread widely throughout the Village.
Especially for Peter, the son of Lauren, with whom I was close, deducing Rachel's identity from appearing together with me wasn't particularly difficult.
When I nodded, Peter's expression grew serious and he bowed deeply.
"Ah, greetings, Young Lady."
Though Peter belatedly offered his respects to Rachel, her gaze remained cold for some reason.
Moreover, she gripped my hand more tightly.
'Hmm? Is she uncomfortable around strangers after all?'
Just as I was about to intervene in the awkward atmosphere, Rachel pulled my hand.
"Let's go."
I offered Peter an awkward smile and followed Rachel deeper into the General Store.
Rachel asked me.
"Who is that guy?"
"He's my friend. He's the son of Lauren, who owns this General Store."
Rachel's footsteps came to an abrupt halt as she moved further into the shop.
"...Is that guy also your friend?"
Rachel's tone suggested she found Peter quite disagreeable.
'Is it because Peter didn't show proper courtesy earlier?'
Rachel was kind to me now, but she wasn't kind to everyone.
I nodded vigorously so Peter wouldn't be put in an awkward position.
"Yes. He's a close friend."
"Do you like that guy?"
"Of course. Peter is my friend."
Since I said he was a close friend, surely she'd be generous about it once?
But contrary to my expectations, Rachel only grew more serious.
"Young Lady?"
When I tilted my head and looked at her, Rachel spoke.
"...Call me by my name too."
"Pardon?"
"Call me by my name the way you call that guy."
At Rachel's sudden request, my eyes widened.
"But how could I possibly call you by your name..."
"It's fine if I allow it."
After hesitating for a moment, I looked at Rachel's resolute face and carefully opened my mouth.
"Um, then... Rachel?"
At that, Rachel's expression seemed to soften ever so slightly.
Ah, now I understand!
'So our Rachel wants to try everything friends do together?'
Only then did I grasp Rachel's intention, and I couldn't help but smile wickedly to myself.
"Is this how I should address you?"
"And speak comfortably with me."
Speaking casually with a noblewoman!
As a commoner, I had no reason to refuse such an offer.
"I'd love to! ...Or rather, yes!"
I eagerly accepted the proposal.
Now that we'd agreed to speak casually, I felt even closer to Rachel.
As I kept grinning, Rachel seemed burdened by my smile and urged me on curtly.
"So, what gift are you planning to buy? Have you thought of something?"
Hearing that question, I finally remembered our original purpose, and I nodded confidently with a proud smile.
"Of course!"
Oh no, formal speech.
I hastily corrected myself.
"Of course! Just trust me!"
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