Bibi
“Excuse me.”
The maid accompanying Cathy who entered the room had chestnut brown hair tied up in a bun, and wore red, silver-rimmed glasses. She looked to be around the same age as Nancy’s younger sister, Kate.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Bibi, in service to Young lady Catherine of the Cutter family.”
“Ah, n-nice to meet you. I’m Joan, eldest daughter of the Lampail family. Young lady Catherine has been very kind to me. Uh, standing by the door is awkward, so please, come in.”
“Thank you.”
After managing to get her seated in a chair—
“Um, so, uh… you had something you needed?”
“Yes. Forgive my forwardness, but may I ask what you and my Young lady were discussing earlier?”
“Eh? Uh… I just told her that since the academy treats everyone equally, I’d prefer if she didn’t use honorifics with me…”
“Was that all?”
“Eh… was there something else?”
“Yes. Did you speak about servants, perhaps?”
“Servants… Ah, yes, we talked about that. I said nobles shouldn’t take their help for granted, and that they should express their gratitude properly… Is something wrong?”
“……”
“Um… Bibi?”
As Bibi fell silent, Joan and Anny grew uneasy watching her—until a single tear fell from Bibi’s eye.
“Eh? Bibi? A-Are you okay?”
“I’m… terribly sorry.”
Bibi drank the tea Sarah had served, calming herself before she began to speak.
“… I have been by my Young lady’s side since her early childhood. She was a well-behaved child, and often laughed in such an innocent, cheerful way. But ever since becoming a candidate to be Prince Albert’s fiancée, no matter how strict the Queen’s training became, she never once complained. Even in front of her family, she never let her guard down, only smiling faintly… I pitied her for it. But today, after she returned from your room, she smiled just like she did as a child and said, ‘Thank you for everything.’ She then offered to share the sweets you gave her… I was so happy I couldn’t help it. I know it may have been improper, but I had to come and thank you personally. And… from what my Young lady said, the Lampail family shares meals with their staff?”
“Yes. Not every day, but often we do. Our staff and private guards are family to me. I can live the way I do because they’re there for me. And meals are more fun when everyone’s together.”
“I see… My Young lady said she might ask her father if they could try that. She looked so excited. And she spoke of you as well.”
“Of me?”
“Yes. She said she might have finally found a friend she could be herself around. Until now, she always held back due to concerns over status and connections, and never pursued friendships. Thank you so much.”
“No, no, I’m the one who’s grateful to be friends with Cathy—ah, sorry, with Young lady Catherine. I’m honestly so happy. I haven’t attended many tea parties and don’t really have noble friends… I’m just a clumsy country girl, but please take care of me and my household.”
“Young lady Joan, that’s not how you’re supposed to say that!”
Sarah quickly corrected her.
“Eh? Really? Then what should I say? Sarah, help me out.”
“You just say, ‘Please treat me kindly,’ like normal.”
“Really? But still—”
As Joan whispered with Sarah—
“Ahaha… Ah, excuse me. I just thought, you really do get along well with your servants.”
“Eh? Oh—yes, very well! I only have older brothers, but Sarah and Anny here feel like older sisters to me.”
“‘Joan…! That makes us so happy…’”
“Eh? What? Why are you two crying!?”
“Young lady Joan, please continue to look after Young lady Catherine.”
“Of course! … Um, is it okay if I keep calling her Cathy?”
“If she gave you permission, I have no objections. It’s a very sweet nickname.”
“Yaaay! Oh, and next time, let’s have tea together—with you too, Bibi!”
“Eh? Me?”
“Yes! I think it would be lovely if our maids became friends too. Right, Sarah?”
“Y-Yes. Um… I’ve heard about you from Nancy and… I-I’d love to speak with you sometime!”
“Nancy… from Lampail territory… Ah, Kate’s older sister?”
“Oh? You know Kate?”
“Yes, we were classmates. So Miss Nancy spoke of me… If you’d like to talk, anytime is fine.”
“Th-thank you so much!”
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. I’m sorry for coming so suddenly.”
“No, I’m glad I got to talk to you, Bibi.”
“Excuse me, then.”
After Bibi left, I flopped onto my bed.
“Phew… I’m so glad. I thought I was gonna get scolded~”
“I was seriously nervous too. But I’m really happy I got to meet Senior Bibi.”
“Is she famous?”
“According to Nancy, she graduated top of the civil service course.”
“Eh? For real? Whoa… That’s amazing. But I’m glad she turned out to be a nice person. I was worried—what if she and I just didn’t click?”
“What do you mean by ‘didn’t click’?”
Anny tilted her head.
“Hmm… how to put it? Like, our vibes or outlooks didn’t match? I mean, Cathy might’ve been putting on that polite smile because of her maid or the people around her, right? But based on what Bibi said, it’s because of the Queen’s training. She used to laugh all the time before that. And Bibi said she pitied her, so that means she was really concerned.”
“Ahh, I see~”
“And Cathy’s smile is seriously cute. Oh—but when she blushes and looks down, that’s even more moe.”
“Moe?”
“Yeah. So cute it makes you grin without realizing it.”
“… I’m not sure how appropriate it is to be grinning over other noble ladies.”
“Ehh, it’s not like it hurts anyone.”
“Where did that pervy old man tone come from!?”
Sarah’s comeback was intense.
But still, Cathy’s just too cute. I bet if she ditched those vertical curls, her beauty level would go through the roof… and then… hehehe.
“Young lady Joan!! Don’t just sit there giggling at your imagination!!”
What do you think about this chapter?
