Chapter 4 - I - The melancholy of the head maid

 

So, it could also rain here in Chersea…

 

“…”

 

It’s been quite a while, but the downpour hadn’t stopped.  I guess it’s an advantage to the maids of the Gardening Department, since they won’t have to water the plants now and then.

 

“…”

 

But well, as it was raining, many activities in the Holy Palatial Gardens got suspended—particularly the visitation time to the Saint.  The holy enclave was closed, saved for emergencies.  

 

And here I was again at the library, trying to kill time.  I’ve been reading books that piqued my interest; as long as it didn’t belong to the ‘restricted’ section, I guess I could freely take those.

 

“!!!”

 

I heard someone open the library doors.  Maybe it’s the maid assigned to clean this spot.  

 

What is her name again?  I think it’s Eris, or is it Erich?

 

Hmm, as long as she didn’t bother me, I guess we’re good.

 

“Kuro!”

 

“Hiii!”

 

“Did I startle you again?  Sorry!” it was the Head Maid, with her usual sudden appearances.

 

“Nah, it’s fine.  I’m pretty used to it.  So, let me guess.  You’re just passing by again, Head Maid?”

 

“Oh, so you already know…” she let out a forceful, awkward laugh.

 

Well, of course I will.  It’s her excuse whenever she appeared.

 

“Ah anyway, check this out!” the Head Maid put a bag of clothes before me, “Since you came here empty-handed, I think it’s time that you change your clothing.  I brought you some old shirts and pants.”

 

“Whoa, thanks!  Just what I need!” I was happy when she gave the clothes to me.  After all, since they summoned me, the only dress that I’ve been wearing was the one that came from my old world.  Well, I washed it from time to time, though in secret because I didn’t think they would let me live another second if the servants or Her Holiness saw me naked inside the Holy Palatial Gardens.

 

“I heard from the maids…about what you did to stop that pervert, Duke Millshawn.” she sat beside me, even though the entire library was empty, “So, I was thinking of something to give you as a reward or something.”

 

“Oh, you shouldn’t mind it too much.  I just did what I had to do.” I laughed as I subtly tried to keep my distance from her, “Besides, I don’t want to destroy your trust towards me.”

 

“Still, you could’ve gotten yourself killed…”

 

“Oh…” the smile from my face disappeared, recalling that brief but dangerous encounter, “Yeah, but I’m still here alive and kicking!  Don’t worry too much; I’m just a strange person from another world, anyway.”

 

“Don’t say that!” the Head Maid raised her voice suddenly that I almost jumped from my seat.  However, she realized that too soon, so she quickly lowered her tone, “I-I’m sorry for shouting.”

 

“Nah, don’t worry too much.”

 

“Well, please don’t be like that.” a bittersweet expression appeared in her eyes, “From another world or not, if you die, then it’s all over.  Please value your life more, Kuro.”

 

I fell silent.  Well, she has a point.

 

An awkward atmosphere hanged between us after that.  And then, I thought the Head Maid wanted to change the topic since it was she who restarted the conversation.

 

“Ah, anyway!  Since you got the clothes, why don’t you try them?”

 

“Err…right now?” I was having doubts if it would fit, but well, there’s no harm in trying.

 

Sensing my apprehensions, she offered, “Well, I’ll go outside while you change.”

 

“Alright then.”

 

Without further ado, the Head Maid went out of the library while I try the clothes that she brought me.

 

 

After a few tweaks on the clothes that I received, I thought I’m now confident to show myself to the Head Maid.

 

“…”

 

Wait a sec, the pants are a little loose.  I went to fix it for a while; and once done, I finally approached and opened the door…

 

“Well, I guess it is quite loose on me, especially the pants.” I showed myself to the Head Maid, “But yeah, the clothes almost fit my body.  Thanks, Head Maid!”

 

“…”  The Head Maid was silent as she intensely stared at me.

 

“Err…Head Maid?” her eyes looked as if she wanted to vaporize me.  It was kind of awkward; I wanted to close the door right at that very moment.

 

“Huh?  Oh…yes, yes!” she tried to reply; I could tell that she got stunned, “T-those clothes seem to be perfect for you!”

 

“Uh…you okay?” I’m worried; the Head Maid suddenly became pale.

 

“Hm?  Y-yes, I’m fine.”

 

No, you aren’t.  You’re averting your eyes from me.  Do I look that bad in this dress?

 

“Please k-keep it!”  And now she was wiping her eyes, “If you’ll excuse me…”

 

The Head Maid abruptly left like she used to turn up.

 

Err…what did I do wrong?

 

 

I went back to the guest house where I was currently staying.  The rain wouldn’t let up, so I had to run to reach my private space before I got drenched.  Good thing I already changed back into my old clothes; I didn’t want the clothes the Head Maid gave to me to be wet.  Honestly, after seeing her like that, I’m thinking of returning those to her…

 

Well, she said that I keep it…

 

“…”

 

God, what should I do?

 

“You called?”

 

“Hiii!”

 

It was Her Holiness who appeared this time.  If I remember, I called for ‘God’ though…

 

“Well, I’m the same.”

 

Right.  Seriously, are the people inside this place fond of shocking others to death?

 

“Well, not really.  I just thought of surprising you…” the Saint had a proud and triumphant expression on her face, “Turns out you’re just too jumpy.  Did you have your coffee to make you that nervous?”

 

“Nope.”  Now that she mentioned it, I have had no breakfast yet.

 

“Would you like me to call for someone to bring some food?”

 

“Uh…I think I can get it myself, Your Holiness.  Thank you!”

 

“You’re a modest one, eh?” Her Holiness had a sardonic grin painted on her face, “No wonder Lily keeps on being reminded of him through you.”

 

If I remember, Lily is the name of the Head Maid, right?

 

“Yep, that’s right.  Her name’s pretty long to pronounce, so we just shorten it to Lily.”

 

I see…well, speaking of the Head Maid—

 

“Yep, I already know what happened.” the Saint quickly shot me down, “After all, she gave you his clothes.”

 

“Err…‘his’ clothes?”

 

Her Holiness nodded, “Yep, the clothes of Lilyhaven Tamriel von Leese’s older brother, Arthur Mahan von Leese.”

 

“Uhm, Your Holiness, the Head Maid gave me these.  And when I tried to wear it to see if it fits, she cried.  If I’m not prying too much, is this older brother—”

 

“Yep, Arthur’s already dead.”

 

“…”  

 

I didn’t like what I just heard.  These clothes were precious mementos from the Head Maid’s older brother, and for her to give it to me is just—

 

“You remind her of Arthur, you know.”

 

Can you please let me finish my thoughts, Your Holiness?

 

 

Anyway, silence ruled in the room where I was staying.  My eyes were on the clothes that the Head Maid gave to me.  I thought she might’ve been unprepared to see me wearing those, thus she ended being hurt…

 

“…” I felt terrible.

 

Honestly, I don’t know what to say…or do.

 

The Saint of Chersea was with me for the meantime.

 

“I came over to your room to ask for something.” Her Holiness sighed before she began, “However, I understand that you’re confused.  So, I intend to explain everything to you before asking for your favor…”

 

Her Holiness asking for my favor tells me that this is a serious matter.

 

“Well, Arthur and Lily are pretty close siblings.” Her Holiness explained, her eyes were looking far outside the windows, “In fact, I think Lily even promised to marry him back when they were younger.”

 

Wow.  Talk about a cliché visual novel setting.

 

“Of course, it’s just a stupid child’s play.” Her Holiness quickly retorted, “Or I’ll incinerate anyone who violates the laws of the gods.”

 

Come on, they are just kids back then!  Pretty innocent, right?

 

“Ahem.  Anyway, even when Arthur became a knight, Lily looks up to him so much that she doesn’t see anyone but her brother.”

 

Oi, that’s a cute case of brother-complex right there…

 

“She turned down legions of men courting her because no one can be up to her standards that is her brother.”

 

My bad.  That’s an extremely severe case of brother-complex.

 

“Cute little Lily was just content of following and watching her brother.  On his plans, on his achievements, inside his room, inside his bathroom—”

 

“Err…Your Holiness, do you even have to tell me that?”  Well, it’s not cute; it’s plain stalking!

 

“Shut up for a while, Kuro.” Her Holiness glared at me, “I’m getting to the good part, you know.”

 

“Sorry.” I quickly behaved myself.

 

“However, there is one problem.  Lily is a sickly child, you know.”

 

She is?  The Head Maid is weak in her body?

 

“Nah, someone cursed her.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“It was an apple.  The moment she eats it is the moment she dies; however, only a sincere love’s kiss could save her.”

 

Err…is this some kind of fairy tale?  Let me guess, the Head Maid has a bunch of seven dwarves for assistants?

 

“Well, she’s got a group of friends who assist her in following and watching her brother.”

 

Ha?  What’s this?  Snow White and the Seven Stalkers?

 

“Anyway, continuing on,” the Saint went on with her story, ignoring my remarks, “Lily didn’t eat the apple.”

 

“But how did she got cursed?”

 

“One of her friends made a juice out of that apple, and she drank it.”

 

That’s stupid.

 

“Because of that, the curse got altered, and she got sick instead.”

 

That’s doubly stupid.  Are you sure that apple isn’t just rotten or something?

 

“Ahem.  So, after getting sick because of the cursed apple, Lily’s physical body continued to weaken.”

 

Of course she will.  She’s sick.

 

“And Arthur embarked on a journey to find the cure for his beloved little sister.”

 

Isn’t he told of the conditions of breaking the curse before?  It’s the freaking standard for every fairy tale!

 

“Finally, after wandering around for a long time, he pleaded for my help.”

 

“Oh…”

 

“And I told him how to break the curse.”

 

“So, did he kiss her?”

 

“No, I wouldn’t allow it.  They’re siblings, remember?  That’s perverted!”

 

Tch.  Talk about being a party-pooper.

 

“So yeah, after many tries on several alternate solutions, we finally arrived at the correct alternate way to save Lily from the curse and cured her.”

 

“I see…but what’s the connection of that story to Arthur’s death?”

 

“That’s…” Her Holiness had a sad and nostalgic expression on her face as she continued the story, “When Lily finally recovered, she’s still weak, so when she tried to stand, she stumbled and fell to a conveniently placed spinning wheel nearby.  Arthur quickly moved to support her, but it was he who got pricked by the needle.  And he died.  The end.”

 

That’s…pretty anti-climactic…

 

And they even mixed two fairy tales and a visual novel on that one story.  This world is really stupid.