Chapter 27
-Is it My Fault for Being Too Pretty?
“No! Get out!”
The moody, adolescent young master snapped at me and kicked me out of the room. Standing outside the door, I asked pathetically,
“Young Masterrr. You’re kicking me out before I even drew your bath? Are you that hungry? Has your appetite increased fivefold in five years?”
“Just come back in thirty minutes.”
“Why?”
“…I don’t know. Just do as I say.”
Just how hungry was he? Telling me to come back in thirty minutes sounded like he couldn’t wait any longer for food.
“I’ll be back as soon as possible!”
Without waiting for his reply, I hurried down to the lodging’s kitchen.
The lodging was as large as a mansion, with multiple kitchens. They were designed so that the maids and butlers could prepare meals according to the preferences of the nobles they served.
I borrowed one of the kitchens and prepared dishes the young master would enjoy. Since he would be eating before bed, it would be best to keep the food light. I arranged warm soup, thinly sliced meat, and bread on a plate. Thanks to my accumulated experience, I only broke two cooking utensils.
Proof that I had gotten better at controlling my strength!
“Please charge the cost of the damaged items to the Zepetto Count family.”
I informed the kitchen staff and hurried back to our room. I couldn’t go as fast as I wanted because I had to be careful not to spill the food.
Knock, knock. I knocked on the door and called out to the young master. Even after calling him a couple of times, there was no response.
Had he fainted from hunger?!
I grabbed the doorknob in a hurry, and, well, perhaps I was a bit too hasty. I broke it.
The door opened with a crack. I would have to add this repair cost to the Zepetto family’s tab as well. Head Butler Godora would have a fit if he knew.
After deducting all the repair costs, my salary would be incredibly meager. It was a relief that, as a doll who didn’t eat or sleep, I had minimal living expenses.
“Young Master? I’m back! You must be hungry!”
When I entered the room, the young master was nowhere to be seen. Instead, I heard the sound of running water coming from the bathroom.
“Oh, he’s taking a bath.”
I had never assisted him with his bath before. When the Countess was alive, I almost became her bath attendant. But I was too young and deemed unhelpful, so it wouldn’t be much help now, even if I remembered.
But now, I was an adult, capable of reaching the towel rack.
I placed the food on the table and pondered.
Should I barge into the bathroom and assist him with his bath? I had heard that other nobles, even male nobles, received bathing assistance from their maids. But what kind of assistance was required? Soaping? Pouring water?
Or was I supposed to clean the bathroom while he bathed so he could use a clean bathroom afterward!
“I’ll just go in and ask what he needs help with!”
I made up my mind and decided to enter the bathroom. Just as I reached for the doorknob, the bathroom door opened.
“I heard a strange noise earlier. Did you break something again?”
The young master, fresh from his bath, emerged, surrounded by warm steam. A pleasant, warm fragrance wafted from him. I was a step late, but not too late. I grabbed his bathrobe, almost like grabbing him by the collar, and asked,
“What can I do for you?!”
He gently removed my hand from his bathrobe.
“Let go of this, for starters. And just being quiet would be a big help.”
“Anything else?”
“Well, if you really want to do something, you can dry my hair.”
“Don’t worry! I’ll take care of it!”
The time had finally come for me to reach the towel rack. I happily entered the bathroom, retrieved a towel from the neatly arranged rack, and returned to the young master, who was now at the table where I had placed the food.
“You brought it back in less than thirty minutes.”
“Yes! I thought you were very hungry!”
“I wasn’t necessarily hungry, but… Whatever. I’ll eat.”
He started eating. I gently patted his wet hair with the towel, drying it. His silver hair, inherited from the previous Countess, was glossy and soft.
“The previous Countess also had beautiful silver hair. It looked so beautiful when she braided it and decorated it with flowers. You look just like her, Young Master.”
“Mother passed away before you were completed. How do you know about her?”
“I told you, I’m Anna. Believe it or not.”
“Mother would have liked you.”
He continued eating with an impassive expression, not stopping his fork. He looked like he was forcing himself to eat rather than enjoying the food. Was his earlier impatience just because he was in a bad mood?
“She liked people with unique personalities. Perhaps because she was a quiet and gentle person herself.”
“She was a kind person.”
“Yes, she was.”
We continued to chat about trivial things. About Knight Commander Edna, her brother’s muscular physique, how strange Miss Baba was, about the lodging…
It felt like old times. Just like the peaceful days I spent with the young master as Anna, the maid. Chatting about trivial things, sharing light laughter, and looking forward to the future.
It had been a while since I felt so relaxed. I wished this moment could last forever.
I could forget the fact that I was a doll, the reality that the young master would eventually marry someone else, and my responsibility as his matchmaker. How could I not cherish this moment?
“…”
…I was so lost in our conversation that I started braiding his hair.
It wasn’t very long, as it was fashionable for men to keep their hair relatively short, even among nobles. The unconsciously braided strands stuck out like a hedgehog’s quills. If I let it dry like this, it would become wavy. Wouldn’t that look stylish?
Should I just braid it all?
I continued to fiddle with his hair, pretending to continue the conversation. The soft texture was heavenly. I should ask him to upgrade my dexterity during my next repair.
As I was braiding the rest of his bangs into three strands, he suddenly raised his hand and touched his hair. My crime(?) was exposed.
“I thought you were fiddling with my hair for a while.”
“I apologize. It felt nice, so I…”
“It’s fine. Do as you please.”
He forgave me easily, much to my surprise. I had been preparing myself for a scolding.
“You’re not angry?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I like it.”
Puzzled, I tilted my head towards him. He turned slightly, our eyes meeting.
“Being like this with you reminds me of Anna. It reminds me of the times I spent with her. It was this comfortable back then too. That’s why I’m letting it go.”
He still didn’t believe that I was Anna. Next time, I would have to grab him by the collar and make him believe.
His words, searching for Anna, made me feel pleased rather than sad. He felt the same way as I did. Just as I enjoyed our conversations, he cherished these moments too.
That alone made me happy.
“I’m really looking forward to having a heart.”
“Huh? Aren’t you changing the subject too quickly?”
He asked with a chuckle.
“Why? Why do you want a heart so badly?”
I unbraided his hair, gently combing it with my fingers, and explained,
“So my heart can flutter every time you say things like that.”
His smile faded slightly. His lips parted as if to speak, then closed. My hand, as I was combing his hair, brushed against his ear. It was warm. He raised his hand and touched his ear, then took my hand and pulled it down.
And he didn’t let go.
“What’s so good about your heart fluttering?”
“It’s good, of course. It means my heart is racing because I’m hearing kind words from someone I like. It’s proof that I’m alive. I’m alive now, but I’m not sure if I’m really alive. It’s better to be certain, isn’t it?”
I added,
“What about you? Does your heart flutter when you talk to me? You have a warm heart.”
He hesitated, unable to answer easily, then adjusted his position and held my hand. He was sitting, and I was standing, so I naturally leaned down to meet his gaze.
A shadow fell over his youthful, innocent face. He whispered,
“I don’t want to answer.”
“Then you don’t have to.”
He fiddled with my hand for a moment. His touch was cautious, like a child examining a new toy.
“You made me. This hand, this face, everything.”
I said it to boost his pride. He looked at me, startled.
His hand, which had been resting on mine, slowly moved up to my face. I closed my eyes and tilted my head slightly, allowing him to fully appreciate his creation.
“Yes, Anna’s taste wasn’t so bad. You’re beautiful.”
“I told you, I’m beautiful.”
I said, opening my eyes slightly. He chuckled. I felt like his face was getting closer…
“You have to keep me grounded so I don’t suffer from missing Anna.”
His long, beautiful eyelashes were now right in front of me. He closed his eyes. His light breath, like a deer’s, brushed against my nose.
I raised my hand and placed it on his shoulder.