69: The Villainess gets Bandaged
After that, I continued to make mistakes.
I kicked over the cleaning bucket and dropped a vase.
I had never cooked before, so instead of cutting the potato, I cut my finger.
When I said hello to someone I passed by, I was told off for being too loud and disturbing a meeting.
At a rate like that, even I’d get worn out.
“Now, just stay still!”
“Eeh? Big Sis, would you like some dried fruit?”
I was nibbling on snacks given to me by Eivind as a “parting gift.” Of course, I also had a proper dinner. Neria tried to decline, feeling the stinging gazes of her surroundings, but I forced her to join. After all, 800 years ago, there was a saying that went, “you can’t fight on an empty stomach.”
These dried fruits were dessert.
I thought I was being kind for sharing them with my sister, but… she frowned as she worked hard to bandage my wounded hands.
“Are you a wild mare?! How did you get this hurt on the first day?! No one is going to approach you at this rate!”
“Ooh, I love how stern my big sister is~”
***
“…Still, isn’t Big Sis bad at bandaging others?”
“Shut up! It’ll heal faster because it’s filled with your sister’s love!”
“What kind of logic is that?”
Even if there was a correlation between magic and mental fortitude, there was nothing magical about my sister’s treatment. How unfortunate. Well, I really hoped what she said was true, though.
Anyway, we were currently in the dormitory.
The big room was filled with six people. Noble ladies were also made to share this room.
Other trainees looked at our noisy exchange coldly.
Today was completely my fault.
Even so, I felt bad about this.
“…I’m sorry, Big Sis?”
“Hmph, thanks to you—well, I’m used to people talking behind my back.”
Big Sis turned away.
From the part she emphasized, I thought she got what she deserved. I’d like to argue that she was finally paying the price for making Cecily do everything up until now.
Still, her sulky face looked cute. I decided to leave it at that for the time being, out of respect for my friend.
I wonder how Anita is doing?
The next day.
Today as well, I was working hard at my maid duties.
“Here, take this laundry with you.”
“Eh, this is yours, isn’t it?”
“I’ve been asked to do other work!”
Then, another trainee pushed an extra sheet onto me.
“Didn’t you hear? Your duties for the afternoon job have been replaced with weeding.”
“I didn’t hear that…”
After being told that, Big Sis and I went off to pluck some grasses. But soon, the instructor scolded us.
“Why are you slacking off?!”
In other words, we were being bullied by fellow trainees, right?
“They sure are brave to make us their enemies.”
“Shouldn’t you be a little more depressed…? You aren’t cute at all.”
While I held my chin up, Neria sighed as she busily cleaned the toilet. She sure was resilient.
Above all… I couldn’t believe she was polishing the toilet seat?
Maybe this is the result of my payback?
[Why do I find it difficult to fully agree?]
Well, while chatting with Cecily inwardly, I decided to do my best. At least, as long as my Big Sis did the same. Still, work was work, and bullying was bullying.
Since Big Sis’ future depended on it, I’d proceed carefully.
“Excuse me, but we’re being bullied by this girl, that girl, and those girls!”
“Cecily?!”
I barged into where the instructor was eating. Then, I complained as loud as I could so that the other staff could hear. Anita had told me before that I should use adults and the law when it came to this kind of thing, so I tried to follow her advice.
The instructor didn’t seem particularly bothered and put the dish down.
“That kind of harassment is common in the royal castle. If you don’t like it, go back to school right now. I’ll give you a grade that won’t affect your graduation.”
Wow, that’s amazing.
The instructor said it in front of the bullies and other high-ranking people, too… I mean, nobles with big titles didn’t use the dining hall, but still, the instructor did that.
Then, the instructor looked at me and asked.
“What are you going to do?”
Neria was hiding behind me and pulling on my back as hard as she could. I grinned.
“In that case, I’ll do my best until the end!”
The next day.
“What are you planning to do? You said that so openly, so we—”
“—No, I think that instructor gave us solid advice.”
As she complained, Big Sis Neria busily cleaned the toilet again today.
Not only did she not have opportunities to meet people, cleaning the toilets was also the dirtiest duty. It’d been forced upon us, though. However, toilets were often placed in convenient locations, so it wasn’t so bad after all.
So, when Big Sis tilted her head and asked, “What do you mean?” I clarified to her.
“Retaliation is allowed!”
I picked up the bucket full of dirty water and splashed it out of the window.
There were trainees downstairs doing the laundry. I had checked.
The bullies started fussing.
“Hey!? What are you doing!?”
“Sorry, my hands slipped…”
I stuck my tongue out. I must’ve looked so adorable because the girls down below were flustered.
Neria, with a pale face, responded.
“You, if you do that, your evaluation will be—”
“It’s okay. I don’t really want to be a palace maid. That’s why, Big Sis. Once you start working for real, I won’t be here anymore, you know?”
In my opinion, the evaluation of the girls who bullied others would probably be lowered as well. I believed that was why the instructor said that, because they knew exactly what was going on.
Still, I didn’t think someone who remained quiet and endured all that bullying could work at the palace. When I asked her if she was prepared for that, Big Sis nodded slightly and said, “I understand.”
So, I asked inwardly.
[That goes for Cecily too, right?]
Today, too, her twin sister didn’t answer.
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