According to my preliminary research, Zeldo should be joining the meeting in the afternoon.

He was an involved party of the recent incident. After all, he saved Lumiere (tentative). It was also highly likely that the pirate ship in question was built in a neighboring country, so there’d be questioning about that as well. But… he had a very low-ranking position.

Well, maybe they were just trying to get someone from the neighboring country to attend as a pretense. That way, they’d have an easier time making an excuse if they got into trouble with the neighboring country next time?

I didn’t know about those adult circumstances, but… since he was in a low-ranking position, it shouldn’t be difficult to get in touch with Zeldo. If we made some trouble in front of the meeting room, he’d probably come out himself to assess the situation.

So… until then, we needed to remain obedient and disguise ourselves as maids.

“You’re really useless! Can’t you put away some linen?!”

“I’m sorry…”

I bowed my head in front of the pile of sheets.

I was asked to carry the washed sheets and I fell over. I mean, I was made to carry so much linen, I couldn’t even see what was in front of me! It was an unfamiliar mansion and I was worried I’d bump into someone turning a corner in the hallway…

While I was sulking, Lumiere passed by me, already carrying the sheets three times. I never thought the day would come when Lumiere would look at me with sympathy.

Even after that, my work performance was terrible.

When I was asked to carry the delivered groceries, they were too heavy for me to carry.

When I was told to do the laundry, I couldn’t remove a single stain at all.

When I was told to mend the servant’s frayed jacket… it was just impossible.

…Come on, I was a bit ecstatic, you know?

I mean, I did the cleaning with father at home. I also helped my mother cook. I always swung my sword as heavy lifting!

Of course, I didn’t look down on the maids who usually worked for the Elcage family, but… I was a bit depressed to think that I was this helpless.

On the other hand.

“Are you really inexperienced? Admit it, you actually work in the royal palace!”

“Haha, no way. It’s just the usual.”

Is Lumiere being sarcastic toward me?

When I shot her an envious look, Lumiere’s smile stiffened even more.

I was quietly sewing rags in the corner of the storehouse while Lumiere was receiving lavish compliments from the senior maids. They said if I did something bizarre again, I’d just get more work.

So naturally, I felt uncomfortable and started to feel tingly—and of course, I ended up pricking my finger with the needle.

“Ouch!”

“Are you okay?”

Lumiere, the elite maid, snuck up behind me.

Hmph, who needs your sympathy!

As I continued working, Lumiere picked up a piece of old cloth from the pile. Then, she began making a rag with practiced hands. I pouted.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. You were given a short break, right?”

“It’s fine, this isn’t even work.”

Again, Lumiere, are you being sarcastic?

Everyone else had simply left to either do more work or take their breaks. I couldn’t help but be snide at her.

“Doesn’t it feel good? Seeing the humiliation of the woman who bullies you every day.”

“Eh?”

“I’m always acting all high and mighty. You can laugh at me a little more. I’ve had plenty of experiences with people talking about me behind my back.”

I won’t be hurt by a few words from you.

As soon as I said that, Lumiere burst out laughing.

“Haha, Lady Lelouche is pretty mean, but I’m not that petty to my friends.”

“B-but…”

“Even so, I’m still grateful to Lady Lelouche. Sure, suddenly being woken up and dragged into a carriage without being told where we’re going is difficult, but… I still enjoy it.”

“That can’t be true!”

I couldn’t help but raise my voice.

Because that couldn’t be true. The other day on Asatida Coast, she was almost kidnapped by pirates because of me. And at school and at a party some time ago, I was friendly with her, so Lala began targeting her. Shouldn’t she be annoyed? Why would she consider me her friend?

Even so, Lumiere smiled innocently.

“I really do like you, Lady Lelouche. You’re always trying your best, being positive, and a little stubborn. I think that’s what makes you cute.”

“Lumiere…”

“I’ll definitely be in the same class as you next year, Lady Lelouche! Then let’s hang out together more, okay?”

Her words made my heart burst.

In the future, we’d study in the same classroom, move around together when we moved from classroom to classroom… I wondered if we’d even “pee together”? I didn’t care if Lala mess with me. I’d definitely get my revenge twice as hard. Then, we’d laugh at how pathetic she looked.

Ah… seriously, I really am mean.

But the worst thing about me was that I smiled back and said, “I’m looking forward to it.” Even though I knew such a future would never come.

She smiled and encouraged me, completely unaware that the woman next to her would die in a few days.

“Besides, in this particular case, I’m the one who’s abnormal. A normal young lady doesn’t need to be able to do housework. In my case though, I stayed away from the lady’s education and helped the maids with their work ever since I was young.”

“…The way you say it makes it seem like I’m the one who’s abnormal instead?”

“Eh? Huh? Well, I don’t mean it that way…”

I tried to brush it off with a hahaha, but she wouldn’t let me fool her.

Because… it’d be more troublesome if I cried here, right?

I purposefully glared at her, prompting her to clap her hands and whisper, “That’s right!”

“—The head maid said she’ll secretly tell me when Lord Zeldo arrives. Then, we’ll put our plan into motion!”

“Hey, when and how did that happen?”

“Hehe. I was just chatting about how I admire the count of a neighboring country and wondered what kind of person he was. Somehow, the conversation turned into that.”

“Really… you’re so sly.”

That’s why I feel safe entrusting my future to her.

As I smiled wryly, Lumiere put something into my mouth.

“Oh, right.”

I chewed it and it tasted like a light, crisp biscuit.

My friend smiled and said, “I got it as a snack.”

For some reason, she seemed so far away.

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