Our Make-Believe Ends Here - Chapter 46

Volumes I & II are available uncensored on ko-fi!

“When I first started working as a maid, I got along with them too. There was no reason to act like strangers when we were doing the same work. But… as I spent time with them, I realized we were very different.”

“In what way?”

“I can’t see any future in them. No vision, no hope—just worrying about getting through each day. When they found out I went in and out of the library and asked why, I said I wanted to learn to read. They even mocked me, asking why I’d go to such trouble while working as a maid. Like, no matter how hard we try, we’re all going to end up at the bottom anyway.”

That was precisely the perspective of ordinary commoners. The reason the majority of servants flowing into noble households each quarter were commoners was that they required only their labor, not their thoughts. And if commoners couldn’t read, there was the added advantage of preventing them from acting as spies.

“So… did you fight?”

“If that had happened, it wouldn’t be this frustrating. I just didn’t want to hang out with them, so I kept my distance. Then suddenly, wherever I went, they’d show up and pick a fight.”

“And dump their cleaning work on you?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“…Don’t you think it’s still better to say something to the Nanny?”

“Forget it. Don’t you go meddling either.”

“Meddle?”

“Don’t go hinting at anything to the Nanny, or playing the fool by taking my side in front of them.”

“So that’s not allowed?”

“Even after hearing this, you don’t get it? Those girls are the type who get even more excited and run wild if I show any reaction. They’re no different from ignorant animals. If you don’t want to get dragged into this too, don’t say anything and just do as I say.”

Luirene finally understood why Eneka had refused her earlier suggestion that they eat together. She was afraid of causing harm to someone else with her own problems. Eneka, for all her prickly demeanor, was actually a very warm and deep person.

She wanted to say it was fine, but from past experience, she knew there was no overcoming that sharp attitude. So Luirene ended the conversation there and came down to the kitchen to prepare earlier than usual.

There, she found Miya with the crimson hair that Eneka had mentioned, along with her group. Seemed they had pushed their work onto Eneka and were here lazing about without a care.

“Did you hear? Our young master won the riding competition!”

“Is that true?”

“He won, beating all those prestigious young lords!”

Thanks to them chattering nonstop, Luirene learned this unexpected good news. Hitaon had entered the competition on Ebony—the horse she had visited and cared for whenever she had time—and had proudly taken the victory.

The win belonged entirely to Hitaon and Ebony, yet somehow a corner of her heart sparkled with pride, as if the energy she had put into naming the horse had contributed to the result.

“Oh.”

Excited by news of her lover, she had stared too long. Her eyes met Miya’s, who had been smiling in the center. Luirene gave a slight bow by way of apology if she had caused offense, then focused on preparing the tea. A moment later, someone poked her arm.

“Hey there, hello?”

It was Miya. Luirene barely managed to hide her surprise.

“Hello.”

“You’re that girl, aren’t you? The one who’s been the old lady’s caretaker for over four years now.”

“Yes.”

“I’ve seen you around often, but this is my first time properly greeting you. I’m Miya.”

“I’m Luirene.”

“You have such a cute name. I wish I had a round, cute name too.”

“‘Miya’ is plenty cute.”

“Ah, stop.”

Despite her reaction, Miya seemed secretly pleased, tapping Luirene’s shoulder lightly. She seemed like a friendly, approachable person, but knowing how Eneka had been bullied, Luirene felt no particular warmth toward her.

Miya, unaware of Luirene’s true feelings, decided to drop the formal speech right then and there and planted herself beside her.

“Are you preparing tea for the old lady?”

“That’s right.”

“I heard the old lady is very fond of you. Is that true?”

“The old lady and I both love books. It’s just that the bookshop I run happened to have many of the books she was looking for. That was the starting point.”

“You run a bookshop?”

“Yes. A small shop in the town.”

“Wow, that’s amazing! So how do you run it while you’re staying here?”

“I’m focused on my caretaker work right now, so it’s temporarily closed.”

After chatting for a bit, Luirene checked the time and said she should be going. “Let’s talk again sometime!” Miya said cheerfully before returning to her group.