Chapter 64: Chapter 12. First love
Razor and I decided to make an escape plan, and use our closest possible chance. If not now, who knows when else in the near future the Marquis will leave the estate with half of his guards?
Besides, Maxie is going with him. Thus, on this day my hands will be completely untied.
Despite the fact that I promised the girl not to do anything behind her back, could I really neglect such an opportunity? It's better to take a risk and get punished under an unfortunate set of circumstances than just accept the current situation.
After all, I wanted to <<break>> with the life of a servant as soon as possible.
A couple of days before the upcoming event, the prince and I agreed to meet secretly to discuss our further actions. I've been looking forward to it.
But, as it turned out, not all that glitters is gold. In this situation, exactly the same thing happened.
The day before our meeting, as usual, I accompanied Maxie from training. This time she came back earlier than usual. Sprawled on the sofa, ordered to prepare her a bath.
As on any other evening, I was already used to such things, and just did it. While the sound of water was coming from the bathroom, I started the rest of the routine actions: such as cleaning the rooms and all preparations for further sleep.
I noted to myself that if it weren't for the noble status, then I could become an excellent servant. Because I have already learned to cope with all this perfectly in a month.
When I had made the bed perfectly clean and laid out, Maxie returned.
With wet hair, she was wearing only one red robe. To be honest, when I first saw her like this, I involuntarily drooled. Still, despite her age and differences in character, I couldn't resist her beauty.
But now she was holding back and just silently watched the girl go. Maxie sat down on a chair in front of the mirror and ordered:
-- Comb my hair.
-- Now...
I sighed, and despite the slight fatigue after cleaning, I took a comb and set to work.
The girl's scarlet hair was in my hands, and she threw her head back wearily.
-- Why are we back so early today? -- I decided to ask.
<<What's the matter?>> -- Maxie grinned, -- Did you like watching me?
I flushed, even though I should have gotten used to her ambiguous jokes a long time ago.
-- Yes, what does this have to do with...! It's just that you don't usually finish before ten.
-- Ah... That's because I have a lot to do tomorrow.
-- Del?
-- I am involved in organizing a crew that will accompany us on the imperial hunt. There is still a lot to do.
I looked surprised, as if this was the first time I'd heard about it.
-- And-the imperial hunt...?
-- Nothing special. The usual entertainment for the rich. But Father said we should go.
-- Mm, I see, -- I did not ask unnecessary questions.
-- It won't be for long. Just one day. Therefore, do not be sad that you will part with me for a long time.
-- Hey! -- I was indignant, -- It's not like that at all ...!
The girl grinned, then seemed to remember something important.
-- Oh, right... I didn't tell you,>> Maxie smiled, and I saw it through the reflection in the mirror, <<Beauty, we won't have to be separated. You're coming with me.
This time I was really surprised.
-- What?!
-- Come on, don't make that face. You're my personal maid. Who else will take care of me?
I stumbled.
-- It's just for one day... is my presence so important?
-- of course. After hunting, I'll come back hungry, and my clothes will need to be washed. You're not going to leave me in this position, are you?
My eye twitched. There was a poor thing! Is it really so difficult to cook yourself something for one evening?
Barely kept her composure to continue brushing her hair. In the end, our whole plan with the Razor went down the drain... because Maxie suddenly deigned to take me with her.
-- I definitely can't stay...? -- I decided to try my last hope.
-- Of course,>> she replied adamantly.
I sighed.
-- Then... Can I at least take my friend?
The heroine's mentor looked at me with displeasure.
<<This...?>> -- she didn't even say his name, -- Why do you need him?
-- When will you be hunting... I'll be a little lonely in the camp by myself,>> I quickly realized.
In fact, I just didn't want to leave Razor in this place alone. When everyone is gone, he will become an easy prey for the servants who have a grudge against us. I was afraid that the same situation might happen to him when I was abducted by the maid Maxie.
The girl herself didn't like my offer very much, but when faced with my puppy-dog look, which worked not only on the archduke, she gave up.
-- Okay, you got it, beauty.
When I finished putting her hair in order, Maxie was about to go to bed. I patiently waited for her order when she would let me leave.
But this time she unexpectedly declared:
-- In gratitude for the fact that I agreed to take him with me, you should wait until I fall asleep.
-- what? -- my jaw dropped, -- Why is this?
<<I'm afraid of the dark,>> the girl said ironically.
I was annoyed. Until this day, for some reason, she did not have such a problem. And I'm tired today, too.
However, since it was an order, it's still pointless to contradict.
I just sat down on a chair next to her and waited for her to fall asleep.
Maxie looked at me with interest.
-- If you want, you don't have to go back to your room today.
Realizing what she was talking about, I almost blushed. I was simultaneously covered with embarrassment and bewilderment. I didn't understand her anymore. Didn't Maxie say she liked someone else? So why does he keep giving such ambiguous hints?
I was a little angry. If that girl had found out about it, she obviously wouldn't have been thrilled. Who knew that Maxi's <<love>> is so windy that she is ready to exchange it for the first person she meets.
It was clearly not part of my moral principles to change, so at such moments, I always nullified such a dialogue. Today I decided to clarify this in more detail.
<<Didn't you say you weren't interested in me?>> I chuckled.
<<I did,>> the girl agreed.
<<Then what's all this about?>> -- I asked, -- If this is the case, then it's better to wait for your first love.
I didn't know who this girl was. Because Maxie never talked about her. And in general, I had no assumptions left on this score.
Maxie paused. Usually she liked to make me feel embarrassed, but today it was a little different.
-- If everything was so easy, there would be a lot more happy people in the world, -- she smiled bitterly, -- You just haven't grown up to such things yet.
-- Really? -- I asked angrily, -- There is not such a big age difference between us.
-- Really? You're still underage,>> the girl reminded.
-- It won't be long! -- I objected, -- My birthday is coming soon. After that, we will be completely on equal terms.
Maxie let out a chuckle at my last sentence. Who better than me to talk about our equal rights in the current situation.
Meanwhile, she still decided to respond to my offer.
<<Hmm... since you're such an adult, then help me.>>
-- With what? I asked.
<<If you help me find her, I'll be happy to stop bothering you.>>
I was surprised. How could I find someone I didn't even know? It seemed like an unrealistic task.
-- What does <<find>> mean? Have you been separated for a long time?
Noticing the mixed emotions on my face, the girl waved me off.
-- Ah... forget it. I'm just kidding. Don't take it so seriously.
Maxie turned away and went to bed. For a long time I puzzled over her words in the dark.
Maxie's past, of which I knew nothing, was still shrouded in mystery for me. The girl rarely shared details from her personal life, and the information I read in Roman's biography was more related to her adult version. But even there, very little was said about her childhood.
This question put me in a stupor.
Should I really help Maxie find this girl? It was one of the few ways to make my favorite character happy while I'm still here.
Deep in thought, I simultaneously dozed off, forgetting to return to my room. Laying her head on the blanket, she eventually fell asleep just like that.