BIHNM 08

Chapter 8

Killing Time (Part 1)

“What should I do next?”

After tending to Polka and finishing breakfast, I suddenly realized there was nothing left for me to do.

“You can take it easy.”

That was the same thing Lord Margas told me yesterday.
But what exactly did he mean by “take it easy”? Did he really expect me to just sit around?
After being busy every day, suddenly having nothing to do made me feel restless.

“I think there are still many things I could help with,” I said.

“Many things? For example?”

Lord Margas lifted his eyes slightly and looked straight at me.

“Laundry, mowing the grass, simple bookkeeping, things like that…”

There was no reply.
The eyes that had been watching me a moment ago dropped to the cup in his hand.
Maybe to someone as capable as Lord Margas, my skills were laughably trivial.

“Then, if any letters arrive, could you gather them and bring them to my study?”

That, at least, I could handle.

“Before long, some people will probably visit the mansion.
Have a chat with them—get to know them. They already know about you.”

His words reassured me, and I saw him off with a small bow.

That said—
When exactly would those letters arrive?
I found myself pacing around the entrance hall.

Lord Margas had handed me a ring of keys for the whole mansion, so I’d gone exploring—but that ended far too quickly.
Polka, curled up on the lawn for an early nap, clearly wasn’t interested in keeping me company.

The mansion itself was spotless. There wasn’t a single corner that needed tidying.

Even though he told me to relax, I couldn’t think of how.
I couldn’t even read, since Lord Margas was using the study.
I’d only be in the way.

—There must be something I can do.

If I sit still too long, my mind starts wandering to strange places—
about my uncertain future, or pointless complaints about the world.

“What are you doing?”

I froze.
A voice came from behind me.
Had someone mistaken me for a suspicious intruder?

I turned around in a panic—and found a girl in a maid’s uniform standing there, though I hadn’t heard her approach at all.

For a second, I thought she might be the young man who’d brought me here from the Browning estate, but no—this person was clearly a girl, and much shorter.

“I was just… looking for something to do.”

At my answer, the girl blinked her dark, round eyes.

“Lactis told me, ‘She stormed into the mansion all on her own while I was tying up the horse, so she probably doesn’t need much help.’
It seems he was right.”

“Oh, I thought he’d just abandoned me…”

So the young man who’d brought me here was named Lactis.
I must have jumped to conclusions when he didn’t return right away.

“Lactis is a bit slow, you know.”

“I—I didn’t mean it like that!”

I hadn’t meant to speak ill of her brother. It was just a misunderstanding.
While I floundered for the right words, the girl chuckled softly.

“My apologies for the late introduction. I’m Myuti. My brother and I both serve Lord Margas. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

With that, she gave a graceful bow—her posture straight and movements light, suggesting excellent reflexes.

“What a lovely name. Pleased to meet you, Myuti.”

“Thank you. I take pride in myself,” she said matter-of-factly.

Her unwavering confidence was almost enviable.
Though her speech carried a faint accent, she had a calm, unthreatening presence for someone so composed.

“Let me clarify in advance,” Myuti continued. “We’re called servants, but in truth, we’re complete amateurs at housework.”

I blinked. “You were brought here because of a shortage of staff, then?”

She tapped her chin, frowning thoughtfully.

“No, there are plenty of people at the other estate.
But the master—he’s been very on edge lately. He doesn’t want people around.”

Ah. So that’s why this mansion was so quiet.
Something must have happened—something that troubled Lord Margas deeply.

Since he’d taken me in, I should at least prove I could be trusted. I needed to work hard.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Yes, you have quite the reputation as a diligent worker. I’ll assist you whenever you need.”

“That’s reassuring to hear.”

Having another young woman around made me feel at ease—and her slightly whimsical air somehow softened my guard.

“Well then, my lady, what shall we do now?”

I looked around, but there was no one else nearby—just the two of us.

“My lady, why are you ignoring me?
I thought we were getting along so well—was that my mistake?”

Myuti pouted, lips forming a perfect little shape.

“W-wait, ‘my lady’—you mean me!?”

I’d taken the words at face value before, but apparently she’d been addressing me all along.

“…? Yes. Um—aren’t you Lady Aljerita?”

Until now she had shown no hesitation at all, but my sudden silence made her falter, glancing uncertainly my way.

“Yes, I am Aljerita.”

I’d completely forgotten—Lord Margas had said something like, “Then you shall be my wife.”
I’d taken it as a joke at the time, my head spinning.
But… could it be that he’d actually told people he meant it?

“My lady, is something wrong?”

“Um…”

“Yes?”

“Would you… call me by my name, Aljerita, instead?”

“Of course. So then—what shall we do?”

Good question. What should I ask of her first?
A tour of the mansion? Already done.
I’d been given the merchant registry, and I was dressed and ready.
She wasn’t here to deal with dragons, so that topic was out of her depth.

—Ah, maybe I could ask about dinner.

Just as I was about to suggest it, Myuti smiled faintly.

“May I make a suggestion, Aljerita-sama?”

“Go ahead.”

“My lady… perhaps the first thing you should do is—buy yourself some new clothes.”