Even Sakura was surprised by Lilia's actions. She hadn't expected her to say that Alisa would become an exclusive maid, especially since it hadn't been discussed beforehand. Was there something I hadn't considered? It felt strange, but at the same time, I couldn't quite put my finger on why.
The expression on Alisa's face when she was told she would become an exclusive maid again was a mix of uncertainty, as though she didn't know whether to feel happy or sad. And no wonder—Alisa had originally been hired as Lilia's exclusive maid, and introduced to the household in that role. I felt a little sad that she had forgotten that, but at the same time, I was relieved she would once again be given that position.
Reflecting on her reaction, Sakura stifled a laugh, as she considered what was to come next.
After a brief but relaxing bath, Lilia walked out of the mansion dressed in the gown Alisa had prepared for her. I told her she could return to work, as she would be fine on her own, but Alisa stubbornly followed me. Apparently, I didn't have much credibility with her.
Flower beds lined the mansion's perimeter, carefully tended by the maids. They had their own individual sections, with flowers blooming at different times depending on the season. Though the flower beds were well-maintained, there was no overall harmony in the blooms. Some sections had flowers out of season, while others only had buds.
"I saw it again…" Lilia muttered, looking at the garden with disapproval. "Can't we do something about this? It's the first thing a guest sees, so we should probably pay more attention to the appearance."
Alisa smiled, looking a little troubled. "It's what my husband gave us. He said we don't need to worry about it and that we should just use it as we like. No need to focus on making it look perfect."
"Ah… so you're saying I'm a petty woman who obsesses over these small details?"
"Huh? No! I didn't mean that at all!" Alisa hurriedly corrected herself. "You're not petty! Not at all!"
Lilia sighed and, with a glance at the garden, began walking toward the back. Alisa followed her, her shoulders slumped.
– Lilia: Gently now. You're sweet, aren't you?
– Alisa: I know. I was just teasing you.
I hadn't cared much before, but this girl named Alisa—she has a clear sense of joy and sorrow. It's fascinating to talk to her.
Lilia: "Alisa. Which one of your flower beds is it?"
Alisa: "Mine? Ah, it's nothing special… It's boring. You'd better not look…"
Lilia: "Just show me."
Alisa: "Ugh… fine…"
For some reason, Alisa doesn't want Lilia to see her flowerbed. It's a little strange, but when someone insists so much, it makes me want to see it even more. Alisa seems a little scared, like a sakura flower caught in the wind, but I ignore it.
Alisa leads Lilia on foot. As we walk, I slip away from the other servants, but some of them watch us with curious eyes. A few even glance at us nervously, as though they're worried about Alisa or afraid of making a mistake.
I don't really care about that, though. It's not like I'm eating up their gossip or anything.
Eventually, Alisa stops at the back door of the mansion—an entrance mostly used by servants and merchants. There's a small flower bed there.
Lilia: "What's this? It's empty."
Alisa points to a patch of soil with nothing in it—not even weeds. When I glance at her for an explanation, Alisa's cheeks puff up, and she looks away.
Alisa: "Well… we don't really have time, do we? I tried planting something, but it just dried up…"
Lilia: "No time? Are you telling me you're the only one with too much work?"
I'm not trying to get involved with Alisa's personal matters, but it's clear to me that if she needs help, someone should speak up for her. After all, she's my maid of honor. She can talk to her supervisor if it's too much.
But Alisa just shakes her head and speaks in a quieter voice.
Alisa: "It's because I'm always late. I wish I could be like the seniors… They always seem to get everything right…"
Apparently, this is something personal for Alisa. Lilia sighs, surprised by the confession. Alisa says the senior maids even take care of her flowerbed, making sure it doesn't get overrun by weeds—so that she'll be able to plant something whenever she's ready.
Lilia: "So? Do you plan to plant something now?"
Alisa: "No… not yet…"
Lilia: "Hmm."
The conversation ends there. Alisa seems anxious, worried about what Lilia thinks as she stares at the empty flowerbed. But Lilia's mind is elsewhere. She doesn't judge; she just wonders how to help Alisa grow something beautiful here, in this neglected little spot.
– Lilia:
Sakura's voice calls out to me. Lilia doesn't respond right away, but her gaze is soft.
– Lilia: "Let's try growing flowers together, Alisa. I'm sure you'll love it."
Lilia listened, her face stiffening as she became irritated. Alisa, on the other hand, looked pale as she watched the exchange.
"I don't want to. It's annoying," Lilia muttered.
True, Lilia had made Alisa her exclusive maid, but that didn't mean she wanted to exhaust herself. She had no interest in being overburdened. To be clear, it seemed more practical to keep those of a similar age around, considering what lay ahead—nothing more, nothing less.
When Lilia had mentioned it earlier, Sakura had only sighed in a somewhat defeated manner.
"Whatever caused this, Lilia... that's how it is."
Lilia sighed in response, unsure of what Sakura truly meant but unwilling to go back on her words. She had promised to follow Sakura's instructions. With no other option, Lilia turned to Alisa.
"Are you planning on using this flowerbed anytime soon?" she asked, her tone clipped.
"Ah... no," Alisa replied, looking a bit flustered.
"Then I'll take it," Lilia decided.
Sakura had breathed out softly when Lilia made the decision, and Alisa seemed to freeze in place for a moment, trying to understand what had just been said. Slowly, realization seemed to dawn on her, and her face shifted, a look of reluctant understanding settling in.
"I have no plans to use it," Alisa confirmed. "I'll give this flowerbed to you, Lady Lilia. I'll tell your husband about it…"
"No, tell my father. He has a favor to ask. I'll speak with him, so just wait here."
Alisa's expression turned suspicious, but Lilia simply turned and walked toward the back entrance of the mansion.
---
Later, in the hallway
"Lilia. What do you mean?" Sakura's voice echoed in her mind.
"What? I'm just following your instructions," Lilia muttered under her breath.
Sakura's voice came again: "Hmm... Well, whether you obey or not, you're free to do as you please…"
Lilia walked down the corridor toward her father's office. It was a time of day when he was usually immersed in paperwork. Every morning, her father reviewed the day's work before breakfast. When Lilia knocked on the office door, she heard him quietly muttering as he continued his work.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Father."
"Lilia...? You've come out of your room? Come in."
The tone of his voice was strange but had an undeniably warm undertone. Lilia was taken aback. Her father was a man who rarely showed his emotions clearly, so hearing that tone left her wondering if he'd been concerned about her after all.
When she entered the office, she saw her father seated at the desk at the far end of the room. His gaze was sharp and cold, but there was a slight twitch at the corner of his lips—almost like a smile.
"Good morning, Father," Lilia greeted.
"Oh, good morning. What can I do for you today?"
The pleasant atmosphere quickly shifted as we rushed through our conversation. Lilia, well aware of how busy her father was with noble duties, wasted no time and got straight to the point.
"I heard your father is giving the maid a flower bed," she said.
"Oh? I thought it would just be a small distraction. What's wrong with that?" I replied, unsure of her tone.
"I have one favor to ask," Lilia continued, her expression serious. "I'd like to have Alisa's flowerbed."
My father's face immediately darkened. His gaze, usually calm and composed, now held a hint of disappointment. He shook his head slowly, narrowing his eyes as he fixed them on Lilia. I felt a chill in the air, as if the temperature had dropped in an instant.
"Lilia, are you still asking for that...?"
Did my father know exactly what she was trying to do? I wasn't sure, but Lilia's calmness in the face of his stern look only made me more curious.
"Do you have any recommended seeds?" Lilia asked, undeterred. "If you do, I'd like you to give me some."
My father didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stood up, his expression unreadable, and walked toward a shelf on the wall. He opened it carefully, retrieving a small paper bag from inside. It seemed strange to store flower seeds there, but my father didn't seem to mind, so I pushed the thought aside.
He returned with the paper bag and handed it to Lilia. She accepted it with a respectful bow.
"Lilia, after this, don't expect to be able to shelter yourself anymore," my father warned, his tone carrying a quiet weight.
Lilia chuckled, unfazed. "What are you saying? I haven't done anything wrong, have I?"
My father sighed deeply, stepping back with a small shake of his head. "Just… go on, get out of here," he muttered, clearly done with the conversation.
Lilia, unfazed, gave a polite and grateful bow before turning and leaving the room, the small paper bag tucked safely in her hands.