I Was Reborn as the Female Antagonist's Servant-Chapter 36 – Searching for the Princess

After My Lady suddenly left the room, I immediately exited as the Head Servant made eye contact with me—signaling me to find her.

And now, I have been walking down the corridors for quite some time. Yet I still can’t find her anywhere. Not even in her room.

I take a short breath, my body slightly sagging.

"Where is she now..." I mutter with a sigh.

Sunlight stretches across the red carpet. I shift my gaze to the side. Clouds drift slowly, among the trees that sway gently.

For some reason, this scene reminds me of something...

My fingers touch my chin. "But what, exactly...?"

I close my eyes for a moment. Old memories flood my mind. Many trees behind the fence, the sun overhead. And a place filled with flowers.

My eyes widen. A small smile forms on my face. "The garden!"

I rush toward the place I mentioned. My steps echo and are absorbed into the red carpet beneath. I pass through several corridors. My steps slow when I reach an open door, revealing green grass and a white building—large enough.

I grip my hands tightly. My throat feels dry, the sensation disappearing as I swallow.

I walk, starting to cross the threshold. The green grass brushes against my shoes, bending slightly beneath my steps. Shadows from the roof partly cover the grass.

I step through the shade toward the sunlight that can touch my skin. The sunlight stings my skin. I move quickly, passing flat stones below toward the white building nearby.

I take shelter under its rounded roof, stepping onto the hard stairs below.

I look around, narrowing my eyes. I use my hand as a shield for my eyes. Several flowerbeds are exposed to the sunlight. A shady tree that protects various flowers beneath it. And a woman gently stroking and playing with the flowers.

My eyes widen. A slight smile appears on my face. "There she is..."

I quickly step out of the white building area. I pass the green grass below. The heat strikes my skin again, but I ignore it.

A few more steps, and I reach my destination, calling her name while waving my hand.

"My Lady!"

My Lady instinctively turns, narrowing her eyes at me. "Tch!"

As I arrive there, I immediately look up. I place both hands on my hips. I take a deep breath, then exhale. My gaze looks between the trees that cast light from above.

My eyes returns to My Lady below me. She still seems focused on what she’s doing. Her hands continue to caress the petals of a flower before stopping.

She glances at me. Our eyes meet. Her vacant stare still feels strange to me, but it’s not like the first time we met.

My eyes widen, I pause for a moment. Before finally, I gently touch the back of my neck. "Haha... The weather today is sunny, isn’t it, My Lady..."

She squints. She doesn’t say a word to me. Then she shifts her gaze back to the flowers in her hands. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

I close my eyes, then furrow my brow. She’s really ignoring me now, huh...

My gaze immediately shifts behind me. There’s a large tree trunk with roots protruding from the ground. I stare back at My Lady in front of me for a moment. She still seems busy with the roses in her hands. I look behind again, then sit down under that big tree.

My body leans against the trunk. My legs are crossed, and I hug them.

My eyes stare straight at My Lady in front, slightly squinting. How much longer will she play with those flowers?

I kept watching her. Sometimes she seemed to be talking to the flowers. Among them, I heard her call the most beautiful rose "Hana." She was always smiling then—unlike when she was with me.

I tilt my head toward my shoulder. Somehow, she seems lonely.

After watching her for a while, she begins to glance at me again from the corner of her eye. This time, she doesn’t make a sighing sound, only narrows her eyes.

"...W-why are you still here? After I raised my voice at you... shouldn’t you hate me and stay away? W-what do you want from me, Touji?" she pressed.

My eyes widen. This time I hear her call me by that name again—after the last time I gave it to her.

I narrow my eyes. I release my hands from my thighs and stretch them forward. My head rests against the tree trunk, supported by my crossed arms.

I look up at the shady branches above, then back at My Lady. I straighten my body. My legs are crossed, with my arms inside my lap.

I smile broadly. "Well, if you say so... Of course, I want to be your friend!" I reply.

Her vacant eyes widen slightly, then narrow again. She takes a long breath. Her gaze shifts back to the flowers, playing with them a little.

"...Besides, you’re saying that because my father told you to, right?" she guesses.

"Forget it. Don’t act like you want to be friends with me..." she bites her lower lip, tears welling from the corner of her eyes. "Besides, who would want to be friends with someone like me...?"

She holds her black hair tightly, gripping it hard. "They all leave when they see me." She looks at me beside her. "And you will probably do the same, right...?"

I fall silent. What she said about the Duke ordering me is true, no doubt. I clutch my chest tightly. But when I see her cheeks now wet with tears—that part of me that I hold also feels hurt.

I take a short breath. My eyes look directly into hers. My confidence grows stronger.

My Lady wipes her tears. She begins to stand up. She raises her hand, smiling at me. "Forgive me for my cruel actions all this time... Well then, I’ll take my leave."

She turns around, trying to leave me alone. But before that happens, I immediately stand up from my position.

"Wait, My Lady!" I shout.

She stops upon hearing my voice, then turns back. Before she can fully turn around, I grab her hand. I bow, showing my respect to her.

Her eyes widen in shock. My gaze doesn’t meet hers directly. Her body stiffens, trembling in her hand.

"W-what are you doing...?!" she stammers, embarrassed.

I look at her directly. Our eyes meet again. Her face turns red. White steam rises above her head, like a kettle heating up.

I smile faintly, sincerely. Then I bow again. "...My Lady. I will not be like those who have abandoned you all this time. Yes, I’ve only been following the Duke’s orders until now, but not anymore. There are many things I want to learn from you. Many things I want to do with you. I will stay by your side until death parts us."

I look at her again. "So, will you accept me to always be by your side?"

Well, I mean as her friend and personal servant.

Hearing my words, My Lady’s face turns even redder. The steam above her head thickens. She bows her head, not speaking to me immediately.

I tilt my head. My eyebrows furrow slightly. I see My Lady now, like a bomb ready to explode at any moment.

Between her downward gaze, I hear her nervous voice.

"A-a-are you really not going to leave me...?"

I nod, then bow. I place my left hand on my chest. "...Yes. I will always, always be with you whenever you need. And I am ready to be your refuge for sharing your stories, My Lady."

Her gaze deepens as she listens to my words. Unconsciously, behind her face, her eyes start to look like someone alive.

She looks back at me in front, then nods. "O-okay. I-I will accept you, Touji," she says softly.

My eyes widen, then I look at her. Her face looks redder than before. Our eyes meet, and she quickly hides her face.

"C-come on, can you let go of my hand, T-Touji?"

I startle. "Ah..." Then I release my grip from her hand. "Forgive me, My Lady."

I stand from my position. The height difference between us is quite noticeable. She only reaches up to my nose.

I step back a few paces.

My Lady takes a deep breath. Her flushed face returns to normal.

She quickly looks around. She holds her chin, then lifts her face from below.

My eyes widen, surprised by what I see. She looks completely different.

Her eyes, which initially couldn’t accept the reflection of light at all, begin to show change. They seem more alive. Especially from her shy facial expressions, I freeze instantly.

"...Touji," she calls. I don’t answer.

She lowers her hand. One cheek swells slightly. Her gaze slowly narrows. "Touji!"

I startle, brought back to reality.

Unconsciously, My Lady’s hands are already on her hips. She tilts her head up to look at me, her face showing annoyance.

"Hm... You said you would be my listener."

I rub the back of my neck, smiling a little. "Ah... Sorry, My Lady."

She turns her face aside. Her arms cross. The swollen side of her cheek begins to fade as she takes a short breath. "Forget it."

She looks at me again. "You... really will listen to my story, right?"

I nod. "Of course, My Lady!"

She looks down. "Alright."

She glances to the side, then immediately sits down on the green grass. I follow her, keeping a little distance.

She curls her body, watching me from nearby. I smile, showing I am ready to listen.

She takes a deep breath. "...You know, Touji. Most of the personal servants like you have left me by now."

My eyes widen. ...Huh?