I Was Reborn as the Female Antagonist's Servant-Chapter 49 - 46 – Encounter with Someone in the Corridor
The princess’s embrace stops. She looks at the taller person in front of her. Her hands are behind her back. She smiles softly. Her sad eyes show tenderness. The princess holds Big Brother’s arm, pulling him closer. Big Brother follows her pull. I follow behind them.
They are now sitting atop a circular-shaped building—seated on chairs. The princess’s position is the same as before, with Big Brother facing her, in front of the mansion. As her personal servant, I stand right beside her.
My Lady looks at me beside her. She smiles. "Touji. Prepare ’Tea’ for us," she orders.
I nod. "Yes, My Lady." I glance at Big Brother on the seat next to her before turning away, leaving the princess with Big Brother.
From afar, they seem engaged in a lively conversation. Gradually, the voices fade and disappear as I walk away from that place. I am already inside. My feet touch the red carpet.
I fall silent. Memories of the last instructions from the Head Servant flash back in my mind. However, from everything I grasped, there is no information about where I should get the equipment for the tea. I take a short breath.
What should I do?
There’s nothing I can do. Shortly after, someone appears from a distance. The person looks at the window beside him. He approaches closer, revealing clothing identical to what I am wearing.
"Sir!" I immediately run toward him.
The Head Servant notices me. As I reach him, I bow immediately. I rest my knees on the ground. My breath is hurried from my mouth. He shows a confused expression behind his stoic gaze.
"...What is it, Touji? Why are you in such a rush?" he asks.
I look up. "Nothing..." I stand upright again. "...I just want to ask. Actually, where is the equipment for preparing ’Tea,’ Sir? Because yesterday you didn’t tell me about it."
His eyes widen slightly, realizing. "Ah... I forgot to mention that. The equipment is in the place where you usually take the bed sheets," he explains.
I nod, understanding. I look back at him. From where he stands, I look outside the window. Specifically, toward the white building where the princess is.
"...Actually, what is their relationship, Sir?" I ask.
His eyebrows furrow at me. "...What relationship?" he replies flatly.
I point with a glance. He understands.
"Ah... them?"
I nod softly.
His gaze returns to the outside of the window. "...Their relationship is like mine and the Young Mistress. It’s just that that naughty boy—Ahem... I mean, your Big Brother—has spoken with the Young Mistress since childhood. So, they are closer," he explains.
I listen. The way the princess treats Big Brother, even hugging him, makes sense.
I startle. I suddenly remember something I need to do. I bid farewell to the Head Servant and leave him just like that.
The Head Servant watches me until I disappear down the corridor.
I quickly pass through several corridors. Male and female servants glance at me as I rush past. When I reach the room mentioned by the Head Servant, I slow down before stopping completely. The room is only separated by a small door, wide enough for me to pass through.
Inside, I look around. Piles of bed sheets, cleaning tools, and tea utensils on a rack. I smile and immediately take them from the rack. I see the teapot inside—empty. I think about going to the kitchen. I leave the room, closing the door behind me.
I step again. To my next destination—the kitchen.
***
A few minutes pass.
"...Princess Reina. This time, why did you call me? Is there something you want to tell me again?" asks a large man—Big Brother.
The princess shakes her head, "No, Uncle Fukuro. I didn’t call you to tell another story," she replies, her gaze lowered. "It’s just that I want to introduce the person who will replace you to hear my story," the princess reveals.
Big Brother listens. He smiles faintly, then pats his chest. He looks grateful, as if relieved from the burden he has carried all this time.
The princess looks at him. Big Brother immediately changes his attitude. He clears his throat, then responds to the princess seriously.
"I am both happy and sad, Princess Reina." He clenches his fists, then covers them with his palms. He shows a sad expression. "I will be replaced by your choice. And I can’t hear your stories anymore. That makes me very... very... sad," he says.
The princess narrows her eyes, feeling sorry. "No, Uncle Fukuro! I won’t replace my uncle!" she gazes at the table below. "If Uncle doesn’t like it, I will ask him to just serve me...," she mumbles.
Big Brother is surprised, as seen from his eyes.
"And also—"
He quickly shakes his head, "No need, Princess Reina!" he cuts her off.
The princess glances, a bit confused. "Why is that, Uncle Fukuro? Didn’t you say you would be sad if I told others besides you?" she asks.
Big Brother falls silent for a moment. He pinches his forehead afterward.
"I did say that, but that’s not what I mean, Princess Reina." He looks back at the person in front of him. "What I mean is... I mean—"
"Princess Reina...!" someone calls from afar. They run closer, then bow immediately upon reaching. That person is me—Touji.
"I’ve arrived, My Lady!"
The princess glances at the stairs, smiling.
Big Brother pats his chest before looking at me from below the stairs.
At my side, I carry a wooden tray. On it are two small cups and a luxurious teapot. I ascend the stairs, my footsteps echoing briefly. When I reach the top, I stand again beside the princess, placing the two cups on the table.
I pick up the hot teapot, holding it over the cups as I was taught that time.
The princess takes her glass. She takes it as explained by the Head Servant yesterday. I look at Big Brother. Something makes me slightly stunned.
He picks up the cup and drinks the ’Tea’ with his thumb and index finger pressing the handle. His middle finger supports the bottom—without a pinky finger sticking out. It’s similar to how the princess drinks tea.
Big Brother places his cup on the table. "...Alright, Princess Reina." He rests his elbows on the table. His fingers interlace. "Isn’t there something you want to discuss here earlier?"
He looks toward me. "Like introducing the person who will replace me in your life."
