Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Manners Make the Man (3)
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Ever since becoming Ethan's personal maid, my daily tasks had fallen into a set routine. And now, with all the pointless chores completely gone, the work itself had become a breeze.
Personally, it felt like the days were flying by faster than ever.
Just half a year ago, my head had been filled with thoughts of wanting to die.
But lately, there weren't any triggers or incidents to spark those negative feelings.
As a result, my satisfaction with life had naturally risen, and opportunities for stress to build up had drastically decreased.
Especially the biggest change in that half-year had been Ethan's personality.
It was on a whole different level from just not throwing tantrums at Lilith anymore. The mansion's servants were constantly shocked by how unrecognizably he'd transformed.
"...That was a satisfying meal."
With refined table manners, Ethan finished his meal, quietly wiping the corners of his mouth with a napkin.
Compared to half a year ago, his etiquette was so polished that even I was sometimes taken aback—it was enough to make you suspect he was a different person.
Not even a trace of filth could be found on the napkin he'd used to clean around his mouth at the end.
Meaning the pig hadn't gotten his face all messy while eating.
It was to the point where I wondered if this was really the same bastard who'd grabbed meat with his hands and torn into it with his teeth.
'...Even his overall impression feels strangely cleaner now.'
The biggest reason I'd been calling this little shit "Hatedan" up until now was his hygiene—or complete lack thereof—that made you feel disgusted just looking at him.
Seeing him wander around with unidentified food scraps smeared on his clothes and around his mouth was hard to even watch.
But now, far from having anything stuck to him, he maintained a neat demeanor throughout the entire meal, showing a surprisingly tidy attitude.
It hit me anew how much a person's impression can change just from cleaner behavior.
I'd known for a while that he'd started attending the head maid's etiquette lessons, but I'd never expected him to actually take them seriously and learn.
Maybe being the child of Blackwood blood and a genius mother meant that if he had the will to learn, he'd pick things up quickly.
Genes really are powerful, huh.
'He's still a pig bastard at heart, though.'
Well, the only class Ethan had started attending diligently was Head Maid Melissa's etiquette lessons. He still ignored all his other classes and required general education.
He showed no interest in learning the Blackwood family swordsmanship that Harold was supposed to teach him.
He wasn't putting effort into exercise or anything else, either.
He'd only improved on a couple of his many flaws: manners and hygiene.
Thanks to that, I no longer had to witness his revolting antics, which was good enough for me as his personal maid.
"Dinner is finished, Young Master. Shall I escort you back to your room?"
"...I'll wash up first. Please tidy the bedroom, Maid."
"Understood, Young Master Ethan."
Half a year ago, even finding manners in him would have required scouring with your eyes. Now, he waddled out of the dining room with a veneer of courtesy.
The disconnect was huge—anyone looking at that pompous Pig Prince body would see nothing but arrogance.
The moment I headed upstairs via the central staircase on the first floor to tidy his bedroom before bed, as he'd instructed.
His voice suddenly came from behind me, heading toward the bathroom as expected.
"...Maid."
"Yes?"
"After you're done tidying for the night, could we talk in my room for a bit?"
"...In your room, Young Master?"
"Yeah."
...This bastard.
I thought he'd gotten a bit tamer lately, but he's finally showing his true colors.
Of course a guy like this wouldn't change that easily.
At his sudden invitation to his room, I momentarily lost control of my expression and grimaced slightly.
Noticing that, Ethan cautiously added to what he'd just said.
"It's just a quick, light question. Really."
"...I see."
"......Yeah."
If it was really just a light chat, there'd be no need to call me aside like this.
He could just ask casually here and get a vague answer.
Timing it right before bed and choosing his bedroom—where we'd inevitably be alone, away from prying eyes—felt off.
The problem was...
'Haa, fuck...'
I might have figured out his intentions, but I wasn't in a position to refuse the call from this little shit.
After all, even a year later, I was still his personal maid.
He'd stopped the daily harassment of summoning me repeatedly, picked up some manners, and quit slurping his food disgustingly.
But no way in hell was I spending my future groveling under this loathsome pig bastard.
"Understood, Young Master. I'll finish tidying the linens and wait in the bedroom then."
"...Alright, Maid."
In the past year, this bastard hadn't trained in swordsmanship or mana control, so physically, I probably still had the edge over him.
At least if he tried anything funny, I could overpower him in an instant.
'If he tries any bullshit, I'll bolt first. ...Deal with the rest later.'
No more letting my guard down for this Hatedan's crap.
Never again. Ever.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Around evening, when it was starting to get a bit dark outside the window.
I tidied the pig's bedding in his room as usual, then deliberately positioned myself far from the bed and quietly waited for the master of the room.
I didn't even sit in the chair. Couldn't let my tension slip if I needed to run.
And considering the darkness could limit visibility, I'd cranked the mana lamp to max brightness.
-Creak.
"......"
In that atmosphere thick with tension for multiple reasons, the door opened with a frictional groan.
The freshly bathed Hatedan appeared, looking just a tad more human.
"You've arrived."
"......Yeah."
As soon as he entered, his gaze unconsciously flicked to my chest before he hurriedly looked away.
After a year of feeling those stares from men nearly every time, I'd gotten quick at noticing them.
It didn't particularly bother me more because it was Hatedan—being a guy in a past life, I had no reason to get offended by such glances anyway.
"Th-the room's bright."
"Shall I dim it?"
"...No, do whatever's comfortable for you, Maid."
"Then I'll leave it as is."
No way was I turning off the lights and giving him a chance to pull something in the dark.
The other servants might say things like "The Young Master is changing" or "He's different from before," but I wasn't fooled.
I was someone who'd seen how this Hatedan treated Lilith in the game across a dozen playthroughs.
More than that, I'd witnessed his thug behavior firsthand. Was I supposed to fall for a few months of good acting now?
A guy with a shattered personality showing occasional decency? No way I'd bite.
Constant vigilance and suspicion were key. At least until I escaped the Blackwood family.
"...You could've sat and waited."
"No, this stance is comfortable for me."
"...Want to sit now?"
"I'm used to this, so it's fine."
"...Got it. I won't force you. Come closer to this side."
Ethan settled at the table in one corner of the room and beckoned me.
Still on high alert, I approached the table where he sat.
"...Maid."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Maid, do you... have a guy you like or anything?"
"......Pardon?"
What the hell is this out of nowhere?
A guy from my past life like me wouldn't have tastes leaning that way.
Of course, inhabiting Lilith's body now didn't erase my previous identity.
I shook my head firmly and gave Ethan a strong denial.
"No. Not at all."
"R-really?"
"Yes."
And there never would be.
For some reason, Ethan's voice brightened a bit at my answer, and he followed up with the next question.
"Th-then..."
"......"
"What about a type of guy you like... or something?"
"............Pardon?"
"I-I'm just asking. No real meaning behind it."
...No, it sure as hell seems like there is.
Well, after a year, this bastard's head had matured a bit, so it was about time for romantic feelings to stir.
And with a woman like Lilith as his personal maid, no other girl would satisfy him.
This question was basically him indirectly admitting interest in me.
'I figured a day like this would come eventually, but actually dealing with it sucks.'
As I said before, I didn't feel any romantic attraction to men.
Especially not to Ethan—regardless of gender, I just didn't want to associate with him as a person.
But giving a half-hearted excuse here might just give this little shit false hope.
I wanted to shut it down completely, make him lose all interest in me.
'What should I say in a situation like this?'
Deep down, I wanted to spit in his face, "Anyone but a bastard like you is fine."
But that might make this recently tamed pig revert to his old self.
Plus, he hadn't outright confessed liking me, so preemptively rejecting him would be too princess-syndrome-y.
As I pondered how to refuse without leaving room for hope or acting like a tsundere.
A way to indirectly say "not you" flashed through my mind.
"...I don't have a specific type of guy I like."
"R-really? Nothing at all? Like, handsome looks, or... uh, maybe a noble...?"
"No, I don't judge people based on things like that."
"I-I see...!"
"...But there are definitely types I hate."
"......Huh?"
He clearly hadn't expected me to continue, his voice laced with obvious fluster.
I laid it out clearly for him, who was sneaking peeks at my expression.
"First off, I really hate filthy people who shove food they've slobbered on with their own spit and teeth marks at others."
"......Huh?"
"Also, short, pot-bellied lazybones who strut around arrogantly with sky-high pride."
"......M-Maid?"
"But the type I hate most of all are sexual harassers who sneak gropes at my butt while I'm working, stick things like turd syringes in me, and laugh right in my face. The worst of all men in the world."
"I-I see... "
"Was that helpful, Young Master Ethan?"
"......"
He seemed pretty shocked by me listing his traits right to his face. Even this shameless bastard couldn't shrug off an indirect "I hate guys like you."
This should get the point across. That I'd never feel a shred of affection for him, even if I died and came back to life.
The talk seemed about wrapped up, so I called out to Ethan, who sat with his head bowed in silence.
"Young Master."
"Ah, y-yeah!"
"It's getting late. May I return to my room now?"
"Yeah.... Y-you can go, Maid.... Thanks for answering...."
"Good night, Young Master Ethan."
"...Yeah, you too, Maid."
The door to Ethan Richard Blackwood's room creaked shut quietly behind me.
At least now, this bastard wouldn't come sniffing around me romantically.
Whether he got his hopes up alone and moped in disappointment? None of my business.