Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Horseback Riding is a Maid's Basic Qualification (2)
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"M-Maid! Are you okay?! You're not hurt anywhere?!"
"Young Master?"
Ethan burst out from the eastern training grounds of the Blackwood mansion and came rushing toward Ditmaier and me.
Judging by the sweat pouring off his entire body, I could roughly guess why he'd shown up so late.
He must have just finished sword training with Harold. Considering Harold's personality, he always took swordsmanship seriously.
"S-Sorry! I wanted to check on you right away earlier, but I couldn't leave Father's training midway..."
"...What are you talking about all of a sudden, Young Master?"
"Father's strict about swordsmanship. I couldn't cut training short for personal reasons. I-I was worried, though..."
"Ah, no, Young Master. The part that puzzled me wasn't that you couldn't end your lesson with the master midway."
"Huh?"
"I'm just confused as to why you'd apologize for not checking on my well-being immediately..."
"......"
"......"
I'd only asked out of genuine confusion, but the atmosphere suddenly went quiet.
For some reason, Ethan avoided my gaze and put on a serious, contemplative expression.
In the awkward silence, Ditmaier quietly alternated his blank stare between Ethan and me.
What the heck? It felt like I'd said something I shouldn't have.
Maybe I should smooth it over, assuming it was a slip of the tongue...?
"C-Come to think of it, Young Master, you're saying you were that worried about my safety. It doesn't seem so strange that you apologized on impulse."
"Y-Yeah. I really said it out of worry for you, Maid. Nothing weird intended..."
"...Young Master cares deeply for Miss Lilith, so it's something you'd say."
"I expressed doubt instead of gratitude for your concern, Young Master. That was more my failing."
"N-No, Maid! It's not like you did anything wrong..."
The awkwardness lingered, but the mood eased somewhat.
I still wondered about the sudden shift, but decided not to pry.
Seeing Ethan and Ditmaier react so oddly made me think I shouldn't suspect anything.
They were both above my station anyway.
Better not uncover some 'truth I couldn't handle' and make things weirder.
Thankfully, they seemed to think similarly and swiftly changed the subject without prompting.
The first to steer the conversation was Blackwood's young heir.
"A-Anyway, Maid! You're really not hurt? You seemed to be riding pretty fast earlier..."
"Yes, I'm fine. I managed to stop safely after just one lap around the mansion grounds. Thank you again for your concern, Young Master Ethan."
"Y-You stopped safely, huh. Good thing you weren't hurt, Maid."
"It was thanks to Head Butler Ditmaier here throwing himself in to stop it. I owe him a great debt."
"...Well done, Ditmaier. Our maid's in your debt this time."
"No, I merely did my duty."
Ethan visibly relaxed, sighing in relief at the explanation that nothing had happened. His worry for me hadn't been insincere.
He then immediately asked about the horseback riding incident.
"By the way, Maid, why'd you suddenly hop on a horse and ride around?"
"Head Butler Ditmaier was teaching me horseback riding."
"Horseback riding? Suddenly?"
"It wasn't a sudden decision. I've thought about learning for about a year now. Our schedules and circumstances never aligned until today, when we finally had some free time ahead, so I started lessons with Head Butler Ditmaier."
"Hmm..."
As soon as I mentioned learning from Ditmaier, Ethan shot him a strange look.
For some reason, that gaze carried an unusual hint of hostility.
Ditmaier, meanwhile, seemed oddly flustered by it.
...What was with this atmosphere? Why did the air feel so chilly today?
"Maid."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Did anything weird happen during the lesson?"
"Pardon?"
"Y'know, horseback riding involves posture and such, right? Just wondering if there was any strange physical contact while teaching."
...What was this out-of-nowhere nonsense?
Strange physical contact? From Ditmaier?
The workaholic wouldn't be interested in my body.
I simply shook my head at Ethan's absurd suspicion.
"I received posture corrections a few times, but nothing like the strange contact you mentioned, Young Master."
"...Really? No thigh-rubbing while adjusting leg position, or grabbing the waist to say 'stand straight'?"
"If that had happened, I wouldn't deny it. Head Butler Ditmaier guided me verbally except when absolutely necessary. You can rest easy."
"I-I see. Okay then."
Ethan eyed the space between Ditmaier and me with unusual awkwardness today.
We'd ridden together in the carriage to and from the imperial masked ball not long ago.
But the vibe was completely different now, hard to get used to.
Why was Ethan acting so off today...?
"Young Master, nothing concerning Miss Lilith and me has happened even once, so please don't worry."
"...Can I trust that?"
"You know I wouldn't approach her with strange intentions. Besides, most of the mansion staff already know about you and Miss Lilith."
"...Yeah, true. I was overthinking it."
"What servant would dare fool around with Young Master's personal maid?"
...Our relationship—he meant personal maid and young master, right?
Their words hinted at something oddly nuanced.
I didn't ask, fearing it'd worsen the weird mood.
I just hoped this awkward trio time would end soon.
Especially since Ditmaier had carved out time to teach me, and innocent suspicion felt unfair to him.
At Ditmaier's confirmation of no issues, I added my own explanation.
"Head Butler's right, Young Master. He only agreed because I asked to learn."
"...Sorry for suspecting you needlessly."
"...The only physical contact during today's lesson was when Head Butler mounted the running Jeraon behind me and took the reins."
"......What?"
"Oh, by the way, Jeraon's this horse's name. Remember when I couldn't stop and bolted off? Head Butler jumped on behind me, wrapped around me protectively from the back, and took the reins."
"......"
"......"
"That was our only contact worth mentioning, Young Master. And it was necessary to stop Jeraon, so not unnecessary."
"......"
"......"
"......?"
...Why did everything I say today lead to awkwardness?
As I pondered whether to elaborate further, Ditmaier suddenly spoke up defensively.
"As Miss Lilith said, it was a necessary action, not unnecessary contact. If mishandled, she could've been seriously hurt along with the horse..."
"I know. I know, but..."
"I have business with the chefs regarding dinner prep, so I'll take my leave, Young Master. Please continue without me."
"...Yeah, go ahead."
Ethan replied in an oddly displeased tone amid the tense air, while Ditmaier hurriedly led Jeraon away.
In the unusually awkward atmosphere, I could only glance nervously at Ethan.
"...Young Master?"
"Ah, y-yeah."
"Is something bothering you? You seem particularly upset today."
"...No, nothing."
"......"
That reaction didn't scream "nothing."
But prying as a mere maid would make me insolent.
Stuck, I watched him carefully until a clue slipped out about his bad mood.
"M-Maid."
"Yes, Young Master."
"You plan to keep learning horseback riding?"
"For now, yes."
"...Couldn't you skip it?"
"Pardon?"
"N-No, I mean... Isn't it a bit dangerous for a woman? Horses can get wild sometimes, and like earlier, you might lose control and get hurt."
...Aha.
So that's why he'd seemed off— he wasn't thrilled about me learning to ride.
The awkwardness stemmed from his displeasure.
He had a point; riding involved risks, as today's slip showed.
If his personal maid got injured and couldn't work, it'd inconvenience him, so his worry made sense...
'But I don't want to quit learning.'
Horseback riding was useful regardless—essential for adventurers, helpful for transport in other jobs.
The issue: as a debt-bound maid, I couldn't continue without Ethan's okay.
Wanting to keep lessons, I cautiously countered his concern.
"Don't worry about me getting hurt, Young Master Ethan."
"Huh?"
"Head Butler Ditmaier taught kindly and clearly, so there's no risk. That first incident was my mistake; otherwise, zero danger."
"S-Still, can't say it's completely safe..."
"Even if something happens, I trust Head Butler Ditmaier to handle it like before. He mounted a galloping horse to control it—he's that skilled. No need to worry."
"R-Right... So you think of Ditmaier that way...? Kind and reliable to Lilith..."
...Huh?
He looked even more upset now...?