Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Horseback Riding is a Maid's Basic Qualification (3)
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The moment I preached about how learning horseback riding was for safety, Ethan's face suddenly soured, as if his mood had taken a dive.
For some reason, his expression carried a hint of irritation, which left me flustered instead.
'What the heck is he mad about...?'
Where in what I just said was there anything that should have pissed him off?
Didn't he say himself that he was worried about my injury?
So I just offered a solution to that, and now he's reacting like this?
I couldn't quite figure out what was going on, but at least I was quick to read the room.
Figuring it was urgent to get to the bottom of the reason first, I hurried to ask Ethan why he was upset.
"Young Master?"
"Ah, yeah."
"Is it that me learning horseback riding from Steward Ditmeyer offends you...?"
"Huh...?"
"If there's some other reason my actions have upset you, could you please explain in detail? Just tell me, and I'll correct it right away."
"No, it's not exactly that..."
"Pardon?"
"...For now, let's head inside. It's getting late, and if we're tardy to dinner, Father will be kept waiting."
"...Understood, Young Master."
Our conversation wrapped up in a vague, brushed-off manner just as dinnertime arrived.
Still unable to grasp why Ethan was angry, I found myself caught in a little inner turmoil.
...So, should I learn it or not?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Several hours later.
After dinner, as the view outside the window grew dim and night deepened.
As usual, I'd finished tidying Ethan's room and prepared everything for bedtime, then stayed in the room to wait for him.
Normally, I'd head straight back to my own room after sorting the bed and turn in early for tomorrow's wake-up.
But today, with our unfinished talk hanging in the air, leaving just felt regrettable in every way.
I wanted to at least settle the matter of the riding lessons for sure.
'At the very least, I need a clear yes or no on whether I can keep learning horseback riding.'
...Of course, a typical servant in this situation would heed their employer's words and play it safe instead of stubbornly pushing.
Defying their mood could get you fired, or it might bite you later during promotions or such.
But Lilith was completely immune to that sort of thing.
As a debt maid, she couldn't be fired even if she tried until the contract ended, and she had no interest in promotions anyway—she planned to ditch the maid gig the moment her three years were up.
Of course, even as a debt maid, crossing work boundaries could lead to punishment instead of dismissal, so some caution was needed.
At least, asking about learning to ride didn't seem like something Ethan would punish her for.
With those thoughts, I stood quietly in one corner of Ethan's room, waiting for him to return to the bedroom.
It wasn't long before familiar footsteps approached the door.
Tense, I watched the door, and the young master of the Blackwood Family entered at his usual time.
-Creak.
"Seriously, why's the maid suddenly wanting to learn horseback riding of all things..."
"Welcome back, Young Master Ethan?"
"M-Maid?! You were in here?"
"Yes, Young Master. I had something to say about our earlier talk, so I waited."
"......"
He instantly clocked that it was about the riding lessons.
I could see his expression shift to one of reluctance right away, signaling this wouldn't be an easy sell.
I couldn't quite pinpoint the exact reason, but Ethan clearly wasn't thrilled about me learning to ride.
Still, for my future, I intended to learn how to handle a horse, which naturally meant a clash of opinions.
In other words, it was time for me to persuade him somehow.
Not only prove that my learning wouldn't interfere with work, but also convince him it could benefit him too.
"My desire to learn horseback riding isn't just mere curiosity, Young Master."
"......Huh?"
"Turning twenty-two this year, you'll likely face even busier days ahead as the heir to the Blackwood Family."
"Probably."
"Whether inspecting territories outside the estate, handling external affairs beyond the domain, or entering the Academy next year, you'll rely on carriages more than ever."
"...What are you getting at, Maid?"
"In situations where you must drive a carriage somewhere, wouldn't it be more convenient if your exclusive maid could handle it? No need to bother Steward Ditmeyer."
"Hmm. Personally, I'd rather have someone who's not a maid driving. It'd feel more comfortable."
"......Pardon?"
"...Not that I doubt your driving. It's just that having my exclusive maid Lilith not only attend me but also drive the carriage would make me uneasy."
"I see..."
"And it's not inconvenient now anyway. The estate has coachmen besides Ditmeyer. Most handle cargo carts, so their driving's a bit rough, which is why I often use Ditmeyer. But if needed, they can drive passenger carriages anytime."
"......"
"So Lilith doesn't need to learn riding just because she's my exclusive maid. She won't lose that position for lacking it. And it's not like we'd ever be so desperate we'd make a maid drive."
...When he puts it logically like that, I've got nothing to say.
As Ethan said, emergencies requiring a maid to drive over proven coachmen didn't come up often.
Unless it was some special event like fleeing the mansion alone with the maid to dodge the protagonist challenging him to a duel.
In game cutscenes, Lilith often carried a riding-illiterate Ethan. Not because she wanted to, but on his orders.
Imagining that to persuade the current Ethan would be tough.
Unlike the game Ethan, this one wasn't the type to ride pressed up against his maid.
Plus, if he seriously tried now, he'd pick up riding quickly. From etiquette to swordsmanship, he learned fast when motivated.
He just lacked spare time, busy keeping up with Harold's sword training.
But if he set his mind to it, he'd master horses and carriages within months.
...Considering that, persuading this Ethan seemed impossible.
No choice then. I'd learn riding after leaving the Blackwood estate.
Today's basics from Ditmeyer were a good start. Better to back off here for safety.
"Understood, Young Master. Since that's your will, I'll set aside my interest in riding lessons too."
"...Really?"
"Yes. I mustn't forget my role as your exclusive maid, so pursuing something you dislike is improper."
"It's not that I dislike it, just that a maid doesn't need to learn it..."
"Yes, you're right."
In the Blackwood Family, with its abundance of horses, carriages, and coachmen, there was no need for a maid to learn too. His logic had me cornered, so surrender it was.
Unless I had some standout merit over other coachmen, which Lilith didn't.
The difference between another coachman's driving and hers? At best, fewer passengers aboard.
"I thought being able to drive would let us travel alone without extra hassle, but as you say, it's unnecessary here."
"...Wait, alone?"
"Yes. As a servant, I can't ride in a carriage you drive, so for minimal company, me learning made sense."
"......"
"And in true emergencies without a carriage, riding bareback might be needed. Once my skills improve, that is."
This Ethan wasn't some pervert like game Ethan who'd enjoy rubbing up against Lilith on horseback.
No, her looks were pretty, so maybe he'd like it?
Even so, it wouldn't overturn his decision.
The Luminor Academy's Ethan might prioritize lust, but this one didn't.
"Then I'll take my leave, Young Master. Sorry for interrupting bedtime."
"......"
Judging nothing more to gain, I walked past him toward the door.
As I opened it to leave, his voice called from behind.
-Creeeak...
"M-Maid!"
"Yes?"
"Does the maid... really want to keep learning riding, even a little?"
...What kind of question out of nowhere?
Talk was done anyway, no reason to hide, so I answered honestly.
My words wouldn't change the conclusion anyway.
"If we're weighing desire... yes, I'd rather keep learning."
"I see...? So you want to continue...?"
"But I won't pursue what you don't want. My duty is as your exclusive maid, after all."
"......"
"It's late, so I'll head back now... "
"...Why don't you just keep learning riding?"
......Huh?
He's suddenly allowing it?
Why?
"Are you sure, Young Master? You don't need to worry about me..."
"...It's not worry. Hearing you out, it does seem fine. As my exclusive maid, it'd be useful for Lilith to know."
"Is that so?"
"I'll tell Ditmeyer, so keep learning. Just in case, like you said."
"Thank you for your consideration, Young Master."
"Yeah. You can go rest now, Maid."
"Good night, Young Master."
"You too, Maid."
I don't know why, but Ethan finally permitted the riding lessons at the end.
Quietly cheering his fickle heart inside, I headed to my room.
Still thrilled to continue lessons, I smiled softly.
Good thing I spoke up.
...I still don't get why his mood soured then sweetened, but whatever. Doesn't matter now.
Why bother figuring it out? Good is good.