Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: A Cozy Substitute Pillow
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Ella Niesista had returned to her own territory again. Well, she was still just a child, after all.
She wasn't at an age where she could decide to sleep in someone else's mansion on a whim.
That said, it was surprising how much Ella seemed to enjoy wandering around the mansion more than expected. Honestly, there wasn't much to see here.
She laughed so happily while touring around with me, so it didn't seem like she disliked it. If anything, her reaction leaned toward liking it.
"Lize, is our mansion really that pretty?"
"...Compared to other families' homes, it doesn't seem particularly pretty."
"Right?"
Our mansion was on the larger side, but by the standards of commoners or ordinary folk, sure.
Compared to the massive estates of other nobles, it was definitely smaller, and the gardens and such were rather lacking too.
"Well... I'm glad she liked it, at least."
I'd only been a little concerned because she enjoyed it so much.
I'd ended up sweating a bit from wandering the mansion with her that much. Of course, Ella had been the one eagerly dashing around, and I'd just followed.
"Anyway, a social gathering, huh. Wonder how that'll go."
"It's just a small social event—something like a get-together for nobles."
"Eek..."
It already sounded unappealing just hearing about it.
Honestly, if I could, I'd love to flat-out refuse. I didn't want to get into staring contests with a bunch of kids.
But the problem was, Ella had had so much fun playing around the mansion with me today that I couldn't bring myself to say no.
And on top of that, she'd given me this super innocent, expectant look about how fun it would be to go to the social gathering together. Unlike when we'd first met at the tea party.
"Ella was cute, wasn't she?"
"...?"
"Oh, nothing much. At the tea party, she came off as so strict. But she's brighter than I thought."
It was just a passing thought.
At first, I'd pegged her as a kid totally immersed in noble games, but she turned out cuter than expected. Probably because, even among kids, she was undeniably pretty and gave off strong cute vibes.
"Hmm... Well, no helping it. I don't have anything on my schedule anyway... and the Niesista Baron gave us this chance. Guess it's right to go this time."
"Yes."
"Hmm... Should I send a letter to Ella saying I'll go... tomorrow?"
"I'll prepare the envelope for the letter tomorrow."
"Yeah, thanks."
Anyway... that's how it turned out. Somehow, I'd ended up agreeing to meet other nobles I'd wanted to connect with from the start, so it was probably a good thing.
Of course, honestly, I wasn't the type who loved hanging out with nobles to build connections.
I was just making acquaintances now so that later, when I ran businesses and led the family, it'd pay off.
"Huuu...."
What I liked most wasn't making money or working on business—it was lounging in bed like this. Just... hugging a pillow bigger and fluffier and softer than me was the best.
"Lize."
"Yes?"
"Don't we have any pillows in the mansion bigger than this one?"
"Uh..."
The pillow I was holding wasn't small. Compared to a head pillow, it was obviously bigger and easier to hug, but it wasn't huge.
From Lize's reaction, though, it seemed like we didn't have any. Well... normal pillows were usually small or regular size, just a bit bigger.
It made sense that we might not.
"None, huh?"
"...Yes. No one really goes for extra-large pillows, and since you're still small, Young Lady, we always buy the smaller sizes."
"Hmm... Can't be helped, I guess."
I understood, but it was disappointing.
Every time I hugged a pillow like this, I always thought it'd be nice if it were just a little bigger—even just a tiny bit.
Or I could buy a big one tomorrow.
Even if the south was lacking compared to the capital, we had a pretty prosperous city here, and our mansion was in it.
"Hmm..."
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Hmm... Lize?"
A good idea suddenly hit me.
Nothing big—just, like last time when I hugged her in the chair, wouldn't holding her be like hugging a big pillow? Same idea.
Of course, not exactly the same as a pillow.
"Wanna come up on the bed?"
"Y-Yes?"
"We've got time until dinner anyway. What if I hug you instead of a pillow?"
"That's..."
Was she embarrassed? Lize's cheeks were slightly flushed.
She didn't blush like that often, so it stood out even more.
Of course, since Lize was pretty, it just made her look cuter.
"Can't I?"
"........."
"If you don't want to, we don't have to. I was just wondering. I can go buy a pillow tomorrow anyway."
It wasn't a demand.
Yeah, just tossing out the idea. Honestly, I didn't need to hug her specifically—I just wanted something bigger than me. And Lize was the only one around in my room.
"...Understood. I-I'll come up."
"Oh..."
Honestly, I hadn't expected Lize to agree so easily.
No idea why, but great.
"Was I too pushy?"
"No. Not pushy... at all."
"Good, then. You're my maid, Lize, but... I still want to get along well with you."
That was sincere.
Among everyone in the mansion, she was around my age, and we'd been together since before.
Plus, Lize was pretty. Even as a guy back then, I'd liked pretty things a lot.
That's probably why I'd adapted so well even after becoming a girl.
"But Lize, you seem taller than you were a little while ago."
"It's puberty... I think."
"Oh?"
Lize climbed onto the bed, and I stayed lying down.
With her cheeks slightly red and avoiding my gaze, she looked even cuter today.
She was usually so calm and composed. Seeing her embarrassed like this was a nice change from the norm.
"Hehe... You're the first person to lie on my bed, Lize."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. I've lain on Mother's bed before, but not on mine, right?"
"Oh..."
Lize lay down on the bed, and the words just came out.
Looking at her up close like this, I couldn't help but notice just how pretty she was. Like the textbook definition of delicately beautiful.
"Come over here."
"...Yes."
I said that to Lize, and she slowly scooted toward me on the bed.
Before I knew it, we were really close, facing each other.
Her black eyes caught my attention, and even the little mole under her eye stood out more than usual.
She really had a face that was too good for maid work.
"Hehe, the maid uniform feels so unique every time I touch it."
"Does it...?"
"Yeah. Different from a dress... and maid uniforms are cute, right?"
Maybe because I'd lived in the modern world. Sometimes it felt like cosplay. Especially on someone as pretty as Lize.
"......"
"It's okay to hug you, right? Yeah?"
"...Of course. I'm your maid, Young Lady."
"Hehe, but you can say no if you don't like it, or yes if you do. I'm not that strict with you, am I?"
"...Yes."
I was a little worried.
Even if she was my maid, making her do things she disliked would make me feel bad. I really wanted to stay friends with Lize.
"Hn..."
"So warm. It's... different from a pillow. And since you're taller, it feels even more that way."
"I-Is it...?"
"Yeah."
I hugged Lize on the bed. Just like squeezing a pillow tight.
Lize was nearly 160 cm tall—pretty big for early teens.
Even if girls hit their second growth spurt early, she was on the tall side... so once she finished growing, she'd probably top 170 cm?
"W-Why are you... staring like that?"
"Because you're pretty?"
"Hn..."
It was fun seeing Lize startled by my words.
I hadn't expected this kind of reaction from her, but she was being cuter than I thought.
Her face was redder than usual, and she kept avoiding my eyes—it was honestly hilarious.
When Rozalin let me sleep in her bed, did it feel like this for her?
No clue, but I vaguely imagined it might.
"Hehe..."
"Young Lady...? How long are we...?"
"Hm? Until dinner, obviously?"
"........."
I was just lying around with nothing to do anyway, and now I had a pretty, cute, tall pillow that was big enough.
Why not stay like this until morning?
Of course, Rozalin would scold me for skipping dinner.
"Y-Young Lady...?"
"Yeah? What?"
"Why aren't you wearing... underwear...?"
"Oh, a bra? Do I have to right now?"
Lize's question caught me off guard, so I answered innocently, not getting it.
No need to wear a bra or anything.
"Oh... right... you don't..."
I was still very young.
Just eight years old—a real child, so no need for a bra yet.
Even among kids, I was small, so really no need to start now. Later... I'd probably need one, but not right now.
Lize must've forgotten for a second that she wore one and I didn't.
Unlike me, Lize's chest was starting to swell a bit, and she was tall.
Though still smaller than Rozalin's?
"...Y-Young Lady. I think I need to go help with dinner now."
"Huh?"
"Sorry... I'll see you... at dinner later."
"Eh?"
Suddenly, Lize slipped out of my arms and fled the room like she was escaping.
...She even covered her face at the end.
"Was it that embarrassing...?"
No idea.
As far as I knew, girls hugged each other like that and held hands all the time.
Girls really are tricky. Even living as one, that thought hadn't changed.
"But she was cute."
Thinking of Lize fleeing in embarrassment made my lips curl up without realizing.
To the point where I mischievously thought I wanted to see it again?