With my mind still frozen, I put on a change of clothes and buttoned them up. In the meantime, my ability to think gradually returned.
Well…
It’s okay, I guess.
It was embarrassing and surprising, but it was Hayato, not anyone else. I’ve seen him half-naked at least once. At the very least, it’s not something to make a fuss about.
But why did he come to this place? This isn’t the place you can just come in without knocking first, okay?
As I opened the door, I bumped into something. To be precise, it was a person, Hayato. Apparently, he was standing outside the door.
It was simply horrifying to see a man in all black standing there with his face covered in silence, even though I know the content is a shining boy.
I grabbed him by the arm and dragged him inside.
He quietly lets me drag him in without any resistance, and as soon as I close the door, he puts his back to the door, sits down, and drops his head down.
“…… Sorry, Alice.”
“It’s not that I don’t care, but I’m glad it’s you. So, what’s going on? Something urgent?”
I crouched down as well. He kept his face down as he spoke.
“No, I just finished cleaning the soot off the top, and now I’m going to clean the fireplace side… It’s almost noon, so they asked me to do the interior work after dinner.
I thought I’d make a birdhouse while there was still time, so I came to borrow a measuring tape.”
“Is that so? Certainly, I saw a toolbox somewhere around here.”
“Why is Alice here? Why did you change clothes? The butler usually said no one is here at this time.”
“I got my clothes a little wet.”
For the first time, he looked up. When the eyes behind the goggles caught sight of me, it was apparent that his gaze had changed. And not in a good way.
“You look a little red, and your hair is wet?”
With that, he took off his goggles, took off his gloves, and pulled down the cloth on his face. He touched the red wig with his bare hands and stared into my eyes as if seeking an answer.
–I don’t want to say that I was harassed by a senior maid,…….
It’s not cool, and besides, I already vow to burn her next time.
I’m sure she won’t do it again after I threatened her so much.
The next time I approach one of that trio, I will approach it with the same level of caution I use when dealing with monsters.
I’m not going to be quietly attacked again, so there’s no need, to tell the truth.
“I kind of messed up and knocked over my tea.”
I put my hand on my head and took off my wet wig.
–I’ll have to dry it off later.
As I sat up to go look for the measuring tape, he said, “Wait a minute,” stood up and gently touched my cheek.
I felt magic flowing from his hand.
It was recovery magic.
I’ve already cast it myself, so it’s fine.
“You’re still red. How hot was the tea? Is that really just a mistake? You don’t usually drop it on your head.”
He looked at me with obvious suspicion. I didn’t want him to know, so I looked him straight in the eye and nodded firmly.
This is a battle between women. There was no room for men.
“I’ll make sure it never happens again. Don’t worry.”
He looked unconvinced but seemed to have given up the pursuit because of my stubbornness in insisting that it was an accident.
“I understand, but you can always come to me if…”
“Yes, if I feel like it’s beyond my ability, I will contact you right away.”
I felt a little uncomfortable.
The tingling in my cheeks would not subside. – was his recovery magic is not working ……?
It is said that recovery magic is a little difficult to handle and that no matter how much magic power you put into it, it can only heal up to 80% of your injuries.
This is not the practitioner’s fault, but it seems that the living being body will only accept that much magical healing.
Even that 80% can’t be achieved in one go. It needs to be applied several times over a period of time.
So, if you are badly injured, it will take longer to recover. I thought that was the case for this burn too, but…
He seems to use a different method, his eyebrows are wrinkled, and his palm emitting a bluish silver light – it’s the color of the magic from the holy attribute.
It showed the same radiance as always, but then it shrank and disappeared as if it had lost its energy source.
“What?”
This is the way it disappears is similar to a phenomenon when the mana runs out.
Normally, when a person depleted their mana, they will faint. But he’s still standing. I’m not sure what to do.
What’s more, it’s Hayato. It is impossible for him to run out of mana in such a mundane situation.
I wonder what’s wrong?
He gazed at the area where the light disappeared for a while and muttered to himself.
“um… How do you cast recovery magic…?”
Eh? What does that mean?
“D-did you just forgot…?”
“Yeah… Suddenly. I don’t know how I used to use the holy attribute.”
“Seriously? Does that mean you’ve forgotten how to use magic?”
“No, I don’t think that the case… Alice, give me that wig.”
I handed the red-haired wig to him. He put his magic power into it and effortlessly created triple-attribute magic, which was a mixture of hot air magic with wind and weak fire, plus a little bit of water.
Looking at the wig, which was dry and shiny in an instant, it seemed that neither magic power nor manipulation ability was the problem.
“It seems to be okay.”
“Yes. I’ll try it again. It should work this time…”
Then he put his hand on my cheek again. It took a while, but the usual recovery magic appeared and healed the wound.
This time it worked, and the tingling feeling was significantly reduced. Both Hayato and I felt relief at the same time.
“Thank you very much. Has the redness gone?”
“It’s faded considerably. I’ll apply it again later.”
“Yes. Thank god, I really thought something was wrong. …For a moment, I thought you’d lost your magic.”
“Yeah, I was surprised, too. I didn’t something like that was possible.”
I wonder if there is such a thing.
In fact, from what I had witnessed, and from my point of view, it is a bit impossible. If I were to use an analogy, it would be like a person who could run faster than anyone else until a few moments ago, suddenly forgetting how to walk.
However, since he can use it again, I can’t help but say, “So this kind of thing does happen.”
“Yeah… Are you feeling sick anywhere? If you’re tired, you can always go home first.”
“No, I’m fine. I’m just too energetic and need to vent. Alice, you’re going to dry your own hair too, right? I’ll do it.”
“Thank you.”
A hand is placed on my head, and a warm breeze blows through.
I’ve had this done many times, and I still think it’s amazing.
I’ve only just been able to handle two attributes simultaneously for the first time, so three at once seems a bit much. I think I need another brain to be able to do it.
“Well. I’m going to look for the measuring tape. Alice, are you sure you don’t want to go back?”
“Oh, yes. If we take it too easy, it will be lunchtime.”
“I’m sure that’s where the Grand Wife and the Wife will cross paths. It’s almost noon. Shouldn’t you hurry up?”
“Yes, I will. I’ll go now. Thank you very much.”
“No, thank you. Good luck. And call me immediately if something comes up.”
“Roger that, sir.”
I put on my wig and new apron and left the servant’s quarters quickly.
This time I made it to the Grand Wife’ room without being stopped by anyone. I knocked and opened the door when I heard her answer.
“Oh, it’s Ellie. I’ve been waiting for you. You’re late.”
“I’m sorry it took so long. What can I do for you?”
“I need you to do this for me.”
She pointed to the sewing box on the table.
“What I want you to do is to thread this. My eyes are blurry, and I can’t see the needle holes.”
The pincushion was filled with needles and shortened embroidery threads of various colors.
“I understand. Do you want me to thread the same color?”
“Yes. Yes, please do.”
As I was told, I took out the embroidery thread of the same color as the one left on the needle and threaded it through the needle hole.
“Is this about the right length?
“Yes. I have a pair of thread-trimming scissors there. You can use them.”
I was given permission to hold the scissors and cut the thread.
It was an equivalent sign of trust that I was allowed to hold a knife in front of my master. I wondered why she trusted me so much, even though we had only just met.
“Isn’t the Grand Wife a little careless?”
“What are you talking about? It’s not like anyone will benefit from what happens to this old woman. You’re looking a little red. What’s the matter?”
“Oh, it’s still red? I got into a little trouble a while ago.”
“Trouble?”
“Yes.”
I didn’t know whether to tell her or not, but I decided to tell her because that kind of behavior was that of a habitual criminal. I’m sure she’s done similar things before and will continue to do so in the future.
I thought that the Grand Wife should be aware of what was happening among the servants.
“a maid poured boiling water on me.”
Then the Grand Wife sighed.
