Chapter 18 – Just a Playmate 

His mature statement was exactly what one expected of the heir of the Serpente. So this was what people meant when they said the younger brother was not a match for the eldest.

“Wow! It would be amazing if we could hang a hammock here.” Benya spoke, already climbing the bookshelf again to show off. I decided to ignore him. No matter what I said, he wouldn’t pay attention to any of it.

I would no longer waste my time caring, whether he fell and broke a bone anymore.

Moving on, Letis mature suggestion appealed to all of us. We each grabbed a few books and gathered around a desk to read them. Since the library was fun of difficult-to-read old books, the only ones we were able to read were history books or old gossip magazines.

We endured for a while after cleaning the library and spending most of the day there except for mealtimes. Whenever we got fed up with reading, the four of us would play hide and seek, running around the library together. It was unsuitable for us to be playing such games, but we had very little entertainment options during the long confinement.

Anyway, didn’t people say that mental age regression helped protect a person’s sanity during times of stress? No matter what, I had to support these siblings as much as I could. Call it whatever, we tried our best to have fun during our stay in the bell tower where every day felt like a week.

These games also served as a distraction from the warnings that were stuck in our subconscious. We took turns playing chess with an old, cracked chessboard that we found in the corner of the library.  We scribbled on faded papers with some ink pens, competed on who could read for the longest period, and used lines drawn with a candle to play hopscotch.

Of the things the Viscount promised us, I got only two sets of maid clothes, and a few articles and underwear suitable for a maid. The food was exactly the same as before, and no explanation was given, even though we left memos asking for other snacks.

Those memos only brought us the things we needed for the first few days. After that… Well, at least we had secured basic necessities such as stoves, cleaning supplies, and sewing kits on those first days.

***

A month had passed since Viscount Ipolite’s last visit. We had tracked the passage of time by scratching a mark for each day on a wall of the library.

When I confirmed that Estelle was asleep beside me, I stared up at the night sky and its stars that gave off a sad light. I didn’t know why I felt that they looked so pitiful and sad, but maybe I was already beginning to understand.

Or maybe I already knew from the beginning.

If the season were summer, it would have been worse. The sheets and blankets we had been using were starting to smell rank, and wearing the same clothes for a few days had its limits. I tried washing them myself on the day we completed one month and two weeks of confinement.

This was the first time I performed such a chore since I started working, as I was still young and received special treatment. Only the lowest level of servants did things such as washing in the Serpente manor. I managed to douse pillowcases, sheets, and blankets in soapy water by using the bathtub and stepping on them to remove the stains.

The most challenging part was washing Estelle’s clothes. Her dresses were extremely complicated to clean, with their expensive fabrics, delicate lacework, and jewel decorations. I had to be very careful not to damage them. The same was true for Benya’s and Letis clothes, but at least they were washing their own underwear.

I realized that Rapunzel probably went through just as much hardship as Cinderella while trapped in that tower. At least Rapunzel only had to care for herself, but I…

My eyes filled with tears. I was tired, sweaty, and I was having difficulty breathing. I should have been reborn again as a young pampered lady who knew no hardship. Why did I become a maid?

Did I die in that cold elevator… For this?

“What are you doing?” The sudden voice made me blink back the tears, and I raised my head.

Yikes. Benya was staring at me from the doorway with a crooked expression. I had left that door half-open because everyone had been at the library the last time I checked. When did he come up here?

I smile awkwardly. “Removing stains and making clothes white again?”

Perhaps that wasn’t what he expected to hear, as he frowned. I wiped the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand.

“Why are you doing that?” He asked, still frowning.

“Well, the clothes are dirty, so—” I tried explaining to him, but he interrupted me.

“Since when did you do such things?”

I couldn’t help but give him an odd look. Since when did he keep track of what I did? And why was he so obnoxious about it? “It’s no big deal. Besides, you also don’t like wearing dirty clothes. At least while we’re staying here—”

“Why are you doing this when we’re about to get out of here? Do you want to receive a prize for being a good nanny? Is that it? Huh! You’re just our playmate anyway!” Benya interrupted me again and went on an unexpected tirade.

Midway through his words, my chin dropped weakly. I stood there and gaped at him, speechless, even after he was done. His shadowed pale blue eyes ignored my reaction and Benya whipped around, leaving me alone with the wet blankets.