I Was Reborn as the Female Antagonist's Servant-Chapter 40 – The Princess Who Wants to Be Close

Chapter 40: Chapter 40 – The Princess Who Wants to Be Close

We stared at each other. Before long, her feet lowered from her bed. She sat upright. Shortly after, she gazed at me from across the room near the window.

Her arms were folded, one of her cheeks puffed out in annoyance.

"You are truly insensitive, Touji. I want to bathe; why are you still here?" she huffed playfully.

I was startled. "Ah... my apologies, My Lady. I will leave immediately," I replied, promptly exiting the room.

Her eyes followed my moving steps, then vanished as the bedroom door closed again. She stared at the door for a moment before her gaze shifted toward the bathroom door.

And I was outside, waiting for her as usual. Near one of the doors.

The sound of water overflowing from the bathtub echoed loudly. The Princess appeared to be already inside the bathtub.

I continued to wait. I heard the bathroom doorknob turn from inside. Small, faint footsteps followed. The sound of the wardrobe door opening was heard. I heard clothes rustling inside the wardrobe. Then I heard the brief sound of clothes being put on.

"...Touji, please come in," the Princess called from inside.

I straightened my posture. Turning toward the door beside me. I stood in front of it.

"...Yes, My Lady," I answered.

My hand touched one of the door handles. My heart began to beat slightly faster.

I reassured myself. Then, I pushed the door open.

Bit by bit, the interior became visible. From the bed to the window where light fell at an angle—revealing an innocent girl wearing all-black attire. The black outfit showed a bit of both her shoulders. It seemed to blend with her black hair and eyes.

Both her hands covered her mouth. She looked at me shyly.

"Um... could you help me comb my hair, Touji?" she requested.

I was slightly surprised. I nodded slowly. "Y-yes... of course, My Lady."

The Princess smiled faintly, pleased with my answer. She moved to the backless vanity chair. Then she sat there lightly.

I moved behind her.

She handed me a handleless comb typically used by nobles. On that comb, there were small, luxurious ornaments flowers.

I took the comb from her. I inspected the comb for a moment before attempting to comb it through My Lady’s hair.

At first, I made many mistakes while combing. The comb kept getting caught in her black hair.

The Princess only laughed heartily, teasing me for being so clumsy at such a simple task.

I stroked the back of my neck, continuing to try until I successfully found the correct way to comb.

In the midst of me combing her hair, she glanced at my left arm while applying makeup to her face.

"...Your wound has truly healed, hasn’t it, Touji?"

I started. "Y-yes... it seems so."

The Princess observed herself reflected in the mirror. Her gaze became fixed, as if she were thinking about something.

"...For some reason, Father’s attitude was so different yesterday. Usually, he always ignores me," the Princess expressed.

I simply averted my gaze. "W-well... it seems that way. Hahaha..."

She glanced at me through the mirror’s reflection. Her eyes narrowed. "...Why are you acting like that, Touji? Do you know something about my father’s changed nature?"

I shook my head quickly. "O-of course I do not know, My Lady. I also only realized it after you mentioned it to me. But perhaps, the Duke just wants to try to change? It is possible," I answered.

She looked back at herself in the mirror, then let out a short sigh. "Oh, is that so. It makes enough sense."

For a moment, she stared at herself in the mirror. Her gaze narrowed shortly thereafter.

"Hey, Touji. W-what should I do so that I am not hated by people?" The Princess held her hair. "I know it is because of this black hair of mine that it is hard to get close to others. But for some reason, I want to try."

She looked back toward the mirror. "I don’t want to be hated by others, just because of my hair," she stated.

The hand combing her hair stopped in the middle of the task.

I smiled thinly, looking at her through the glass reflection in front. "Your resolve is quite strong, isn’t it, My Lady. I will tell you the way."

I informed the Princess while resuming the combing of her hair.

From the Princess’s gaze, there appeared a display of doubt, yet also trust. I continued to tell her what she should do, until she nodded in understanding.

"So, is that how it is..." Her hand touched her chin. "...But is that truly the right way, Touji?" she asked.

I nodded slowly. "Of course, My Lady. I could not possibly lie to you," I answered. My hands had finished combing her hair.

The Princess only nodded slowly. A look of self-confidence appeared in the mirror’s reflection.

"...Alright. I will try it," she declared.

I gave a thin smile. "That is a good resolve, My Lady."

"...How about you wait outside? I will join you quickly after finishing my work," I suggested.

She only nodded in understanding. Then she left the room.

I just stared at her as she exited the room. Before shifting my attention to her chamber.

I smiled widely. "Alright. Let’s get to the next task."

I finished my duties quickly. I started by changing her bedsheets, arranging her makeup tools, and draining the water from her bathtub.

I wiped my sweat after completing everything.

I came out of the bathroom. I placed the old sheets in the laundry basket so the servants could collect them.

The double doors were now in front of me. I opened one of them to exit.

Outside, the Princess was already waiting while looking out the window. Her gaze was locked in that direction.

I smiled slightly. "Princess..." I said softly.

The Princess started, realizing I was finished with my work.

She came toward me, stopping right beside me.

I looked at her there. "Let’s try to do it, Princess!" I said while smiling widely at her.

She only gave a small nod. And our steps began to move together.