Please Don’t Remember Me - Chapter 3 Part 1. The Unlucky Princess

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The next day, and the day after that, the Duke did not come.

“I am very sorry, he said he definitely would come tomorrow.”

“Oh, he’s going to come!”

Clara couldn’t help but say it.

This place was called “Clara-sama no Yakata” and literally only inhabited by Clara. Leaving the unenthusiastic maids alone, she started cleaning the place herself on the third day.

It was bothersome to wear a formal dress for the Duke, who never came anyway, so she put on a comfortable dress as before. Now she is polishing the windows.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “The maids haven’t cleaned up properly.” The butler bowed and said apologetically, “I’ll have it redone in a moment, you can sit down and wait.”

“It’s all right, I like it. The Duke and the maids are busy.”

Clara didn’t mean to be so sarcastic, but she couldn’t help it. The butler bowed further. If he continued, his forehead would touch his knees.

“Raise your head, please. I’ve always liked doing this.”

The butler looked pale. He must be having a hard time being caught in a dilemma.

“You must be busy, too. I didn’t mean to be sarcastic, but I’m really worried about you. I’m sure it’s a waste of time for you to come all the way here, so why don’t you give a message to someone else next time?”

“No, I’d much rather come myself ……”

“Oh, well. Then do what you want. I don’t know.”

“Yes, I’ll do that. Thank you very much.”

The butler thanked her and went back to the main house.

“Lady Clara, I’ve made you some tea.”

The freckled maid called out to her in the middle of the cleaning process. She couldn’t stand the tasteless tea, so Clara taught her how to make tea right after that. She was still not good at it, but now she could serve hot water that tastes like tea. Next time, she has to tell her when to make tea.

“Thank you, Melissa. I’m going to take a break.”

The freckled maid was named Melissa. She was a 16 year old commoner from the west of the city. The more Clara talked to her, the less frightened she became. After Clara sat down on the sofa, Melissa sat on the opposite side. She told the maid to have a cup of her own tea and study it, but the truth was, Clara was just hungry for someone to talk to.

Melissa had been intimidated by the status of a princess of a neighbouring country, but she was already sitting on the same sofa in front of the princess and drinking tea. She even took the liberty of refilling her cup. Her innocence allowed her to be herself without pretending to be someone she wasn’t.

“Is the Duke not coming.?”

“I’m sure he will.”

Clara threw away the tea leaves from the pot and made a fresh pot of tea. She also poured it into Melissa’s cup.

“Your tea is delicious.”

“I’m so happy, thank you.”

She was getting a bit bored with cleaning and keeping Melissa company day in, day out. There was at least a library in the main house. She was sure she would be able to find something to read. However, she was told by the butler not to leave her place. She must never go near the main house.

He wouldn’t tell her why, so she was going to ask the Duke when he came, but he never came. She began to wonder if there really was a Duke. She wondered what if one day she woke up and found herself in an abandoned building. Well, if something happens….

“I’m free.”

Clara laughed a little and resumed her cleaning. As she went to the watering hole to fill her bucket, she heard the maids’ voices coming from the servants’ lounge.

“Hey, do you think we should go yet?”

“I don’t care. The princess won’t say anything if we leave her alone.”

“Leave it to Melissa, the idiot, and we’ll pass the time here.”

Melissa’s smiling and innocent face was tainted, and Clara burst into a rage. She would have jumped into the  room, but she was not familiar with this house yet, so she ducked in a blind spot and continued eavesdropping.

“Duke Remio doesn’t come at all. I guess she’s been abandoned.”

“Oh, I feel sorry for the unlucky Princess.”

“I wish I could have been her maid.”

Clara heard something unpleasant. The unlucky princess? She returned to her room with an empty bucket.

“Melissa, can I ask you a favour?”

“Yes, what’s the matter?”

Melissa was still sitting on the sofa drinking her tea.

“Can you go and get the butler for me? I want him here as soon as possible.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Melissa ran down the corridor, rubbing her stomach, which was filled with tea. There was still much to teach her, such as not to run in the corridor and not to burp in public. Clara put her hand to her forehead and followed her with her eyes.