Please Save My Child

Posted by RJR, Released on September 28, 2023

Following that, the white-haired child, Estelle, followed Reina exclusively. Reina had a daughter her own age, and Estelle preferred Reina, so the Duke handed her to Reina.
Reina may not have realized it, but Estelle felt her heart skip a beat at Reina’s unwaveringly kind demeanor, even after seeing her gray hair, and the few words she said softly to her. If it hadn’t been for Reina, she wouldn’t have fully accepted her identity and the walls in her heart would not have been torn down in this manner.
“I wish you all the best in the future.”
“…!”
Perhaps because she was the first kind adult she met, Estelle preferred Reina over the other grownups. She may have been like that because she felt the flavor of the candy for the first time. Estelle did not need the other maids, but she did want Reina by her side. It was an unprecedented special. The maids working in this dukedom either came from better households than Reina’s or were recommended by other noble families. It was a stroke of luck for her to be in this ballroom because she had never played her maid before, but she was now the first maid of the one and only lady.
Reina was given the place of honor, and many people whispered to her that she was a rolling stone who had only been doing this for a year.
In front of Estelle, she humorously stated that she would take the seat next to the young lady, but adult society was more stupid and harsh than children. Instead of overt bullying, there was subtle pettiness to dispute over. Reina grinned next to Estelle, despite the circumstances.
* * *
“Reina, you know.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve got my favorite food this time.”
As Estelle said that, she looked like a child in love. Reina laughed out loud because she loved it so much.
“What is it?”
“…Come and see.”
Estelle gestured, as if it were humiliating to say it out loud again. Reina’s ear moved closer, and the youngster spoke gently.
“Pudding and cocoa.”
Perhaps she preferred the more expensive options since it was sweet? What if the Duke finds out and hates it? Estelle’s anxious mumbling was a plus. Reina almost burst out laughing when she heard such a charming concern, but she kept it in. She stated it was no great deal for an adult because she might make a lot of trouble for a young child, and she went on.
“Don’t worry. The master can afford to buy ten years’ worth of cocoa for everyone in this mansion.”
“…Even pudding?”
“Yes, pudding too.”
Only then did the child show a slightly relieved expression.
“I also give my daughter cocoa every week, but the Duke can’t possibly buy her cocoa.”
Of course, she was concerned about food, let alone cocoa, before she started working there, but such serious conversation was not something she could relate to the child. When Estelle realized Reina had a daughter, she blinked widely.
“You have a daughter?”
“Yes. I have a kid that is about your age. Her name is Bonita. She had pink hair and mauve eyes, much like mine. And…”
When someone expressed an interest in Bonita, Reina unintentionally began chatting about her. Unbeknownst to her, her demeanor softened, and when Reina began talking about her kid, Estelle looked at her and smiled.
“Hey, does Bonita like cocoa too?”
“Sure.”
“Then can’t you give this Bonita?”
As Estelle looked at the warm cocoa she squeezed into her hand, she put on a sad expression. Reina smiled and said in a friendly voice.
“This is cocoa, lady. Eat it, lady.”
“Then um…”
Estelle looked around the table and slipped a pile of cookies in front of her. Then, she packed a handkerchief embroidered with forsythia and tied it like a bundle of cookies.
“Give this to Bonita.”
“Oh.”
‘…It’s small.’
Estelle’s handkerchiefs became rather exquisite in Reina’s hands. Estelle was slightly smaller than Bonita. And Bonita was incredibly little for her age. Reina felt a little lost in her heart as she glanced at Estelle, who was extremely thin, despite the fact that she ate a lot. Reina saw the old Bonita through Estelle in the same way that others did when they saw Bonita and treated her daughter properly. She tried to grin pleasantly as she pressed her breasts, which were pushed out for no apparent reason.
“Bonnie will be very happy.”
Why did such a nice child have to spend a lonely period separated from her family? If this was indeed Bendision’s arrangement, she believed that the gods really had no mercy.
“Reina must really like Bonita.”
“Ah… is that so?”
“Yeah, very, very, very.”
Reina blushed at Estelle’s comments and caressed her lips. Estelle held Reina hard and spoke.
“I want to meet her too…”
The Duke informed Reina that she had given Estelle permission to do whatever she pleased, as long as she was not in danger. There was no way her daughter would endanger Estelle.
“Then I’ll ask Bonnie.”
* * *
“Bonnie, would you like to meet Miss Estelle?”
“…huh?”
Bonita was an extremely mature child. She could see by the look in her eyes that she was constantly taking care of herself in order to avoid injury. Reina was waiting patiently in her chair by the door when she got off work that day, as she always was. When Reina returned to her room at night, Bonita had lit a lantern and was peering at the door, clutching two cookies that another maid had given her.
Bonita, who had placed a somewhat larger cookie in Reina’s hand, was perplexed by Reina’s offer.
“The master has granted permission.” You can meet if you want.”
“But…”
The child was anguished about the cookie she was ready to bite into, pressing it again with both hands before asking.
“Can I… meet her?”
“Huh?”
“That… Lady Estelle, unlike me, is a very, very precious lady.”
“What if I make a mistake and my mom gets into trouble…?”
While Reina cared for Estelle, she and her close colleagues took turns caring for Bonita. Bonita, who was sometimes entrusted to the Knights, was aware of Reina’s activities.
“Bonnie…”
Estelle was a noble lady, yet the words in front of her saddened Reina.
“It is different from you. What do you mean by that?”
“But…”
“You are precious too.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Mom can live on thanks to Bonnie.”
Bonita paused at Reina’s comments. She didn’t say anything and held her mom closely. It was a gentle touch, as if she was concerned about falling cookie crumbs.
“…I want to meet her.”
“Really?”
“Huh.”
In fact, Raina had a heart that wanted Bonita to meet her peers as well. As for Bonita, she always went back and forth between the hired dormitory and gymnasium, and she only had to meet an adult who was much older than herself, so she was even more into making friends.