Reincarnated As The Only Son (18 years old) Of The Arrogant And Wicked Marquis Family. - Chapter 43: Shea’s Feelings.

Shea’s Feelings.

(I really didn’t understand… about myself.)

After consulting with Luna, it was after school on the same day that he realized Shea’s feelings.

“Um, Beret-sama…”

“W-What is it?”

“I apologize for the suddenness. I have some important matters to attend to today, so could you please excuse me…”

“Huh?”

As they were about to meet up as usual and head home together.

Shea, with her round, blue eyes, looked up and timidly spoke.

“Important matters, like a gathering of maidservants?”

…

Shea shook her head slightly.

She doesn’t mention the specific matters because she either doesn’t want to or can’t.

“S-So it’s something really important…?”

“Yes…”

Shea always prioritizes her work. It’s the first time she’s had something like this happen.

It’s not just that. You can sense her determination, like saying, “I’ll do whatever it takes to get permission.”

It must be an urgent matter that needs to be prioritized, just like her work…

Internally, he wants to ask what that matter is, but for now, he decides to prioritize Shea’s feelings.

“If you have something important to attend to, then it can’t be helped. Understood.”

“T-Thank you very much…!”

“What time do you think you’ll be able to return home? If you have a schedule, let me know.”

“I estimate it will take about one to two hours, so I should be able to return home around 7 p.m.”

“I see. Be careful not to stay out too late since it’ll be dark outside.”

“Yes!”

That was the conversation they had before parting ways.

And now, in the present moment…

Sigh

He was studying in his room, but he couldn’t focus on his assignments.

(I really can’t help but be conscious of it…)

He paused his hand and the person who came to mind was his maid, Shea.

When he thinks of her, the conversation from yesterday flashes through his mind.

“This is just a hypothetical, but if you were given a recommendation to the royal palace… What would Shea want to do?”

“I would decline and continue serving as Beret-sama’s maid.”

With a dignified attitude, she said even more.

“I don’t think there’s anyone more wonderful than Beret-sama.”

“That’s just the bias of being a personal maid. It makes me happy to hear that, but Shea, you are too set on your maid’s role. Right now, you need to make an effort to find your own happiness.”

“That’s not true! Just serving Beret-sama makes me very happy.”

She’s considerate. She spoke with an understanding of her position as a maid. That’s what he thought, but he realized his misunderstanding through Luna’s explanation.

“If you were to serve at the royal palace, it would raise your and the Duke’s impression from the royal family. There has been a process of being trained as a personal maid.”

“Furthermore, depending on Shea’s efforts, the Duke’s family might be able to form a strong relationship with the royal family. Handing over a maid is a kind of bridge.”

“Are you the kind of person who would refuse such an opportunity? To put it in harsh words, it means you’re trying to waste the best repayment a maid can give.”

“To continue serving is a choice that can only be made with the sincere desire to do so. It’s because I couldn’t realize my own true feelings when those words were said.”

“Shea deserves better. You didn’t realize the best approach she could take as a maid.”

Luna said these things.

“…I’m truly pathetic.”

He scratched his head, sighed again.

“But for now, I need to go over our future plans again… Because of my misunderstanding, there’s a possibility that they might think I want her to go to the royal palace…”

An hour passed as he worked on his assignments with increasing anxiety.

“Huff, huff I-I’m so sorry! I ended up being very late.”

She returned home out of breath and for some reason, was clutching a box to her chest.

“Welcome back. It’s still before 7 p.m., so it’s okay.”

“I’m relieved to hear you say that. I’ll start working right away…!”

“W-Wait, wait. You don’t need to rush like that. Take a seat on the chair until you catch your breath.”

“I’m truly sorry…”

She must have kept in mind his words about it getting dark outside. Her efforts to return home quickly can be seen from her current state.

As Shea sat down, he changed the topic.

“By any chance, was today’s appointment scheduled since yesterday?”

“W-Why would you think that!?”

“I had a feeling that yesterday’s workload was heavier than usual, so I thought you were adjusting things to balance it out for today.”

“T-That’s correct…”

“I see, just as I thought.”

While giving a nonchalant response, there was a big question lingering in their mind.

(It’s unlike Shea to not report an appointment scheduled since yesterday…)

She always reports even the smallest things without fail. While there is a possibility that she simply forgot, considering her usual behavior, it seems highly unlikely.

“You did a good job explaining and being consistent. It would have been fine to use that as an excuse.”

“I-I thought it would come across as an excuse…”

“Haha, you’re really diligent.”

Finally seeing her typical self, the speaker smiles and decides to interject.

“So, what’s that box you’re holding so carefully to your chest?”

“!?”

The moment the box is mentioned, Shea’s eyes widen, and she hastily hides it behind her back.

“What was that reaction just now…?”

“It’s nothing!!”

It can’t be nothing. Her obvious agitation, the way her eyes dart around as she desperately tries to conceal it, make it quite evident.

“You just hid it, didn’t you…? A neatly rectangular box.”

“I-I didn’t hide anything! It’s just that… um, maybe it’s better to keep it on my back…”

“I see.”

Shea is unable to lie. Her excuses are all over the place.

“Then, can you show it to me again?”

“U-Understood…”

Resigned to the fact that there’s no escape, she reluctantly retrieves the rectangular box she had hidden behind her back.

“Ah, was this the reason for your appointment? To buy this?”

“Yes…”

“If that’s the case, you should have just told me honestly. Did you think I would get angry?”

Due to a period of harsh treatment before their reincarnation as Beret, there was a guilt-ridden anticipation, but it turned out to be groundless.

Shea revealed an unexpected reason, one that they hadn’t even considered.

“N-No, not at all. Th-This is a gift for Beret-sama… I didn’t want it to be revealed, and I couldn’t bring myself to say it directly. Ehehe…”

“!? Oh…”

“It’s a return gift. Since Beret-sama was studying, I wanted to wait for the right time to give it, without being intrusive…”

“You hid it behind your back…?”

“Yes. I’m sorry for being clumsy…”

“No, that’s fine… So, did you buy it for me?”

Nods

Shea nodded while fidgeting.

In that moment, everything fell into place, and he understood all of her actions.

“Shea, can I open this?”

“O-Of course!”

“Thank you. Let me take a look inside then.”

They removed the seal and slowly opened the box, revealing a black feather pen set with ink, reflecting in the light.

It appeared to be an expensive item, and when he looked at Shea, she asked with upturned eyes, as if seeking confirmation, “How is it…?”

“…”

“…”

“Be-Beret-sama…?”

“A-Ah, sorry. I didn’t know how to react… Ah, ahaha.”

“S-Sorry! You’re not happy, are you!?”

“That’s not it! It’s not that… I’m genuinely happy, but it’s embarrassing to see myself getting too excited. Shea, you went as far as adjusting your work schedule to choose this gift for me.”

“Eh, ehehe…”

It was clear that they were both feeling embarrassed. Shea, hiding her face behind her hair, smiled bashfully.

“Did you feel the same way when I gave a gift to you, Shea…? Just thinking about it.”

“I felt happier when I received something better.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is true.”

“Ahaha.”

“Fufuu~.”

The air between them, which had been there just a moment ago, seemed to have disappeared, and they laughed more comfortably. Shea’s cute resistance was evident.

“Thank you so much. I’ll treasure it from now on.”

“I’m humbled! Well then, I’ll get back to work!”

“Ah, wait a moment.”

“Yes!?”

He stopped Shea, who quickly stood up from her chair.

“Hey, Shea. After the meeting with Elena’s father, can we discuss your future again?”

“Th-That… Well…”

She seemed anxious, as if expecting to hear words like “It’s better to work at the royal palace.” In response, they said a few words to her, with her eyes lowering.

“It’s not like that. I want to discuss how we can continue being together, that kind of conversation.”

“Y-Yes…”

Just those words were enough to convey the message.

Blushing slightly, her eyes becoming moist, Shea gave a small reply.