Drip
Drop
Drip
Drop
The final anthem marking the end of the heavy downpour was the incessant dripping upon the forest floor, bringing about a certain calmness. The scent of drenched foliage drifted through the forest, fading as the sun slowly emerged from behind the dark clouds.
"What the hell is wrong with her?" Anderson asked with a deep frown, staring in irritation at the maid who stood outside the gate—drenched but unmoving, her head hung low.
At this point, Anderson was at his breaking point. It had been a week since he'd arrived here, and throughout that entire time, the maid had vehemently refused to leave.
He sighed heavily. What was he even doing? She was someone close to Anderson—someone special to him.
He may not be the real Anderson, but he still possessed his memories and emotions. Emotions that made seeing her standing out there in the rain physically hurt to witness.
Fuck it. He turned toward the stairs and 'hurried' down, 'quickly' grabbing an umbrella which he clicked open upon reaching the mansion's exit.
Drip
Drop
Drip
Drop
The drops of rain splattered against the top of the umbrella as the round-looking young man walked carefully toward the ornate gate.
He sighed again as he stood before the gate with its intricate flowery designs, crafted in such a way that he could see through to the sight of a young girl in a maid's dress. She stood perfectly still, though upon closer inspection, she was actually shivering violently.
"Hey," he called out, and she looked up. Her face was deathly pale, and she appeared noticeably thinner compared to ten days ago. It was a wonder she could still stand upright after not having eaten for so long. Water trailed steadily from her soaked hair down to her chin, dripping incessantly.
"Young master," she said, and he could sense it clearly in her trembling tone—the helplessness.
Why? Why won't she just go? He harbored a growing suspicion that the duke had placed her here to monitor him. It was the reason he hadn't made any major moves since realizing he was trapped in what appeared to be a game. He still wasn't completely certain and needed more concrete proof to come to terms with his situation, but deep down he knew this was exactly why the keeper had planted this memory in his head. The reason he hadn't left this mansion in search of a way to 'fix' this borrowed body of his was because he couldn't afford to appear suspicious. He desperately needed this maid to leave, but it seemed she was going absolutely nowhere.
"Why won't you go back? According to you, I shouldn't have any maids or any other noble privileges, so why are you here?" he asked seriously, genuinely curious about her persistence.
"I... I only go where the master goes," she said quietly.
"But I am no longer your master. You serve the mansion," he pointed out.
"I... was relieved of my duty to the mansion," she admitted, and his eyes widened in shock.
"WHAT?! Why?" He couldn't believe it. Why had she been dismissed?
"I could either remain in the mansion and abandon you, or leave with you and lose my position," she explained, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Are you stupid?! Why would you do that for me?!" He couldn't fathom it. Why would she sacrifice anything for someone like Anderson? It made absolutely no sense.
She remained silent, simply looking him directly in the eyes with an expression he couldn't quite decipher, and then...
Thud!
"Huh?" Anderson stared in complete confusion as she suddenly collapsed to the ground, unconscious from exhaustion and starvation.
What the fuck is going on here?!