I Ran Away And The Reverse Harem Started – Chapter 95

Author: Asternkm

“L-Lady Rosieta?”

“…Is something wrong?”

I looked at Anne, completely baffled, as she squirmed awkwardly in place.

A long sigh slipped out.

I knew exactly why she was acting like this, but wasn’t the change in attitude a little too dramatic?

I pressed my fingers against my temple.

“What’s with the ‘Lady’ all of a sudden…? No, never mind. Forget it. Could you just tell me where Marie, Mika, and Angie are? I need to see them.”

Anne had witnessed everything last night.

From Angela getting thrown out overnight to the shocking revelation that I was childhood friends with the three young masters.

That was why she was suddenly treating me with excessive politeness, even going so far as to add ‘Lady’ to my name.

Maybe she thought that if she did something to annoy me, I would go running to the young masters to complain.

As if I was some kind of tattletale.

“If you’re looking for Marie and the others… I think they went outside right after breakfast.”

“Already?”

I gave Anne a side glance.

She didn’t seem to be lying.

And, really, there was no reason for her to.

I nodded in thanks and gave her a small bow.

“Thanks. Enjoy the rest of your meal.”

“Y-Yes….”

Leaving Anne behind, I stepped out of the quarters.

‘So… the three of them already left for work at the estate?’

At first, I had thought nothing of it, but the more I dwelled on it, the more uneasy I felt.

‘No way… are they avoiding me because they’re uncomfortable now?’

I had unintentionally deceived them, so I wouldn’t blame them if they were upset.

They had thought I was just another new maid—only to find out that I was actually childhood friends with their master.

And not only that, I had never hinted at it.

I could see how they might feel lied to.

Maybe they even felt like I had been playing with them.

A bitter taste lingered in my mouth.

‘Still… if I just apologize and explain everything, they’ll forgive me, right? They’re all good people…’

I tried to reassure myself.

Even if they were upset, I would understand.

I just hoped they didn’t hate me for it.

That was when I spotted three familiar figures on the path leading to the villa.

Marie, Mika, and Angie.

“Oh, Marie.”

I hesitantly raised my hand and called out to them.

“There you are! I was looking everywhere for you. You left so early after breakfast… Was something keeping you busy? Do you need help in the kitchen?”

I tried to sound casual.

But the three of them simply stared at me in silence.

Seeing their sullen expressions, my stomach twisted in knots.

In the end, I abandoned small talk and got straight to the point.

“…I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. Honestly, I didn’t say anything because I thought it would make everyone uncomfortable if they knew I was friends with the count and his family.”

“…”

I fumbled over my words.

But the three of them still didn’t respond.

Their faces were unreadable.

Did they not even want to talk to me anymore?

My nerves shot through the roof as I anxiously studied their expressions.

Then, Marie nudged Mika’s side with her elbow.

Mika glanced at her, then at Angie, before stepping forward.

I tilted my head back slightly, looking up at her.

She was half a head taller than me.

I braced myself, uncertain of what she would say.

‘…What if she tells me not to act friendly with them anymore?’

These were my first female friends since leaving Danten.

At twenty-three, my only friends had been Lynne and the townspeople.

To me, these three were precious.

As I gazed up at Mika, my eyes started to sting.

But before I could get too emotional, Mika suddenly took a deep breath—

And grabbed the hem of her skirt, giving me a deep, elegant curtsy.

“Oh, my goodness! Lady Rosieta has graced my humble gathering with her presence. Thank you for coming.”

“…Huh? What?”

Her voice was high-pitched, completely unlike her usual tone.

And if I listened carefully, she was mimicking a noblewoman’s way of speaking.

“This is our first meeting, isn’t it? I am Mika, a precious, pampered daughter from a wealthy family.”

I stared at her, utterly dumbfounded.

Mika twirled on the spot, puffing out her skirt like she was wearing an extravagant gown.

“I heard that Lady Rosieta is acquainted with the count. It seems you’ve finally reached a level where you can associate with us. Welcome to the group.”

“…Mika. You’re joking, right?”

Just moments ago, she had been completely stiff and serious.

Now, watching her act like this sent chills down my arms.

The urge to cry instantly vanished.

I narrowed my eyes, suspicious.

Behind her, Angie suddenly burst into laughter.

“Enough, Mika! Look, you’re scaring her. But seriously, when did you get this good at your obnoxious noblewoman impression?”

Mika shrugged, completely unbothered.

“Come on. She hid a huge secret from us, so it’s only fair we get to tease her a little, right? And my impression is flawless, thank you very much.”

I looked between them, caught between confusion and amusement.

“What… is this?”

Angie stepped forward with an apologetic smile.

“Sorry, Rosieta. Mika was sulking all morning because of yesterday. She kept grumbling about how her friend didn’t tell her the truth. And then she started plotting how to mess with you—but I didn’t think she’d go this far.”

“Oh… That’s… fair, I guess.”

I answered, still a little dazed.

Mika teasing me wasn’t anything new.

She often called me a clumsy foal or playfully pushed me around.

‘But… doesn’t this feel just like normal teasing?’

I had expected them to be mad or hurt.

To feel betrayed.

Instead, Mika’s response was… well, this.

“…So, you’re not mad?” I asked cautiously.

“I mean, you did keep us in the dark,” I admitted. “And you only let us find out because Colin had to say it outright… I wasn’t sure how to explain it to you this morning.”

Mika hesitated, then scratched the back of her head.

“Well, yeah, it was kind of shocking. You? A childhood friend of the count and his family? And yet, here you were, living in the maid’s quarters like some poor country girl.”

“…”

“Hearing all that made me think back, you know? Like, did I ever badmouth the young masters in front of you? Did I rate them by looks and discuss who would make the best husband in front of you—”

“I never heard anything like that.”

“Oh. Phew. That’s a relief.”

So that’s why she looked so serious before.

Mika sighed in relief and let go of my cheek.

My skin tingled from the rough pinching, so I gently cupped my face with both hands.

Mika smirked.

“Alright, then. We’re good.”

“…We’re good?”

“Yeah. You’re our friend first. That’s what matters.”

“…Oh.”

“You weren’t pretending to be friends with us, were you? You can befriend us lowly commoners, right?”

“No! Of course not!”

I quickly shook my head.

Mika seemed satisfied with my response.

“Good answer.”

“…And, well, I was really worried. That maybe you’d be upset. You guys are the first friends I made here.”

Angie gave me a warm smile.

“It doesn’t change anything, Rose. Us becoming friends happened naturally, regardless of who you were.”

“Angie…”

“Besides, thanks to you, we were finally able to call out Miriam and Angela for what they did. Why would we be mad at you?”

Marie took my hand, silent but firm.

“…So, you’re not going to avoid me?”

“Do you always have to say such obvious things?” Mika huffed.

And just like that, my first real friends weren’t going anywhere.

****

At a prestigious hotel in Rewybourne, catering exclusively to the nobility, Yvette Bullosen sat at the desk in her room, reviewing a stack of documents.

Piles of paperwork related to her family’s trading company were spread across the table.

Since attending Colin’s birthday party, Yvette had withdrawn from social gatherings, burying herself in work.

Her mother, the Viscountess, had practically pushed her out the door, insisting she take some time to rest for the sake of her health.

If the Viscountess knew how Yvette was spending her supposed break, she would have been utterly exasperated.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

It was Jenny, her secretary.

“Lady Yvette, a letter has arrived from the main estate.”

“Give it here.”

Yvette, who had been completely absorbed in her work, finally lifted her head.

The envelope bore the Bullosen family crest.

“A letter from Mother… Is this just a routine check-in?”

The sender was none other than Viscountess Bullosen.