The Black-haired Noblewoman, Who Disguised Herself, Seems To Have Been Doted On While Serving As The Caretaker For The Duke Who Dislikes Women - Episode 45

Curtis’s birthday!?

“Oh, is that so? Amanda, you know a lot about this, don’t you?”

“Yeah. It just so happened that around this time last year, while I was cleaning the garden, I overheard Mr. Curtis chatting with the gardeners. So, I thought I might want to give a gift, saying ‘It’s a token of my appreciation,’ just like you did… But in reality, it was a complete failure. I couldn’t even muster the courage to go pick out a gift, let alone give one, and in the end, I couldn’t do anything.”

“Oh, is that so…?”

“Yeah. So, this year, I was thinking, maybe I could do something. I can’t help but keep thinking about it…”

“When we give the gift, we might be able to talk about various things together!”

“Y-yeah, that’s right. I’m kind of looking forward to it.”

Saying that, Amanda-san blushed again and got shy. So cute.

“Then let’s definitely give it to her! The gift! If you want, I can even go with you to help you pick out a gift for Amanda.”

“Hehe, thank you. Shopping in the city with Michelle-san, huh? That sounds really fun. But… I have no idea what Curtis-san likes or what would make him happy…”

“I see. Well then, why don’t you ask the person directly?”

“Ugh!! If I could do that, I wouldn’t be struggling like this…! Oh, Michelle, you and your ideas!”

Saying that, Amanda’s face turned bright red again, she covered her cheeks with her hands, and started writhing back and forth. Is that how it is?

Hmm, well then…

“Shall I casually try to find out? From Mr. Curtis.”

When I made that suggestion, Amanda suddenly looked up with sparkling eyes.

“R… really? Michelle, could you ask them?”

“Of course! If that’s all it takes, I’d be happy to help.”

“Ah… thank you…! I’m so happy.”

“Hehe. If I can successfully find out what Mr. Curtis wants, let’s go shopping together.”

“Yeah! I’m really looking forward to it! …Ah, what should I do? I’m starting to get nervous already…”

“It’s still too early, Amanda.”

We then got really excited and, unusually, talked late into the night. Seeing Amanda, who is usually calm and gentle, blush and laugh with sparkling eyes was very refreshing, and somehow it made me feel excited too.

Alright… if it comes to this, I have to prepare a gift that will make Mr. Curtis absolutely delighted, no matter what…!

Mr. Curtis’s birthday is in about two weeks. I need to find an opportunity to somehow figure out his preferences by then…!

Since I put my mind to it, I kept a close watch on Mr. Curtis’s movements, hoping to get a chance to talk to him personally. However, I couldn’t neglect my own work, so I couldn’t focus solely on Mr. Curtis all the time. Moreover, he was always with his husband. Despite my enthusiasm, I couldn’t find an opportunity to talk to him alone, and I gradually began to feel anxious.

Wh-what should I do…? Five days have already passed in the blink of an eye. I thought I could finally be of help to Amanda-san, but at this rate, it’s going to end up being a total miss…!

I can’t afford to procrastinate any longer. Even if I find out her preferences at the last minute, Amanda won’t have enough time to prepare the gift.

I had started to feel overwhelmed, but one afternoon, I was able to seize the opportunity somewhat forcefully.

That day, unusually, my husband returned to the mansion in the early afternoon. As usual, Mr. Curtis was with him. I happened to be cleaning the hallway on the first floor when I ran into the two of them, and I couldn’t help but do a little victory dance inside.

“Welcome back, Master.”

“Ah, I’m home, Michelle.”

Recently, my husband always calls my name like this. And at that moment, his eyes are very gentle.

This is… could it be that I’ve completely let my guard down?

Following my husband, Mr. Curtis is also heading towards the stairs. I took a deep breath and quietly called out to Mr. Curtis.

“Um… Mr. Curtis, do you have a moment?”

“Huh?”

Curtis-san turned back to look at me. Then, for some reason, even her husband, who had gone up the stairs first, turned back to look at me. …What should I do? This is a bit awkward.

Would I be scolded for whispering? I quickly approached Mr. Curtis and spoke rapidly.

“Uh, is it lunchtime now?”

“Ah, yeah. Is something wrong?”

“Oh, no… um, there’s something I’d like to talk about with you later, just a little… could you spare some time?”

“Huh? Me? I don’t mind, but is now not a good time?”

From halfway up the stairs, my husband has been staring at me without moving. This is bad. I wonder if he’ll scold me. I’m starting to sweat nervously.

“Th-this isn’t the right place. I’m on duty right now… If you’d like, could we talk a little later?”

“……Ah. That’s fine, but…”

To Mr. Curtis, who looked puzzled, I briefly said, “Thank you. Then, after the meal, in the garden…” and immediately returned to cleaning to show my seriousness.

My husband kept staring at me until the very end.