We returned to the living room after a tour of the mansion. I held Allen's hand from beginning to end.
"Fufu, you’re holding hands. Rose, Allen, welcome back."
Mother said this playfully, but father was fidgeting and looking somewhat restless.
“We’re back. I was able to show Allen the entire house. He’s going to be my personal attendant from now on?”
“That’s great Rose! Yes, that’s right. He’ll be exclusively dedicated to you."
“He comes from a long line of butlers, so there’s no need to worry."
“I’m really happy to hear that! Is your father a butler as well?”
Apparently, Allen comes from a line of butlers that have served our family - the Wensley ducal house - for generations. Accordingly, he's been training to become a butler himself.
"Like my father, I will do my best to serve you!"
When I saw Allen’s sparkling eyes, my heart started pounding, but lets keep that a secret.
From then on, wherever I went - inside or outside the estate - Allen was always with me. Its been half a year since we met.
We were in the garden today. I was relaxing while drinking tea that he had prepared. Suddenly I saw a bird and said:
“I want to pet it…”
“Yes?”
Allen asked, having not heard me clearly.
"…Well, I was just thinking how great it would be to have a pet."
“…A pet?”
“Yeah, I want a pet. Do you think father would allow it if I asked him? It would make me really happy to sleep next to a dog or cat.”
“Rose-sama seems to really like animals.”
"Well…my eyes are scary and I have a pretty severe appearance so they probably wouldn't like me very much…but you know…"
I look quite harsh and up until now, I haven't had the chance to properly interact with animals so I understand that he'd be surprised, but in my past life, I died trying to save a kitten. On my days off from work, I'd heal myself by going to cat or dog cafes, zoos and aquariums. If my apartment had allowed one then I absolutely would have kept a pet. In this life, I haven’t been able to interact with animals even though I like them so much. That’s why I’m desperately seeking their healing presence.
"N-no! I don't think Milady looks severe! It's only that I've never seen you interacting with animals before…"
“It’s alright, don’t worry. I know myself well…Allen, are you not scared of my face?”
“No! Of course not! I certainly don’t think you're scary. When we first met, I thought you were beautiful. I didn’t think you were scary at all."
I’m a little happy that Allen denied it so strongly.
I'm glad he isn't scared. Given that I've become a villainess, I'm sure that my face is severe as well~ I wonder if I'll be hated at school.
“Allen, thank you.”
I was relieved that at least Allen was on my side. I felt that I could accept any outcome as the villainess if he remained that way.
"Alright! Let's go ask father for permission!"
"Eh? Rose-sama?!"
Allen chased after me who had already started walking. Without worrying, I headed towards my father's study.