Chapter Text
“Rae.”
“Yes Miss Claire?”
“I was thinking…” Claire took a sip from her cup of tea before continuing. “… to allow you to have some time off. You have been rather helpful over the past few days and I have decided that you earned it.” She turned away to hide her flushed face as she complimented Rae.
“But that would mean that I’d be away from Miss Claire’s side!!! So no, no thank you.” Rae immediately declined.
“W-what?? At least consider it before making a decision!” Claire responded, failing to now hide her more apparent blush now formed in her cheeks.
“I told you before and I’ll tell you again, Miss Claire. I’m never leaving your side.” Rae looked determined with her statement.
“My goodness… it doesn’t have to be at this moment. You can have them whenever you decide. Just inform me in advance so I can prepare for a substitute maid while you are away.”
“Then someone else will be by your side?! I’m going to be so jealous!!!”
“Rae!” Claire sighed and calmed herself down before speaking again. “This is not a request. It is my command. As my maid, you should know that what I say goes.” Claire stated matter-of-factly with a glare.
Ahhh Miss Claire is glaring at me, she looks so cute! Oh wait she’s trying to be serious.
“Fine, whatever you say my princess.” Rae bowed dramatically but pouted right after.
“Geez, what am I going to do with you…” Claire muttered as she tried to hide another blush that was creeping up her face behind her tea cup.
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“Now class. Let me introduce you to our new student. She will only be here temporarily as she travels with her father, Alfred Anderson, the Minister of Finance of the Alpes Kingdom. They will be here for a few weeks but even so, please welcome her with open arms and treat her as our own. Welcome to the Royal Academy…”
Rae wasn’t paying attention as usual, ogling at her seat mate, the one and only Claire François. The woman of her dreams. The apple of her eye. The love of her life. The only person allowed to bully her in every way and maybe one day under the she-
“… Miss Kosaki Anderson.”
“Huh?!?” Rae’s attention went directly to the individual standing in front of the whole class.
“Rae, be quiet.” Claire hushed her.
“Thank you sir.” Kosaki bowed at the teacher and faced the class before resuming. “Hello everyone. It is nice to meet you all. Please bear with me these next few weeks as I do hope to make good friends and memories for the duration of my stay. Thank you very much.” She bowed again.
“Wow, she’s so respectful despite her nobility.”
“She seems so nice.”
“She looks really cute too!”
“Hey quit it, she might hear you…”
The class whispered among themselves.
“Hmm I have heard of her before. Of course I should, as we nobles are aware of fellow aristocrats from other countries. Nothing but good things are said when her name comes up in conversation. She- hey Rae! Are you listening??” Claire got annoyed and embarrassed as Rae paid her no mind since the latter continued to stare at Kosaki.
“It can’t be…” Rae had a look of disbelief.
“Com- Rae! Will you continue to ignore me?!”
“Ah Miss Claire! I am sorry my lady, I got lost in my own thoughts there. What were you saying?” Rae’s attention snapped back to Claire.
“Never mind. I will only waste my breath.” Claire huffed and unintentionally pouted.
“MISS CLAIRE ARE YOU POUTING?? YOU LOOK SO ADORABLE! STEP ON ME PLEASE!!!” Rae grabbed Claire’s hands with her heart-shaped eyes.
“What are you- RAE WE’RE IN PUBLIC! DON’T JUST GRAB ME LIKE THAT!” Claire raised her voice and tried to break free from Rae’s grasp.
“No! You are too cute! Let’s hold hands forever!!”
“Ahh, they’re at it again.” The teacher sighed but he honestly thought it was an entertaining sight whenever the two would bicker at each other like that.
“Hmm?” Kosaki looked over at the commotion with curiosity.
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“What do you think of Miss Kosaki, Miss Claire?” Loretta asked while snacking on the treat placed before her.
Claire, Rae, Pepi, and Loretta were at the usual gazebo that they all would hangout at after classes.
“I do not know much of her actual personality as we have not interacted yet. But she seems to be a lovely person.” Claire replied.
“She IS kind! She approached Loretta and myself earlier to make conversation and she was really respectful despite us being lower than her in status. I think you would like her Miss Claire!” Pepi claimed.
“Is that so? I will look forward to our future interactions then.” Claire sipped her tea and realized she was almost out. “Rae? Would you mind refilling my cup?”
“Huh? Oh, of course Miss Claire.” Rae didn’t seem to be with the group at the moment.
“What’s wrong with you commoner? You’re supposed to give your undivided attention to Miss Claire. You should have been aware that her cup was almost empty!” Pepi accused.
“Pepi is right, commoner! Your head is in the clouds!” Loretta seconded.
“Give it a rest, girls. Rae, what’s wrong? You have been absent-minded since our first class.” Claire did her best not to sound too worried.
“Ah, it’s nothing Miss Claire. Anyway, it looks like we are out of tea. Let me go fetch some more. I’ll be right back m’lady.” Rae bowed before leaving the group.
Claire’s minions were right, there was something off about Rae. Probably because someone from her past life has appeared in this world, and that has never happened until now. What’s more, it wasn’t just some acquaintance she hardly knew or a colleague from her old office job. It was someone she knew personally, had bonded with, and had a close relationship with during her high school days.
It was her first love.
Rae did her best not let her overthinking stray her from her current goal, which is to make more tea for her dear Miss Claire and maybe her flunkies. As she walked through the garden to the kitchen, she saw the person she was trying not to think about from a short distance. Although she was hesitant and knew she shouldn’t, she called to her anyway.
“Miss Kosaki!”
“Yes?” Kosaki turned around to the voice calling to her.
Rae approached her and kept a straight face as she spoke with her, despite feeling anxious with Kosaki’s presence alone.
“Hello. I just wanted to say hi and …” Rae felt like backing away but resumed anyway. “… do you happen… to know who I am?”
“Hmmm… I am quite sure that this is our first interaction, miss. May I know your name?” Kosaki smiled. Somehow, that disarmed Rae and she returned the smile. It was a relief to Rae that she was not the same person as the Kosaki from her previous life but that still got her wondering why they both literally have the same face, voice, name (except the last name), and mannerisms. She was hoping that they did not share the same personality as well.
“My name is Rae Ooha- I mean. Rae Taylor. It’s Rae Taylor, Miss Kosaki.” Rae slipped as she almost gave her old last name.
“I see. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rae. Actually, I think I have seen you with Claire François earlier. Are you two close?” Kosaki asked curiously.
“Oh yes, I serve as her super loyal maid! That gorgeous woman is my dear master!” Rae got a little carried away as she talked about Claire.
“Haha that’s cute. You seem very fond of her. Does she share the same sentiment for you?"
“Huh? Well… I don’t know. It doesn’t matter, as long as I am always by her side and serving her, I will be happy.” Rae clasped her hands together as she merrily declared that.
“Hmm is that so? If that’s true, why are you conversing with me instead of being by her side at this moment?” Kosaki asked playfully.
“What do you- oh right! I’m supposed to make more tea! I apologize, Miss Kosaki, as I should take my leave. My lady awaits!” Rae bowed before rushing to the kitchen but she stopped midway and turned around for a second, only to see Kosaki still looking back at her. “It was nice talking to you, Miss Kosaki!” Rae waved before continuing to half run, half walk to the kitchen.
Kosaki waved back with a bright smile.
“What an interesting girl…” She said to herself as she walked away, thinking back to the conversation they just had.
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“Took you long enough.” Claire said with annoyance in her tone.
“I’m sorry Miss Claire! I got distracted on the way. It won’t happen again my love!!!” Rae apologized profusely.
“You and your silly declarations…” Though Claire blushed as she said so. “Good thing Pepi and Loretta had to leave for an errand to save themselves from such words. What distracted you?”
“Oh I uhh, ran into Miss Kosaki. We chatted for a bit and didn’t realize the time.” Rae smiled, remembering the interaction.
“Huh, you seem to like her already. No wonder you got sidetracked.” Claire frowned, not hiding the displeasure in her voice.
“Ahh don’t be like that, Miss Claire. I only have eyes for you! Though you look so cute when you’re jelly!”
“I am not ‘jelly’! I still do not know what you mean by that!”
“Pfft, it doesn’t matter Miss Claire. What matters is that you’re so cute, we should just get married already.”
“Why, you-!” Claire got so flustered from Rae’s statement that she couldn’t even form proper sentences.
“I am yours and yours alone, Miss Claire. Even though she looks like her…” Rae wondered off with her words.
“Wait, what do you mean ‘looks like her?’ Like who?” Claire questioned.
“Oh I thought you would have remembered when I talked about my past with you and Miss Lily?” Rae raised her eyebrow.
“Talked about your past?… Wait a second.” Then a light bulb, no, more like a bomb has exploded when it hit Claire.
Oh shit. Rae, you idiot! Why did you remind her, you dunce of a human being!!! Rae mentally punched herself as she braced herself for what’s coming.
“SHE’S THE PERSON YOU TALKED ABOUT?? YOUR FIRST LOVE?!?” Claire stood up angrily as she held her wand, which came out of nowhere mind you, ready to strike Rae with one of her Fire Arrows.
“AHH MISS CLAIRE! NO SHE ISN’T! MERCY, MERCY!!!” Rae was on her knees, begging for her life.
“EXPLAIN!” Claire pointed her wand at the already crying Rae with a death glare.
“Waaahh please tuck your wand away first Miss Claire!”
Claire huffed as she pocketed her wand, not looking away as she kept the same glare steadied on Rae, who visibly calmed down (not by a lot really) as she did so.
“Well?” Claire crossed her arms, foot tapping on the floor impatiently.
“She- she just looks like her and has the same name as her. But I know it’s not her! That’s why I approached her in the first place to clarify that. I swear to you, Miss Claire, she isn’t the same person from my past.” Rae explained.
“Ahhh so YOU went to her, huh? You wanted to get close to her again I presume? How cute.” Claire said with a sarcastic tone paired with a sarcastic smile on her face.
“W-well yes technically I did walk to her first…” Rae you dumbass, don’t make it sound worse. “… but it was only to make sure it wasn’t her! It doesn’t matter, even if it was her, my heart and soul is devoted to you Miss Claire! I promised you that before and I’ll do it again! I love you Miss Claire!” Rae then got up to pull Claire into a tight embrace, disarming the bomb and got Claire blushing as a red as a tomato.
“O-okay! I believe you! Just let me go this instant!” Claire tried to pull away but Rae didn’t loosen her grip.
“No! You should forgive me first…”
“Okay, okay I forgive you!”
“… and say that you love me too!”
“WHAT? I WILL NOT!” Claire’s face was heating up so much that she almost felt faint by their close contact and Rae’s words.
Neither did any of them know that someone was watching them from a distance, who had a smile of amusement on her face. Well, we’ll call it amusement for now.