(Rem x Reader) Re:Reader - Starting YOUR New Life in Another World

Chapter 156: Maybe In Another Life

Chapter 156: Maybe In Another Life

With a less than patient opening of this door, the sound of black, well polished shoes, clacking down the stone steps of this basement stairway echoed out as she descended these steps into the darkness below.

She wasn't the largest enthusiast of having to come down here, especially since the smell she hated so much lingered in these decrepit depths, much like it now lingered on a pair of new guests, —or rather, to her disgust, "co-workers."

Reaching the bottom, the magic-ore lamps sputtered, flickered, and then finally bloomed with pale artificial light that crawled across the cellar's cramped, dusty interior. Rows of crates and cluttered shelves adorned most of the space down here.

???: Ugh.

Vocally, she couldn't hide her lament, as even pinching her nose wouldn't hide this smell from her.

Gardening tools...

With her task to locate these implements leading her down here, the maid who looked about for them only became more irritated as she did. It was enough that things down here were hard to locate by the crammed storage arrangements alone, but with the pressure of her current concern heavy on her shoulders and mind, it made the task that much more difficult.

Something needed to be done about the new pair of people in the Mansion. It wasn't proper that they stay here.

No.

It was an insult not only to her, but a stain on the dignity of this Mansion. It was a disgrace upon Roswaal's honor through his chosen sponsor the Royal Selection, but also, and worst of all, it was an unforgivable assault on her precious sister. Everything about their presence in this Mansion was a quiet and vicious reminder of everything her sister had suffered, and it was all from those who carried that same cursed smell.

—A new butler, employed full time.

—And a new groundskeeper, hired part time.

Both were to remain here, —living here no less. They were sleeping under the same roof as her and her sister and the thought utterly nauseated her.

Her anger flared so sharply she didn't notice how roughly she had begun to search. Boxes were shoved aside with enough force to rattle the shelves. Crates slammed against the wall. One toppled entirely, crashing open, its contents scattering across the floor in a dusty mess.

Only then did she pause. Her breath tight, fingers trembling, and chest rising and falling beneath her uniform, did she finally realize just how violently she had been going about this task.

???: Tch...

The sharp click of her tongue cut through the stillness this moment gained as she stooped to gather the items she had knocked over. Her fingers moved stiffly, each object returned to its crate with a rigid precision born of discipline rather than calm

Breathe... Just, breathe...

She had a terrible habit of becoming tunnel visioned when it came to things that greatly disturbed her, to the point her thoughts sharpened to painful spears stabbing into and wounding her ability to think more cohesively. The maid's chest rose and fell as she tried to steady her racing heart. She had a task to complete, —one her precious sister had entrusted to her, and yet her mind could not stop dwelling on the unknown threat the newcomers upstairs had to be plotting.

There will need to be drastic action taken. Nee-sama cannot be forced to live amongst such people...

Her fingertips trembled before she curled them tightly into her palms. Even with the way she currently was, she resumed searching through the dusty shelves of the cellar, each step measured, though her simmering agitation left her movements taut and rigid.