Chapter Text
Rae’s POV
“Sooo.. Misha.. how’s the church?” I say scratching my chin slightly feeling the tint of awkwardness.
Misha stared at me with a blank but content face. She’s now joined the church alongside Lady Yu. I guess thats why shes happy huh?
“Everything’s going well, Rei,” she says blankly but I know her tone had some happiness.
“Waah.. don’t start using that name now..” I say grabbing my head dramatically, “I have no relations to that name..”
She smiles slightly and sighs, “Okay, Rae. Whatever you say..”
I grin a bit as we joke but I see her face get serious for a moment. I tilt my head.
“What are you going to do then, Rae? With the Revolution starting,” she says in a serious but concerned tone.
My eyes go wide.
Thats right. I told Misha about what events will happen and how I’ve planned it out. My deals with my father in law, Salas’ betrayal, the revolution, and my plan to save Miss Claire.
I look at her in a serious expression looking around us, seeing if anyone is listening. She holds her hand out, signaling that we’re fine. Her wind magic soundproofs the room, so anyone outside can’t hear the slightest noise. Misha sighs and turns to me.
“What are you planning? Just go up there exclaiming your love and expect to win?”
I chuckle, “Pretty much.. but I’ve been planning this for a while, Misha,” I say proudly.
She sighs, “I know.. I would expect this from someone like you..”
I chuckle and watch as her more serious tone soften. I tilt my head.
“After you do that then, do you think Miss Claire will be fine living as a commoner?”
“..To be honest, no,” I chuckle, “She had a culture shock when she visited my house.. So!”
I pull out a small book I kept in my pocket. Titled, “Does not belong to Rae Taylor!” Misha stared at it with a hint of confusion. I pointed my finger, telling her to wait and opened the book up. It was filled with receipts and math containing all the money I’ve earned. My recipes, checks from being Miss Claire’s maid, the amount of tax rate in each area of the kingdom, side hustles from local shops, and some payments from working under the King. I look back at her with a proud expression.
“That’s a surprising amount..”
“Hehe, I’ve been working hard since the beginning!” I say proudly while being met with a slightly shocked expression.
“That much gold for the recipe of chocolate.?!”
“That was actually a shared amount, the girl I gave a hint to, got most of it.”
Good thing Miss Claire showed me that stall! Or else I wouldn’t get my cacao supply!
I turn back to Misha as she flips the pages, eyebrows raising as she sees the numbers increase. I lay back in my chair as she reads each word diligently. She hums to herself and places my book down.
“I think this is enough savings to help Miss Claire adapt into a lower class. I see you’re looking at the houses and tax rates in the kingdom as well. From this amount that should be enough. The King seems to pay you very well, since you have that much good intel, that’s a good job to have. You will also still be able to afford ingredients that are reasonable for a noble but not as fresh, correct? Though since you are good at cooking, Rae, I believe she’ll be alright, as long as I know you’re by her side,” Misha says with a soft smile.
“You think so Misha?” I say look up at the ceiling, imagining the future I hope can come, feeling a bit of solemn.
“But, what if she still isn’t fond of me?” I ask while resting my head on my palm.
She looks back, her soft, gentle look replaced with shock and disbelief. Did I say something stupid.?
“Rae. You don’t think Miss Claire doesn’t like you still?” She asks in utter disappointment, like a mother dealing with her child.
I tilt my head almost confused on what she’s saying.
She sighs, “By the spirits.. you really are dense Rae..”
“What do you—“
“Think. Think Rae,” Misha grabs my head and shakes me.
“W-wah?! Oi! Mishaaa!” I say between shakes, “I’m getting dizzy..! Mishaa!”
Misha stops and sighs.
“Why does she want you to be hers only? Why did she want you to share a bed?” Misha says blankly, saying it as if it’s common knowledge.
I shake myself out of my daze. Well.. Miss Claire has been acting more strange but I don’t pay that much attention, or else I’ll get a scolding.
“Has she been acting flustered or acting stranger than before? Why do you think that’s happening?”
“T-this feels like an interrogation!” I stutter, “I-I don’t know! I think we got closer? Somehow?”
Misha sighs and her eyebrows scrunch together, “Look, I think you’re fine, Rae.”
“Misha?”
“You love Miss Claire right? Then you’ll win her heart. You’ve already did.”
“?? Thanks Misha.?”
“You’re welcome,” Misha says blankly with a smile, “I hope you two will be happy. Though the church doesn’t outright support it, I believe that the spirits will guide you.”
I grin back at her. That was a wonderful blessing to have from my best friend after all. Might as well return the favor..
“Hehe, thank you, Misha! I hope the same for you two!” I say in a teasing tone.
“..I don’t know what you’re talking about..”
“Suree.. you don’t,” I chuckle looking at her in a sly stare, “Why’s your face red then— wah!”
Misha grabs my face, pinching my cheeks, making it hard and hurtful to smile.
“Mishhaaa! Thish ish hurtfulh!”
“..Look,” Misha says letting go of my cheeks, “I just want to see her happy, and I already feel very content seeing Lady Yu finally comfortable in her body.”
Misha smiles as she looks up to the ceiling, “When we were younger, Lady Yu always asked me to do her makeup and let her borrow my dresses. When we went to formal gatherings she always got jealous when she saw me in these long gowns. During those nights she would complain about how hot and tight the suits were. When you mentioned the crossdress theme for the festival, I could tell she was happy. You saw it too right? Now, I get to see that same expression everyday. I think that’s enough for me.”
I listen to Misha, nodding along with her. I get it, I was so happy seeing Miss Claire right in front of me, I never even thought I would have a chance to actually be with her. Until Lady Manaria came, that was when I realized I wanted my feelings to be appreciated and wanted Miss Claire to love me back. When she proclaimed that I was hers. My world came back to me, the competition didn’t matter anymore. I never felt that way before.
I turn to Misha, grinning cheekily, “Say Misha, let’s have a deal.”
“A deal.? I don’t trust this already—“
“Let’s just try!” I stand up taking her hands, “Let’s see who will be the happiest in the end, Misha! Not just by seeing those we love, live. By being by their side! Say, we can be a bit selfish ourselves can’t we? So let’s do it! I bet you I’ll make Miss Claire the happiest and I’ll be by her side as a lover! So! What do you say Misha?”
Misha stares back, a bit shellshocked but returned my stare with a determined one.
“I know your love is strong, Rae. But don’t judge my devotion to Lady Yu.”
“I’ll don’t believe you can beat my love, Misha.”
“I guess we’ll see”
“Alright! There you have it then!” I say grabbing Misha’s hand with mine. We look at each other with a childish but genuine and determined look.
“”I swear to God!””