The Lady's Maid
By Youkai Yume
Author's Note: Thank you for all the reviews last chapter. It's nice to know that people generally accept Louise as a believable rival for Baron's affections who, while having obvious flaws, is a good person at heart. I don't think Baron and more than anything, Haru would choose to be around someone who they didn't see good character in. Now, ON WITH THE SHOW!!
Disclaimer: Crap, are we still doing this? Not stealing, borrowing, blah, blah, blah.
Chapter 4: The Hearth Cat
Baron fought the urge to pace as he waited outside Haru's door down in the Servant's Quarters. All of the other servants passed now and then, not sure what to make of their Master being in this particular part of the house. The sight of him down here was rare. Louise was inside with Haru and Doctor Nishi, who had come as quickly as possible upon summons from town. It had been a little over fifteen minutes since he arrived, and Baron felt himself overcome with more worry than he had ever felt in his nine lives.
He knew he should have dragged that stubborn maid inside no matter what she said last night. Perhaps it wouldn't have made a difference since he had no idea how long she'd been out in the gardens before he found her, but that didn't stop the guilt from plaguing him. Baron sighed, remembering the way she had looked at him so helplessly…he couldn't deny her, and for the life of him couldn't figure out why. If it were anyone else, he would have dragged them back inside with his cane if he had to.
A minute later, Haru's door opened quietly and Doctor Nishi stepped outside. He was an old, graying cat, with a white beard and hunched back. Still, his eyes were kind and held the spark of wisdom. He nodded to the Baron as the Noble approached him.
"The Miss has a high fever, though it's gone done considerably. Nothing bed rest and lots of liquids won't cure," the Doctor assured. "I've given her some antibiotics just in case though, and I advise you to try to keep her temperature down with some cool cloth. Don't use ice though. It might cause her to shiver if you try to bring the fever down too quickly."
"I understand, thank you for all of your help, Doctor Nishi," Baron replied, paying the Doctor for his work and showing him to the door. By the time he got back to Haru's room, he saw Louise sitting by the Maid's bed rinsing a piece of cloth in a water filled basin.
"Well, I can safely say that since you ladies have arrived, it never gets dull around here," Baron said lightly, taking in the sight of a very flushed Haru buried under her sheets. He frowned a bit when he realized that with the three of them there, the room seemed a bit more cramped than usual. The Maid only groaned weakly as Louise patted the cloth over her forehead.
"What I don't understand is how you could've gotten yourself so terribly ill, Haru. You were perfectly fine yesterday."
Baron quirked a brow, surprised that Louise seemed unaware as to the reason of her Maid's condition. He opened his mouth to tell her when Haru's hoarse voice interrupted.
"It's the flu season, Miss," she said quickly, a forced smile on her lips. "You never know when it might get you…" She turned her large, hazel eyes to the Noble, a silent plea reflected in their depths.
Baron caught her frantic gaze and mentally sighed, though he nodded at her in silent acquiescence. Surely she must have a reason for keeping it a secret from her Mistress, and Baron convinced himself that it wasn't any of his business really. Still, he couldn't seem to take his eyes off of the girl as she sunk back into the pillow while Louise clucked over her like a Mother hen.
"I don't know what I shall do with you, Haru…" Louise said affectionately.
"Aren't you going to be late for the ballet?" the Maid asked. Louise sighed and turned her jade eyes over to Baron.
"I don't think I can possibly go knowing that Haru is sick like this."
"I agree, I think I would feel uneasy myself knowing that Miss Haru is here unwell while we're out," Baron replied, which caused the Maid to shoot up from her position immediately.
"What! You can't do that!" she cried, then fell back with a groan when her head began to throb.
"Miss Haru, please save your strength," Baron advised, moving closer to her bed. The girl shook her head, coughing slightly.
"I don't want the two of you to miss the ballet because of me. I'll be fine really. The doctor said so himself, all I need is some bed rest and liquids. There's no reason for you to waste the day…"
"Haru, I--"
"Please?" Haru interrupted, "I feel a little better already," and anyone who had eyes could see that it was a lie. "I'd never forgive myself, Miss."
"Well…" Louise's eyes furrowed in thought, looking from her Maid to Baron.
The orange cat scratched his chin in contemplation as well, his resolve beginning to loosen as Haru once again, turned her large, pleading eyes to him.
"It's not as if I'll be alone. There are other servants in the house to check up on me."
"Baron?" Louise asked, silently giving him the reins on what they should do. He paused for a moment.
"She does have a valid point," he reasoned, though it looked as if he still didn't like it very much.
The Lady looked conflicted, trying to find a good reason to stay behind and when she couldn't come up with one she sighed in defeat. "If you insist…"
Haru let out a sound of relief, and Baron couldn't resist an affectionate smile touch his own lips. He might not know everything about Haru Yoshioka, but he did know that if she was anything at all, she was selfless.
"I'll have the servants check up hourly on you, and Muta will bring up some chicken noodle soup," Baron said finally, moving to take his coat and top hat as Louise got up to do the same.
"As long as it's not fish soup, it sounds wonderful …Sir," Haru replied dazedly as sleep slowly claimed her.
The carriage slowed to a stop in front of the theatre and Baron stepped outside first, holding out a hand for Louise. She gratefully took it, her eyes taking in the building structure as she exited the automobile. It was grand, and arguably the most breathtaking of all the structures on the block. Outside, the heading read "Cinderella."
"Having the Russian ballet coming here is rather rare," Baron noted as they climbed the steps. "So it's actually quite fortunate that we're able to see them perform."
"I see," Louise replied half-heartedly.
"May I take your coats, Sir?" A cat who stood at the door asked. Both of them took off their coats and hats, nodding in thanks. The inside of the theatre itself seemed almost as if it were a small palace. Many people were lounging about, making idle chit chat while waiting for the show to begin. Some of the cats there, Baron recognized as other Nobles and rich businessmen. Most of which were staring and no doubt whispering comments about the him and Louise.
Louise wore a light green gown that matched her jade eyes. The neckline was modest, and the sleeves short, her arms instead covered with long, silk gloves, while Baron was wearing a black suit for the occasion in the place of his usual light gray. They made quite the handsome couple, and it didn't escape Baron's ears that everyone seemed just a bit curious over the Lady on Baron's arm.
He looked over to noblewoman, who was blushing lightly; her cream colored ears slightly flattened on her head. Apparently she had caught some of their whispers too.
"Shall we get to our seats?"
"Yes, please," Louise agreed quickly.
On their way to their balcony, Baron saw a large, fat female cat approach them with an equally fat child. He bit back a groan at the sight of them. He tried to veer Louise into another hallway but it was already too late.
"Baron! How nice to see you!" the saccharine sweet voice bellowed as she basically plowed her way through the crowd to get to them. He could feel Louise clutch at his arm, no doubt feeling the instinctual urge to hide behind his back. Steeling himself he forced a polite smile.
"Madame Yubaba, it IS a surprise," Baron greeted, keeping his voice curt. "You're looking well."
"Why thank you, Sir," she giggled which sounded more like a cackle and waved her ring laden fingers in dismissal. "I never expected to see you here. And who is that fetching Lady you have there?"
"Pardon me, this is Miss Louise Engel. Miss Louise, this is Madame Yubaba and her son…"
"Boh," Yubaba supplied, tugging the arm of the tub of lard that was supposed to be her baby kitten. "Engel… that name sounds familiar," her squinty eyes grew ten times their size seconds later. "You're Viscount Engel's daughter!"
"Yes," Louise nodded, unable to take her eyes off of the heavy make up that masked the old cat's features in an obvious attempt to hide her age. "I'm here on a vacation, if you will."
"Well then you should stop by my hotel/spa once in a while," Madame Yubaba suggested eagerly, eyeing the fine clothing and jewelry that Louise wore, a sign of her position and wealth. "I'll even have a room reserved just for you, I insist!"
"That's very kind of you," Louise smiled nervously.
"You too, Baron. I'd be very upset if you didn't take me up on my offer."
"Thank you, Madame. I shall certainly think about it." He was just about to bid her farewell when she interrupted.
"You know, I heard quite the story the other day about our own very town hero. Some maid jumped into the street and saved a poor little kitten from being run over!"
The two nobles visibly stiffened upon mention of Haru, but Yubaba merely went on.
"And I heard that the Maid belonged to YOU, Baron."
"Oh, she's my Lady's Maid, actually," Louise corrected. "And yes, she did give us quite the scare the other day."
"With a Maid like that, I'm a bit envious, Miss Engel. It's so hard to find good help nowadays, I wouldn't mind having someone like that work for me. You know, if you ever find yourself wanting to part with some of your staff once you get settled down, you can to tell them that they are more than welcome to find work at my resort."
Baron felt his fur bristle in anger at what Yubaba was implying about Haru, as well as his personal relationship with Louise (though he wasn't sure why about the latter). If Louise's grip on his arm was any indication, she felt it too.
"Thank you, Madame. But I don't think that I will be retiring any of staff any time soon, even if I happen to marry. After all, I care about my servants a great deal, and wouldn't want them to end up with a new cruel mistress…or master," the Lady said firmly her tone just as sweetly false.
"Well, that's too bad," Yubaba grit out after a pregnant pause.
"If you'll please excuse us, Madame. The show is about to begin and we really should be getting to our seats. Please enjoy the ballet, both of you," he bowed before leaving the two, Boh baying rather loudly now about wanting snacks while Yubaba stood open mouthed.
When the both of them finally reached their balcony seats Louise took out her fan and began cooling herself in an irritated manner. Baron chuckled slightly and seated himself next to her.
"I've never been so peeved in my entire nine lives!"
"Yes, well…Madame Yubaba has that effect on people. Her twin sister though is supposed to be an absolute angel. But considering the circumstances, I think you handled yourself very well, Miss Louise."
Louise grew redder at that point, and Baron wasn't sure if it was from his compliment or if it was from residual frustration.
"You know, meeting her almost made me forget about Haru. But it seems my Maid has gotten a bit famous around here," the Lady sighed, her mood growing melancholy once more as her thoughts went back to her sick Maid back at Von Gikkingen Manor.
"I have to admit that I haven't met anyone like her," Baron smiled thinking of the Maid that he was steadily growing very fond of.
"Hm. She's always like that, you know? Helping people. Ever since she's been working for me she's always doing some kind of good deed--walking old cats across the street, covering shifts for other servants as favors, saving injured animals…"
'Finding lost brooches in the rain,' Baron added mentally.
"And yet she never likes to take the credit for any of it. Her modesty is refreshing. Other times though, it gets annoying…that girl…"
From what Baron experienced himself over the last couple of days he felt inclined to agree with her. He saw Louise's jade eyes grow distant with concern and placed a comforting hand on her folded ones.
"She said that she'll be fine. We need to trust her," Baron assured, though he himself couldn't seem to quell the worry from returning either.
This…wasn't as enjoyable as he thought it would be. Baron spent the first half of the ballet periodically wondering if Muta and the other servants were taking sufficient care of Haru instead of paying attention to the performance. His mind kept replaying the moment he had found her in the rain, already thoroughly soaked and shivering like a leaf from the cold. He trusted Doctor Nishi's diagnosis, but he couldn't help but wonder if her condition is a bit worse than they were informed.
Beside him, Louise didn't seem to fare any better. She watched the ballet with vacant eyes, only barely registering what was happening. She seemed go grow increasingly depressed when the evil stepmother and stepsisters locked Cinderella in the kitchen and ran off to the ball without her.
Baron reached over and touched her shoulder, startling her. "Perhaps we should leave a little early?"
"But we're only halfway through…"
"I don't think you'd enjoy it very much anyway with the state you're…well, WE'RE in."
Louise gave a small smile and nodded. "Sorry, Baron. I'm afraid I'm not very good company tonight. But I feel so guilty about leaving Haru behind…"
"I'll go get our coats," he said, standing up.
Haru seemed to be sufficiently speechless when Louise barged in (knocking first of course, but still entering without waiting for an answer) and took to her bedside immediately, Baron following shortly after.
"Milady! What are you doing here, surely the ballet can't be over yet!"
"Actually, we left about halfway through," Baron said from the doorway, smiling gently down at the Maid who, he was relieved to see, looked a like she was feeling considerably better than she did in the morning. "Your Mistress was too worried about you to pay attention to anything else, really."
'And so was I,' he thought to himself as Louise grew slightly pink.
"Oh, Miss…I told you that I was fine. Muta and the others have been taking very good care of me. I hardly have any fever left," Haru smiled.
"Perhaps, but I feel much better now that I'm here," Louise laughed before reaching down into her bag.
"Here, this is for you!"
Baron watched as Haru examined the object that was shoved into her hands. It was a teddy bear tied with a yellow bow, with the words "Get well soon," scrawled on its' tag. He had suggested that Louise get her a small gift on their way home.
"Do you like it?" her Mistress asked.
"You're too much, Miss. To make all this fuss over a maid?"
"You're not just a maid to me, Haru," Louise smiled before swiftly changing the subject by retelling her encounter with Madame Yubaba to Haru while Baron chuckled in amusement.
Baron was on his way to his room after escorting Louise to hers once they finished dinner when he ran into Muta in the hallway. The Chef looked up from the tray he was holding and grunted at Baron when he met his eyes.
"Muta? Who is that for?" Baron asked curious, eyeing the single mug and tiny jar next to it.
"Some milk with honey for the little Baby," Muta answered.
Ah, so it was for Haru then.
"She told me it was something her mom used to make her when she was sick."
Baron eyed the cup for a moment before making a decision. "Why don't you retire for the day, Muta. I'll take this up to Miss Haru."
Muta gave him a strange look before handing him the tray. "Alright then," he conceded, and the Noble felt eyes burn into his back as he made his way down to the servant's quarters.
By the time he reached her door, he couldn't stop the inexplicable feeling of nervousness from creeping upon him. Shaking away the strange sensation, he knocked on her door three times. A soft "Come in!" sounded from the other side and he took a deep breath before entering.
Haru looked up, clearly surprised to see that the Lord of the House had come down to visit her. At least by himself, anyway.
"Sir!"
"Disappointed to see me?" He asked, a playful smile on his lips. She shook her head quickly, sitting herself up in bed.
"No, I was just expecting Muta is all."
He seated himself next to her while she put down a book on her nightstand, presumably from his own library. She thanked him as he handed her the mug and watched as she drank it in grateful, large gulps.
"Ah, that's much better," she sighed.
His sharp, green irises studied the girl for a second, taking in her light brown fur and brunette hair. Even as a cat she was rather pretty. No stunning beauty like Louise, but there was something about Haru that made others take a second look. He wondered briefly what she must have been like when she was human.
"Sir?" She questioned when she caught him staring a bit too long.
He recovered quickly, and sat back in his seat. "Miss Haru, I wanted to ask you something…"
A small smile graced her features and she held her warm cup in her lap. "You're wondering why I didn't tell my Mistress how I found her brooch."
Baron nodded, waiting for her to continue.
"I don't want to cause the Miss any more grief or worry. She's been so kind to me already."
"…Your Mistress is very lucky to have such a loyal and caring Maid such as yourself," Baron said softly. Haru grew silent for a moment, staring at the steaming milk as if all of her answers could be found in her mug. His gaze locked on her mouth, where she was currently biting her lower lip in deep thought.
"I…I wasn't always a maid you know," she began hesitantly. "I used to be…"
"Human?"
Haru startled, her hazel eyes wide. Baron only shrugged.
"Muta told me."
She laughed lightly at this but didn't seem upset about it. "I was just an ordinary school girl, on my way home from school with my best friend when this crazy cat steps right onto the street. Doesn't even see the truck headed straight for it."
"Let me guess, you saved it?"
"Yeah. Trying to break the habit. Turns out he was the Prince of the Cat Kingdom himself and the Cat King wanted to make me Prince Lune's bride as a way of thanking me. He kidnapped and brought me here, where he forced me to stay past dawn so that I couldn't change back into a human even if I went back."
Baron frowned, his fist unconsciously clenching in silent anger. Haru continued.
"Turns out though that Prince Lune already had a bride in mind. But even then the King wouldn't let me go. Instead he decided that I would marry HIM and become his new Queen," the Maid let out a shudder at this. "I ran away then, back to the Human World."
"You went back to the Human World?" Baron asked, surprised.
"Uh-Huh. But when I went back home, my Mother didn't even recognize me. I mean, I wasn't expecting her to, but still…"
No, he didn't think that she would. Cats could freely travel between the Cat Kingdom and the Human World, but can only appear as regular cats when they entered the Human World. He could imagine her shock and dismay when she first discovered this.
"The Cat King found me soon enough and dragged me back. It wasn't until I was getting fitted for my wedding dress that I decided to make my second break that night. This time though I ran as far as I could, even when I ran out of supplies I kept on going. I knew I couldn't go back home…I didn't know where to go. That's when Miss Louise found me.
"I didn't trust anyone, so naturally it made it difficult for people to want to help me. But not my Mistress. She stayed by me when no one else would. I don't know what I would have done without her. I owe Miss Louise a great debt."
She turned her hazel eyes back to Baron, who seemed to be completely enraptured now.
"So you see, Sir, I'm the one that's fortunate. I've come to love her as family. The last thing I want to do is cause her any more grief."
If possible, Baron found himself filled with even more admiration for the girl. She chuckled suddenly, placing her cup on her bedside table.
"It's the strangest thing, I never told anyone about what happened to me, not even my Mistress. I don't think I trusted them enough with my secret, or didn't think that they'd understand…"
Baron felt himself warm at this, not missing her implication. Haru, was telling him she trusted him. "I promise that it will be just between us."
Haru smiled at him, which he returned without hesitation. "I have to confess that when I first learned of my Mistress's engagement I was concerned. I mean, I didn't know what kind of man that she was going to marry would be like. If he would be kind or compassionate, or generous…or if he would be greedy or cunning and conniving. I know now that I was worried over nothing…"
Their eyes caught. Emerald to Hazel in that instant and suddenly Baron found it hard to breath with the intensity of her gaze upon him.
"You're a good man, Baron."
He had been told that many times in the past, but for some reason to hear Haru say that both humbled and elated him. He hadn't realized that somewhere in the back of his mind he had wanted her approval. He wanted to thank her, but the words got caught up in his throat somewhere along the way, and she blushed when the silence stretched too long and he had yet to look away.
Finally, he coughed awkwardly and stood up. "I think I shall leave you to get some sleep now, Miss Haru. I hope you feel better in the morning. Good night."
"Good night to you too," Haru replied shyly, burying herself under her blankets.
As Baron closed the door behind him, he realized with a gentle smile that it was the first time that Haru had actually called him by his name instead of 'Sir', and it felt rather wonderful.
The next morning when Haru awoke, she would find a single potted dandelion on her bedside table and for some reason felt the stirrings of hope for something yet to come.
End Chapter
Author's Note: The title of this chapter, "The Hearth Cat" or "La Gatta Cenerentola" is the earliest European version of "Cinderella," originating from Portugal. I was surprised when I found out about it and thought it fitting for the story.
More Ghibli cameos! Of course Yubaba and Boh from "Spirited Away", and Doctor Nishi, or Shiro Nishi, is an antique shop owner and was the one who bought the Cat Doll Baron from "Whisper of the Heart."
This chapter was harder than I thought to write for some reason. It was a bit heavier on Louise/Baron than previous chapters mainly because we can't forget that Louise is supposedly the woman Baron is going to marry. It isn't very much of a love triangle when there's no relationship there.
This also marks a turning point of sorts for Haru and Baron, since, up until now they were unconsciously testing each other. Now that everything has been laid bare they trust and respect each other, and you know what that means…It can only go downhill from here.
THANK YOU to everyone who reviewed in the last chapter.
READ AND REVIEW PLEASE! Response is LUFF.
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