Cinderella is... the Male Lead? - Chapter 9
Cinderella’s sigh seemed to carry the message that Rona should take a hint and leave.
Usually, Cinderella would at least glance at her, but today she was scrubbing the rags with irritation, clearly in a bad mood. Given that she handled all the chores in the mansion alone, it was understandable that there were no good days for her, but today she seemed especially irritable.
It was best not to bother her when she was like this. As Rona was about to step back in fear, cold water splashed onto her face.
“Ah, cold!”
“Oh my! I’m sorry, Sister. I didn’t realize you were behind me.”
Cinderella approached Rona with an exaggeratedly surprised expression, her blue eyes wide as she covered her mouth with her hand, barely containing her laughter.
She had splashed the water on purpose, annoyed by Rona’s constant hovering. Seeing Rona drenched like a wet mouse, Cinderella’s perfect golden eyebrows twitched with amusement.
‘Seriously… I know she doesn’t like me, but to splash water on me out of the blue…’
Rona felt a surge of anger as Cinderella made no effort to hide her disdain.
However, she had to endure it, remembering what she had done before her memories returned. If she didn’t bear it, the only thing waiting for her was bloody revenge.
Clenching her teeth, she forced a trembling smile. The water had soaked her so thoroughly that she was drenched from head to chest.
Rona tried to squeeze the water out of her hair, attempting to sound kind.
“It’s okay. It was an accident.”
“I’m sorry. What should we do? You need to change your clothes…”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
Cinderella suddenly paused. Her blue eyes flickered with an odd light. Rona, unaware of this, followed her gaze downwards. Her thin summer dress was soaked, making her underwear clearly visible. The wet fabric clung to her body, revealing the shape of her chest.
Luckily, with no male servants around, it was only women in the mansion—otherwise, it would have been quite embarrassing.
“Ugh, this is bad.”
Rona fanned the neckline of her dress with her hand, trying to dry it. It was an unconscious act to relieve the dampness, but each movement revealed and concealed her cleavage.
‘It’ll dry soon enough. But if I linger here soaked, trying to act friendly, it might seem like I have no pride.’
Should she go back inside the mansion? No, there’s a saying that even rolling in a field of dung is better than dying.
Rona decided to swallow her pride, curious to see how Cinderella would react if she stood her ground. She thought Cinderella might feel guilty and lower her guard if she continued to linger despite being soaked.
After fanning her dress a few more times, Rona wiped the moisture from her chest and looked up with a bright smile, trying to gauge Cinderella’s expression.
Up until that moment, Cinderella had been staring blankly at Rona’s chest. When their eyes met, Cinderella quickly turned her head, her usually pale skin flushing red.
‘I thought she was shameless, but why is her face red now? She must feel embarrassed after doing that.’
Rona inwardly smirked and tapped Cinderella’s shoulder. Contrary to her usual brazen demeanor, Cinderella flinched at the touch and shrank back.
It was a fresh reaction she had never seen before.
‘Of course, being human means feeling guilty.’
Feeling slightly better, Rona smiled and stepped closer to Cinderella. It was amusing to see her avoid eye contact so shyly.
“Hey, Cinderella. Don’t worry. It looks like it’ll dry quickly. The sun is bright, and the breeze is warm today.”
“Ah…”
Cinderella cautiously lifted her head. Rona, enjoying the unusual reaction, spread her arms wide and looked up at the sky. It was a bit chilly, but she forced a cheerful smile to win Cinderella’s favor.
“Thanks to you, it feels refreshing and nice…”
“Sister! Y-You’ll catch a cold. Go inside quickly.”
Cinderella suddenly turned around. She picked up the bucket on the ground and gestured for Rona to go inside. Wanting to continue the conversation with Cinderella’s new behavior, Rona puffed out her cheeks in disappointment.
“Huh? No, it’ll dry soon…”
“No, please, go inside q-quickly.”
Cinderella pointed towards the mansion with a broomstick, still avoiding eye contact with Rona.
“It’s fine, but why do you keep insisting I go inside? Geez.”
Feeling a sudden stubbornness, Rona stepped closer to Cinderella, wanting to get even closer.
“Really? Then let’s go together. It’s awkward walking around the mansion wet…”
“S-Sister!”
It was the moment her wet body touched Cinderella. Startled, Cinderella pushed her away, but her hand landed in an unfortunate spot. Her large hand, incongruent with her beautiful face, touched Rona’s chest.
Realizing what she had touched, Cinderella’s eyes widened in shock. She quickly withdrew her hand but continued to stare at it in disbelief.
Rona was about to suggest going inside together.
“Cinderell…”
“Ah, just go inside quickly… Uuugh, whatever.”
Cinderella’s face turned bright red as she dropped the broom and bucket, then dashed away.
It happened so quickly. Cinderella, with her strength built from housework, ran faster than most men.
Rona, confused, tilted her head.
“What’s with her? This is tough. It’s so hard to get close to her… Ugh, I’m cold.”
