"Why do I have to do this sort of thing?" Shinku said with clear displeasure, reluctantly holding a broom as she swept feathers and petals off the floor.
"Isn't it only natural?" Alice Kuonji supervised Shinku's work, her voice frosty.
Letting out a sigh, Shinku had no choice but to obediently continue cleaning.
But as she swept, she suddenly realized the companion who was supposed to be cleaning with her had vanished.
Where's Suigintou?!
Shinku immediately started looking for her sister.
Finally, she spotted that flash of silver behind the table.
Suigintou had long since regained her freedom. After all, what would be the point of puppeteering her to clean? She had to do it herself, of course.
"Hey, you over there." Shinku glared angrily at the slacking Suigintou.
From the other side, Alice's icy gaze swept over as well.
"Tch." Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Suigintou had no choice but to come out from behind the table. Picking up a small brush, she flew onto the table to sweep away the feathers and petals there.
Finally, the dolls began their cleaning work in an orderly fashion.
Robin the Robin, perched on Alice's head, watched the two dolls cleaning while swaying his head side to side.
"Miss Alice, are these two new Ploys?"
"Alice?"
Before Alice could reply, Shinku spoke up, puzzled.
"What's wro~ng," Suigintou sat on the edge of the table, mischievously tossing a handful of petals onto Shinku's ponytail, "Did you think Alice was that perfect Alice?"
Shinku immediately retaliated by flicking a feather that lodged itself into Suigintou's long hair.
The two dolls instantly dropped their tools, glaring at each other.
Feathers and petals began to stir restlessly once more.
But the next moment, Alice's cold gaze swept over them.
"If anyone dares to mess up my room again, they won't get any meals tomorrow."
"Urgh..." x2.
The two dolls slowly averted their eyes from each other and resumed cleaning.
While the Rozen Maiden don't need to eat, neither wanted to give up delicious food.
Even in England, there were plenty of tasty things to be had, like Asian food, for instance.
Watching the dolls' obedient movements, Alice nodded in satisfaction. "You can choose any of the rooms next door as you like. You can sleep here too if you want."
Seeing Shinku had finished tidying the trash, Alice looked towards Suigintou on the table.
"Suigintou, repeat to Shinku what I just told you."
The two dolls glared at each other again.
"It's as I said. The mutual-killing Alice Game is over. If you want to fight to… communicate your feelings, that's fine. But you must not damage or harm your sisters."
Alice swept a dangerous glance over the two dolls. "Remember to clean up after you fight. Children who don't listen will be punished."
Suigintou, recalling her recent experience, pressed her lips together and turned her face away.
Shinku looked thoughtfully at Suigintou.
"Of course, children who do listen will get rewards." Alice crouched down, gently brushing the dust from both dolls' clothes.
"So, decided where you'll sleep?"
"The room on the right!" x2.
The two dolls locked eyes once more.
"First come, first served. I already picked that room ages ago," Suigintou said, crossing her legs and touching her neck. It felt a bit itchy.
"I said it first just now," Shinku retorted, crossing her arms, unwilling to back down.
"Settle it with rock-paper-scissors," Alice suggested, brushing non-existent dust from her skirt as she sat primly on the bed, watching the little showdown.
Suigintou and Shinku looked at each other, then raised their small hands.
"Rock, paper, sciss—"
After several rounds of draws, Suigintou finally won the fierce duel.
--+--
A few peaceful days passed. During this time, Shinku and Suigintou squabbled frequently, but they always conscientiously cleaned up the aftermath of their fights.
On a clear weekend morning, Alice and Shinku were enjoying tea in the sunroom.
"Suigintou, won't you join us for tea?" Alice set down her cup, softly inviting Suigintou.
"No way. I hate black tea," Suigintou refused outright.
"That's a lie. We even fought once over tea time before," Shinku exposed her without hesitation, earning a fierce glare from Suigintou.
Just as Charlotte walked into the garden, she saw the two adorable dolls staring each other down.
"I came over as soon as my holiday started," Charlotte patted Sigmund, who was laden with packages. Struggling to unload the items, she stood in the garden and muttered under her breath, "Honestly, couldn't someone come open the door for me?"
Sigmund chuckled, shrank down, and flopped onto Charlotte's head.
Charlotte waved towards Alice in the sunroom. After getting her attention, she pointed at the things by her feet and called out.
"Open the door~"
Alice glanced at Suigintou, who promptly closed her eyes.
She turned to Shinku, who also pretended not to see.
The two sisters were quite in sync in this regard.
Sighing, Alice had to get up and head to the front door.
After the door opened, Charlotte laboriously hauled the large and small bags inside.
Breathing heavily, Charlotte looked at Alice discontentedly. "Couldn't you help a bit?"
"Asking a lady to do manual labor is most ungraceful behavior."
"Then does that mean I'm not a lady?!"
Her heavy breathing instantly transformed into indignation.
"Well~, who knows?" Alice deftly sidestepped the topic, leaning over slightly to look at the things on the floor. "What are all these?"
"You think you can just brush it off that easily?" Charlotte looked at Alice helplessly, then explained, "Some materials for automata. Aren't you learning how to make dolls? So I bought you some to practice with…"
Charlotte awkwardly turned her face aside.
Alice's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
This child is kind of cute.
Meeting Alice's gaze, Charlotte's cheeks grew redder and redder, and her head drooped lower and lower.
"Thank you," Alice finally said, just as Charlotte seemed about to steam. She accepted the materials.
Charlotte visibly brightened, picking up another bag. "I'll bet Alice hasn't had lunch yet, right?"
Alice nodded, then looked towards Shinku and Suigintou, who had followed her out of curiosity. "Let's take care of these materials."
Hearing this, Suigintou snorted and walked away.
Shinku, however, stayed put, looking displeased at Alice. "Asking a lady to do manual labor is most ungraceful behavior."
"Hmm…" Alice flicked her finger slightly. Suigintou, who hadn't gotten far, walked back with a face full of reluctance.
"We'll each carry a share. Incidentally, I'm going out tomorrow to buy black tea. You can each pick out whatever kind you like then."
Releasing her control over Suigintou, Alice crouched down to look into those defiant crimson eyes.
"I won't control you arbitrarily in the future either. How about that?"
Suigintou stared wide-eyed at Alice. After a moment of silence, she nodded.
"Good." Alice stood up first, roughly divided the materials into separate bags, picked one up, and headed upstairs.
Shinku and Suigintou each picked up a bag and followed.
"Charlotte, you can go wait in the sunroom."
"Mhmm." Charlotte, who had been quietly watching Alice interact with the dolls, nodded and picked up the somewhat heavy lunch.
She knew the Rozen Maiden had awakened, so she'd bought extra food, but she hadn't known there were two of them.
If there isn't enough, we can just give them Robin's portion~
Charlotte happily hummed a little tune.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.