𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟕: 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
The Marchioness said she wanted to be alone and asked us to leave.
As we left the conservatory, Rachael apologized to me.
ㅤ
“I’m sorry. My grandmother, she wasn’t in a good mood today. . . . . .or rather, she’s usually like that.”
“No, not at all. I’m relieved that we weren’t kicked out.”
ㅤ
If she truly hated people, she would have driven out a stranger like me who brought a child along.
“For now, it seems we’re allowed to stay here, so I’ll do my best to support the Marchioness.”
ㅤ
Rachael held my hand and thanked me.
Even though I’m the one who should be grateful. . . . . .
ㅤ
As we walked down the long hallway, Rachael explained how to live in the mansion.
ㅤ
“If you need anything, you can ask the merchant who comes every three days. Whether it’s a dress, cosmetics, or anything else, feel free to ask.”
ㅤ
This mansion is apparently managed by Lyle, the heir apparent, under the surveillance of the Marquis.
ㅤ
“Lyle is Irma’s older brother and my cousin.”
ㅤ
Currently, at the age of thirty, he seems to be assisting his grandfather, the Marquis, in place of his deceased father.
ㅤ
“I’ll introduce you at an evening party or something.”
“O, Okay.”
“He’s a bit stubborn like my grandmother, but he’s a good person overall.”
ㅤ
As a foreigner with ambiguous status, I wonder if I have the right to attend an evening party. But since I’m being taken care of here, I suppose it would be good to greet everyone.
ㅤ
“Um, does Marquis-sama know about my presence?”
“Not really, and he doesn’t need to. My grandfather loves young women. If he heard about your situation, he would feel sorry for you and want to keep you as a mistress at his villa. You wouldn’t like that, would you?”
“Well――”
ㅤ
If it’s for surviving with Florenci, I was prepared to rely on someone using my youth and femininity as a weapon.
I’m not in a position to clearly deny it and say I don’t like it.
Perhaps my feelings were apparent on my face. Rachael quickly apologized.
ㅤ
“I’m sorry. I said something unnecessary.”
“No, it’s okay.”
ㅤ
While having such a conversation, we arrived at the room where Florenci was waiting.
When the door opened, there was another woman besides Rachael’s maid.
ㅤ
“Ah, good timing. This is Annie, one of the maids.”
ㅤ
She looks to be just over twenty. A cute woman with chestnut hair and black eyes.
ㅤ
“My grandmother likes her because she’s quiet.”
ㅤ
When I introduced myself as Lara・Dosa, Annie gave a small bow. After that, there was no conversation, and when Rachael whispered something to her, she quickly left the room.
ㅤ
“Annie is always like that, so don’t worry about it.”
ㅤ
The other maid’s name is Rosa. She’s an eighteen-year-old girl, and she seems to love to chat.
ㅤ
“Once Rosa gets a hold of you, she’ll talk forever, so please bear with her in moderation.”
“O,Okay.”
“I asked Annie to tell the other servants about you, so if you run into Tony or Lloyd in the mansion, just greet them.”
ㅤ
Tony is a seasoned cook who has served the Marquis family for thirty years, and Lloyd seems to be a secretary and servant sent by Lyle.
ㅤ
“Technically, you are in a higher position than my grandmother, so you can order them.”
ㅤ
She added that she wasn’t sure if they would comply, being busy and all.
ㅤ
“Were you surprised to see that the mansion is not very clean?”
“No, my home also had only the minimum number of servants, so it’s something similar.”
“I see.”
ㅤ
I reassure Rachael that there’s no need to worry.
Afterwards, she showed me around the necessary rooms like the Marchioness’s private room and bedroom, the kitchen, linen room, distillery, storage room, etc.
Even though we went to places where the servants were likely to be, there was no sign of them.
Then, she showed me the small house that would be our base for living.
ㅤ
Stepping out from the back door, a lush garden greets you.
Winter flowers such as Freckles that scatter freckle-like blossoms, Irises that grow straight stalks like swords, and Daphnes that exude a fragrant aroma, were in bloom.
Although a bit of weed had sprouted, it was well-maintained.
It seems that many gardeners are called in once a week for care.
Ahead of the path surrounded by Snowdrops, a cottage was built.
ㅤ
“This is the place.”
ㅤ
It is a cute single-story house built with honey-colored bricks.
Florenci let out a cheer of “Wow!” and ran towards the entrance.
ㅤ
“What a lovely house.”
“Yes, indeed.”
ㅤ
Rachael moved closer and whispered some unexpected information.
ㅤ
“This is an annex built by grandmother, but it seems to be a house built with both ‘refuge’ and ‘criticism’ in mind when grandfather used to bring his mistress into the mansion too much in his younger days.”
“I, I see.”
ㅤ
After giving birth to two children, the roles were reversed and it seems that the Marchioness drove out the Marquis and his mistress from the mansion.
After that, this cottage seemed to have become a place where the Marchioness would stop by when she wanted to be alone.
ㅤ
“It’s a cottage with a story, but I’d be glad if you could use it.”
“Sure.”
ㅤ
It seems that the maid was asked to clean the inside once a week. It appears to be ready for immediate use.
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- That Cringey Anime Obsessed Kid In Your Class: A Guide to Not Being That Guy (Or Gal)
- The Social Isolation Speech Impediment: How Being a Shut-In Can Make You Sound Like a Robot
- Who’s Your Waifu? Why Choosing Your Anime Spirit Animal Is Deeper Than You Think (And Who I’d Pick)
- Cursed Hands: When Anime Fandom Goes Too Far
- Demon Slayer: Tengen Uzui – The Ultimate Husbando?
Leave a Reply