𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟕: 𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐝
While I was nervously dealing with the factional issues of Binemöer’s social world and Lord Montyver, it seems that Florenci was quietly studying.
He managed to learn in just a month what was expected to take about three.
His level of study amazed even the Marchioness who was watching him, and she complimented him, saying, “Ren is undoubtedly a genius.”
Moreover, she convinced me that it was absolutely necessary to hire a tutor, and she started inviting a home tutor.
With the new teacher coming and going, the Marquis mansion began to change.
ㅤ
First, the number of servants increased.
The Marchioness kindly hired new servants and maids to take care of Florenci.
As a result, the servant Lloyd was promoted to official butler, the maid Annie to head maid. Tony was appointed head chef, and Rosa was given the position of housekeeping supervisor.
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The environment of the Marquis mansion changed, but the servants’ day off, which happens once a week, remained the same.
On that day, I cook the meals and spend a quiet day with the Marchioness and Florenci.
I received a kind word from the Marchioness, “It might be hard for you, but it is somewhat healing for me.”
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Since coming to Binemöer, time has flown by and I’m spending peaceful days I hadn’t imagined.
I have nothing but gratitude for the Marchioness who accepted both Florenci and me.
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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
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One afternoon――I was looking for flowers to decorate Marchioness’s room in the garden.
Despite the season being cold, many beautiful winter flowers are blooming in the garden of the Marquis mansion. When I thought I found a beautiful orange flower and approached it, it turned out to be a pheasant.
Startled by my approach, it flapped its wings and flew away.
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[Nya, Nya!]
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Ga-chan told me, “There are beautiful flowers blooming over there!”
The purple foxgloves were in full bloom.
Foxgloves aren’t usually the kind of flowers you put in a vase, but they might be interesting because they’re unusual.
As I was about to pick them, a hurried voice came from behind.
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“Ah, Mrs. Dosa, you’re in a good place!”
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The owner of the bright and lively voice was Rosa, who had recently been promoted to housekeeping supervisor.
From the look of it, something must have happened.
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“Rosa-san, what’s the matter?”
“A big incident! The handkerchief that the Marchioness loves got carried away by the wind, and it’s missing!”
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The wind was strong in the morning, and it seems that the laundry dried well.
They were happy about it, but then they noticed the handkerchief was missing.
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“Actually, that handkerchief was a gift from Irma-ojousama, and it’s one of her absolute favorite ones.”
“That’s serious.”
“Yes, it is.”
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It seems that they have been desperately searching for it for about an hour, but they couldn’t find it.
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“It might have flown to the backyard. . . . . .”
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Unusually, Rosa’s voice trailed off.
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“So, Mrs. Dosa, would you come with me to the backyard?”
“That’s fine, but why?”
“The Marquis mansion’s backyard is creepy, even during the day.”
“Oh, I see.”
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If that’s the case, let’s accompany her.
For some reason, I was leading the way to the backyard of the Marquis mansion.
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As I rounded the corner of the mansion and stepped into the backyard for the first time. . . . . .
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“This is――!”
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The backyard was dense with trees and high in humidity. It was dim and had a damp, unique atmosphere.
“I’m surprised. The front yard and the backyard are so different.”
“That’s right. It’s scary, and I absolutely don’t want to go alone! Besides――”
“Besides?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
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I was curious about what she was going to say, but first and foremost, we had to find the handkerchief.
“Since it was blown away by the wind, I think it’s more likely to be caught in a tree than lying on the ground.”
“Ah, I see! I’ve only been looking at the ground so far.”
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As we walked, I started to feel a chill.
Just as Rosa said, it’s a place I wouldn’t want to approach alone.
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“If I can’t find the handkerchief, I’ll be fired.”
“Don’t worry. If that happens, we’ll apologize together.”
“Mrs. Dosa, you’re such a kind person!”
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As I was talking with Rosa, I began to feel distracted.
I’ll look for the handkerchief while keeping the conversation going.
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As we were making our way through the backyard, Rosa pulled my arm hard.
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“Ah, watch out there!”
“Is there something there?”
“There could be anything. . . . . .No, there’s a big lake.”
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The dampness of the backyard seemed to be due to the lake.
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“If the handkerchief has fallen into the lake, it would be a disaster. Let’s search for it quickly before it gets blown any further.”
“Okay. . . . . .”
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After about thirty minutes of walking around the backyard with a visibly perturbed Rosa, we finally found a white cloth caught in a tree.
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“Rosa-san, please take a look. There seems to be some cloth caught on that tree over there.”
“That’s true!”
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Rosa ran over and climbed the tree to get the handkerchief.
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“Mrs. Dosa, this is certainly the Marchioness’ handkerchief!”
“Is that so? That’s a relief.”
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The relief was short-lived.
Seeing the lake behind Rosa, I was startled.
The lake was shrouded in fog, creating an eerie atmosphere.
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“Mrs. Dosa, is something the matter?”
“No, it’s just. . . . . .I noticed the lake.”
“Ah! Ahhh!”
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Rosa hugged me and yelled that there was a figure in the lake.
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“Wait, where?”
“It was hidden behind the tree by the lake!! It’s the ghost of Irma-ojousama!! There’s no mistake!!”
“Rosa-san, that’s just a spider web.”
“Huh, a spider web?”
“Yes, there’s no doubt about it.”
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Indeed, at first glance, it might look like a human figure.
Rosa, having confirmed this, looked somewhat sheepish.
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“Um, Rosa-san, I have a question. Is this the lake where Irma-san passed away?”
“Ah, um.”
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Seeing how she avoided my gaze, I was certain I was right.
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