TMOHI 12

Chapter : 12

But reality was merciless.

Far from being promoted to head chef, the restaurant’s general manager advised her to leave the kitchen.

No—he forced her to.

“If you have a child, you won’t be able to work for at least half a year… We have to think about the losses we’ll suffer until then. Meno, looking at your career, you’ve worked long enough for a woman. It’s time to stop being greedy and give up your spot to the juniors.”

A future with her baby felt thrilling and full of anticipation.

But giving up the career she had built over her entire life because of that was something she couldn’t accept.

“Argh! Damn old bastard! Just because you came from the capital headquarters, you think you’re everything?! Aaaargh!”

Meno’s scream echoed loudly.

The people in the changing room cursed the manager and the restaurant’s unfair decision along with her.

But their anger was brief. Once the break ended and everyone dispersed, a deep sense of anxiety settled over them all.

Letiz was no exception.

‘The sous-chef is the most senior person in this restaurant. If even she is treated like this, then what about me and everyone else…?’

Even including the kitchen staff and waiters, women were a minority at the restaurant.

Still, Meno had served as a central pillar for the women, helping them stay united.

‘What am I supposed to do now?’

Letiz was planning to get married next year.

Her fiancé said he wanted two children, and Letiz agreed.

But with the atmosphere like this…

‘If I get pregnant too, will I be kicked out?’

The Queend Hotel was, comparatively, a woman-friendly workplace.

There were separate changing rooms and restrooms for female employees, and officially there was little wage discrimination.

They also hired a fair number of women in the first place.

‘That’s why I wanted to stay here as long as possible.’

While swallowing a sigh over her stifling future, she ran into Belin and Celine.

The three were childhood friends from the same village.

In particular, Letiz’s poor family owed a great deal to the sisters’ father.

“Hey! How have you been all this time?!”

As break time approached, the three moved to another spot to catch up on what they hadn’t been able to talk about.

Or rather, they wanted to.

“Our inn went bankrupt, so we just got jobs as maids in a noble household and are getting by. For the record, neither my sister nor I nor Celine are married, none of us have lovers, and we don’t have any plans for that either.”

If Belin hadn’t leaned in and rattled off her update so quickly before Letiz could even ask anything—

“So what about you, Letiz? When did you start working here? How’s the work environment at the Queend Hotel? Any complaints about the company?”

“B-Belin, you’re awfully proactive.”

Letiz laughed awkwardly, then paused and let out a long sigh.

Normally, since it had been so long since they’d seen each other, she wouldn’t have said anything negative…

But what had happened that afternoon weighed on her so heavily that her mouth opened without her realizing it.

“Actually…”

And just like that, Letiz poured out all the frustration she had been holding in.

After saying it all, she regretted bringing it up—but at the same time, she felt a little relieved.

“So that’s why I’m really torn right now.”

“Letiz!”

As soon as she finished, Celine, who had been listening, beamed.

“Then don’t you want to change jobs?! The person we serve is planning a new business, and it looks like she’s only going to hire women!”

“Only… women?”

Letiz lowered her voice dramatically and whispered, her face suddenly serious.

“If this is something dangerous, wave your hand under the table…!”

“And so, because of Celine’s hasty words, Letiz ended up with a ridiculous misunderstanding. As a result, Celine had to pile on all sorts of long-winded explanations to clear things up—for example—

“Don’t misunderstand! The person I serve is a woman too! And she feels really sorry that women who work usually end up quitting unwillingly because of marriage or pregnancy! So she wants to create a work environment where women don’t have to choose between family and work! And that’s why she wants to start by hiring only women!”

—something like that. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, Celine’s desperate excuses worked pretty well. In fact, Letiz said her coworkers would also be very interested in the proposal, and suggested that, if it was okay, they all meet together soon to talk it over.

We would like to apologize to Lady Eani. We acted on our own and stirred things up (waaah! I’m so sorry, Lady Eani! I just thought it was a good opportunity since you needed manpower!), and I apologize for Celine’s sudden interference. I, too, have no face to show you for failing to stop her. Please forgive us just this once, and I swear on my late father’s honor that we will never make such a mistake again.

We agreed to meet Letiz again in exactly three days. How would you like us to proceed? If you are willing to meet Letiz and her group, we will remain on this island longer and make contact. All expenses incurred will be paid out of our own pockets. If you do not wish to have any contact with Letiz’s group, we will immediately return to Tadivna Island. We will follow whichever course you choose, so please feel free to reply at your convenience.

From Weina, your ashamed servants, Belin & Celine.”

“Hahahahaha!”

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud after reading Belin’s letter.

“Your younger sisters really caused a scene this time!”

“I’m sorry, Lady Eani. I’ll scold them properly…”

Elin’s face flushed red, as if heated by the blazing sun.

I waved my hand dismissively at her and set the letter down.

‘Well, Celine isn’t completely wrong.’

Right now, I did need to recruit as many women as possible.

All thanks to one pathetic man who couldn’t stand the sight of men around me.

‘I just didn’t expect it to be framed like this.’

Before I knew it, I had become a champion for creating jobs and improving work environments for women whose careers had been interrupted.

In that case…

‘It would be polite to make the most of this image, wouldn’t it?’

Having made my decision, I wrote a reply without hesitation.

It went roughly like this:

“It was wrong to act on your own without my review, but the judgment itself wasn’t bad. We definitely need capable people, and they were clearly dissatisfied with their workplace. Go ahead and meet Letiz’s group. After meeting them, find out what kind of working environment and salary they want, whether they’re truly useful personnel, and whether they’re genuinely willing to switch over to us. Belin, you make the call. You said running an inn was your dream, didn’t you? Having an eye for people is essential. I’ll use this opportunity to see what you’re capable of.

One more thing. I don’t want underlings who blindly obey my words and wait only for my orders. I want staff who understand the big picture I’m drawing and can execute the details. So I’ll cover all expenses incurred during this trip. In return, whether you remain as my maids or become operational staff at my resort will be decided based on the results of this matter.

Good luck.

—Eani Nacelle, who hopes all women’s career interruptions will disappear.”

I also enclosed a few pieces of information Belin might need, along with a handkerchief for use when necessary.

It was a high-quality handkerchief, clearly embroidered with the crest of the Duke of Seind.

‘It’s a very sudden job offer, and the workplace is a deserted island. Of course Letiz’s group will find us suspicious.’

That’s when they should use the handkerchief.

There was no need to make a big show of it.

Just quietly letting the embroidered crest catch the eye would be enough.

The Duke of Seind’s family was a great noble house that no one could impersonate.

Once they knew this offer was connected to Seind, their suspicions would quickly subside.

‘Security won’t be much of a concern either.’

After all, being impossible to impersonate also meant that carelessly spreading rumors could cost someone their life.

In that sense, the handkerchief would give them reassurance—and fear—at the same time.

‘By this logic, I might be the one impersonating the Duke of Seind.’

But what could I do?

It was the duke’s own son who locked me up here.

‘So it only makes sense to make use of the family’s reputation.’

At the latest, this letter would reach Belin and Celine by tonight.

Thanks to the “magic mailbox” installed in the villa—which instantly delivered mail to its destination once a preset code was entered.

It was an extremely expensive item, originally meant for the three sisters to send updates about my daily life to Harten.

‘But since those three are now under me, it’s basically my personal mailbox.’

The Queend Hotel in Weina also had one of these mailboxes installed.

So the letter I sent would soon be delivered to the two of them via the hotel staff.

‘Still, restaurant staff, of all departments…’

This might actually be perfect timing.

I looked at the beautifully cut fruit in front of me.

‘I just happened to discover a variety that only grows on Tadivna Island.’