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chapter 26
As usual, Lynette had brought dumplings she had made at home, and around three o’clock, she laughed at the unmistakable sound of Angela’s “hunger clock” going off.
“Ah… I-I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize. You must be hungry after having an early lunch.”
Back then, she couldn’t even afford breakfast, let alone an early lunch. Now that she earned a salary, she could buy food, but no matter how much she ate, her stomach would inevitably grumble around this time.
Angela, who had received so much from Lynette that she couldn’t ask for more, fell silent.
“At that age, even chewing on a rolling stone would make you hungry. You’re growing fast, after all.”
“Lynette…”
“Enough. Go get Angelo. It would be boring if he just stood around inside.”
“Yes! I’ll be right back.”
Angela ran off with a bright smile, knowing that Lynette was calling Angelo to do something for him.
“Lynette, do you even take care of the employees’ little siblings too?”
At some point, Rosemarie had started speaking to Lynette more casually. It felt natural, so Lynette just smiled without commenting.
“There’s a lot, so it’s too much for just us. Besides, he’s a child, so he needs to eat well to grow strong, right, Cheese?”
Cheese, brought home after a long time, sprawled in a small box. Ignoring Lynette’s words, Cheese covered his eyes with his pink jelly-like paws and fell asleep.
Seeing Cheese ignoring her, Lynette slowly took out the dumplings. The steamer and frying pan worked diligently to cook them.
“Mm, smell this aroma. It really makes your hunger clock ring on its own.”
“Indeed. Haha, even after lunch, my stomach is rumbling.”
The couple, who had eaten a hearty lunch before coming, salivated at the smell of the dumplings filling the shop.
“Angel sister, I’m here.”
Angelo, who had run ahead of Angela, clung to Lynette and hugged her.
“Angelo, you have to go with your sister. How can you just run off on your own?”
Breathless from running, Angela shot a quick glare at Angelo. Then, as if nothing had happened, she entered with a prim expression, which soon softened at the smell of the dumplings.
“Come sit here. These are fried and steamed dumplings, so eat your fill. You might not even feel like dinner later.”
The siblings swallowed hard at the irresistible aroma.
“Angel sister, where did you learn to make food like this?”
“Since I’m an angel, I probably learned it in heaven.”
“Eek! You don’t need to go to heaven just to make food. If you go there, you won’t be able to come back like our mom and dad.”
Seeing Angelo start to tear up, Lynette chuckled softly.
“I’m going there later because Angelo promised to protect me. Now, the dumplings are ready, so let’s eat.”
The children blew on the hot dumplings and smiled like little angels. Lynette, slightly hungry, also took a bite while exchanging glances with the couple.
Unable to resist their pleading looks, she put two dumplings on each of their plates.
“These are dumplings—these are steamed, and those are fried. Please try them and tell me which you like better.”
“Oh hoho! Don’t worry, I can tell you properly.”
Rosemarie and Claude, having received the dumplings as a service, hesitated briefly before devouring them as if they couldn’t let them go.
Seeing their protesting gaze as if to ask how anyone could eat this only as a snack, Lynette added more dumplings.
“Which do you like better? Last time, the fried ones won.”
“Hmm, I think the steamed ones are tastier. They’re soft and chewy.”
“I prefer the fried ones. They’re crispy and savory. Plus, it’s my first time tasting them, and I’m completely in love.”
Opinions were divided, and the tug-of-war between fried and steamed dumplings began again.
“No, the steamed ones are tastier. The fried ones are too greasy.”
“No, the fried ones are better. If the steamed ones seem tastier, it’s probably because, dear, your teeth aren’t strong enough.”
“Rose, did you just say that? My teeth aren’t strong?!”
“I’m not lying, am I?”
“Pfft! Haha… well, anyway, it’s a tie again, so stop arguing. There’s more, so eat up.”
At Lynette’s words, the arguing couple fell silent, enjoying the dumplings with coffee in a peaceful atmosphere.
“Miss Lynette, are you planning to sell this? I think my mother would be delighted if you brought some home.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t sell the food I make. Please understand.”
If rumors spread that she sold food even once, there would be people complaining why she wouldn’t do it for them. Lynette, not wanting any trivial trouble, said so, and Claude nodded.
“If you bring your mother here, I’ll serve her.”
“Oh, that won’t work. My mother rarely goes out and isn’t very mobile.”
The couple looked to be in their late thirties or early forties, so their mother would likely be in her late fifties to early sixties. In this world, average lifespans were lower, and for commoners, living past 40 was rare. Nobles lived longer due to better hygiene and nutrition, but reaching 60 was still considered quite old.
“I see. That’s unfortunate.”
Lynette’s grandmothers had both passed away when she was five and eight, respectively, at just over fifty years old.
“Lynette, I really enjoyed the meal. Coming here always makes me so happy I lose track of time.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
As Lynette smiled faintly, she suddenly missed her grandmothers. But she thought about visiting other places instead of going to the portrait of her grandmothers at Count Prunier’s estate.
“Lynette, what are you doing tomorrow, your day off?”
“Uh, hmm… I’m planning to visit my grandparents’ house. I couldn’t go for a while due to circumstances.”
Her maternal grandmother’s portrait was there, and whenever she went, she remembered being fed even when full. Despite gaining weight, her grandmother would always scold Marsha, saying the children were starving. There were countless times Lynette nearly burst from overeating at her grandparents’ house.
After sending off the guests, Lynette finished closing the shop and bought some ingredients to prepare for tomorrow.
“Tomorrow, don’t think about anything and just rest.”
“I’m going to my grandparents’ tomorrow. I’ll make dumplings to take, so help me a bit.”
Since the Countess Florence estate was closed, Lynette hadn’t mentioned her grandparents. Katrin nodded, thinking it would be better for her to meet people rather than stay isolated.
“Countess Florence will be very pleased.”
“Well, that depends on whether I get past the main gate or not.”
The next day, Lynette woke early, made the dumplings, and headed to the Florence estate by carriage, dressed up with Katrin’s help.
❅
The carriage stopped at the same place as thirteen years ago. Lynette got out, holding the basket, paid the driver, and stood in front of the estate.
“Who’s at the door…”
“Oh! Miss, welcome! The master has been eagerly waiting for you.”
The new staff didn’t recognize her, but the long-serving driver, James, immediately opened the door, recognizing her even after thirteen years.
“Long time no see, Sir James.”
“Yes, Miss, it’s been ages! My, how you’ve grown.”
Lynette, who had visited frequently before the estate was locked down, always brought a bright smile that charmed everyone.
“Where are Uncle and Cass?”
“The master is busy, and the young master is at the palace, but he should be arriving soon.”
Though Lynette hadn’t given a heads-up, Casper was racing toward her in time.
“Lynetteeee!”
Speaking from a galloping horse would be suicidal. You could bite your tongue if you weren’t careful. But Casper ignored caution and called her name as he saw her.
“Indeed, the young master appears whenever you arrive, no matter what he’s doing.”
Wherever Lynette appeared, Casper would rush over, as if he had a sensor for her.
“My Lynette came to see me.”
Casper hugged her tightly, refusing to let go.
“Brother, I can’t breathe!”
“It’s okay, I feel like I can’t breathe too.”
Struggling, Lynette almost felt like a squid being squeezed in his arms.
“Cough, young master. Miss Lynette seems to be struggling. And she has luggage.”
Hearing this, Casper finally released her.
“What’s this?”
“Food. I’m bringing it for my grandmother first.”
“Good thinking. She’ll be so happy to see you. Shall we go inside, Lady?”
Casper lifted her basket and extended his hand. Lynette was about to take it, but someone else grabbed her hand first.
“My Lynette came to see Uncle. Come quickly.”
The news of her arrival spread, and Conrad abandoned his work to escort her, holding her small hand with a bright smile.
“Cass almost suffocated me! I thought my heart would stop when he hugged me tightly.”
“Cass, she’s a proper lady now. You can’t hug her like when she was a child. Hug like this instead.”
Suddenly, she was lifted off the ground and into Conrad’s arms.
“Uncle, put me down! I don’t want to die early!”
“I did some exercises knowing this would happen. Don’t worry, little one.”
At twenty years old, being called “little one” and hugged like a princess by her uncle—it was utterly embarrassing. Yet no one could intervene in that household.
“I came to see my grandmother, but I want to stop by the kitchen first.”
“If that’s what our Lynette wants, anything is possible.”
Conrad, willing to do anything Lynette wanted, led her to the kitchen. She quickly took out the dumplings and steamed and fried them.
The chefs looked curiously at the unfamiliar food, but she quietly avoided explaining and headed to the room with her grandmother’s portrait.
Her grandmother, with neatly pinned gray hair, smiled kindly.
“Our youngest has come. Why are you so skinny? Let’s eat something delicious right away.”
Whenever Lynette visited, her grandmother would immediately find food for her. Holding out the dumplings, Lynette said with a smile:
“Grandmother, do you know what this is? I made it myself. You said you’d like to try the food I make, so please have a little taste.”
