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Chapter 35
The moment I opened my eyes in the morning, I got huge news.
“Getty ran away?”
They said Getty had fled yesterday. But no one knew the exact reason.
“Maybe it’s because of what happened yesterday?”
It was May who told me this.
“I don’t think so.”
If he had run away just because he was rude to me in front of the servants, he would have done it long ago. But she didn’t run away; she was waiting for me in my room.
‘Something felt off after yesterday’s fall. Did he hit his head or something?’
Otherwise, it would have been strange for him to leave so suddenly.
“Actually, before you came in yesterday, Getty suggested we kick you out. He said it doesn’t make sense for a commoner to be the little mistress and asked if it felt unfair.”
“Really?”
I had expected something like that.
“It wasn’t just one person who heard that. Even the head chef said he would report it to the higher-ups, so he probably ran away out of fear.”
So he had the nerve to appear in front of me even after suggesting I be kicked out. I didn’t know the exact reason, but he must have left after meeting me in my room.
‘He was limping… and yet he ran away.’
“Sigh.”
He’s still such a troublesome person.
“From now on, I’ll be the one to serve you.”
“May, you?”
“Yes.”
In the meantime, more good news arrived. They said the old beat-up car was gone and a Mercedes was coming!
“That’s wonderful, May!”
I quickly got up and grabbed May’s hand, shaking it. My body, which had been sore until just now, felt instantly better.
“You’re that happy?”
“Yes! Of course.”
“I’m happy too.”
When I smiled widely, May returned the smile.
“Don’t think too formally about me being your mistress. Treat me comfortably.”
I wanted to tell her not to use honorifics at all, but that would probably make her uncomfortable.
“I won’t think too formally. But I will still call you ‘Mistress.’”
“Good. In return, I’ll make something delicious today to thank you for coming.”
I rolled up my sleeves and stood up. I felt sorry for deceiving everyone yesterday, and grateful that they accepted it, so I wanted to repay them.
“Mistress, you can’t cook now. That’s our job.”
May looked troubled.
“It’s not like I have to make three meals a day. I’ll only do it when I want to and for the person I want to give it to.”
“I appreciate the thought, but you have something to do today.”
“Something to do? Please tell me it’s not etiquette lessons…”
I worried that if May had to do it, she would be inconvenienced because of me.
Just then, May opened the door and pulled in a clothes rack filled with garments.
They weren’t just ordinary clothes; they were obviously luxurious and expensive dresses.
Gorgeous fantasy-romance noblewoman attire that could make anyone’s eyes spin.
“What are all these clothes for?”
“The eldest mistress said to have these made for you. Try them on first, and we’ll adjust them to fit your body.”
“Sent by the lady?”
“Yes. Now that you’re also Bloody Mary, even the little mistress needs them.”
Even one or two would have been enough, but there seemed to be around twenty. I knew I shouldn’t be receiving such things…
‘But looking at them, I feel like a princess. They’re so nice.’
Maybe I could just close my eyes this once and accept it.
“Uhuhuhu.”
Wearing the beautiful dresses made me hum a tune unconsciously. Whether it was the dress or the hanger, the red dress I wore looked perfect.
After that, I immediately headed to the kitchen and rolled up my sleeves.
“You really don’t have to do that…!”
May tried to stop me, looking worried.
“Mistress, you said your back hurts. And Getty pushed you earlier, so your body isn’t in good condition! You should call the doctor!”
“I’m fine! I can rest a bit later.”
“Please, let me do it now.”
Even Hotzen tried to stop me with a ladle in hand, but it was already too late.
“The five-course meal is complete.”
In no time, I had prepared five dishes.
“Phew, it’s been a while since I really got to show my skills, so I wasn’t very fast.”
“…You made five dishes in an hour and a half?”
Hotzen looked at the kitchen clock in shock.
“How is it? Western dishes take some time, so it took a bit longer.”
Today’s dishes were salad and risotto with pasta and mushrooms. Normally, these aren’t dishes I make often, but I adjusted them to my own style.
“I’ve never seen this kind of pasta before. What kind is it?”
He asked, looking at the brownish pasta.
“This is Japchae Pasta.”
“Japchae Pasta…?”
Originally, I wanted to make traditional japchae, but there were no glass noodles. So I overcooked pasta, added vegetables and meat, and used japchae seasoning. At least garlic exists in this world, which was a relief.
“Please try it. I also prepared portions for everyone.”
“When did you…?!”
“While the head chef was preparing the salad ingredients.”
Ta-da! The large bowl behind me was heaped with japchae pasta.
“Yikes! You made that much?”
“Japchae is meant to be eaten in large amounts, so that’s the proper way.”
Even this was less than half of the amount I usually make.
“I made this to show my gratitude to everyone, so please enjoy it.”
“Thank you. The maids will surely like it too.”
“Please give me feedback later. Also, try this side dish.”
I handed over a pile of cabbage.
“What’s this?”
“Kimchi. Cabbage pickled with chili seasoning, kind of like a pickle?”
Since there was no napa cabbage here, I made kimchi with regular cabbage.
“Kimchi…?”
Hotzen tilted his head, hearing a new word again.
“Ugh, it smells spicy. What’s that red stuff?”
“That’s chili. There’s a whole stockpile in the storage.”
It was even dried perfectly, making it ideal for chili powder.
“You used that? It’s not even usually used as medicine and was just stored away.”
Hotzen was flabbergasted.
“Why use something so good? People here don’t eat chili?”
“Hardly. The flavor is so strong and it’s just spicy. That’s why we dried it all shortly after bringing it in.”
No wonder chili was the cheapest at the market. That’s why they even planted it in the yard.
“But even with spicy things, I thought they couldn’t have pepper?”
Black pepper was very expensive and rare in the past. Hotzen was shocked again.
“Compared to that? Pepper has a subtle spiciness. Well, I only tasted it briefly a long time ago, so I don’t remember clearly.”
I see. Spicy, but different. A smile spread across my face.
“All the chili in storage, I can use it, right?”
Then I could make as much Korean food as I wanted in this land of greasy cuisine!
“Yes? Of course. You’re not planning to eat it all, right? That would be bad for you.”
“I won’t eat it all, just use it for cooking. Like this kimchi.”
I handed Hotzen the freshly seasoned kimchi again. He still looked at the red seasoning with unfamiliarity.
“At first it feels spicy, but you’ll gradually get addicted to the flavor. And you’ll realize it goes perfectly with these dishes.”
Leaving hesitant Hotzen behind, I carried the prepared dishes onto a tray and headed out. I worried it might be hard to bring them to the main hall, but the kitchen lent me a wheeled trolley.
“I’ll do it, Mistress.”
“Hmm? Could you? Thank you.”
And so, May and I headed to the main mansion. On the way, she asked me quietly:
“You’re wearing a new dress and cooking?”
“I like it! Strangely, the dress is as comfortable as a maid uniform. Why is that?”
Usually, dresses have corsets and low necklines to emphasize the waist and décolletage. But this dress had no corset, the chest wasn’t low-cut, and it was stretchy. The waist area was loose enough to eat a full meal comfortably.
‘Did they make it different because I’m a commoner?’
Still, the design was elegant, so it didn’t look different. It was great for me. Even after cooking a five-course meal in the kitchen, I felt completely comfortable.
“Do you think the Duchess will like it?”
“There’s no way she wouldn’t like such a variety of dishes. And the little mistress is talented, after all.”
“Thanks for the compliment. But I wish I could’ve made more than just five dishes.”
I received twenty expensive dresses, but only made a simple five-course meal. But there wasn’t much time left until lunchtime.
‘I’ll have to treat them again next time.’
Once we arrived at the dining room, May and I set the table.
“But there are quite a few dishes, Mistress. Weren’t you just serving the eldest and little mistress?”
May asked, looking at three sets of tableware.
“Prince Dochef will join too.”
“…The second young master?”
“Yes, but family meals are meant to be together. Also, to celebrate the prince’s awakening.”
Food always tastes better when shared. Nikolai and Helbern wouldn’t make it better, so I excluded them.
“But the two of them don’t get along.”
May hesitated before telling me. I already knew. Francesca treats Dochef like an ugly duckling. I didn’t plan to invite him and upset her. I had simply made plenty, and there were only two people I wanted to give it to.
“If the mood turns bad, I’ll just sing for them.”
“Huh?”
“You have a wine bottle, right? Bring it here.”
I could even use a fork and sing if needed. The guests would arrive soon.
But then Junel dashed into the dining hall in a hurry.
[Halalala!]
“Please, don’t call me so urgently.”
“Huh?”
“No, May.”
Every time Junel appeared like that, my heart skipped a beat.
Sure enough.
[That crazy prince is coming!]
Please, no…
