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Chapter 61
With Francesca’s permission, I was able to meet a merchant who traveled to and from Bloody Mary.
“How did you find out and come here, Young Master?”
But Docef was standing where the cargo wagons were coming in.
“I have some business too.”
“With the merchant?”
“Yeah.”
“You have business with me too, don’t you?”
At that, Docef, who had been looking toward the castle gate, glanced down at me.
I held out both hands to him.
“You have something to give me.”
“What?”
“Two silver.”
Only now did I remember—I had money to collect from him.
“Didn’t I already make up for it by peeling potatoes?”
“Tch. There’s still one silver left.”
Seems like he remembered that time too.
“But with the interest that’s built up, it’s become two silver.”
“Are we really doing this to each other?”
“The closer you are, the more strict you have to be about money.”
Besides, wasn’t Docef the son of a rich family?
He even smashed apples and still acted shamelessly.
“Close, huh. That’s not wrong.”
In the end, I won. He finally paid off the debt he’d been sitting on.
“Mei, look at this. I got two more silver!”
Holding the shining coins, I excitedly showed them off to Mei.
“What are you planning to buy that you’re extorting money from me?”
Docef looked at me, bouncing with excitement, with curious eyes.
“There’s so much to buy. It’s been a while since I went shopping.”
“Must have been lacking in many ways.”
“In some ways?”
Well… I had been lacking, sure.
Just as Docef approached me, apparently curious, Mei suddenly shouted toward the entrance.
“Milady, the wagons are finally coming in!”
After passing inspection, the merchants began bringing in wagons loaded with goods. The clatter of hooves, the creaking of wooden wheels, and the noisy chatter of people filled the air.
It was a different kind of spectacle from the market, and my lips curled up on their own.
As the wagons lined up, a man who had been riding a horse got down and removed his hat.
“Hmm. Greetings. I see some new faces today? My name is Marco.”
He was a young merchant.
“Hello. Nice to meet you. I’m Halara. This is Young Master Docef.”
“Huh? That ras— I mean, the second young master?”
“That’s right.”
I answered for him.
Marco quickly clapped his hand over his mouth, realizing his mistake, and bowed deeply.
“My apologies! I spoke out of turn, not recognizing someone of your status!”
“It’s fine. You’re not wrong.”
Docef jabbed me in the side.
“Why are you the one saying it’s fine?”
“You’re fine with it, aren’t you?”
“In what way?”
“Your face?”
“I’ll accept that.”
I meant his expression, though.
Since Docef just shrugged, I decided to let it go.
“Anyway, Marco. Please take care of us.”
“Yes! I look forward to working with you as well, beautiful Lady Halara.”
Marco grinned and held out his hand.
But the one who grabbed it was Docef.
“Yeah. Take care.”
Judging by how tightly he squeezed, he must’ve been displeased about being called a rascal earlier.
After barely pulling his hand away, Marco clutched his wrist and asked,
“So… what kind of relationship do you two have?”
“That was quick.”
Docef let out a dry laugh and gently wrapped an arm around my shoulders. I tilted slightly and ended up half-leaning into his chest.
“Something like… this and that.”
Even without a clear explanation, Marco immediately understood.
“I’m so jealous!”
“As long as you get it.”
What was that, seriously.
“Why are you making that displeased face?”
“Because that kind of thing is embarrassing.”
“Didn’t know you were the shy type.”
As if.
“It just doesn’t suit you, Young Master.”
“What, because I’m a rascal?”
“…Let’s go with that.”
I slipped away from him and turned to Marco.
“Marco, could we see the goods you brought today?”
“Of course! This way, please.”
With a bright smile, I followed Marco toward the wagons.
“If it’s a trading company, you also have goods brought for sale aside from what the family ordered, right?”
“Of course! Every wagon I brought today is filled with items for display and sale!”
Marco proudly spread his arms and stood in front of a massive wagon. Then he pulled out a bundle of papers.
“Father, are you watching? This Marco has brought everything without missing a single item this time! The day I inherit this trading company and make it the greatest on the continent is not far!”
Looking up at the sky, he muttered to himself. I cautiously asked,
“Has he passed away?”
“He’s right over there. With the butler.”
Then why were you looking at the sky?
I gave up trying to understand him.
“So, what would you like to see? Tea from the Eastern Empire with a rich fragrance? Or sugar confections from the Northern Empire?”
“Yarn.”
“Huh? Yarn?”
Marco froze.
“Yes. I’d like to see some strong, high-quality yarn.”
Expensive wool wasn’t sold in the market. There was no point bringing it in when no one could afford it. So I had always used cheap linen to make clothes.
But today, I was rich!
“Show me everything.”
Time to splurge!
***
Today as well, Mei brought warm tea to Halara.
It was tea sent by Francesca.
Why does the head lady always send rooibos tea?
Rooibos had a pleasant aroma, but it was getting tiresome. Still, Francesca only sent different flavored rooibos and strictly forbade any other kind.
Because of that, Halara eventually started making her own tea.
It was made from roasted barley. At first, Mei had wondered how grain could be turned into tea, but the moment she took a sip of the brown-colored drink, her eyes widened.
A nutty flavor and aroma, along with a refreshing quality!
All the servants in the annex fell in love with barley tea. Thanks to Halara, they could now enjoy tea—once a luxury of the nobility. It wasn’t expensive, but it was more satisfying than any costly tea.
And it wasn’t just tea.
With Halara’s excellent cooking skills, Hatsen had become livelier than before. He, who used to struggle with limited ingredients, could now prepare a variety of dishes thanks to her recipes.
Life really feels worth living these days.
It was a good thing Getty had run away.
Now she could serve Halara exclusively.
At first, she had worried whether she, who only cleaned, could properly take care of someone—but it turned out to be unnecessary concern.
Halara was a very kind mistress. Before meals, she always asked Mei if she had eaten. Sometimes, she even shared her own precious snacks.
Why did Getty run away from such a lady?
There was no other explanation than that she was foolish.
“Brr… it’s getting colder.”
On the way to the main building, Mei shivered in the increasingly cold wind.
Winter was coming again. Pulling her thin maid uniform tighter, she hurried inside.
The main building was far more grand than the annex. Even though it was warm inside, something about the vast corridor made her feel uneasy.
“Head Butler.”
Karl was waiting for her.
“You’re here, Mei.”
After bowing deeply, Mei carefully approached him, swallowing nervously.
To a mere maid like her, Karl was an overwhelmingly high-ranking superior. She had only seen him once before, when she was assigned to Halara.
He was already intimidating, and his large, knight-like build made him even more frightening.
“I called you because there’s something important to discuss.”
At his words, Mei tensed up.
“Yes.”
She assumed he would tell her to take good care of the young lady with the upcoming wedding.
“I should have told you earlier, but I delayed because I wasn’t sure if you were capable of serving the young lady.”
Only then did Mei realize the situation was more serious than she thought.
What could he possibly mean? Would they live separately after marriage?
Various thoughts swirled in her head.
Then—
“The young lady came here because she is carrying Young Master Docef’s child.”
Her ears rang.
A child?
Mei asked again, trying to remain calm.
“You mean the young lady is pregnant?”
“Yes.”
Her heart pounded rapidly.
“It’s early in the pregnancy, so she probably hasn’t noticed yet.”
“I… see.”
She answered calmly, but her fingertips grew cold.
Cold sweat formed on her brow, and it felt like the blood drained from her body.
Because—
The young lady had her monthly cycle not long ago, as far as I know.
Mei knew the truth.
