Chapter 35
Serena had two errands to run.
The first was to visit the hospital and treat Sophia’s wound, and the second was to buy Sophia some new clothes.
“I’m really fine…”
Inside the carriage on the way home after an early dinner, Sophia clutched the fresh ingredients she would use for a while, clearly unsure of what to do.
Serena shook her head firmly.
“You’re not fine. You hurt your ankle. The doctor said you need to be careful for a week. How can you say you’re fine?”
Since being kicked out of the employment agency, Sophia had been limping slightly.
Worried, Serena had taken her to the hospital, and as expected, the ankle was sprained. It was tightly bandaged, and the doctor had said she had to be careful for a week.
“That may be so… but there are also too many clothes. Five outfits? I don’t even have that many clothes myself.”
“You can’t wear the same outfit every day. And since these are for work, of course I should buy them.”
“I could just wash them as soon as I change…”
“Well, do you think that’s possible at our house? You’re not thinking the boutique is the only place, are you?”
Serena narrowed her eyes. Then, emphasizing that she bought them out of necessity, she told Sophia to accept them, and Sophia reluctantly nodded.
“I’m already grateful that you hired someone like me, but I don’t even know what to say about being taken care of like this.”
“Just work hard from now on. As you saw earlier, our family is terrible, and I know nothing. From now on, Sophia, you’ll have a lot to do.”
“Ah!”
Sophia had forgotten in all the chaos, but Serena’s strange behavior came to mind.
Would she explain it now?
As Sophia thought that, the carriage arrived at the house at the perfect timing.
“You have a lot of questions, right? Let’s go inside, I’ll explain. It’ll take a while.”
Sophia dismissed Serena’s comment that it might take all night as a light joke. As she stepped out of the carriage, her eyes landed on a dilapidated mansion that looked completely neglected.
“Huh? Miss, I think we came to the wrong place.”
Sophia looked around, surprised at the gloomy exterior, which was creepy enough for a ghost to appear at any moment.
Even though Serena had said it was well-maintained, Sophia thought it might be a mistake for her to assume this wasn’t the destination.
Serena turned, a little embarrassed.
“This is the place… Is it… really that bad? It’s not too late; we can go back. You don’t have to return the clothes. Consider them a gift from the boutique.”
“No?! No! I’m not going back!”
Sophia waved her hands frantically.
“Now that I see it again, it’s a classic, old-fashioned mansion! I must have misjudged it before!”
Serena had no intention of sending her back, but since Sophia insisted, there was no need to worry. She smiled.
“I know it seems weird. You don’t have to say it. Shall we go in? I’ll tell you everything in my room.”
“Ah, yes!”
The small, empty garden was all there was, but Sophia hurried to follow Serena so she wouldn’t lose sight of her.
Serena’s explanation, which Sophia thought might be exaggerated, continued until dawn the next day.
She revealed everything except the part about dying and coming back to life.
It wasn’t just a monologue; Serena paused for questions to make sure Sophia understood. Conversely, Serena asked questions about things she didn’t know.
Mostly, it was about how much it costs to live as a noble and what was needed.
“Hmm, the furniture we saw at the boutique might be what high-ranking nobles buy. The furniture in the family I worked for wasn’t that expensive.”
That was somewhat reassuring, but even so, buying a bed, sofa, and small table alone would cost over a thousand gold coins. A wardrobe was also needed to store the expensive clothes Sophia had received as gifts.
Additionally, new dining tables and chairs were needed for her parents, sisters, and herself, and the old bedding and tableware had to be replaced.
The chandeliers, which were on the verge of collapse, had to be replaced, and the rotten carpets too.
Even buying only the essentials would cost at least 5,000 gold coins, and that was after bargaining as much as possible.
If she started considering design and quality, the price would skyrocket. One thing was certain:
“With the money we have now, it’s impossible.”
Even if they tried to live frugally, imitating a noble with just 100,000 gold coins was out of the question.
A shabby estate and a hollow title were useless. With land worse than Stella’s teddy bear, there was no way to live like a true noble.
“…I could just live simply, I guess.”
If she didn’t indulge in luxury and continued as before, she could live comfortably without working for the rest of her life.
“Still, it feels wasteful not to do anything after getting this second chance from dying and coming back.”
It had only been a day, almost two. She wanted to see if there was a way to improve her situation rather than doing nothing.
Sophia, who fell asleep talking with Serena just before dawn, was startled awake early in the morning by loud screams echoing through the mansion.
“YAAAH—! A maid should prepare breakfast quickly! What were you doing?!”
The voice belonged to Daisy.
Wearing the new clothes she bought yesterday, Daisy scolded Sophia, who was clumsily preparing breakfast.
“I’m sorry, Miss. I’ll prepare earlier from tomorrow.”
“Of course! If you wake up late again tomorrow, I’ll pull out all your hair!”
Daisy threatened with sharp fingernails.
If she didn’t know better, Sophia would have thought it was just cute whining, but having learned about Daisy and the household the night before, she knew Daisy could be far worse than her threats.
“I’ll remember. Also, the kitchen isn’t a place for someone as precious as you. Your hair and clothes would smell of food. You can drink juice in the dining room while I bring your meal.”
“…Hmph! I’m starving, so bring it quickly, got it?”
“Yes, Miss Daisy.”
By calling her “Miss” respectfully, Sophia behaved obediently, and Daisy finally stepped back from the kitchen.
Soon, a delicious aroma filled the dining room. Rianna, who arrived slightly later, widened her eyes at the unfamiliar smell.
“…What’s that smell? Could it be the girl we hired yesterday making it?”
“Yes, it is. She said to drink some juice while we wait.”
Daisy held a glass of freshly pressed apple juice, half-empty, savoring it because it was surprisingly delicious.
“Well, apple juice in the morning isn’t bad at all.”
Though she rarely lacked appetite, Rianna felt her appetite awaken at the sight of the fresh apple juice. One sip of the sweet and tangy juice completely woke her up. Satisfied, she took another sip and sat down.
While the mother and daughter quietly sipped the juice, Serena, who woke up slightly later than usual, entered the dining room.
Seeing her family sitting quietly at the table before breakfast was unusual.
“…Huh?”
Serena tilted her head in confusion, just as Sophia brought the morning meal.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Ah! Good morning, Miss Serena.”
“Good morning. Smells amazing. What is it?”
“Pumpkin soup, buttered toast, smoked bacon, and scrambled eggs. I also prepared cheese and apple jam to go with the bread.”
“Pumpkin?! I hate pumpkin…!”
Daisy immediately frowned.
Sophia gently reassured her, as one would a child.
“You’ll like it. It’s soft and sweet because I added honey and milk.”
“Honey and milk…?!”
That precious honey, which one could only taste at the Rozelantis estate, was put in pumpkin soup?! Shocked, Daisy glared at the soup.
Though she wanted to be angry, the enticing aroma made her hand unconsciously reach for a spoon.
“Oh my, it’s delicious!”
Rianna, who had tasted it first, exclaimed in delight. Serena also praised it.
“Really…? Sophia, did you ever work as a cook?”
“No, but I learned a bit of everything just in case. I’m not skilled, so I’m flattered by your praise.”
“Not skilled?! If anyone said that, they should be thrown in prison.”
Not just the soup, but the smoked bacon and scrambled eggs seasoned with salt and pepper were excellent. Even the lightly baked apples with sugar for dessert were perfect. It was the first time someone else had cooked for her, and it was more than satisfying—it was moving.
Previously, she had disliked or gotten upset over her family’s food, but now she understood why—they hadn’t had food this good.
After that, Sophia went around the mansion cleaning.
Serena thought she cleaned well, but Sophia’s skill was on another level. The dilapidated mansion was transformed into a reasonably presentable state.
“Hey! Don’t clean there first, start with my room! Quick!”
Daisy bossed Sophia around as if she were her personal maid.
“Yes! Miss Daisy!”
“Hey! I’m thirsty, go make me a drink.”
“Yes! Ma’am!”
Rianna was the same. Each time, Sophia dashed off like the wind.
She worked so hard that she even served lunch and snacks, worrying whether she should ask for a higher wage.
Serena tried to restrain her, wondering why she was being treated like a personal maid, but Sophia was determined to make a good impression.
“It’s fine because it’s my duty. At the same time, I’m learning the layout of the mansion and where things are.”
“Even if you work this hard, they probably won’t notice…”
Serena’s family often gave greater trials when someone exceeded expectations.
“Well, it took me 15 years to realize that. Sophia can’t understand it in one day. But thanks to her, my mother isn’t bothering me about inheritance.”
Serena shrugged helplessly.
“If you get tired, stop immediately and rest. Got it?”
“Yes!”
Afterward, Serena organized a list of things to buy, figured out how to earn money, and gathered proper information about Rosegold.
The top priority was to visit Rosegold.
She planned how to get there, how long it would take, what to check, and how to use the barren land there. Time passed quickly, and night fell.
Just as she was about to sleep, there was a huge crash as the front door burst open.
“JEGIRAAL―!”
