Chapter : 09
Lady Sophia spoke in a softer voice.
“You must know how to read because the Grand Madam takes many medicines. You must give her the right medicine at the right time. Can you do that?”
“Yes, Lady Sophia.”
“Of course… since she has dementia, she may hit you or you may get hurt while taking care of her. Ahem. You will be properly compensated for that, so don’t wor—”
“I came prepared for that.”
Yesterday at work, the bakery owner talked to me all day about dementia patients.
His mother had passed away because of dementia. When I told him I was planning to apply as a maid at the Keister Count’s house, he wanted to tell me at least something helpful.
He said that even though they are patients, they can be stronger than normal people. He said they sometimes act like three-year-old children. There can be accidents with urination, and sometimes they can be violent.
Sometimes they leave the house without saying anything.
Even after hearing all that, I made my decision. There was no turning back now.
“If that is the case… can you start working from today?”
“Th-this is the end of the interview?”
This is the Keister Count’s house. Isn’t this too easy?
“We have already checked your documents, and we are short on staff. If you are willing, I would like you to start today. And today’s wage will be paid in advance.”
Lady Sophia spoke as kindly as possible. I could read many things in her eyes.
She was afraid I might run away and wanted to hold onto me somehow. Paying in advance?
I must have grabbed the rope sent down from heaven.
The coachman tapped Kaisa when he was staring blankly.
“We have arrived.”
He could not understand the words, but it seemed like they had arrived. Kaisa looked around and stood up to get off the carriage.
He only accepted requests that could be finished in one day so he could return home the same day.
Since he could not speak the language well, sleeping outside or at an inn felt dangerous.
Also, he did not like leaving Milena alone in a land where no one knew her.
So today, he volunteered to deal with a wild boar in a nearby village.
They said a boar as big as a house kept coming down from the mountain, destroying crops and causing serious damage.
But there was no one in the village strong enough to fight it.
As always, he planned to finish the job as quickly as possible and return. So Milena, who was always waiting for him, would not have to wait long.
Waiting.
That was something special and strange.
After losing his parents at a young age, Kaisa had always been alone. No one had ever told him they were waiting for him.
Milena was the only one who said that.
He did not want to make her wait. Even if he was late, he did not want to make her worry. Sometimes, Milena seemed anxious to him.
Milena did not fully remember the accident that day. It was as if she erased the fear herself. She forgot the huge shadow and remembered it only as a storm accident.
Kaisa did not want to leave her alone.
But today—
“I might be late. I don’t think we can leave work together today.”
“Why? I will come wherever you are. If you finish late, I can wait.”
“It’s okay. Instead, can you come home and prepare dinner? Since today is my first day, I don’t know when I’ll finish.”
“The official quitting time was 6 p.m.”
“Even so. Our real goal isn’t to truly become a maid and nurse the Grand Madam, right? If I want to impress them quickly and rise in status to meet the Count, I have to do at least this much.”
He remembered Milena’s eyes shining with desire.
She only went to work, and he knew exactly where she was. So why did he feel uneasy?
Because she told him to go home alone if she was late?
No… why would that bother him?
Kaisa wiped his face.
“Is something wrong?”
Even if he could not understand the exact words, he could guess the meaning.
“No.”
He shook his head. The coachman looked worried.
Kaisa jumped down from the carriage.
As Milena said, if he went back quickly and prepared dinner, she would return.
With her usual bright smile.
I now fully understood why Lady Sophia reacted that way, and why I was the only applicant.
The Grand Madam was a very thin old woman, like a stick. Because of her dementia, her mind was not clear, but she was stubborn and strong. And violent.
I heard that in the past, she was a great warrior who personally taught the Keister Count. She was a knight who held a sword.
Maybe that was why she was so strong.
I also heard that she personally raised the Keister Count after he lost his parents at five years old.
To the Keister Count, the Grand Madam was his savior and his only family.
Usually, cruel nobles send people like this to a separate villa. But he kept her by his side all this time. I could understand his heart. I would do the same.
“You must not lie down here, Grand Madam!”
They said she could not hear small voices, so I spoke as loudly as I could. She was lying on the hallway floor stubbornly.
“I’m not Grand Madam! I’m Emily!”
“Yes, Emily. But you cannot lie here!”
“Waaah! I don’t want to! Bring my sister! Where is my sister?!”
“Earlier you said I was your sister. You need to go inside and eat some candy. Don’t you want candy?”
It was already past quitting time. Lady Sophia had promised extra pay for overtime and went downstairs long ago.
She said the Keister Count was returning with friends today and there was much to prepare.
So the Grand Madam was completely my responsibility.
“C-candy? Emily likes candy! I’ll eat candy! It’s my candy!”
“Yes! That’s right. The candy is waiting inside.”
“Really?”
“Why would I lie? Shall we go check?”
The Grand Madam suddenly stood up and ran into the room. Thankfully, since she used to be a warrior, she could still walk well.
I swallowed a sigh and followed her. She was searching the table.
“You also need to take your medicine— Ah!”
She suddenly swung her hand and hit me. I barely held back a scream.
Wow. She is really strong. Her fist feels stronger than mine.
How many times has it been today? Maybe it will get better once I learn how to handle it.
Or maybe I should ask Kaisa to teach me self-defense when I get home. Anything would help.
She swung her blind fist again and hit my side. I crouched down in pain.
“Sister?”
She looked at me and called softly.
“Yes, I am your sister.”
“Scarlet sister?”
“Yes, I am Scarlet sister.”
I answered weakly.
I heard Scarlet was her late older sister. She must be seeing memories of the past in me.
Maybe the Grand Madam is trapped in the happiest time of her life.
Even if she cannot recognize the Keister Count now.
I knew she did not do this with bad intentions, so I was not angry. My body just hurt.
If she wants to remain in those days, maybe it is better to act along.
I took a deep breath and said,
“Didn’t you promise to listen to your sister? You must take your medicine before candy.”
“Uuu… I don’t like medicine! I hate it!”
“You promised to listen to your sister.”
She looked at me carefully.
I made her take the medicine, then put candy back into her hand.
