Chapter 64
“C-Could you… maybe speak more casually with me?”
“…?”
Bilhelmina’s eyes widened at the unexpected request.
Jane had once heard the reason why Bilhelmina always used such a formal tone with her.
“Formality is necessary when money is involved.”
Back then, it had made her heart flutter. Even though she was just a merchant, she felt respected—like she was in an equal business relationship.
But over time, she began to crave warmth more than formality. Especially after watching Ilina speak so comfortably with her.
“That’s not a problem…”
Bilhelmina glanced at Jane’s face, which had tensed up again, and let out a soft chuckle.
“Was that really worth asking with such a serious expression?”
“I… I thought it might be presumptuous of me…”
“It’s fine. Changing my tone isn’t a big deal. Alright, I’ll speak more casually from now on.”
With a friendly wave, she stepped out of the room. Just before the door closed, she caught sight of Jane’s triumphant expression and let out another laugh.
“How cute.”
Click.
The door closed.
…Jane buried her face in her hands again.
“It’s a relief she’s a woman…”
She mumbled to herself with an unreadable expression.
After discussing the detailed plan with Jane, I immediately began preparations to meet Mikhail.
Jane left the annex to investigate as soon as the rain stopped.
The ones helping me with this project were the idle chefs—left with little to do after Jane had heavily invested in security for the annex.
“We’ll be making… these three things.”
“You want us to make that? Isn’t that more of an alchemist’s job?”
The chefs looked doubtful—except for the patissier, whose eyes sparkled with excitement at the new challenge.
Honestly, from the perspective of someone from the modern world, there wasn’t a huge difference between a chef and an alchemist.
Grilling, steaming, and boiling were all forms of processing. You could even call the kitchen a mini laboratory.
“Though I did get help from some real alchemists.”
I provided the ingredients I had prepared, using even my emergency stash meant for maintaining my dignity.
Among them were basic grains, but also quite a few ingredients I’d gotten from alchemists.
Explaining the ingredients using scientific knowledge they didn’t have made me sweat buckets.
I turned to the beaming patissier.
“If this works out, I’ll overlook the mistake you made.”
“R-Really?!”
“Show me what you’ve got.”
He was the perfect fit for this task.
I explained the properties of the products we needed.
I knew the general ingredients, but not the precise ratios. Their job was to develop a standard recipe with exact measurements.
Once we had that and could prove the product’s effects, I planned to present it to Mikhail.
“This actually feels kind of like something a protagonist would do.”
As I explained, I suddenly remembered that student from long ago.
“But how do protagonists even make money?”
“They use modern knowledge. Like making candles or cosmetics…”
“Do they even have the right ingredients for that time period?”
“Fantasy logic makes it work.”
Yeah, it does work somehow.
When I stood in front of the alchemists who saw me as someone from another world and used body language to explain, they eventually understood.
It took nearly an hour just to express the term hydrolysis in their language.
Thankfully, this world seemed to be on the verge of studying molecules and atoms.
I’d long since thrown away any concerns about historical accuracy.
Russia? England? Who cares where the setting is.
“Some novels even explain modern political systems…”
“Let’s not go there.”
“Right? I don’t like when fantasy becomes alternate history. Still, modern knowledge always comes in handy, so it’s good to learn.”
“…Is that why you took this class?”
“Yep!”
That memory came from a free workshop titled “Natural Product Making” at a local community center during summer break.
I had attended on behalf of my academy because holding a certificate allowed you to host kids’ programs later.
That student had joined purely out of personal interest.
“If they were reincarnated like me, they’d be thriving right now.”
They had amazing skills, crafting items that looked like they came straight from a store.
If only I had paid more attention during that class… I never thought I’d end up regretting it like this.
“Well then, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The chefs responded loudly, and I left the kitchen.
We didn’t have a ton of ingredients, so I estimated we’d be done in about a week.
Next, I had to prepare for testing.
As I walked away, Anna followed and asked worriedly:
“Um… madam, do you really have to test it on yourself?”
“Hmm? Why?”
“It just seems dangerous to test on your own body…”
To her, the product must have looked like some mysterious elixir.
Understandable—if you don’t know chemistry, things like hydrolyzed glycerin and mineral powders can look bizarre.
“It’s fine. It’s not like I’ll get hurt. Anyway, did you prepare the thing I asked for?”
“Yes, I did, but…”
When it became clear I wasn’t backing down, Anna turned to Nata with a pleading look, as if asking her to intervene.
Nata’s expression stiffened.
“Madam, perhaps it would be better to ask another servant. No one would refuse.”
“She’s right!”
Anna eagerly nodded and even started preparing to call someone.
They had agreed to the plan when I first explained it, but now they were trying to stop me just because I was the one being tested.
I sighed softly and replied.
“It’s not a big deal. Don’t overreact.”
“But what if you get a scar…”
“I won’t. Nothing will happen. So drop it.”
“…”
They fell silent, but their concern didn’t disappear.
It seemed this issue wouldn’t go away so easily, so I stopped walking.
There were no other servants nearby, so I spoke in a low voice.
“Listen carefully, Anna. Nata.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You have the right to voice your opinions to me. That’s why I keep you by my side.”
I needed aides who could give me honest advice.
Because I lacked knowledge and insight.
But there’s a fine line between advice and arrogance.
Too much of the former turns into self-righteous flattery.
“I appreciate your concern. I admire your efforts to find alternatives. But… making unfair decisions for my sake is something I can’t accept.”
“…”
“If I were a commoner, maybe I’d leave it to someone else. But if I did that in my position now, it would look like I was abusing my status. That’s unacceptable to me.”
Of course, if this were truly dangerous, I wouldn’t even consider it. I’m not crazy.
“But if you keep pushing for unfair solutions, I’ll punish you as a Layton.”
I figured this was a good chance to draw a line.
Their loyalty was appreciated—but if left unchecked, it could snowball into worse problems.
Too much devotion can become poison.
That’s why I tried to be firm…
“But why do they look like that…”
Anna looked on the verge of tears, her face flushed with emotion. Nata had the same expression I’d seen on those noble officers in the stables.
I wanted to change the subject, but they beat me to it.
“I’ll follow your orders, Madam. I swear… I’ll never act wrongly again.”
“My oath will always stand by your sense of justice.”
Was this… a success? I blinked in confusion and nodded awkwardly.
“Uh—yeah. Alright then.”
It felt like an odd ending, but at least they wouldn’t oppose the experiment anymore.
Avoiding their gazes, I continued to my destination.
“I’ll go get the item you requested.”
“Thanks.”
I headed to the laundry room.
There, servants stirred boiling tubs of water and young boys scrubbed clothing with diligence.
I’d be spending about a month here doing laundry.
The item I’d asked Anna to bring was the clothing I had worn yesterday.
“It can’t be helped. I need to show results.”
What the chefs were developing was none other than a hand cream.
A moisturizer to treat chapped hands from soap and water exposure.
The plan was to intentionally roughen up my hands with laundry work, then apply the hand cream later to prove its effectiveness.
This was only step one of the experiment.
