Chapter 013: She Knows Everything
One day, the butler, who had visited with supplies and living funds, happened to be invited to their meal. Due to the sentiments she was raised with, it was natural for Roanne to offer a meal to others, and so she invited the butler to eat with them.
The butler, who was about to refuse, thinking it was somewhat against etiquette, saw the food they had prepared and his eyes widened at the sight of something entirely unfamiliar.
And at the savory and warm scent wafting through the air, he eventually joined them at the table as if possessed. Though it wasn’t a meal on the same level as those of the Count’s family, the butler, who had only enjoyed luxurious banquets, quickly became addicted to Roanne’s meals.
The soups that filled the stomach warmly and reliably, the fresh vegetables and salads placed on the table immediately after being harvested, and the freshly boiled fatty meat were among them. The butler could swear he had never seen such food before.
The soup was not the commonly eaten mushroom or cream soup, but a very clear broth that didn’t feel heavy even after a bite, thanks to its sharp and refreshing taste.
The butler, who usually acted with decorum, found himself eating ravenously without realizing it. Moreover, eating together at a small table while chatting cozily made him feel a sense of great warmth. Afterward, he returned to the main building, but he could not forget the meal at the East Annex.
Eventually, after that, he…….
“But look at this! Haven’t I brought so many ingredients and supplies because of that! You should appreciate a person’s sincerity!”
At that moment, unable to take it anymore, Roanne flung the door open. Then, the butler, who had been arguing in front of the annex door, cleared his throat and flushed.
“What is it, exactly?”
When Roanne spoke bluntly, the butler protested as if it were unfair.
“Madam, aren’t you being too cold? Look at what I brought today! Besides the budget set by the Countess, I’ve brought quite a few items that you might need at my own discretion!”
At those words, Roanne looked at the luggage the butler had brought. No, to be precise, it was almost like a large cart. The items in the cart were varied. Pile after pile of fabrics that anyone would see as luxurious and high-quality, beautiful glass vases, soft blankets, and tablecloths were stacked up.
‘That’s all money.’
Roanne’s eyes flashed brilliantly. However, she managed her expression, pretending to be indifferent.
“What if a problem arises because the butler did this at his own discretion? It would be troublesome if I got involved in such a matter.”
“That will never happen, Madam!”
The startled butler jumped and said.
“These are all things I can provide to you at my discretion! I have been granted permission to give you as many of these minor daily necessities as I see fit, as they have failed to show their value in the warehouse for a long time. I swear they are flawless items. You may use them as much as you like!”
Is that so.
Roanne smiled inwardly. Furthermore, the butler’s luggage didn’t end there. In his other hand, he held a large bag filled with premium wine and whiskey, as well as high-quality steak meat and plenty of expensive spices.
“I felt a bit bad about getting a free meal with empty hands……”
The butler cast off his dignity and grinned. Ugh, Roanne clicked her tongue inwardly. How could she send away someone who had packed all these good things and brought them? Inviting him to a few meals was just like placing one more spoon on the table.
“It can’t be helped. Come in.”
As Roanne turned and entered, the butler glanced at Leah once and stepped into the annex as if showing off. Leah also crossed her arms and entered the annex while grumbling.
Soon after, they all rolled up their sleeves to prepare the vegetables and herbs picked from the garden next to the annex and got ready for the meal. It didn’t seem like much, but strangely, whenever they cooked according to the recipes Roanne provided, the taste was incredible.
“Ah, this really hits the spot.”
After finishing the meal, the butler placed his hand on his full stomach and muttered with satisfaction.
“You should help with the dishes at least.”
When Leah grumbled, the butler stood up without hesitation. In fact, he had provided many supplies to Roanne at his discretion, but he knew that he had to do the basics as per Alexis’s instructions.
Since he had become a free rider, he had to at least be tactful. He did the dishes without a word of complaint. Around him, Leah was cleaning up the kitchen, and Roanne was cleaning the living room.
The butler, who was doing this kind of casual dinner preparation and cleanup together for the first time, was very awkward at first, but now he felt a great sense of intimacy with them. He had even become quite adept at kitchen work to some extent.
“By the way, Mr. Butler. Please make sure Lord Alexis’s women don’t come to this annex. Sometimes really strange women come and harass our Lady.”
After finishing the meal, they all gathered for a cup of tea. Today was a day when the Count and his wife were attending a party, so it was a day when the butler had some time to spare. The butler, holding his teacup, cleared his throat.
“I understand. I’ll take measures. I thought those women had come to visit the Lady with a request from Lord Alexis, you see.”
“I’m telling you, they harass the Lady with nonsensical talk.”
“Then you should have told me earlier. If you had, I would have handled it sooner.”
Then the butler turned to Roanne.
“Madam, you are also something. If there were such uncomfortable matters, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Hmm……”
Roanne tilted her head while fiddling with her teacup.
“Actually, at first, I didn’t know for what purpose those women came to me. But now, well, it’s fine. I have no curiosity about it.”
The butler looked at Roanne with a questioning eye. Come to think of it, Roanne had made no effort to win Alexis’s favor or to enter the main mansion of the Count. Even though she was losing favor and stuck in the annex like this, she showed no agitation whatsoever.
“Madam, in my opinion……”
Could it be that this woman, who is Alexis’s wife, is somewhat lacking when it comes to the matter of men? Her informal attitude and the meals were very good, but it was also unsettling to leave things like this. Was it because of the shame of having eaten free meals? The butler felt that she needed advice.
“If you were to treat Lord Alexis a bit more softly… I mean, men can change if women treat them that way……”
“Butler.”
Roanne, who was sipping her tea, spoke up.
“What is there to do with a guy who meets women so messily?”
At those words, the butler’s expression turned pale. A messy guy—was this an expression used to refer to Lord Alexis?
It was a statement the butler could not even dare to imagine. However, Roanne, who had uttered the shocking words, seemed unfazed. The flustered butler stammered.
“Th-That is all a misunderstanding. Lord Alexis doesn’t actually go around meeting women like that, and besides……”
“…….”
“It’s all close to fabricated rumors! It’s just that the friends he hangs out with aren’t very good people……”
“A crane shouldn’t go to where crows play.”
What does that mean? The butler blinked at Roanne’s cryptic words. However, Roanne’s face remained indifferent.
“It’s true, Madam. It’s really because of the friends he’s hanging out with now, Lord Alexis is actually—”
“Like husband, like wife. Birds of a feather.”
What on earth has she been saying. At Roanne’s incomprehensible words, the butler was left with nothing more to say. Roanne’s expression looked firm.
‘I wonder how these two are really going to get along…….’
The butler sighed inwardly. Now, he too, like Leah, had truly begun to like Roanne. He couldn’t find dignity or decorum in her, but he felt a sense of friendliness that made one’s heart melt.
He truly hoped that Roanne would get along well now. To do that, the relationship between the couple would have to improve for her to solidify her position.
Between the hopeless couple, the butler couldn’t help but sigh. At this rate, she would have to stay in the East Annex forever or perhaps receive even worse treatment.
Perhaps they would use the woman’s fault as an excuse to send her to a prayer house or something… The butler, who didn’t know about Roanne’s ledger, only grew deeper in worry.
Lost in thought, the butler set down his teacup and looked at Roanne quietly. Does she really not know all these circumstances, or is she pretending not to know?
Roanne, holding her teacup, turned her gaze toward the window. The dim evening sunlight softly brushed past the side of her face.
At that moment, a thought suddenly occurred to the butler.
‘This woman… might actually know everything.’
It was a vague intuition of his, having worked in the main building for years.
