FTP-88

“Late summer heat in Leslie is always dreadful. Just when you think it’s getting cooler, it gets hot again.”

 

Then, in a kindly voice laced with an undeniable hint of amusement, Meg suggested they eat the pickles with pasta when Anje visited next week.

 

Anje’s cheeks flushed bright red, realizing the accuracy of Meg’s playful assumptions in “a certain sense,” making it impossible for her to maintain a calm expression.

 

‘Goodness, what am I even doing because of Aiden?’

 

He used to obediently follow wherever she led him, but lately, he had been showing noticeable signs of rebellion.

 

‘I’d much rather spend time alone with you than meet other people… don’t you feel the same?’

 

He would say things like this, pressing his face against her hair or clothes, which naturally led to a kiss…

 

‘Wait, rather than rebellion… isn’t this closer to clinginess?’

 

Every time he acted that way, she felt like she was taming a giant animal.

 

“Speaking of which, could you call the young master? It’s about time we ate together.”

 

“Of course… I’ll go get him.”

 

Today’s lunch was jacket potatoes—halved roasted potatoes mixed with mayonnaise, tuna, sweet corn, and topped with cheese.

 

For the couple enjoying a belated honeymoon, Meg had thoughtfully prepared roast pork tied tightly with silk thread, thinking the meal alone might not suffice.

 

As summer drew to an end, through the increasingly dense orchard trees, Aiden appeared holding something in his hand.

 

“Aiden!”

 

When she called his name, he grinned widely and started running toward her.

 

“What if you trip and fall? Walk slowly!”

 

Though she told him to slow down, Anje also quickened her pace.

 

She threw herself into his embrace, and as their faces drew near, her eyes naturally closed. His warm lips brushed lightly across her face.

 

After lingering in his arms for a moment, she struggled to free herself.

 

“Let’s go eat together.”

 

“I’d rather be with you than—”

 

“Shh! Didn’t I tell you not to say such things in broad daylight?”

 

With Meg nearby, such comments were indecent. Anje lightly slapped Aiden’s lips before pulling him toward the house.

 

“There’s roast pork too, so we need to eat before it gets cold.”

 

“Mrs. Meg’s roast pork? Now that’s something I can’t miss.”

 

They had already eaten Meg’s roast pork during the summer fair. It was so delicious that Anje had whispered to Aiden that she wanted to sneak away with an extra plate.

 

‘Aiden, you fool, I didn’t mean we should actually steal it.’

 

Because he’d taken her words seriously, she’d nearly been mortified back then.

 

TL/N: LOL.

 

Today’s roast pork was just as delicious as before.

 

“Aunty, what exactly did you do to the meat?”

 

“Ho ho, there’s a secret to it.”

 

Anje let out a dramatic exclamation and stuffed more meat into her mouth, unaware that Meg was entertaining thoughts like, “Could it be…? Is there already a baby?”

 

“Mm, this is absolutely the best.”

 

Meg waved her hands as if to say, ‘Stop it,’ but her proud expression was unmistakable.

 

“My youngest has been weak since birth and had a very picky appetite. I thought I had to fatten him up somehow, so I researched all kinds of recipes.”

 

Meg’s mother, despite having little, gave birth to seven children in a row, and after giving birth to the youngest, she passed away quickly from puerperal fever.

 

Perhaps because the youngest didn’t drink enough milk, he often whined, and Meg, feeling even more sympathy for him, took extra care of him.

 

Maybe her efforts were too much, as now he is being scolded by his wife to do something about his belly fat… but as long as she’s healthy, that’s what matters.

 

“I have someone to fatten up at home, so I should learn more recipes from you, Aunty.”

 

“Aiden, I’m healthy now! Are you planning to turn me into a pig?”

 

“Pigs are great—so lovable. Let’s aim for a cute, chubby figure like Pa-Pi-Pu’s.”

 

Watching the couple’s playful banter, Meg smiled. All the siblings she had raised had grown up, married, and settled elsewhere.

 

Aiden was the only one she had continuously cared for, and seeing him happily married was heartwarming.

 

“I really would like to learn your recipes. Oh, how about writing a cookbook? Your pound cakes and puddings are amazing too.”

 

“Oh, come on. Who would care about a cookbook written by an old spinster like me?”

 

“Of course people would! There’s even a couple who nearly divorced because of your cake… wait, that’d make a great marketing line.”

 

Meg’s face froze momentarily before she burst into laughter as if nothing happened.

 

“Oh, enough already. Writing a book isn’t in my destiny.”

 

Despite her repeated refusals, Anje was persistent.

 

“If a book feels overwhelming, how about submitting your recipes to a newspaper? I saw a column for housewives to share their tips, and you could even win a prize.”

 

“Well… I don’t know about that.”

 

After politely declining several times, Meg got up and pretended to be busy.

 

“I’ll grab some more tea leaves from the storage. I meant to bring them earlier but forgot.”

 

As Meg hurried off, Anje turned to Aiden.

 

“Did I say something wrong?”

 

“I don’t think so… not from what I noticed.”

 

Though equally puzzled, Aiden suggested,

 

“If you’re really worried, why don’t you go ask her directly?”

 

“Alright, I’ll be back shortly.”

 

Through her experiences with Aiden, Anje had learned a few lessons: instead of overthinking someone’s feelings, it was better to confront them directly, especially in relationships worth cherishing.

 

Anje kissed Aiden’s cheek before following Meg into the storage room.

 

TL/N: CUTE.

 

“Aunty, are you alright for a moment?”

 

Meg, who had been sitting on a box with a troubled expression, was startled and quickly stood

up. Anje lowered her head in apology.

 

“Did I push you too much? I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to keep your recipes to myself…”

 

“Oh, no, it’s not like that.”

 

“It’s not? You seem upset… I won’t interfere again. I know things like the newspaper or the book must be overwhelming, right?”

 

Seeing Anje fidgeting and apologizing, Meg felt a pang of guilt.

 

Why was this young, innocent lady apologizing for something that wasn’t her fault? It was all her own insecurity.

 

“It’s not your fault, Young Lady. It’s just…”

 

It was a confession Meg had never made easily, even at her age, so she hesitated before speaking.

 

“It’s just… I’m uneducated… I couldn’t go to school because I had to take care of my siblings. So,

I… I can barely write. I can read print slowly, but writing is difficult.”

 

Anje’s light green eyes widened, and she couldn’t hide her surprise.

 

“Ah… I see…”

 

It had never occurred to her that someone could struggle with reading and writing. Her narrow perspective hadn’t allowed her to consider this possibility.

 

Until now, everyone around Anje had been at least somewhat educated. Even the lowest-ranking maid in the Duke’s household could read and write because they had attended vocational or public schools.

 

But Meg was from Leslie, and she was two or three generations older than Anje. Growing up in a poor household with many siblings made it difficult for her to receive formal education.

 

Anje bit her lip.

 

“I’ve been so self-centered, and I’ve acted foolishly again…”

 

She had tried to avoid thinking like a frog in a well, but it was embarrassing to realize just how much she still had to learn about the world.

 

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t consider your feelings.”

 

“Oh, Young Lady, you haven’t done anything wrong.”

 

Meg wrapped her arms around Anje’s shoulders and patted her back.

 

“You’ve done nothing wrong. I was just too foolish to speak up… I was afraid you’d think I was uneducated. Among people my age, it’s rare to be as ignorant as I am.”

 

That’s why Meg had made excuses whenever Anje asked her to write down her recipes. She feared making mistakes in spelling and embarrassing herself.

 

“Aunty, how could you say you’re uneducated? You know all sorts of recipes!”

 

Anje’s words kept coming.

 

“You know how to remove dust from window sills all at once, how to properly change shoelaces… and you even mediate when the people of Leslie quarrel. When someone’s sick, you take better care of them than the doctor.”

 

Breathing heavily from her excitement, Anje couldn’t stop herself from praising Meg.

 

“Of all the noble ladies I’ve met in the capital… you are the wisest and most capable one.”

 

Meg, unused to such compliments, blushed deeply.

 

“Young Lady, you’re really too much.”

 

“I mean it! Your work with the ladies’ association is exemplary—”

 

“Alright, alright, I get it. If you keep this up, I’ll break out in a sweat from all the embarrassment.”

 

Anje stopped her praise at Meg’s earnest request. She was relieved that Meg seemed to feel better, but there was still something that felt unresolved.

 

After a brief moment of hesitation, Anje carefully suggested,

 

“Aunty, if it’s not too much trouble… would you like me to teach you how to write? You’ve always taught me so many things—cooking, cleaning, and more…”

 

TL/N: I REALLY LOVE FL’S DEVELOPMENT:)

 

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