Chapter 21
｡･:*:･ﾟ★ Translated by Divine ｡･:*:･ﾟ☆
Of course, I couldn’t say that, so I chuckled lightly and shrugged.
“Well, I was just thinking. It might not be the case.”
“…Yeah, it might not be.”
Lyas nodded.
However, his gaze had sharpened like a predator aiming for its prey’s legs.
Just like-
The animal that symbolizes Peregrine, similar to a snake.
Having captured that expression with my eyes, I turned and left the room.
***
Flora sat at her desk, absentmindedly staring at the clock.
At times, she bit her nails like she was being pursued.
Then, a maid entered with a knock.
It was her confidante, the red-haired maid, Malbera. Flora stood up abruptly. Then, in an anxious tone, she asked, “How did it go?”
“I heard the Lord has summoned the Lady to his study.”
“Was there anything strange?”
“The Lord’s expression looked worse than usual; same as the Lady.”
Flora let out a sigh of relief at Malbera’s words.
If Daphne was called to Lyas’s study, it meant she had caused another accidents.
That was a truth known to everyone living in the mansion.
‘Anyway, I can relax a bit now.’
Mentis ended up imprisoned because he got caught in his poorly-planned scheme.
‘I specifically told him to fix his sharp tongue, so what is this mess!’
Flora was anxious. It seemed like Lyas might soon notice the connection between Mentis and herself.
However, instead of reproaching her, Lyas summoned Daphne. Something must have happened in the annex at that time.
It was truly fortunate that Daphne had coincidentally caused some trouble.
‘No matter what happens, I have to hold onto this position.’
That way, she could see Lyas a little longer.
Just as she was reminiscing over her long-standing, unrequited love, with the sound of another knock, another maid entered.
“Miss Flora, the Lord is looking for you.”
“…!”
Flora stood up with a tense expression.
Before entering the study, she tidied her messy hair and composed herself. Slowly, she knocked on the door.
What should she say?
Regardless of the situation, she had to dispel any doubts that she knew anything Mentis was doing.
And then, she had to promise to educate Lady Daphne well. To make Lyas trust her. To stay a little longer in this mansion.
She rehearsed the words she had prepared in her mind.
But…
“…What did you say?”
She could only dumbly repeat those words.
“Lady Flora, I would prefer if you are no longer involved with the children’s education.”
The words from Lyas were unexpected, something she hadn’t anticipated.
“W-What do you mean? No longer involved?”
“Just as I said.”
While Flora trembled in shock, Lyas stared at her with an unchanged, firm expression.
“Due to recent events, I’ve decided to reconsider the children’s education.”
“But that’s not my fault!”
Flora exclaimed desperately.
However, Lyas remained silent, as if he had already made up his mind.
‘No.’
She couldn’t be chased away like this, without gaining anything.
Flora, who was corned, spoke in a calm voice.
“My Lord, I’ve done my best to serve Lady Daphne well all this time. Rejecting me like this is unacceptable.”
“…”
“Above all, the royal family will oppose it. You should be aware of that!”
The royal family. Yes, there was the royal family.
Flora was a teacher handpicked by the royal family and the temple to prevent Lady Daphne’s mischief.
As long as Flora didn’t commit a significant mistake, Lyas, no matter who he was, couldn’t easily dismiss her.
Seemingly aware of this, Lyas let out a faint sigh.
“I don’t mean to completely dismiss you. Just to step back from the children’s education, that’s all.”
If that wasn’t a dismissal, then what was?
Anyone unable to teach had no qualifications to be called a teacher.
They were just someone who stored knowledge in their heads and wandered aimlessly without a purpose. No more, no less.
Moreover, if the public learned of this, her reputation would plummet as whispers of what she was doing in the Peregrine residence started spreading.
‘Most importantly, the Empress will not let me go without consequences…!’
“Lord, please reconsider just this once. Please…!”
Flora pleaded as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
“This conversation is over. You can leave now.”
However, Lyas’s gaze did not meet hers.
“If walking is difficult, I can call the knights to escort you.”
It was an attitude that seemed to be dismissing an unwelcome visitor.
“…”
In the end, Flora had no choice but to leave the room on her own feet.
She clenched her fist tightly, and her lips were about to bleed.
‘Like this…’
She couldn’t withdraw like this.
Since she was a child, she had great ambition. She didn’t want to be a pitied orphan but a welcomed presence.
She wanted to stand in a position where everyone looked up to her. And…
Lyas Peregrine, she wanted to stand proudly by the side of the man she had loved for a long time.
She had run towards that goal, but just when she thought it was within reach…!
‘Daphne, if it weren’t for that woman, things wouldn’t have turned out like this…!’
She, who had been nervously biting her nails, suddenly raised her head. Then, she asked the maid who had been following her while glancing around.
“What day is it today?”
“It’s Friday the 13th, Lady Flora.”
Friday the 13th. As Flora heard the date, a glint appeared in her eyes.
‘…Right.’
If she lost her position once, couldn’t she regain it?
Of course, it might be challenging unless a significant event occurred.
‘Let’s create such an incident.’
For example, something involving the lives of one, no, two people.
She smiled darkly with a malicious expression.
***
It had been several days since Mentis’s matter was resolved.
Despite having alleviated some of the injustice, I still hadn’t ventured outside.
Well, if I told Lyas that I wanted to go out, he would allow it, but the atmosphere at home wasn’t particularly pleasant now.
I didn’t want to unnecessarily tire him out, so I decided to stay quiet for the time being.
So, in the meantime…
“Wow, the stems have grown well.”
I had started gardening, taking care of Daphne’s greenhouse.
‘Just in case I have to go to the remote regions, it’s good to have a hobby like this.’
‘Daphne’ hadn’t managed the greenhouse well, but she had a diverse collection of plant varieties.
My success in developing the antidote wasn’t just a simple coincidence.
‘Maybe I can create some new medicines.’
I plowed the existing soil, changed the lighting to allow more sunlight to come in, and sowed the remaining seeds.
Being a novice at gardening, I didn’t have high expectations, but surprisingly, the plants grew robustly.
‘Even a novice like me can raise them well, maybe growing plants isn’t difficult.’
I felt a sense of accomplishment, even though it was something supposedly easy.
While silently patting myself on the back, my fingertips suddenly felt sticky. Upon closer inspection, a white and slimy substance was oozing from the leaves.
It didn’t feel good at all. I narrowed my eyes slightly.
“What’s this?”
“Oh, that’s Portifor sap.”
The maid who had been assisting me with gardening spoke up.
She had secretly helped me with my escape, even preparing an umbrella in advance.
The maid, or rather Sukia, was from the countryside and had helped her parents with farming.
Thanks to a few days of studying, I had some knowledge about botany in my head, but there was still a gap between the knowledge from books and the hands-on experience of someone who had grown up doing it.
Sukia perfectly filled that gap for me.
Moreover, she had strength, so she carried various items for me who had no muscles.
“Portifor sap is very tangy and delicious. It’s especially good for children.”
“Children?”
“Yes. Our parents used to feed us a lot of it when the seasons changed. They said it was good for preventing colds.”
“Well, but this…”
I stared at the Portifor sap on my hands.
It was yellow, gooey, and had a thick consistency. Even as an adult, it had an unappetizing texture, so I wondered how children would react.
“Well… I cried that I wouldn’t eat it either.”
Sukia added with a wry smile.
“But once you actually try it, it tastes good. The process of eating it might be a bit challenging, but… Oh, it’s definitely effective. My older sister, who ate a lot, grew this tall.”
“Wow, I see.”
Listening to Sukia’s vivid feedback, I fell into thought.
Instead of eating the sap as it is, couldn’t I use it to make something else?
Something tangy and good for preventing colds, and easy for children to eat…
‘…Could this work?’
I shared the plan that suddenly came to mind with Sukia.
“How did you think of something like that…! That sounds like a great idea, Milady!”
“Really? Can you help me with it?”
“Yes, of course!”
Sukia exclaimed energetically.
***
Inside the sunlit library.
Sitting in quiet tranquility, I subtly raised my head to survey the surroundings.
Next to me, Emil and Julie were quietly immersed in reading.
Even though Mentis’s misdeeds had all come to light, the children had been somewhat gloomy for a while. The monster that had tormented them didn’t easily fade from their memories.
That’s why I visited them often on purpose.
“I prepared too much. It would be a waste if you don’t finish them.”
I used the excuse of preparing too many desserts to see them.
“It’s too quiet. Julie, can you make some noise?”
I went under the pretext that there was no one to read books with.
The twins looked at me in disbelief, saying, “Why would you…” But they couldn’t hide their reddened ears.
Last minute filling in but here’s the new chapter (finally)! Also corrected the old chapters so there should be less mistakes now. Hope you enjoy and Happy Holidays!
