Chapter 009
Those Who Listen Well Have No Reason to be Scolded (5)
However, I had absolutely no intention of moving according to her designs. Instead, I carefully wiped away the tears pooling in the corners of Odette’s eyes.
“I can’t help but worry about you, Bonita.”
Her wide, circular eyes looked like those of a startled small animal. For a moment, I felt a surge of irritation, wondering if this was how she had completely captivated Chesia by stimulating his protective instincts, but I endured it with effort.
“First of all, I’m not offended. On the contrary, I was worried you might be resenting me for correcting your mistake.”
“I—I could never resent you, Unnie.”
“It’s alright, Bonita. Even though we are only a year apart, you are still young, so you just need to learn more.”
When I gave her a kind smile, Odette mumbled a reluctant “I understand,” unable to fully hide her inner thoughts. She seemed thoroughly confused by my behavior, which had been different from the norm since this morning.
“Next, while I would love to accept the flowers you give me… unfortunately, the reason I must decline is for the sake of my health.”
“…….”
“As you know, hasn’t my health taken a sudden turn for the worse?”
“……Was it like that?”
Odette’s expression stiffened visibly. She’s likely wondering if I’ve finally discovered the secret of the Panilnia.
“Of course. That’s why you always brought those flowers, telling me to cheer up, didn’t you?”
“…….”
“I wondered why I was coughing so often and why my head hurt. I heard that every person has different plants they are allergic to.”
“Ah……”
Seeing Odette’s reaction of total relief made me feel slightly disgusted, but it couldn’t be helped. Actually, I had agonized over whether to bring up the issue with the Panilnia’s scent, but I decided to postpone it for a later time. If I made it an issue now, I could clearly envision Odette escaping by wailing and asking how she could have possibly known she was gifting her sister poisonous weeds.
For now, I judged it best to simply create a situation where Odette couldn’t give me Panilnia anymore, and slowly pressure her so that she would live in constant anxiety, fearing her deeds might be discovered.
“How could I not want to receive a gift from my lovely sister? However, whenever those flowers are near, my head aches and I feel unwell… Even when I tried to endure it, it has become difficult to bear any longer.”
“It might not be because of the flowers. Couldn’t there be a possibility of other issues?”
“That might be true. Did you say the name was Panilnia? Since your words make sense, perhaps I should look for someone with extensive knowledge of plants as early as today to commission a study.”
“A—Ah, no! If you felt uncomfortable, Unnie, then that must be it. I don’t think there’s any need to go through unnecessary trouble.”
Odette, waving her hands in a frantic attempt to dissuade me, was simply pathetic. It turns out there was no child more transparent than her. I held back a laugh, thinking about what kind of spell I must have been under to waste such a desolate amount of time. If I had lost my life without witnessing Chesia and Odette’s affair, I wouldn’t have even known that the Panilnia was the cause of my nervous breakdown. I only believed it without a doubt because I had heard it directly from Odette’s own mouth.
“Instead, since I’m worried, you must tell me first if you feel very unwell, okay?”
“……Yes. I shall certainly do so.”
I might be able to use this to my advantage. If I acted as if I were suffering by pretending the aftereffects of the Panilnia remained, I could create a moment where Odette lets her guard down.
“Then I’ll be going now, Unnie.”
Odette left an opening until the very end, telling me to let her know whenever I wanted to see flowers. Admiring her persistence, I ordered Penny to escort Odette out of the Rose Pavilion.
Get out now, stay out.
As Odette turned around after a deep bow, I remembered something I hadn’t said and had to call her back.
“Oh, Bonita.”
“Yes?”
“The only flowers I like are roses. Just thought I’d mention it for your reference.”
“…….”
“Then, return safely.”
I closed the door without waiting for Odette’s reply. Whether the tension had finally broken or because I had focused all my energy on her, I felt incredibly exhausted. Too lazy even to move, I slid down the door to a seated position, and Shing, who had been watching in silence, approached.
【 Your patience was quite impressive. 】
“If you hadn’t stopped me, I would have made one of your ghost comrades today. What a shame.”
【 Well… your sister isn’t really my type. I think I’ll pass. 】
As Shing spoke jokingly while crouching in front of me, a snicker leaked out of me involuntarily. As soon as the fellow started prattling on about how good I looked smiling, I immediately withdrew my smile. However, since I had successfully navigated a small crisis, I could breathe a sigh of relief.
【 It’s not good for your body to sit on the cold floor, darling. Why don’t you get up? 】
“I have no strength in my body, so don’t be a nuisance.”
【 Since you’re talking in circles about wanting to be carried while nestled in my arms… I can’t exactly ignore it. This is a problem. 】
“Aish!”
He says such chilling things so easily. I dusted off my backside and stood up to walk toward the desk, hearing the sound of snickering from behind. Shing, who kept spouting nonsense about how he had built up his muscle for this day and to just say the word if I ever wanted to be carried “Princess-style,” finally shut his bewitching mouth only after being “struck” in the face with a book.
Technically, he was hit by my hand holding the book. Anyway, I had a strong hunch that I would gradually get used to his mischievous jokes.
* * *
After having some leisure time with Shing without any interruptions, it was soon time for dinner. Concerned that spicy or heavy food might upset my stomach, I ordered lamb stew, and a textbook-perfect dish was delivered to the library. Since it was a food I enjoyed, I emptied the bowl completely and instructed that a few more servings be made and kept in the kitchen.
Just when I was starting to worry if asking them to clean that huge room in a single day was an excessive demand, Penny arrived with news that the tidying was finished. I hurried my steps.
“You’ve arrived, My Lady.”
“…….”
I forced my jaw, which was dropping open, to stay firm and surveyed the room with a dignified air. I was momentarily dazed by the interior, which had been transformed so completely that I could have mistaken it for moving into a new mansion.
They had polished it so brightly that the floor boasted its original appearance, gleaming to the point where I felt I might slip if I took a wrong step. The table that had been blurry with thick dust and the curtain rod I had ripped out in anger at Shing were all back in their proper places.
‘You guys could do it after all…….’
Seeing their appearances, now thoroughly bedraggled with sweat and dust, I didn’t stop the smile that leaked out.
“I exaggerated a bit when I said to make the floor look like a mirror; what should I do if you actually do it? Are you holding a protest against me?”
“We are only grateful that you allowed us to rediscover our original intentions.”
“It seems my handing down a punishment only ended up doing something good for you all.”
Even while saying that, I showed my satisfaction by touching the clean furniture here and there. Shing, who was blabbering nonsense about whether this was our “newlywed suite,” didn’t even enter my sight right now.
‘The servants’ dinner time has already long passed…. They’ll likely have to go to bed starving.’
Marahan aside, the rest of the maids hadn’t been able to hide their gazes full of discontent. My heart wanted to leave the punishment as a punishment, but in order to plan for the future, a “carrot” was also necessary.
“You’ve all worked hard. I hope this state is maintained in the future.”
“Of course, My Lady.”
“I’ve left separate instructions for your dinner in the kitchen, so go and eat.”
I saw them exchanging glances as if wondering what had gotten into me. I was fed up with the tedious power struggles with the servants one by one. If there were obstacles every time I tried to carry out an important task, I would only tire quickly, so I had to stabilize the servants as soon as possible.
“You’ve heard the news that a maid named Temari was kicked out this morning, haven’t you?”
“……Yes, My Lady.”
“I no longer intend to stand by and watch those who show me an insolent attitude. So, you all simply need to fulfill your duties. You understand my meaning, don’t you?”
At the instruction to take today’s events as a lesson and become an example for others, they bowed deeply and replied that they would. Enough with the lecturing. I called Marahan for what I needed right away.
“Also, Marahan. Since I don’t have a personal maid right now, I’m thinking of keeping a few maids by my side for a while. About three?”
“Yes, My Lady. Is there a child you have in mind specifically?”
“Nothing like that. Among those working in the Rose Pavilion, prioritize those who volunteer, regardless of their family background.”
“Then I will screen the volunteers by tomorrow and send the list up to you.”
“Do that.”
When I told them they were dismissed, everyone left the room except for Penny. I was extremely fatigued after using my brain and running around since dawn. Wanting to wash quickly and fall asleep, I ordered Penny to heat some water, but for some reason, she let out a dejected voice with her shoulders slumped.
‘What’s wrong with her now?’
Once even Penny left the room, Shing, who had been watching the scene, quickly came to my side and said something quite remarkable.
【 I think she’s sulking because you said you were bringing in new maids. 】
“No way. Isn’t it good to have less work?”
【 Ha! Such an insensitive master. Even if she’s a child who only served you for today… if you had seen the proud expression she wore at being recognized by you, you couldn’t be this cold-hearted. 】
“What is that……”
【 A superior’s recognition has a greater impact on a worker’s pride than you think, darling. You just poured cold water on a child’s heart the moment you set it ablaze. 】
He lectured me like a tutor, causing me to frown.
‘So, she thought she would be serving me for at least a few days, but because I suddenly said I’m picking personal maids, she’s sulking because she thinks she’ll be returned to her original position. Is that it?’
Look at this sly little thing!
Shing was making all sorts of useless comments, like how I should cultivate some sensitivity or if I’d be this cold if he were the one sulking, but I didn’t feel bad. This was because I had absolutely no intention of casting Penny aside.
“Stop prattling, Shing. I never had any intention of sending Penny back from the start.”
【 Then why did you say you were taking three volunteers? 】
He tilted his head and asked as if confused. I replied indifferently, as if he were asking something obvious.
“I’m going to find Odette’s spy.”
