Chapter 21 – Somehow, Suspicious People (6)
I moved stiffly and sat down politely in the chair.
“It’s an honor to dine with you, Your Grace.”
I offered the kind of formal greeting I’d once heard somewhere, then nervously picked up my fork and knife. I dug around in my memory for half-forgotten table manners.
“….”
“….”
He said nothing to me while I ate.
Perhaps, understanding that I was “born a commoner,” he kept silent even when I fumbled with the utensils.
I was grateful for that quiet courtesy and focused on chewing diligently.
‘So delicious.’
The meals in the annex had been good too, but they couldn’t compare to this.
Most of all, my eyes kept drifting to the golden-brown roasted turkey.
‘That drumstick… I want it.’
But this wasn’t food meant for me.
So instead, I tried to make do: one bite of salad, one longing glance at the turkey; one sip of soup, another glance at the turkey.
That was when Eclipse finally spoke.
“Bring that here.”
Thankfully, he wasn’t talking to me, but to the servant waiting behind me.
Relieved, I went back to eating.
A short while later, after a brief exchange with Eclipse, the servant approached my seat.
“Excuse me a moment.”
With practiced hands, the servant carved the turkey and placed not one, but two drumsticks on my plate.
“…Gasp.”
Seeing that shy pair of drumsticks on my white plate, a hot, swelling emotion rose in my chest. My throat tightened, my eyes prickled slightly.
I swallowed what was in my mouth and asked, my voice a little shaky,
“Is it really okay for me to have these?”
Think again, sir. These are drumsticks! If I eat them all by myself, surely I’ll be punished!
I’m not that shameless, Your Grace!
‘Everyone knows drumsticks are meant to be shared! It’s basic manners!’
As if he had read my mind, Eclipse replied calmly, as though it were nothing:
“There’s no need to refuse. And even less to mind my opinion.”
“But… truly, is it really alright?”
“With eyes that desperate, how could I possibly ignore you?”
Ah… he had noticed my “stingy peasant glances.”
I bowed my head with a mix of embarrassment and gratitude.
“Thank you for your kindness.”
If he insisted, then why hold back?
“Thank you, Your Grace!”
But for some reason… Eclipse’s gaze on me looked oddly sorrowful.
‘No, surely I’m imagining it.’
I bit into the glossy drumstick.
“…!”
Moist, tender white meat.
Crispy golden skin, perfectly salted.
An exquisite combination.
‘This must be heaven!’
To eat meat dripping with juice until I was satisfied—
‘I’ve just found another reason to bury my bones in this Archduke’s estate!’
Stuffed and content, I patted my full belly and grinned.
‘Ah, that was truly delicious.’
If I were a celebrity, I’d have scribbled: “Ledaire estate—five stars, a must-eat!”
After the meal, I turned to the “owner of this restaurant,” Eclipse, to give my thanks.
“Thank you for the wonderful meal, Your Grace. It was the most delicious food I’ve ever had.”
And I meant every word.
Thirty-eight years, across both my lives, and never had I tasted anything like this.
Honestly, just saying thank you didn’t feel enough.
‘What would life be like if I could eat this every day?’
…But then, how did Eclipse and Lynette stay so slim?
Were they so used to it that they’d forgotten how amazing it was? How?!
‘I’ll never understand.’
If it were me, I’d have gained five kilograms every week.
I gave them thunderous applause in my mind for their inhuman self-control.
‘Ah, I want to make enough money to hire a personal chef someday.’
That would be true happiness.
Drunk on the bliss of a full stomach, I let myself daydream.
‘If I’m hiring a chef, I’d need to buy a house first. A small one with a garden. And of course, a gardener too. I’d ask them to plant baby’s breath everywhere, since I love those flowers.’
Then suddenly, I realized—
‘Wait. Why bother buying a house? I’m aiming for a lifetime contract anyway.’
That was true.
Here, I had free lodging, meals, and pay. Why waste money on a house?
‘Pfft, I’ve been worrying over nothing.’
Just then, while I was lost in my silly daydreams, Eclipse spoke.
“What are you thinking about so intently?”
“Ah.”
I must’ve been too deep in thought. I laughed sheepishly and answered.
“Just thinking about how I absolutely must secure a lifetime contract. To me, this mansion is heaven—no, the place I want to devote my whole life to.”
Since the topic had come up anyway, I decided to push it.
I straightened my posture, cleared my throat.
“Your Grace, I’m prepared to teach not only your children, but also their children after them.”
Right now, I was a paradise bird, performing a courtship dance.
“I’ll work for the Ledaire estate until the day this body of mine fails me. Please grant me the chance!”
I looked at Eclipse with tense eyes, like a contestant awaiting the judge’s verdict.
My stomach twisted, my limbs squirmed.
‘Please, just say something!’
At last, his lips parted slowly.
“Come to the library by noon.”
“…Huh? What kind of answer is that?”
Was that acceptance? Or rejection?
Leaving me bewildered, Eclipse rose and walked away first.
After thinking a moment, I decided:
‘No use guessing. If I go to the library, I’ll find out.’
Not wanting to linger in the empty hall, I returned quickly to my annex room.
Inside, Penny was sweeping the floor with a broom.
“Welcome back, Miss Bloomhire.”
I trotted up to her.
“Oh, Penny. I told you, you don’t need to clean my room.”
“How could I not? Cleaning your room is part of my duties.”
“No, really. It’s fine, you don’t have to.”
I waved my hands, but Penny only smiled gently.
“Miss Bloomhire, this is my job. Please don’t worry about it, and focus on your own work.”
“Ah… alright.”
Her tone was polite, but to me it sounded a bit like: “Mind your own business.”
I sat primly on the sofa and opened a book from the library.
But…
‘Ugh, I can’t concentrate at all!’
Penny’s earlier words kept nagging at me. Pretending to read, I snuck a glance at her sweeping.
‘Was I meddling too much?’
Well, she was an employee like me.
If someone interfered with my work, I’d be annoyed too.
‘Still, I had a reason for saying that…’
My eyes drifted to the broom propped up by the window.
‘Because that one already does all the cleaning!’
I wasn’t just anyone—I was Elsie Bloomhire of Wendleton Seventh Street!
Over ten years of living alone, a witch who had mastered every household spell—an expert in practical magic!
‘I’ve already enchanted that broom to clean automatically.’
Whenever dirt appeared, it zoomed over, swept until spotless, then carried the trash to the bin.
The perfect self-cleaning broom.
‘…I guess I’d better explain.’
