Chapter 44
Perhaps because she felt more at ease, Monica’s curiosity began to stir.
So then, were fruits simply stored indoors until they spoiled and then discarded? Or were they processed into other foods?
It was only a passing curiosity, but since she would be raising Pera while staying here, it was better to know these things.
“Then, if the fruits are stored indoors and don’t stay fresh, what do you do with them?”
Countess Pencil swallowed dryly and answered nervously, as though reciting the solution to a difficult exam question.
“Well… since the knights and the people of the Ducal House eat mostly meat rather than fruit, if the fruit is in poor condition, we simply dispose of it.”
“You don’t process it in any way?”
“P—process it? Processing, you mean?”
“I mean making it so it can last longer.”
“Well, when they’re on monster subjugations or battlefields, they salt meat and turn it into jerky, but with fruit—if you put salt on it, you can’t eat it. So no, we don’t do anything like that.”
“By any chance, is there such a thing as jam here?”
“J—jam?”
The slight tremor in Countess Pencil’s voice betrayed sharp wariness.
She assumed Monica was trying to mock her and the other kitchen ladies by quizzing them on whether they knew of some high-class delicacy nobles ate—like caviar.
But contrary to her suspicion, Monica’s lips curved in a small smile as though she’d just thought of something.
“Could you bring me some of the remaining strawberries and sugar?”
“Right now?”
“Ah, no, you’re busy preparing lunch for the knights right now. Once you’re done, bring the strawberries and sugar to the annex kitchen.”
“Yes, I should be done in about an hour. Would it be all right to bring them then?”
That was perfect. By then, Gonzales would have already arrived at the ducal estate.
“That will do. Thank you.”
Smiling in satisfaction, Monica turned and left the kitchen. Countess Pencil just stood there, staring blankly at her retreating figure.
‘She just left without saying anything else? No… surely she’ll come back and scold us later.’
Even after Monica had disappeared from sight, the countess stood frozen as if her feet were glued to the ground, unable to believe what had just happened.
Baroness Noson approached her.
“Are you all right? Did she scold you badly?”
“N—no. She didn’t scold me at all.”
“She didn’t? Then… did she mock you?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“She told me to take strawberries and sugar to the annex kitchen.”
“What? To the annex kitchen that no one uses? And she didn’t say anything else?”
“That’s right.”
The two women exchanged looks, trying to make sense of Monica’s words and actions. At length, Baroness Noson spoke.
“In any case, we’d better quietly take the strawberries and sugar to the annex right now.”
“The Duchess said it was fine to do it after we finish our work.”
“But what if you run into her again then? What would you do if she said something? This time she let it pass, but what if next time she doesn’t?”
“…That’s true.”
“If you want to keep working here, you need to avoid her as much as possible. Ugh, just imagine going back home, shut up indoors again, being forced to learn all those so-called ‘society lessons’ for noble ladies… It’s not even about learning. Sometimes those gatherings are just…”
Baroness Noson leaned close and whispered in the countess’s ear.
“Once, I went to what they called a social gathering, but when I got there, it turned out to be a scandalous private party. I don’t want to follow people into places like that. I’d rather stay here washing dishes.”
Countess Pencil nodded heavily, swayed by her words. Baroness Noson continued.
“They say the Duke still hasn’t given up, and is courting her more desperately than ever. That might mean we’ll also be forced to attend those social events more actively. Oh, how dreadful! I’d rather die than see my husband dragged into such gatherings!”
“I feel the same.”
“So we should avoid her as much as we can. Who knows when she might suddenly change her mind and order us to quit working and attend every social gathering in sight?”
Countess Pencil nodded again. Quickly, Baroness Noson grabbed a basket and put the strawberries and sugar inside.
“I’ll take these to the annex kitchen right now, don’t worry.”
“I’ll come with you. What if something happens if you go alone—”
Before she could finish, Baroness Noson interrupted swiftly.
“Ah, yes, you’re right. Let’s both go quickly. It could be dangerous if I went alone.”
And so, flustered, the two women hurried off toward the annex.
* * *
Lucky wagged his tail, circling around Monica.
“Wait a bit. I’ll make you some strawberry jam.”
She stepped into the empty annex.
Though only one person—Angela—had been living there, with her gone, the annex looked very different from before.
‘Did they send the maintenance workers elsewhere?’
Whatever the case, it wasn’t bad. It was quiet, and perfect for making jam alone. Monica headed for the annex kitchen with Lucky.
On the central table of the kitchen, strawberries and sugar had already been prepared.
She had received word that Gonzales would be a little late to their appointment, so if she made jam while waiting, the timing would be perfect.
“It’s been a while… shall I try?”
She winked at Lucky as she spoke.
Cooking in a medieval-style dress was a bit ridiculous, but she rolled up her sleeves and tied on an apron.
She washed the strawberries carefully in cold water, then began hulling and slicing them. For some reason, the work brought back memories of her old world.
“Mom loved strawberries so much.”
Thinking of her late mother, Sujeong’s mother, her eyes suddenly welled with tears.
‘Did Mom know? That something like this would happen to me? Was that why she made me promise, like a spell, never to give up on my dreams?’
Even after possessing this body, Monica had never once despaired, never thought it impossible to return to her original world.
Her promise with her mother had always given her strength.
She steadied herself and chopped the strawberries finely.
It had been so long since she had worked in a kitchen that red stains splattered across her apron and dress as she sliced.
‘Well, that much is fine.’
She glanced down at herself, then poured the chopped strawberries, water, and sugar into a pot and began heating them.
Soon, the pot bubbled, and the sweet aroma of strawberries filled the kitchen.
“Just a little longer, Lucky.”
Lucky wagged his tail in front of her, sniffing the air eagerly.
Monica stirred the pot with a ladle, finishing up the jam.
“Duchess—huff!”
At that moment, Gonzales arrived in the kitchen, only to recoil in shock at the sight of Monica.
He had heard plenty of rumors about her but trusted Taylor’s judgment. When he met her for the first time, he had been surprised to find her so unlike the gossip—her thinking was different, refreshing. He had naturally looked forward to their second meeting.
But now…
Gonzales was stunned again, though he couldn’t yet tell if it was in a good or bad way.
“Y—you’re… cooking? Aah! Y-your dress and apron, they’re covered in blood, Duchess!”
The young lady Gonzales had grown pale, but did her best to speak calmly to Monica.
“Lady Gonzales.”
“Duchess, what on earth are you doing here?”
“Ah, I’ve started something fun. Come over here and help me.”
Her wary eyes flickered, but Gonzales still asked, “What should I do to help? And why is there blood on your dress and apron?”
Overjoyed at her successful jam-making, Monica failed to notice Gonzales’s state. She scooped up a spoonful of warm jam and held it out to her.
“Oh, this isn’t blood. Here, taste this and tell me what you think.”
But to Gonzales, the red lumps looked like gore. Though the air smelled sweet and tart, her eyes still saw nothing but a bloody mass.
“W-what… is this?”
“You’ll know once you try it. Go on.”
Smiling, Monica brought the spoon closer.
Gonzales hesitated, conflicted. Then, as if preparing for death, she asked,
“Will eating this… help Lord Riat, the head of the Merchant Guild?”
The unexpected question made Monica touch her cheek thoughtfully, tilting her head. Then her eyes lit up, as if struck by an idea.
“Actually… it might help him!”
Of course, she’d need to discuss it with Liam, but she had a strong, hopeful feeling that this idea would benefit everyone.
Encouraged, she pressed the spoon toward Gonzales again.
Gonzales, eyes full of resolve, took the spoon and shut her eyes tightly. Opening her mouth wide, she shoved the jam inside.
“Mmm.”
Instantly, a sweet and tangy taste burst across her tongue.
‘Strawberries?’
Yes, it was strawberry flavor—only much sweeter and more concentrated than any she’d tasted before. Gonzales’s eyes flew open in shock as she looked at Monica.
“It’s… strawberries, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. Well? Is it good?”
“Yes!”
“Good. I was worried, since it’s been a while since I last made it.”
Satisfied, Monica scooped some jam into a bowl. Her gaze shifted to Lucky, who wagged his tail vigorously, waiting his turn.
“Here you go, Lucky.”
As soon as she placed the bowl on the ground, Lucky sniffed it several times before happily lapping up the jam with his pink tongue.
Watching fondly, Monica turned back to Gonzales.
“Lady Gonzales, I’ll set aside a bit for you. Could you stop by the Riat Merchant Guild on your way back and give this to the guild master?”
“I will.”
“Then shall we sit and talk for a bit?”
