Chapter 6
"No. Now that you're back, we should all have it together. After all, our new chef... No, but do you like the room?"
"Yes. I couldn't have imagined it. Thank you so much."
When I answered sincerely, Lethias's face brightened, and he smiled widely. Ugh, how adorable. Why did your younger brother forget how to smile like that?
* * *
The central church of Avalon, the capital of Cherkesha, is a temple that claims to be open to all.
It was based on the creed that 'all the people of the empire are the children of the Lord.' Still, as if there were preferences among parents, there was a separate area for listening to sermons for each social class.
Nevertheless, the claim that it was open to all held true. Everyone could come and go, from the highest royalty to the lowest poor—even criminals.
Criminals often sought refuge in the church, either to evade arrest or simply to survive, shouting for the temple's protection.
No form of violence or bloodshed could be forgiven inside the temple. It was an immutable rule that applied to everyone. Even if you were a criminal, you could still find solace in faith.
In the prayer room, shrouded in darkness late at night, a man with an unusually sullen expression entered and sat next to a woman who had arrived earlier and was waiting.
Both their eyes were fixed on the altar opposite, and their expressions were as reverent and solemn as the saints depicted in stained glass.
"What's wrong with your face?"
In response to his sister's calm question, the man, Yann, frowned and began scratching his head.
He no longer had head lice, like he did when he was a kid, so it wasn't because it was itchy. He just had a habit of scratching his head whenever he was in trouble.
"I got into trouble with Benya."
"What happened?"
"Because the Fibonacci guys sent their little minions."
"It's only been a day or two. It doesn't seem like a big problem."
"Yes. But it's a little problem if they've infiltrated the Snake's hotel. And that girl almost got caught up in it..."
And Yann could no longer speak.
Pak, pak, pak!
Valentina was mercilessly hitting his head.
"Oh, don't hit me on the head! My already limited intelligence will get even worse!"
"It's good that you're aware of your lack of intelligence. You crazy bastard, how did you manage to get those small fries to think about infiltrating the estates of nobles?"
"They were disposable meat shields anyway! It's an obvious trick!"
"What do you mean?"
"After all, it's a clear provocation, doing that on the night she returned. Someone who wants to prove that this side and the Snakes aren't just involved in the construction business must have pushed them to do it."
"Is there any proof? The Night Butterflies don't tolerate being touched in any jurisdiction in the first place."
"So, when we start moving in earnest, the high-ranking person who pushed them will try to find a link somehow."
"Have you guessed the identity of that high-ranking fellow?"
"I'm still not sure."
Finally, Valentina let go of her brother's head and sighed as she crossed her arms.
"What did your friend say?"
"For now, let's stay quiet. The other side will also wait for a while, watching the dynamics on this side. The cops are very angry... Anyway, since the construction is almost finished, my Noona will have more things to do at the hotel than me for a while."
(**Noona: informal term for younger brothers to address their older sisters.)
"Do you want me to go to a hotel where cops hang out? Why? For what reason? You want me to use my beauty?"
At this sarcasm, Yann was about to argue against the beauty part but wisely decided to skip it.
"They're entrusting that lady with the interior design, but I think Noona will be one of the assistants."
There was a moment of silence. Amid Valentina's stare, claiming to be truly astonished, Yann tried to maintain an innocent expression.
"Me? Look, I'm not an interior designer. If it's a place where high-ranking people with picky tastes will stay..."
"You don't have to worry about that part."
"...are you saying that being an assistant is an insignificant part of this job?"
"Basically, yes."
"So, my real job is to babysit that young lady?"
"Rather than being a babysitter... You're more like a bodyguard and a friend. Leave the store to Lara for the time being."
Thinking that was it, Valentina sighed again. Then, she asked in a softer tone.
"How was she when you actually saw her? That lady."
"Well, you can't talk to her directly."
"Why?"
"I thought you might make a fool of yourself, being ignorant unlike me."
Pak! Valentina's palm hit Yann's head hard again.
"What was her personality like? This idiot."
Yann rubbed the tingling top of his head and tried to recall Sasha's appearance for a moment. How could he grasp the other person's personality in such a short period of time...
"I think you and her will get along well."
"Hey, what does that mean..."
"She seemed inflexible. Just like my older sister."
"..."
Valentina said nothing more. Instead, she rummaged through her handbag and pulled out a cigarette. Yann lit it for her and got up.
* * *
For the first few weeks after entering the academy, I had no idea about my sleeping habits. It wasn't until Marianne, who had become somewhat acquainted with me, told me carefully... that I cried every night looking for someone.
It was a fact I had no knowledge of because I would forget the dream as soon as I opened my eyes. I felt so embarrassed when I found out.
At the same time, I was afraid that I might have spilled a secret from my past in my dreams. Fortunately, after realizing it once, that unpleasant sleeping habit didn't recur.
Never again, really. It will remain the same now and in the future.
It had been a long time since I had any dreams. With this refreshing feeling, I opened my eyes to find the surroundings still gloomy.
Climbing out of the soft bed and pulling back the curtains, I approached the balcony and saw that it was just dawning.
The morning in Serpente.
The moment when the gardener diligently tends the garden from early hours, the attendants carrying brooms, the guards hanging around with coffee cups and cigarettes, and maids carrying baskets of fresh ingredients busily come and go to announce the start of the day.
It was a familiar landscape. Everything has changed, but the scenery has not changed.
After all, everyone is so energetic. Then, should I be a bit diligent too?
"Ah, Ms. Sasha. Good morning. You're up early."
"Good morning, Uncle. It's a habit."
After briefly washing and changing my clothes, I ran into the butler on the way down to the first floor. Now that I looked at him, his name and mustache reminded me of Charlie Chaplin.
"Are you going for a walk?"
"Well, sort of... Oh, I noticed yesterday that the chef's skills were amazing."
"Hoho, he'd really like it if you told him. He's a friend who is weak to compliments."
"Oh, then I'll have to tell him myself."
Even though we were both in the same body, there was definitely a difference between us. But Sasha in the original work I remember was very fair in that aspect.
She was equally wicked to aides and accountants, many of whom were of aristocratic and bourgeois origins, to proud guards, and to lowly servants.
Her wickedness was so bad that everyone who saw how she behaved got sick of her.
Even so, they endured it, knowing that they would be kicked out of the Dukedom if they looked at her with disapproval.
I didn't know why she acted like that, and why she was so distrustful of her guards and servants when I read the book, but now I understand.
Of course, understanding and following the same steps are completely different things.
"Parsley! Are you still far away?! Please move quickly! Hurry up, hurry!"
As soon as I entered the kitchen under the guidance of the friendly Chaplin, a scene of mayhem literally unfolded.
Everywhere I looked, there were people carrying ingredients, kneading, boiling, slicing, mincing, and baking.
The most impressive of all was the large man who was commanding loudly from the center table. His chubby cheeks were bright red, and he looked like he was about to explode at any moment.
"Is breakfast going well, Jose? It smells amazing."
"As you can see, I'm going crazy, so please don't tell me I have to change the menu... Oh, who is that person?"
"Miss Sasha wants to pay tribute to your cooking skills."
The butler said casually, and Mr. José stared blankly at me for a moment, his expression awkward. But soon, his face turned even redder, and he showed a friendly smile.
It was an unbelievably heartwarming transformation from the fierce look he had just a moment ago.
"I'm glad you liked it, Milady."
"I’m just Sasha. Dinner last night was amazing. Especially the pudding."
"Ahahaha, would you like to taste the hors d'oeuvre while you're here?"
He had said he wasn't good at compliments, but thanks to the chef's warm smile, I tasted freshly made soft knell and sweet tart and even got a cup of chocolate, just like when I was very young.
"You see, he’s just a simpleton kind of friend."
"I see that he's very kind."
"Rather than being kind, I wonder if I’m weak against beautiful women's compliments... Oh, that's the head maid. Hey, Greta! Come and say hello!"
As we left the kitchen and walked toward the hall side by side, Mr. Chaplin waved his hand upwards.
The head maid, who was supervising the maids cleaning the stairs, turned around and shook her fist as well.
"I can't see you working, you bald head... Oh my, hello. Was the bed comfortable?"
Should I shake my fist too?
I thought about it for a moment but decided to just wave my palm.
"I'm indebted. Thank you."
"Anytime you need anything... Oh my god! Dear!"
Splash! Thud!
With a loud noise, a bucket of soapy water fell toward us. If Uncle Chaplin hadn't quickly pulled me back, my whole body would have been soaked. Fortunately, only a little splashed onto my skirt.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, thanks to you..."
"What?"
We all turned our heads with the same puzzled expression at the unexpected voice that came out of nowhere. Then I saw our duke walking furiously from the front yard.
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