Chapter 030: Encounter on the Forest Path
What a rare fine day.
The sky, which had been dreary for days, was exceptionally clear and bright today, without a single cloud.
“Is it really okay if I go?”
Peeking back, Hanna brought up the same topic she had mentioned just a few minutes ago.
As a result, a few strands of hair secured with a pin sprang loose.
Deborah slightly furrowed her nose and turned Hanna’s head back forward.
“I said it’s fine.”
“No, I just feel bad…”
Her voice was tinged with guilt, shrinking smaller.
Knowing why she felt that way, Deborah raised her voice as if it were no big deal.
“It’s really okay.”
“But still…”
“If it bothers you that much, you can cover for me on my day off sometime later.”
Right? With a gentle smile, she finished styling Hanna’s hair.
When she held up a mirror to show the neatly pinned-up hair, Hanna’s ’s previously downcast face instantly lit up.
Wow—her continuous admiration as she looked at herself only seemed adorable to Deborah.
It felt worth the effort of rushing early in the morning.
“Now hurry up and get going. You’ll be late.”
At the reminder of the appointed time, Hanna’s face flashed with realization, and she stood up.
As she hurriedly moved to leave, Hanna paused in front of Deborah.
“Thank you so much, Deborah.”
Deborah gently patted Hannah’s back as she hugged her tightly in gratitude.
“Have a good time. Enjoy yourself.”
* * *
“Ha…”
As she straightened her stiff, aching back, beads of sweat rolled down her forehead.
Wiping the sweat with the back of her hand, Deborah glanced around the laundry room.
Of course, the furnace heating the water played a part, but more than that—
The steam and heat rising from the large circular washing tub in the center made the laundry room feel like a boiling cauldron.
Most of the laundry from this vast mansion was processed here.
No wonder Hanna groaned every night and snored so loudly.
Thinking about it, Deborah felt embarrassed for complaining about the workload after her recent reassignment.
She had been scrubbing laundry in hot and cold water for over two hours, yet the pile of washing baskets showed no end.
‘Phew, when will I ever finish all this…’
As she tapped her sore back and thought this, someone spoke.
“Tough, isn’t it?”
Martha, who had been working tirelessly beside her, suddenly struck up a conversation.
She was a laundry maid, four years older, with six years of experience in this job.
Of course, it was an obvious question, but Deborah couldn’t admit that in front of someone who worked in such grueling conditions daily.
She slowly shook her head.
“No, it’s fine.”
“Fine, my foot.”
As if seeing right through her, Martha let out a chuckle but suddenly furrowed her brows.
Perhaps sweat had gotten into her eyes, as she blinked repeatedly before grabbing a nearby towel to wipe her face.
Deborah, who had been staring blankly at her, sat back down.
With the mountain of laundry waiting, she had to keep moving.
“Hanna must be really grateful.”
Martha spoke again after a long pause.
Deborah, who was about to rinse soapy clothes in cold water, turned to look at Martha’s profile.
After a moment of thought, she nodded quietly.
The reason Deborah was working in the laundry room, which wasn’t her job, was because she had volunteered to cover for Hanna.
On a day off, no less.
“Thanks to you, she gets to see her family after so long.”
“…I suppose so.”
Imagining Hanna sitting with her family, a smile crept onto Deborah’s face.
Lower maids weren’t entirely bound like slaves or servants, but they weren’t completely free either.
During their contract period, they were strictly under their employer’s control, meaning they couldn’t leave on holidays without permission.
That’s where the problem arose.
This holiday was the day Hanna’s parents, who lived far away, were coming to the capital, Denvero, to see their fourth daughter.
Elated after receiving her parents’ letter, Hanna had gone to ask for permission but returned ten minutes later with a tearful face.
– ‘They said I can’t get leave this holiday because of the backlog of laundry!’
With that single sentence, Hanna collapsed onto her bed, sobbing loudly.
How could she not be upset?
Though Deborah, being an orphan, couldn’t fully understand, she could at least imagine how heartbroken Hannah must be.
That’s why—
– ‘What if I work in your place?’
Without a second’s hesitation, she had said it.
Thinking of how Hanna had kept her from feeling lonely since arriving here, Deborah wanted to help this time.
That was why Deborah was working in the laundry room for Hanna today.
“Martha! At this rate, we won’t finish even by sunset!”
While lost in thought, a shout suddenly came from the opposite side.
It was one of the maids sitting across from them.
Everyone, drenched in sweat and working, turned their heads in surprise at the sound.
*Thud, thud.*
A maid stormed over with a flushed, furious face and stood before Martha.
“Well, what do you suggest?”
Martha tilted her head and asked, to which the maid replied,
“Let’s go outside!”
Her resolute expression was like that of a soldier heading to battle.
Deborah, clueless about what was happening, merely blinked beside her.
* * *
‘Elfengrin’ was one of the most famous mansions in the capital, Denvero, known to all.
Not only was it the family seat of the Chester ducal family, but it was also renowned as one of the most scenic estates in the kingdom.
The first thing that came to mind was its picturesque garden.
Elfengrin’s garden, bursting with vibrant flowers, required hundreds of pounds monthly for upkeep, employing numerous staff and resources.
Considering that the annual living expenses of a middle-class Rubayk household ranged from 100 to 200 pounds, it was an astronomical sum.
And there was one more famous feature.
The vast estate, spanning hundreds of acres, and the expansive forest and beautiful river behind the grand mansion.
Distinguished guests visiting Elfengrin were always left breathless, their gazes stolen by the stunning scenery.
It was no different now.
The four people walking alongside Raymond on the green forest path were all guests visiting Elfengrin.
More precisely, they were young nobles with personal connections to Duke Chester.
His close friend Edward, two upper-class nobles he’d known since childhood, and the recently acquainted Earl Leicester.
Raymond often enjoyed hunting or strolling through the forest paths with such visitors.
“Why was I the only one left out of the last banquet?”
As they walked along the forest path adorned with small colorful flowers, a voice suddenly spoke up.
All eyes, previously admiring the beautiful scenery, turned to the man with black curly hair standing at the far right.
The last banquet—since everyone except Earl Leicester had been present, their gazes shifted to Raymond, walking at the far left.
Raymond, the man in question, gave a casual smile, his lips curving lightly.
“I thought such gatherings wouldn’t interest someone with such refined tastes.”
A puff of stifled laughter escaped someone’s lips, catching the veiled jab.
Of course, Edward, standing nearby, quickly nudged the person’s side with his elbow, and the moment passed.
*Ahem.*
As Earl Leicester cleared his throat to mask his embarrassment, a rustling of leaves sounded.
Raymond assumed it was one of the small forest creatures he occasionally saw on these walks.
But moments later, a small crack appeared on his indifferent face.
Emerging suddenly from the bushes a few steps away was *that* woman.
The moment he faced Deborah, Raymond’s expression began to contort fiercely.
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By Anna 💓
Greetings, I hope you’re doing okay. I’d like to propose some novels that I’ve translated that may interest you:
The goal is five divorces.
The Ruffian and the Mad Warrior Get Married.
