episode_0019

With Lily’s help, I got through my period well. My body recovered, and my chest shrank back down. Of course, even though it was small, it was still a big chest.

Oh, come to think of it, Lily seemed a bit disappointed.

Because the recent dishes weren’t great due to my health, I started preparing breakfast diligently today.

I soaked thick meat in water and made side dishes. After about an hour, I took out the meat from the water and put it in a pot.

Then, I added plenty of water, various vegetables, pepper to remove the meat smell, and various spices.

Now, all that’s left is to boil it over high heat. Initially, I opened the lid to let the smell out, then closed it and boiled it over medium heat for about an hour – done.

While waiting for the pork to be ready, I finished making the remaining side dishes. As time passed, a fragrant smell filled the air.

I wanted to make kimchi, but it seemed difficult with the ingredients I had. I’ll have to carefully check what ingredients are available in the kitchen later.

So, for now, I made simple radish kimchi.

When it was almost time for the pork to be ready, Lily came downstairs rubbing her eyes.

I hugged Lily like that and led her to the sink. I cleaned her still-drowsy face, washed her hands, and came out.

“Wow. It looks delicious!”

Seeing the completed pork, Lily’s eyes sparkled as she was captivated by the tender meat.

I served Lily some of the well-prepared pork with the simple radish kimchi.

*Swish.*

Oh, I checked the temperature of the hot pork before handing it over again, and Lily ate it deliciously.

*Slurp.*

Her cheeks puffed up a bit, her jaw moving cutely.

*Gulp!*

“Wow! It’s so delicious! Amelia, you’re amazing!”

The pork was indeed delicious, but since I hadn’t eaten proper food for almost two days, it tasted even better.

Still, I was worried since it was my first time trying something in this world, but I’m relieved it turned out well.

As usual, after breakfast, I spent time playing and reading books with Lily until something crossed my mind.

“Lily.”

“Yes?”

“You seem very interested in magic, right? Last time when you healed my hand, it seemed like you were already using magic.”

“Uh, yes, yes!”

“In that case, should I bring a magic mentor for you to see?”

“Oh, the one who brought me here last time…”

“Camilla?”

“Yes. She said she would teach me.”

“Really? Since when?”

“Um… that… Oh! Was it today?”

“What!? If you tell me now, what will we do!”

I couldn’t believe that discussions with Camilla had already taken place. Lily awakened, and then my period overlapped, so I was preoccupied. I never expected such an important matter to be known now.

“Don’t worry.”

Lily smiled mischievously and said it was fine, but I felt a bit uneasy. Still, being a dragon and all!

Trying to prepare as quickly as possible to meet Camilla, the moment I moved…

*Knock, knock.*

Someone knocked on the annex door.

Already? I thought, but Lily suddenly got up and swung open the annex door.

“Master Camilla?”

Sure enough, she arrived right after we talked about her. The saying “Speak of the devil and he shall appear” is indeed accurate.

“Hello~”

As soon as the door opened, there stood Camilla.

She looked comfortable in her snug red dress, red hair cascading to her shoulders, and intense red lips.

Just looking at her exuded charisma that naturally made one bow their head. Of course, she was full of smiles now, so it wasn’t that intimidating, but if she were to put on a serious face, it’s hard to imagine how scary she could be.

For now, I quickly and respectfully bowed to Camilla.

“Welcome. Master Camilla, please come in.”

When did Lily and Camilla become so close? They seemed very friendly. Lily would never know that Camilla is a dragon, right?

“Hello, Amelia. It’s Lily’s class day today.”

“Please take care of her.”

Lily and Camilla started talking in the living room, so I headed to the kitchen to make tea for Lily and Camilla.

They seemed to be having a serious conversation. Their expressions looked very solemn.

Since Lily was still a child and didn’t like tea, I made fruit juice, while Camilla clearly liked some kind of herbal tea.

First, I poured warm water into the teacups to warm them up, then I put leaves in the cups, poured freshly boiled water, and let it steep for about 4 minutes.

A fragrant aroma naturally wafted out. It seemed better made than usual.

Carrying two cups, I moved to the living room where Lily and Camilla were.

As I approached, I could hear their conversation.

“Fan… star… and… trash… life…”

“Why… not… Lily, you too… necklace… inside…”

Their endlessly serious faces, how difficult must the magic story they were discussing be to have such expressions.

Camilla noticed me approaching.

She looked at me and smiled brightly. Lily also smiled at me, waving her hand.

With two pretty and cute women smiling at me, my mood naturally improved.

Carefully setting the tea on the table, I first served Camilla the herbal tea and then Lily the fruit juice.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you, Amelia!”

-Bow.

I bowed with a tray in hand and returned to the kitchen.

Now, is it time for magic study in the morning? Then, I guess chores can all be done in the morning.

I decided to eat lunch first and then do laundry and cleaning.

I gathered all the laundry and walked to the stream next to the annex.

It’s fascinating that there is magic installed in the stream for laundry. Unless you’re a mana awakened individual, using magic requires vitality, so mana awakened individuals use mana batteries.

There is magic to create water, but if water is already available, there’s no need to use it. That’s why there’s a laundry magic set on the flowing stream. Of course, there are batteries too.

So, going there and leisurely washing by hand makes everything very clean without the need for detergent or such.

Of course, the water is inevitably cold.

So today, I walked diligently to the stream for laundry. On the way, Helena was standing there.

“What’s this? Why is she here again this time?”

*Cough*… *Cough*…

As soon as she spotted me, Helena covered her mouth with a fan, as if saying, “Please look at me,” and coughed.

I had to bow my waist and greet Helena.

“Hello, Helena.”

“Hello, Amelia.”

After a brief greeting, an awkward silence ensued.

I have no idea what Helena is thinking. How surprised was she when she saw the envelope last time?

It wasn’t for Lily. If it was for Lily, she wouldn’t have left it like this until now.

It was clearly for me. Was the makeup from that day so impactful?

But she couldn’t have prepared in advance for that envelope since she saw it after the head chef died and we met afterward…

“Are you going to do laundry?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“May I see your hands…?”

“My hands?”

“Yes.”

“Here you go.”

Even though it was obvious I was carrying laundry, Helena asked about my hands. She must not have asked because she was stupid.

Suddenly asking if it’s okay to see my hands, Helena cautiously reached out to hold my hand as if it would break if touched even slightly.

She carefully touched my palm.

“Gasp…! How did you get this wound!”

Recently, Helena, upon seeing the makeup marks from my recent mistake, hesitated and stumbled in her words.

“Oh, these are just scars from burning a pot recently. They’re steadily healing and will disappear soon.”

I reassured Helena not to worry, squeezing her hand to show it’s okay, but out of the blue, she blurted out something strange.

“Um, do you need a maid?”

“A maid?”

“Yes. It’s tough with laundry and cooking every day…”

“But I am the maid.”

“R-right?”

I couldn’t quite grasp what she was getting at, but sensing that if we lingered any longer, lunchtime would pass by the time we finished, I bowed as if to signal an end to this conversation.

“I have a lot to do, so I should go quickly.”

“N-nothing. Amelia, take this.”

As I tried to leave, Helena stopped me and handed me a strange round stone. It felt smooth in my hand.

“What is this?”

“It’s a hand warmer. So your hands won’t get cold when doing laundry!”

Upon touching it, I could feel the warmth emanating from it. Was it activated by pressing the small part on the side?

It was indeed a helpful item.

“Thank you very much. I will make good use of it.”

As I tried to bid farewell and walk away, Helena stopped me again.

“Um, would you like to have a cup of tea together tomorrow?”

“Helena, I am a maid. You are the mistress.”

“It’s okay. It’s okay!”

I’m not okay. It’s burdensome. Scary.

I don’t know how to politely decline or express that I don’t want to go.

No, if I refuse Helena’s request, she might do something strange. I should go for now and see what she’s up to.

I need to gather information ahead of time for Lily.

“Alright. Where and when should I meet you tomorrow?”

“R-really!? If you come to the main building by 10 a.m. tomorrow, there will be a servant to guide you!”

“Understood. I really must go now. See you tomorrow.”

This time, I should just ignore her if she tries to talk to me.

Fortunately, Helena didn’t stop me further and gestured for me to leave as she moved away.