episode_0005

It has been a week since the eldest son of the Bayoren family returned home after subduing the demon king.

– Rustle

A girl with crimson hair got up without relying on a maid’s help. She pushed the curtains aside herself and tidied her clothes and hair without anyone’s assistance.

Her name is Mandarin. She is an attractive young lady with a soft, silent laughter.

Regardless of being a commoner-born lady, Darin is someone who naturally shows consideration for others. That’s probably why she is respected by the rough people of Bayoren due to their rough temperament.

“The weather is nice today, isn’t it?”

The mistress coughed earlier than usual since her son, Kae, returned. Perhaps it’s because there is someone who can alleviate her loneliness.

“Madam, did you sleep well?”

As Darin stepped out of bed, a maid had appeared by her side. She had come to greet the mistress who was waiting for her cough to subside.

“Hello, Emma.”

She responded to the maid’s greeting with a bright smile. Emma wasn’t young, but she was a sensitive girl. Her attitude always made Darin blush as if she were welcoming a long-lost friend.

The reason Darin called the maid, whom she didn’t want to be fussed over, after a long time, was because today she had to dress up like a flower.

It was a celebration to commemorate her son’s subjugation of the demon king.

On the day he returned from his expedition, her son, who had slammed the door on his way out, seemed a little upset, but the two reconciled the next day. It was the thoughtful son who extended his hand first. It’s not clear what made him angry.

– Snip, snip.

After guiding the mistress to the dressing table, Emma cautiously began trimming her hair with small scissors. The sweet and tangy scent emanating from her crimson hair almost made me lose my mind for a moment, but I had to regain my composure somehow. After all, the mistress wanted to meet her son as soon as possible.

“…Is the smell that strong?”

“Oh, no. It’s just so nice, not nice, I mean!”

Madam must have noticed the maid’s reaction. Emma tried to deny it in a hurry when her mistress asked with a blush on her face, but unfortunately, unnecessary words popped out. If I say it’s good, will she not act like a different person again?

Unlike the bewildered girl, Darin just gives a gentle smile. It’s because she reminds him of his daughter, Appie. When he thinks about it carefully, their ages are similar.

“Please understand a little. What’s this fuss about wanting to smell your mother’s perfume, Kael?”

“Is it Lord Akkael?”

“Yes, Kael has liked my scent since he was young. What did he say as soon as he returned from the expedition? Why doesn’t mother’s fragrance come out? I don’t even know if it’s a fragrance or what…”

“So, does that mean you don’t bathe in the morning these days?”

“Well, it’s a bit uncomfortable, but if my son wants it that way, I should be satisfied with once a day, right?”

Even now, he spontaneously gets close to his mother whenever there’s a chance. Although he often felt embarrassed because he was a big and grown-up boy, Darin was willing to allow it if it meant reminiscing about the old days. He also felt concerned about Kael slamming the door and leaving recently.

“Come to think of it, Lord Akkael seems to have an immense affection for Madam.”

Emma looked at her mistress with an admiring expression. No matter how much one is a beloved child, it was enviable that such a sturdy and handsome man bestowed endless affection. The respect for the lady who raised an excellent hero was an added bonus.

‘But still, would it be normal to be obsessed with parents’ scent? Well, Madam’s scent is so sweet…’

To Emma, who was a third party, it seemed unusual, and she felt curious, but there was no need to delve deeply into it. She was just a commoner. There was no need to feel more curiosity than necessary in noble society, even if the lady of the house favored her. If she went too far, the household gods wouldn’t stay silent.

“Finally, it’s the appointment ceremony today, isn’t it?”

Unlike the calm Dallin, Emma seemed a bit excited. She was helping with the mistress’s flower arrangement, but she couldn’t stop talking.

“What’s so enjoyable, Emma? Someone might think you’re participating in the coming-of-age ceremony.”

“Still, isn’t it something to look forward to as a maid, dressing up such a beautiful young lady as the mistress? You always wear simple clothes.”

“Oh, young lady? Are you referring to a fresh and lively woman like yourself, Emma?”

“What are you saying! The mistress is much more beautiful than me, isn’t she? I’ve only been here for 5 years, so I don’t know the youthful mistress, but the steward said there has been no change in her appearance since she came of age.”

“Nonsense. Why would the steward belittle the master he serves?”

“I don’t think that’s the case. Just looking at your reflection in the mirror, you look lovely like a girl.”

Indeed, it was true.

Her fair and smooth skin, not concealed by the dress, was white and flawless.

The dress, embroidered with black stripes on a white background, fit her perfectly.

From the chest ornament symbolizing the coming-of-age to the hairpin, everything seemed to have been made just for her from the beginning.

“The young master has a good eye.”

This dress, combining splendor and neatness, was personally chosen by her son, Akal. Even Dallin, who didn’t care much about dressing up, smiled at his son’s attention. It wouldn’t matter if she wore it carelessly, but if it was her son’s choice, she couldn’t refuse.

“Akal as well. Even the people of Bayol are too fond of me, aren’t they?”

Unconsciously, the crimson-haired girl puffed out her cheeks in frustration. A posture that did not suit her age. However, since she looked no different from a teenage girl on the outside, it wasn’t entirely unsuitable. Having just come of age, Emma now felt like a younger sister when facing her own reflection in the mirror.

“I think the people of Bayol know why the mistress is so cherished.”

Bayoren, my companion, always hugged me tightly wherever we went before reaching the minimum marriage age of 14. I was very anxious when I was very young, afraid that something might break.

Bayoren’s affection is not false. Even now, except when he empties himself, he lights up and searches my eyes, asking where my legs are, to explain the extent of his attachment.

“And I think Madam knows why you feel upset with Bayoren.”

When she turned 14, the unleashed man’s desire exploded. The intense moment of love left trauma in the young girl. Formerly, Lady Bayoren suffered from a mental illness of being a man, so it must have been even more difficult.

Not only was she kidnapped at the age of 7 without knowing anything, but if she were attacked by someone much larger than her at the age of 14, whether the intention was affectionate or not, it would be difficult to endure. After all, Lady Bayoren never saw Bayoren as a man.

But isn’t it an ancient tradition of the Bayoren barbarians to forcibly take even a woman they like? Even the lords were not much different.

“Still, it’s fortunate that Lady Bayoren has a righteous character.”

She had a somewhat unrefined aspect that was not very feminine. Rather than a noblewoman, she felt like a commoner striving to become a ‘noble,’ but unlike selfish noblewomen, she naturally took care of others. She must have had some hidden strength to endure such difficult times without losing her character.

This woman does not hesitate to bestow grace upon those beneath her. Thanks to the ‘healing oranges’ she developed, her territory became prosperous. Through education of unknown origin, she raised the knowledge level of barbarians from other regions who were looked down upon.

Therefore, all the residents, including Emma, truly admire and cherish the queen of the orange trees. If the time comes for them to die, they will sacrifice their lives not for the Northern Grand Duke or the Emperor of the Empire, but for this small red-haired girl.

‘Bean husks are on.’ Emma does not entirely deny that statement. I really think that this woman has been wrapped in bean husks. But anyone from the people of Bayoren would do that. However, it wasn’t really like that as much as her beauty.

She’s a girl who has dreamed of becoming a maid to protect the lady she has admired since she was young. How can you express that loyalty in words?

The maid responded to her mistress’s tantrums with brief conversations and styled her hair elaborately. As she neatly arranged her hair in various appropriate positions, her appearance was so dignified that it could make one’s pupils dilate.

“Are you really okay with this extent? Decorating your nails with cure, or at least wearing a necklace or earrings…

Even while preventing excessive adornment with one hand, Emma expressed regret about not being able to dress up anymore. Her husband, Lord Bayoren, and her son, Master Doyeon, had given her piles of jewelry as gifts, so she couldn’t understand why she didn’t adorn herself. Especially on a day as important as today.

“What’s the point of trying to stand out in the capital? Of course, no one will pay attention to such a regional governor…”

Akael’s advice to assert oneself regardless of age echoed in her mind. At that time, she passed it off as insignificant, but when such a situation actually arose, she felt it would be disconcerting. So, it wouldn’t hurt to prepare for it.

“And it might be better if no one recognizes me.”

Unlike last week when she shouted that she wanted to go confidently, she seemed subtly worried. Come to think of it, it seems that it would be the right answer to wear a veil, as her son suggested.

My house is just an unknown commoner’s home. It was only in this small regional government office that she could act as a lady. She doubted whether she could behave properly in front of the “real nobles” in the capital. If she had gone out to social gatherings several times, there would be no need to worry, but even that was thwarted by men who had once received a prohibition order from her husband.

“I’ll just congratulate Kael’s victory ceremony and come back right away.”

As an additional note, it’s also about having brief conversations with heroes. When people from another world talk about their past lives, they are treated as if they are joking or as a strange woman who has lost her mind. It’s understandable that they wouldn’t understand the situation. But if there were comrades, it would be a great comfort.

When you arrive at the improvement ceremony, you should just act like a moderately introverted person and gracefully pass over shallow interest with a smile. As advised by Akkael, I must stick closely to my son.

Emma lamented, saying, “You’ve dressed up so beautifully, it’s a shame.” But as this repeated, Darrin quietly began to sweat.

“It’s hard, when will this dressing up end?”

Was it because of the influence from his previous life as a man? Whether it was a woman of his age or a young girl, if the conversation dragged on, he lost interest. My husband made me lose interest in a different way. The only place where I can feel comfortable is beside the children.

After some time, the preparations for the improvement ceremony were completed. How would I compare to the nobles in the capital? Surely it would be a pathetic level.

At the very least, if I had met the wives of the local warlords, I could have broadened my horizons, but my husband always opposed my outings, saying, “I can’t stand seeing you get dirty.” From Darrin’s perspective, it couldn’t be helped.

“You’re chattering away.”

Internally, she was scolding herself, but thoughts of her husband, who had been absent for three months, brought a soft smile to her face.

– Click.

“Madam, I have come to meet you.”

When I opened the door and went out, Alfred, the head steward, greeted me. No matter how old he got, he still looked sturdy. His hair had turned gray compared to when he first came here, but he seemed healthy, which was fortunate.

“Thank you.”

Considering the difference in status, it wouldn’t matter if she used informal language, but Darrin could never speak informally to someone older than her. It was because of memories from her past life in a Confucian society. It was familiar and comfortable.

Alfred always maintained the same smile and composed attitude like a robot, but Darrin knew very well how considerate the old man was.

When I was young, how much comfort did it bring when my husband comforted me after being raped? After expressing gratitude to the butler, the wife walked down the hallway with guidance.

“Hmm…?”

Before long, a figure with snow-white hair came into view. We were supposed to meet at the carriage, so why was my son positioned in the central hall?

“Kael? Why are you here?”

As I asked, puzzled.

“I wanted to see Mother as soon as possible.”

“Why not wait at the door?”

“Lady needs time to prepare.”

Whether it was due to feeling affection for her son or not finding any fault in his words, the mother’s ears perked up. Although it could have been an unpleasant remark if uttered by someone else, coming from her beloved son, it felt nothing but pleasant. His imposing figure also gradually became familiar and comforting.

– Clack.

Suddenly, Kael’s huge hand engulfed his mother’s tiny hand. Initially startled, she didn’t resist, not wanting to disappoint her smiling son.

“It’s a bit surprising, but it feels reassuring. Is this why everyone doted on their sons?”

Although he hadn’t explained the reason for his outburst of anger when she had exploded in the private room recently, facing her son’s dedication brought back comfort and familiarity.

Comparing her son’s current grown-up appearance to when he was much smaller, Darin began to feel a suffocating sense of nostalgia.

Clack clack. With intertwined fingers, she gently scratched the thick palm with affection and slowly walked towards the carriage.