Chapter 37 - The Workers

The weather has got quite chilly this days, but the temperature of this room is no less then the cold outside, With white walls surrounding us the room was filled with uncomfortable silence, infront of me was the timid and nervous Cal,

"So....Did you really not know about the kitchen products and its supply procedure?" I asked her as I sat on the big sofa located at the middle of the office room.

"I really had no...idea about it...My lady...please believe me." She said in between her stuttering.

"Believe you....How?" I said as I raised my eyebrows towards her.

"That....I...I will always stay loyal to My lady!! So please believe me!!" She said with all the tiny bit of courage left inside her body.

"Every person working in this household says that line every now and then....So it doesn't really work on me~" I said as I shrugged.

"That...My Lady..." She was unable to say anything as she bit her lower lip. Looking confused and helpless.

Hmm, Cal who belongs from a commoner background grew up in a poor environment with 3 siblings and 1 mother, her father died when she was young. So the whole house responsibilities are on her hand plus her mother is sick in the moment.

According to the situation it won't be a surprise if she really stole the money but her eyes show honesty.....But I can't really just trust anyone.

Lets wait for Butler Mill to bring the record book there I could see the purchase history of the kitchen products.

Right at that moment Someone knocked at the door, Seems like Mill is here,

"Please enter." I said as Mill came inside with a red colored book with a label saying * Record book year xxx Kitchen * In it.

"The book is here now we can easily see if your words are true or not." I said as I opened the file.

"Hmm, turns out you were saying the truth." I said as I looked at the list of purchase over the last one month, she did change the kitchen utensils and other facilities of the kitchen.

Looking at that she did do a good job except for the fact that she wasn't aware of the procedure of buying of products.

Now the main problem is what should I do with her.....She did a mistake but it was not intentional and if I don't punish her it would be unfair for the head chef and the merchant who got into a fight with each other for this matter.

Ugh!! This is so frustrating!!! I thought as I crumbled the sides of the paper.

"My Lady are you okay?" Butler Mill asked as he looked at me.

"Ah! Yes I am fine." I said as I smiled towards him and again I turned my attention towards the file.

I need to think fast about what to do with this case, I looked at Cal she looked like a lifeless person.

She...is the only breadwinner of her family. And now since her mother is sick.....How desperate she must be right now....And this job certainly means a lot to her. I can't fire her...it would be inhuman to her.

But what about the head chef and the merchant....

"My Lady please don't stress yourself too much..." Mill said with a concerned look on his face.

"Yes I won't." I said as I smiled towards him.

Hmm, let's see I can't fire her and cutting her wage won't be a good choice so maybe I should do that. It would Satisfy all the needs.

"Cal." I said as I stood up from my seat.

"Yes My lady!" She said while bowing down.

"I can see you really messed up the kitchen work but since it's your first time....I am forgiving you." I said as I putted the file on father's table.

".....Really!! Thanks alot my lady." She said as she smiled happily.

"Stop. Don't thank me so fast first let me complete my sentence, I told you.... you are forgiven by me but did you forget the mental damage the head chef and merchant got because of you!" I said as I smiled towards her.

The happiness disappeared from her face as it turned blue again.

"I know...My lady..." She aka Cal said softly.

"I guess that means you are ready to accept your punishment!" I said as I clapped my hands.

"Ye...Yes I will accept any punishment by the Lady." She said as she trembled in fear.

"Good then....The punishment for your mistake is

very simple! And that's giving bath to the horses for a complete week!!" I said happily.

Hearing that Cal was surprised her eyes where telling me *Only that much*. Ha seems like she is a tuff girp since she isn't even a bit bothered by her punishment.

"Why not satisfied of your punishment shall I change it to something more nice!" I said as I smiled toward her.

"No!! There is no need to do that I can do all those chores alone!!" Cal said confidently.

"Really! Then please do!" I said as I went outside the office followed by Mill and Cal.

"Then I will return to work!' Cal said as she bowed towards me and went towards her way.

"Hah!!!" I said as I let out of a deep breath.

"Ha Ha looks like out lady has grown up a lot and I didn't even realize it until. now!" Butler Mill said happily as he looked at me.

"Maybe I did!" I said as I giggled to his words.

"Yes indeed....Lady Freya must have been proud of you today!" Mill said.

"Would mom really feel like that?" I asked him.

"Yes she indeed will feel like that.....including the fact how you took care of today's matter really reminded of Lady Freya. The smart gracefull essence around her and a strict aura.Today I felt that from you My lady!" Mill said.

Those words came out of nowhere but I liked it, Being like mother that's simple things since I am her daughter but still it's special.....I don't know how to explain this on words.

"Well I am her daughter after all!" I said as I smiled towards Mill.

"Yes, Indeed." Mill said as he smiled brightly at me.He looked at me as he was seeing someone else in me.

"Butler Mill how long have you been working here?" I asked him.

"Hmm, ever since Lord Raymond bought this Mansion....in precise maybe it has been more then 20 years." Butler Mill said.

"More then 20 years!!" I said in surprise.

"Yes was that surprising for the lady." Mill said while laughing.

"Yes its quite a surprise...I mean Butler Mill is in hsi early 40s right now plus you are working here for 20 years! All this years Did you ever had time for yourself?" I asked him.

"Time for myself....Hmm, I don't really know cuz all I have in my memories is taking care of the Lord and following my lady's words." He said With a smile.

"Hah! That's means you never had time for your living your own life!" I said in shock, cuz I knew he was unmarried but I never thought that he was so engrossed working for our family.

"My Lady you are thinking too much...." He said as he smiled.

"Am I....But I just wonder if Mill regrets spending half of your life working here." I said as I looked at him.

"Regret? I don't know about my life, but I do know

that not even once have I ever regretted working for the winter family and especially Lord Raymond. His generous and hardworking nature has always inspired me." Butler Mill said with a content look on his face. A bright smile which covered his wrinkles appeared on his face and I knew how much devoted he is to our family.

"Seems like I can trust Butler Mill for a loooong time!" I said happily.

"I would be happy if the lady does so." Butler Mill said as he smiled towards me with hopes in his eyes.

"Hey Sister are you done with your work?" Ash asked as he ran towards me.

"Huh, Ash Yes I am done with my work....but what's wrong with you?" I asked him as I looked at his clothes which were caked with dust and his face had some starches here and there, and he was sweating like crazy.

"Haha!! You mean this all!" He said as he pointed at the starches and his clothes.

"Yes! What have you been doing??" I asked in a worried tone.

"I was training! With uncle Leal!" He said happily.

"Training....But I have never seen you with so many scratches before.....what in the world did you do in the Training today?" I asked him.

"Well that....I just did normal Training....you know the way...knights do.." He said hesitately.

"Ash!! Are you Lying?" I asked him as I looked at his eyes.

"Sister I....am not lying...Seriously it was just a normal Training!!" Ash said.

"Really???" I said looking at him intensely.

"Ye...Yes!!" Ash said as he moved backward.

"HaHa looks like our Irene is becoming very strict lately!!" Uncle Leal said as he came towards us, looks like he just had a bath.

"Greeting to Uncle Leal" I said as I bowed towards him.

"Don't be so formal and don't worry about your brother he was just doing his regular training in a little advance way." Uncle Leal said as he patted Ash head with a assuring smile on his face.

"Advance way...." I looked at Ash and then at Uncle, I don't really know about swordmanship but I can trust uncle Leal and I believe if something is wrong Ash will let me know about it.

"*sigh* If uncle says so then I would believe your words." I said to uncle.

"How polite, I wish I could stay longer but I have business downtown today so I must leave now." Uncle Leal said as he wore his hat.

"Yes sure please have a safe return." I said.

"Yes I will, Hey Ashton how about escorting me to the carriage!" Uncle Leal said.

"Yes sure." Ash said as both of them walked toward the exit.

Everything must be fine right?