Volume 6, Act 57: A Fun Exchange with the Ladies
Translator: Blushy
Editor: delishnoodles
A few days after Cordelias coming of age banquet on a sunny afternoon.
A cheerful voice echoed through the Hale mansion.
Cordelia-sama, congratulations on becoming an adult.
I heard from my parents that it was a very glamourous party. Im disappointed that I couldnt attend.
Thank you very much, Hazel-sama and Dahlia-sama.
The sisters, Hazel and Dahlia, congratulated Cordelia and she smiled.
Today, she came to the Hale mansion because they had both invited her here. There were a lot of sweets on the table that were made from citrus fruits.
Cordelia held out small wooden boxes to the two while looking forward to eating the sweets.
This is a gift. I thought about bringing what I had given out at the evening party, but this is better.
Oh my, thank you very much! May I look inside?
Of course.
The small boxes were made of the Pameradia fiefs special wood and the inside was a jewellery box made of velvet.
Cordelia placed round pendants with delicate edge engravings in those boxes.
When the Hale sisters looked inside, they raised their voices in surprise.
Its a very cute pendant!
Thank you very much, Cordelia-sama!
The pendant is hollow inside. You turn the top and the lid will come off, so you can put a cloth soaked in essential oils inside. That way, youll be able to enjoy the scent all day.
Thank you very much, Cordelia-sama. Ill take good care of it.
The engraving is beautiful too. Its fun just to look at it and it wont make me bored.
Cordelia was relieved since Hazel was holding the pendant preciously and Dahlia was eyeing the box. It was nice to see that they liked the pendant that she had put a lot of thought in.
Come to think of it, Cordelia-sama danced with Isma-sama at the evening party, right? I heard that you two danced like you were in a painting and it was eye-candy for a lot of ladies.
I feel like they think Onii-sama is the eye-candy and not me.
Thats not true! The scene was more radiating because it was you two!!
Cordelia smiled wryly at Dahlias reassuring words. She had certainly worked on her beauty since she was little, but it was a little embarrassing to be praised like that to her face.
Dahlia saw her expression and sighed.
Id like to work as Isma-samas subordinate someday. I still remember Cordelia-sama and Isma-sama showing me your familys treasured items at the Pameradia House as if it was yesterday. I also want to be a knight who people can talk to someday.
Cordelia heard from Hazel that when she invited Dahlia to her house two years ago, it had a very positive impact on her studies. However, Hazel also didnt smile at Dahlia. Rather, her eyes were slightly raised.
Its good for you to admire knights, but you still say you dont have time and then jump off the railing of the stairs. You still have a long way to go until you obtain the mannerisms of a lady.
Oh my, Onee-sama. If I dont relax somewhat at home, then it would feel smothering. Its alright if I act properly outside, and its also exercise.
Honestly If you let your guard down, then youll act like yourself outside too.
However, she wasnt as strongly opposed to this like she used to be, and for better or for worse, Dahlia ignored Hazels small comment.
Dahlia-sama, its nearly time for the employment exams, isnt it?
Yes. Its complicated since Im nervous and want to be accepted as soon as possible.
I hope that you can take it with a calm mind.
Yes, thank you very much!
Dahlia grabbed both her hands and replied energetically. Cordelia looked forward to hearing the results since Dahlia was really hyped up.
Oh yes, your Onee-sama also attended the evening party, didnt she Cordelia-sama? I heard that shes a really beautiful person.
Yes. Onee-sama got married when I was young, so I was nervous to talk to her after so long, but we had tea together and were able to speak frankly in no time at all.
The Hale sisters looked happy when they heard this. Is it because they get along well?
Actually, she told me something that greatly surprised me.
What did she say?
Dahlia tilted her head when she heard what Cordelia had said, but Hazel put her hand to her mouth and said in a cheerful voice.
No way, did she talk about your engagement?
Y-yes Huh?! Really, Cordelia-sama?!
Dahlia wasnt familiar with this topic and her face turned red, but she also looked curious. Cordelia lightly shook her head.
Unfortunately, its the opposite. Onee-sama told me that Otou-sama has been refusing all marriage proposals that have been sent to me without me knowing. Ive never even heard about this before.
Both the Hale sisters looked as if they had been caught off guard, but then they strangely burst out into laughter.
Oh my, I heard that you get along with your Otou-sama, but he cherishes you that much.
Its not funny, Hazel-sama.
But, its so pleasant.
Argh, youre acting like that too, Dahlia-sama? Even Oba-sama is on the same page as Otou-sama, so its really tough.
Of course, she wont hate Elvis for something like this, and she had expected Hazel and Dahlia to laugh, but she also wanted to complain a little.
Onee-sama said that it would be difficult for me to get married unless I find my destined man myself and persuade Otou-sama to let me marry him.
Then, youll have to go out to more places after this. Im rooting for you.
Cordelia smiled and nodded at Dahlias words.
Yes, thats the plan.
Marquis Flantheim said a long time ago that one wouldnt be able to find a good partner if they dont have many encounters. He took Vernoux to various houses when he was younger, and Cordelia could feel the importance of that sentence now.
However, Hazel tilted her head.
But, dont you have Letter-kun, Cordelia-sama? Are you two not in contact anymore? Was his name Gille-sama?
Ha-Hazel-sama!
Thank you very much. However, there is something I want to tell you first. The Fiennes House has accepted a large loan from the Clydereine House so that they can work on the damaged rivers.
Kaylie-sama, herself, doesnt seem to seem to like Shelley-sama that much, and they dont interact with each other, and its questionable whether Shelley-sama is aware of Kaylie-samas existence.
She is someone you recommended. Im not worried about that.
Thank you very much. Im so glad you said that.
This time, Hazel was relieved to hear what Cordelia had said.
It was certainly a little worrying that her house was receiving help from Shelleys, but if she doesnt like Shelley, then it might work out in Cordelias favour. It was reassuring even if just for show that someone who was in a position to believe in Shelleys words wanted to work for Cordelia.
(Although, Im worried if this would trouble Kaylie-sama)
But Cordelia isnt the person to judge that. If it wasnt alright, then Kaylie herself would refuse.
Then, how about we meet the day after tomorrow? Im free at any time.
Alright. I will talk to Kaylie-sama and contact you.
What kind of lady will come? How bad is she with people?
She had various thoughts, but she probably wouldnt have been fortunate to meet such a shy lady if she hadnt been introduced to them.
When she thought like that, she started looking forward to it a little more.
???????
Two days later.
Cordelia welcomed Hazel and Kaylie Fiennes to the Pameradia mansion.
She had chosen the greenhouse for the interview since she thought that Kaylie would be able to relax more while being surrounded by greenery, but she was a bit troubled since she didnt know what to do in front of Kaylie.
Kaylie, who came with Hazel, was beyond nervous and the greenery had no effect.
(Even if I consider that this is our first meeting, shes more nervous than I expected her to be)
Moreover, it was hard to see her expression because of her long, black bangs which hid her eyes if she looked down just a little. However, nothing will begin if Cordelia doesnt speak.
Nice to meet you, Kaylie-sama. I am Cordelia Enna Pameradia. Im pleased to make your acquaintance.
M-my name is Kaylie Fiennes. Pleased to make your acquaintance, too.
Cordelia continued to worry about how to continue the conversation without letting it show on her face since Kaylie had spoken in a barely audible voice. Our conversation can continue if she stops being so nervous, but what is a light topic to talk about?
Is it no good after all?
Huh? Hazel-sama?
Cordelia reflexively looked at Hazel when she heard those surprising words.
Excuse me, Cordelia-sama. She didnt mean anything bad by it. Shes always admired you, so I was worried that she would be more nervous than usual, but its just as I feared.
Huh?
Kaylie-sama saw you four years ago. Now, Kaylie-sama, please tell her yourself.
When Cordelia moved her gaze to Kaylie, Kaylie timidly opened her mouth.
My parents took me to the Flantheims evening party four years ago, and that was where I saw you. You were so beautiful and confident
As Cordelia listened to the voice that was gradually getting smaller, she recalled what had happened back then.
The evening party, that Otou-sama and Oba-sama took me to, was an outrageous event where I met Sylvester-sama. Still, I remember all the female acquaintances that I had made, but Kaylie-sama wasnt one of them. But I think it would be more difficult to forget someone that had this kind of aura
I couldnt talk to Cordelia-sama. Hmm I watched you from afar Because there were a lot of ladies around you
I certainly remembered accepting the invitation of the ladies because I wanted to get away from Sylvester-sama. Cordelia recalled the situation, and Kaylies gaze gradually lowered.
Umm even if you were surrounded by all those people you were gorgeous You smelled really nice and it smelled like a lot of flowers were umm blooming you were just like a flower fairy and Ive admired you ever since then Youre still the same even though youve grown up umm really
Cordelia, who had turned red all the way up to her ears from the words Kaylie was saying, felt as if she was going to move to her. It was like she had just received a confession since Kaylie had plucked up all her courage to earnestly say those words.
She was trying to gain attention so that people would be interested in the fragrance, but she never imagined that it would leave this deep of an impression on someone.
See? Theyre quite passionate words, right? Cordelia-sama.
Y-yes. Hmm, Im happy that you have such a good impression of me.
But admiring and work are different things. Please ask her a lot of questions.
Cordelia regained her composure at Hazels words and stared at Kaylie. Kaylie was also staring at Cordelia through the gaps of her long bangs. Kaylie also seemed to have regained a bit of her composure after she told Cordelia, herself, why she was nervous.
You may have already heard this from Hazel-sama, but you may need to do physical work such as carrying luggage if you work at the back.
Y-yes. I often clean, so Im used to moving luggage
Despite saying that, Kaylie looked down again.
Cordelia wondered for a second if something had happened, but then she realised that it was unusual for a lady to clean in this world.
She also cleaned things around her, but she didnt clean when it required heavy lifting. If she had, then she would be trespassing on the servants work, and even if she didnt feel that way, it may seem like she was finding fault in their work.
I wonder if Kaylie-sama cleans because the Fiennes House doesnt have extra money. Even for commoners when they become wealthy, they ask servants to clean the surface of things in front of public gaze.
Then, if Kaylie-sama would work for me then my store will be kept clean.
N-no way!
Kaylie immediately shook her hair, but Cordelia was thankful that Kaylie knew what she could do even though she didnt know what she was good at.
Hazel, who was watching the interaction between the two, laughed.
Kaylie-sama, youre supposed to say yes, even if youre just showing off. Youre too honest.
B-but
But thats your charm.
Apparently, Hazel cared about Kaylie because of that nature of hers.
Well then, Kaylie-sama, would you like to try a trial periodfirst?
Trial?
Yes. I also have to check with you to see if the wages and work suits you, and I still dont know what youre good at.
I know shes not a bad person, but I cant imagine how she would adapt herself to the jobs I ask her to do because of her nervousness. Since I dont need employees right now, I dont have to rush and make the decision straight away.
Kaylie widened her eyes at Cordelias words and bowed.
Thank you so much, Cordelia-sama!! I I look forward to working with you!
Me too. Kaylie-sama.
Although Cordelia couldnt see Kaylies expression, she heard her happy voice and thought that it would be nice if she could find a job for Kaylie.