Chapter 3: A Person Called, 'Sensei”

Chapter 3: A Person Called, “Sensei”

The innkeeper saw Lucille coming into the dining room on a bright morning with a gloomy look on her face and approached her with a look of concern, “Are you alright?”

The innkeeper sat down across from her table as if there were no other guests. He even brought his own coffee.

“I didn’t think you wanted to be a housekeeper. There are times where people come to me and say that they want to research perfume oils, or that they like the soap and are interested in making their own. I assumed that you were one of them.” he said.

Perhaps it was due to his personality, but she did not particularly feel disturbed. Lucille wondered if she could think that they’re able to have a certain degree of familiarity.

“I see. I lacked doing my research...” she mumbled.

“But Cortez said he would take care of it, didn’t he? He’ll take care of it. He’s a hard worker.”

“He’s very kind. Theo is kind, too.” Lucille added.

Theo is the name of the innkeeper she’s talking to. During dinner last night, he introduced himself to her since she will become a citizen in this town and said, “Because it’s a small town. I’m happy to see the number of people increase and the town becoming lively.” He let out a shy laugh.

Lucille isn’t sure whether she can help the town become more vibrant, but she’s grateful to hear that. She wondered if everyone in town is like this.

Theo’s words gave her some encouragement, and she was inspired to not only rely on Mr. Cortez, but to try to find a job on her own as well.

‘Though I have thought of it...’

After finishing breakfast, she went out. But without a job placement agency, the only options left was to look for jobs posted in stores or to ask someone directly. At any rate, Lucille walked around aimlessly down the street to see if there were any stores looking for workers.

‘There’s one...but it’s a waitress. Well, I guess there’s nothing I can’t do.’

In the meantime, she decided to keep it as an option in case she doesn’t find a job as a housekeeper. As she was staring at the job ad, she got the feeling that someone might come out from inside the store, so she left the front of the store as quickly as she could.

Lucille spent several hours parading through the small town, repeating such things. When the sun reached south, she was completely exhausted from walking. She found a few jobs. A waitress, a seamstress, and a laundress. She took note of what specializations she might do in one of the housekeeping duties.

‘Worst case scenario, I could possibly stay for only a few months and then move back to a different city when I have accumulated a little bit of money.’

It is quite regrettable though since the atmosphere of the town and the quality of the townspeople are good, but as someone who thinks that housekeeping is in her nature, Lucille had no choice.

As she trudged back to the inn, she heard “Ah, sensei” coming from the mouth of a passing townsperson. Suddenly curious, she looked behind only to see a black shadow turn the corner.

‘Sensei...a doctor or a teacher?’

Of course, there are people like that. Lucille then followed the road back to the inn while suppressing the rumbling of her stomach.

“Ah, you’re back! Good!”

When she arrived at the inn, Cortez was waiting for her. He had a bright look on his face.

‘It must be...!’ Her expectations skyrocketed. Forgetting that she was hungry, she ran up to Cortez, “Have you found one?!” She was in a hurry as she pushed herself forward.

Cortez nodded slowly. She had a smile as if it made him feel some value.

“But...” In a turn, Cortez turned away and his words became muffled.

“What?” She couldn’t help but freeze. What kind of direction will this go? She’d appreciate it for him to stop stalling and just drop it.

“It seems that the mansion that employs servants in the town has enough people.”

“Yes.”

“So, I was sad to say that I could only give you disappointing news.”

“Yes.”

“Though just earlier, Sensei came to me to inquire.”

“Sensei?” she muttered. Then she remembered that there was a person earlier who had been called with that title.

“A doctor? Or a school teacher or something?”

Cortez shook his head, “Sensei is a magician.”

“......” For a couple of seconds, her thoughts stopped.

“You’re really going, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

The next day, Lucille was standing in front of the inn’s counter again with her luggage in hand. She paid Theo the rest for her stay of three days and two nights and thanked him for his hospitality. She was able to leave the inn earlier than expected.

Yesterday, she was surprised by the unfamiliar word, “magician”, but she had heard that such people exists in the world. However, she only thought that there were just a handful of people which she would never even have a chance to meet in her life.

After repeatedly mentioning to her that Cortez respects Sensei, he gave her some information about him, “Actually, there were a couple of people who went to Sensei’s place to work but they all didn’t last a week.”

“I don’t know how he knew, but he came to me when there were applicants. He doesn’t come down to town much. His house is on the outskirts of town, in the woods. Anyway, he is a difficult man, that’s for sure.”

Despite being someone he respected, Cortez gave her several reasons why she could refuse. He was sincere. However, even if she heard them, she only has one answer to that.

“Thank you very much. I look forward to start working.”

She had no reason to refuse. She would get three meals and a place to live. She was also told that the salary was high. Moreover, she’s allowed to do whatever she wanted in her free time. With such favorable conditions, there was no way she could pass up the opportunity.

Lucille was sent off by the concerned innkeeper and started to head towards Sensei’s home, guided by Cortez.? On the way, she asked Cortez a question from a thought that occurred to her last night.

“Sensei. Wouldn’t it be faster if he used magic?”

“I don’t know much about magic, but I heard that the Sensei wants to devote himself to his research and is unwilling to get involved in anything else.”

Lucille understood. Her image of magic is only at the level of fairy tales. She thought that it was something like a dream, where all the work done by hand could be done at once, but it’s probably different from those who can actually use it.

Anyway, if that’s the case, any housework will just be left to her. She suddenly started to feel more motivated to do it.

“Miss Lucille, it must be tough since you’ll be doing it alone. Do your best!”

“No, it’s probably easier for me to be on my own. I can do everything at my own pace.”

“Is that so?”

She started this type of work when she was sixteen. Cooking, sewing, laundry, gardening, and other do-it-yourself tasks. She has acquired most of the skills.

Sensei’s house doesn’t seem to be large enough to accommodate a large number of people, and the fact that she wouldn’t have colleagues similar to her previous residence is a positive factor since she doesn’t have to deal with unnecessary relationships.

As they walked through the forest, they gradually came upon a few stones. Small flowers were blooming all around, giving the place a fairy-tale-like atmosphere. Then, she found herself walking through a tunnel of plants.

“Ah, how lovely.”

“Sensei likes plants.”

As they continued on their way, the forest opened up to reveal a large garden surrounded by trees and a house with white walls. There were many plants in the garden, and beautiful blooming flowers.

‘Since he lives in a house like this, he may not be as strict as everyone says...’

“Sensei, I’ve brought Miss Lucille.” Cortez shouted towards the wooden door and the door immediately opened.

“......” When Lucille saw Sensei appear, she unconsciously became cautious. The sweet thoughts that had crossed her mind earlier had been blown away in an instant.

“I’m your employer, Phyllis. Come in.”

He was wearing a black shirt and black pants. The most eye-catching thing about him was his pure white hair. His cold, sharp purple eyes looked down at her and the wrinkles etched on his face made the coldness of his eyes stand out even more.

Although she was prepared for his brusqueness, she still felt a sense of intimidation that she had never experienced before. He was not just a tough-looking man, there was a silent pressure. He didn’t seem particularly happy to see the housekeeper who had come as he had requested. Not even a nod was given.

Sensei turned his back and disappeared into the house.

She must follow as she was told. Lucille stepped over the threshold of the house and immediately felt an indescribable sense of unease so looked back at Cortez. But all she got from him was a smile and a wink in return and said, “Good luck!”