Chapter 40

Name:Resetting Lady Author:
Chapter 40

Youre a huge help. Thank you.

Im only grateful to have been given a good opportunity like this. Hello there?

If I havent talked to you, dont talk to me first.

Despite the childs words, Nancy smiled and held Carynnes hand. Being the first time she met a black woman and having her hand touched like this, Carynnes expression wrinkled for a moment, but when her mother reprimanded her, she only forced herself to look away. Nevertheless, the glare in her eyes didnt look pleasant.

Catherine was the one who introduced Nancy to Carynne, and so she spoke sternly.

Carynne. Nancy is someone Momma brought here. You shouldnt have that kind of look.

That dirty

Deere! You as well, please respect Nancy as you would respect me. She is the person who will help Carynne.

However, with Nancy being brought in like this even though Deere was still there, this implied that Deere alone was not enough, and her influence would be reduced because of that much.

It was only natural that Deere did not like Nancy. And fortunately, Carynne didnt like Nancy either.

The child kept going to Deere in order to avoid Nancy. Every time this happened, Deere would feel relieved.

While they were alone together, Deere would stroke Carynnes hair. The more Carynne rejected Nancy, the more it was to Deeres benefit.

Nancy sang a lullaby? Preposterous. You did well, Carynne.

Im sure that a gypsy like that woman would only sing strange songs.

Is it like that?

Of course. Now then, lets get you to bed.

A dark-skinned person, a wandering woman to boot, who hadnt even been introduced by another reputable madam. Deere was extremely displeased that such a maid was assigned to her student.

The position of an exclusive maid was not a job for just any woman. Just as the lady of the house must never humiliate herself by showing an unkempt appearance, it was up to an exclusive maid to make sure that the lady she would serve was always pristine. She must also have a virtuous attitude and a heavy mouth that would keep quiet.

Carynne should have had at least a middle-class, educated lady as an exclusive maid, not a black fortune teller.

Deere was incensed.

But the fief lord did not listen to any of her advice.

Deere, Im not disparaging your teaching methods, but what Carynne needs right now is not education. Why dont you just leave it up to Nancy?

Mister Hare, you mustnt do that. How could you let a woman like that into the household? She keeps saying strange things to Carynne.

Rubbing his temples with one hand, the fief lord replied.

Deere. Carynne is not your daughter. Judging whats good for the child is up to us. For the time being, why dont you take a break somewhere else?

Then, Deere asked angrily.

Your Lordship, I am the only one whos truly been devoted to Carynne these days. How long has it been since youve talked to Carynne instead of just talking about her?

Enough. Youre overstepping your bounds. Right now, besides the child I have many important things to do. Leave and let me do them.

When the Madam passes away, Carynne

Bang!

Deere pitied the fief lord. He couldnt come to the right decision because of his sick wife. The same was true with the sick Catherine. Deere was truly the only one who could only think of Carynne separately from Catherine.

She was a child who grew up at the hands of servants, not given any concern by her parents. And, just as the parents did not show any affection, so too did the employees not give her any warmth.

Deere.

Catherine was as thin as a skeleton, and the beauty she had in her youth was already lost. The white nightgown she was wearing looked as if it was hanging on mere twigs, and the womans voice was no different from the creaking of a wooden piece of furniture.

Deere. Its been quite a while since weve been together.

Madam Hare.

When I die, Carynne will be fine. Nancy will take good care of her for me.

Shes just a maid.

Deere was choked up.

Theres no way a maid can replace you.

Say my name, please.

Madam Hare.

Not that.

Enide.

Catherines expression changed. But it's uncertain whether this was a smile or not.

* * *

Catherine died.

Up until she passed away, she had only her daughters portrait in her hands, stroking it dearly. Catherine wanted to see her daughter so very much, but she did not ask to meet her. She thought that it would be best if Carynne would forget about her.

The fief lord also agreed that it would be better for the child to forget about someone who would die not long later anyway. Even still, he did not leave Catherines room for a month after she had died. And he avoided meeting Carynne.

Carynne?

Ah, yes. Hello.

Catherine passed away.

Pardon?

Carynne looked blankly at Deere for one moment, then she shifted her gaze towards Nancy.

And what the child would say next was something that Deere would never be able to forget.

Carynne turned to Nancy and asked.

Who is Catherine?

Those words felt as though they were from a nightmare.

What made Carynne calm was the same as turning her into a dunce.

Deere was gobsmacked. But, after this, when she knocked on the fief lords door, he did not come out.

His daughters insanity was nothing new. Even this was trivial compared to his wifes death.

The last time Deere saw the fief lord was when she was kicked out of the household. It wasnt that she was driven out, but if she so wished to receive even a small pension, it would be no different than that.

Carynne speaks with a polite speech level towards Nancy (-), which normally should have been dropped to the informal level since Carynne is of a higher social standing

t/n: the author intended to highlight this, but i still would like to apologize for the blatant racism shown when translating sensitive themes like this, im always at a loss when it comes to balancing accuracy and mild censorship. particularly in the last two chapters, i decided to stick with accurate translations when Deere/the narrative called Nancy dark skinned ( ), or when she was referred to as a black gypsy/woman/(exclusive) maid/fortune teller ( ///).

ill continue sticking with accurate translations vis--vis topics of this subject matter and other similarly sensitive matters for the sake of keeping the authors intention intact, but im always open to suggestions and constructive criticism. thank you!