EIITAB - Chapter 74 < A Special Person >
Even if it is Trampled and Broken
"Huh? Why?"
Dulcinea responded with an I
Incomprehensible look on her face. She naturally hung on Aslan's arm and looked up at him. Even the same woman, Hestia, found that look cute.
Aslan also scolded lightly in a weak voice, as if he could no longer maintain his expressionless face.
"You better grow up now. How long are you going to act like a colt with horns on its ass?"
Dulcinea pouted her lips. However, as if she was feeling the nagging based on his affection, she started to complain lightly.
"It's been a while since I last saw you, so all you have to say is nag? Isn't that really too much?"
She chuckled with an expression that eventually Aslan wouldn't be able to stop his grunting. He lifted his free hand and extended it towards Dulcinea's face.
At that moment, Hestia's body trembled. She couldn't help but think of the rough kisses he had placed on her face before Lady Philippa and Dulcinea came in.
No way, right in front of her eyes. No way...
Hestia watched the two with dilated pupils, feeling her heart tighten and her mouth go dry. Strangely, in Hestia's eyes, the movement of Aslan reaching out for her hand only seemed slow. How she must have strained her heart.
His fingertips did not point towards Dulcinea's cheek but towards the top of her head. Then, swish, swish. Her large hands stroked Dulcinea's head, ruffling her brown hair.
'Whoa...'
Hestia unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
'Why did you think Aslan would kiss Miss Dulcinea on her lips?"
She was dumbfounded even to herself.
'I've been thinking all sorts of nonsense.'
Hestia let out a heartless laugh. She wonders if it's such a relief to not have to see him express affection for another woman with her own eyes...
Although it was bittersweet, it was also true that she finally felt like she could breathe. Meanwhile, a blush bloomed on Dulcinea's cheeks, like red ink spreading. But after a while, one of her cheeks puffed up like a balloon. Dulcinea raised the corners of her eyes sternly, like an angry cat. She lifted both of her own hands to pry away Aslan's large hands, which were still stroking her hair. As if she wasn't scared, she grabbed Aslan's hand and whined, and tried to pull it away.
However, the strength was not enough.
"Ah! Why don't you do it?! Do you still think I'm a kid?"
"Are there any other kids running in the hallways?"
Aslan snorted at her and answered calmly. He didn't seem very friendly on the outside, but even to that extent, he was very unfamiliar to Hestia.
"It's just for today. I usually just walk around! When you see it, you'll be amazed that I look like a butterfly, right?"
"It must be awkward."
Aslan answered half-heartedly and ruffled Dulcinea's hair even more. Hestia was unfamiliar with his actions which showed his friendliness.
The man in front of her did not seem to be the Aslan she knew. Hestia placed her hands on her thighs and clenched them into fists without realizing it.
Aslan, that cold and ruthless man is taking care of Dulcinea. Of course, she looks annoyed. However, because she knows that it is not her sincerity, Dulcinea is also showing off her charms, and unlike before, Lady Philippa only sighs that there is nothing she can do and does not actively try to stop her.
But more than all the circumstances, what was clearest was the look in his eyes. There was no way to fake that. This is because Aslan was a man without any talent in that area.
'It's filled with affection.'
Hestia's tightly held hand automatically gained strength, and the bones on the back of her hand stood out white on her thin skin. She wanted to ignore it, but it touched her so vividly that she had no choice but to admit it.
Dulcinea said to Aslan.
"You are a special person.
***
It has already been a week since Hestia arrived at the castle.
Early morning, Madame Philippa arrived at the kitchen on the first floor dressed neatly, as always.
"Good morning, Rimo."
"Good morning, Lady Philippa." Madam
Philippa answered with a slight nod of her head and looked over the countertop.
"Are you ready?"
Rimo, who had not left the fire, answered.
"Wait a minute. All you have to do is pour the heated water into the teapot. Ugh, it's cold so the water needs to boil properly. Why does Madam like tea so much? Tsk. We have to fight a war every day."
Just then, the water began to boil. As she poured the water into the teapot, Rimo continued to grumble lightly.
"By the way, Lady Philippa. Every morning, isn't it bothersome? I don't know why you are doing this yourself."
Rimo said this and even added his own comment.
"There is a maid brought by the new madam. Tell the kid to come pick it up herself."
"Angela is not a maid, she is a lady in waiting."
"It's either that or this. What's different?"
She was clearly different, but Madame Philippa swallowed her sigh and did not bother to correct him. Her words would get longer again, and Hestia's breakfast would be delayed.
Rimo sighed as Philippa lightly squeezed the handle of the tray. It was clear that he wanted her to listen to his story.
"Anyway, I was worried that my workmanship was really poor."
It has been over 10 years since Rimo worked at this castle. If he wasn't skilled, he wouldn't have been hired in the first place or he would have been fired already. He obviously knew that fact, but he clearly meant to take his side by bringing up the topic.
"Since most of my meals are served the same way, I am worried that I may not be able to satisfy the new Lady's tastes."
Why, he knows. She is from another region...
"Her tastes may be different from ours."
It wasn't something she couldn't understand. The joy of a person who makes a living comes from seeing clean, empty dishes. However, most of Hestia's meals remained.
If she continued to listen, it would go on forever, so Madame Philippa sighed and gave a curt, short answer. She said,
"My Lady' says she has a short mouth. She was already sorry that she couldn't eat everything that Rimo had prepared with great care for her. So I think you can put aside your doubts about your skills."
"What... It is a good thing that Lady Philippa says so."
Rimo, who trailed off for a moment, took a quick look at her and then addressed her again to Madame Philippa.
"Madam, what kind of person is the new Madam?"
"..."
"As expected, she's the arrogant and arrogant person everyone is talking about?"
Madame Philippa made no reply, but Rimo continued his speech. He was speaking so well as if he had already answered what kind of person Hestia was within her.
"The knights said that. Most people living in the capital ignore and look down on us in the north. They don't even know who they are and why they are still alive!"
Rimo did not stop his words there. Madame Philippa, thinking it would be right to give him a warning, opened her mouth in a stern voice.
"Hey, Rimo."
The chef, who seemed to be the type of person who couldn't read her mood, flinched and then closed his mouth again.
"She may be from the South, but she is now the hostess of Kalathi. And you are a servant employed by Kalathi Castle. Please refrain from talking about the people you serve. Especially the ones that are just about interest."
The chef's shoulders shrank at the stern warning. He glanced at Madame Philippa and apologized, muttering in a low voice as if an ant was crawling away from him.
"... Sorry."
"It's not for me to apologize."
Madam Philippa answered firmly, cutting a radish with a knife, and lifted the tray.
"I'll just go now."
"Yes..... Ma'am."
After being pointed out, Rimo, who had been at a loss as to what to do with himself, walked around Madame Philippa as if he were an escort and saw her off to the door,
"Climb up carefully."
Instead of answering with a silent bow, Madame Philippa walked away at a fast pace with her back straight. Just like that, Rimo, who had confirmed several times that Madame Philippa was completely gone, came back into the kitchen.
"Ah... She didn't bring a teapot."
Rimo was thinking of following her and handing it over right now, but he stopped. He looked around the kitchen as if observing. In fact, there were other users here as well.
Rimo scratched the back of his head. Even though they were the same age, he found Lady Philippa difficult. Probably because her rank was much higher than him.
'But I'm the most senior in this kitchen.'
What's the point if she helps him out with a few words?
It was quite embarrassing to see by juniors.
As if everyone was thinking about his reputation, they washed dishes, peeled onions, sharpened knives, and cleaned the oven. They were busy looking for things that weren't urgent. Because he was unaware of their feelings, Rimo cleared his throat awkwardly and then grumbled louder on purpose.
"Ugh. That woman is difficult, difficult, even though we've worked together for over 10 years."
At Rimo's grumbling, the employees who had been holding their breath the whole time gathered together one by one to the chef's side.
"Wow, thank you for your hard work."
Without Lady Philippa, the person in power here was now Rimo. Since they would continue to work with him, it would be better for them to appease him, so one by one, everyone began to add their words.
"Honestly, I didn't even mention it without the chef, but he reacted sharply."
"That's right. To be honest! Isn't this all because the new madam doesn't show up outside the room, so everyone is just saying a word or two?"
My words, my words.
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
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