Episode 18. I’m Going to Live My Life Down
“Look at me for a moment.”
Christine, who was getting off the carriage, ran into Adele, who seemed to have a lot to say. He seemed to know what she wanted to say.
“If you have something to say, say it here.”
“It’s a bit weird if other people hear it.”
Adele looked around and hesitated uncharacteristically.
“Why are you telling me to fire all the employees?”
Adele hurriedly covered Christine’s mouth.
“Be quiet, they can hear you!”
About a dozen employees had gotten off the carriage that Mia had seen during the day. They were currently moving around without stopping in every corner of Adele’s small mansion.
For Adele, who usually pursued a quiet and secluded lifestyle, it was a headache.
“I only kept the minimum number of people in case you were like this.”
“This is the minimum?”
“A housekeeper to clean the mansion and do the laundry, a footman to do the odd jobs in the house, a gardener to take care of the garden, a cook to prepare the meals, a stableman and a coachman to take care of the horses and carriages, and a butler to take care of them... The bare minimum of employees who will help maintain the dignity of the aristocracy in this house. It is also a strong declaration of will never again to knead bread with these hands.”
In the end, it was a protest against being ordered to knead bread!
“But you know our house is small, right? Where are we going to feed and house all these people?”
“Is that the problem?”
“Yes!”
Adele exclaimed, as if she had finally found the reason.
But Christine pointed to the mansion across the street with an arrogant nod. It had been empty for a long time.
“I rented it to use as a place for employees. I can leave my carriage and luggage there. So is that the solution?”
Adele was astonished. He had already planned it out.
“But you said you would only stay at my house for a little while...”
Judging from the way he acted yesterday and today, he seemed like someone who would live in exile for the rest of his life.
“Of course. Once the house repairs are done, they will all be taken away. And that too soon.”
Adele had nothing to say when he said that.
“Yes. Then just for now.”
“But it seems that there are still more people who should have come.”
He said, looking over Adele’s clothes. As usual, she was wearing an old, plain linen blouse and skirt.
Adele had nothing to say when he said that.
“Yes. Then just for now.”
“But it seems that there are still more people who should have come.”
He said, looking over Adele’s clothes. As usual, she was wearing an old, plain linen blouse and skirt.
“Is there anyone else coming?”
As Adele made an anxious expression, a skinny, serious-looking old gentleman approached her.
“You’re just around the corner.”
He introduced himself as Henry and said he was the butler of this mansion. Adele, the owner of the house, simply nodded, saying, “Oh, I see.”
“Who came?”
As Adele asked, a gorgeous pink carriage pulled into the garden.
Where the other carriages had their family crests engraved on them, there was a flashy sign that said, “Chanel House.”
***
A few days later.
“It’s really the best!”
Tanya exclaimed in admiration, giving her a thumbs-up.
“Yes. Let’s just leave the formality at that.”
Adele smiled modestly, but was impressed by her appearance in the full-length mirror.
“This is why everyone insists on wearing Madame Chanel’s dresses!”
The last person Christine called that day was Madame Chanel, the head designer of the House of Chanel. She was the most popular person in the social circle of Kalym, so Adele had heard of her name. They said that wearing her dresses was the dream of every woman in the social circle. This year, even the year-end party dresses were fully booked.
Christine had bought all the dresses Madame Chanel had made. He said that she didn’t know Adele’s taste and size. No matter what, he bought dozens of dresses that cost the price of a small carriage each. Adele realized once again that he was rich.
And when she refused because it was burdensome, he said briefly,
“Wear it for my honor.”
Thanks to that, Adele was now wearing an elegant mint-colored dress. The luxurious silk material with a subtle sheen and the restrained yet unique design made her even more elegant and beautiful.
“Then I’ll do the last of the makeup!”
Mia, who had come to visit as usual, was about to take out her cosmetics today.
“Madam! Please put those away.”
Tanya hurriedly stopped her.
“Get out of the way. You’ll be more perfect if you put on makeup!”
Adele also desperately held onto Mia’s hand and laughed.
“Mia, I think it’s better to leave it like this today. It’ll be difficult if I look prettier than the Princess.”
“Well, that would be difficult.”
When Mia nodded, Adele and Tanya were barely able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Today was the day Adele delivered desserts to the palace. It was also the day she had been invited to the Princess’s tea time.
Despite all the commotion, she prepared a perfect dessert set. The pastel-colored dessert decorated with fruits and flowers was so dazzling that the employees of the mansion flocked to look at it and admired it.
“Then shall we go?”
Tanya said briskly as she closed the lid of the oval box containing the dessert.
Then Henry, who was standing one step behind her, solemnly announced.
“I have prepared a carriage in front of the door, Ma’am.”
“Oh, yes... thank you.”
Adele nodded hurriedly. She still hadn’t gotten used to the employees of this mansion. Adele had been living like a maid even when she was at the Marquis’ house, so this situation was awkward for her. Among them, Henry, the butler, was especially difficult. He was polite and courteous in his neat suit without a single wrinkle, but his impeccable attitude made it seem like he was dealing with a difficult nobleman.
When Adele came out, it was raining lightly.
Even though she could have just gone down the mansion stairs and gotten into the carriage, Henry held the umbrella he had prepared in advance over her. And some servants held onto her skirt so that it wouldn’t get wet. In addition, about a dozen employees came out on both sides of Adele to see her off.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this was a royal procession.
‘Oh, I really can’t get used to it...’
Adele shook her head as she got into the carriage.
“They say it’s going to rain a lot in the afternoon, so take an umbrella.”
Henry meticulously packed the umbrella she was going to take.
“Thank you, Henry.”
“And Count Weiss asked me to give you this.”
Henry held out a small box this time.
“The Count?”
“Take it off as you go.”
What came out of the box was a green hair tie.
It was almost the same as Adele’s old hair tie, but the lace and embroidery were much more elaborate and luxurious.
“Throw it away and buy a new one.”
Did he end up buying it himself after saying that?
“It’s a ribbon hair tie. Why did the Count...?”
Adele hurriedly explained, looking at Tanya, who was puzzled.
“Oh, Madame Chanel said she would give it to me as a service! It seems the Count received it instead.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Will you tie my hair?”
“No. I mean, the hair you worked so hard to take care of will be ruined. You put so much effort into making the waves.”
When Mia nodded, Adele and Tanya were barely able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Today was the day Adele delivered desserts to the palace. It was also the day she had been invited to the Princess’s tea time.
Despite all the commotion, she prepared a perfect dessert set. The pastel-colored dessert decorated with fruits and flowers was so dazzling that the employees of the mansion flocked to look at it and admired it.
“Then shall we go?”
Tanya said briskly as she closed the lid of the oval box containing the dessert.
Then Henry, who was standing one step behind her, solemnly announced.
“I have prepared a carriage in front of the door, Ma’am.”
“Oh, yes... thank you.”
Adele nodded hurriedly. She still hadn’t gotten used to the employees of this mansion. Adele had been living like a maid even when she was at the Marquis’ house, so this situation was awkward for her. Among them, Henry, the butler, was especially difficult. He was polite and courteous in his neat suit without a single wrinkle, but his impeccable attitude made it seem like he was dealing with a difficult nobleman.
When Adele came out, it was raining lightly.
Even though she could have just gone down the mansion stairs and gotten into the carriage, Henry held the umbrella he had prepared in advance over her. And some servants held onto her skirt so that it wouldn’t get wet. In addition, about a dozen employees came out on both sides of Adele to see her off.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this was a royal procession.
‘Oh, I really can’t get used to it...’
Adele shook her head as she got into the carriage.
“They say it’s going to rain a lot in the afternoon, so take an umbrella.”
Henry meticulously packed the umbrella she was going to take.
“Thank you, Henry.”
“And Count Weiss asked me to give you this.”
Henry held out a small box this time.
“The Count?”
“Take it off as you go.”
***
What came out of the box was a green hair tie.
It was almost the same as Adele’s old hair tie, but the lace and embroidery were much more elaborate and luxurious.
“Throw it away and buy a new one.”
Did he end up buying it himself after saying that?
“It’s a ribbon hair tie. Why did the Count...?”
Adele hurriedly explained, looking at Tanya, who was puzzled.
“Oh, Madame Chanel said she would give it to me as a service! It seems the Count received it instead.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Will you tie my hair?”
“No. I mean, the hair you worked so hard to take care of will be ruined. You put so much effort into making the waves.”
“Still, try hard. You’re pretty handy.”
“Well, I’m pretty handy.”
Tanya skillfully tied Adele’s hair with a green ribbon.
Multi-angle, multi-angle.
In the meantime, the carriage raced through the rain toward the palace.
In a little while, the dessert Adele made would be put to the test by the picky royal family. Her first tea time with the Princess was also quite tense.
However, Adele couldn’t help but smile. Every time she thought of this green ribbon, she felt a warm breeze tickle her heart.
“This way.”
Adele, who had been guided into the palace by the servants, was tense.
Every year, she attended the Emperor’s year-end banquet, but this was her first time entering the palace. The colorful frescoes painted on the high ceiling and the wide, splendid hallways were overwhelming just by looking at them.
Thud, thud.
And the sound of the imperial guards following him in a line, their coordinated footsteps, felt threatening.
“I’m so nervous, I think I’m going to pee.”
Then, the moment she heard Tanya’s whisper, she almost burst out laughing. Actually, Tanya must have been more nervous than Adele.
“Take it easy. The Princess is a nice person.”
“It would have been nice if the Count had been with us.”
“Shh! Useless talk.”
Tanya, who had been following Adele while holding a box, quickly shut her mouth when Adele warned her.
After a while, the splendid archway opened, and Princess April appeared. Today, she was as lovely as ever, with her rosy cheeks and bright smile.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Marchioness!”
“Meet the Princess.”
Adele and Tanya greeted each other politely and courteously.
“You look so beautiful today!”
April praised Adele, grabbing her hand tightly. The maids and ladies behind her also recognized Adele’s dress and pretended to know her.
However, there was an unexpected person among them.
Seira and Madame Hans had arrived first and were waiting.
“I invited Miss Seira too, because I was afraid the lady would feel awkward.”
What a useless thing...
“Well, I’m pretty handy.”
Tanya skillfully tied Adele’s hair with a green ribbon.
Multi-angle, multi-angle.
In the meantime, the carriage raced through the rain toward the palace.
In a little while, the dessert Adele made would be put to the test by the picky royal family. Her first tea time with the Princess was also quite tense.
However, Adele couldn’t help but smile. Every time she thought of this green ribbon, she felt a warm breeze tickle her heart.
***
“This way.”
Adele, who had been guided into the palace by the servants, was tense.
Every year, she attended the Emperor’s year-end banquet, but this was her first time entering the palace. The colorful frescoes painted on the high ceiling and the wide, splendid hallways were overwhelming just by looking at them.
Thud, thud.
And the sound of the imperial guards following him in a line, their coordinated footsteps, felt threatening.
“I’m so nervous, I think I’m going to pee.”
Then, the moment she heard Tanya’s whisper, she almost burst out laughing. Actually, Tanya must have been more nervous than Adele.
“Take it easy. The Princess is a nice person.”
“It would have been nice if the Count had been with us.”
“Shh! Useless talk.”
Tanya, who had been following Adele while holding a box, quickly shut her mouth when Adele warned her.
After a while, the splendid archway opened, and Princess April appeared. Today, she was as lovely as ever, with her rosy cheeks and bright smile.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Marchioness!”
“Meet the Princess.”
Adele and Tanya greeted each other politely and courteously.
“You look so beautiful today!”
April praised Adele, grabbing her hand tightly. The maids and ladies behind her also recognized Adele’s dress and pretended to know her.
However, there was an unexpected person among them.
Seira and Madame Hans had arrived first and were waiting.
“I invited Miss Seira too, because I was afraid the lady would feel awkward.”
What a useless thing...
However, Adele had a set answer.
“I am grateful for the Princess’s deep consideration.”
Then, Seira exaggerated her admiration to the point where it made Adele’s bland greeting seem insignificant.
“I was so happy to receive the Princess’s invitation. I was upset because I felt like my relationship with my mother had grown distant due to the unpleasant rumors. I would like to thank the Princess again for giving me this time.”
Seira’s acting was incredibly disgusting.
However, April, who was ignorant of the ways of the world, seemed to have already gotten over it.
“Oh my, Miss Seira seems so affectionate.”
“I think that someone I once gave my heart to is mine for life. Even though she is my stepmother, once she becomes a family member, she is very precious to me.”
Unable to bear it any longer, Adele changed the mood.
“I wonder if you will like the dessert I prepared, Your Highness.”
Tanya quickly stepped forward and opened the dessert box. She had sent the desserts to be delivered to the palace to the servants and prepared a separate box for the Princess’s tea time.
“They are really so pretty! How can I eat such pretty babies?”
April was delighted like a girl.
Then Seira said something.
“How about calling Count Weiss? It would be a shame to eat it alone.”
April clapped her hands as if she had been waiting for those words.
“That would be great! Quickly bring the Count!”
Then the Princess’s servant answered.
“The Count is currently meeting with His Majesty.”
“Then tell him to stop by for a moment once he’s done with His Majesty. The Marchioness is here too.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
As expected, the reason April had called Adele was because of Christine. She wanted to use her as an excuse to become closer to Christine, even if only a little.
Adele had no intention of saying anything about the Princess’s earnest feelings for someone. No, she wanted to cheer her on and help her, even if only a little.
It was bitter that that person was Christine.
However, Seira’s presence continued to bother her. There was no way she would have come here without any calculations.
***
After some time had passed while they were chatting.
“Ah!”
Adele's skirt got wet because Madame Hans spilled her teacup.
"Oh my, what should I do?"
The Princess's maids quickly wiped Adele's skirt and cleared the table. As they did so, everyone's eyes gathered around Adele.
"I'm sorry, Marchioness. It's expensive silk, so it might stain."
"Madame Hans, how rude of you to do such a thing."
However, Adele was actually happy about the commotion. It was as if it had finally come. This was definitely a play by Seira and Madame Hans.
Just then, Seira's image was reflected in the silverware. She was pretending to wipe the tea spilled on the table and quickly sprinkling something on the Princess's dessert. It was a white powder, but it mixed perfectly with the sugar powder on the dessert.
'Is that really what she was planning?'
What would happen if the Princess ate the dessert mixed with that powder and got sick?
Not only would the supply to the royal family be cut off, but Adele would have to take responsibility for it.
'Will there be a rumor that I tried to poison the Princess this time?'
Maybe even Christine could be implicated in the dirty rumor. That was Seira's specialty.
So she couldn't just let it happen.
Adele quickly pushed her teacup down.
Clang!
The rose-patterned teacup fell to the floor and shattered into pieces.
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