Published at 7th of January 2022 05:00:52 PM

Translator: Yonnee

Chapter 48

4. Sleeping together

After Camilla entrusted the households internal affairs to me, I was busier than ever.

The first thing I had to do was to manage the Duchys budget. The cost of maintaining it was enormous, and it was only right given the estates size, but it was still more than I thought.

Essentially, it was a job entailing the management and the appropriate distribution of funds every month. It was Gretas job before, but now that Id replaced her, it was mine.

Are these all the records we have?

I looked at Greta as I finished flipping through all the books she brought to me.

Yes, Young Madam.

But shouldnt there be a separate book with more details

You wont be able to understand it. The numbers are complicated and

I propped up my chin on one hand.

I want to see it all.

Alright.

Greta had been despondent lately ever since Amoide took my side in front of her and Camilla.

Although its temporary, Greta couldnt clamor for anything in the mansion after she was stripped of her position as head maid. The other maids were still wary of her, but this was enough for now.

Go get everything. Every single one of the books.

Yes.

Greta reluctantly heeded my order and left the room.

I began to skim the expenditure books that Greta handed over.

Hmm Its complicated.

Is it really difficult, Milady? Rona asked as she placed a teacup in front of me on the table.

The records are usually influenced by the habits of the person who wrote them down, so each symbol, sign or number is like a personal language.

I tapped on the page with one finger.

But theres no way Gretas going to kindly teach me the code, right?

I wouldnt even dream of her volunteering to do that. Shed just hope that Id make as many mistakes as possible so that she could regain control once more.

Im sure theres someone else in the household who knows about this.

Butler Coulton!

Rona cut through my thoughts immediately with her exclamation.

Coulton?

Yes, hes been here since the previous Dukes time, and hes worked for the household for the longest time, so he probably knows.

Thats true.

Why didnt I think of that?

Call Coulton for me.

Yes, Milady.

After a while, Coulton entered the room. The gray-haired butler was ushered in, and he greeted me politely.

You called for me, Your Grace?

Coulton, sorry to bother you, but I need your help.

Im glad to be of service.

Youre the best person for this, Coulton.

While the previous Duke was still with us, I assisted him in many things. I shall assist you as well, Your Grace.

For a moment, I got the vision that Coulton was like a wise old man, with a silvery beard and all, who Ive encountered while Im lost inside a maze.

Coulton, which expenditure takes up the largest portion of the estates budget?

Its usually the consumables. Candles, soap among other things.

Do you buy it all from the same place?

The books should include the number of candles and soap purchased, as well as the place where they were bought.

It doesnt say how many were purchased.

It should be in a separate book that Gretas refusing to show me.

And the place where theyre being purchased has changed.

Coulton squinted and adjusted his glasses.

Really?

If the place really changed, shouldnt Coulton know? But if he couldnt remember

We dont usually change stores where we buy in bulk because of the trust needed between both sides. Most of all, it should be easy to spot the items that have changed in the estate as well as the number bought but it seems that its been a while since the place of purchase had changed.

Why did it change?

I was really just curious. Maybe they didnt like the soap from the previous store or something.

Well, Im not too sure about that

Coulton trailed off, but to me, it sounded like I know, but Im not telling you.

Coulton, tell me if you can recall anything.

Nothing comes to mind.

Coulton gave me an amiable smile.

I know youre only being careful, but Coulton, arent you a loyal butler of the Efret Duchy?

I tried to urge it out of him again.

What is it, what is it, hm? I wanted to pester him, but I kept it all to myself.

Its usually for the sake of embezzlement, Your Grace.

What?

The quill in my hand dropped to the floor.

Em. be. zzle. ment.

Coulton said it slowly in a clear voice.

Ive returned with the books.

Coincidentally, as soon as Coulton finished saying that, Greta entered through the door.

Greta saw Coulton inside and flinched, but she composed herself right away.

Here you are.

Thud.

Was it only by imagination, but was the sound of the books being placed on the table really that loud?

Thanks.

I smiled at Greta, then I immediately opened the first book.

Huuu.

I leaned against the pile of books.

Im almost done.

I was completely encased by towers of books, all examined and rearranged.

After Greta gave me the sort of cipher for the symbols and records she had written, almost half a day had already gone by.

Ugh

Visit readel.me for extra chapters.

In the middle of stretching, I picked up a book.

Youll still continue reading, Milady?

Yeah.

Apart from the accounting books, there were a few cookbooks here and there on the table as well.

Are you looking at the pictures, Milady? There are other more interesting books

Rona approached the pile and picked up the cookbook on top, flipping through a few pages.

But then, she suddenly looked up with a frightened expression on her face.

Are you reading all of this? Such a difficult book? As expected, Milady is!

Before her hymns of praises continued, I cut her off.

Nope.

I shut her down right away. It wasnt a cookbook I could read in the first place. I was just wondering if I could read languages of other countries in the continent.

I just took a look at them, but I cant read them because theyre not written in our language. Oh, youre holding it upside down.

Rona returned the book to the pile.

But why?

Im looking at the pictures.

Do you enjoy looking at them?

No, Im not doing it for fun.

The illustrations of the food in there were quite appetizing, but its just in print after all. Theyre nice to look at on the page, but enjoying food while just looking at pictures was something I never did, even in my previous life.

Rather, I like being able to taste whats in front of me.

Im thinking of cooking.

Thats why Ive been buried under these piles of books.

Cooking?

Yes. I was wondering if the recipes in the cookbooks could help me.

Why did you suddenly want to cook, Milady?

To cook something thats good for a cold.

After seeing him fall sick again last time, I began to feel anxious. Raymond said there was no need to worry, but it didnt seem like that to me.

To others, its only a harmless cold, but to Amoide, it would be immensely difficult.

He already couldnt do many things because the threat of a seizure was always hanging over his head, but on top of that, he would get colds more than others.

And I want to feed Amoide my own food.

Goodness, then if its Miladys cooking, Im sure His Grace will love it!

Ronas eyes turned into hearts again as her imagination fluttered through a rose-colored filter.

But Milady, do you know what His Grace likes?

No.

Right. I dont know. Gosh, thats the most important thing.

Hmm, anyway, if I keep browsing through these cookbooks, Im sure Ill find something.

Reaching up to one pile, I touched the spines of the books with a fingertip.

But I cant read most of them.

In some cases, it would be enough to just look at the illustrations, but the methods and tips for cooking were all in writing.

I got these thinking theyd help me, but its not like I could take and borrow all of them.

The books were full of unknown letters. Whether they were written with alphabets or hieroglyphics, they just made me dizzy.

Hmm

Rona also diligently tried to read the title of the book closest to her.

But I cant even read the title.

I opened the book I was holding to a random page. There were all kinds of meat, fish, vegetables and fruits shown, and there were also notes written by Jean himself at the borders of the pages. Perhaps he wrote his own methods, but I was still lost.

I dont even know if its a duck or chicken dish. No, is it turkey?

With the feathers plucked, they all looked the same. Theres just a slight difference in size.

Rona do you know what it says?

No, Milady. If you dont know, how could I? Rona shook her head. Why dont we ask the chef? Hes probably memorized a lot of these.

Isnt he a bit busy? I dont want to bother him when he already has a lot of things to do.

Lately, Jeans enthusiasm had shot up because he wanted to create more recipes for the sake of Amoides health, so hes even been staying up late at night.

Oh, then Rona clapped her hands once, seeming as if she remembered something.

Then what?

I lifted my face behind the pile of books.

Why dont you ask that person?

Who?

Rona smiled as she saw me tilting my head to one side.

You know.Thatperson.