Published: August 15, 2025
Today, Benno and Mark were coming from the Plantin Trading Company, so as soon as I finished lunch, I headed to the orphanage director’s room with Fran, Monica, and Nicola.
I intended to prepare the secret room in the orphanage director’s office so that the Plantin Trading Company could use it. As I placed my hand on the door to channel mana, I suddenly realized something terrible.
…What should I do!? Gil isn’t here!
The only attendants who know about my relationship with Benno and the others from my days in downtown and wouldn’t mind losing their composure are Gil and Fran.
But Fran seems to have very unpleasant memories of the secret room; her expression stiffens whenever we get close to it. If I insisted, she would probably comply with a face resigned to death, but I don’t want to force her like that.
“Lady Rosemine, aren’t you going to prepare the secret room?” Fran asked suspiciously when I stopped just as we were about to enter. I hesitated for a moment and then forced a smile to cover it up.
“Today… I thought we could talk here instead.”
“…Since Gil isn’t here, I will accompany you.”
“I appreciate your feelings, Fran, but there’s no need to overexert yourself.”
When I shook my head, Fran replied with a calm expression that barely hid her struggle, “Lady Rosemine, I apologize for the trouble, but please help me overcome my discomfort.”
“Because Lady Rosemine is striving as the lord’s adopted daughter, I, as the chief attendant, cannot remain stuck in the same place. I want to overcome this weakness.”
If Fran insisted she would do this no matter what I said, I could reject the idea, but if she asked for my cooperation, I couldn’t refuse.
“…Then I’ll cooperate, but if you start feeling unwell, say so immediately, okay? We can also talk over here; forcing yourself won’t do any good.”
“Understood.”
Behind Fran, Nicola chuckled softly, “This is the opposite of usual, isn’t it?”
To avoid interfering with the cleaning of the secret room, I sat at a table on the second floor where documents and tea were ready. I sipped tea occasionally glancing back to check on the secret room.
Monica first opened the secret room door wide and began cleaning inside. Nicola followed her in.
Then Fran stood in front of the door, her complexion still pale.
Feeling uneasy, I watched Fran closely; sensing my gaze, she turned around and gave me a small smile.
“I’m okay, Lady Rosemine.”
When she first entered the secret room, her face looked pale and tense, but after stepping out, she seemed normal. She moved calmly, cleaning and preparing tea.
Fran hides her emotions well, so I wondered if she was desperately concealing her struggle. Leaning forward in my chair, I observed Fran as she cleaned and carried snacks.
The next time our eyes met, she seemed to be barely holding back a laugh.
“I’m really fine.”
…Hmm, I suspect she’s pushing herself.
While I was watching her suspiciously, Fritz, who had been waiting at the gate, brought Benno and Mark.
After exchanging polite greetings with the nobles, we all entered the secret room.
Still worried, I tried to glance at Fran, but she lightly pressed my shoulder and said, “Don’t look away.” It was her usual reaction.
…Looks like she’s really okay?
Fran served tea to Benno and the others without changing expression. I drank the tea she made — it tasted the same as always, without any sign of nervousness or agitation.
“So, what’s the matter this time? I heard you have new paper…”
Benno started the conversation while enjoying the tea. At the same time, Fran smoothly placed the new paper and letters from Lutz and Gil in front of Benno.
“Benno, this is the new paper from Ilkner. According to the letters from Lutz and Gil, it’s a smooth material, and they want you to check if ink will adhere properly. Please give it to Heidi at the Ink Workshop for research.”
“Got it.”
I muttered that I also wanted to research it, but Benno gave me a sharp glare.