Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

I removed the lid of the pot in front of Nanny Ella and happily explained how it worked.

The Chaidan set—somehow it felt very nostalgic. I had just used it locally a few months ago. But the last time I used it at Granado Castle was nearly two years ago, shortly after I had come to this Granado Castle and was still new here.

Yes, back then, living in poverty with a weary heart and being shy, I was overly reserved and couldn’t make friends easily. What loosened my heart was Lord Cyrus and this Chaidan set. The two-tiered pot slowly steeps the tea leaves, and it takes time before you can drink a cup of tea.

While waiting, you inevitably have to chat to pass the time. To fill the gap, you end up bringing up various topics. In this way, even if a little forcefully, this magical tool (item) creates opportunities for conversation.

Nanny Ella, listening to my explanation, just glanced alternately at the tea set and my face, still somewhat absent-minded.

“Talk… with me? Um… what should we talk about?”

“Anything is fine. For example, playing shiritori.”

“...Shiritori? Is that really a conversation...?”

Well, when you put it that way, shiritori is a game and not really small talk. But back then, it did make it easier to talk with Lord Cyrus—well.

“Yes, ‘favorite things shiritori’! You play shiritori using only things you like. That way, you learn a lot about the other person’s interests and also remember fun things you hadn’t realized yourself.”

I blurted this out quickly, and Nanny Ella gave a low-energy “huh.” Ugh, I guess I was the only one making such a big fuss.

But since Lisa was happily playing by herself—it was a precious time and the best chance to get closer to Nanny Ella. So I straightened my determination and said,

“Anyway, let’s just have a fun chat. If there’s anything fun that’s happened to you recently, please tell me?”

“...Not really...” Nanny Ella murmured while staring at the Chaidan set.

“Not really anything.”

“Even at the marquis’ mansion, and since coming here, it’s mostly just the same every day... working from morning till night. Nothing unusual happens.”

“What about days off? Going somewhere to play or buying something for a hobby?”

“I don’t have days off, nor a salary. The marquis takes care of my food, clothing, and shelter.”

“Ehh!?”

I couldn’t help but cry out loudly.

Perhaps reacting to my voice, I heard Lisa fussing. I stood up and picked her up from the crib. Wolfgang, being considerate, reached out his hand and said,

“I’ll take a walk in the courtyard. If she’s in a good mood, even this old man can look after her.”

“Thank you, Wolfgang. Please.”

Wolfgang bowed with his usual gentlemanly smile and left the dining hall with Lisa. I followed him at least to the hallway, then once just outside the dining hall, I saw off the butler and the girl.

Then, turning back to talk to Nanny Ella more slowly—

“—!?”

I gasped an inaudible scream. I noticed a piece of paper stuck on Nanny Ella’s back.

“Dirty white pig woman. Go back to the countryside of Sphain.”

Wh—what is this!

I grabbed it and tore it off with all my strength. The paper had been glued on, so it peeled off easily without tearing. But there was no way she wouldn’t notice.

Nanny Ella, startled, turned around, and the insulting words were seen by her as well. I hastily hid it behind my back and said,

“D-don’t mind it! This is a joke… surely, just some children’s prank...!”

Nanny Ella sat there with a blank look. She must have seen the words on the paper, but she didn’t seem shocked or upset. Huh? I tilted my head in confusion.

Nanny Ella, keeping her usual absent expression, asked.

“A prank… you say? What did it say?”

“Uh—um. You didn’t see it?”

“I saw it, but I can’t read Dirts language.”

What a miracle! I was so relieved…!

Well, maybe not really a miracle. Now that I think about it, it’s not so strange. Nanny Ella is Sphain people. Her mistress, Lady Sophia, is a Dilz person. As a retainer, she would normally be bilingual, but reading and writing might not be mastered yet.