Published: August 15, 2025
From that day on, Ceri stopped coming to my room.
She used to be my comfort—always helping me choose my hairstyle and dress as a maid apprentice, and during the day she would keep Lisa company. Of course, I tried to find her and apologize, but it seemed she was avoiding me... even when I visited her room, she wouldn’t open the door.
I even consulted her grandfather, Wolfgang, but he quietly shook his head.
“This matter is that child’s selfishness. If she immediately apologized and cheered up, that would be one thing. But with Lady Marie coming all the way to her room and receiving this attitude, I cannot defend her any longer.”
“But... Ceri is still a child.”
“Eight years old is an age where one should understand things well enough. If her attitude softens a bit, I will mediate, so Lady Marie, please don’t spoil your grandchild too much.”
Wolfgang said this with a gentle smile.
Hearing that, I could only wait.
Lying on my bed in my room, tossing cushions with Lisa, I was troubled. My worries were about Nanny Ella—about her relationships with others.
...She’s not a bad person. I think she’s a good person. She works hard, is kind and considerate, humble and modest.
It’s unthinkable she would attack someone. Rather, it’s Ella who gets bullied or harassed unjustly and feels apologetic herself.
...Yes, Ella is not at fault... but maybe her attitude is causing friction with the other attendants...
Ceri’s round blue eyes filled with tears as she ran away. This time, the fault lay with her—but Ceri wasn’t a bad child either.
...Perhaps whether a person is good or bad is not the reason for failing to get along well with others.
Thinking of Ceri’s back, I couldn’t shake that feeling.
...Ella is a good person, yet she’s hardly accepted in this castle. I want her to be rewarded for working so hard. Surely all she needs is a chance. First, I, as the lady of the castle, should somehow get along with her and connect her with the other attendants.
...Alright, I’ll become friends with Ella!
Though that’s quite a high hurdle! I’ve never had a friend myself!
As I played catch with Lisa using a cushion, I pondered.
How to become friends, how to get her to like me...
Share hobbies? Does Ella like reading? No, I heard she can speak Dirts language but can’t read or write it, so maybe she doesn’t like studying much.
What’s easier... gifts? Unlike when I was with the Shadelan Family, I now have many things a woman might like—accessories, trinkets... No, it wouldn’t be right to give those to Ella since most were gifts from Lord Cyrus and others. Re-gifting would be rude to both giver and receiver. I don’t want to part with them either.
Then something I can buy with my allowance... or even handmade...
Something I can create that she might like...
At that moment, I suddenly remembered something I talked about with Tunic the other day.
“Ah... that’s right!”
I whispered softly.
“Cook Sphain’s local cuisine?”
“...Lady Marie?”
Thomas and Adam asked in surprise.
Four bright brown eyes looked at me with wide curiosity. Finding them amusing, Lisa giggled. Holding my daughter, I nodded.
“Yes, exactly! I want to make Ella, who’s from Sphain, taste the flavor of her hometown. I plan to cook Tender Mama’s paella.”
“Mom’s?”
Thomas and Adam’s voices chimed again.
Hehe, they look so alike lined up like this.
Yes—the two are real brothers, two years apart. They came together from Luhab Island, the sons of Tender Mama.
Thomas has wheat-colored hair, while Adam’s is dark brown and a bit shorter. Though they look somewhat alike if you say they’re brothers, they rarely admit it. Especially Adam, who doesn’t want to be seen as “the younger brother.” We try not to treat them as siblings when possible.
Hearing their mother’s name, they clearly felt nostalgic. Adam’s expression softened.
“Mom’s paella, huh. We haven’t eaten that in a long time.”
“We haven’t been back to the island for years. Honestly, I barely remember Mom’s taste. And I don’t know the recipe.”