Chapter 48

I'm very sorry for the wait. From today, I plan to update frequently! On Comic Walker, you can read up to two episodes of the wonderful comic adaptation, so please do ( ˘人˘ )♡♡

When I finally finished washing everyone's clothes, Lord Zain showed even more enthusiasm, asking, "Is there anything else to wash?" I was almost on the verge of tears.

Still, I steeled my heart and added the pile of clothes that had been accumulating, and we continued washing tirelessly. Lord Zain didn't complain once and washed everything carefully by hand.

"Hanging them in an arch improves air circulation. Try to maximize the surface area exposed to the air."

"Got it."

As we were hanging the clothes on the line, Evan returned with a large bear on his back. It seems the bear will be tonight's dinner. A stew might be good too.

At first, I was surprised every time Evan brought back scary animals, but I've gotten used to it. Yan is also very calm and can handle the preparation, so I feel like I can live anywhere with these two.

"Miss, if you're going back to the cabin, please let me know. Thanks to you, I had to run around the mountain five times—oh, Duke Winslett is here too, I see."

"Yeah, sorry. I borrowed your clothes because of some things that happened."

"Feel free to use as many of my clothes as you need."

Evan, who didn't seem to have any doubts about Lord Zain's presence, casually asked, "Do you like bears?"

I called Evan to a distance and whispered in a low voice.

"Y-You don't need to bring back any more bears! I'm sorry for going back first. It's an emergency... Actually, Lord Zain followed me all the way to this place."

"Of course."

"Huh?"

Evan said this matter-of-factly, making me blink in surprise. Evan continued, seeing my shock.

"I had my doubts about the last multi-headed snake hunt, so I thought it was an excuse to bring you back."

"W-Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't have any concrete proof, and I figured you would eventually find out if you kept running away."

After the sea and the mountains, how about a big city next? Evan said this with a cheerful laugh and dragged the bear to Yan.

I sighed and returned to Lord Zain, who had apparently not stopped working while we were talking and had just finished hanging the last shirt.

"Everything is done. So, what should we do next?"

"Umm..."

When he asked with a smile, I decided to immediately implement the next and the next strategy.

◇◇◇

A few hours later, I was completely exhausted both physically and mentally.

To make Lord Zain experience extreme poverty and push him into menial tasks, I had to move around non-stop myself.

On the other hand, Lord Zain seemed to have endless stamina and completed tasks from cleaning to chopping firewood with ease.

"…………Why"

– It had been more than half a year since my reincarnation, and I had learned about the noble society through personal experience. I understood the prestige of a Duke's position.

Lord Zain, who maintained his dignity and was filled with pride, was supposed to have the highest pride of all.

That's why I understood how extraordinary his current actions were. And knowing that it was all for me, my heart couldn't help but be moved.

Now, in the small kitchen, we were preparing dinner. Lord Zain, who had never stood in a kitchen before, was curiously looking at and touching various things.

"Really, all these herbs are edible?"

Holding the wild herbs I had gathered in the mountains, Lord Zain looked a bit puzzled. These were undoubtedly ingredients he would never eat in his life.

"Yes. Some require peeling or removing bitterness, but they have a unique texture and flavor and are quite delicious. This one becomes thick when cooked and is great for soups."

As I explained each one, I noticed that Lord Zain was not looking at the herbs but at me.

His gaze was gentle, making me feel a bit confused.

"……You really haven't changed, have you?"

"Huh?"

"At that time—during Grace's actions on the Novak Mountain, I couldn't understand everything, but now I think I do."

Lord Zain smiled slightly and started peeling the herbs as I had instructed.

His dexterity and familiarity with handling knives made him surprisingly skilled, despite it being his first time.

"Can I ask why you're interested in wild herbs?"

"Huh? Well, because they don't cost money."

"What do you mean?"

"……Actually, I'm not good with money. I get sick when I make expensive purchases, and I feel happy when I can save even a little."

I spoke honestly about my true feelings. For Lord Zain, who had lived as a wealthy and pure noble, this must have been an incomprehensible feeling.

Lord Zain, who had been nodding occasionally, eventually showed a look of understanding.

"Oh, that's why you always looked confused when looking at menus and only ordered cheap items when we ate out."

I had tried not to show it on my face, but apparently, it was obvious. I realized again that I couldn't pretend to be a greedy and evil woman.

"I like this self-sufficient lifestyle. I want to live quietly in the countryside in the future and am not good with glamorous places."

"……"

"Three dresses are enough for me, and I want to use tea until it runs out."

I continued to speak about my thoughts, even though it made me feel sad. This was who I was, and there was nothing I could do about it.

We were from different places, environments, and even worlds. But the heroine Charlotte would eventually share everything with Lord Zain.

"……I see."

Lord Zain remained silent for a while but didn't stop peeling the herbs.

I thought he would be completely put off, and I mentally celebrated the success of my plan. I knew that upbringing and values would inevitably show in small moments.

But when I felt a sharp pain in my chest, he said:

"Thank you for talking to me. It's good to know your true thoughts and feelings."

"……You're not put off?"

"Of course not. Your thoughts, which I don't have, are interesting and give me a chance to reflect on myself."

Looking at Lord Zain's profile, I couldn't see any hint of lying. I knew he wasn't the type to lie like this.

"But, if our values and thoughts are so different, how can it work out…"

"There's no one with exactly the same values. It's about knowing, accepting, and respecting each other. Besides, I believe we can overcome anything together."

His words made my chest tighten.

– Why is Lord Zain so straightforward and pure? Why does he like me so much?

I thought no one would ever say such things to me again in my life.

"So? What should we do next?"

"Huh, oh, I'll do the cooking! Thank you for everything. Please rest over there."

Realizing that such a plan was meaningless, I pointed to the hall where Evan and the others were. But Lord Zain sat down on a nearby chair.

"Can I just watch you here?"

"……Do as you please."

"Yeah, I'll do as I please."

Seeing Lord Zain's cheerful smile, I felt I would never be able to match him.