Chapter 10

The Grossroad family provides a white-collar workplace, so there is a half-day off once a week, and an additional full day off.

Working 5.5 days a week is rare in this country; usually, it's just one day off per week.

Perhaps the fact that the main servants are all over 50 is one of the reasons. They have a wonderful master.

"Well, you don't find such a good workplace often. I'll work here until I die," Marilyn said, and it seems that the others share a similar view.

The only young ones are me and Ellen, who is four years older and a bit chubby. She plans to marry her childhood friend, but since he is still an apprentice furniture maker, she is saving money until he can support them on his own.

Because of her cheerful and straightforward personality, she doesn't seem to mind that I was a noble. She simply says, "Oh, that must have been tough," and treats me normally. She's a good person.

The servants here are all calm and friendly, perhaps because of the good working environment. There's no tension or hostility.

There's no bullying, either. Everyone is considerate, worrying that taking care of Lady Sara might be difficult. If I didn't have the goal of opening a shop, I might have stayed here forever.

However, once Lady Sara grows up, my role as a nanny will end, so I need to work hard and save money until then.

Today is my day off.

I wrote a letter to Isabella and the others, telling them about my life and work here, and that I'm doing well despite missing them. They are the only ones who worry about me now that my parents are gone. I've decided to invite them to my shop as soon as it opens. Wait for me, everyone!

On my way to post the letter, I planned to do some shopping in town. Since it was my first time taking a shared carriage, I asked the head chef, Herman, for directions in the kitchen. The stop is about five minutes from the mansion, which was closer than I expected. It will be helpful, especially since I'll have a lot of luggage on the way back.

"Once you exit the gate, just go straight left, and you'll see a sign," he said.

"Thank you!"

As I bowed, Herman called out, "Hey, Celia."

"I heard from the master that you'll be in charge of Lady Sara's meals and snacks for the next three months. Are you okay with that?"

"Okay with that...?"

"Well, you see, Lady Sara basically only eats meat and sweets. I'm worried that your efforts to improve her health might be in vain. And you're not that experienced in cooking, are you, given that you were a lady?"

Herman looked at me with concern. He's a gruff, middle-aged man in his late 40s, but he's actually very kind.

"I was a poor viscount's daughter, so we only had a few servants, and I did some cooking myself. Besides, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Thank you for your concern."

I smiled gratefully, and he looked a bit embarrassed.

"Alright. You can use this corner of the kitchen as you like. If you need help, just let me know. There's an oven you don't usually use, so you can use that one."

He pointed to an area with three gas stoves and the oven behind it.

I'm grateful for the gas in this country. Even with my cooking skills, it would be difficult to start a fire and cook from scratch with charcoal.

Just because I have memories from my past life doesn't mean I can do everything. This isn't a world with magic.

But thinking about it, Japan had gas over 200 years ago, so it's not surprising that this place has it too. The gas oven is a big help.

"Got it! I'll be going now."

"Alright. Enjoy your day off."

I thanked him and headed for the gate. Lady Sara was sitting on a sofa in the living room next to the entrance, looking at a picture book.

"Celia, are you going out?"

She stood up and ran over, leaving the book behind.

"Yes, I'm taking the day off to go shopping in town."

"That's nice... I want to go out too."

Lady Sara hasn't been outside since being taken in by the marquis. The master is always busy.

...I hesitated for a moment.

"I'll be carrying a lot of luggage, so I won't be able to carry or piggyback you if you get tired. But if you're okay with that, would you like to come with me? Of course, we need Marilyn's permission first."

Lady Sara's eyes lit up.

"Really? I'll be good and walk properly! Marilyn! Marilyn, where are you?"

She ran off, patting her feet.

...Perhaps this outing was inevitable for both of us.

We got Marilyn's permission, and Lady Sara and I went to town, posted the letter, and finished our shopping. Before heading back, I checked the time and saw that there was still some time before the shared carriage left.

As a reward for her good behavior, I was treating Lady Sara to cake and juice at an open-air café when the incident happened.

"That boy is so handsome," Lady Sara said, looking at a group of boys playing ball, one of whom was tall and good-looking.

I smiled, thinking, "Oh, so you're a girl after all," when the boy glanced over and looked surprised.

...Oh, I have a bad feeling about this.

"Wow, what a huge fat girl! Like a ball!"

The boy's comment was a direct hit, and the others laughed along.

Men can be cruel with their words.

Lady Sara, clearly shocked by the comment, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Celia... am I really that fat?"

I thought, "Of course, this was going to happen..."

She had been living in the marquis's house, pampered by her stepfather and the servants. Marilyn had mentioned that she was only slightly chubby when she was first taken in.

Without anyone pointing out that she was "obviously too fat," she wouldn't have known.

I looked at Lady Sara straight in the eye.

"...I don't like lying."

"Me neither."

I felt sorry for her, already sniffling, but knowing oneself is the first step to change.

My diet plan won't work unless Lady Sara is willing to try.

"To be honest, you can't deny that you're fat. It's a fact."

"..."

Tears overflowed from Lady Sara's eyes, and I almost cried too. But if not for this opportunity, she might never have realized the need to lose weight.

I wanted to punch the boys who hurt her, but it's better to hear it now than as an adult.

"–But, please don't cry, Lady Sara. I'll transform you into an incredibly cute lady. Don't you want to be a lady that those boys would never dare to mock? Don't you want to show them?"

"I'm so sad... and angry..."

She rubbed her teary eyes with her fists, and I wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

"Besides, wouldn't it be better if you got sick less often and felt better? Wouldn't you want to be healthier?"

"Really...? I want to be healthy. Getting sick is so uncomfortable..."

"If you follow my advice, you will definitely feel better. It might be a bit tough, but can you try your best? Will you give up?"

"...I don't want to be called fat anymore..."

"Then, leave it to me. I'll make you healthy and a slim, cute lady! I never lie, you know?"

"I know... but, does that mean I can't eat sweets anymore...? I love them so much..."

She looked at the half-eaten cake and almost cried again.

"I know that strict diets don't last, so you can still eat sweets. Just the ones I approve. You can also eat meat, so don't worry. The most important thing is your pride, Lady Sara."

"...I'll try my best, Celia! But, can I finish this cake? It would be a waste..."

"Of course, go ahead. I'm treating you today, so please finish it all. It would make me sad if you left any."

"You're right! Thank you!"

Yes, she's still a child. It's hard to switch to a dieting mindset right away, even when she's upset. It can't be helped.

She's only seven.

She might realize the importance of her appearance when she's older, around 16, the age of debut in society, but I can't wait that long. If she continues to grow this way, it could have a negative impact on her health.

Lady Sara, for the next three months, I will make you healthy and a bit slimmer. It's a promise to the master, and I need to show results to keep my job.

You don't know this, but I'm the type who goes all the way once I decide to do something. Hehehe.

I was relieved that the items I bought today wouldn't go to waste.

I spent 30,000, which is a lot for me.

...I need to make sure the money is well spent. No, I'll show them!