Chapter 36

Nonna was boasting to Mr. Clark about knowing a store with delicious apple pie. The content of their conversation, which they were whispering to each other, reached my ears as I was checking the spelling of the two of them in my notebook.

"Is it that good?"

"Yeah. The apple pie was really delicious. The crust was crispy, and it was loaded with apples."

"Wow, that sounds great. I love apple pie. I could eat it every day."

"Would you like to go with me next time?"

"Really? Is that okay?"

"Sure. I'll take you with Vicki."

"Thank you very much."

Just a moment, please.

Their conversation was so adorable that my hand trembled as I was giving them perfect scores.

"Mr. Clark, would you like to go and eat apple pie together?"

"Yes, teacher. I would like to go!"

"Then, I'll come to pick you up when Lord Bernard finishes his work tomorrow."

"No, I'll come to my great-uncle's house. It will be faster that way!"

Lord Bernard has fully recovered and returned home.

After such a conversation, today we are at the pastry shop in the southern district that Mr. Zahar taught us. In the corner of the shop, Mr. Clark and Nonna ordered apple pie, and I ordered a hearty butter cake. We all ordered tea to drink.

"Teacher, the apple pie is really delicious. Because my mother and father don't like sweet things, our cook doesn't make much dessert."

"Is that so? Since it's a special occasion, Mr. Clark, please enjoy it."

Mr. Clark put the apple pie in his mouth with a blissful expression, and Nonna had a "how about that" kind of look. The face of a beautiful girl boasting is quite irresistible.

As we were enjoying our meal, a woman in her fifties came in. From her attire and manner of speaking, she was probably a noble's servant, but she seemed to be having some trouble in the back.

"I'm sorry, but the apple pies are sold out."

"Oh. Not even one piece left?"

"Yes, I'm very sorry."

"Hmm... What should I do?"

Ah, it might be because I bought a whole apple pie for Mr. Clark's souvenir. The woman seemed quite troubled. I thought I could give it to her another day, so I called out to her.

"Excuse me, if it's okay, I can give you the whole apple pie I bought for a souvenir."

"Would that be alright?"

"Yes, I can get it another day."

The woman bowed several times and, when she left, she looked back at us, holding the apple pie carefully.

"Teacher, do you like apple pie so much?"

"I do love apple pie, but I wanted to share it with Lady Eva and the Earl. If you don't like sweet things, I can get something else. There are many other delicious things."

Mr. Clark looked embarrassed, so I explained,

"It's a thank you for always enjoying delicious tea and pastries at the mansion."

That day, I saw Mr. Clark off in the Anderson family carriage, very satisfied, and went home with Nonna.

We soaked in the bathtub together and, as a luxury, washed our bodies with the high-quality soap given to us by Lady Yorana. After that, we slept peacefully facing each other. Nonna likes to sleep in the same bed.

A six-year-old is old enough to sleep alone, but considering her background, I want to fill the loneliness she must have felt living alone during the day and night. After Nonna falls asleep, I usually wake up to read books, translate for Lord Bernard, or exercise.

The following week.

"Hey, Victoria, I heard you know the maid of the Hanson Earl?"

"Hanson... No, I don't."

I couldn't think of any maid Lady Eva was talking about.

"The Hanson Earl has business with my husband. Today, his wife came to my house with some rare tea leaves, and the maid who came with her remembered Clark. She said you gave her the apple pie."

"Oh! I see. I met her at the pastry shop in the southern district last week. She was very disappointed that the apple pies were sold out, so I gave her the one I bought for a souvenir."

Lady Eva nodded in understanding. I thought that was the end of the story.

Three days later.

The Hanson Earl and his wife visited the Anderson family again with the maid. After a while, Nonna and I, who had just finished our language lesson, were called.

"Victoria, the Hanson Earl wants to talk to you two."

"Oh, what about?"

If it was just to thank me for the apple pie, it seemed a bit too much. I had a bad feeling.

When Nonna and I entered the Anderson family's parlor, the couple, who looked very much like nobles, stood up from their chairs to look at Nonna. Both had blonde hair, and the woman was dabbing her eyes with her hand.

(What? Are these people Nonna's parents?)

They looked so much like Nonna in atmosphere.

"Nice to meet you."

When Nonna and I greeted them, the man also had a look of deep emotion.

"Victoria, please sit down. This is the Hanson Earl and his wife. Earl, this is Victoria, and this is Nonna."

When we sat down, the two of them stared intently at Nonna.

"Well, when I heard the story from the maid, I was half-believing it, but she really does look like her."

"Yes, yes, she looks just like her."

"Excuse me, what do you mean?"

Then the Earl's wife began to speak, pressing a handkerchief to her eyes.

"My daughter died of illness at the age of three, but if she were six, she would look just like this."

"So, Victoria, the Hanson Earl wants to adopt Nonna."

"..."

A bad feeling is often right.

"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of giving up this child."

"No, please think about it. From what I understand, you are single and working while raising this child. If she becomes our ward, we can provide her with a comfortable life economically. In the future, we can have her marry a relative's son and continue our family. Don't you think that would be better for her?"

That's true. Status and economic security are indeed important.

"Vicki, what are they talking about?"

"They're asking if Nonna can become the child of this Earl."

"Eh? No way."

Then the Earl's wife interjected.

"A six-year-old child can't understand the importance of this. It's natural for her to want to stay with someone she's used to. But as adults, we must consider the child's happiness. If something happens to you, this child will be left on the street, won't she?"

That's true. If I get sick or injured and can't work, we'll be in trouble.

Seeing me fall silent, the Earl gained momentum and made a proposal.

"Nonna, how about it? Why don't you come and stay at our house for a week as a trial? You don't know what a noble's life is like, but you might change your mind after living it."

"Yes. I'll make you a dress. I'll buy you accessories that match your beautiful eyes. We can go see a play, and you can use a cute room just for you."

They think that if she tastes luxury, her heart will be moved. But our Nonna isn't that cheap.