Chapter 28

Recently, Miss Elizabeth has been visiting frequently.

When she doesn’t come, Nonna goes to the MacGregor family’s house. I wonder how they became such good friends, but it’s wonderful that Nonna has made her first female friend.

Thanks to Elizabeth, Nonna has started attending tea parties all over. Still, I haven’t heard of her causing any particular trouble, so I assume she’s managing to behave like a proper lady.

One evening, Mr. Clark, who had just finished work, visited our house.

“Teacher, hasn’t Nonna been attending tea parties recently?”

“No, she’s been attending them quite often.”

“Attending... with whom?”

“With Miss Elizabeth MacGregor, whom she’s recently become close to.”

“Oh, that young lady. Why is that? She was mean to Nonna before.”

“It seems that when Nonna took a strong stance, they became close very quickly.”

“I see.”

“Mr. Clark, is there something you’re worried about?”

After some encouragement, Mr. Clark, who is usually tight-lipped, revealed that at her first tea party, many young gentlemen had gathered around Nonna.

According to Mr. Clark, “like ants swarming around sugar,” they surrounded Nonna and chatted with her.

“Nonna was so composed and followed all the ladylike manners, unlike when she’s with me. But because she drew so much attention from the young gentlemen, Miss Elizabeth took notice.”

“Oh, I see. Nonna still seems to enjoy the company of female friends more than male ones. I’ve never heard of her being surrounded by young gentlemen before. Perhaps it didn’t even register in her memory.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Mr. Clark’s expression brightened, and he looked adorable. He must have thought that Nonna might be taken by other young gentlemen.

“Mr. Clark, please spend some time with Nonna occasionally.”

“Yes! Of course. I’ve been disappointed that I haven’t seen her much since I returned from abroad. When we went to Cibyr, it felt like old times and was very enjoyable.”

Mr. Clark left, saying he would visit again on his next day off. When I told Nonna, she was delighted and said, “Wow! What shall we do to play?”

Today, as usual, Miss Elizabeth came to our house and was giving Nonna advice on her hairstyle.

“Nonna, you should put more effort into your hairstyle.”

Nonna dislikes tying her hair up tightly because it gives her a headache. So, she usually wears it in a loose braid or lets it hang down freely.

While they were playing together, I was making ointments.

Apparently, the ointments sold at the convent in the South District have gained a good reputation, and even servants from the East District’s nobility are coming to buy them.

I have submitted the necessary paperwork for selling the ointments, and the content has been verified by the relevant authorities, but it’s challenging to keep up with the demand since I’m the only one making them.

I entrusted Lead with delivering the finished ointments to the convent and changed into plain clothes for a walk to Zachary’s Old Book Rental Store.

Will Zachary was reading a book, and there were two other customers in the store.

“Welcome. Please take your time.”

“Hello. I’ll be in your way.”

First, I checked the bookshelf with the disguised old books to ensure they were gone, feeling relieved. Since the loan society was shut down, the disguised old books that were previously displayed have disappeared. It’s good that fewer people are being deceived.

Nonna has been borrowing and reading books from Miss Elizabeth’s house, and even when I offer to buy them, she doesn’t come here as often anymore.

I bought two old embroidery books and was about to pay when Mr. Zachary spoke to me.

“Excuse me, do you have an interest in old books? I noticed you often look at the bookshelf with the doors, so I thought you might be a collector.”

“Yes, a little.”

“In fact, I have acquired a rare old book. Would you like to see it?”

“Yes, I would be delighted to see it.”

The book Mr. Zachary showed me was breathtakingly beautiful.

Not as rare as Elmar’s handwritten “The Lost Crown,” but quite old. The title, embossed in gold, was “The History of Adornment,” and it featured realistic illustrations of luxurious necklaces, chokers, bracelets, and rings from various times and places.

“It’s wonderful. The illustrations are beautiful, and the historical anecdotes in the margins are all very interesting. I’m not an expert on accessories, but I think this book is both enjoyable to read and to look at.”

“I thought you would say that. I would be very happy if you decided to buy it, and the book would be delighted too.”

“Oh.”

I could afford it. Our family has been given many gold coins.

However, the book costs eight small gold coins. I hesitate to spend that much on an old book. If I donated that amount, I could improve the quality of the beds at the convent. If I had to choose, improving the beds at the convent is more important to me.

“It’s a tough decision. Actually, in another building that I use as a warehouse, there are similar books at more affordable prices. Would you like to see them? I can have the driver accompany you for your safety.”

“Yes, but it’s already evening. Perhaps tomorrow.”

“Yes, I’ll be waiting for you. I’ll be ready with beautiful old books.”

Today, Nonna is visiting Mr. Clark’s house. She should be home tomorrow. I might ask her to come with me. I’d like Jeffrey to come too, but he goes to the knights’ barracks almost every day. The Second Knight Commander keeps summoning Jeffrey for various reasons.

Jeffrey is fond of the knights, so he seems happy to go to the barracks. If Jeffrey is happy, that’s all that matters.

When I told Nonna about this, she said,

“Sure, I’d like to see the beautiful illustrations in old books too.”

That night, I imagined what kind of books I might encounter tomorrow and fell asleep.